About Jo-Anne's novels
For more information on these or on Jo-Anne's upcoming titles, please contact Jo-Anne here.
Out Now:
Down by the Water
A family tragedy
A daughter blamed
A life changed
A relationship restored
In 1909, Meg Porter heads to Brisbane to study art, but a family tragedy changes everything. Heartbroken, she decides to give up her art classes and accept a marriage proposal.
After a miscarriage, Meg embarks on a journey of dealing with the past and of receiving God’s love and grace. Yet she struggles to forgive her mother—and to overcome her own guilt.
As the family grows and relocates, Meg learns to value her artistic gift again and to draw closer to God. Yet the war brings further family tragedy. And life becomes so busy, as she supports her husband and cares for their five children.
How can Meg keep her growing faith—and her artist heart—intact? And how can she ever forgive her mother?
A daughter blamed
A life changed
A relationship restored
In 1909, Meg Porter heads to Brisbane to study art, but a family tragedy changes everything. Heartbroken, she decides to give up her art classes and accept a marriage proposal.
After a miscarriage, Meg embarks on a journey of dealing with the past and of receiving God’s love and grace. Yet she struggles to forgive her mother—and to overcome her own guilt.
As the family grows and relocates, Meg learns to value her artistic gift again and to draw closer to God. Yet the war brings further family tragedy. And life becomes so busy, as she supports her husband and cares for their five children.
How can Meg keep her growing faith—and her artist heart—intact? And how can she ever forgive her mother?
To watch a brief video about Down by the Water, please click here.
To purchase 'Down by the Water', please click here.
To purchase the e-book version for Kindle on Amazon Australia, please click here. To purchase the e-book on Amazon US, please click here.
To read reviews and readers' comments click here.
To see my interview about Down by the Water, conducted by a librarian from Lockyer Valley Libraries in Queensland, please click here.
To purchase 'Down by the Water', please click here.
To purchase the e-book version for Kindle on Amazon Australia, please click here. To purchase the e-book on Amazon US, please click here.
To read reviews and readers' comments click here.
To see my interview about Down by the Water, conducted by a librarian from Lockyer Valley Libraries in Queensland, please click here.
The Inheritance
He struggles with bitterness and betrayal.
She wants to follow God’s way.
To be together seems impossible.
Michael Trevelyan is determined to claim his inheritance at all costs. Bitterness consumes him and he refuses to forgive those who have betrayed him. Yet, when he meets Alexandra Hope, things begin to change. She challenges his views but also listens while he shares his pain. Can Michael move on from the past and learn to forgive? Can Alexandra hold onto her faith in God as she deals with their deepening relationship? Can they both learn to trust each other—and God?
The Inheritance is a stirring story of family secrets, forgiveness and faith—of leaving behind a dark, painful legacy and walking into the light of God’s eternal inheritance.
Watch the trailer here!
She wants to follow God’s way.
To be together seems impossible.
Michael Trevelyan is determined to claim his inheritance at all costs. Bitterness consumes him and he refuses to forgive those who have betrayed him. Yet, when he meets Alexandra Hope, things begin to change. She challenges his views but also listens while he shares his pain. Can Michael move on from the past and learn to forgive? Can Alexandra hold onto her faith in God as she deals with their deepening relationship? Can they both learn to trust each other—and God?
The Inheritance is a stirring story of family secrets, forgiveness and faith—of leaving behind a dark, painful legacy and walking into the light of God’s eternal inheritance.
Watch the trailer here!
To purchase 'The Inheritance', please click here.
To purchase the e-book version for Kindle on Amazon Australia, please click here. And to purchase the e-book on Amazon US, please click here.
To read reviews and readers' comments click here.
To purchase the e-book version for Kindle on Amazon Australia, please click here. And to purchase the e-book on Amazon US, please click here.
To read reviews and readers' comments click here.
Earlier Novels
Helena's Legacy
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
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?
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?
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
To read reviews and readers' comments click here.
To read reviews and readers' comments click here.
Jenna
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
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.
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
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
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.
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
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
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.
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
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
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.
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.