© ✰ Janeane ✰
Filled with the dreams of youth, and surrounded by the love of her family and friends, Payton Martin’s world was simple. When someone closest to her is cruelly betrayed and unjustly sent away, life afterwards proves never to be the same for everyone involved, beginning a series of events beyond her control. Somehow, through the years that follow, Payton manages to deal with the heartache of loss and rejection, all while balancing her new situation, and becoming her own woman.
Finally settled into a life that she could only once imagine, Payton is content; especially when the promise of love is presented by someone she admires and trusts. Nothing ever goes to plan, though. Once again she is faced with surviving circumstances, and choices others make on her behalf. This time, they ultimately take her across the ocean, to settle in a harsh new land
Finally settled into a life that she could only once imagine, Payton is content; especially when the promise of love is presented by someone she admires and trusts. Nothing ever goes to plan, though. Once again she is faced with surviving circumstances, and choices others make on her behalf. This time, they ultimately take her across the ocean, to settle in a harsh new land
Excerpt:
“Payton, just promise me one thing, and that will be all that I ask you to do for me.” My heart stilled, in fear of what Ashleigh would ask of me. Would she ask me to marry her brother to save him the heart ache she feels? I stared at her, unblinking. A true friend should say, ‘Yes, I’ll do anything, just say the word’, but I didn’t. I sat there thinking of myself, while my friend clearly needed me to say something; a friend who has been there for me, without asking anything from me before.
“Anything, Ashleigh, just name it,” I said, resolved.
“Make the right decision, Payt, and do it soon. I couldn’t bear to see William suffer, as I do.” I looked to my feet, but then slipped to the floor in front of Ashleigh, kneeling before her. I reached for her petite hands and took them in mine.
“Ashleigh, I promise.” I meant it.
Review:
I have been looking forward to reading A Friendship’s Love for a while now, and I was not disappointed!
Set in 1820s England, we follow the story of 12 year old Payton. Payton’s parents are in service to Lord Townshend and his family, but they have never really been treated as such.
Ashleigh Townshend is Payton’s best friend, and they dream of the day that they will be ladies together.
Payton’s brother Nash, Ashleigh’s brother Will and local boy Charlie are the best of friends and do everything together.
I loved the interactions between all the children – in a time when class was everything, they all saw right past each other’s station in life and were friends as friends should be – unconditional.
Young Payton feels that she is falling for Charlie when horrible circumstances see him transported on a convict ship to Australia. Her papa and her brother are also on their way to Australia as free settlers, and promise to look out for Charlie.
Years down the track, Payton and Will have grown close, when it is decided for them that they will all be emigrating to Australia.
What will this mean for Payton and Will and Charlie? Let's just say that their love triangle will have you torn as to who you want Payton to be with.
I loved that the story incorporated Australia's convict history and the conditions that free settlers and freed convicts dealt with in the development of our nation.
I found A Friendship's Love well written, though the comma was a little overused, popping into the middle of a sentence that it was not needed and I had to read some sentences twice to get the flow and the tone right. Not a major thing at all but just something that might be looked at for the next in the series.
A very fine book for a debut author, and I look forward to reading more of her works.
Playlist:
The Power of Love – Gabrielle Aplin
Alive – Gabrielle Aplin
Gloriana – Turn My World Around
Breath – Taylor Swift
James Morrison – I Won’t Let you go
Lady Antebellum – Just a Kiss
Taylor Swift – Haunted
3 Doors Down – Here Without You
One Republic – Stop and Stare
Paramore – The Only Exception
The Script – Nothing
Thirsty Merc – All My Life
Adele – Someone Like You
Bruno Mars – It Will Rain
About the Author
I was born in Darwin in the Northern Territory of
Australia, and raised in Alice Springs (the very center of the country). I have
always loved reading and telling "tall tales" and wrote poetry all
the time.
My greatest influence was my grandpa Majid who kept us entertained
all the time with his stories, music and passion for writing.
I didn't tell anyone I wrote when I started because I was to shy, I have no
idea why I was like that. I don't care now, I have stories to tell and I want
to share them. I am not, and never will profess to be an awesome writer, but I
will try to entertain, while bringing to life the history of my country, one
page at a time.
