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The Currency Lass
She can run but she can't hide...
As her father's only heir, Catherine Cottingham expects to inherit their sprawling property in the Hunter Valley. What she doesn't understand is why her father is trying to push her into a marriage to the pompous and repulsive Sydney businessman Henry W. Bartholomew.
When the will is read it becomes clear money, or the lack of it, lay behind her father's plans. Catherine is mortified — as a married woman all her possessions will pass to her husband, the overbearing Bartholomew. Her only alternative is to wait until her twenty-first birthday and inherit the property in her own right, but can she elude such a determined man until then?
A chance encounter with a travelling circus and its fiery lead performer, Sergey Petrov, offers the perfect solution and Catherine escapes to the goldfields. But there is more to the circus than spangles and sawdust and Catherine finds herself drawn into a far-reaching web of fraud and forgery...
A stunning new novel from the bestselling author of The Horse Thief and The Cedar Cutter
As her father's only heir, Catherine Cottingham expects to inherit their sprawling property in the Hunter Valley. What she doesn't understand is why her father is trying to push her into a marriage to the pompous and repulsive Sydney businessman Henry W. Bartholomew.
When the will is read it becomes clear money, or the lack of it, lay behind her father's plans. Catherine is mortified — as a married woman all her possessions will pass to her husband, the overbearing Bartholomew. Her only alternative is to wait until her twenty-first birthday and inherit the property in her own right, but can she elude such a determined man until then?
A chance encounter with a travelling circus and its fiery lead performer, Sergey Petrov, offers the perfect solution and Catherine escapes to the goldfields. But there is more to the circus than spangles and sawdust and Catherine finds herself drawn into a far-reaching web of fraud and forgery...
A stunning new novel from the bestselling author of The Horse Thief and The Cedar Cutter
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2017
25 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Tea Cooper
28 books955 followersTea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 24, 2017
After knowing Henry Bartholomew only one week, Catherine was horrified at her father’s plans for her to marry him. Bartholomew was her father’s age – Catherine only twenty. She didn’t want to marry him; she couldn’t stand to look at him with his sneering pomposity and disgusting odour. But her puzzlement and confusion at her Pa’s wishes suddenly took a back seat when she was faced with his sudden but not totally unexpected death. Catherine’s grief was intense; her wish to take her Pa from Sydney where he’d passed, back to their property of Cottington Hill in the Hunter Valley, just outside Maitland utmost in her mind. He needed to be laid to rest in the family plot…
With the reading of the will, Catherine knew finally what had possessed her father to make the plans he had. She also knew desperation and the very real need to make plans; and quickly…
When opportunity arose, Catherine grabbed it with both hands. A travelling circus which she had briefly seen while in Sydney was camped in Maitland – running away with the circus was such a cliché but it seemed to fit. And it was only until she turned twenty one; six months away. The lead performer, Russian Sergey Petrov and his handsome stallion Tsar captivated her. She never tired of watching them perform. But camping and performing in the goldfields of inland NSW proved to be dangerous; Catherine was a strong and independent young woman – but she was in over her head. What would happen when tentacles of evil slowly wrapped themselves around her? Would she be able to return safely to Cottington Hill?
The Currency Lass is ANOTHER brilliant historical fiction novel by Aussie author Tea Cooper – I loved her previous two; The Horse Thief and The Cedar Cutter, and this one didn’t disappoint. Set in colonial NSW in the mid-1800s around areas from Sydney to Wollombi, Morpeth, Maitland, Jerrys Plains and beyond, with travel by steamer and coach, and of course horse-back, the author’s descriptions make the reader realise how much has changed (thankfully!). Her research is meticulous with the Historical Note at the end interesting and well worth reading. I have no hesitation in recommending The Currency Lass highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
With the reading of the will, Catherine knew finally what had possessed her father to make the plans he had. She also knew desperation and the very real need to make plans; and quickly…
When opportunity arose, Catherine grabbed it with both hands. A travelling circus which she had briefly seen while in Sydney was camped in Maitland – running away with the circus was such a cliché but it seemed to fit. And it was only until she turned twenty one; six months away. The lead performer, Russian Sergey Petrov and his handsome stallion Tsar captivated her. She never tired of watching them perform. But camping and performing in the goldfields of inland NSW proved to be dangerous; Catherine was a strong and independent young woman – but she was in over her head. What would happen when tentacles of evil slowly wrapped themselves around her? Would she be able to return safely to Cottington Hill?
The Currency Lass is ANOTHER brilliant historical fiction novel by Aussie author Tea Cooper – I loved her previous two; The Horse Thief and The Cedar Cutter, and this one didn’t disappoint. Set in colonial NSW in the mid-1800s around areas from Sydney to Wollombi, Morpeth, Maitland, Jerrys Plains and beyond, with travel by steamer and coach, and of course horse-back, the author’s descriptions make the reader realise how much has changed (thankfully!). Her research is meticulous with the Historical Note at the end interesting and well worth reading. I have no hesitation in recommending The Currency Lass highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2017
Catherine Cottingham is outraged when she learns about her father's plans about her marrying the undesirable Henry W. Bartholomew, whom she's just known for a week. Catherine couldn't for the life of her understand why her father was being so insisted on this matter, but when her father passes away it all becomes really clear.
Catherine couldn't bring herself to do what was being asked of her, hence she was left with no choice but to escape as quickly as she could. When a travelling circus is passing through town, Catherine decides it's her best way to escape. She just needed to get away until she turned twenty one which would be in six months and then she would be able to inherit the family property on her own. A perfect opportunity, but she soon begins to question what she's got herself into as it seems the circus life is not what she thought it was.
Aussie author Tea Cooper has written another very enjoyable and beautiful tale. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then you'll love reading this one just as I did. Highly recommended.
Catherine couldn't bring herself to do what was being asked of her, hence she was left with no choice but to escape as quickly as she could. When a travelling circus is passing through town, Catherine decides it's her best way to escape. She just needed to get away until she turned twenty one which would be in six months and then she would be able to inherit the family property on her own. A perfect opportunity, but she soon begins to question what she's got herself into as it seems the circus life is not what she thought it was.
Aussie author Tea Cooper has written another very enjoyable and beautiful tale. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then you'll love reading this one just as I did. Highly recommended.
September 18, 2017
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Tea Cooper is a force to be reckoned with in the Australian historical fiction genre. I was first introduced to Tea’s work when I read The Horse Thief in 2015. Since then, I have also enjoyed The Cedar Cutter, which was also released by Tea Cooper last year. Cooper astounds me with her ability to weave compelling fictional narratives, around highly interesting historical events in Australia’s past. The Currency Lass is Tea Cooper’s latest release. It is a tale of greed, fraud, betrayal, love, friendship, freedom and finding your niche in life. The novel is set against the appealing backdrop of early Australia.
Catherine Cottingham is Tea Cooper’s heroine in The Currency Lass. Catherine is the only heir of her father’s property and fortune. Of late, Catherine has struggled to understand why her father seems to be pushing her into an arranged marriage with repulsive businessman, Henry W. Bartholomew. Catherine chooses to bide her time as she tries to fend off Henry Bartholomew’s advances as much as she can. However, the shock death of her philanthropist father sees Catherine placed in a difficult bind. She is unable to inherit her family’s property as a sole heir. Instead, all her fortune and property assets must be passed onto her husband. Catherine decides to stay hidden from Bartholomew, who has his eyes on Catherine’s inheritance until she turns twenty one. The law states that when Catherine is twenty one she can claim her inheritance as a non married woman. Whilst evading Bartholomew, Catherine finds solace in a travelling circus, which proves to be the perfect ruse. Catherine performs with Sergey Petrov, a leading horseman. Soon Catherine finds she is falling in love with Sergey but their new found love is overshadowed by the presence of fraud, forgery and the precarious world of the circus. When the past catches up with Catherine and Sergey, their future happiness is at stake.
I love the way Tea Cooper brings snippets of Australia’s past to our attention through her historical fiction titles. The Currency Lass was a superb read from the first to the very last page. I found myself completely taken aback by the characters and the situations in which Tea Cooper places each of her compelling protagonists in through this new book release.
Tea Cooper’s heroine in The Currency Lass, Catherine Cottingham, is a woman who is perhaps a little ahead of her time for a young lady of this era. She is a steadfast and autonomous but she also has a vulnerable side. We witness this when Catherine is rescued by the travelling circus, while trying to negotiate returning her late father’s body to rest. Catherine’s determination to claim what is rightfully hers, the family property Cottington Hill is admirable. I also liked the fact that she stuck to her guns in the romance field and refused to give in to marry a man who she clearly did not love. Catherine is also a brave and fearless young lady. Her willingness to dabble into the professional circus circuit was definitely a bold move. It is impossible not to develop an early and long lasting affection for this leading lady. I also hoped that Catherine would escape the awful clutches of Bartholomew and claim her birthright!
The historical aspect of The Currency Lass was well executed by Tea Cooper. Set in the Hunter Valley and Bathurst regions of NSW, areas which I am not very familiar with both in the past in present day, didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the novel at all. I was completely enthralled with all the elements of this historically based novel. Tea Cooper has a wonderful way with words, she manages to bring Australia’s past to full fruition. The result is a highly animated and historically grounded story. I thoroughly enjoyed the aspect of The Currency Lass that focussed on the tough life experienced in the goldfields and the vibrancy of life within a travelling circus. My enjoyment of the historical aspect of The Currency Lass is influenced by the dedication to research Cooper has devoted to ensuring her novel is accurate and reflective of Australia’s past.
The Currency Lass is a book that has many elements to offer the reader. From a love triangle, plenty of romance, characters you love or hate, a cracking colonial past setting and a narrative packed full of drama. I highly recommend this title to lovers of Australian historical fiction and romance readers.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Tea Cooper is a force to be reckoned with in the Australian historical fiction genre. I was first introduced to Tea’s work when I read The Horse Thief in 2015. Since then, I have also enjoyed The Cedar Cutter, which was also released by Tea Cooper last year. Cooper astounds me with her ability to weave compelling fictional narratives, around highly interesting historical events in Australia’s past. The Currency Lass is Tea Cooper’s latest release. It is a tale of greed, fraud, betrayal, love, friendship, freedom and finding your niche in life. The novel is set against the appealing backdrop of early Australia.
Catherine Cottingham is Tea Cooper’s heroine in The Currency Lass. Catherine is the only heir of her father’s property and fortune. Of late, Catherine has struggled to understand why her father seems to be pushing her into an arranged marriage with repulsive businessman, Henry W. Bartholomew. Catherine chooses to bide her time as she tries to fend off Henry Bartholomew’s advances as much as she can. However, the shock death of her philanthropist father sees Catherine placed in a difficult bind. She is unable to inherit her family’s property as a sole heir. Instead, all her fortune and property assets must be passed onto her husband. Catherine decides to stay hidden from Bartholomew, who has his eyes on Catherine’s inheritance until she turns twenty one. The law states that when Catherine is twenty one she can claim her inheritance as a non married woman. Whilst evading Bartholomew, Catherine finds solace in a travelling circus, which proves to be the perfect ruse. Catherine performs with Sergey Petrov, a leading horseman. Soon Catherine finds she is falling in love with Sergey but their new found love is overshadowed by the presence of fraud, forgery and the precarious world of the circus. When the past catches up with Catherine and Sergey, their future happiness is at stake.
I love the way Tea Cooper brings snippets of Australia’s past to our attention through her historical fiction titles. The Currency Lass was a superb read from the first to the very last page. I found myself completely taken aback by the characters and the situations in which Tea Cooper places each of her compelling protagonists in through this new book release.
Tea Cooper’s heroine in The Currency Lass, Catherine Cottingham, is a woman who is perhaps a little ahead of her time for a young lady of this era. She is a steadfast and autonomous but she also has a vulnerable side. We witness this when Catherine is rescued by the travelling circus, while trying to negotiate returning her late father’s body to rest. Catherine’s determination to claim what is rightfully hers, the family property Cottington Hill is admirable. I also liked the fact that she stuck to her guns in the romance field and refused to give in to marry a man who she clearly did not love. Catherine is also a brave and fearless young lady. Her willingness to dabble into the professional circus circuit was definitely a bold move. It is impossible not to develop an early and long lasting affection for this leading lady. I also hoped that Catherine would escape the awful clutches of Bartholomew and claim her birthright!
The historical aspect of The Currency Lass was well executed by Tea Cooper. Set in the Hunter Valley and Bathurst regions of NSW, areas which I am not very familiar with both in the past in present day, didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the novel at all. I was completely enthralled with all the elements of this historically based novel. Tea Cooper has a wonderful way with words, she manages to bring Australia’s past to full fruition. The result is a highly animated and historically grounded story. I thoroughly enjoyed the aspect of The Currency Lass that focussed on the tough life experienced in the goldfields and the vibrancy of life within a travelling circus. My enjoyment of the historical aspect of The Currency Lass is influenced by the dedication to research Cooper has devoted to ensuring her novel is accurate and reflective of Australia’s past.
The Currency Lass is a book that has many elements to offer the reader. From a love triangle, plenty of romance, characters you love or hate, a cracking colonial past setting and a narrative packed full of drama. I highly recommend this title to lovers of Australian historical fiction and romance readers.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
February 20, 2017
Who wants to runaway to the circus Catherine Cottingham does after the death of her beloved father and the push for her to marry the wealthy Sydney business man Henry Bartholomew to save their property in The Hunter Valley Catherine takes a risk with the horseman Sergey Petrov whom she meets at one of the first circus performances held in Sydney in 1851, and what a journey this one turns out to be a journey of finding truths and righting wrongs and of course finding love.
Catherine is determined to save the sprawling property that is home to many and loved by her but marrying Henry even though that was her father’s dying wish is not something that Catherine wants she finds him pompous he makes her skin crawl very unlike her first meeting with equestrian Sergey there is a spark a light that connects them instantly and when Sergey steps in to help Catherine when most needed a friendship begins one that will bring them closer together in more ways than just their love of horses.
Sergey and his sister Valentina and their friend circus owner Rudi have been on a mission for the past five years travelling from Hobart Town to Sydney then onto The Hunter Valley to clear the name of Sergey’s brother and bring the real murderer to justice. But meeting Catherine will change Sergey and unknown at the beginning she will help with his mission. She opens his eyes to love and maybe a life together but first they must bring down a forger and murderer and save the property.
This is a beautiful story a story that takes us from Sydney to The Hunter Valley and then onto the gold fields around Bathurst in the 1850’s a time of struggle and hardship for some and lets us see into the lives of the travelling circus and the people who entertain so well, but it is a story of love and truths with characters so rich and engaging. I loved Sergey he is a hero worth his weight in gold a hero of honour and so good with horses and Catherine what a beautiful caring loving heroine she made the perfect partner for Sergey. I highly recommend this trip back in Australian history it is sure to keep you turning the pages as MS Cooper weaves a magical story that had me turning the pages smiling and sighing thank you MS Cooper for a keeper.
Catherine is determined to save the sprawling property that is home to many and loved by her but marrying Henry even though that was her father’s dying wish is not something that Catherine wants she finds him pompous he makes her skin crawl very unlike her first meeting with equestrian Sergey there is a spark a light that connects them instantly and when Sergey steps in to help Catherine when most needed a friendship begins one that will bring them closer together in more ways than just their love of horses.
Sergey and his sister Valentina and their friend circus owner Rudi have been on a mission for the past five years travelling from Hobart Town to Sydney then onto The Hunter Valley to clear the name of Sergey’s brother and bring the real murderer to justice. But meeting Catherine will change Sergey and unknown at the beginning she will help with his mission. She opens his eyes to love and maybe a life together but first they must bring down a forger and murderer and save the property.
This is a beautiful story a story that takes us from Sydney to The Hunter Valley and then onto the gold fields around Bathurst in the 1850’s a time of struggle and hardship for some and lets us see into the lives of the travelling circus and the people who entertain so well, but it is a story of love and truths with characters so rich and engaging. I loved Sergey he is a hero worth his weight in gold a hero of honour and so good with horses and Catherine what a beautiful caring loving heroine she made the perfect partner for Sergey. I highly recommend this trip back in Australian history it is sure to keep you turning the pages as MS Cooper weaves a magical story that had me turning the pages smiling and sighing thank you MS Cooper for a keeper.
March 13, 2017
Another great Aussie drama set in the outback at the time of the gold rushes, ‘The Currency Lass’, is full to the brim with great locations, well rounded characters and an engaging plot. I just love these strong female leads and Catherine Cottingham surely fulfils that role in the first few pages as she follows her intuition to do what is right.
Venturing from Sydney to the Hunter Valley, and a little of Bathurst during the gold rushes, the 1850s is a time of privilege for some but hardship for many. The interesting added dimension to this particular historical tale is that of a travelling circus - an inside view to life on the road. So there are many aspects to this tale that make it unique: circus acts, victors and villains, truth and lies, courage and love.
Although young, Catherine is a worthy heroine who courageously faces many challenges head on. As she fights for her home and against an arranged marriage, as she champions the poor and struggles to do what is right, you cannot help but admire her. Sergey matches her for courage, honesty and determination with their relationship tested at times in wanting to support each other in achieving their goals.
I do enjoy reading tales of this era and highly recommend taking this journey back to a time in Australia where people struggled to start afresh in making a new life for themselves. Tea Cooper has presented a memorable tale of a bygone era.
“It makes me a currency lass, nothing more, nothing less, the first generation born in this land to convict parents.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
Venturing from Sydney to the Hunter Valley, and a little of Bathurst during the gold rushes, the 1850s is a time of privilege for some but hardship for many. The interesting added dimension to this particular historical tale is that of a travelling circus - an inside view to life on the road. So there are many aspects to this tale that make it unique: circus acts, victors and villains, truth and lies, courage and love.
Although young, Catherine is a worthy heroine who courageously faces many challenges head on. As she fights for her home and against an arranged marriage, as she champions the poor and struggles to do what is right, you cannot help but admire her. Sergey matches her for courage, honesty and determination with their relationship tested at times in wanting to support each other in achieving their goals.
I do enjoy reading tales of this era and highly recommend taking this journey back to a time in Australia where people struggled to start afresh in making a new life for themselves. Tea Cooper has presented a memorable tale of a bygone era.
“It makes me a currency lass, nothing more, nothing less, the first generation born in this land to convict parents.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
February 15, 2019
First book of Tea's that I have read. I do enjoy a good historical fiction especially set in Australia. The author does say that she took a little poetic licence with some of the details but it was based on some facts too. Catherine is the daughter of a first settler who has been on her property since she was born. At the death of her father she realizes that the property has a large debt owing which can be cleared by marrying a rich man who she can't stand. The law then says that once you marry your property becomes his, and she will not have this. What does she do - runs away to the circus!! There is a travelling circus in town and she is mesmerized by Sergei and his magnificent horse. She stands in for his sister who has gone walkabout performing tricks with her horse and her attraction to Sergei grows. Meanwhile there is gold prospecting, forged certificates, and murder going on around them. You will have to read more to find out what happened.
July 21, 2017
Book blurb...
She can run but she can’t hide…
As her father’s only heir, Catherine Cottingham expects to inherit their sprawling property in the Hunter Valley. What she doesn’t understand is why her father is trying to push her into a marriage to the pompous and repulsive Sydney businessman Henry W. Bartholomew.
When the will is read it becomes clear money, or the lack of it, lay behind her father’s plans. Catherine is mortified — as a married woman all her possessions will pass to her husband, the overbearing Bartholomew. Her only alternative is to wait until her twenty-first birthday and inherit the property in her own right, but can she elude such a determined man until then?
A chance encounter with a travelling circus and its fiery lead performer, Sergey Petrov, offers the perfect solution and Catherine escapes to the goldfields. But there is more to the circus than spangles and sawdust and Catherine finds herself drawn into a far-reaching web of fraud and forgery…
A stunning new novel from the bestselling author of The Horse Thief and The Cedar Cutter
My thoughts…
Thank you, Tea Cooper, I loved reading The Currency Lass. If all Australian Historical Romance novels are as good as this one, I may have found a new genre I enjoy.
My heart went out to Catherine with each challenge she faced - great gumption. I was cheering for her through her fight to ensure the property, and tenants, remained in the family, as her father would have wanted.
Sergey was dreamy and a dream come true for Catherine. The roads they travelled together tested them both, their love and trust in each other as they continued their search for the truth.
I loved the era this plot was set in and I found myself so in character that I was riding with Sergey hoping he would be able to save the day. The question is, did he? You’ll love the answer and inhale the sawdust of the circus and the beauty of the bush by reading this enchanting story.
She can run but she can’t hide…
As her father’s only heir, Catherine Cottingham expects to inherit their sprawling property in the Hunter Valley. What she doesn’t understand is why her father is trying to push her into a marriage to the pompous and repulsive Sydney businessman Henry W. Bartholomew.
When the will is read it becomes clear money, or the lack of it, lay behind her father’s plans. Catherine is mortified — as a married woman all her possessions will pass to her husband, the overbearing Bartholomew. Her only alternative is to wait until her twenty-first birthday and inherit the property in her own right, but can she elude such a determined man until then?
A chance encounter with a travelling circus and its fiery lead performer, Sergey Petrov, offers the perfect solution and Catherine escapes to the goldfields. But there is more to the circus than spangles and sawdust and Catherine finds herself drawn into a far-reaching web of fraud and forgery…
A stunning new novel from the bestselling author of The Horse Thief and The Cedar Cutter
My thoughts…
Thank you, Tea Cooper, I loved reading The Currency Lass. If all Australian Historical Romance novels are as good as this one, I may have found a new genre I enjoy.
My heart went out to Catherine with each challenge she faced - great gumption. I was cheering for her through her fight to ensure the property, and tenants, remained in the family, as her father would have wanted.
Sergey was dreamy and a dream come true for Catherine. The roads they travelled together tested them both, their love and trust in each other as they continued their search for the truth.
I loved the era this plot was set in and I found myself so in character that I was riding with Sergey hoping he would be able to save the day. The question is, did he? You’ll love the answer and inhale the sawdust of the circus and the beauty of the bush by reading this enchanting story.
May 14, 2017
Even before reading the book I felt I had gained something from Cooper’s Author’s Note explaining what a Currency Lass or Lad was. A day in which you learn something new is never a wasted day.
The story begins in 1846 in Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land (later to be renamed Tasmania) with the hanging of an innocent man and a vow by his brother to bring the true guilty party to justice.
We then move to New South Wales, in 1851, where we meet Catherine Cottingham, her adored but extremely ill father Reginald and Henry W Bartholomew the man her father has inexplicably chosen for her to marry. It would be nigh on impossible for anyone reading the book not to share Catherine’s distaste for Bartholomew with Cooper’s descriptions of him as a man with hot sweaty hands and foul breath, surrounded by a suffocating cloud of unwashed linen, brandy and stale tobacco. I could feel my stomach heaving in sympathy with Catherine’s.
Much as Catherine wishes to accompany her father to his physician’s appointment she is persuaded instead to attend Rudi’s Equestrian Circus with Bartholomew, a spectacle Bartholomew is sure that Catherine as a skilled rider will enjoy. And Catherine is mesmerised by the horses Tsar and Tsarina, by the skill of Princess Valentina, but most of all by the maitre du cirque astride the white stallion, Tsar.
However when Catherine returns to where she and her father are staying it is to discover that her father has died, and with her mother and 3 brothers all dead and buried at the family property Cottington Hill, she is the heir apparent.
Catherine’s independent streak and refusal to behave like a woman in the mid 1800’s is apparent when she defies Bartholomew, who has taken it upon himself to organise the funeral for Reginald in New South Wales, complete with professional mourners and organises for her father’s body to be returned to Cottington Hill to be buried alongside her mother and her three baby brothers
Things go from bad to worse after Catherine meets with the family solicitor, Mr De Silva and realises quite how fraught the family finances are. She begins to understand why her father had been so anxious to have her married off to a man of means, but is horrified when she discovers that under the law of the land, once married Cottington Hill would become her husband’s property. Catherine is not convinced that Bartholomew’s intentions towards the property, and all the tenants who live there are honorable, but is caught in the dilemma that as she is not yet 21 she is unable to inherit the property in her own right.
So, with six months to go until she is able to inherit the property as femme sole, there is only one thing to do to ensure she is not married to Bartholomew, Catherine runs away and joins the circus!
Although Catherine’s intention is to make herself inaccessible to Bartholomew until she is old enough to inherit Cottington Hill in her own name, joining the circus thrusts her into a world where much is not as it seems, and a web of fraud and forgery reaches out to entangle her.
I loved the way Cooper mixed fact and fiction, real places and imagined into this well written story, dealing with the realities and expectations of life in the mid 1800’s, the highs and lows of the goldfields and the gold rush and the tying together of all the loose ends. I admit to being a little disappointed in the ending and think this could have been dealt with better with just a few lines more. However overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.
The story begins in 1846 in Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land (later to be renamed Tasmania) with the hanging of an innocent man and a vow by his brother to bring the true guilty party to justice.
We then move to New South Wales, in 1851, where we meet Catherine Cottingham, her adored but extremely ill father Reginald and Henry W Bartholomew the man her father has inexplicably chosen for her to marry. It would be nigh on impossible for anyone reading the book not to share Catherine’s distaste for Bartholomew with Cooper’s descriptions of him as a man with hot sweaty hands and foul breath, surrounded by a suffocating cloud of unwashed linen, brandy and stale tobacco. I could feel my stomach heaving in sympathy with Catherine’s.
Much as Catherine wishes to accompany her father to his physician’s appointment she is persuaded instead to attend Rudi’s Equestrian Circus with Bartholomew, a spectacle Bartholomew is sure that Catherine as a skilled rider will enjoy. And Catherine is mesmerised by the horses Tsar and Tsarina, by the skill of Princess Valentina, but most of all by the maitre du cirque astride the white stallion, Tsar.
However when Catherine returns to where she and her father are staying it is to discover that her father has died, and with her mother and 3 brothers all dead and buried at the family property Cottington Hill, she is the heir apparent.
Catherine’s independent streak and refusal to behave like a woman in the mid 1800’s is apparent when she defies Bartholomew, who has taken it upon himself to organise the funeral for Reginald in New South Wales, complete with professional mourners and organises for her father’s body to be returned to Cottington Hill to be buried alongside her mother and her three baby brothers
Things go from bad to worse after Catherine meets with the family solicitor, Mr De Silva and realises quite how fraught the family finances are. She begins to understand why her father had been so anxious to have her married off to a man of means, but is horrified when she discovers that under the law of the land, once married Cottington Hill would become her husband’s property. Catherine is not convinced that Bartholomew’s intentions towards the property, and all the tenants who live there are honorable, but is caught in the dilemma that as she is not yet 21 she is unable to inherit the property in her own right.
So, with six months to go until she is able to inherit the property as femme sole, there is only one thing to do to ensure she is not married to Bartholomew, Catherine runs away and joins the circus!
Although Catherine’s intention is to make herself inaccessible to Bartholomew until she is old enough to inherit Cottington Hill in her own name, joining the circus thrusts her into a world where much is not as it seems, and a web of fraud and forgery reaches out to entangle her.
I loved the way Cooper mixed fact and fiction, real places and imagined into this well written story, dealing with the realities and expectations of life in the mid 1800’s, the highs and lows of the goldfields and the gold rush and the tying together of all the loose ends. I admit to being a little disappointed in the ending and think this could have been dealt with better with just a few lines more. However overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.
November 17, 2017
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Mira for the book to read and thank you to Tea Cooper for telling such a wonderful story.
The Currency Lass is an enthralling read with fact and fiction thrown into the mix.
I never knew that there was such a term as a currency lass or lad so there were a few little things I learnt by reading the Author’s note at the beginning of the book.
The story begins in Hobart in 1846 and this short little beginning chapter will have a whole lot more meaning later as the story progresses.
We then move forward to Sydney in 1851 where Catherine and her gravely ill father are in Sydney as is determined to make sure Catherine is well looked after upon his demise.
He has arranged for her to marry Sydney businessman Henry W. Bartholomew. Henry comes calling and it is off to the circus they go on a prearranged date that her father had made. There Catherine sees Sergey the charming and charismatic maitre du cirque and his white stallion.
Upon returning to her father after the date Catherine discovers her beloved father has passed away.
Henry takes it upon himself to arrange the funeral in Sydney but Catherine just wants her father to be buried near his wife and sons on her family property in the Hunter Valley.
Now home Catherine heads off the see the family solicitor who tells her that her father had a loan on the property and the only way her father could see for the debt to be cleared was for her to marry this wealthy man.
Catherine now discovers that she will only inherit the farm on her 21st birthday and also learns that when she marries all her assets will become her husbands and that her role in life will be to provide sons for her husband.
Catherine is a wonderful strong, stubborn yet determined young woman that can not bear to see her fathers wonderful property lost to some rich businessman that she has to marry.
Catherine is determined to find a way to keep her fathers property and not have to marry Henry. It’s a hard task and one that will be hard to accomplish, can she do it.
From here begins a tale of love, loss, friendship, trust, turmoil, betrayal and all given to us with a wonderful insight and understanding of life in the 1850’s.
May 9, 2022
Reginald Cottington and his friend Archie were convicted falsely accused as horse thieves when they tried to rescue a maltreated horse and were sentenced to to serve seven years in Australia. After finishing their sentence, Cottington bought a farm and they brought it up into a working concern raising cattle and built a small community on the property and named Cottington Hill. He soon married another ex~convict, a governess convicted of stealing a Bible and they had a daughter, Catherine. Unfortunately she died after giving birth to Catherine's brother. The motherless waif was soon taught by her second father, Archie, bareback riding and cultivated her affinity with horses at an early age. Catherine was not yet twenty~one when Cottingham became seriously ill and contracted her into marriage to a rich but uncouth man. Loath to honour such a dubious deal given that Bartholomew wanted to reside in Sydney while Cottington Hill was in the country and she was convinced that he would sell the place once they were married so what would happen to the people who worked and lived there? Scared and confused... and still mourning her father, she ran away to hide with the traveling circus and became their Currency Lass* a replacement act for the missing Valentina who with her brother Sergey, both amazing equestrians, were the stars of the show. The circus owners' and stars' dark and tragic history would soon dovetail more deeply with drastic consequences with that of Catherine's obnoxious dilemma.
+Currency Children were those born of emancipated convicts
+Currency Children were those born of emancipated convicts
March 22, 2017
Catherine Cottingham, heiress to her beloved Cottington Hill estate, believes she will never have to leave her home. After all, her father has left everything to her in his will. But when he dies, she discovers it all becomes her husband’s when she marries. And the husband her father has chosen for her is the fat, bombastic Henry Bartholomew. A night at Rudi’s Equestrian Circus watching the dark, handsome Sergei Petrov, performing exhilarating feats of horsemanship makes her contemplate the impossible. What if she joined the circus, hiding until her twenty-first birthday in six months’ time, when she could inherit in her own right and refuse marriage to Bartholomew?
We are swept off to the circus of our childhoods; to the glitter, spangles and fun; the thrill and danger of circus feats and the magnificent animals who perform them. Into this the author has interweaved intrigue, love and heady adventure. Another wonderful Australian Historical from Tea Cooper set in and around her home of Wollombi. The characters are captivating and the geography and social rules authentically portrayed. Tea Cooper has set the story in the days of the gold rushes and portrays vividly the gold mania which created either ghost towns or thriving gold towns within days of a gold find. I thoroughly recommend this book.
We are swept off to the circus of our childhoods; to the glitter, spangles and fun; the thrill and danger of circus feats and the magnificent animals who perform them. Into this the author has interweaved intrigue, love and heady adventure. Another wonderful Australian Historical from Tea Cooper set in and around her home of Wollombi. The characters are captivating and the geography and social rules authentically portrayed. Tea Cooper has set the story in the days of the gold rushes and portrays vividly the gold mania which created either ghost towns or thriving gold towns within days of a gold find. I thoroughly recommend this book.
September 19, 2020
An excellent book written in the 1800's era highlighting how hard it was back then for a female to make her way in the world.
Catherine Cottingham is the only heir to her father's property Cottington Hill in the Hunter Valley and as her father's health deteriorates she is told she needs to marry Henry W Bartholomew, an arrogant businessman from Sydney.
When the will is read on the death of her father, Catherine finds out there is an outstanding loan against the property and the only way is to wed Bartholomew and he will clear the debt. Her husband-to-be intends to sell the property though. Her only other option is to disappear for six months until her twenty-first birthday when she can inherit the property on her own.
Her chance encounter with Sergey Petrov and the circus travelling in the area is her cover to leave until things take many twists and turns and she has to return home.
You won't want to miss how this all turns out. Well worth the read!
Catherine Cottingham is the only heir to her father's property Cottington Hill in the Hunter Valley and as her father's health deteriorates she is told she needs to marry Henry W Bartholomew, an arrogant businessman from Sydney.
When the will is read on the death of her father, Catherine finds out there is an outstanding loan against the property and the only way is to wed Bartholomew and he will clear the debt. Her husband-to-be intends to sell the property though. Her only other option is to disappear for six months until her twenty-first birthday when she can inherit the property on her own.
Her chance encounter with Sergey Petrov and the circus travelling in the area is her cover to leave until things take many twists and turns and she has to return home.
You won't want to miss how this all turns out. Well worth the read!
January 30, 2024
A good story line. After her sick father dies, she discovers she, as a single girl has been promised to a rich older man, in marriage for her property and wellbeing. Good job she had her wits about her to elude this repulsive match her father had secured on her behalf. She leaves town and joins the circus of all places, and travels across the countryside on a working tour that lands her in the middle of the goldfields. She becomes the “investigator “ of all things gold. Her hero doesn’t believe she’s innocent and she’s set packing, Along with a family she’s helped rescue at the Goldfields. She returns home to her betrothed and only now does the hero step up to the plate. He’s left it a bit late or almost tooo late.
He saves the day and Catherine is now free to marry him and run her property thanks to the gold “found” on the property. Lucky.
What’s to become of Serg ? Does he return to work the circus or is he now comfortably breeding horses ?
He saves the day and Catherine is now free to marry him and run her property thanks to the gold “found” on the property. Lucky.
What’s to become of Serg ? Does he return to work the circus or is he now comfortably breeding horses ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2018
Wow! I couldn't put this book down - excellent descriptive writing had me 'seeing' the main characters (the gorgeous Catherine, the desirable Sergey and the despicable Henry). I enjoyed getting to 'know' Archie but felt disappointed with Mrs Duffen.
The excitement of the circus and the people who performed in it was palpable - isn't running away to join the circus the dream a lot of kids have?!?
Thank you Tea for another wonderful book!
The excitement of the circus and the people who performed in it was palpable - isn't running away to join the circus the dream a lot of kids have?!?
Thank you Tea for another wonderful book!
February 21, 2020
Very enjoyable book. I find Tea's historical detail and research is very rewarding in her stories to present such interesting threads. Always enjoy her twists and turns and shed a tear or four, keep tissues handy.
June 22, 2017
I enjoyed this book. I like anything centred around a circus. found the ending a little rushed and almost too good to be true. was left hanging at the end as well.
September 2, 2017
great story set in times long ago
January 17, 2018
3.5* for me as it was a good read but not great as I did do a bit of skimming.
January 15, 2019
Lovely reading
Lovely flow, lovely characters and plot, and a beautiful journey back in time made this a a very enjoyable Aussie read.
Lovely flow, lovely characters and plot, and a beautiful journey back in time made this a a very enjoyable Aussie read.
October 7, 2021
I didn't like this as much as her previous books however it was a pleasant read and good came out in the end
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November 5, 2023Kindle
March 28, 2025
Couldn't put it down.
March 12, 2017
Interesting read following the convict pathways to the gold rush. Equality and freedom for women was non-existent resulting in marriage of convenience or in this case femme solo.
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April 11, 2017The Currency Lass is a dramatic story about a young woman who runs away to join the circus. The eponymous character is Catherine Cottingham, an independent young woman who is orphaned on the verge of her 21st birthday. Her philanthropist father has passed away and left her riddled with a saddlebag of debt. This then leaves her with a tough decision- to marry the horrible but wealthy Henry Bartholomew or to bide her time and inherit the family estate as the sole female heir.
Over the course of several hundred pages historical fiction writer, Tea Cooper has crafted a delightful slice of Australiana and a book that shares a few things in common with the work of Bryce Courtenay. Cottingham is an inspiring character and a determined woman who shows a natural aptitude for horse-riding. In joining the circus she develops a sense of freedom and empowerment, which is a far cry from the potential alternative she faces. Along the line she also forges friendships with the other circus performers, including the handsome, Sergey Petrov. The question is, will she be able to keep up the act for long enough?
Cooper has crafted quite a rich and detailed book that blends together facts about Australia in the 19th century as well as fictional characters and elements. The reader is treated to a well-constructed and believable story that is brimming with interesting, believable and well-formed characters. The Currency Lass is ultimately an epic slice of Australian, historic fiction and one that proves to be worth its weight in gold.
Over the course of several hundred pages historical fiction writer, Tea Cooper has crafted a delightful slice of Australiana and a book that shares a few things in common with the work of Bryce Courtenay. Cottingham is an inspiring character and a determined woman who shows a natural aptitude for horse-riding. In joining the circus she develops a sense of freedom and empowerment, which is a far cry from the potential alternative she faces. Along the line she also forges friendships with the other circus performers, including the handsome, Sergey Petrov. The question is, will she be able to keep up the act for long enough?
Cooper has crafted quite a rich and detailed book that blends together facts about Australia in the 19th century as well as fictional characters and elements. The reader is treated to a well-constructed and believable story that is brimming with interesting, believable and well-formed characters. The Currency Lass is ultimately an epic slice of Australian, historic fiction and one that proves to be worth its weight in gold.
April 22, 2017
What a great Aussie drama set in the time of the Gold rushes!
This is a relatively new genre for me but I must say from the few books I have recently read its fast becoming a favourite!
I love the mixture of fact and fiction, the familiarity of knowing the towns and landmarks to me brings a sense of comfort and ease when picturing the story unfold in your mind.
It was a easy book to read but with enough twists to keep you entertained and hoping for more. I loved the character of Catherine, a strong independent woman stuck in a time where being a woman with ambition and a plan was looked down upon. I enjoyed watching her story unfold as she fought to keep what was rightfully hers.
This is my first book of Tea Coopers and I found her writing very discriptive yet easy to read. Infact I enjoyed it so much I have ordered two more of her books!
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and to Harlequin Books for the chance to read this book.
This is a relatively new genre for me but I must say from the few books I have recently read its fast becoming a favourite!
I love the mixture of fact and fiction, the familiarity of knowing the towns and landmarks to me brings a sense of comfort and ease when picturing the story unfold in your mind.
It was a easy book to read but with enough twists to keep you entertained and hoping for more. I loved the character of Catherine, a strong independent woman stuck in a time where being a woman with ambition and a plan was looked down upon. I enjoyed watching her story unfold as she fought to keep what was rightfully hers.
This is my first book of Tea Coopers and I found her writing very discriptive yet easy to read. Infact I enjoyed it so much I have ordered two more of her books!
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and to Harlequin Books for the chance to read this book.
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