Far from My Native Shore

A Collection of Australian Historical Novels (Box Set)

By: Johanna Craven

Narrated by: Rebecca McKernan

Journey through the colonies of 19th-century Australia with three stand-alone novels of love, loss, survival, and redemption.

Collection includes:

One of Us Buried

In 1806, a fateful decision sends Eleanor Marling from the salons of London to a prison ship bound for New South Wales. She is put to work at the female factory of Parramatta, where the women's only hope of food and lodgings is to offer their bodies to the settlement's men. Nell is given shelter by Lieutenant Blackwell, a brooding soldier to whom she is inexplicably drawn. But as she treads a dangerous line between obedience and power, she learns the role of a factory lass is to remain silent—or face a walk to the gallows.

Forgotten Places

English settler Grace Ashwell flees an abusive lover in Hobart Town, with six-year-old Violet in tow. Deep in the wilderness, they find a crude hut inhabited by Alexander Dalton, an escaped convict long presumed dead. Hiding from civilization in an attempt to forget his horrifying past, Alexander struggles to let Grace into his world. When Violet disappears, Grace's fragile trust in Alexander is put to the test. And while she searches for answers, he will do anything to keep his secrets inside.

Playing the Ghost

For Lucy Earnshaw and her husband Tom, their arrival on the goldfields of Australia is marred by grief. In the wake of her loss, and a failing marriage, Lucy is drawn into a world of spiritualism and theater—and into the path of dashing young playwright, Will Browning. Lucy's new obsession leads her into the dark underbelly of the goldfields, where she finds herself entangled in a web of lies and corruption—one she may never escape from.

©2022 Johanna Craven (P)2022 Johanna Craven

Enjoyed but was ready for the end

My favorite of the 3 stories was the first. I was interested in the different lives and ways the people arrived in Australia. The narration, which I alway listen to at 1.3 speed, still seemed a little monotone.
The second book was set in more the back country and maybe it’s just because I just listen to a western series felt that it could have been set in Texas instead of Australia. Minus the kangaroo meat. The ending seemed to drag on, though an eventful climax, it seemed to go on and on. Could be because my heart is blackened and dead to romance/love I found myself scoffing and just wanting it to end. I did greatly enjoy the twist just before. I like being surprised, but was hoping for more/better descriptions of the landscape.
The third story was my least favorite and found myself forcing tolisten. It could have taken place anywhere and again with the cold, dead, blackened heart I rolled my eyes and verbally insulted the main characters “love dilemmas” and poor choices. I was glad when it was finished. Again, I enjoy a more in-depth description of landscape to better visualize.
Overall, I can see myself listening to the first two stories again, but not the third. Romance is not really my favorite. But some might not really categorize these stories as romance since it’s depicting every day life and struggles in an unfamiliar land that requires more than just yourself to survive.