Singapore in the 1860s is exotic and yet terrifying for Isabella Saunders, a penniless Englishwoman, alone and vulnerable after her mother’s death. Too pretty to obtain a governess’s job, she accepts an offer from Mr Lee, a Singapore merchant, to teach him English and live with his family.
Two years later Bram Deagan arrives in the country, determined to make his fortune as a trader. Mr Lee sees a way to expand his business connections and persuades Isabella to marry Bram, and she bravely sets sail for a new land and life. But the past casts a long shadow and together they face unexpected dangers. Will they ever be able to achieve their dreams – and find happiness together along the way?
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What readers are saying about THE TRADER’S WIFE
‘This is women’s fiction at its very best’ – 5 stars
‘I loved this book’ – 5 stars
‘Fantastic, couldn’t put it down’ – 5 stars
‘I love Anna Jacobs books and never want them to end’ – 5 stars
‘Like all her books, excellent’ – 5 stars
Two years later Bram Deagan arrives in the country, determined to make his fortune as a trader. Mr Lee sees a way to expand his business connections and persuades Isabella to marry Bram, and she bravely sets sail for a new land and life. But the past casts a long shadow and together they face unexpected dangers. Will they ever be able to achieve their dreams – and find happiness together along the way?
*******************
What readers are saying about THE TRADER’S WIFE
‘This is women’s fiction at its very best’ – 5 stars
‘I loved this book’ – 5 stars
‘Fantastic, couldn’t put it down’ – 5 stars
‘I love Anna Jacobs books and never want them to end’ – 5 stars
‘Like all her books, excellent’ – 5 stars
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Reviews
'A compelling read'
Impressive grasp of human emotions.
Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around.
Jacobs excels at creating vivid, memorable characters.
Vivid insight into family relationships
'A gripping storyteller.'
This is a fascinating insight into a piece of Australia's history that receives little attention.
With more than 50 mostly romance books under her (garter) belt, the author is more than adept at spinning a yarn and her characters, surprisingly enough, are a particularly engaging lot... whose back stories, which run to petty jealousies, domestic violence and even murder, are carried along nicely by Jacobs' pacy writing and eye for historical detail. As romantic fiction goes, this one's a winner.
The Trader's Wife is the first book of the Trader Series which is a spinoff of the Swan River Series. I recently read Farewell to Lancashire and Beyond the Sunset in that series. Unfortunately I haven't yet read Destiny's Path and it seems a romantic connection that would be examined in the final book in the Swan River Series is touched on in the Trader's Series (so kind of spoiled it a bit for me!). But that doesn't matter I will still read Destiny's Path shortly and enjoy finding out how the couple came to be.
What I especially like about Anna Jacobs' books is that she works with strong protagonists who are smart and determined and make the most of the societal limitations of the times (1860's). It seems I would recommend any of Anna Jacob's novels that I have read so far because I have found them so enjoyable.
4/5 rating
With more than 50 mostly romance books under her (garter) belt, the author is more than adept at spinning a yarn and her characters, surprisingly enough, are a particularly engaging lot... whose back stories, which run to petty jealousies, domestic violence and even murder, are carried along nicely by Jacobs' pacy writing and eye for historical detail. As romantic fiction goes, this one's a winner.
[Anna Jacobs has an] impressive grasp of human emotions
