Author: Darry Fraser
ISBN: 9781489248862
RRP: $29.99
Publisher: Harlequin
Copy: Courtesy of the Publisher
The silly season came and slapped me in the face, I am so far behind on EVERYTHING that there is just no way I am going to be able to get through all the December books in time to get readers feedback links. I am 2 days out from my holiday with no packing and no cleaning but now wrapping completed.
So, I have decided the best way to tackle the holiday season book club reads is to get a post up for readers to leave their feedback on and I will read and review separately. It helps ease the pressure on me and that is what I am in dire need of right now.
Darry Fraser is an Australian author who is new to me, but I look forward to changing that. A quick look at the Goodreads page for Where The Murray River Runs shows that so far the book has been pretty well received.
A couple of years ago, if you had asked, I would have told you that historical fiction isn’t really my thing. Ask me now and the answer is a little different, but it’s an answer I need to stop and think about.Historical fiction is still not a go-to for me but I have read some great historical novels over the last couple of years and I do find it quite fascinating to learn a little more history, especially if it’s about places that I know.
Where The Murray River Runs begins in Bendigo in 1890 with lovers Ard and Linley, a pair who have known one another always and could be together if Linley hadn’t just discovered the child Ard fathered to someone else.
In a cruel twist of fate Linley finds herself guardian to Ard’s baby and having to protect the child from a greedy violent man.
Ard has set out to carve a new path for himself since his hopes for a future with Linley are dashed but learning she is in danger sends him dashing to her aid.
This is an historical tale of greed, honour and love set along the banks of the Murray.
I am really looking forward to reading this one, and sharing my views in a separate review. I am also looking forward to hearing what our readers think.
You can follow Darry Fraser on Facebook, Twitter and her Website.
Thanks to Harlequin 20 of our Beauty and Lace club members will be reading and reviewing Where The Murray River Runs so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
Where The Murray River Runs is available now through Harlequin, Booktopia, Angus & Robertson Bookworld and where all good books are sold.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I am ever so grateful to be the recipient of Darry Fraser’s ‘Where the Murray River Runs’, thanks to Harlequin Publishers and Beauty and Lace.
What an epic tale, a fabulous gripping story, one that I didn’t want to put down. I was disappointed when the book ended. I wanted it to go on forever.
Darry Fraser presents a wonderful tale of 1890s life in country Australia. Her characters are full of flaws, spirit, love and spunk. She presents not one main character in young Linley Seymour but presents us with many strongly formed characters.
Linley has been raised by her capable Aunt Cee Cee from a very early age after her mother, Eliza was killed by the vicious hands of her husband. Cee Cee, along with her long time love, James Anderson have developed safe housing and a way of escape for those battered women in society. Linley is presented with a difficult situation, being made guardian of a newborn baby, fathered by her flame, Ard O’Rourke. And so the anguish and complications begin.
I won’t divulge the details, you will need to read the book and I assure you will be riveted just as I was.
A beautiful representation of people struggling to get ahead, make lives for themselves and form strong family bonds. I am keen to look out for other books written by this author.
Turned a few pages and I was addicted to this book as it was a fantastic read.
Loved the storyline, descriptions and characters except the bad smelly one! Darryl Fraser must be very knowledgeable as it showed in this book.
Gosh, I could not imagine how draining and challenging the hardships they faced back then as it was not a free place for women to be who they really were without gossip and restrictions.
I loved this book so much I’d love to read her other books and to know the Murray River makes it a step back in history, a learning curve and a lot of familiarality, having been to Renmark, Bendigo and also parts of the Murray River. I wasn’t so familiar with Echuca but I felt like I was right there along with the characters in this book.
Harlequin take on some very talented authors and I haven’t read a book yet that I haven’t liked from them.
Thanks B & L for introducing me to another great book and I will pass this on to my friends xo
Thankyou Beautyandlace and harlyquinbooks for the opportunity to read and enjoy
“Where the Murray River Runs” by Darry Fraser. I was very excited to get confirmation for this book as I so enjoy Australian historical fiction.
This book takes you right into the 1980s and it is so easy to picture every scene that is described.
CeeCee is a committed suffragette and after the death of her sister CeeCee and her partner James are determined to fight for the cause of battered and homeless women and children and at the same time they take on the care and wellbeing of CeeCee s niece Linley.
Linley has grown up with Ard O’Rourke and as they have grown into adulthood their childhood friendship turns to a yearning to be together. Ard feeling that he has nothing to offer Linley leaves Bendigo to try and make a life for them during the coming depression but during a very drunken night fathers a child by another girl Mary..
Mary marries another man and endures just the treatment CeeCee and James are trying to stop and when she dies in childbirth her child is thrust onto Linley. The story of the love between Ard and Linley and the trials of Cee Cee and James and the dangers and moves they have to take make this book a 5 ⭐️Read
This is the first book by Darry Fraser that I have read and I really enjoyed it. Set in 1890 it is a fine example of Australian historical fiction. Covering several facets- poverty, suffragettes, domestic violence, orphans, lost love & romance, with locations in Victoria’s goldfields and Echuca. Linley lives with her aunt who has looked after her since she was a baby, and also provides safe houses for women who are victims of violence – much to the dispproval of others, who think she is in a disreputable sort of business. Linley has always loved Ard O’Rourke, but discovers he has fathered a child who is now in her care as its mother has passed away. Will Linley ever forgive him for his indiscretion or will they never be together. Meanwhile a dark and dangerous figure is stalking Linley and intends to take what he believes is his – her life is in danger from this man!
This book is a sweeping saga and I could almost picture the locations depicted as I recently went to Echuca. Highly recommended for lovers of Australian historical fiction. Thank you to Harlequin Mira and Beauty and Lace for a copy of this book for review.
I admit that any kind of historical fiction doesn’t quite appeal to me but after reading this Australian book, I can now say I have a different perspective on historical novels. During the pages I read about an amount of 200 pounds and although I was quite young in those days, I have no idea on what price it is. Thankfully hubby could help me out there.
Firstly, the cover is just beautifully haunting. I was able to carry the photo of the girl throughout whilst I read for the main character.
Linley whose mother was killed by her abusive husband was then bought up by her Aunt Cee Cee. This aunt is amazing and such a strong, likeable character that will remain with you for quite a while. Linley also has a man called Ard that she has loved since she was young but not all works out in that relationship.
Cee Cee and Linley open their home to women who have been in abusive relationships and help them to recover. Cee Cee also has a partner called James and he is so warm hearted and loves her so much.
I enjoyed reading this book as it revolves around Bendigo in the 1890s and the Murray River is also mentioned. Having been there, it was easy to imagine the scenery and life back then.
There are numerous other characters that are all engaging in their own way but there is also a nasty character who creates havoc for some of the characters. I found my heart pumping quite heavily in any scenes with him in it.
The story revolves mostly around Cee Cee, James, Linley and Ard. Linley always envisioned that she and Ard would marry and have their own family one day. Unfortunately Ard has a child and this torments Linley in rejecting Ard.
Upon reading the back of the book we know that a character called Mary has Ard’s child but she marries someone else to protect Ard because she knows he loves Linley. Mary does die and leaves her child to Linley.
For Linley being an unmarried girl taking up another woman’s orphan baby and bringing it up as her own was a hard chore back in those days, especially when there was no man to help you out. You were looked down on for attempting such a chore.
I found myself wanting to just keep reading this book to find out what happened at the end. I couldn’t put the book down. It really was a page turner.
Thank you to Beauty & Lace, Harlequin for sending me this book to read. Thank you also to Darry Fraser for opening up my eyes on Australian historical fiction. I see it all in a completely new light now.
I loved how after Darry’s acknowledgements she has written Chapter one of her next book called Daughter of the Murray. I’ve never seen that before in a novel so found that very intriguing and very clever.
Wow what a great read! This is my first book by Darry Fraser and I loved it!
I have only recently started reading Australian Historical Fictions and I must say we have produced some brilliant authors with Darry Fraser right there alongside them!
I love the descriptive way Darry writes, she effortlessly transports you right back to the 1800s on the Murray River alongside the characters.
The storyline was enjoyable and not so different to struggles in today’s society.
This is a book that leaves you wanting more, you don’t want it to end and you don’t want to put it down! In fact I have already started her book Daughter of the Murray and am enjoying that just as much!
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for the chance to read and discover another great Australian author.
Where The Murray River Runs. By Darry Fraser
This story is set in the mid 1890’s, and is a tale of life along the Murray River, from Renmark South Australia to Echuca in Victoria.
It begins in Bendigo, where single girl Linley Seymour suddenly finds herself the guardian of a baby who’s mother dies shortly after its birth. The mother tells Linley that her violent husband is not the baby’s father, but when she says who it is, Linley is shocked to hear it is her own childhood friend and sweetheart, Ard O’Rourke.
Linley has been brought up by her Aunt Cee Cee, and helps her with the running of a women’s refuge where battered women and their children are taken in and protected from violent husbands.
Ard and his parents are establishing an orchard in Renmark, but issues with water rights are making farming difficult. He knows nothing of the baby until he receives two letters – one from the mother saying she has married but her husband knows that the baby she was carrying is not his own, and another angry letter from Linley advising that the mother has died. Ard hurries to Bendigo to try to make things right with Linley, assuming that the baby also died.
When he arrives he finds the baby still alive, and in the care of Linley – the woman he left while he went off to earn enough money to be able to ask her to marry him. But Linley is mad at him, as he has broken her heart by being with another woman.
Ard realises that the baby, Linley and her Aunt are in danger. Irate husbands do not appreciate their wives being offered shelter, they should be home where they belong. Violence is a way of life for these women.
Linley and the baby and Aunt Cee Cee are forced to flee to Echuca.
Can Ard protect the people he loves from these dangers?
This is an easy to read but hard to put down book. The Echuca riverside setting and 1850’s history of River Boats is an enjoyable historical touch.
Thanks to Beauty & Lace book club, and Harlequin Books for the chance to read this book. I will be looking out for Darry Fraser’s first book, Daughter of The Murray to read next, although I think it goes before Where The Murray River Runs.
The Murray river
Linley Seymour lives with, and has been raised by, her Aunt Ceecee a suffragette; who, with the help of her partner and lover James Anderson assists women in trouble whether it be through a violent relationship, unmarried and pregnant with a child or the loss of husband and no means to support themselves . It is a personal mission for Ceecee brought about by her inability to help her sister, Linley’s mother, who was married to a violent man.
Linley has been in love with Ard O’Rouke since they were children but Ard feels he needs to prove himself before he can ask Linley to marry him. This is a complicated love story and there is no easy path for these two.
Times are tough in Australia in the 1880’s . Depression is looming and there is little work available. Ard’s family are running an orchard but there is no irrigation scheme yet on the Murray so life is dependent on the weather.
Linley becomes guardian to a baby boy Toby whose mother Mary Bonner dies in childbirth following a horrific marriage to a violent sadistic man, Gareth Wilkin.
Mary’s husband, who is not the father of the child, has married her to save her reputation on the promise of an inheritance from Mary’s Aunty .
This is where the story really becomes intense. Gareth is intent on claiming the baby so he can inherit the money he believes he is entitled to as Mary’s husband. The lives of all those close to the baby are in jeopardy.
I loved the descriptive passages of life on the Murray and the hardships and difficulties of living a life on the land during this period.
There is triumph, tragedy and sorrow in this book but there is also a great story of how life was for women living in a period of Australian history where they had no rights.
I really enjoyed the history lesson on the fight for a woman’s right to vote and own her own property in a marriage. Life really was tough for women as they were basically owned by their husband – forbidden to work once married and everything they owned became their husbands.
A great summer beach read and highly recommended. It is not my usual choice of genre but I really enjoyed it.
Thanks Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review.
I loved this book!
As soon as I started reading, I was enthralled with the historial elements and the painstaking detail behind that history, however the story itself was fantastic and had me riding the highs and lows and not being able to put the book down because I had to know what was happening next!
A very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I enjoyed Where the Murray River Runs by Darry Fraser. Set in the 1890’s, it is a story about Linley Seymour who was raised by her aunt after the death of her mother from domestic violence. Linley becomes the guardian of a child after a friend dies, also due to domestic violence. As the story continues, Linley discovers the father of the child was her childhood friend and sweetheart. The author covers the legal situation of women in those times in regard to property etc,, and how women were gradually fighting to create change.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review this story.