About Jo-Anne's books
For more information on these or on Jo-Anne's upcoming titles, please contact Jo-Anne here.
Out now!
Helena's Legacy
A Time to Heal
Doctor Susan Curtis finds herself facing the birth of her first child alone, bitter at the rejection she has suffered from her fiancé and family.
Eventually she begins her own journey towards God, but it is not until she accepts help from Heléna Hajek that she finds the strength to forgive. Heléna soon becomes an integral part of Susan's life and longs to bring God's healing to other family members as well. Is there a way she can help Susan's son Peter - or perhaps even Susan's mother?
Yet Heléna knows she is nearing the end of her life. What legacy can she leave that will bring most blessing to those she loves?
Doctor Susan Curtis finds herself facing the birth of her first child alone, bitter at the rejection she has suffered from her fiancé and family.
Eventually she begins her own journey towards God, but it is not until she accepts help from Heléna Hajek that she finds the strength to forgive. Heléna soon becomes an integral part of Susan's life and longs to bring God's healing to other family members as well. Is there a way she can help Susan's son Peter - or perhaps even Susan's mother?
Yet Heléna knows she is nearing the end of her life. What legacy can she leave that will bring most blessing to those she loves?
Jenna
Following God's call
Jenna Ramsey believes God is calling her to fulltime ministry training, so steps out in faith, determined to overcome her self-doubt and to grow in her gifts of leadership, teaching and encouragement. But some disapprove – are theological studies and ministry truly something women should undertake? And while Jenna grows in confidence and many come to value highly what she has to offer her church and community, some, including close colleagues, are not so supportive. Will she be able to stand firm and continue serving God as she desires? Will she find true fulfilment in both her ministry role and her personal life?
Jenna's story is told in the hope that it will inspire and encourage readers, both male and female, to pursue all they are called to do in life with faith and hope in their hearts, secure in God's love and reliant on the strength and wisdom only God can provide.
Laura
Be Thou My Vision
Can you imagine growing up totally blind, yet longing to attend normal school and be treated the same as anyone else?
Despite encountering rejection, discouragement and injustice, Laura Harding is determined to prove that she and others with perceived disabilities can achieve whatever they want to in life. At times Laura needs all the strength she can muster to hold onto her dreams - but will it be enough? And can she ever have faith in a God who seems to have let her down in so many ways?
This story honours those who, with courage and hope in their hearts, have overcome so much to develop their God-given gifts to the full, thereby blessing and inspiring us all.
All the Days of My Life
Keeping the faith in a new country
This is the sequel to ‘Heléna', but can also be read as a ‘stand alone' novel.
Heléna arrives in Sydney after a long sea voyage, and is sent first to a migrant camp at Bathurst, where she is told there is little chance of pursuing her music career in her new country. She begins work in a factory in Brisbane, but eventually moves to Sydney, where new friends help her to find her feet and pursue her dreams. In the years that follow, Heléna experiences great joy but also deep trials, yet manages to hold onto her faith in God, encouraging others in the process to come to terms with their own past and move on.
Inspired by the life of a post-war Czech immigrant to Australia, this story seeks to give hope and courage to all who read it to continue trusting God throughout their own life journeys.
Heléna
A journey of faith and courage
Twenty-year-old Czech music student, Heléna, meets and marries Stefan only months before the outbreak of World War Two, while preparing for a career as a concert pianist. Stefan is heavily involved in the underground movement in their homeland, as is Heléna's father. In the ensuing years, Heléna's faith and courage are challenged to the utmost, as she faces great personal tragedy and danger, and suffers loss of family, friends, wealth and career. Eventually she flees her homeland, hoping to begin a new life in Australia.
This book is based on the true story of a remarkable woman whose inner strength and courage impacted many. It has been written in the hope that others might be similarly inspired to continue to ‘keep the faith', whatever the difficulties encountered as they journey through life.
