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Sunlight Over Shadow
It’s Christmastime in Sydney in 1851 and carpenter John Leary is spending it with his beloved sister, her husband and their little son. John is a lucky young man, because most newcomers to the colony are on their own in New South Wales and have left family far behind, while they seek their fortune in the goldfields or the risky enterprises of Sydney town.
The year before, John emigrated from Ireland with the blessing of his parents, but they disapproved of Maureen’s choices. A woman ahead of her time, she went against their wishes to train as a teacher in a Protestant institution and live alone in Dublin. Even worse, she was raped by her landlord on the very eve of John’s departure from Ireland.
Here in Sydney, John vows to offer the help he could not give her in that crisis. Will she heal faster by confiding what happened to her, or has the marriage to Liam Forde been her pathway out of trauma? John yearns to know how the miracle of their love and marriage occurred.
This is Maureen’s story: of how a friend and a would-be avenger came to her aid, and of her journey from shame and horror to accepting intimacy with a man, once she mustered the courage to share the truth about the worst day of her life.
The year before, John emigrated from Ireland with the blessing of his parents, but they disapproved of Maureen’s choices. A woman ahead of her time, she went against their wishes to train as a teacher in a Protestant institution and live alone in Dublin. Even worse, she was raped by her landlord on the very eve of John’s departure from Ireland.
Here in Sydney, John vows to offer the help he could not give her in that crisis. Will she heal faster by confiding what happened to her, or has the marriage to Liam Forde been her pathway out of trauma? John yearns to know how the miracle of their love and marriage occurred.
This is Maureen’s story: of how a friend and a would-be avenger came to her aid, and of her journey from shame and horror to accepting intimacy with a man, once she mustered the courage to share the truth about the worst day of her life.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2022
About the author
Michael Beashel
22 books17 followersMichael Beashel writes historical fiction that explores the unsettling power of truth — and the courage required to live with its consequences.
Set against the formative years of nineteenth-century New South Wales, The Australian Sandstone Series follows men and women tested by ambition, injustice, loyalty, and love. Central to many of these stories are women of moral clarity — characters who confront difficult truths and shape events, often at personal cost.
Born in Sydney and descended from Irish immigrants who settled in Millers Point in 1863, Beashel developed an early fascination with the city’s built form and colonial history. That lifelong interest in construction and the making of places provides the historical texture for his novels — but it is the interior lives of his characters that drive the narrative.
Before turning to fiction, Beashel built a career in the construction and asset development industry, restoring iconic Sydney buildings such as Customs House and Town Hall, and leading projects in Australia and Southeast Asia. Years spent in leadership roles, both in Australia and abroad, deepened his understanding of responsibility, consequence, and human resilience — themes that now shape his writing.
He lives in Sydney with his wife, with whom he has shared decades of marriage, and remains committed to writing stories where truth is tested and character revealed.
The Australian Sandstone Series continues to grow, offering readers psychologically grounded historical fiction that lingers beyond the final page.
Set against the formative years of nineteenth-century New South Wales, The Australian Sandstone Series follows men and women tested by ambition, injustice, loyalty, and love. Central to many of these stories are women of moral clarity — characters who confront difficult truths and shape events, often at personal cost.
Born in Sydney and descended from Irish immigrants who settled in Millers Point in 1863, Beashel developed an early fascination with the city’s built form and colonial history. That lifelong interest in construction and the making of places provides the historical texture for his novels — but it is the interior lives of his characters that drive the narrative.
Before turning to fiction, Beashel built a career in the construction and asset development industry, restoring iconic Sydney buildings such as Customs House and Town Hall, and leading projects in Australia and Southeast Asia. Years spent in leadership roles, both in Australia and abroad, deepened his understanding of responsibility, consequence, and human resilience — themes that now shape his writing.
He lives in Sydney with his wife, with whom he has shared decades of marriage, and remains committed to writing stories where truth is tested and character revealed.
The Australian Sandstone Series continues to grow, offering readers psychologically grounded historical fiction that lingers beyond the final page.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 29, 2025
When Maureen, independent of her family, teacher in a Protestant school and living alone in Dublin, much against her family's wishes, was confronted by her landlord in the privacy of her home, raped and beaten violently, she thought her life had ended. In hospital recovering from her injuries, and never mentioning what had really happened to her, her good friend Jane discovered the truth. But what could she do about it?
Meanwhile John, Maureen's brother, emigrated to Australia, making a new home for himself in Sydney, New South Wales. He felt guilt at leaving Maureen, not knowing the details of what had happened, but was assured by her friendship with Jane, knowing she would care for his sister. Christmas in 1851 was a happy one for John, as he was able to join Maureen and her new husband who had recently emigrated themselves.
Sunlight Over Shadow is an historical novel by Aussie author Michael Beashel, set mainly in Ireland, partly in Sydney. Maureen was a feisty young woman, shattered by her ordeal but determined to move forward with her life as best she could. Recommended.
Meanwhile John, Maureen's brother, emigrated to Australia, making a new home for himself in Sydney, New South Wales. He felt guilt at leaving Maureen, not knowing the details of what had happened, but was assured by her friendship with Jane, knowing she would care for his sister. Christmas in 1851 was a happy one for John, as he was able to join Maureen and her new husband who had recently emigrated themselves.
Sunlight Over Shadow is an historical novel by Aussie author Michael Beashel, set mainly in Ireland, partly in Sydney. Maureen was a feisty young woman, shattered by her ordeal but determined to move forward with her life as best she could. Recommended.
April 11, 2023
This story binds together the earlier ones in the Sandstone series, although it can be read in isolation. John Leary, sets sail for a new beginning in Australia, leaving behind his sister who has just been raped and beaten by her landlord. She does not want to press charges as she knows it would not be in her favour.
This story expands on this, her fight to keep her teaching job, her struggles to come to terms with the rape, her love and appreciation of her new husband. Written in the 1850’s, a period when women were still expected to stay at home, this story describes the emotional stress of having been raped, and Maureen’s struggles to overcome the trauma.
Although the author is a man, his description of the rape and following trauma are worthy of a woman’s experience.
It reads easily, emotions are sensitive and well delivered without the graphic details.
This story expands on this, her fight to keep her teaching job, her struggles to come to terms with the rape, her love and appreciation of her new husband. Written in the 1850’s, a period when women were still expected to stay at home, this story describes the emotional stress of having been raped, and Maureen’s struggles to overcome the trauma.
Although the author is a man, his description of the rape and following trauma are worthy of a woman’s experience.
It reads easily, emotions are sensitive and well delivered without the graphic details.
December 21, 2022
A beautiful story of love given unconditional, and love accepted. A story of a young girl who strikes on her own leaving Londo to seek her future in Australia. Her parents disapproved. They felt she should train to be a teacher or another professional and go with job in hand. Maureen new better, or so she thought. She is raped her first weekend there. This teaches the reader about unconditional love, and how the horror of rape must be shared before healing can start. A novel that should be read by all. I highly recommend this novel and hope to read more in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my true and honest review.
February 29, 2024
Classic Backstory
I'm really getting into the rhythms of this author. Having already read his trilogy, this one expertly filled in some family history and created friendship with yet another fine character.
I'm really getting into the rhythms of this author. Having already read his trilogy, this one expertly filled in some family history and created friendship with yet another fine character.
February 27, 2023
This book is not your typical historical romance because it touches on some sensitive issues. However, I found it to be interesting and well handled. I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews