The Trader’s Sister by Anna Jacobs is the second volume in her five book historical romance series that is set in Freemantle on the west coast of Australia. This particular book features Ismay Deagan, an Irish lass, who in order to escape an unsavoury forced marriage emigrates to Australia to join her brother who has settled in Freemantle and opened a store.

She meets and falls in love with a fellow traveller, Adam Treagar, who together with his foster mother is also moving to Freemantle to take up an inheritance. Adam has been bequeathed a half share in a trading schooner and some properties. Unfortunately, Ismay is being tracked by her vicious suitor who vows that no one other than he will marry her. As the story moves from Ireland to Singapore and finally on to Western Australia, Ismay and Adam grow ever closer.

Although it was obvious how this story would work out, I enjoyed the read very much. The author has the knack of giving the reader characters who you enjoy either rooting for or against. As Ismay escapes from her life of oppression, and Adam comes into his own in regards to his business, we can see that this is a couple that is made for each other. The book is a nice mix of familiar characters from the first book and new characters that I am certain will feature in some of the next stories. I look forward to continuing on and learning what will happen next. ( )