Elizabeth's Star

We'll Meet Again, Book 1

By: Rhonda Forrest

Narrated by: Casey Withoos

In 1941, Queensland drover Michael McTavish leaves behind his young daughter Gracie and joins the 2/22 AIF; his destination, Rabaul, New Guinea, a small town surrounded by impenetrable jungles and steep jagged mountains, its shores lined by tranquil bays and active volcanos.

Joanie has also arrived in New Guinea, with a chance to manage a trading store with her father, Reg, too exciting an opportunity to pass up.

As the tendrils of war creep closer to the islands north of Australia, some who call Rabaul home are given an opportunity to return to Australian shores. Others have no option but to stay. Will separation and distance affect the destiny of those who live in the path of the approaching enemy or will the power of love prevail?

Based on actual events, Elizabeth's Star begins the story of Michael and Joanie, unfolding the lives of their families and friends while following the life of Gracie, a little girl left behind when her father went to war. A sweeping historical novel based on actual events of the 1930s and '40s set amidst the backdrop of outback Queensland through to the tropical islands of New Guinea.

©2021 Rhonda Forrest (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd

The story line was great

I really loved the story line, the narrator, the different characters and how it all came together. The ending was really abrupt though. I thought it would continue and give more closure for the characters.

Ending

I was very disappointed by the ending as it didn’t end as history wrote. Otherwise interesting facts I didn’t know about

Lots of potential but rushed ending ruins it

I really enjoyed most of this book. It was a time and place I was unfamiliar with. The characters were interesting as was the setting. Unfortunately, for some reason, the ending was rushed and unsatisfying. It could have easily gone on for 2 -3 more hours to actually write about things that were alluded to but never fleshed out. The ending was incredibly disappointing. Such a surprise for a book with so much promise. The upside is the reader is outstanding. I was completely immersed in each character- she did an amazing job of bringing each one to life uniquely.

Worst ending ever!

Worst ending ever, very disappointing. No closure on so many stories/characters. So many unanswered questions.

The End

the ending ruined the story. I was left hanging with no answers as to each characters fate. what happened to Peter and Andrew. What about Michael's family. Too many frayed endings.