The Billabong

I was really interested in reading this story of the Australian outback in the 1870's, a time and place I've never read about before. While this book shares some of the characteristics of the American West of the same time period, in Australia the solitariness is even more lonely, and of course the snakes are even more poisonous.
I enjoyed the two main characters getting to know each other, gradually feelng drawn to each other. Even though Jim had no experience with homosexuality and had believed that it was wrong, we see his slowly growing feelings for Mark.
I would have liked a longer story, but it was adequately fleshed out and had an acceptably satisfying ending. However, I was really happy that I had the sequel ready to go as I finished.

I am not normally a fan of historical romance, primarily because it is usually set during Elizabethan or Victorian times and those are not my favorite eras in history. When I read the description for 'The Billabong' by an author I was unfamiliar with, I was intrigued mainly because it's Australia and the 1800s, and it would have been insanely difficult to survive there back then. Hell, the outback today isn't exactly civilized, it's a tough land and you'd better be willing to work hard to carve out your niche.
Jim is making do working in this inhospitable area after losing his wife and two children when he's bitten by a snake and a stranger saves his life. Mark was a doctor in another life and it is a good thing he is there or Jim would be dead. Mark stays around for a while to help Jim as he's certainly not back to full strength. Jim enjoys having Mark around as someone to talk to for it can get mighty lonely out there all alone. It doesn't take long for friendship to turn to desire and the even more frightening concept of love. For how can Jim love a man? All his life he's been told what they're doing is wrong, but he can't help it and neither can Mark. When Mark's past comes to hit them in the face, Jim will need to decide how important Mark really is in his life.
This was a wonderful and very realistic story and I adored it. I will definitely look for more works by this author as I think Jack Byrne has a lot of stories to tell. I can certainly recommend this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.