Family and Fortune

My third historical fiction novel is inspired by my 3x Great Grandmother Mary Ann.

A view of the first small village to develop on the Mount Alexander goldfields at Chewton (then known as Forest Creek) near Castlemaine in 1852 painted by Samuel Thomas Gill

Visit this link to my Pinterest page where I have gathered some images and resources which inspire my writing.

The Blurb

When fate dismantles her world, a young woman discovers the strength to build a new life in a wild land.

In a tale that spans continents and generations, "Family & Fortune" follows the extraordinary journey of Mary Ann Turner, a young woman from 19th-century England who dares to forge her own path in the face of adversity. When Mary Ann's father arranges her marriage to Richard Evans, a former convict seeking redemption in the untamed wilds of Australia, she must leave behind everything she knows and embark on a perilous voyage to a strange new land.

As Mary Ann and Richard carve out a life together amidst the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape, they face unimaginable challenges that test the limits of their resilience and love.

With rich historical detail and a cast of unforgettable characters, "Family & Fortune" is a sweeping saga that explores the enduring nature of love, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the courage required to build a new life.

Pauline Wilson weaves a compelling narrative that will transport readers from the rolling hills of Bedfordshire to the untamed bush of Victoria, immersing them in a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. "Family & Fortune" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction who yearn for an epic tale of love, loss, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

Mary Ann was born in the small village of Wilden in 1835. According to the 1851 census 15 year old Mary Ann was working as a lacemaker.

She would have been making lace in the same way as demonstrated in this video with silk thread, pins and bobbins.