Jocelyn’s journey begins as a stony rutted track heading nowhere as she faces the grim reality of her husband’s death. Jack, a Christian Aboriginal, himself a widower with a young child, walks beside her in her grief, sharing his faith and easing her burden. In her journey Jocelyn is confronted by her own latent racism, judgemental attitudes and selfishness which she struggles to deal with. Learning that Jack was a ‘stolen child,’ she comes face-to-face with the brutal realities of Australia’s past treatment of its indigenous people and the legacy of suffering they still endure. Flashbacks take the reader into Australian pioneer, and Kamilaroi history. As she travels the trails of pain and suffering with Jack's birth family, Jocelyn learns that the only way to reconciliation, giving and accepting real forgiveness, and coping with and overcoming life's injustices and frustrations comes from a deep relationship with God. Jocelyn's journey towards recovery and purpose in life again takes some strange twists and turns; directions she could never have foreseen. The last leg of the journey, and the beginning of a whole new journey, brings her to a stunned standstill when she discovers the strange secret of her own past. Jocelyn's Journey has had very positive reviews from all readers. It has been highly acclaimed by several high school librarians and has been added to the recommended reading lists of about 20 local high schools, public, Catholic, private and Christian. Reviews: "What a story! I started the first chapter with an evening cuppa just before bed and….. several hours later realised how late it was. I was captivated by the unfolding drama. A story of God’s love triumphing over tragedy and loss, racism and despair in contemporary black and white Australia. The Gospel is well integrated into the story, and is presented as a natural part of those peoples lives that believe in it. Aboriginal issues are dealt with sensitively and honestly with the author’s experience shining through. It is a compelling, detailed and authentic story. Highly recommended, suitable for readers from middle high school and anyone who enjoys a great read." Peter Charles, High School Librarian. “………Composed in captivating narrative and compelling dialogue, the story flows at a brisk tempo. The plot contains more than a few strategically placed, unexpected twists that should maintain the reader’s interest throughout. The characters are developed and presented in a multi-dimensional fashion revealing the intricacies of their unique personalities and individual agendas. In addition, Ms. Fraser effectively manages to avoid artificially padding the work with superfluous material and unnecessary characters, thereby keeping the focus directed towards the primary storyline. Navigating the plot to a well-conceived and logical conclusion, the author could leave the reader with the sense of time well invested in the reading of this story. Caroline Fraser’s highly descriptive style of writing combined with a keen attention to detail could further enhance the appeal of this work.” Extract from Reading Report of Jocelyn’s Journey for Dorrance Publishing Co. “A really great read, opened my eyes a lot.” Robyn Barrs – Windsor “Caroline Fraser’s new novel, Jocelyn’s Journey is a book about reconciliation on two fronts. Set in Sydney, Australia, it tackles the subject of racial prejudice in a brave and sensitive way, tracing the love story of a young white woman and the wonderful new man in her life, who just happens to be Aboriginal and a committed Christian. Throughout their cautiously developing romance, Mrs. Fraser skillfully weaves flashbacks to the early colonial days and beyond, exposing some of this country’s darkest history and secrets…….. The flashbacks made me cringe in shame at the crimes of my white forebears and made me want to reach out to the Koori people today in compassion and tenderness, to compensate in some small way and say 'sorry.' The other aspect of reconciliation in this novel is that between man and God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel is woven right through this book in a clear and uncompromising manner, spelling out the message of salvation to every reader…….. Mrs. Fraser also opens up such topics as creationism versus evolution, the infallibility of the Bible, and the origin of the races. Many non-Christians reading this historical/contemporary romance would be deeply challenged about their relationship with the Lord, and their own need to be reconciled with Him.” Anne Lukovski – Orange, NSW "You have done an excellent job, writing in a way which really kept my attention; the plot is well developed with some fascinating twists and turns, and you have obviously done a LOT of homework as far as the tragic history of Australia goes... well done! I feel stirred up to do something about the problems faced by Aboriginals! .......... ...........I also appreciated very much your heart to weave in not only a righteous perspective on Australia's history, but also key elements of the Christian worldview and Gospel. .......... Congratulations on a wonderful start to what I trust will be a fruitful writing career" Nev Chamberlain - Missionary Hong Kong Why I Wrote Jocelyn's Journey I wrote Jocelyn’s Journey in an attempt to expose the truth of the dreadful heritage white Australia has handed its indigenous people. Having grown up in country and outback NSW, and having lived on two Aboriginal reserves in the sixties, I wanted to tell what I had experienced and what most white city-dwelling Australians know nothing of. I want to share that righting these wrongs cannot be achieved by governments and political correctness. Nor will violence and rioting, although expressions of anger and frustration, ever bring about peace and harmony. Only as individuals commit their lives to Christ, and walk in His presence, can they rise on eagles’ wings and overcome the wrongs of the past and face the future appropriating Christ’s love and forgiveness. Caroline Fraser

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