Would you accompany your husband to a run down, sun scorched sheep and cattle station in outback Queensland to save your marriage?
Grace Campbell agrees to do just that, buoyed by the belief that isolation and rural peace will repair her marriage and provide a good life for her growing family. But, as the ramshackle old homestead, shaded by an ancient Cedar Tree, unravels it’s secrets, Grace is … shaded by an ancient Cedar Tree, unravels it’s secrets, Grace is swept up in the harsh beauty of the outback and it’s colourful characters. As if adjusting to a new and isolated lifestyle isn’t enough, the handsome new owner of Tullagulla shows up and Grace is thrown into turmoil.
Torn between the gentle stranger and her hot-headed husband, Grace is forced to confront her feelings and question her loyalties, while her love for Tullagulla further challenges her ability to make a life changing decision.
When tragedy strikes, will a century old ghost help her or destroy her?
“The Cedar Tree is a sweeping story of outback life and the every day struggles of life on the land. The characters are raw and relatable. I can’t wait to read more in this series.” Sarah Williams, Bestselling Author.
Similar in style to Barbara Hannay, Cathryn Hein, Sarah Williams, Fiona McArthur, Victoria Purman, Fiona Palmer and Tricia Stringer.
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Heather Reyburn is a wordsmith. Her story is rural fiction. It does have romantic feel to it but it’s a fade to black. I love it. And best of all it’s book 1 in a series.
Grace heads for the outback with her husband, Pete, and their young son, Daniel. Pete has some issues with his temper, and is sometimes abusive toward Grace, but she’s hoping that his new job as a station manager will improve things between them. She feels the presence of a ghost, and Daniel talks of seeing and talking to her, but Pete doesn’t believe in such things. Tom is the new owner of Tullagulla, having inherited the station when his father passed away. He has no experience with a station, but he’s a smart man, and interested in making a success of it. He seems more attuned to what’s going on with Grace than Pete does. And Grace certainly notices Tom. But she would never betray her marriage vows to Pete. Life has a way of making decisions for us when we don’t act, and it did just that for Grace. This is another new-to-me Australian writer, and I’m in love with her story. Descriptions of the property and surrounding areas make me feel like I’m there. The characters are interesting, real and flawed. Pete is frustrating, keeping Grace out of contact with her friends and family, and his dalliance is unforgivable. Grace is beautiful, so much stronger than she gives herself credit for, and outgoing, making friends in this small and somewhat desolate area. Daniel is adorable and resilient. I just love the story of Jane, and her connection to Grace. This is a terrific debut book, and I’m looking forward to more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Cedar Tree Is a debut novel for Heather Reyburn which showcases her love and knowledge of farming life as she has lived on the land for many years.
Would you accompany your husband to a rundown, sun scorched sheep and cattle station in outback Queensland to save your marriage?
We are introduced to the main character Grace Campbell when she agrees to do just that. Her husband Pete is not the man she married anymore and she hopes this new job and opportunity will help them become one again a family with their young son Daniel.
I found the story gave a realistic portrayal of life on the land, the hardships and the triumphs. The characters engaged me and I was so invested in Grace’s story and really disliked her Husband Pete.
As the homestead starts to feel like home the new handsome owner of Tullagulla shows up and she starts to realize that Pete her husband doesn’t treat her the way she should be treated. The other storyline that was weaved throughout the novel is the resident spirit/ghost who resides in the house – I wanted to know more about who and why?
I found The Cedar Tree to be a great addition to the Rural fiction genre, I am glad that this is the first in the Tullagulla series of books and there are more on the way.