For the Love of the Land

Nearly a year has passed since the death of patriarch Bertram Thorton. Rebecca and Daniel Thorton are expecting their first child and deeply in love with one another. Life is good at Douloo Station. Daniel, struggling with his feelings of inadequacy in filling his father's footsteps, works long hours and feels the heavy burden of supporting the station, his mother, wife and coming child. To add to his burdens, a drought has hit Queensland, Australia, turning the surrounding countryside to nothing but dust. As a cattle rancher this is disasterous. For the Love of the Land is a story of love and courage, strength and faith as the family supports one another, loves one another and looks to God for His divine intervention. Bonnie Leon ends this book with a dramatic flare that leaves the reader breathless.

In 1872 about a year has passed since Bostonian Rebecca Williams married Australian rancher Daniel Thornton and moved to his Dooloo Station in Down Under (see THE HEART OF THORNTON CREEK). Although her father-in-law has since passed away, Rebecca is happy and pregnant. Adding to her feelings of euphoria is her beloved Aunt Mildred has come for a visit. Perhaps her only concern is how hard Daniel works to keep the station afloat especially with the devastating drought. Daniel feels like a loser as he works as hard as he can but feels failure is pending. He believes he is not the man his dad was as his father would never allow their family station to go under. Still in spite of his efforts Daniel finds each day closer to the doom with only his beloved mother, wife, and now newborn keeping him going. Rebecca, unable to help her spouse, prays everyday for rain. The return to Thornton Creek is an interesting Australian historical romance that showcases the plight of farmers when the weather fails to cooperate for an extended period as much as living up to the title FOR THE LOVE OF THE LAND. The story line provides a deep look at people struggling to cope with a drought especially Daniel who feels the weight of the world on his shoulders as he believes he is not up to the standard set by his late dad in spite of the women who love him telling him his father would be proud of his efforts. Bonnie Leon writes a terrific family driven Queensland saga. Harriet Klausner