A stirring, dramatic fictional novel about finding connection, meaning and beauty in a time of darkness ... and the craving and savagery of the heart.
1918, Belowla. As the Great War grinds to an end, Adelaide Roberts accompanies her father to a rugged island off the south coast of New South Wales. While loss and deprivation have decimated the country, Ada dreams of a life filled with purpose and hope.
On the windswept rocky outcrop she meets lighthouse keeper Emmett Huxley, a dark-eyed outsider haunted by his service in France. Adelaide and Emmett are inexorably drawn together, but Adelaide discovers plans have been made for her with decorated returned soldier Donal Blaxland, a local landowner.
Soon Adelaide is forced to make a choice about her future, and discovers that Donal harbours terrible secrets of his own. As she begins to understand the depths of Donal's desperation, Adelaide knows she must leave - and between the treacherous waters of the coast and the rugged ranges of an ancient land, she fights for her survival, determined to live and love on her own terms.
Siobhan O'Brien is an author, journalist and communications person. She has written a number of books, including A Life by Design: The Art and Lives of Florence Broadhurst, and has worked for many media outlets including the Sydney Morning Herald, Vogue, Indesign and Monument. When she is not writing, she is singing with her band, Minnie and The Moonrakers.
Refreshments to be provided.
