Australian Trilogy #1

Bold Land, Bold Love

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New South Wales, 1807

It was a vast land of wild beauty and wilder passions; a frontier as yet untamed by man; a place where women had few rights and fewer pleasures. For a female convict like flame-haired Casey O'Cain, it was a living nightmare.

Exquisitely beautiful, utterly helpless, she was expected to cater to her master's every whim. And from the first, arogant, handsome Dare Penrod made it clear what he wanted of her. Casey knew she should fight him with every breath in her body, but her heart told her he could make a paradise of this wilderness for her.

His callused hands took rights she should never have granted, his warm lips whispered of pleasures she had never known, and his hard body promised a love she would never relinquish

469 pages, Paperback

First published April 1,1989

Places

This edition

Format
469 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 1998 by Leisure Books
ISBN
9780505522740
ASIN
0505522748
Language
English

About the author

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Connie Mason or Cara Miles is the best-selling author of more than fifty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times and was awarded Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida with her husband Jerry.

Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.

In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.

In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.

Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 23 votes)
5 stars
9(39%)
4 stars
7(30%)
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23 reviews All reviews
July 14,2025
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Love is a powerful emotion that has the ability to bring about significant changes in our lives. It can transform us from being daredevils, constantly seeking adventure and excitement, to more caring and compassionate individuals.

When we fall in love, our priorities often shift. We become more concerned about the well-being of the person we love, and we are willing to make sacrifices for them. This change in perspective can lead to a more responsible and mature way of life.

Love also has the power to heal. It can mend broken hearts and give us the strength to face difficult challenges. When we are loved, we feel a sense of security and belonging, which can boost our confidence and self-esteem.

In conclusion, love is a remarkable force that can change us in ways we never thought possible. It can turn daredevils into lovers, and bring out the best in us. So, let us embrace love and allow it to transform our lives for the better.

July 14,2025
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I absolutely love all of Connie Mason's books.

She is an incredibly great writer. Her works have the power to transport readers into different worlds and eras.

Connie Mason has a unique talent for creating vivid and engaging characters that readers can easily fall in love with.

Her stories are filled with romance, adventure, and drama, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Whether it's a historical romance or a contemporary novel, Connie Mason always delivers a captivating read.

Her attention to detail and her ability to bring the settings to life make her books truly immersive.

I can't get enough of her writing and I highly recommend her books to anyone who loves a good story.

July 14,2025
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Casey O'Cain, the moment Dare Penrod laid eyes on her, set his emotions ablaze.

Those feelings he was determined to overlook and mask beneath a veneer of hate and disgust. After all, wasn't Casey a murderer?

Casey was a convict dispatched to Australia to serve her sentence. These women frequently served their time in a rather unseemly manner, so it was a fortunate turn of events for Casey when the kind-hearted Roy Penrod detected something virtuous in her and hired her as his cook.

Before long, Dare could no longer suppress his desires and passionately pursued Casey. However, happiness didn't come effortlessly for this couple and would take years to attain.

Nearly every woman in the book concocted some falsehood or ruse in an attempt to drive a wedge between Dare and Casey. Casey was abducted and险些raped on three separate occasions. The fact that both of them concealed things from each other also contributed to their estrangement. But other women, bushrangers, lies, kidnappings, corrupt officials, jail, sea voyages, and even death would not succeed in keeping them apart.

If you have a penchant for the classic bodice ripper novels, then give this one a try!
July 14,2025
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As usual, I enjoy Mason's novels.

The romance in this one occurs rather quickly. Love at first sight doesn't typically work for me, but that is often the approach Mason takes.

Thankfully, the plot that enables the characters to develop more than makes up for this.

However, one aspect that stands out is that they spend a significant amount of time apart.

Moreover, she spends more time not trusting him than they actually do being together.

This dynamic adds an interesting layer of complexity to their relationship.

Despite these challenges, the story still manages to engage and keep the reader hooked until the very end.

Mason's ability to create such vivid characters and a captivating plot is truly remarkable.

Overall, this novel is another enjoyable addition to her collection.
July 14,2025
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Too many misunderstandings!
I have perused several of Connie Mason's literary works. Regrettably, this particular one ranks as my least favored. While I appreciate her incorporation of actual historical events within her books, in this instance, it seemed as if she inserted those events in a rather hasty and haphazard fashion. The narrative simply lacked a smooth flow. It was a disjointed effort to incorporate history.
The relationship between the hero (H) and the heroine (h) was rather absurd. Every time he touches her, she succumbs without fail, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. Moreover, Casey nearly gets raped in almost every chapter! It's as if she is a wanton woman in heat! There is an excessive amount of angst and an overabundance of misunderstandings. It's like a never-ending series of "perils of Pauline."
This book falls far short of the caliber of many of this author's other works. It appears to be a hasty attempt to simply add another title to her bibliography, rather than a well-crafted piece. I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone.

July 14,2025
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Passionate,

thrilling,

sensual and a definitive page turner,

classic Connie Mason,

always making me swoon.

Her writing style is truly captivating, pulling the reader in from the very first page. The characters she creates are vivid and full of life, their emotions palpable and relatable. The storylines are filled with excitement and drama, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. Whether it's a historical romance or a contemporary love story, Connie Mason always delivers a powerful and unforgettable reading experience. Her books are a must-read for anyone who loves a good romance and enjoys being swept away by a talented author. I can't get enough of her work and will continue to devour every book she writes.
July 14,2025
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Wow....

I did something I don't usually do. I read the previous reviews and I can't believe the harshness of some of the comments.

I really enjoyed this book and I AM going to read the rest of the series.

Yes, Casey was captured more than once and escaped rape, but that's a part of reading a fantasy romance. And it's true that there wasn't a great deal of Australian history, but I still learned things I had no knowledge of before reading this book.

I think if you want a proper history lesson, you should read a history book. If you want a'reality' romance, read something contemporary.

I read for entertainment. I've said that tons of times already and this book entertained me.

I know that I am an incurable romantic and I did get frustrated with both the main characters at times, but overall, it was a great story.

If you are into fantasy romance and love at first sight....and believe it or not that does happen from time to time....then I would recommend you read this book.

I have to add that, even if I had not enjoyed this book, I would never take it upon myself to be rude or harshly critical of something an author obviously put a lot of time into writing.

I'm sorry, but there are nicer ways to critique books, or movies or whatever. I don't think it's necessary to be rude to get your point across.

I love being able to review the books I read on Goodreads. I think it's a great way to let people know what you feel are readable books or books to pass on. But I think it's very sad that a lot of people cannot review a book without being unkind.
July 14,2025
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Sooo it was a little like 'Caress and Conquer'... down under!

It was truly a unique experience. The whole situation had a certain charm that was both trashy and yet, in a strange way, quite captivating. It was like a melodramatic soap opera playing out right before our eyes. The events that unfolded were full of drama and excitement, with twists and turns that kept us on the edge of our seats.

Although it may have been considered trash by some, it was the kind of trash that was highly entertaining. It had a certain allure that drew us in and made us want to see more. We couldn't help but get caught up in the drama and the emotions of it all.

Looking back on it now, it was a memorable experience that we will always remember. It was a reminder that sometimes, the trashiest things can be the most enjoyable and entertaining.
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