Heart of the Country (Flinders Ranges Series #1) in Aussie Readers

Jan 16, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-authors, read-on-kindle, 2015-release, historical-fiction, net-galley, first-in-a-series, own-read, arc, favourites

It was 1846 when Thomas Baker arrived in the new colony of South Australia, grieving and alone. Fresh from England he had lost his mother before their departure then his father had succumbed during the journey. But with the original plan for a better life in Australia only thwarted slightly, Thomas was determined to make a go of things. Shovelling the roadways was not a job he wanted to continue so when the opportunity arose to work for AJ Browne as an overseer on one of his sheep properties in It was 1846 when Thomas Baker arrived in the new colony of South Australia, grieving and alone. Fresh from England he had lost his mother before their departure then his father had succumbed during the journey. But with the original plan for a better life in Australia only thwarted slightly, Thomas was determined to make a go of things. Shovelling the roadways was not a job he wanted to continue so when the opportunity arose to work for AJ Browne as an overseer on one of his sheep properties in the north, he accepted, knowing he would learn as he worked.

But Thomas was not used to the ways of the con men that lived on the streets and when he was purchasing a horse and met up with Septimus Wiltshire, an ex-convict who had originally lived in New South Wales, he had no idea that this person would cause trouble for him then and there, as well as into the future…

Working the isolated property called ‘Penakie’ which contained three thousand sheep, Thomas found the ruggedness of the country and the sparseness of the water a challenge. With the wild dogs and the natives to contend with as well, he was busy from dawn until dusk – his exhaustion was a part of his being. But Thomas was a hard worker and determined to prove to AJ that he had made the right choice for his overseer. He hadn’t had time to feel the loneliness of the vast countryside, but when he received a visit from the Smith family who were distant neighbours, it was to prove most fortuitous – their future would be entwined with delightful daughter Lizzie taking Thomas’ eye almost immediately.

As the years moved forward and fortunes changed, times were sometimes harsh, sometimes fruitful. And when drought struck, the country was brought to its knees – gradually businesses around the ports closed; the sheep died from lack of food and water; people struggled. Would Thomas and Lizzie manage to save their property? Would they endure in this heart of the country?

I absolutely loved Heart of the Country which is Aussie author Tricia Springer’s first foray into the genre of historical fiction. An absolutely brilliant story of the early settlers of Australia, the harsh conditions they faced; the confusion of the Aboriginals in the face of the white settlers; the trouble makers who were the escaped and ex-convicts – a beautifully written novel which is the beginning of a series. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Heart of the Country (which has immediately gone onto my Favourites list), and can’t wait to read book two.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
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Jun 21, 2015 Sheree rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews, own, historical-fiction, aussie-author, read-in-2015

4.5 stars

My first time reading Australian author Tricia Stringer and Heart of the Country appears to be her first foray into adult historical fiction. Historical fiction being one of my favourite genres to read and me being a self-confessed-fussy-cow I gotta say, Tricia Stringer nails it!

Heart of the Country is set in the mid 1800's during pastoral settlement of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. We follow young Thomas Baker as he strikes out for 'Penakie' and a new life.

There's a wide cas ...more

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Jun 24, 2015 Stacey (sassysreadingnook) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: blog-tours

The bull is tame, so fear him not, so long as you can pay your shot. When money's gone and credit's bad, that's what makes the bull go mad.

^^This poem was posted outside the pub Thomas Baker walked into right at the start of the story, it stuck with me, so I wanted to share it with you. It's just so Australian! I could picture the sign in my head as soon as I read it.

In 1846 Thomas Baker had just arrived from England to start a new life in South Australia, he knew he was destined for a better li ...more

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Sep 11, 2020 Dzintra aka Ingrid rated it it was amazing

This is my first Tricia Stringer novel and I really enjoyed reading this! Historical Fiction is my most favourite a Genre and I felt like I was in the mid 1800’s along with the Characters. The bush, the drays heading off to sell their wool, the farming of sheep in drought and the tenacity of the farmers and their wives and family make this a thoroughly enjoyable read along with encounters with the Aboriginal people. Highly recommended and now I have started Dust on the Horizon the 2nd book in th ...more

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