A great part of the story is played out among the dunes of the Kalahari Desert in ‘The Yardstick’, Volume three of the enthralling Beauclaire Saga, in the Stories from South Africa series, but we also briefly revisit New York, Louisiana, Nelspruit, Johannesburg and Bethlehem, as the history of the Ashton family and their Nelspruit citrus farm continues. Now we find a disillusioned Benjamin Ashton—about to become a grandfather—forced to consider relocating the South African members of his family, which could well bring to an end what has been for them a blessedly happy era on their Lowveld citrus farm

At the same time, the integrity of Ben’s altruistic son, a physician, is severely tested as Jordan is unwillingly drawn into the sordid affairs of Tristan Connaught, the womanizing partner in their upscale practice near Johannesburg. Unfortunately Tristan is none other than the son of Father Clifford Connaught of Bethlehem in the Free State, who played such a important role in the lives of both Ben Ashton and his brother, Jamie; and, together with them, we are re-introduced to many of the well-loved characters from ‘When you know that you know, that you know! or The redemption of Benjamin Ashton’.

Handsome, brilliant and charming, young Doctor Connaught is much sought after, chiefly by bored, hypochondriac, society women! Having grown up in Louisiana—among homeless children, in a shelter financed by Amy-Lee Ashton, and of which his parents are the directors—Tristan is proud, upon his return to the country of his birth, to count the rich and famous among his patients. When, during a visit to his great-uncle, Doctor Hugo Connaught, in a remote and arid village situated in the Kalahari Desert, he persuades Doctor Hugo to allow him to respond to a call from an eccentric, hermit professor who has chosen to live in isolation with his two, reputedly beautiful young daughters, he soon finds himself in a unique situation which is both intriguing and challenging

                                                                   Publisher’s review

The Yardstick certainly promises to provide absorbing insights into human behaviour, in addition to a riveting plot of the calibre that her readers have learned to expect from this writer. The fact that Tristan’s kind-hearted partner turns out to be none other than Jordan Ashton, the younger son of Benjamin and Amy-Lee Ashton, affectionately remembered as the main players in the ‘Beauclaire saga’, can only be a further enticement to read this book.

                                                                    Elaine Murray

I thank God for this book! Until I read it, I had no idea that ‘Inner Healing Prayer Ministry’ was available to men, too!

                                                                    Ritchie Edwards (Publisher’s office)

Wow! What a roller coaster ride! This writer is known for plots and situations that seem impossible to resolve – but somehow she always does! I was hooked from beginning to end, and I would implore all who read ‘The Yardstick’ to keep the conclusion to themselves!

                                                                   Barry Wolf

Now I know that is possible for a romantic novel to fall into the ‘Suspense’ category — I could not put it down! Highly recommended!

                                                                   Rita van der Bijl

The Yardstick is another fascinating book by Marie Warder and I hate to think that this may be the last in the Ashton Saga, as I feel it is her best yet. As always, one really does not know until close to the end of the book, how on earth she is going to sort out all the characters and their predicaments. What comes to me so strongly though, is the author’s great love for, and desire to help, the Bushmen; also, her continuing desire to have the world at large understand what it was like for boys of 16 to be conscripted from school to go off to the Angolan War, and the resultant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which many suffer from even now. It seemed such a futile war. There is also sadness that there is very little future for many young people, who are leaving South Africa for countries where their talents are appreciated. Her passion for the Kalahari is shared by those who spend any time there. It all makes for a very good read.

                                                                   Mary Otto

The author has yet again produced a remarkable story, continuing the saga of the Ashton family. This time, the dilemma of the white man in South Africa is evident as the family makes the transition towards accepting that their beloved country is changing. Their deep faith continues to carry them through changing times, and family difficulties. This is a story about love, acceptance, doing the right thing, and above all, God’s grace.

                                                                       Margriet Warren