I love this edition of Five Golden Rings and a Diamond, and its presentation, so smooth and nice to hold this book. Set in beautiful Ireland and sunny Australia, this story is told from the heart, turning over issues that affect women today. Protagonist, Niamh Murphy is at first innocent but quickly learns that not all men are equal, finding herself having desires for a man of prestige, and to avoid a ugly suitor, she disappears. She survives so many bad things that it is hard to imagine someone being positive after her experiences, but the writer cunningly gives the protagonist her own guilt as reason enough. Niamh's story is one of continual struggle, with a tag of hope on the end. Heart-warming in places, funny in other patches, filled with memorable characters, such as Uncle Paddy and Father John, the YWCA woman, Olga, and her soul-friend, Barbie, the Aboriginal girl who has unique connections with the protagonist.

A long read, interesting to the last page, with its twists and turns and a very satisfying ending.