Author Talk with Mary-Anne O'Connor at Queanbeyan Library

Join us for an author talk with Mary-Anne O’Connor, bestselling author of The Stowaway, an epic tale of love, courage and adventure inspired by true events.

Hear how Mary-Anne drew from her own family history and the remarkable life of Jorge Jorgenson to create this sweeping nineteenth-century story that spans from Norway and Iceland to the wild shores of Tasmania. Discover the inspiration, the research, and the passion behind her latest novel, and enjoy the chance to ask questions and have your book signed.

About the Book
Norway, 1828. A fiery descendant of Vikings, Elsa Ferner wasn’t termed Elsa the Determined by her father for no reason, so when her mother pushes her to marry a wealthy but unscrupulous man, she seizes the opportunity to stow away and escape. Now aboard The Starling with her ally, handsome English officer Thompson Smith, she chooses to trust her heart, following their shared destiny on the salted wind.

On arriving in Iceland, it seems the pair might finally explore the possibilities of a new life together. However, a rash and catastrophic act sees Thompson taken away in chains, with Elsa the one now fighting for their future, and leading them on to new frontiers. However, tragedy strikes, and Thompson chooses to stowaway himself, this time to Tasmania, embittered yet resolved to find a new life with their son, Sven.

Little do they know that Elsa searches for them, even to the ends of the earth, never giving up on love…