In the Land of the Long White Cloud by Sarah Lark

Im Land der weißen Wolke 

"London, 1852: Zwei junge Frauen treten die Reise nach Neuseeland an. Es ist der Aufbruch in ein neues Leben - als künftige Ehefrauen von Männern, die sie kaum kennen. Die adlige Gwyneira ist dem Sohn eines reichen "Schafbarons" versprochen, und die junge Gouvernante Helen wurde als Ehefrau für einen Farmer angeworben. Ihr Schicksal soll sich erfüllen in einem Land, das man ihnen als Paradies geschildert hat."

The book was first written in German and was translated in 2012 into English.
 

In the Land of the Long White Cloud

by Sarah Lark

Translated by D.W. Lovett

(I apologize for the blurry picture of the book)

I got this book free from Prime on Amazon. I was looking for a free book, ran across this and thought it sounded interesting. 

"Helen Davenport, governess for a wealthy London household, longs for a family of her own—but nearing her late twenties, she knows her prospects are dim. Then she spots an advertisement seeking young women to marry New Zealand’s honorable bachelors and begins an affectionate correspondence with a gentleman farmer. When her church offers to pay her travels under an unusual arrangement, she jumps at the opportunity.

Meanwhile, not far away in Wales, beautiful and daring Gwyneira Silkham, daughter of a wealthy sheep breeder, is bored with high society. But when a mysterious New Zealand baron deals her father an unlucky blackjack hand, Gwyn’s hand in marriage is suddenly on the table. Her family is outraged, but Gwyn is thrilled to escape the life laid out for her.

The two women meet on the ship to Christchurch—Helen traveling in steerage, Gwyn first class—and become unlikely friends. When their new husbands turn out to be very different than expected, the women must help one another find the life—and love—they’d hoped for.

Set against the backdrop of colonial nineteenth-century New Zealand, In the Land of the Long White Cloud is a soaring saga of friendship, romance, and unforgettable adventure."

I very seldom read romance. However, once in a while I pick one up - for those of you that do read our American romance - this one is a bit different. It's a long book for one thing - you won't read it in an evening or even a day. The plot twists and turns which doesn't get boring.

The synopsis leaves out the twist of the orphan girls traveling with Helen. The church sponsors the orphanage and is sending the girls to work as maids in New Zealand. They add some interesting sidelines to the main story.

It's easy to read, historical and gives an idea of how settlers have a tendency to take land when it will benefit them. Most of us know the history of our country and their relationship with the native Americans - this gives you a look at the same problems in other countries.

For all the animal lovers out there - it has horses, dogs and sheep thrown in with the orphans, pioneer conditions, some sex, and love. Lark captures the attention of many different interests!

At first I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy the book, but as I got acquainted with the characters I was anxious to get back to it each time I had to put it down.

"Sarah Lark, author of several bestselling historical fiction novels in Germany and Spain, was born in Germany’s Ruhr region, where she discovered a love of animals— especially horses—early in life. She has worked as an elementary school teacher, travel guide, and commercial writer. She has also written numerous award-winning books about horses for adults and children, one of which was nominated for the Deutsche Jugendbuchpreis, Germany’s distinguished prize for best children’s book. Sarah currently lives with four dogs and a cat on her farm in Almería, Spain, where she cares for retired horses, plays guitar, and sings in her spare time."

I recommend this book.
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