Sunrising: The story of a family who chose Africa as their home - The pioneering generation

The sun was rising when they rode out of the gates and up the dust tracks towards the Umguza River. The eastern horizon was glowing in silent anticipation of the sun-filled day ahead. Isabella sat next to Gonda on the bench at the front of the mule cart, while Anthony and James rode their horses, and the dogs ran excitedly behind them. Isabella breathed deeply, smelling the dampness of the morning dew on the tall, dry grass. From English woman to African artist Like the artist Thomas Baines, Isabella Braithwaite was born in King's Lynn, Norfolk. From the moment she views his breathtaking paintings of the Victoria Falls she knows she wants to live in Africa and become an artist like him. She travels to the burgeoning country of Southern Rhodesia in 1898 where she meets and marries the banker, Anthony Craig. Together they enjoy a pioneering lifestyle in the settlement of Bulawayo; until their lives are shattered by the death of their infant son. In an attempt to pick up the pieces, Anthony accepts an offer from the wealthy businessman, Sir James Brooke, to partner him in an exploration company. This partnership includes moving into Sunrising, the beautiful house Sir James built a few years earlier. Their lives improve dramatically after this. Then, a second and more sinister tragedy occurs, leaving Isabella in turmoil. She no longer knows where she belongs or how she will ever cope again. Product Information "Vivid descriptions of the African bushveld establish the setting for numerous activities and events. Flora and fauna unique to this impala, a full chorus of frogs in the front yard, elephants, snakes, crocodiles, monkeys and baboons popping up intermittently, are not gratuitously inserted in scenes. Each encounter with these animals add to character and plot development. The crocodile scene provides suspense whenever anyone goes near a river. The prologue is interesting and important, providing historical background to the narrative. There are many factual references in the story, as well as allusions to real life events, like a train crashing into an elephant, or a 'loya', a curse put on somebody by a witch doctor. Naïve Isabella is a complex and admirable protagonist. A varied cast intertwine her life. Anthony Craig is the perfect husband, kind and considerate. Sir James Brooke is a generous and elusive friend who comes and goes like a mysterious godfather. Gonda, the anachronistic major domo, is a gem, so opposite from Mabel, the annoyingly wicked ladies' maid from England. This story has romance, heroism, tragedy, villainy, and colonialism at its most genteel; a varied array of themes to delight any reader." Lynette McPeake, Canada.The Sunrising SeriesThe Sunrising Series depicts the lives of fictional families, the Craigs and Brookes and their relationship with Africa and the people who they mix with there, from the time the first generation arrived as pioneers at the beginning of the twentieth century to the modern era. There is a forty year gap between the books, and each is a standalone story.Real life events and experiences are mixed with fiction to reveal the evolving interpersonal and socio economic landscape as the country moves from a British colony to an independent African country. The first two books in the series are set in colonial times while the second two, to be published in 2023 and 2025, will focus on life in the country after independence.