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The Australian Historical Saga #2
Eye For An Eye
New South Wales, Australia, 1820
Young and eager to prove himself, Matthew Bradbury accepts a post as a police constable in a dangerous district of a former convict colony.
While tracking down a notorious gang, he is shadowed at every turn by a mysterious bounty hunter calling herself Nellie Chambers.
After learning that Nellie is on the hunt for her lost child — seemingly stolen by the gang — Matthew vows to aid her in her search.
But their mission is complicated when the unlikely pair find themselves increasingly drawn to one another. And despite his growing attraction to her, Matthew can’t shake the feeling that Nellie isn’t all that she seems…
Eye For An Eye is the second historical novel in The Australian Saga Series: a set of books chronicling the early years of British settlement in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Young and eager to prove himself, Matthew Bradbury accepts a post as a police constable in a dangerous district of a former convict colony.
While tracking down a notorious gang, he is shadowed at every turn by a mysterious bounty hunter calling herself Nellie Chambers.
After learning that Nellie is on the hunt for her lost child — seemingly stolen by the gang — Matthew vows to aid her in her search.
But their mission is complicated when the unlikely pair find themselves increasingly drawn to one another. And despite his growing attraction to her, Matthew can’t shake the feeling that Nellie isn’t all that she seems…
Eye For An Eye is the second historical novel in The Australian Saga Series: a set of books chronicling the early years of British settlement in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2021
199 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
David Field
59 books97 followersDavid was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 18, 2022
Since discovering his writing, I have been a fan of David Field and told anyone who would listen. Having penned a variety of series on numerous topics, Field truly has something for everyone. Field’s latest tetralogy centres around the development of Australia, going from penal colony to settled country with its own struggles. In this second novel, the focus is on Matthew Bradbury, first generation Australian, and his attempts to define himself. Matthew pursues his dreams and becomes a police constable, protecting the region to which he is assigned. When he takes on the case of a missing child, Matthew and the woman who seeks his help become embroiled in more than hunting down a kidnapper. It will surely have a long lasting impact, no matter which way things turn out. Field does it again, pulling the reader in which this short novel that educates and entertains in equal measure.
Matthew Bradbury has grown up in his father’s shadow for long enough. He wishes to definite himself by his own dreams and aspirations, but the elder, Daniel Bradbury, is having none of it. Having left the family home, Matthew takes up as a volunteer constable, in hopes of showing his determination. It’s only when his sister, Rebecca, pleads with him to come home, even for a brief time, that Matthew must face his family and decide what he wants to do.
Chosen to take over a constabulary near Sydney, Matthew agrees to take on the role, partially to fulfil his goals, but also to show his family that he is worth his mettle. When Matthew begins looking into some ghostly events around the community, he discovers Hannah Newcombe, long thought dead. She tells a heart wrenching story about how her husband was murdered by a gang of outlaws and her baby kidnapped. While Hannah has taken justice into her own hands, there is one member of the group left to kill, Phoebe Jackson. With a fire in her belly and Matthew willing to assist, they work to locate Phoebe and the baby.
Juggling his daily role and this special assignment, Matthew Bradbury finds himself connecting with Hannah in ways other than as a worried mother. Leery to share too much, Hannah remains guarded, but cannot deny the connection as well. When Phoebe crosses their path, it is a battle to the end, all in hopes of bringing some justice to a situation that has been filled with blood.
If that were not enough, Matthew must also contend with the rising sentiment of animosity by townsfolk towards the indigenous population. Unwilling to simply drum the original inhabitants of the land out to the bush, Matthew must walk a precarious line and keep order, or risk complete disarray. He hopes only to keep the peace and show his superiors that he has what it takes to maintain order for the time being. Field does a wonderful job at keeping the reader hooked and eager to learn with every page turn.
David Field is an author whose passion is evident in his writing. Having done a great deal of research to present topics so succinctly, Field entertains with his witty narrative and wonderful dialogue, leaving the reader feeling as though they are in the middle of the action.This second novel was vastly different from the series debut, but did much to show me how major issues are beginning to take shape in the new colony, with real struggles and worrisome social division. Exploring the second generation, one can only surmise that Field will use subsequent offspring to expound on evolving issues, as some epic authors have done before him in their own epic series about newly colonised territories. Field holds his own and I would say he stands among those authors of note.
Matthew Bradbury surely takes up the central protagonist role in this piece, though, like the debut, there is a strong female who also has a significant place and cannot be discounted. The character development and backstory of Matthew Bradbury and Hannah Newcombe is revealed throughout, as Field peppers the narrative with both. Their connection is undeniable, though it sees a little more strained than that of Matthew’s parents in the previous novel. Both Matthew and Hannah come into their own and complement one another well, leaving the reader to bask in the greatness of this budding relationship, even if both are hesitant to admit it from the outset.
David Field knows his stuff and presents it in a compact and easy to digest fashion. The narrative flows wonderfully, with varied characters that entertain on every page. Shorter chapters help with the momentum and complement the plot twists, which weave fiction with fact to create an entertaining mix. I have never been disappointed with Field or his writing and this series is shaping up to be something great. Bring on the next book, as I am eager to see where we are headed.
Kudos, Mr. Field, for such a good series to date. Australia has always been of interest to me and I feel right there (though I am scrambling to slip under a tree, with my freckled skin!).
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Matthew Bradbury has grown up in his father’s shadow for long enough. He wishes to definite himself by his own dreams and aspirations, but the elder, Daniel Bradbury, is having none of it. Having left the family home, Matthew takes up as a volunteer constable, in hopes of showing his determination. It’s only when his sister, Rebecca, pleads with him to come home, even for a brief time, that Matthew must face his family and decide what he wants to do.
Chosen to take over a constabulary near Sydney, Matthew agrees to take on the role, partially to fulfil his goals, but also to show his family that he is worth his mettle. When Matthew begins looking into some ghostly events around the community, he discovers Hannah Newcombe, long thought dead. She tells a heart wrenching story about how her husband was murdered by a gang of outlaws and her baby kidnapped. While Hannah has taken justice into her own hands, there is one member of the group left to kill, Phoebe Jackson. With a fire in her belly and Matthew willing to assist, they work to locate Phoebe and the baby.
Juggling his daily role and this special assignment, Matthew Bradbury finds himself connecting with Hannah in ways other than as a worried mother. Leery to share too much, Hannah remains guarded, but cannot deny the connection as well. When Phoebe crosses their path, it is a battle to the end, all in hopes of bringing some justice to a situation that has been filled with blood.
If that were not enough, Matthew must also contend with the rising sentiment of animosity by townsfolk towards the indigenous population. Unwilling to simply drum the original inhabitants of the land out to the bush, Matthew must walk a precarious line and keep order, or risk complete disarray. He hopes only to keep the peace and show his superiors that he has what it takes to maintain order for the time being. Field does a wonderful job at keeping the reader hooked and eager to learn with every page turn.
David Field is an author whose passion is evident in his writing. Having done a great deal of research to present topics so succinctly, Field entertains with his witty narrative and wonderful dialogue, leaving the reader feeling as though they are in the middle of the action.This second novel was vastly different from the series debut, but did much to show me how major issues are beginning to take shape in the new colony, with real struggles and worrisome social division. Exploring the second generation, one can only surmise that Field will use subsequent offspring to expound on evolving issues, as some epic authors have done before him in their own epic series about newly colonised territories. Field holds his own and I would say he stands among those authors of note.
Matthew Bradbury surely takes up the central protagonist role in this piece, though, like the debut, there is a strong female who also has a significant place and cannot be discounted. The character development and backstory of Matthew Bradbury and Hannah Newcombe is revealed throughout, as Field peppers the narrative with both. Their connection is undeniable, though it sees a little more strained than that of Matthew’s parents in the previous novel. Both Matthew and Hannah come into their own and complement one another well, leaving the reader to bask in the greatness of this budding relationship, even if both are hesitant to admit it from the outset.
David Field knows his stuff and presents it in a compact and easy to digest fashion. The narrative flows wonderfully, with varied characters that entertain on every page. Shorter chapters help with the momentum and complement the plot twists, which weave fiction with fact to create an entertaining mix. I have never been disappointed with Field or his writing and this series is shaping up to be something great. Bring on the next book, as I am eager to see where we are headed.
Kudos, Mr. Field, for such a good series to date. Australia has always been of interest to me and I feel right there (though I am scrambling to slip under a tree, with my freckled skin!).
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 20, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
A gentle Australian drama set in NSW telling the story of a young constable dealing with bolters and conflict between white settlers and local Aboriginal tribes. Not a difficult read and certainly one for fans of Colleen McCullough.
A gentle Australian drama set in NSW telling the story of a young constable dealing with bolters and conflict between white settlers and local Aboriginal tribes. Not a difficult read and certainly one for fans of Colleen McCullough.
October 6, 2021
New South Wales, Australia, 1820 Young and eager to prove himself, Matthew Bradbury accepts a post as a police constable in a dangerous district of a former convict colony. While tracking down a notorious gang, he is shadowed at every turn by a mysterious bounty hunter calling herself Nellie Chambers. After learning that Nellie is on the hunt for her lost child — seemingly stolen by the gang — Matthew vows to aid her in her search. But their mission is complicated when the unlikely pair find themselves increasingly drawn to one another. And despite his growing attraction to her, Matthew can’t shake the feeling that Nellie isn’t all that she seems…
This is the second book in this saga & takes place over thirty years after the first. Another well written page turner, which I read in a sitting. Strong characters & vivid descriptions had me engrossed. A lovely mix of intrigue, mystery & romance. I loved both Matthew & Nellie & loved how their relationship developed all set against a stunning backdrop. I look forward to the third part
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the second book in this saga & takes place over thirty years after the first. Another well written page turner, which I read in a sitting. Strong characters & vivid descriptions had me engrossed. A lovely mix of intrigue, mystery & romance. I loved both Matthew & Nellie & loved how their relationship developed all set against a stunning backdrop. I look forward to the third part
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
July 29, 2021
Another excellent story involving the people who who made a life in Australia. As it was being formed with all the hardships, lawlessness, love, and expertise of a new life in a new world.
Excellent read already awaiting the next book in the series.
Excellent read already awaiting the next book in the series.
October 31, 2021
Changing world
The story continues of the early Australian settlers. Love hardship and understanding of the indigenous people begin to develop. An enjoyable read.
The story continues of the early Australian settlers. Love hardship and understanding of the indigenous people begin to develop. An enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews