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Sydney Cove #1
To Love Anew
Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she's ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left - her dignity. When she is banished from London, she is certain God has turned his back on her.
John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything - his wife, his business, even his freedom. John's and Hannah's paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God's unconditional love.
John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything - his wife, his business, even his freedom. John's and Hannah's paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God's unconditional love.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2007
185 people are currently reading
2132 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Leon
32 books183 followersBonnie Leon is the author of twenty-three novels, including the recently released One Hundred Valleys, To Dance With Dolphins, the popular Alaskan Skies and bestselling The Journey of Eleven Moons.
Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, and even Africa.
She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother.
Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
You can find bonnie at
https://www.bonnieleon.com
https://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAu...
https://www.bonnieleon.blogspot.com
https://www.@bonnie_leon
https://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/
Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, and even Africa.
She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother.
Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
You can find bonnie at
https://www.bonnieleon.com
https://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAu...
https://www.bonnieleon.blogspot.com
https://www.@bonnie_leon
https://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
April 29, 2012
I got this book as a freebie for my Nook tablet. I wasn't sure if how much I would like it, but decided to give it a go. The first few chapters were difficult to get into. I think the writer could have done a bit better developing the story and the characters in the beginning, but once I got past the first few chapters I was hooked. I know other readers have commented that they didn't like how much sadness and hardship there was in the book. Personally, this is one of the things I loved most, not that I liked seeing the characters suffer, but I feel like the hardships made the story realistic. The characters responses to these hardships I feel were realistic as well and this drew me in to the story. This story is a reminder of how great God's love for us is. In that way, this book was a true blessing to me and a reminder I needed. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian and/or historical fiction, and I am interested in reading the other two books to find out just what other adventures Hannah and John go on to have.
October 16, 2007
To Love Anew is an amazing journey you won't want to miss. There are some pretty edgy scenes in this book, which of course worked well for me. However, someone else may find a few things a bit hard to read because they were SO realistically done. I felt like I was Hannah suffering through the majority of the book. The stench, the pain, the heartache were all vividly portrayed. I doubt I would have survived what Hannah went through and may have given up hope long before. But Hannah was a survivor despite her low opinion of herself and the guilt that nearly consumed her.
I loved how the author took people that Hannah would not normally associate with, but given her circumstances, she is then forced to look at her own heart and prejudices. The unspeakable evils done to the prisoners amazed me in that anyone survived at all. The story reminded me of the movie Amistad, but the prisoners on the ship were white. The forced labor for the prisoners and lack of freedom was just like slavery.
John was the ultimate hero and just about made me swoon whenever he spoke to Hannah. He had plenty of reasons to be bitter, but still managed to keep his honor despite his harsh living situation. His devotion to Hannah was also commendable. I loved the tension between the two of them. Their connection felt realistic and deep. And the emotional tension between them is what excellent romance writing is all about. I loved their relationship and rooted for them to the end--as John never gave up hope.
The best part of this book (besides the delectable romance) was probably the spiritual portion. Hannah had every reason to believe God had abandoned her. She responded like any human would in a similar situation. Of course God never left her, but the journey she took toward that realization was awesome. I loved this story!
I loved how the author took people that Hannah would not normally associate with, but given her circumstances, she is then forced to look at her own heart and prejudices. The unspeakable evils done to the prisoners amazed me in that anyone survived at all. The story reminded me of the movie Amistad, but the prisoners on the ship were white. The forced labor for the prisoners and lack of freedom was just like slavery.
John was the ultimate hero and just about made me swoon whenever he spoke to Hannah. He had plenty of reasons to be bitter, but still managed to keep his honor despite his harsh living situation. His devotion to Hannah was also commendable. I loved the tension between the two of them. Their connection felt realistic and deep. And the emotional tension between them is what excellent romance writing is all about. I loved their relationship and rooted for them to the end--as John never gave up hope.
The best part of this book (besides the delectable romance) was probably the spiritual portion. Hannah had every reason to believe God had abandoned her. She responded like any human would in a similar situation. Of course God never left her, but the journey she took toward that realization was awesome. I loved this story!
September 9, 2012
ok, I've read other books by this author and loved her. This one I wasn't so keen on. I loved the history and the fact that it wasn't another cheery little Christian novel where nothing terribly bad ever happens and life is grand and families are wonderful blah blah blah...
this is not an easy read. It's dark and seems terribly hopeless. Bad things happened to good people! One part that really disturbed me was there was never an explanation about why she lost her baby except the fact that she prayed and asked God to please kill it and then it died. Nothing was ever said about the sailor that knocked her down and kicked her in the stomach!!! It seemed terribly wrong to me that she was raped, imprisoned, shipped off on a terrible ship to a different country, and mistreated along the way and she felt guilty for praying that her baby would die and she never remembered that she had been kicked, which most likely caused the baby to die, not her prayers. I don't know...there was a lot of anger from her about her situation and then all of a sudden she's preaching forgiveness to John and she's just peachy again. It just seemed like there was a bunch left out or the author was in a hurry to finish up or something. not a horrible book but definitely not my favorite either.
this is not an easy read. It's dark and seems terribly hopeless. Bad things happened to good people! One part that really disturbed me was there was never an explanation about why she lost her baby except the fact that she prayed and asked God to please kill it and then it died. Nothing was ever said about the sailor that knocked her down and kicked her in the stomach!!! It seemed terribly wrong to me that she was raped, imprisoned, shipped off on a terrible ship to a different country, and mistreated along the way and she felt guilty for praying that her baby would die and she never remembered that she had been kicked, which most likely caused the baby to die, not her prayers. I don't know...there was a lot of anger from her about her situation and then all of a sudden she's preaching forgiveness to John and she's just peachy again. It just seemed like there was a bunch left out or the author was in a hurry to finish up or something. not a horrible book but definitely not my favorite either.
June 22, 2016
Having got not one, but three convicts in our family tree I really related to this historical romance. Two of our convicts were married to each other – he had his ticket of leave and then he chose her as a wife from the woman’s prison factory and they went on to have a long marriage, many children and a very successful general store. Their daughter married the third convict in our family tree. So we know a little bit about our Aussie convicts and their history. Bonnie Leon has really done her research and she brings alive the (in this instance) dodgy judicial system, the horrendously harsh life in both the English and the Australian prisons, as well as the inhumane conditions on board the transport ships that brought the prisoners to Australia. No wonder there was a huge loss of life – locked in the hold and only allowed out occasionally, the stench, the squalor and the soldiers coming down and dragging unwilling women off for forced sex overwhelm the senses. There are some pretty edgy scenes through the book – not explicit but enough to let your imagination fill in the gaps – and be saddened and/or horrified. The women especially had it tough. However, there were many wonderful people who were willing to be kind to the convicts, who understood that many of them had been driven by circumstances rather than evil intent, and were willing to give them a chance to turn around, and fight to make their lives a little bit better. Hannah’s story could have happened to any young defenceless girl with no protectors, and is an example of bad things happening to good people.
TO LOVE ANEW is the first in a trilogy that follow Hannah and John’s lives. It is not a light and fluffy romance, the situations faced by these two are confronting and tough, and while the descriptions of what they endured aren’t graphic, my goodness the words gets the message across. Hannah also has a crisis of faith – which is really not surprising – so she has to battle with that and there are a lot of good people who help her find her way back to the fold. There is great personal growth for Hannah as the story unfold which I really like in a story. I would certainly read more of Bonnie Leon’s work.
TO LOVE ANEW is the first in a trilogy that follow Hannah and John’s lives. It is not a light and fluffy romance, the situations faced by these two are confronting and tough, and while the descriptions of what they endured aren’t graphic, my goodness the words gets the message across. Hannah also has a crisis of faith – which is really not surprising – so she has to battle with that and there are a lot of good people who help her find her way back to the fold. There is great personal growth for Hannah as the story unfold which I really like in a story. I would certainly read more of Bonnie Leon’s work.
December 21, 2012
The following paragraph is a book description from Amazon.com:
Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she’s ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left–her dignity. When she is banished from London, she is certain God has turned his back on her. John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything–his wife, his business, even his freedom. John’s and Hannah’s paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God’s unconditional love.
While I believe that this story had an original plot with much potential, I do not believe that the author did an effective job executing the story. I did enjoy the story line, although it is not a happy, uplifting one. However, parts of it I found myself going “Really? Seriously?”.
For instance, the characters in the book hardly saw each other, and practically knew only each others names, but they seemed to have magically fallen in love. In my own personal opinion, it was rather unrealistic in that regard. Also, the ending was rather disappointing. Although Hannah knew she needed to tell John about her past, in order to have an open and honest relationship, and that she was being encouraged to do so by godly ladies, she changes her mind the day before the wedding, and marries him without doing so. Really?
So, although the story line was unique and intriguing there are a few downfalls. Overall, though, I would say that teens and adults may enjoy this book as a quick read (I say teens and adults because there are parts that I would consider a bit mature for younger audiences).
Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she’s ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left–her dignity. When she is banished from London, she is certain God has turned his back on her. John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything–his wife, his business, even his freedom. John’s and Hannah’s paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God’s unconditional love.
While I believe that this story had an original plot with much potential, I do not believe that the author did an effective job executing the story. I did enjoy the story line, although it is not a happy, uplifting one. However, parts of it I found myself going “Really? Seriously?”.
For instance, the characters in the book hardly saw each other, and practically knew only each others names, but they seemed to have magically fallen in love. In my own personal opinion, it was rather unrealistic in that regard. Also, the ending was rather disappointing. Although Hannah knew she needed to tell John about her past, in order to have an open and honest relationship, and that she was being encouraged to do so by godly ladies, she changes her mind the day before the wedding, and marries him without doing so. Really?
So, although the story line was unique and intriguing there are a few downfalls. Overall, though, I would say that teens and adults may enjoy this book as a quick read (I say teens and adults because there are parts that I would consider a bit mature for younger audiences).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2012
Kept you interested but had so much tragedy and sadness.I Liked how it turned out but was exausted by all the trials that the characters had to go through.
December 13, 2021
I liked the book and plan to read more by this new-to-me author, but the ending almost made me change my rating from a 4 to a 3. I was so frustrated Hannah kept her past a secret from John! That decision did not settle well with me. I also never truly felt a connection between the main characters. Their relationship was more like instalove than a true friendship growing into something deeper. I also felt like the characters did not have true growth. They remained bitter and unforgiving for most of the book. The ending drug out longer than necessary as well but the plot was interesting enough to finish reading. 3.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2012
I chose this book thinking that it would really deal with redemption and grace. I hope the author meant well, but just couldn't communicate the true meaning of redemption and grace. Since this book is so terrible, I feel no problems with revealing the plot.
The story revolves around Hannah and John. Hannah is a young seamstress, whose mother dies, leaving Hannah destitute and desperate in England. Hannah is forced to take work as a scullery maid at the home of a prominent judge. The judge pursues Hannah and eventually rapes her. Hannah escapes from the home and wanders the streets of London, starving. In a final act of desperation, she steals a loaf of bread and is put into prison for thievery. She is sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in South New Wales (Australia) by the Judge who raped her--after falsely accusing her of stealing silver from him.
John is a wealthy business owner with a disreptutable cousin. One afternoon, the two men go for a drink, where John's cousin goads on a thug who attacks both men. John, in self-defense, kills the man John is carted off to prison, while his cousin empties the company bank account and runs off with John's wife. John is sentenced to prison for life in South New Wales.
John and Hannah meet briefly on the ship to South New Wales. Hannah endures terrible conditions, watching women and children die around her and endures the horror of sailors taking and using women. In short her life is hell. In the midst of this awful tragedy, she realizes that she is pregnant. She can't bear to have the baby and begs God to take the baby from her. She miscarries at 4 months.
Both John and Hannah suffer terrible conditions in prison in South New Wales, but eventually are set out to work for the Atherton's, a fair and kind couple. I'll leave the story there. . . .
What really ruined the book for me was the attitude of Hannah about herself. Hannah blamed herself for the rape and for wishing her baby dead. She saw herself as spoiled. I understand that this feeling of being spoiled or used is probably pretty normal for a rape victim. What didn't seem normal to me is how Hannah never outgrew that feeling, despite supposedly feeling forgiven by God. And honestly, it bugged me that she even thought she required forgiveness. I seriously worry about young women reading this book, with the message that a raped women is damaged permanently. I really hope that no person who considers herself a devoted Christian would consider that a raped women was less of a person because she wasn't physically a virgin. BAH!
Honestly this book really had the makings of a powerful story. The author doesn't try to create a rosy, unrealistic life for the characters, she just fell short of the grace and redemption that could have made the story so meaningful.
I did discover that the book is the first in a series, so perhaps she resolves those issues. But I was so frustrated with the first book that I will not read the others.
The story revolves around Hannah and John. Hannah is a young seamstress, whose mother dies, leaving Hannah destitute and desperate in England. Hannah is forced to take work as a scullery maid at the home of a prominent judge. The judge pursues Hannah and eventually rapes her. Hannah escapes from the home and wanders the streets of London, starving. In a final act of desperation, she steals a loaf of bread and is put into prison for thievery. She is sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in South New Wales (Australia) by the Judge who raped her--after falsely accusing her of stealing silver from him.
John is a wealthy business owner with a disreptutable cousin. One afternoon, the two men go for a drink, where John's cousin goads on a thug who attacks both men. John, in self-defense, kills the man John is carted off to prison, while his cousin empties the company bank account and runs off with John's wife. John is sentenced to prison for life in South New Wales.
John and Hannah meet briefly on the ship to South New Wales. Hannah endures terrible conditions, watching women and children die around her and endures the horror of sailors taking and using women. In short her life is hell. In the midst of this awful tragedy, she realizes that she is pregnant. She can't bear to have the baby and begs God to take the baby from her. She miscarries at 4 months.
Both John and Hannah suffer terrible conditions in prison in South New Wales, but eventually are set out to work for the Atherton's, a fair and kind couple. I'll leave the story there. . . .
What really ruined the book for me was the attitude of Hannah about herself. Hannah blamed herself for the rape and for wishing her baby dead. She saw herself as spoiled. I understand that this feeling of being spoiled or used is probably pretty normal for a rape victim. What didn't seem normal to me is how Hannah never outgrew that feeling, despite supposedly feeling forgiven by God. And honestly, it bugged me that she even thought she required forgiveness. I seriously worry about young women reading this book, with the message that a raped women is damaged permanently. I really hope that no person who considers herself a devoted Christian would consider that a raped women was less of a person because she wasn't physically a virgin. BAH!
Honestly this book really had the makings of a powerful story. The author doesn't try to create a rosy, unrealistic life for the characters, she just fell short of the grace and redemption that could have made the story so meaningful.
I did discover that the book is the first in a series, so perhaps she resolves those issues. But I was so frustrated with the first book that I will not read the others.
January 29, 2013
To Love Anew was a tough book to read. Not because the story wasn't interesting or the writing wasn't good. But To Love Anew takes a hard look at the inequalities of those with affluence and those without in mid-1800's England.
Hannah Talbot had a decent life being a seamstress with her mother, but when her mother dies, Hannah is thrown into a world unlike any she's known. She is kicked out of her home, and can't get work to continue her mother's business because of a selfish customer. So she takes a job as a maid in the affluent home of a Judge, hoping that will turn the tide for the better in her life. Only the judge has other idea for Hannah. After he slips into her room one evening and forces himself upon her, Hannah flees back to the streets to take her chances there. Hungry, cold, and tired, Hannah finds herself staring down a piece of bread, willing to do what she never thought she would. Steal.
Unfortunately the one time she steals she is caught. She is put before the courts and nearly finds her freedom again because it's her first offense, but the Judge whose home she escaped from is sitting on the council. Angry and spiteful that she left his home, he has other plans for her. He tells the court she stole from him and Hannah is sentenced to years of imprisonment, to be served out on the penal colony of New Wales.
She is shackled and put on a ship for a five month cruise across rough seas that will take her to the prison. Here she meets others who are sent to the colony for no other reason than they didn't have money. Some have given up hope, others instill in Hannah a will to live. Though the men and women are separated every so often they caught a glimpse of each other on the deck and sometimes manage to pass words.
One man, John Bradshaw, sees Hannah on deck and decides there is still beauty in the world. Even though he comes from a world of wealth, he lost it all to those he trusted most and is facing a lifetime of imprisonment because of killing someone in self defense. Still he ready to love and trust again and hopes when they reach the colony that Hannah will accept him in marriage.
But Hannah remains distant, because she has her secrets she is dealing with, and her own battles of learning to trust again. Especially in God.
The writer does a good job of telling about the horrors crude treatment on the ship and the hardships the characters face. But brings the story to a decent ending with the reminder that God can be found even in the hardest of times.
Hannah Talbot had a decent life being a seamstress with her mother, but when her mother dies, Hannah is thrown into a world unlike any she's known. She is kicked out of her home, and can't get work to continue her mother's business because of a selfish customer. So she takes a job as a maid in the affluent home of a Judge, hoping that will turn the tide for the better in her life. Only the judge has other idea for Hannah. After he slips into her room one evening and forces himself upon her, Hannah flees back to the streets to take her chances there. Hungry, cold, and tired, Hannah finds herself staring down a piece of bread, willing to do what she never thought she would. Steal.
Unfortunately the one time she steals she is caught. She is put before the courts and nearly finds her freedom again because it's her first offense, but the Judge whose home she escaped from is sitting on the council. Angry and spiteful that she left his home, he has other plans for her. He tells the court she stole from him and Hannah is sentenced to years of imprisonment, to be served out on the penal colony of New Wales.
She is shackled and put on a ship for a five month cruise across rough seas that will take her to the prison. Here she meets others who are sent to the colony for no other reason than they didn't have money. Some have given up hope, others instill in Hannah a will to live. Though the men and women are separated every so often they caught a glimpse of each other on the deck and sometimes manage to pass words.
One man, John Bradshaw, sees Hannah on deck and decides there is still beauty in the world. Even though he comes from a world of wealth, he lost it all to those he trusted most and is facing a lifetime of imprisonment because of killing someone in self defense. Still he ready to love and trust again and hopes when they reach the colony that Hannah will accept him in marriage.
But Hannah remains distant, because she has her secrets she is dealing with, and her own battles of learning to trust again. Especially in God.
The writer does a good job of telling about the horrors crude treatment on the ship and the hardships the characters face. But brings the story to a decent ending with the reminder that God can be found even in the hardest of times.
April 9, 2012
Story Description:
Baker Publishing Group | August 1, 2007 | Trade Paperback | ISBN: 978-0-8007-3176-2
Historical Fiction | Sydney Cove Series #1 |
Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she's ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left--her dignity. When she is banished from London, she is certain God has turned his back on her. John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything--his wife, his business, even his freedom. John's and Hannah's paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God's unconditional love.
My Review:
From the very first page I was sucked right into this fast moving story. The writing was flawless with no run-on sentences or unnecessary verbiage. I felt very sympathetic toward all the characters and especially loved Hannah and Lottie.
Hannah Talbot had been evicted from her sewing shop after her mother died and with nowhere to go she wandered the streets. She was finally able to garner herself a job as a housemaid for Judge Walker and his family but after a terrible and despicable act she was forced to flee in the night. With nowhere to go she slept in doorways and one day when her hunger got the best of her, she stole a loaf of bread from a local market and was caught by police. Standing before Judge “Walker”, he sentenced her to 14 months in prison.
John Bradshaw was a successful business man sitting at a bar enjoying a couple of drinks with friends when a man challenged him to a fight and came at him with a knife! After much struggling, John managed to stab the man in the abdomen but the man later died. John was sentenced to life in prison.
When Hannah is banished to an Australian prison, she is certain that God has turned His back on her.
John who now finds himself aboard a horrible prison ship, the same one that Hannah is on, their paths are about to cross. What will happen when their paths cross and two hearts filled with pain discover how to love anew?
I can’t wait to begin reading Book #2 in this series titled: “Longings of the Heart”. Bonnie Leon has a beautiful style of writing that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages. Well done!
Baker Publishing Group | August 1, 2007 | Trade Paperback | ISBN: 978-0-8007-3176-2
Historical Fiction | Sydney Cove Series #1 |
Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she's ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left--her dignity. When she is banished from London, she is certain God has turned his back on her. John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything--his wife, his business, even his freedom. John's and Hannah's paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God's unconditional love.
My Review:
From the very first page I was sucked right into this fast moving story. The writing was flawless with no run-on sentences or unnecessary verbiage. I felt very sympathetic toward all the characters and especially loved Hannah and Lottie.
Hannah Talbot had been evicted from her sewing shop after her mother died and with nowhere to go she wandered the streets. She was finally able to garner herself a job as a housemaid for Judge Walker and his family but after a terrible and despicable act she was forced to flee in the night. With nowhere to go she slept in doorways and one day when her hunger got the best of her, she stole a loaf of bread from a local market and was caught by police. Standing before Judge “Walker”, he sentenced her to 14 months in prison.
John Bradshaw was a successful business man sitting at a bar enjoying a couple of drinks with friends when a man challenged him to a fight and came at him with a knife! After much struggling, John managed to stab the man in the abdomen but the man later died. John was sentenced to life in prison.
When Hannah is banished to an Australian prison, she is certain that God has turned His back on her.
John who now finds himself aboard a horrible prison ship, the same one that Hannah is on, their paths are about to cross. What will happen when their paths cross and two hearts filled with pain discover how to love anew?
I can’t wait to begin reading Book #2 in this series titled: “Longings of the Heart”. Bonnie Leon has a beautiful style of writing that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages. Well done!
August 18, 2012
AUTHOR: Bonnie Leon is an Inspirational romance writer. Her ability to bring emotions to the top will have you thinking about your relationship with God. Amazing! She has the ability to describe every event and give you the feeling that you were there at that moment, at that time. Her use of scripture is right on target. Great job Bonnie....and I don't even personally know you. Great job!
THIS BOOK GENRE: Fiction, Historical romance, Inspirational romance
SETTING: London England when it took 6 months or more to travel to New South Wales.
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She was a seamstress with a great love for God. She treated everyone with caring and respect. Soon, her faith would be tested through adversity.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: He carried on with his father's successful tool making business. His products were of the best quality. He was dedicated to his family. He was a faithful husband to his wife and a good friend to his cousin who helped him run the family business. What would adversity do to change his personality.
SYNOPSIS
Tragedy occurred and she found herself on a ship from London destined to New South Wales. He was forced to abandon his business and found himself on that same ship. Faced with unimaginable conditions on the ship had her questioning her faith. Yet, when he first saw her, he could only think to protect her. Would their arrival bring them together as situations worsened?
WHAT I LIKED: Goodness in people regardless of their station in life. Excellent and accurate use of scriptures. I was humbled.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: The events that happened in this era were real. I hated what laws did to people. Sometimes when you think that you have it really bad, you read about the events in this book and realize, your problems might be quite minor.
This book gets FIVE out of FIVE stars.
NOTE: As a volunteer for the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, I beg you to pray for the victims as this book reminded me that my prayers are not in vain and that God truly loves us. http://ht-colorado.org/
THIS BOOK GENRE: Fiction, Historical romance, Inspirational romance
SETTING: London England when it took 6 months or more to travel to New South Wales.
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She was a seamstress with a great love for God. She treated everyone with caring and respect. Soon, her faith would be tested through adversity.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: He carried on with his father's successful tool making business. His products were of the best quality. He was dedicated to his family. He was a faithful husband to his wife and a good friend to his cousin who helped him run the family business. What would adversity do to change his personality.
SYNOPSIS
Tragedy occurred and she found herself on a ship from London destined to New South Wales. He was forced to abandon his business and found himself on that same ship. Faced with unimaginable conditions on the ship had her questioning her faith. Yet, when he first saw her, he could only think to protect her. Would their arrival bring them together as situations worsened?
WHAT I LIKED: Goodness in people regardless of their station in life. Excellent and accurate use of scriptures. I was humbled.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: The events that happened in this era were real. I hated what laws did to people. Sometimes when you think that you have it really bad, you read about the events in this book and realize, your problems might be quite minor.
This book gets FIVE out of FIVE stars.
NOTE: As a volunteer for the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, I beg you to pray for the victims as this book reminded me that my prayers are not in vain and that God truly loves us. http://ht-colorado.org/
May 9, 2012
This was a Kindle freebie, and I grabbed it because I wanted a mindless historical romance and hoped this would fit the bill.
This book is really more of a 1 star for me because there were so many things I didn't like about it, but I am giving it 2 stars because it is very clear the author did her research, and incorporated it well into the book. Further, it piqued my interest to do more research into the penal colonies in Australia during this time period because although I knew it was a penal colony, that's really the depth of my knowledge on the topic. From her description, it was a horrible place.
Unfortunately, that's all that was good. The characters were flat and the romance was ridiculous. (Why was it again he liked her? The story is in multiple POV so GIVE US HIS POV WHEN HE FALLS FOR HER, or at least a better explanation of why he does other than "he saw her across the ship." And why does she fall for him without knowing why he's being sent to the penal colony? Isn't that something you would want to know?!)
And the Christian aspects aren't done well, either. If a character is losing her faith in God because of all the bad things that have happened to her, why does she pray in her head for others who are hurting without a second thought? And if she's grappling with guilt issues over some pretty bad stuff... well, then show us some genuine grappling. (See Lynn Austin's Song of Redemption for how that should be done in Christian fiction.)
OK, time to calm myself. Really, this book could have been well done if it had benefited from some rather minor revisions. That's all it needed. More internalization, a couple of more scenes from certain POVs, and it would have been really, really good.
This book is really more of a 1 star for me because there were so many things I didn't like about it, but I am giving it 2 stars because it is very clear the author did her research, and incorporated it well into the book. Further, it piqued my interest to do more research into the penal colonies in Australia during this time period because although I knew it was a penal colony, that's really the depth of my knowledge on the topic. From her description, it was a horrible place.
Unfortunately, that's all that was good. The characters were flat and the romance was ridiculous. (Why was it again he liked her? The story is in multiple POV so GIVE US HIS POV WHEN HE FALLS FOR HER, or at least a better explanation of why he does other than "he saw her across the ship." And why does she fall for him without knowing why he's being sent to the penal colony? Isn't that something you would want to know?!)
And the Christian aspects aren't done well, either. If a character is losing her faith in God because of all the bad things that have happened to her, why does she pray in her head for others who are hurting without a second thought? And if she's grappling with guilt issues over some pretty bad stuff... well, then show us some genuine grappling. (See Lynn Austin's Song of Redemption for how that should be done in Christian fiction.)
OK, time to calm myself. Really, this book could have been well done if it had benefited from some rather minor revisions. That's all it needed. More internalization, a couple of more scenes from certain POVs, and it would have been really, really good.
April 13, 2011
Life… It only takes a moment to be trodden down, forgotten, and cast aside like garbage...
19th Century New South Wales could be a pleasant place to live, if you had money. But those who challenged the upper class received severe and unwarranted punishment.
When Hannah looses her mother to an untimely death, it sends her spiraling downward, like a whirlpool. Frazzled, one poor choice tumbles into desperate actions. The penalty is unimaginable.
John should be happy. He has a successful tool business and a dear wife. But his restless spirit dreams of world travel, and the unknown. However, when a defensive action turns sour, his new journey becomes a nightmare.
Eventually John and Hannah meet while crossing the ocean. Packed like rats beneath the deck, the conditions are vile and impoverished. Month after tortuous month gradually passes while faith in God is their only comfort. But hope is vanishing with the setting sun.
Reaching Australia, will the cruelty of injustice continue? Hannah and John rarely see each other and the future is bleak. Trying to make the best of individual circumstances, they are thankful for the smallest kindness. Will fate, the hand of God, or unexpected compassion bring them full circle? Or are they doomed to a live of servitude?
To Love Anew is vividly written and the horrors of history are depicted with shocking realism. When heroic efforts unfold that challenge the strength of the human spirit, only the indomitable will prevail.
19th Century New South Wales could be a pleasant place to live, if you had money. But those who challenged the upper class received severe and unwarranted punishment.
When Hannah looses her mother to an untimely death, it sends her spiraling downward, like a whirlpool. Frazzled, one poor choice tumbles into desperate actions. The penalty is unimaginable.
John should be happy. He has a successful tool business and a dear wife. But his restless spirit dreams of world travel, and the unknown. However, when a defensive action turns sour, his new journey becomes a nightmare.
Eventually John and Hannah meet while crossing the ocean. Packed like rats beneath the deck, the conditions are vile and impoverished. Month after tortuous month gradually passes while faith in God is their only comfort. But hope is vanishing with the setting sun.
Reaching Australia, will the cruelty of injustice continue? Hannah and John rarely see each other and the future is bleak. Trying to make the best of individual circumstances, they are thankful for the smallest kindness. Will fate, the hand of God, or unexpected compassion bring them full circle? Or are they doomed to a live of servitude?
To Love Anew is vividly written and the horrors of history are depicted with shocking realism. When heroic efforts unfold that challenge the strength of the human spirit, only the indomitable will prevail.
January 8, 2012
I decided to read "To Love Anew" because Amazon was offering it free on Kindle. I knew of the author Bonnie Leon through Facebook, but I wasn't sure I would be very interested in her story. Wow! Did free pay off...Bonnie Leon captured my attention from the beginning of her story!
Hannah loses her mother, her business, her home, and virtually all her possessions. One small act gets her banished from London and sent off to a harsher reality than she ever imagined. It was during these trials and tribulations that Hannah struggles both physically and spiritually.
John, an upstanding man, tries to help his cousin, only to be burned in the end. He is also left with nothing - no money, no wife, no business, and no freedom. He is sent off to prison for life.
Hannah and John, two people who probably would have never crossed paths in London, find themselves imprisoned halfway around the world in the most dire conditions. Will they be able to trust and love again? Will their faith pull them through?
Once you start reading, you will find yourself captivated in both Hannah and John's life rooting for them the whole way through!
Hannah loses her mother, her business, her home, and virtually all her possessions. One small act gets her banished from London and sent off to a harsher reality than she ever imagined. It was during these trials and tribulations that Hannah struggles both physically and spiritually.
John, an upstanding man, tries to help his cousin, only to be burned in the end. He is also left with nothing - no money, no wife, no business, and no freedom. He is sent off to prison for life.
Hannah and John, two people who probably would have never crossed paths in London, find themselves imprisoned halfway around the world in the most dire conditions. Will they be able to trust and love again? Will their faith pull them through?
Once you start reading, you will find yourself captivated in both Hannah and John's life rooting for them the whole way through!
July 1, 2012
This was a Kindle freebie from Pixel of Ink. Despite some poor reviews, I enjoyed this book. To Love Anew is just one book in a series if 4. This is an amazing journey you won't want to miss. Some readers may find some scenes edgy or difficult to read, because they seemed so realistic, which worked well for me. Hannah, one of the main characters is suffering the loss of her mother and now she is being evicted from the only home she ever knew. Poor and destitute, she has nowhere to turn, so despite her reluctance she takes a job working a judge and his family. After a series of events, Hannah finds her self in jail and sentenced to a prison ship. It is there she meets John another prisioner with a heartbreaking past. I could feel Hannah's heartache and desperation. The sense of heartache, loss, and defeat well portrayed. Considering all that Hannah went through, I doubt I would have survived as long as she did and probably may have gave up all hope long before. But Hannah did not, she is a survivor.
August 10, 2017
For a book which is Christian fiction, I did not agree with a lot of the messages it sent. The overall theme is God's forgiveness and unconditional love. Great message. My main issue was that Hannah and John were innocent and didn't really need to be forgiven. Hannah was raped and didn't want the baby. She did not act on this, but blames herself when she miscarries. Eventually she realizes that God forgives her. While, I believe every life is a gift, I don't think it was this horrible dark sin for someone who was raped and is now in prison, to not want the baby. If she had aborted the baby or in anyway attempted to cause the miscarriage it would be different. In addition, I didn't really buy the love between Hannah and John. There's almost no interaction of substance between them. It doesn't even appear that they know each other well, and in the end Hannah decides, against the advice of others, that she should keep her past as a secret from him. Overall, I just don't agree with the message.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2015
I really liked this story
Hannah is a young woman whose mother has died. She tried to keep her mother's dressing business going but was unable to. She was turned out into the street with no place to go. She went to work for the walker family until she left one night after an incident with Mr. Walker. She then ended up stealing a loaf of bread and being sentenced to 14 years in jail at New South Wales. John was married and his cousin Henry was his partner. They went out for a drink. Henry got into a fight and John ended up killing a man. He was sentenced to life in prison at New South Wales. He saw Hannah on the boat and their love story began. I'm not going to tell you what happened but it's a wonderful story of goodness, forgiveness and love. I believe you will enjoy this book.
Hannah is a young woman whose mother has died. She tried to keep her mother's dressing business going but was unable to. She was turned out into the street with no place to go. She went to work for the walker family until she left one night after an incident with Mr. Walker. She then ended up stealing a loaf of bread and being sentenced to 14 years in jail at New South Wales. John was married and his cousin Henry was his partner. They went out for a drink. Henry got into a fight and John ended up killing a man. He was sentenced to life in prison at New South Wales. He saw Hannah on the boat and their love story began. I'm not going to tell you what happened but it's a wonderful story of goodness, forgiveness and love. I believe you will enjoy this book.
January 4, 2012
I got this book free on my Kindle from Amazon, and I chose it because it was by a Christian author and the subject was convicts coming to Australia. I'm an Aussie and there aren't always a lot of Christian fiction books written about Australia, so I jumped at it. And I wasn't disappointed!! The story and description of the convicts voyage to Australia to me seemed real and well written and true to what I remember learning in school or having read before. The romance thread of the book wasn't the strongest part of the book, but in spite of this the story was still strong and I still really enjoyed it!! I will be finishing the series for sure (c:
January 10, 2012
To Love Anew will remind you that things can always get worse and to cherish what you have, no matter how small. It was very well written and kept me wanting more. I was both amazed and horrified by how people can treat one another. It shows how the court systems back in the past weren't exactly fair to say the least.
As i read the book i felt very connected with the characters and it seemed as if I were there with them. The sickness, the stench, the heartbreak, and the betrayal will make you thankful for the life you have.
Want an Adventure? Well be careful what you wish for; You will certainly get one with this book!
As i read the book i felt very connected with the characters and it seemed as if I were there with them. The sickness, the stench, the heartbreak, and the betrayal will make you thankful for the life you have.
Want an Adventure? Well be careful what you wish for; You will certainly get one with this book!
September 13, 2013
Another wonderful series by Ms. Leon. I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 "To Love Anew". Ms. Leon made me fall in love with Hannah and John. I felt so bad for Rachel when she was kicked out of her place, and what happened to her with the judge. The prison ship scenes are wrenching. Just when I had lost hope for Hannah and John, Ms. Leon surprised me and I had hope for the couple again. Great start to the "Sydney Cove" series. Highly recommend this read to Bonnie Leon fans and to readers who are interesting in getting an in depth look at the era where men and women convicts in England were sent in prison ships to Australia to work.
August 9, 2015
Yikes. Not to be unkind, but the author should stick to Bible studies. Her exposition is spot-on, but her storytelling is...not. I had trouble with the language for the era, with the choppy sentences, and with the overall lack of a pleasant flow in the story. For instance, her use of "luv" instead of using an endearment such as dear, dearie, or even, love. I was very tempted to not finish this book, but after reading the reviews with higher praise, I slogged on to the end. Also, the ending was a little sloppy.
June 18, 2009
I thought this book was gripping from the beginning. I normally don't jump into a story quite as fast as I did with this one. I loved how Hannah seemed like a real person in her trial of faith and that she was able to find a few good friends even with her situation. My only complaint is that the love story aspect was developed very well. I am interested to see what happens in the next couple of books with Hannah.
June 4, 2012
I loved this story!! It was a little slow to begin with, but then it became so good I didn't want to put it down. The hardships that befall Hannah and John were described in such detail, Ms. Leon really did a wonderful job on her research. I cried when Hannah told her employer about what happened in London and on the ship, it was heartbreaking. I can't wait to read the next installment, I want to know how Hannah and John's story continues.
July 26, 2012
The first few chapters were difficult to get into. I think the writer could have done better developing the story and the characters in the beginning, but once I got past the first few chapters I enjoyed it a lot more. There are some hard "scenes" to read but were thankfully detailed enough to get the point without going over the top and making me feel sick. The characters responses to these hardships were realistic and their strength compelled me to continue reading through their journey.
September 8, 2011
One of the things I appreciate about Bonnie Leon's books is that they are so well-researched. To Love Anew is no exception. Banished to an Australian prison, Hannah Talbot feels abandoned by God and everyone else. Through amazing circumstances, she crosses paths with John Bradshaw who has similarly suffered unfair treatment. This is a great story that keeps you turning pages to the very end!
November 1, 2011
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the author and had a hard time putting it down, but yet there were a few scenes in the book that made me uncomfortable. (Not bad, mind you....it is a Christian author)Hard to explain without giving a lot of the book away. That is why I gave it a 3 star rating instead of 4. I think I will read the next book in the series.
April 20, 2012
loved this book. Could not put it down. It was sweet and thought provoking at the same time. I'm not very familiar with the time period and with the conditions prevalent in England at the time where people were punished for almost nothing and sent off on prison ships in very inhumane conditions. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 20, 2012
I really really liked this book. I started it expecting a quick summer read and was surprised as it got REALLY good. It was quick readbc I was sointerested n what was next. I am glad I didnt really know what it was about until I read it. I did not read any of the reviews before so had no idea what was to happen until I read it myself. Good choice for me. Started book 2 last night. :)
July 15, 2012
I also got this book as a freebie for my kindle fire but I have always wanted to read one of Bonnie's books. This series really help me through the recent suicide of a dear friend that I considered a daughter. The uplifting verses helped me get through this difficult time remembering that there is hope. Thanks Bonnie for a great series!!
September 4, 2012
I loved this book because at times things keep getting worse and no matter how much you pray it seems as though God has forgotten you and this is how Hannah Talbot feels. I felt sorry for her, she loses her mom, their shop and then is raped by Mr. Walker who later sentences her to such slavery and it was sad really.
I loved how the characters still managed to achieve their dreams in the end.
I loved how the characters still managed to achieve their dreams in the end.
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