Book blurb...
A compulsively readable story of passion, adventure and a woman's quest for independence set against the colourful backdrop of 19th century Bendigo and the goldfields of Ballarat.
1854, Ballarat, Victoria When Nell Amberton's husband is shot dead by a bushranger, there are few who grieve his passing, and Nell least of all. How could she miss the monster who had abused her from the day they wed – the man who had already killed his innocent first wife? But his death triggers a chain of events that seem to revolve around the handsome bushranger who murdered him – a man to whom Nell, against her better judgement, is drawn. But Nell has far more than a mysterious stranger to worry about. With a mess of complications around her late husband's will, a vicious scoundrel of a father trying to sell her off in matrimony, and angry relatives pursuing her for her husband's gold, she is more concerned with trying to ensure her safety and that of her friend, goldfields laundry woman Flora, than dealing with the kind of feelings that led her astray so catastrophically before. After the violence on the goldfields, Nell's fate also hangs in the balance. It seems that, after all, she might need to do the one thing she has avoided at all costs … ask for the help of a man.

My thoughts…
Darry Fraser has shown tremendous consistency. Her novels transport the reader to a time in Australia’s history when downtrodden women were mistreated and their marriages arranged. Then she gives her readers a character to care about and Nell—a survivor of abuse by a controlling father and husband—is determined to stay strong and independent. Nell is also smart and while asking a man for help is the last thing she wants to do, there is a handsome bushranger on hand, who ends up helping Nell in her fight for freedom.

Classic Australian historical romance and I loved it.

An excellent portrayal of the era, captivating characters, and a vivid landscape, makes for a great read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I look forward journeying back in time with Darry again.

This is a book that takes us back to some hard times in Australia’s history the gold fields of Ballarat, where woman struggled to be treated well, this one shows us the hardships that they went through but it also shows that love is always there as well, this is a book that will keep you turning the pages as you get to know Nell and Finn.

Nell Amberton is forced into a marriage to a very cruel man by her father, life is hard for her but her strength and courage shine though and when the riots start in the gold fields and her husband rushes her out of Ballarat, they are accosted by a bushranger and her husband is shot, although shocked she is very relieved as well and when the bushranger turns out to be a gentleman to her, Nell can feel that her life might change as they have a few mysterious meetings.

Finn Seymour lost his wife and went to England to fight in the war only to return when his sister dies, her death was caused by her cruel husband and Finn vows to end Andrew Amberton’s life this brings him in contact with the beautiful and strong Nell and his feelings are coming back with the meeting, but life is hard in these times and there is a lot to uncover and sort out before there may be a chance of happiness.

This is a moving story, with many ups and downs as the struggles come to life that Nell’s dead husband has been a party too and they need to be set straight and with people after Nell and Finn trying to keep his identity a secret for as long as he can the feelings they have for each other are growing, and when Nell is in danger Finn opens up and a beautiful HEA is enjoyed by them and me, this is a story that I recommend, there is a lot going on and I loved Nell and Finn, their courage and strength shine through and there are many more characters that add a lot to this story, some nasty, some lovely, I hope you pick this book up and enjoy it as I did.

‘She would venture onto the digging fields for one last time, to take a walk over the damaged, sad hills filled with empty holes and dashed dreams.’

Set in the goldfields of Ballarat in the aftermath of the Eureka Stockade, Darry Fraser takes you on a fabulous journey of what it would have been like for women during this transitional phase in history. Whilst certainly interesting to read of key events from this period, this is not the main focus of the book. The main focus is in fact the role of women and one in particular, Nell Amberton. Here is a women (in a time when marriage was the only accepted form of legitimacy) who endures an abusive relationship, tries to realise life as a widow, attempts to become independent and build a new life for herself, all whilst dealing with some shady characters. Nell and her friend Flora, provide a fabulous insight into the life for a woman in extreme circumstances of living on the goldfields.

Darry provides you with a strong historical setting of the day to day living and often tenuous prospects of life on the Ballarat goldfields in Australia of the 1850s. Seeing it through their eyes, you will feel yourself transported back trying valiantly to eke out an existence. How wonderful to view it from a female perspective, the silent partners in this often futile escapade to make a fortune.

The characters are rich and engaging. Nell and Flora representative of female tenacity, the father and nephew the ugly domineering male, that was thankfully, balanced against the gallant Finn - what a fabulous ‘bushranger’ he made! Fear not the obvious cliches, as issues of independence after marriage and the wearing of pants give a little taste of the momentous changes that would ultimately unfold for women. In a time when Aussie authors are making their mark in rich historical fiction, Darry has done a fabulous job with some wonderful storytelling and puts herself right up there with the best.

So if you like a good story, women attempting to exert independence, throw in a dashing hero to assist, then this will be the book for you. Life was hard, especially so for women who were often regarded as male property; this tale saw me eagerly awaiting what would unfold next for the harsh circumstances of being, ‘The Widow of Ballarat’.

‘Nell looked about her, at the rough and tumble of the camp, at the dust and the dirt, the hard, worn-down faces of men and women alike. The white people, the black people, the yellow people, myriad languages, the bellowing, the brawling, the children of all races on the diggings, scampering about, their dirty faces and patched clothes evidence of the fickle luck on the fields.’

Once again Darry Fraser takes us back in time, this time to 1855 in Ballarat on the Goldfields where life is hard for everyone and people struggle to make enough to survive on. I always find myself transported to wherever Ms Fraser chooses to take us and this time was no different. I struggled along with Nell living all she went through and all she survived, for she was determined to be a survivor. I fell in love with Finn, what a lovely Bush ranger he was. Life was so hard for women especially in these times, sold off to a man on their parents whim, unable to work to ensure their own income, I for one am glad times have changed. A story about surviving despite the odds, about learning who to trust and how to move forward with life after setbacks. A very enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for a copy in return for an honest review.

I'm not really sure what to make of this book, I did enjoy it, yet it seemed to be missing something. Maybe the fact that all the older people in this novel were evil, nasty stereotypes (except for the wonderful Josie, easily, the best character in this book) and the younger ones were for the most part good hearted? I don't know, it just didn't really ring true and for the most part annoyed me. But apart from that the story was good, the sense of place was well captured and we did get glimpses into the history of the time.
It's set in the goldfields of Ballarat in the aftermath of the Eureka Stockade. Though these times are mentioned in the book, they are but background and don't take over at any stage. It sees Nell's abusive husband killed in an attempt to flee Ballarat after the Stockade. Nell returns to Ballarat and tries to rebuild her life, even though she's been left with nothing, or has she? She finds work with a friend in a laundry in the gold fields, while trying to escape her family, both her father and her in-laws. And there's the handsome bushranger always in the background.
As I said, I did like this book, and finished it in a day, I just feel there was something maybe a bit too easy about the final wash-up.
3.5 stars rounded up.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set in the Ballarat Goldfields, Victoria in 1854 and depicts the harsh life led by the many who came to find their fortune in Gold.

Nell Thomas was sold to Andrew Amberton by her Father, weeks after Andrew's wife died carrying their daughter. She has realised that just as she is finding, Susan's life must have been absolute hell as surely as hers is now with the beatings forced upon her by Andrew in his rush to impregnate her and collect the inheritance he thinks he justly deserves when the child is a boy.

As they are fleeing to who knows where with a carriage full of Gold, a gunshot rings out and Nell finds maybe all of her prayers have been answered, thanks to the masked man ordering Andrew from the carriage.

Finn Seymour wants revenge for the abuse and death of his sister Susan and now is the perfect time, with the carriage stopped by his first shot but when he takes aim for the one to kill Andrew Amberton, he is beaten to it by a gunshot from behind. When two shots ring out, Finn checks himself and after finding no injuries, realises someone else wanted Amberton dead. After an interesting proposal from Nell Amberton, Finn finds it difficult to be the gentleman he is to refuse this engaging woman her request and return to his lonely life selling goods to the miners.

This is an excellent read by Darry Fraser and the Prequel Hill of Gold is available free of charge to introduce you to the adventures of Nell Amberton and Finn Seymour.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Anybody who has been to school in Australia has learnt about the Eureka Stockade (a rebellion on the gold fields). However, Darry Fraser's take on one of the most (in)famous events in Australian history is so richly researched I was astonished by the detail.

There's a common misconception Australian history has nothing to offer, but – in reality – we had all the dangers, the drama, the outlaws (bushrangers) you could possibly want.

Marketed to me as historical romance, but published under the MIRA line, The Widow of Ballarat is as much historical *fiction* as romance.

The early chapters were gripping in their originality. Each time I thought something would happen a certain way, it changed. I was really impressed with those scenes.

My only criticism is that occasionally all the characters' internal debating went on for a bit...

However, it was great to read a book with these themes.