Tony has one goal: to make it to the top of New Zealand rugby.
When he digs up the hidden journals of the King families history his life forever changes.
Hannah King immerses herself in the forgotten chapters and changes the course of their lives forever.
At the heart of their disruption is Ashton Malefyt, who fled his homeland from across the sea in 1810. His twin sister, Anna, follows the faint trail he left behind, arriving at the first Christmas service on the beach in Aotearoa New Zealand.
As past and present collide, Tony and Hannah are forced to confront similar fractures that once shattered their ancestors lives. Long buried secrets rise to the surface, threatening their future and challenging everything they thought they knew about belonging.
In there search for answers they both discover their true selves.
“Hi Tony, this is my sister Kat and I am Massy Wolf, pleasure to meet you.” Standing he gave Tony his full measure and wondered briefly why this guy looked familiar. Tony for his part was relieved, though he could not explain why, it mattered that this guy was the brother of the woman he had just been holding in his arms.
Kat could not believe how blind her brother was and decided to take this moment to interrupt. “I would like to begin again and welcome you both to Bergen Op Meer.” Tony liked her voice.
“Thank you, Kat. Is ending up in the arms of a stranger in a dead faint a common greeting?” Never one to let anyone build a guard, Hannah got right to business with a calculated grin.
“It is first important to note,” Anita said, “that the King’s found the missing journals of Johanna Malefyt.” The bomb dropped. Now time for triage.
The leather couch caught Massy as he ungracefully once again sat down next to his sister and stared at Tony. It was just now beginning to dawn on him why he looked so familiar. “Oh my, now I know why you look so familiar.”
“Oh, can you tell us why?” asked Hannah
“I can.” An ancient voice heavily accented came from the double doorway into the library and all faces in unison turned to her like six needles of a compass finding true North.
Loyola van Rooyen Buck is an author of Historical Fiction whose work brings the rich and often overlooked history of Aotearoa New Zealand to life. Drawing on a commitment to Gods truth, she crafts compelling narratives that blend authentic historical detail with emotional depth. Her first novel explores themes of faith, hope, and love, offering readers both inspiration and insight through characters who navigate real-life challenges with grace and conviction. With a unique voice and a reverence for the past, you are invited into stories where history is not merely told, it is lived.
(Photo taken by Birgit Meister at Marsden Cross
Oihi Bay, Kerikeri. The historical site of Christmas 1814)
It means the world to me to hear from you :)
South Island, Nelson, New Zealand