This fast paced story includes the Sheltha language and culture of Tinceards' (Tinkers) in Ireland. The story revolves around a young woman called Niamh Murphy, who dreams of having a man to love her and a house to live in. She attempts to run away from her tribe and go to the famous land of golden streets, America. Dreams crash as she lands herself in gaol. A handsome priest helps her by sending her to a sanitarium to recover from her recent loss of a child. They become intimate and plan to marry. Their dreams are squashed as he discovers she is pregnant. He tries to persuade her to have an abortion but failing to convince her, she is sent on a long voyage to Australia accompanied by Father John, whose past is linked with her lover/priest. She falls in love with a robust sugarcane cutter. Sadly, a few years later he is tragically killed in a cane fire whilst saving their daughter. She immerses herself in her art, with the help of Jerry O'Donnell, her manager. She brings an exhibition to Dublin and is tracked by her previous secret husband, who makes the long journey to Australia to meet her. Finally it seems, her life has come full circle and her two children and husband finally meet in central Queensland on a horse training property. Entricate plot and powerfully moving.