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Chaseley Saga #1
Past Remembering
To say Asha West's life was in something of a slump would be a fairly accurate description. Her job wasn't as satisfying as it had been, as she knows it should be, and then there was her failed relationship with her first love. What she desperately needed was a change of scene.
Her family wants her to return home so she applies for and gets a position in Brisbane. With a couple of months before her new job begins she's approached to do some genealogical research, something she really enjoys doing, and she sees this as a sign her life might just be getting back on track. So she takes on a family history research project for the elderly Vivienne Chaseley who wants Asha to prepare a book for her stepson's sixtieth birthday.
The Chaseleys are well known as one of Brisbane's pioneering families and it seems they have found a collection of documents relating to the family's arrival in Brisbane in the 1800s. To work on the Chaseley family history Vivienne suggests Asha moves into Tyneholme, their wonderful old home overlooking the Brisbane River.
Asha is delighted to be working with Vivienne and the only drawback is the attractive, yet aloof, Peri Moyland, the granddaughter of Viv's childhood friend. Asha overhears Peri telling the elderly woman that she thinks it's unwise to take a complete stranger into her home. Peri warns Viv she will definitely be watching Asha, so, attractive or not, Asha knows exactly where she stands with the snobbish and obviously distrustful Peri Moyland. Asha wanted to prove to Peri that she was wrong, and for reasons she didn't want to examine too deeply.
Then Asha makes an exciting discovery that reveals more secrets from the family's past. And an almost earth-shattering one from the not so very distant past.
Her family wants her to return home so she applies for and gets a position in Brisbane. With a couple of months before her new job begins she's approached to do some genealogical research, something she really enjoys doing, and she sees this as a sign her life might just be getting back on track. So she takes on a family history research project for the elderly Vivienne Chaseley who wants Asha to prepare a book for her stepson's sixtieth birthday.
The Chaseleys are well known as one of Brisbane's pioneering families and it seems they have found a collection of documents relating to the family's arrival in Brisbane in the 1800s. To work on the Chaseley family history Vivienne suggests Asha moves into Tyneholme, their wonderful old home overlooking the Brisbane River.
Asha is delighted to be working with Vivienne and the only drawback is the attractive, yet aloof, Peri Moyland, the granddaughter of Viv's childhood friend. Asha overhears Peri telling the elderly woman that she thinks it's unwise to take a complete stranger into her home. Peri warns Viv she will definitely be watching Asha, so, attractive or not, Asha knows exactly where she stands with the snobbish and obviously distrustful Peri Moyland. Asha wanted to prove to Peri that she was wrong, and for reasons she didn't want to examine too deeply.
Then Asha makes an exciting discovery that reveals more secrets from the family's past. And an almost earth-shattering one from the not so very distant past.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2007
11 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Lyn Denison
16 books62 followersLyn Denison was born and still resides in Brisbane, Australia, and attended school in Brisbane and Charters Towers. Before making writing a full-time career, Lyn was a librarian. Apart from reading, Lyn enjoys genealogy, scrapbooking, photography, playing her 12-string guitar and chatting with friends.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 28, 2023
4.5 stars
For me, every time Lyn Denison releases a book from her back catalog on audio (especially when it is narrated by the fabulous Jenny Walters) it's a reason to celebrate.
I've made no secret of the fact that Denison's books have been gracing my bookshelves for well over 20 years now, so getting a classic story released in a new format is something of a dream come true. Especially when so few sapphic fiction authors are able to do it. Even more reason to support Denison's efforts!
In this book we get multiple stories of love - in both the present day and the past. Genealogy researcher Asha West is hired to create a detailed family history for a prominent pioneering family in Brisbane, Australia. In the course of her work she meets cool, aloof Peri Moyland who stirs very unexpected feelings in her. Especially when Peri appears to be straight. The research itself is fascinating, especially when Asha finds treasures the family didn't know existed - personal journals by a beloved grandparent from the past. What she finds - and what we as readers will experience - is a wonderfully detailed history of challenge, perseverance and the love of a lifetime.
This book was published in 2007, well before lgbtq rights were established and being out was still challenging. And be prepared for a lot of going back and forth between the present day and the past. There is also an intriguing teaser for another once-forbidden romance that is explored in the sequel to this book, For All Time published in 2020 (which I can't believe I haven't read yet and need to move on that pronto!) While this is a little dated now, I still enjoyed it very much.
I must do some more Jenny Walters swooning here. I could listen to her gorgeous Aussie accent and tone all day long. She's definitely become one of my favorite narrators. And I love Lyn Denison even more for bringing her to us!
For me, every time Lyn Denison releases a book from her back catalog on audio (especially when it is narrated by the fabulous Jenny Walters) it's a reason to celebrate.
I've made no secret of the fact that Denison's books have been gracing my bookshelves for well over 20 years now, so getting a classic story released in a new format is something of a dream come true. Especially when so few sapphic fiction authors are able to do it. Even more reason to support Denison's efforts!
In this book we get multiple stories of love - in both the present day and the past. Genealogy researcher Asha West is hired to create a detailed family history for a prominent pioneering family in Brisbane, Australia. In the course of her work she meets cool, aloof Peri Moyland who stirs very unexpected feelings in her. Especially when Peri appears to be straight. The research itself is fascinating, especially when Asha finds treasures the family didn't know existed - personal journals by a beloved grandparent from the past. What she finds - and what we as readers will experience - is a wonderfully detailed history of challenge, perseverance and the love of a lifetime.
This book was published in 2007, well before lgbtq rights were established and being out was still challenging. And be prepared for a lot of going back and forth between the present day and the past. There is also an intriguing teaser for another once-forbidden romance that is explored in the sequel to this book, For All Time published in 2020 (which I can't believe I haven't read yet and need to move on that pronto!) While this is a little dated now, I still enjoyed it very much.
I must do some more Jenny Walters swooning here. I could listen to her gorgeous Aussie accent and tone all day long. She's definitely become one of my favorite narrators. And I love Lyn Denison even more for bringing her to us!
November 3, 2021
Lyn Denison has been a pioneer of the lesbian book since 1990, when she released her first book.
She has written over twenty books formerly published by Bella Books. The 90s were not yet very open to lesbianism. but since that date she has been able to write lesbian romances with sexual relations.
Many lesbian books today would not be published if some authors had not taken the lead. Read,The Wild One, Gold Fever, among others.
Read her books and see the modernity of what she wrote.
She has written over twenty books formerly published by Bella Books. The 90s were not yet very open to lesbianism. but since that date she has been able to write lesbian romances with sexual relations.
Many lesbian books today would not be published if some authors had not taken the lead. Read,The Wild One, Gold Fever, among others.
Read her books and see the modernity of what she wrote.
March 20, 2016
Totally enjoyed this book. It's a wonderful mix of history, geneology, romantic and lesbian relationships, mysteries and life after moving to another country in earlier times. I highly recommend this book if you want a book that's hard to put down. Denison weaves a great story that makes you want to turn to the next page. Well Done!
October 8, 2017
I was at my local LGBT center earlier this week and was given free reign to borrow whatever I wanted from their collection of books, which instantly sent me into a panic, especially since I had to leave soon. I randomly picked a few books off the shelves and scanned their backs. This one seemed like it would have several elements that I would like, so I went with it.
It had family secrets and lesbians! So yes! Elements I am fond of! It was a very pleasant and quick read. A major part of the plot is the main character discovering two hidden journals, and to my joy she sat down and read them right then and there. (There was only a short break to go eat dinner, I think.) This delighted me, because it's my pet peeve in books when a secret journal is found, but it takes the protagonist practically the entire story to read it. To me, a curious soul, that is UNREALISTIC. Of course reading this book it was a bit daunting when I realized that the next 50 pages were the journal entries. But I soon got into it, especially when I realized the secret that lay at the heart of the journals. I was quite amused that no one who read them was able to figure it out, though. It was pretty obvious from early on.
It had family secrets and lesbians! So yes! Elements I am fond of! It was a very pleasant and quick read. A major part of the plot is the main character discovering two hidden journals, and to my joy she sat down and read them right then and there. (There was only a short break to go eat dinner, I think.) This delighted me, because it's my pet peeve in books when a secret journal is found, but it takes the protagonist practically the entire story to read it. To me, a curious soul, that is UNREALISTIC. Of course reading this book it was a bit daunting when I realized that the next 50 pages were the journal entries. But I soon got into it, especially when I realized the secret that lay at the heart of the journals. I was quite amused that no one who read them was able to figure it out, though. It was pretty obvious from early on.
May 21, 2023
Past Remembering tells of long kept secrets and family histories that serve as the backdrop for two beautiful love stories...Asha and Peri. Georgie and Margaret.
It's delightful and sweet.
And hints at even more to come in the sequel.
It's delightful and sweet.
And hints at even more to come in the sequel.
October 15, 2024
Another great book by Lyn. I love her writing and the storytelling. The characters are well written and relatable. I have a number of her books and will get them all. They area great read.
March 13, 2025
Oh I thought this was going to remain one voice telling a history of Queensland through a diary Then it zapped me. I enjoyed the connectedness of the past and now. I wonder how many studies of genology have come up with a similar secret. That would be great research
March 27, 2021
Really loved this story. Ice queen and a soft hearted lamb.
Very sweet and sexy too.
Loved it.
Very sweet and sexy too.
Loved it.
July 12, 2017
I am a sucker for fictional history. The author wove the story with yarns of history, genealogy, emotions and romance. It was a read with absolutely no regrets.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews