Blackbird

The early wealth of Queensland depended on slavery, known in Australia as Blackbirding. South Sea islanders were tricked or forced aboard slave ships, then sold to the highest bidder and forced to cut cane on the northern sugar plantations.
Beautiful young Kiri, destined for slavery is rescued from her fate by half-breed Ben Luk, a prospector who plans to become a respectable businessman in Brisbane after acquiring wealth in the Palmer River goldfields.
However racial prejudice runs high in the colony and Ben and Kiri make ruthless, unforgiving enemies who will stop at nothing to bring them down. Ultimately their refusal to bow to tyranny, and their love for each other, carry them though their many turbulent adventures.
### Review
'The stylish plot twists will satisfy the most avid reader.' **Who Weekly** (Pageturner of the Week)
'Satisfying and highly entertaining... Blackbird should be read by all Australians.' **The West Australian**
'Terrific reading.' **Aussie Post**
'Crookes unveils Australia's suspect past in a natural and engrossing style.' **Melbourne Herald Sun**
'Splendid Reading. In the realm of Joseph Conrad ' **The Catholic Weekly**
'Crookes creates a fine fiction from appalling truths. That is Blackbird's success.' **Gold Coast Bulletin**
### From the Author
My apologies for proofreading errors in the first Kindle upload of this title which was from an early draft of the book. They have since been addressed.