Tuesday, January 28, 2020

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

GIVEAWAY
LADD, SARAH E.
THE THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR

In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can't she steal her gaze away from his younger, Isaac?

Cornwall, England, 1818

Julia Twetheway needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall's mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It's not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home's ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner's younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father's legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother's careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood -- and that of the people around them -- the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can't deny his attraction to the man's charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing. Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren't keen to surrender.

My Review:

Poldark meets Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South, Cranford, Wives and Daughters -- novels and BBC miniseries) with a distinct Gothic flare. Dust off those fainting couches and grab your smelling salts and a fan or two and settle in for a mystery-steeped Regency that will have your heart performing somersaults and your tummy doing loop-de-loops. I'm a tad shy of giddy after finishing this one.

Beautifully written -- Ladd's word choice enhances the Regency vibe and her descriptions bring layered depths to the story. And her characters! Loved Julia right from the start (and adore that last name -- Twetheway -- so much fun to say!) She has honor and backbone and such a giving heart. But, goodness her Aunt Beatrice! I might have bald patches from tearing my hair out over her histrionics! The perfectly imperfect character-I-love-to-hate in a novel!

Two suitors -- but rest assured because one is definitely not really in the running so this isn't quite a love triangle. More like a stumbling block which kept me rabidly reading so I could get to the part where all things romantical are put to rights. Phew! The author put me through my paces though.

The mystery brings some Gothic ambiance to the story. A cursed house with mysterious goings on. Thievery and threats and all things sinister. Cue the creepy organ music and keep some comfort chocolate on hand as you mull over all the diabolical possibilities.

An incredibly wonderful read -- clean and wholesome but not in the inspirational genre (though the publisher is Christian publishing giant Thomas Nelson. At least it's not tagged as Christian Fiction on Amazon.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  The Thief of Lanwyn Manor, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

53 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! Give me all the BBC miniseries. It doesn't get much better than that. Well, maybe some Tolkien, but that's just going overboard. Lol!!
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I know, right?! I might have to borrow some DVDs from the library again. Good luck, Terrill!

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  2. Sarah Ladd is absolutely amazing! She is so good at writing stories that are interesting, romantic, and intriguing. Love her books!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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    1. Absolutely amazing, I agree! Good luck, Melissa!

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  3. A mystery regency sounds like a winner to me!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. This one definitely is! Good luck, rubynreba!

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  4. Sarah Ladd is one of my must read authors! I'm looking forward to reading this one.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  5. Ooh gothic. Count me in.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  6. Sarah is a New To Me Authir I have heard of her books 📚 but haven't read any of them yet
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy 😃💖😍💗 iamabho AT gmail DOT com 💜💙💜

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  7. I've just recently been watching Poldark through my Amazon Prime account. Just haven't watched the most recent season.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You'll get lots of the same feels from this story. Good luck, Patty!

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  8. I love her books, and North and South is one of my favorites! Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. I think I'm due a North and South rewatch. :-) Good luck, Heidi!

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  9. Oh wow! This sounds like a great read! The cover is beautiful and the title is intriguing.
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's sweet perfection from the inside out. Good luck, Melanie!

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  10. Like the cover leading the way into an interesting story! Thanks!

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  11. Yes, please!!!

    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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  12. I must...I must ....I must read this. 🤪
    leliamae54(At)aol(dot)com

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  13. Interesting. Nice review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  14. I always love a good Sarah E. Ladd novel. This is on my want to read list.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. You keep finding books that I want to read. Keep it up girlie! <3

    "THE THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR" sounds like a settle in for a while all nice and comfy because I'm not going to want to stop reading. And such a lovely cover!

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. My aim is to overwhelm your wishlists, Kay. Good luck!

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  16. Replies
    1. It promises all kinds of possibilities, doesn't it? Good luck, SIS!

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  17. Great author! I have book one in this Cornwall series. Please add me to the draw for book two! Thank you, Kav. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. You need the complete set for sure...hoping there's a book three as well. Good luck, Kathleen!

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  18. No need to say anything more than Sarah Ladd....she's a must-read author! I'm surprised it's not inspirational though as she is a Christian writer. So sad when publishers choose to keep faith out of the pages.

    But still...it's Sarah Ladd!! 😊

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Yes to Sarah Ladd. Happy sigh. Sad about the lack of faith thread though. Even a subtle one would have been appreciated and she's done that before in other stories. Good luck, Trixi!

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  19. We just finished Poldark on Prime, too! Got the Last season from the library. Wow does this sound good! My favorite genre. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Thanks again for such a wonderful selection of books!

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  20. Fantastic review! This book is on my TBR and I'm excited that it has a gothic Regency feel. Thanks for the chance!

    usedtextbooks5(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thanks, Chanel. Hope you get to read this one soon. You won't be disappointed. Good luck!

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  21. Love the cover, sounds like a great read.
    sonflower277(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  22. I haven't read a book by Sarah Ladd in years! Thanks for the review and giveaway! iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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    1. Perfect place to start up again. Good luck, Beauty!

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  23. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. You had me at Poldark and mystery!! Thanks for the captivating review, Kav! I'm all in on reading The Thief of Lanwyn Manor!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book! ~Alison Boss

    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's a lethal combination for sure. Good luck, agboss.

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  25. Lovely cover. Thanks for the chance.

    positive DOT ideas DOT 4you AT gmail DOT com

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  26. Sarah E. Ladd does writes a beautiful book! I loved the Gothic atmosphere and I really was guessing the whole time. No need to enter me in this one. Loved the review!

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    1. I have such a fondness for Gothic vibes in a novel. Happy Sigh.

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