In the shadow of Ireland's rolling hills, two brothers, Thomas and Samuel O'Byrne, make a fateful decision to leave behind their ancestral farm, leaving their younger brother Sean to struggle with the family holding. Little do they know that this choice will set in motion a gripping family saga that will span generations and continents. Set against the backdrop of the untamed Australian outback, "The Daughters of the Darling" follows the O'Byrne family as they settle along the banks of the remote Darling River in New South Wales. In this harsh and unforgiving land, they must confront not only the challenges of the rugged frontier but also the secrets and conflicts that lie within their own family. With each book in the series, readers will be transported through time, witnessing the triumphs and tribulations of this resilient family as they navigate love, loss, and the ever-changing landscape of the Australian wilderness. "The Daughters of the Darling" is a masterfully crafted historical saga that explores the enduring power of family bonds, the resilience of the human spirit, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to carve their destinies out of the wild unknown. Join us on this extraordinary journey as we follow the O'Byrne family across two centuries of adventure, hardship, and the enduring quest for a place to call home.
1. FROM ACROSS THE SEA Home again at Ceann Mara Station on the banks of the Darling River, where she spent a happy childhood with her four sisters, Caitríona O’Byrne feels safe. Scarred by a harrowing attack at university, she falls into the familiar, nursing both her body and her trust in all she once believed in. Logan Wainwright—a detective on leave, and the new property owner across the river—is facing his own demons. Together with Caitríona, he begins to heal as he assists her with her family history research on the O’Byrne brothers. As her attraction to Logan grows, Caitríona stumbles upon a family secret. In the nineteenth century, two siblings face a life-altering choice: to flee from their ancestral farm in County Kerry or face the consequences of their actions. A gripping family saga unfolds as Caitríona unearths the layers of family history and she is confronted by a betrayal that threatens not only her newfound peace but her very survival. Can Caitríona navigate their sad family history and learn who she can trust before it’s too late?
2. OVER THE RIVER Home again at Ceann Mara Station, Roisín O'Byrne, a young lawyer with a passion for protecting the Darling River where her family has lived for almost two hundred years, finds herself embroiled in a battle. Her commitment to environmental justice pits her against formidable adversaries within the corporate landscape, working with her enigmatic boss, Seth Brodie. As her family continues their quest to uncover the history of the settlement of Ceann Mara and the hidden life of one of its first settlers, Samuel O’Byrne, Roisín plunges deeper into the murky waters of corporate interests and corruption. However, her pursuit of justice becomes increasingly complicated by her undeniable attraction to Seth, a man whose ideals may be different to hers yet whose magnetism is impossible to resist. Will Roisin risk everything, including her life, to expose the truth and save the Darling River?
3. BY THE BILLABONG Erin O’Byrne returns to Ceann Mara, her family’s remote property on the Darling River, seeking peace after a painful marital breakup. Camping by the tranquil billabong, she hopes the solitude of the Australian bush will help her heal. While exploring the land, Erin discovers a long-forgotten memorial to a World War I soldier. Her sister, Cat, and father, Tom, who have been researching the family's history, are thrilled by the find and eager to uncover its secrets. But Erin’s journey takes an unexpected turn when reclusive Miles McKenzie sets up camp beside her. Though initially guarded, she and Miles gradually develop a friendship that sparks a powerful attraction. Her family, however, worries that she’s moving too fast after her breakup, questioning whether she can truly trust Miles. As Erin struggles with her growing feelings and her family’s concerns, she must decide whether to follow her heart—or listen to the doubts that surround her.
4. BENEATH STILL WATERS In the aftermath of a personal decision, Shea O’Byrne has retreated to Melbourne, abandoning her career as a vet nurse to counsel women through pregnancy loss—a pain she understands all too well. When her father’s genealogical research uncovers a long-buried scandal involving the family’s forgotten ancestor, Samuel O’Byrne, Shea reluctantly agrees to help investigate. Her search leads her to Professor Eliza Westfield and her compelling brother, Heath, a cardiologist whose gentle persistence begins to crack the walls around Shea’s heart. But as Tom delves deeper into the life of Clara O’Byrne—Samuel’s rebellious daughter, whose story eerily mirrors Shea’s—past and present collide in unexpected ways. When Shea’s former lover follows her to Ceann Mara, bringing with him the painful secret she’s kept from everyone, she must finally confront the choices that have shaped her life. A sudden storm at the billabong forces Shea to decide whether some secrets are worth keeping—and if the O’Byrne family legacy of resilience and love lives on in her. Spanning two centuries of family history, heartbreak, and healing, Beneath Still Waters continues the sweeping saga of the O’Byrne family, where every discovery on the banks of the Darling River reveals that our most personal struggles often echo through generations.