Fires of Fortune [Paperback]

Patricia Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1996

As a boy, Ben Beckman is sheltered from the hard aspects of life by his Aborigine mother Diamond. He is unaware that he is the son of the ruthless Ben Buchanan, a prominent figure in the state political scene, and that as a half-caste he is unwelcome in Brisbane society. Then one appalling night Diamond's life comes to an end. Crazed with grief, Ben vandalises his neighbour Dr Thurlwell's mansion - for the doctor refused to tend his mother. Ben's actions are to have tragic consequences. Over hard years, Ben's hatred for Dr Thurlwell deepens. The girl next door is Pheobe Thurlwell, whom Ben has known all his life. When she offers the hand of friendship he is still motivated by a bitter feud with her parents. Pheobe is sent away to a friend's cattle station to remove her from Ben's influence, but he follows. There he comes face to face with his father, a far more dangerous adversary than he ever thought possible...

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In another of Shaw's adventure/romances set in 19th-century Australia (following Where Willows Weep, LJ 12/94), half-caste Ben Buckman grows up in ease and wealth in Brisbane thanks to the gold his Aborigine mother, Diamond, struck on the goldfields just prior to desertion by her lover, a white cattleman. Ben knows nothing of his father or of the tribulations borne by Aborigines. But he learns all too quickly when a wealthy doctor refuses to treat Diamond as she lies dying. In retaliation, Ben breaks the windows of the doctor's house, resulting in a long, abusive jail sentence. Once freed, Ben is vengeful, but, unexpectedly, love enters his world in the form of the doctor's daughter, Phoebe. Set against the harshly exotic outback, this crisply paced family saga involves various complications, including the ruthlessness of Ben's father, while offering up a good bit of Australian and Aborigine history. Recommended for public libraries.
Terrill Persky, Woodridge P.L., Ill.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Born in Melbourne, Patricia Shaw worked as a teacher, political journalist and an oral historian, before pursuing a literary career. Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 596 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074724913X
• ISBN-13: 978-0747249139
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 1.6 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,070,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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