The Trader's Gift

The Traders #4

by Anna Jacobs

THE TRADER'S GIFT is the fourth novel in Anna Jacobs' wonderfully atmospheric saga series 'The Traders', set in Europe, the Orient and Australia's Swan River Colony.'This is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff!'Daily MailHappy and content with a beautiful wife and thriving family, successful trader Bram is determined to help his two friends Mitchell and Dougal find wives.In England, Eleanor Prescott has not forgotten the ship's captain who was a true friend to her. Dougal McBride told her to come to him when she was ready. When her ailing husband dies, she wonders if she dare return to Western Australia. Will Dougal still want her after nearly a year?Mitchell Nash, Bram Deagan's friend in Australia, has asked his cousin in England whether he knows of any lady who might be suitable for him to marry. Though what sort of woman would make such an arduous voyage to marry someone she's never met? For one widow, however, desperate to keep her young son from a cruel relative's clutches, Mitchell's invitation is a lifeline she will grasp with both hands.Clutching their courage in both hands, Eleanor and Jacinta take a huge risk on the chance of happiness and set off for Australia. But the troubles of their old lives can't be easily left behind . . .**********************What readers are saying about THE TRADER'S GIFT'A wonderfully written, enjoyable story' -5 stars'No surprise that this is yet another fantastic read from Anna Jacobs' -5 stars'Anna Jacobs is an amazing story teller, she never disappoints and you are hooked from the first page' -5 stars'Loved this book and all the other books in the Traders Series. I couldn't put it down' -5 stars'Extremely good reading - Anna Jacobs is a top-of-the-range author' -5 stars

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance

432 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trader series book four.


A captivating instalment!

Set in 1870, Swan River Colony

Anna Jacobs writes the best people!

A series that is awfully hard to put down once you start reading - magical, heartwarming and addictive.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacinta ,Mitchell ,Eleanor ,dougal.

Well bram deagan has been matchmaking his dear friends and what a story Jacinta is widowed with a son but has a fight on her hands to keep her son but with Mitchels help and love she finds a way .Eleanor met Dougal on her way to England but is now widowed and returns to Australia to find Dougal .A must read 5STARS .

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon avis en Français

My English review

Si vous n’avez jamais lu un des romans d’Anna Jacobs, je ne peux que vous les recommander. Toutes les séries s’entrecroisent à divers degrés et je suis toujours ravie de me lancer dans ses histoires.

Bram est bien décidé à trouver des épouses et époux à ses proches. Mais il ne s’attend pas à ce que ses amis y parviennent finalement tout seuls. C’est ainsi que nous allons suivre l’histoire d’Eleanor et Jacinta qui n’ont pas eu une vie facile avec leur mari et qui se retrouvent enfin libres après leur mort. Malheureusement, Jacinta va vite déchanter quand elle va découvrir qu’on en a après elle. Eleanor, elle, est décidée à retrouver Dougal, en espérant que ses sentiments n’ont pas changé après tout ce temps.

J’ai beaucoup aimé ce roman, c’est une super histoire et j’attendais avec curiosité de voir comment notre chère Jacinta et son fils allaient s’en sortir, parce que les ennuis semblent la suivre partout où elle va, même quand elle change de continent.

Cette histoire nous dépayse et nous permet de découvrir de nouveaux personnages. Une très bonne lecture !

[Lillybelle Strika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading The Trader’s Gift by Anna Jacobs felt like stepping back in time and walking alongside my parents, and so many other expats, as they migrated to Australia in the 1970s. Through its pages, I could feel the courage it must have taken to leave everything familiar behind, carrying little more than hope, determination, and dreams of a better future.

The story deepened my appreciation for the sacrifices they made and the tireless work they put in to build a new life. It reminded me that the opportunities I enjoy today were born from their bravery and perseverance, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soppy. Downright soppy, and yet I loved it. The Trader's Gift reintroduces us to Eleanor, the woman who I was hoping would run off into the sunset with Dougal when we first met her. Sadly that didn't happen but her husband finally (!) died in this book and that made me beyond happy because she's ready to seek out Dougal and who doesn't love a woman who grasps her life with her own hands? We're also introduced to Jacinta and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, what with her bad luck of men. Her husband was horrid and then the relative she found was somehow even worse, so her agreeing to be a mail-order bride was very believable. Sad, but believable.

I've been rooting for Mitchell ever since we were introduced to him when he was searching for his son, so for him to be the one Jacinta agreed to marry just made my day. They were the perfect match and dear god, I smiled so much while reading. I don't know who I liked the most: Dougal and Eleanor or Mitchell and Jacinta. But they're so soppy, the lot of them!

Once more, The Trader's Gift was full of lively characters who shine brightly, and getting an update on Bram and Isabella was terrific. Introducing new characters in each book was a really good choice and I love how each of the new characters make their own paths. Anna Jacobs is an author I never thought I'd love but one I don't think I'll ever stop reading.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not disappointed with the third book in the series.

[mrs B Yeates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Th traders books

This series of books are unstoppable reading. They keep you from any other books. While you are kept so spellbound by them you can think you are actually there.

[Steven Báthory · Rating 4 out of 5]

L’auteure m’ayant convaincu avec sa série, Les Pionnières, alliant aventures et passions, j’ai eu plus qu’envie de découvrir une autre de ses œuvre en me lançant dans le dernier volet paru de Swan Hill, semblant se lire indépendamment des autres tomes. De mon côté, je n’ai nullement été gêné dans ma lecture qui s’est dévoilée divertissante et a su répondre à mes attentes.

Pourtant, il est vrai que le ton dévoilé m’a semblé davantage plus grave et sombre que ce que je connaissais de la plume d’Anna Jacobs et cela m’a permis de découvrir une nouvelle facette de son style se révélant toujours aussi fluide et facile d’accès. Cette dernière narre un récit des plus immersif et, même si je ne me suis pas autant évadé que précédemment, j’ai été sensible à l’intrigue générale, porté par l’idée de ce que peut offrir une seconde chance et que j’ai trouvé fort séduisante. Ainsi, les voyages opérés et les contrées dessinées m’ont plus que ravivé et j’avoue que je n’aurais pas été contre quelques chapitres en plus tant les idées rythmant cette aventure se suivent sans parfois me laisser le temps de me poser et de me nourrir des émotions dévoilées. En ce sens et étonnamment, j’admets que sa prose m’a ainsi semblé bien moins fine et poétique que celle de sa précédente série et sans quelques recherches, il est vrai que je pensais cet écrit plus ancien que son prédécesseur.

Pourtant et grâce à ses attachants personnages, l’auteure offre une nouvelle fois une délicieuse représentation de la société d’autan que j’ai adoré découvrir malgré la noirceur et la dureté de certains protagonistes. Il est vrai que certains très de caractères peuvent alors sembler assez caricaturaux et manichéens mais pour le reste, j’ai fortement apprécié les portraits esquissés faisant figure d’une douce et délicieuse rencontre. Une douceur qui colle parfaitement à la saison ainsi qu’aux caractères parfois intrépides et fougueux de Jacinta et Elaonor, ce tendre et aimant tandem qui chercheront à trouver l’amour auprès des célibataires Dougal et Mitchell. Naturellement, j’ai fortement apprécié les voir s’apprivoiser les uns des autres tout comme j’ai aimé découvrir la colonie établie et les protagonistes emblématiques de ces terres sauvages dont les origines me laissent songeur et me donnent envie de découvrir les précédents chapitres.

C’est pourquoi et bien que légèrement moins saisissante et propice à l’évasion, j’ai apprécié découvrir les contrées peuplées de touchants et tendres personnages comme sait les dessiner Anna Jacobs. C’est pourquoi, je ressors satisfait de mon incursion dans son univers quand bien même ce dernier m’a parfois semblé bien moins développé. Pour autant et idéale en bords de mer, cette lecture est parfaite pour la saison.

Cette lecture a été réalisée à l’occasion de mon partenariat avec les Editions de L’Archipel.

Cette lecture a été réalisée à l’occasion du Shiny Summer Challenge – 2023 : Menu Eté ensoleillé – Catégorie Un transat et un livre.

[Cindy Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read in the series!

I am enjoying this series so much! The story of the friends and relatives of Bram Deagan and they're travels from England to Australia in the latter 19th century is so good.

Two widows are prominent in this book, both having had bad marriages. The plot is creative and the characters all well described and developed. This book took me a day to read. The author has great storytelling skill and I look forward to the next book of the series.

I recommend to readers of historical fiction.

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant story

I just loved this book how wonderful to see 3people going all the way to Australia to find love and happiness i was really happy for Eleanor and Dougal i wanted so much for him to be happy and Quinton with Harriet.I felt a little bit sorry for Jacinta not knowing what to expect with Nash but how kind was he a lovely man .Gerald Blacklea was horrible and Pearson evil people.I also enjoyed catching up with the Deagans and Adam and Ismay,I would recommend this author to all readers.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book in this fantastic series. I’m loving this series. The characters are awesome and I love how she has intergraded them all into each novel and keeps it going in each book. I am ready for the last one now. It feels like I am loosing friend when I finish each book.

[Clare Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Loved this heart warming story. Highs and lows of life ,with a wonderful heart warming ending. Great addition to The Traders series..

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Book 4 in the Trader Series another enjoyable read in this saga of books.

[william shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loving this series the traders cant wait to read the last book in the series

[Carla Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Traders Series

Love Anna Jacobs books - struggle to put down the Traders series & can't believe I'm about to start Book 5!

[Iulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional storytelling, book 4 in the Traders series. Every 1 has been enjoyable to read, characters popping in and out from all 4 books.
Onto book 5!!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read; predictable.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pages just keep turning as I work my way through Anna Jacob’s addictive Traders series, set in the early settlement days of the Swan River colony in Western Australia. The Trader’s Gift is the fourth instalment of the series. The series focus is still on Bram Deagan, an Irish Immigrant to the Fremantle colony, who has a passion for his business and tries to do good by others. Bram is doing well for himself business wise as a trader of goods from the Orient to Australia. He is also settled with his loving wife and business partner Isabella. They now have a blossoming young family. After helping his younger sister Ismay make a better life for herself in Australia, Bram turns his attentions to his friends Dougal and Mitchell. Both men are in need of a female companion, which comes in the form of the characters Eleanor and Jacinta. Eleanor and Jacinta both have pasts which will threaten their future happiness as they make the adventurous passage to Fremantle. Eleanor now a widow, is taking a chance at happiness with Dougal McBride, after she developed an unforgettable friendship with the Captain some time ago. Jacinta’s story is more tragic, she is escaping the clutches those who wish to take her young son away from her. Jacinta makes the journey to Fremantle as a mail order bride to the lonely Mitchell, hoping to find safety and happiness in Fremantle. Both women undertake a huge risk in travelling to Fremantle, trusting they will find happiness on the other side of the world.
The Traders series is wonderfully written and enlightening read of the early days of settlement in the Swan River. The characters are rich, diverse and personable. I like how each book has introduced a new set of characters making the journey to Fremantle, trying to make a fresh start. Simultaneously the reader gets an update on Bram and Isabella, two main characters from the first Traders book. Jacinta and Eleanor, the two main characters in the Trader’s Gift, are brave women of their time. The two women’s actions in the book are admirable as the reader witnesses their struggles to overcome the past, which is the heart of this book. The romance side is more obvious in this Traders book, but was explored with the right level of sentiment. What I have also enjoyed about the Trader’s Gift is the sense of adventure as the characters travel from Europe to the Orient and Australia. An absorbing read, I would not hesitate to recommend the Trader’s Gift for a good dose of historical adventure mixed with a light romance.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth of five in this series this book differs slightly from the first three. In the first three you had one main female character, Isabella, Ismay and Maura, they all meet their future spouses at the beginning of the book and by the end have eventually fallen in love and decided to get married. In this book there are two main female characters, Eleanor and Jacinta. Eleanor has already met the love of her life in a previous book and is hopeful that he still loves her as she makes her way back to Australia and Jacinta has no idea what the future hold for her as she has never met the man she will marry. The first part of the book sets up the story and why these women and one man (also on his way to Australia to be with the woman he loves) they have come to decide to take a chance on moving around the world for a new life. There is tension and drama as Jacinta is protecting her young son from a would be kidnapper who follows them on the ship. When they finally arrive at their destination things pick up and romance blooms between three couples. It is a touching story, and while there are new characters to meet, you also visit those mentioned in previous stories, Bram and Isabella and their growing family, Ismay and Adam, Maura and Hugh and you watch their characters grow and develop in each book and get to revisit them. I will be sad when I read the finale of this great series as I have grown to love all of the characters in these books, from the main characters who have each had their own stories, to the minor characters and of course to the children who have both been there from the beginning and who have been born throughout the series. Overall this book was a quick engaging read and though I'll be sad to see the end of this series I still look forward to read the final installment.

[E.A. Harwik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trader's Gift is book four of a five book historical undertaking by Anna Jacobs, The Trader Series.

These books have a rich mix of characters travelling to and from Fremantle, Western Australia. Each story supports the growing business endeavours of Bram Deagan a minor character in the preceding three book historical series by Anna Jacobs, The Swan River Series. Bram was an impoverished Irish immigrant with a passion to make good.

In book one of The Trader Series, The Trader's Wife, Bram finds a wife and supporting business partner, Isabella, in Singapore before establishing an emporium in Fremantle. In book two, The Trader's Sister, Bram's sister Ismay desperately journeys from Ireland hoping Bram can help her survive. Book three, The Trader's Dream, covers the journey undertaken by three orphaned and destitute children in the charge of Maura, Bram's aunty.

The Trader's Gift introduces Jacinta, a widow escaping the clutches of mean, self-servicing and life threatening relatives. Jacinta is desperate enough to chance an escape by undertaking a bewildering journey to Fremantle as a sight-unseen mail order bride.

Meanwhile Eleanor, a character in the preceding book, the Trader's Dream is also found returning to Fremantle on a hope that an impossible promise sealed with a single kiss might become more than a constant source of happy dreams.

A chance encounter finds Eleanor helping Jacinta, a friendship sparks and another enchanting Anna Jacobs historical adventure begins to mature.

I fell love with the elegance of Eleanor's character in The Trader's Dream. I hoped she might return and wasn't disappointed.

Wonderfully written enjoyable story. These books keep getting better, five stars.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another star turn from the pen of Anna Jacobs. Quite how she does it so consistently, I'll never know. This is the fourth book in the serious about Bram Deagan, his family and friends, living in Western Australia. This time Bram dreams of finding wives for two of his dearest friends, Dougal, a sea captain, and Mitchell Nash, a timber merchant. On the far side of the world, recently widowed Eleanor wonders if she dare rely on a promise Dougal made to her, while widowed Jacinta needs and urgent solution of how to keep her son safe from the clutches of a cruel man. Soon the two women become friends and embark on the journey, more in hope than certainty. Once again, Anna has created a whole bunch of (mostly, well there has to be at least one baddie!) likeable characters. I can't wait for the final book where she rounds off the stories of everyone involved. I've just pre-ordered it!

[V.E. Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another well written, engaging instalment in the 'Traders' series, set in 19th century Western Australia, by the talented Anna Jacobs. In this book, we meet up again with the familiar characters of Bram Deagan and his friends and relatives, as well as newcomer Jacinta Blacklea, an english widow who risks it all to embark on a new life in Australia. A lovely read.

[Cookie1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book in the Trader series by Anna Jacobs. It is as good as the others. In this book Eleanor is returning to The Swan River colony to see if Dougal still wants to marry her and Jacinta is coming to escape a cruel marriage and brother in law. She hopes to marry a man she has not met.
It is a great read, full of history.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio,I loved this book.A lovely story about two women of different back grounds moving to Australia,both hope to find happiness.This book kept me wanting to read more.Beautiful wrote,well worth a read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. I read the first 68 pages in the bath and had to force myself to get out! LOL Looking forward to the 5th and last book in this series. Then I'll start on a new Anna Jacobs series.

[Christine Standing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit soppy but nice for a change

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE these books!!

[Amanda Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reliable wholesome read that never fails to disappoint.