Beyond the Daintree: Into New World(1 Destiny in Disguise)

This is the third book of the series Destiny in Disguise. The Johnsonfamily, after a decade, has fled the inhospitable environment of the Daintree Rainforest in North Queensland, Australia. The tragic death of their eldest daughter, Madeline leaves the parents, Burton and Marion believing bad luck has caught up with them. The two boys Keith and Max are still at logger heads after their experience with the crocodile in the billabong. Add the mystique of physical and sexual maturity both of which excites and confuses they are flung into the Second World War.The celebrations at the end of the war creates an atmosphere of freedom resulting in a young lady becoming pregnant and Max being made to take the blame and then has to accept the responsibility. He disappears and there are sightings and deaths but no one knows who the real Max Johnson is. In faraway Mildura, South Australia, a sixteen year old girl islooking at a future that is indescribable until her mother finds another man to spirit her to a destiny which might offer hera maximum joyful life. 

About the Author :
What motivated me, after 45 years in education, to make a career change to be a writer? I have always loved rhyming and spent many wonderful days in a Kindy class, as a volunteer away from my Deputy Principal role, reading stories to the children. The predictability of pictures and rhyme had the children joining in and hanging on every word. Here was my real passion. My childhood was growing up in the country town of Kojonup, West Australia. I have researched family ancestry, written and published two novels and four children's books.

Review :
The first two novels of the series Destiny in Disguise had the reader spellbound as they relived experiences long in the past. The writer shows an uncanny general knowledge which builds the reader's own knowledge. Easy to read and real history of the 1920 - 1936 Queensland. Book 2 took the reader back to a child growing up in Australia and having so much fun like the Guy Fawke's Nights, school sports on the river banks, the dunny down the back, playing rounders and the list goes on. Being an octogenarian I lived the life of the Johnson family as if it was my own along with my brothers and sisters. Oh what fun we shared and enjoyed and the books places you you that mood. Never considered myself as much of a reader but I couldn't put the books down and they were the first books I have ever read completely. Easy and enjoyable to read thanks Anthony. Anthony has captured completely what life would have been like in the Daintree in the 1930s. Thoroughly entertaining read and waiting with high expectations for the third book.. He handles the maturing of the children in a frank way that offers just enough for parents to use the ideas to offer knowledge to their own children. Delicate subjects gently and wryly presented. Family life in the 1920 and 1930s shows the difference where large families had to help in every facet of life. The fun and frolics were met with trouble and punishment. A lovely set of books. The cover is eye catching and when considered with the children aged zero to eighteen living in the environment with these crocodiles it is amazing. Their resilience and strength shines through. The Queensland Government through their Tourism could use of these books. The schools would get value plus as a part of real life history of children living in the Daintree Rainforest a century ago. The Daintree is such an important area and should be advertised in every way possible. Loved the books.