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Great Southland #1
Faith In The Great Southland
Elizabeth Waverly never dreamed that taking a convict transport back to her home in Australia would change her life. But from the moment she lays eyes on John Martin, she cannot resist her growing attraction to him. She knows the man faces a life sentece for murder, but her heart refuses to believe he is guilty of the charges against him. How could someone who so valiantly protects others and accepts another prisoner's punishment be a brutal felon?Yet once the transport ship lands in Australia, their paths are bound to head in very different directions. Is their love destined to become a bittersweet memory of what might have been, or will faith show them another way?
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2014
The first book in this series was one of the first books I had ever read by an Australian author writing within the Inspirational Fiction / Romance genre. It was quite a few years ago now, but the series is timeless in its story, style and choice of setting. I went on to complete the series and it was the beginning of a quest to seek both stories and Inspirational authors who focus on Australia. Mary Hawkins is a pioneer in this field. Her subsequent writing is well worth seeking out.
November 19, 2013
Faith in the Great Southland is the first of four novels in the Australian Outback collection. I actually purchased this collection years ago, and have read and enjoyed all four of the stories, but I think Faith in the Great Southland, the story of John and Elizabeth, remains my favourite.
Mary Hawkins knows how to create compelling characters and a page-turning plot. She gives readers a clear understanding of the horrors of the criminal transportation system without being overly graphic (and after one character makes an early comment to another that conditions are much better than they used to be). While this story is fiction, transportation was fact and Faith in the Great Southland gives the reader an appreciation for what early Australian settlers—criminal and free—went through in the early years of colonisation. Well worth reading.
Mary Hawkins knows how to create compelling characters and a page-turning plot. She gives readers a clear understanding of the horrors of the criminal transportation system without being overly graphic (and after one character makes an early comment to another that conditions are much better than they used to be). While this story is fiction, transportation was fact and Faith in the Great Southland gives the reader an appreciation for what early Australian settlers—criminal and free—went through in the early years of colonisation. Well worth reading.
October 27, 2017
In a courtroom in England, 1835, a man stand accused of murder. He, John Martin, is the son of Lord Farnley, but Farnley will not recognize him as his son. Since John’s mother passed away, he had been living in Spain with her family who despised him. He has travelled to England to meet with his father and tell him that he’s his son. However, the son from Lord Farnley’s second marriage is determined that John will not do that. When he is accused of murder and sentenced to be transported to South Australia for the rest of his life.
Elizabeth Waverly is determined to go home to South Australia to see her father. He had sent her to England to be educated and now that she was done, she wanted to come home. She did not tell her father that the ship on which she would be sailing was a prison ship, the same one transporting John Martin.
The inhumane treatment of the prisoners and the illnesses that they suffered were despicable to Elizabeth. She helped the only doctor on board with caring for those suffering souls. In that capacity, she met John and found him to be a gentleman, educated, and kind…not the sort of man to do murder. After they landed, circumstances prohibited them from being together. The story is so interesting because learning something about the penal colony in Australia and the transport of prisoners from England helped Australia become the country it is today. “Faith in the Great Southland” by Mary Hawkins tells this story very well. I enjoyed this book.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for posting a review. You can read this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-sY. Check out other book reviews at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
Elizabeth Waverly is determined to go home to South Australia to see her father. He had sent her to England to be educated and now that she was done, she wanted to come home. She did not tell her father that the ship on which she would be sailing was a prison ship, the same one transporting John Martin.
The inhumane treatment of the prisoners and the illnesses that they suffered were despicable to Elizabeth. She helped the only doctor on board with caring for those suffering souls. In that capacity, she met John and found him to be a gentleman, educated, and kind…not the sort of man to do murder. After they landed, circumstances prohibited them from being together. The story is so interesting because learning something about the penal colony in Australia and the transport of prisoners from England helped Australia become the country it is today. “Faith in the Great Southland” by Mary Hawkins tells this story very well. I enjoyed this book.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for posting a review. You can read this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-sY. Check out other book reviews at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
February 19, 2019
This Christian fiction romance takes place in 1835,
mostly on a transport ship from England to Australia.
John Martin finds himself convicted and sent to Australia.
Although he thinks his time is up, Elizabeth Waverly keeps showing up and bringing him back from brink of death.
But can love outweigh the possibility that his name will never be cleared?
Timothy, also a convict, helps guide John's faith journey.
He's the kind of guy that when he smiles and laughs, you can't help smiling and laughing too.
Dr. Richmond has his strengths ....
but, despite her "proper etiquette", Mrs. Richmond is not one you want to mess with either!
Edwards proves that what you give out comes back to whack you in the end...which, in his case, is NOT good.
===============================
One of my favorite conversations:
"It's been so hard, so very hard for me to keep on believing, trusting in God this past year. I've been full of doubts.
I prayed so hard that God would stop it, and when He didn't ....
there have been many times since
when I doubted God's love, His care..."
John took a breath.
"When I feel like that - and Timothy assures me it is perfectly all right to doubt as long as we work through those times - those are the occasions I spend reading about the cross,"
he said in a whisper.
"That's where we know beyond a shadow of a doubt
that God loves and cares."
conversation between John & Elizabeth
found in Chapter 10
I look forward to reading the other 3 books in this series!
mostly on a transport ship from England to Australia.
John Martin finds himself convicted and sent to Australia.
Although he thinks his time is up, Elizabeth Waverly keeps showing up and bringing him back from brink of death.
But can love outweigh the possibility that his name will never be cleared?
Timothy, also a convict, helps guide John's faith journey.
He's the kind of guy that when he smiles and laughs, you can't help smiling and laughing too.
Dr. Richmond has his strengths ....
but, despite her "proper etiquette", Mrs. Richmond is not one you want to mess with either!
Edwards proves that what you give out comes back to whack you in the end...which, in his case, is NOT good.
===============================
One of my favorite conversations:
"It's been so hard, so very hard for me to keep on believing, trusting in God this past year. I've been full of doubts.
I prayed so hard that God would stop it, and when He didn't ....
there have been many times since
when I doubted God's love, His care..."
John took a breath.
"When I feel like that - and Timothy assures me it is perfectly all right to doubt as long as we work through those times - those are the occasions I spend reading about the cross,"
he said in a whisper.
"That's where we know beyond a shadow of a doubt
that God loves and cares."
conversation between John & Elizabeth
found in Chapter 10
I look forward to reading the other 3 books in this series!
October 31, 2017
This is a good fast-paced, inspirational, historical fiction, romance novel. In 1835 in London, Elizabeth Waverly had just finished her education in a girl's school. She was anxious to get back to Australia to be with her father. The only ship heading for Australia was a Transportation Ship of convicts going to serve time in the Penal Colony.
The Doctor, his wife and Elizabeth were the only other passages that boarded the ship; not realizing the horrors of riots, fights, and sicknesses of the convicts or officers they would be facing. They were warned not to get friendly with the convicts or officers. When an outbreak of sickness occurred, Elizabeth was willing to work where she was needed. She helps John Martin, a very sick, large handsome convict, as well as other rough looking men. The ship takes months to cross the ocean to arrive in Australia. Upon arriving each are sent in separate directions to continue with their lives.
I enjoyed this novel, I knew about the convicts in Australia although this novel brought the characters and the history alive just as it was so many years ago. It was a page-turner with lively adventures on the ship, in the Bush Country, on the sheep ranches and with John and Elizabeth trying to find a way to be together. This is a well written novel that I found to be interesting and entertaining. I love to read about history with a little romance thrown in to spice up the story, a fantastic read, a good clean story.
The Doctor, his wife and Elizabeth were the only other passages that boarded the ship; not realizing the horrors of riots, fights, and sicknesses of the convicts or officers they would be facing. They were warned not to get friendly with the convicts or officers. When an outbreak of sickness occurred, Elizabeth was willing to work where she was needed. She helps John Martin, a very sick, large handsome convict, as well as other rough looking men. The ship takes months to cross the ocean to arrive in Australia. Upon arriving each are sent in separate directions to continue with their lives.
I enjoyed this novel, I knew about the convicts in Australia although this novel brought the characters and the history alive just as it was so many years ago. It was a page-turner with lively adventures on the ship, in the Bush Country, on the sheep ranches and with John and Elizabeth trying to find a way to be together. This is a well written novel that I found to be interesting and entertaining. I love to read about history with a little romance thrown in to spice up the story, a fantastic read, a good clean story.
October 15, 2017
My favorite kind of book, a little historical and a little romance with God writing the story of people's lives. John Martin only wanted to find his real father. While he was working on that in England he met Beth. But forces were working against him and he was tried and convicted for a crime he did not commit. He was sent off to Australia to work as his penalty. But God had another plan for John Martin. And even though he would go through many struggles, he would persevere and be rewarded in more ways than one. A great read!
March 12, 2025
This was an interesting historical fiction book but definitely focused on romance with a strong emphasis on Christian faith. It was active and fast-paced, with characters I cared about. There wasn’t a great deal of description-I would’ve enjoyed more description of the country. But a peek at the life of convicts sent to Australia was very interesting.
April 4, 2025
This touching story takes us on a gripping journey from England to Australia on a convict transport ship in the 1830s. It is a winning combination of fast-paced drama, sweet romance, amazing history, and strong faith that is well worth your reading time.
May 6, 2020
Christian Historical Romance
This is a timeless story of God's pursuit of us and His never ending love for us! So very beautiful!!
This is a timeless story of God's pursuit of us and His never ending love for us! So very beautiful!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews