Silas Dewitt, newly arrived in an Idaho gold camp, saves two Chinese boys from a mob of drunken miners. But one of them turns out to an independent, stubborn, lovely woman who decides her role is to protect him.Soomey, shaped by poverty and sexual slavery, sees Silas as her means to freedom and independence--until she falls in love with him. Knowing that she is assisting in her own heartbreak, she guards his back as he searches for a cache of gold nuggets.A vicious killer stalks them both, hating Soomey for her race, Silas for his wealth. Silas faces him in a desperate knife battle, but is too late to save Soomey from painful torture. Scarred in body and soul, Soomey tries to leave him. Can Silas holds her with passion, tenderness, and a promise of eternal love?

The Hawkesbury River is the longest coastal river in New South Wales. A vital source of water and food, it has a long Aboriginal history and was critical for the survival of the early British colony at Sydney. The Hawkesbury’s weathered shores, cliffs and fertile plains have inspired generations of artists. It is surrounded by an unparalleled mosaic of national parks, including the second-oldest national park in Australia, Ku-ring-gai National Park. Although it lies only 35 km north of Sydney, to many today the Hawkesbury is a ‘hidden river’ – its historical and natural significance not understood or appreciated. Until now, the Hawkesbury has lacked an up-to-date and comprehensive book describing how and when the river formed, how it functions ecologically, how it has influenced humans and their patterns of settlement and, in turn, how it has been affected by those settlements and their people. The Hawkesbury River: A Social and Natural History fills this gap. With chapters on the geography, geology, hydrology and ecology of the river through to discussion of its use by Aboriginal and European people and its role in transport, defence and culture, this highly readable and richly illustrated book paints a picture of a landscape worthy of protection and conservation. It will be of value to those who live, visit or work in the region, those interested in Australian environmental history, and professionals in biology, natural resource management and education.

Through a century and a half the Brisbane River has witnessed a succession of vibrant royal spectacles and the enthusiastic response of Queenslanders. This book steps through those years, visiting each scene in words and pictures, from the time when Australian colonies were one with the Mother Country half a world away, to the confident nation today which sees itself an integral part the broader world community. From the visit to Brisbane by Prince Alfred in February 1868 through to the visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip in October 2011.

To commemorate the 200 years since the exploring and naming of the Brisbane River by John Oxley in 1823, David Jones has compiled 100 maritime stories of Queensland. The book is in seven sections covering the early days, colonial era, shipwrecks, wartime and others. Australia’s First Nations people lived in and around the Brisbane River for thousands of years. Though they did not have a name for the entire river, sections of the river were called ‘Meanjin’, ‘Maiwar’ and ‘Toowong’. Other names have been lost over time. Similarly, the Brisbane River was broken up into reaches by the new arrivals. They include Hamilton Reach, Bulimba Reach, Humbug Reach, Shafston Reach, Town Reach and others. The first Europeans to discover the Brisbane River was documented by Thomas Welsby in The Discoverers of the Brisbane River, published in 1913. He states that Richard Parsons, Thomas Pamphlet and John Finnegan were the original discoverers though John Oxley gave them no credit for this. In 200 years the river has been the backbone of the city of Brisbane. Today it is used for trade, tourism, transport, pleasure and Brisbane’s water supply.

P. 178-182 : describes in detail physical characteristics of Western Australian Aborigines; belief in sorcery; marriage customs; division of labour; nomadism; habitation; indolence; hunting, gathering and fishing, cannibalism; weapons; fighting; body decorations; clothing; mortuary customs; corroborees; Social welfare provided by the Aborigines Dept; Collection of Aboriginal implements and weapons for sale to the public and free distribution to museums; encouragement of Aborigines to make artefacts to provide an income; Work of Henry C. Prinsep, Chief Protector of Aborigines; Includes photographs of Aboriginal women from Northam, Coolgardie; Ashburton; men from Beagle Bay, Derby, Broome, Yalgoo, Fitzroy River; photos depict scarring, clay headdress for mourning; hair belts; shell necklaces; nose sticks.