Monday, September 4, 2017

A Stranger at Fellsworth

GIVEAWAY
LADD, SARAH E.
A STRANGER AT FELLSWORTH

Could losing everything be the best thing to happen to Annabelle Thorley?

In the fallout of her deceased father's financial ruin, Annabelle's prospects are looking bleak. Her fiance has broken their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth , where her estranged uncle serves as the school's superintendent. Upon arrival, Annabelle learns that she must shed her life of high society and work for her wages for the first time in her life.

Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and a father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poacher's at bay even though his ambition has always been to purchase land he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife's death, Owen begins to consider a second chance at love.

As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they'd found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.

My Review:

Sqqqqquuuueeeeaaaaalllll alert! A scrumptious Regency with sinister overtones and a despicable villain -- well, more than one -- to thwart! The kind of story that will curl your toes in rapturous delight while sending delicious shivers of  trepidation up your spine. The kind of read you want to devour in one sitting -- but pace yourself, you don't want it to be over too fast!

As heroes go, Owen rates right up there. He might not be a traditional high society gentleman but he certainly has more gentlemanly manners than the men Annabelle has been associating with. And Owen has a strong sense of right and wrong, not to mention a protective streak where damsels in distress come into play -- especially where Annabelle is concerned.

Annabelle's world has been turned upside down and hiding away at her uncle's school seems the safest place to be...only there are more mysteries in Surrey than in London and somehow Annabelle becomes entangled in them all.

Impeccable pacing -- subtle nuances that might just be clues are scattered throughout the story and I was furiously trying to put the pieces together before Owen and Annabelle did. Depth and detail in all the characters, not just the hero and heroine, bring this story to life in the manner of a classic BBC drama.

There's a glorious inspirational thread -- subtle but powerful all the same -- woven into the story. Though Annabelle's mother died when she was a young girl, she leaves a legacy of faith behind. A faith that sustains her daughter until she develops a faith of her own. There's a tangible link between Annabelle and her mother that is both bittersweet and joyful and it made me think about the kind of impact I can make on my loved ones. A great spiritual takeaway to ponder long after the last page has been read.

Exciting, uplifting -- full of adventure and romance -- a perfect mix for a Regency read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Stranger at Fellsworth, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT  instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 10 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

59 comments:

  1. What a great book! Thank you for a great review, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  2. Isn't Sarah Ladd's writing scrumptious? I've delighted in all of her books and always anticipate a delicious read in every one :-) No need to enter me for this one as I've read/reviewed it...I certainly can't wait for the next novel!

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    1. Yes -- I'm still in a literary swoon after reading this one. :-)

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  3. Looks like a Great Historical. Thanks for sharing it and your review with us. :)
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

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  4. I've only got one book by Sarah E. Ladd, but I'm looking to get more. This one's been on my to-read list for awhile, but I've not had the pleasure of exploring it yet. Looking forward to it!
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. It's such a great book, Elly. Hope you get to read it soon. Good luck.

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  5. Kav's squealing, I'm all in :)
    Sarah Ladd is a new to me author, will I ever be able to discover/read all the authors I keep hearing about? Probably not, but I'm going to give it my best effort :)
    Thanks for the giveaway Kav, you are the bestest!
    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh my goodness gracious!!! Yes, you must check out some of Sarah's books. Bet your library has them. Alas, it's the time thing that makes it tough to keep up. If only we didn't need to sleep. Or could read in our sleep! Good luck, Tracey.

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  6. Sounds fabulous!!! LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  7. I don't remember reading any of Sarah's books and would love a chance to read this one.

    dandtdearing@roadrunner.com

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    1. Oh, you must try one of Sarah's books soon, Tammi. Good luck.

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  8. Sounds so good, thanks for the chance :)
    jslbrown2009 at aol dot com

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  9. I love Sarah's books! She seriously has a way of writing that pulls you in to the characters' lives and I love that her writing is nice and clean as well. I am always eexcited when she releases new books.
    LLWALTZ [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Absolutely, Laura. She pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the very last page. Good luck.

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  10. I've been wanting to read this one for awhile now!
    Meganleigh844 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's worth the anticipation, Megan. Good luck!

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  11. I have read Sarah and I agree she is a very good author in my favorite genre! Your squeeeeeeeee! Has me wanting to win this one! Thanks again Kav!

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    1. Definitely a must read if you are a Sarah E. Ladd fan...and even if you're not. Good luck, Paula.

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  12. oh this sounds wonderful. I would love a chance to read one of her books
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  13. I'm a fan of Sarah Ladd and was sure I already have this book, but, alas, I do not. It is now on my wish list. Thanks so much for your review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. You must complete your collection, Pam!!!! Good luck.

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  14. Oh WOW, this sounds fantastic....your review as well as the comments have me drooling for this one. I have not read this author, but been wanting to.
    Thanks for the giveaway, Kav!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. I just love her books (in case you couldn't tell that.) Love that mix of Regency and mystery -- kind of a Gothic vibe. Yum. Good luck, Jackie.

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  15. I would love to win a copy of this book and I added it to my TBR list too. I'm Keeping my fingers crossed for luck after reading your fabulous review, Kav! Thank you so much.

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  16. Would love to read this one. Her books are so good.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. Sarah Ladd's books are always so good! I haven't yet read A Stranger at Fellsworth but it seems I should. Thanks for the excellent review and giveaway.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Oh yes, you definitely should, Pam. Good luck.

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  18. Great review! So makes me want to read it!
    jparkerwood at gmail dot com

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  20. I can't wait to read this! It sounds like just the right mix of romance, faith, and intrigue! Like you, I have fun trying to piece together all of the clues before the characters do!! Lol

    mylittlebirdiebooks (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Exactly -- the blended to perfection. Good luck, Karen.

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  21. Love this author and this series.. The fact that you say it reads like a BBC drama makes it sound even better!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I'd love it if some of these great Christian Fiction Historicals were made into BBC dramas! Good luck, Nicole.

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  22. Thank you for the giveaway!
    mudj33p(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Sounds good. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  24. I'm crossing my fingers. This would be amazing!

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    1. It's an amazing story. Good luck, Michelle.

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  25. I don't normally read 'Regency' genre, but this book does sound interesting! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Here's a good one to try the genre again. Good luck, Wendy.

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  26. Love Sarah's books and this one sound really great. becci43atgmaildotcom

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  27. Appreciate the very compelling review of a new to me author! I was just looking on Sarah's author website at her other releases. Thanks! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

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    1. All her books are fantabulous, CC. Good luck.

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  28. I've not yet had the pleasure of reading Sarah Ladd's books. KAV, thank you for the wonderful review and the opportunity to win a copy.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome, Caryl. Hope you get a chance to read one of Sarah's books soon. Good luck.

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  29. Sounds lovely. Your comments on the inspirational thread make it an even more promising read.

    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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