To Love Anew (Sydney Cove Series #1) (Paperback)

by Bonnie Leon (Author)
Key Phrases: mud lark, ship fever, sweating sickness, Port Jackson, New South Wales, Judge Walker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she's ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left--her dignity. When she is banished from London, she is certain God has turned his back on her. John Bradshaw was a successful businessman whose untamed spirit sometimes wanted more. When he is betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything--his wife, his business, even his freedom. John's and Hannah's paths are about to cross. Aboard a ghastly, nineteenth-century prison ship from London to Australia, John and Hannah must keep hope alive and trust God's unconditional love.

From the Back Cover
A heart-gripping journey toward forgiveness and love Hannah Talbot has no one. Forced to leave the only home she's ever known, she works for a cruel employer who brutally takes the one thing she has left--her dignity. When she is banished to an Australian prison, she is certain God has turned his back on her. How could he--or anyone else--ever love her again? John Bradshaw is a successful businessman, but his untamed spirit wants more. Little does he know what he will have to endure to find the adventure he seeks. Betrayed by those closest to him, he loses everything, even his freedom. There is no returning now. His life is not his own. Now aboard a ghastly prison ship, John and Hannah are about to cross paths. What will happen when two hearts filled with pain discover how to love anew? This first book in the Sydney Cove series will capture your heart. "Hannah's predicament hooked me on the first page and kept me turning pages through the entire book. This may be Bonnie's best book yet."--Jeannie St. John Taylor, author, illustrator, speaker "Bonnie Leon has masterfully written another moving story full of page-turning excitement. I love her ability to write life onto a page in a way we all can relate to."--Maxine Marsolini, author of Raising Children in Blended Families and Blended Families "Bonnie's fans will love cheering for her characters. No protagonists more deserve a happy ending."--Bette Nordberg, author of A Season of Grace

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Revell (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080073176X
• ISBN-13: 978-0800731762
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,521 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bonnie Leon succeeds again., August 20, 2007

By	A. K. Shorey (Sutherlin, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

To Love Anew is a heartwarming story of a life renewed from ashes. Hannah's circumstances spiral downward after her mother's death. When she's sent on a prison ship to Australia, she faces dreadful conditions. As a reader, I loved how Bonnie Leon showed so many details of life aboard convict ships, and what faced the survivors when they reached Australia. The book is filled with memorable characters and situations. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a good read, January 14, 2008

By	Mandy (michigan) - See all my reviews

I had never read anything by Bonnie Leon before. But the book looked like it had a great plotline so I decided to read it. I loved Hannah!! She was a great main character and I felt you did get to know her throughout the book. To be honest though, I don't know if I liked John. He was not talked about nearly enough, and I don't exactly get how the two of them fell in love. He saved her life, and then they had a few meaningless conversations. Then all of a sudden they both are thinking about their love for each other. All around, the plot was excellent. But if you are going to add romance into a book, it has to be talked about and expanded on much more!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Part of me LOVED it the other parted just WANTED to., January 4, 2008

By	R. Stoddard (McGuire AFB, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Let me preface this by saying that, despite the 3 stars, this was a very good book and, while I wouldn't rave about it, I would tell my friends it was worth reading. It seemed well researched and I learned alot while reading it. I loved the plot.

The basic premise is this: After her mother dies, Hannah is left to fend for herself... alone. She is hire as a housekeeper where she is raped by the master of the house (the judge). She flees and later gives in to hunger and steals. She is caught and who presides over her trial? Her angry ex-boss. She is sentenced to work in Australia. Meanwhile, John kills a man in self defense WHILE defending his cousin (who steals his money and flees with Johns wife while John in prison). He is also sentenced to Australia.

Alright, so... I don't know how it happened but John fell in love with Hannah at first sight while aboard the prison ship. While in Australia, John falls deeper in love and Hannah also gains feelings for John.

The biggest flaw with this book is that I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY OF THIS HAPPENED!!! When did this love-falling happen? They never spent any TIME together in the book!!

I really liked Hannah. Her character was developed very nicely and you knew her feelings (excepting how she managed to fall in love with a man I thought she had contact with a mere handful of times!). You knew why she felt her guilt and why she couldn't overcome it.

John seemed likeable enough. It's just... well, I really didn't gain any insight into his character. I felt bad for him. I understood his rage. I didn't understand how he fell in love... and I don't know his feelings.

So, to sum up: I loved the plot. I loved the history. I liked Hannah and the secondary characters. I didn't DISLIKE John... I liked him the way I like the smiling cashier at the grocery store- for a stranger-- seems nice enough but beyond the nametag I don't know a whole lot more. I would have given this 5 stars had I just understood or believed the love connection.