From the author of Currawong Creek and Turtle Reef comes a beautiful story of family, friendship and the healing power of love.When Sydney botanist Kim Sullivan and her husband inherit Journey’s End, a rundown farm high on the Great Eastern Escarpment, they dream of one day restoring it to its natural state. Ten years later, however, Kim is tragically widowed. Selling up is the only practical … Selling up is the only practical option, so she and her children head to the mountains to organise the sale. The last thing Kim expects is for Journey’s End to cast its wild spell on them all.
The family decides to stay, and Kim forges on with plans to rewild the property, propagating plants and acquiring a menagerie of native animals. But wayward wildlife, hostile farmers and her own lingering grief make the task seem hopeless. That is, until she meets the mysterious Taj, a man who has a way with animals. Kim begins to feel that she might find love again. But Taj has his own tragic past – one that could drive a wedge between them that can not be overcome.
Jennifer Scoullar writes page-turning fiction about the land, people and wildlife that she loves. Buy Journey’s End now to discover why she is one of Australia’s favourite story-tellers!
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Journey’s End is a breathtaking, can’t-put-it-down experience, filled with true-to-life characters (including the animals!), an enthralling setting and a suspenseful plot with a perfect Happily Ever After ending.
I’ve learned so much about Australia’s plants and animals from reading Ms. Scoullar’s descriptive, impeccably researched books. Her passion for protecting and restoring Australia’s natural environment shines through every story. I never expected to care about the fate of wild dingoes or rare ravine orchids, but now I do!
Above all, Journey’s End is a story of profound loss and the painful road to healing. As Kim and Taj work together to repair and “rewild” her rundown farm, they gradually learn to let go of their grief and open their hearts to new love. It’s a tender and touching romance with a hero to swoon over, but you’ll find no steamy sex scenes here. Your imagination will supply the rest!
This book contains no foul language (I think there’s one “damned”) and is suitable for all ages. Journey’s End is right near the top of my “Best I’ve ever read” list. Highly recommended.
The Wild Australia Stories Series:
Brumby’s Run #1 – This is my first read by this author and I love it. I felt like I was there in those areas of AU. The vivid descriptions, the variety of everyday characters, the horses and all the background information just kept me glued to the pages. I could not put the book down and I had another book to review: this book came from my library. I took my time savoring every word and the storylines and was happy the author stayed home, instead of writing about the US or some other place, sharing the lifestyles and traditions in her neck of AU. The extra material not usually found in many books was extremely interesting and enjoyable to read about: the depth of the training; horse breeds; and even the proper handling of the environment. All the background information added substance to the tapestry of the story. I will read every book I can find from Ms. Scoullar. 5*
Currawong Creek #2 – This book is just as great to read as Brumby’s Run. Clare is a difficult person to like. She flip-flops between sensible and plain stupid too much and to extremes. She does running away well but not working out problems. Good storylines full with plenty of love, sacrifice and the power of healing with the use of therapy animals. The other main characters were good and interesting, along with most of the secondary characters. There are good expectations and a couple of surprises concerning friendship. Again, I felt as if I was there through Ms. S’s vivid descriptions. This is a feel good story complete with romance and shared loves. 4*
Turtle Reef #4 – This story is wonderful and heartbreaking. I found Ms. S’s vivid descriptions about the sea and her creatures, and the reefs, their functions and survival against man interesting and intriguing. The dugongs are very interesting and I learned quite a bit about them. Through Einstein the octopus, I gained a respect for the species, especially after learning about the sacrifices the females make for their young. This is y favorite of the three books that I’ve read so far. As interesting as the creatures were, the human characters held up their end – interesting, talented and varying from wonderful to damaged but always believable. Einstein and Aisha were my favorites with Zoe pulling in third. 5*
Journey’s End #5 – Wonderful and heartbreaking, this heartwarming story has a touch of romance making Journey’s End another top favorite of mine. All four stories were great, but Turtle and Journey grabbed my heart and made tears flow. I enjoyed Ms. S’s wild AU stories with her well-written characters and her vivid descriptions placing the reader deep into the tapestry of intriguing storylines and interesting background on AU and her wildlife. Dusty was my favorite character and Taj lent a mysterious element to a well-written story. 5*
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The Tasmanian Tales:
Fortune’s Son #1 – So sad and so heartbreaking, the heartwarming multiple storylines about Tasmania, her culture and her creatures was so interesting and intriguing; it was another hard to put down story. The well-written characters, the author’s vivid descriptions, and talented storytelling abilities place the reader deep into the weave of a beautiful tapestry of love, sacrifice and the culture and wildlife of Tasmania, with glimpses of AU. Bear is my favorite character next to Tasmania. 5*
The Lost Valley #2 – This story begins in 1929 with most of the family involved from Fortune’s Son. This book is so sad and so heartbreaking, as well as so heartwarming, intriguing, interesting and uplifting. The vivid descriptions woven with the old and new storylines make a substantial tapestry of love and sacrifice amongst the history of Tasmania, her people and her creatures and her culture. The 600 plus pages just flew by and I could not put this book down until I read the last page. I chain read all the books I had by this author and never once was bored or tired of reading about AU and Tasmania. the excitement over finding such a talented and creative storyteller/author never stopped. Rereading these books in the future, which is something I seldom do anymore, is a certain possibility. 5*
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This book is a treat to read. The world building and character development is outstanding. I learned something about the flora and fauna of Australia…not to mention being introduced to colloquialisms! Well researched, obviously written by someone who cares about what she is relating. One of few books I would give more stars to if I could. It will stick with me and I will follow and read more by this author. Well worth my time.
A fascinating, intriguing story from the Land Down Under.