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!