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Old Balmain House #2-3
Child Unknown
Box Set of Books 2 and 3 of 'Old Balmain House' Series. The story moves on to another generation. A new family lives here. This is a story of a little girl, Sophie, unseen and unknown over three generations. At vital times she appears to help this family when in great need. Who Sophie is and where she has come from is the story of the first book in this series, 'The Old Balmain House'.
Now in these two books the story moves forward to another family, 50 years on, living in the same house. It tells of their struggles, first the struggle of the mother, Lizzie, to make a life for herself when pregnant after a brutal rape, without surrendering this child for adoption. Then in the next generation it is the struggle of her own daughter to save the life of her child through finding out who the real father is. The men from whom she must seek help are awful, once rapists, now convicted criminals who her own mother helped to put away. Yet it is to these men and their families she must go begging for help!
Book 2, 'Lizzie's Tale" tells the story Lizzie, a young unmarried mother in the 1960s, and of the choices she must make to escape from an impossible situation. Book 3, 'Devil's Choice', tells the story of Catherine, Lizzie's daughter, twenty years later, and how she must finally confront the truth behind what happened to her mother if she is to save the life of her own child. Woven through all is the recurring presence of Sophie, a child from a time long past, unseen and yet known, who becomes a friend to each child in turn in their moment of need.
This series tells of courageous women who rise above adversity. In doing so they touch and bring meaning to many lives. These two books provide a story which may be read alone, however they also form a sequel to Sophie’s story, told in the first book of this series, ‘The Old Balmain House
Now in these two books the story moves forward to another family, 50 years on, living in the same house. It tells of their struggles, first the struggle of the mother, Lizzie, to make a life for herself when pregnant after a brutal rape, without surrendering this child for adoption. Then in the next generation it is the struggle of her own daughter to save the life of her child through finding out who the real father is. The men from whom she must seek help are awful, once rapists, now convicted criminals who her own mother helped to put away. Yet it is to these men and their families she must go begging for help!
Book 2, 'Lizzie's Tale" tells the story Lizzie, a young unmarried mother in the 1960s, and of the choices she must make to escape from an impossible situation. Book 3, 'Devil's Choice', tells the story of Catherine, Lizzie's daughter, twenty years later, and how she must finally confront the truth behind what happened to her mother if she is to save the life of her own child. Woven through all is the recurring presence of Sophie, a child from a time long past, unseen and yet known, who becomes a friend to each child in turn in their moment of need.
This series tells of courageous women who rise above adversity. In doing so they touch and bring meaning to many lives. These two books provide a story which may be read alone, however they also form a sequel to Sophie’s story, told in the first book of this series, ‘The Old Balmain House
- GenresEbooks
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2018
5 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Graham Wilson
62 books337 followersGraham Wilson lives in Sydney, Australia.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.
His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.
Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.
Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.
Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.
Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.
His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.
Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.
Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.
Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.
Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 15, 2016
Most people who read these two books give them four or five stars. I think four stars is about right as they both need a bit more editing which I will do shortly. I would particularly value comments that any readers have on them to assist me in improving the next editions
August 29, 2020
This is a two story book that carries a bit of the supernatural, some ugly perversions and lots of hope, perseverance and forgiveness. The first story, 'Lizzie's Tale', is the sad tale of a young girl's strength and endurance along with a nice little love story. The second, 'Devil's Choice', is a chronicle of childhood leukemia and the dire straits parents endure during their child's treatments. It is also about redemption and mercy. Initially, I had a little trouble getting into this book but it grabbed me along the way and I ended with a smile on my face and an upbeat mood.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
August 25, 2020
Lizzie’s story and Child Unknown (Old Balmain House series)
In some other times ( not pandemic times) these books would have been more appreciated by me but because of the darkness (even if it’s more realistic) is a bit more disheartening. I guess I need a more happy, light story even if it is more fiction.
In some other times ( not pandemic times) these books would have been more appreciated by me but because of the darkness (even if it’s more realistic) is a bit more disheartening. I guess I need a more happy, light story even if it is more fiction.
June 20, 2018
I loved reading these books and hearing how Sophie had helped out other families. I absolutely love the attention to detail and the storylines.
January 26, 2021
I love history stories that resurrect the character's essence in such a way as to make you feel that you would have loved to have lived so you could meet these honorable folks. Sophie seems to have latched onto keeping her future families safe, who in times of trouble she will help those in need. Won't go into any details but I liked the story line, the way in flowed and especially how everyone made sacrifices and worked hard to make better lives for their families.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews