Enduring Love: A Novel (Sydney Cove) [Paperback]

Bonnie Leon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sydney Cove | Publication Date: May 1, 2009

Just when things seem to be looking up for John and Hannah Bradshaw, their world is turned upside down. Years ago, John was in prison when he was told his first wife, Margaret, died. So how is it that she shows up in Sydney Town looking to pick up where they left off?

Her marriage now null and void, Hannah is distraught. But she and John feel they must separate to allow John's first marriage to continue. But is Margaret hiding something after all? And just what will she do to get what she wants?

This conclusion to the Sydney Cove trilogy will draw readers in with its suspenseful, romantic, and tender narrative.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Can love overcome even this?

It's 1807 and Australia settlers John and Hannah Bradshaw have worked hard and long to make a good life for themselves at their sheep farm in New South Wales. They have a house that finally feels like a home, and they even have a loving, adopted son. But just when things are looking up, their world is turned upside down.

Years ago, when John was in prison, he was told his first wife died. So how is it that she shows up in Sydney Town looking to pick up where they left off? And what does this shocking news mean for Hannah and their son?

The suspenseful conclusion to the Sydney Cove series, Enduring Love is a gripping story laced with the tender romance and hope that readers have come to expect from Bonnie Leon.

About the Author

Bonnie Leon is the bestselling author of more than ten historical fiction novels. She stays busy teaching women's Bible studies and speaking at writing seminars and conventions. She and her husband, Greg, live in Glide, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Ist Editions edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800731786
• ISBN-13: 978-0800731786
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Storytelling has always been an integral part of Bonnie Leon's life. From childhood, she cherished the legends and family history handed down through her Aleut ancestors.

Throughout the ensuing years, Bonnie dabbled at writing but didn't seriously consider becoming a professional author. Instead, as a young woman, she happily stepped into the full-time profession of homemaker and mother. Pollywog hunting, finger-painting, blackberry picking, and creating fun messes in the kitchen with her children are some of her most precious and irreplaceable memories.

When her youngest child was nine years old, Bonnie decided it was time to return to the working world. She took a position in her hometown, working with the elderly and handicapped.

Then on June 11, 1991, her world was shattered when a log truck hit the van she was driving. The accident left her unable to work, and after months of rehabilitation she was told by physicians that she would never return to a normal life. Facing a daunting fight to reclaim her life and feeling as if she had nothing to offer the world, she asked God to give her something to do that mattered.

His answer came when she received a scholarship to attend the Oregon Christian Writer's Summer Conference. That conference ignited Bonnie's passion for literature and for writing, and she has been writing ever since.

Her first book, The Journey of Eleven Moons was released by Thomas Nelson in 1994 and made the CBA bestsellers list.

Since that time, she has written and published sixteen historical novels. Two of her series, The Sydney Cove Series, and The Queensland Chronicles, published by Revell, were published in Dutch-language editions by Ultgeverij De Banier bv, an organization based in The Netherlands. Her books are truly being read across the globe!

And with each book she writes, her love for the craft and the challenges of writing grows. "The learning never ends," she says, "But I relish the challenge of becoming a writer known for quality storytelling."

In addition to her work as a writer, Bonnie has a passion for teaching of all kinds, especially on the art and intricacies of storytelling. She teaches at conferences and workshops and says, "There's nothing more thrilling than to see a student's eyes light up with understanding as she grasps the concepts of the writing craft and begins to believe she can tell stories someone else will want to read."

Bonnie is also a regular speaker at women's church groups, writing groups, and business organizations. For more information on Bonnie's speaking topics and schedule, please click here.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable yet predictable, June 23, 2009

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Enduring Love: A Novel (Sydney Cove) (Paperback)

Now that John and Hannah have been in New South Wales for several years, they've begun to build a life together. It was interesting to read about how they started off as convicts but have now managed to have their own farm, livestock and their past has become a distant memory. This story is not so much about Australia as it is about John and Hannah's relationship. Hannah is like a Job character as she is severely tested throughout the whole story. Anything bad that could happen to her, happened in this book. She handled things way better than I would have.

While I enjoyed the story, I did have several qualms while reading it. My main one is the entire storyline of the dead spouse coming back to life and ruining a marriage. I really don't like this storyline because it seems to come up a lot in Christian fiction and every single time it ends the same way. This case is no different. I cannot believe that not a single person questioned Margaret and was so readily to dismiss John and Hannah's marriage. It just seemed that everyone gave up too easily. I unfortunately did not like Hannah in this book. Any spunk or boldness she had in previous books seemed to disappear once Margaret showed up. She didn't try to fight for John, she just became a pushover. Even when she had suspicions she didn't want to pursue them and when she did find out the truth, it was only because of a friend's urging that she finally decided to do something. John is no help either as he immediately goes back to his first wife and just dismisses Hannah. There were several times throughout the book that I just wanted to scream at everyone. I will say though the ending was slightly unexpected and I am glad that it didn't end in the predictable way. I am sad that this is the last book in the series as I would have liked to see more of how the characters survive in their new surroundings. Stories about this time period and location are unique and these characters will be missed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sweet End to a Terrific Series, May 22, 2009

By 

Myrn Mccord - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enduring Love: A Novel (Sydney Cove) (Paperback)

With the release of Enduring Love, the Sydney Cove series by Bonnie Leon comes to a sweet end. While book two in the series, Longings of the Heart, was a bit slower for author Bonnie Leon, Enduring Love was anything but. I purposely put off reading the book until I was able to read it through uninterrupted and was rewarded by my patience. The emotion, the tension, the conflict kept me turning the page as Hannah and John struggled with the trials thrust into their lives and continued living by faith. Hannah was a great example of grace and surrender as God allowed such difficult circumstances to enter her life. The book was predictable, but that was okay because the process wasn't. I loved this book. The only thing I didn't like was that it was over. Bonnie, you did it again! Well done!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Series Ender, November 26, 2010

By 

Margaret Stallings (Elizabeth City, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Enduring Love: A Novel (Sydney Cove) (Paperback)

Bonnie Leon"s "Syndey Cove" series is very well written and holds your interest..All 2 books have wonderful story lines and the final book closes the story very well..Good reading.