Sydney, 1930, and Greta Osborne is a burgeoning stage star on the verge of joining the famous Palace Theatre in New York. But meeting British naval officer Andrew Flight at a New Year's Eve party changes everything. Falling in love at first sight, Greta waives aside any thoughts of sailing to New York and Andrew jumps ship. The pair flee to the tobacco town of Yunnabilla in Far North Queensland, where their relationship is viewed by the locals with pursed lips and raised eyebrows. The Great Depression brings added hardships, and circumstances push the couple further north to a remote island in Papua New Guinea where they face unexpected challenges.
Burnt Sunshine is a heart-warming and very colourful novel about two people in love who take a big chance. In spite of a world depression, a near-tragic setback, disappointments, bad times that can turn into good times, together the pair manage to laugh and love and beat the odds.