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Forbidden Frontier
Having already survived years of imprisonment, and despite facing a seven year sentence in a new territory, convict Charlotte Badger still dares to contemplate a future of freedom. Strong, short-tempered, but quick-witted, she is filled with determination for a better life.
Nathan Wesley, church minister and devoted husband, is consumed by hopes of bettering the lives of the convicts. His wife, Elizabeth, is stifled by Nathan’s love and harbours a passionate secret that could destroy their marriage.
These three lives become inextricably linked in Port Jackson, their destinies driven by Charlotte’s determination, Nathan’s faith and Elizabeth’s suppressed desires.
Forbidden Frontier is the story of the bonds that unite and those that destroy.
Nathan Wesley, church minister and devoted husband, is consumed by hopes of bettering the lives of the convicts. His wife, Elizabeth, is stifled by Nathan’s love and harbours a passionate secret that could destroy their marriage.
These three lives become inextricably linked in Port Jackson, their destinies driven by Charlotte’s determination, Nathan’s faith and Elizabeth’s suppressed desires.
Forbidden Frontier is the story of the bonds that unite and those that destroy.
- GenresAustralia
319 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Zana Bell
11 books15 followersZana Bell grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe and studied English Literature at the University of Cape Town. After travelling for several years doing a wide range of jobs, she immigrated to New Zealand where she now lives with her family and cats in a small harbourside community.
She began writing, just for the fun of seeing whether she could actually complete a novel and immediately became hooked. Research is her primary love and writing gives her an excellent excuse to be obsessive or just plain nosey. She enjoys writing in a variety of genre but has a particular fondness for all things historical.
She began writing, just for the fun of seeing whether she could actually complete a novel and immediately became hooked. Research is her primary love and writing gives her an excellent excuse to be obsessive or just plain nosey. She enjoys writing in a variety of genre but has a particular fondness for all things historical.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 20, 2011
This has been a superb, on the edge of my seat read. I cannot for the life of me figure out why this book has not reached the United States. I went through a lot of trouble to get a copy of this.. all the way from Down Under.. and it was worth it!
In the early 1800s, Australia was an English colony where the British sent their unwanted convicts. Charlotte Badger is one such convict. She lands in Australia and becomes a maid for a Reverand and his wife. The book goes back and forth among these three.
Charlotte tells the nitty gritty. Her narrative is honest, funny, and "in your face." She's a tough chick.
"There's not many that dare tangle with me." As soon as she gets on a boat, she knocks a mouthy, horny fellow into the water.. She also does as she pleases with who she pleases. "It was a fair trade and we was both happy with it. I got me a port and tobacco, and I never plagued him once about love or marriage like those others did their sailors. The other lags thought if they could just get a husband, they'd be safe in Port Jackson, fools that they are. Me, I go my own road.."
Charlotte doesn't believe in love cause love leads to hurt... is she gonna be hurt when she takes up with an Irish smithy?
Nathan is the Reverend. He is torn between preaching the word and just enjoying nature. His parts are his journal writings and they educate the reader about what is going on in Australia. I felt this was a crucial and well told addition. His wife is another main player.. she's struggling between shame and being true to herself.. She's secretly a lesbian.
Catherine comes into the game later in the novel but she's just as delightful as Charlotte. "But you're wife'll be needing rest for some weeks so don't be starting on the next child too soon.."
Catherine and Charlotte end up on their own.. I won't divulge why.. and facing hard times. They end up aiding in a mutiny on a ship and land themselves in New Zealand.. Did I mention this is based on real women? Fabulous, fun, fearless females. Loved it all. Love their spunk, "the sight of that bony butt was more than a woman could resist. I hitched my shift and hoofed him a fine one, sending him sprawling.."
I love the scandal, the suspense, the humor... This was def a 5 star read. I'd love for there to be a sequel.. According to my internet search, "Charlotte lived with a Nga Puhi chief and refused to be brought back to live in European society on at least two occasions before disappearing from the record. One account claims that she went to America with a whaling captain."
That sounds like sequel material to me.
In the early 1800s, Australia was an English colony where the British sent their unwanted convicts. Charlotte Badger is one such convict. She lands in Australia and becomes a maid for a Reverand and his wife. The book goes back and forth among these three.
Charlotte tells the nitty gritty. Her narrative is honest, funny, and "in your face." She's a tough chick.
"There's not many that dare tangle with me." As soon as she gets on a boat, she knocks a mouthy, horny fellow into the water.. She also does as she pleases with who she pleases. "It was a fair trade and we was both happy with it. I got me a port and tobacco, and I never plagued him once about love or marriage like those others did their sailors. The other lags thought if they could just get a husband, they'd be safe in Port Jackson, fools that they are. Me, I go my own road.."
Charlotte doesn't believe in love cause love leads to hurt... is she gonna be hurt when she takes up with an Irish smithy?
Nathan is the Reverend. He is torn between preaching the word and just enjoying nature. His parts are his journal writings and they educate the reader about what is going on in Australia. I felt this was a crucial and well told addition. His wife is another main player.. she's struggling between shame and being true to herself.. She's secretly a lesbian.
Catherine comes into the game later in the novel but she's just as delightful as Charlotte. "But you're wife'll be needing rest for some weeks so don't be starting on the next child too soon.."
Catherine and Charlotte end up on their own.. I won't divulge why.. and facing hard times. They end up aiding in a mutiny on a ship and land themselves in New Zealand.. Did I mention this is based on real women? Fabulous, fun, fearless females. Loved it all. Love their spunk, "the sight of that bony butt was more than a woman could resist. I hitched my shift and hoofed him a fine one, sending him sprawling.."
I love the scandal, the suspense, the humor... This was def a 5 star read. I'd love for there to be a sequel.. According to my internet search, "Charlotte lived with a Nga Puhi chief and refused to be brought back to live in European society on at least two occasions before disappearing from the record. One account claims that she went to America with a whaling captain."
That sounds like sequel material to me.
June 22, 2014
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had known it was based on real people. I loved her other book Close To The Wind 5/5!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews