Ashes on the Moor

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!
WITH AN IRISH HERO
FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

EDEN, SARA M.

ASHES ON THE MOOR

When Evangeline is sent to live in a small mill town in Northern England as a schoolteacher in 1871, she finds herself struggling to fit in with an unfamiliar culture.

Raised with the high-class Victorian values and ideals of a sophisticated upbringing, she is unprepared for the poverty she finds in the gritty factory town of Smeatley, where the locals speak with a hard-to-understand Yorkshire accent and struggle to thrive with few resources or opportunities.

Though she has no training as a teacher, she must prove herself successful before her grandfather will release her substantial inheritance to her and allow her to be reunited with her younger sister, the last remaining member of her family after a fever claimed the lives of her parents and brothers.

Evangeline's sudden change in circumstances is complicated when her aunt -- a woman who values class distinctions more than her family relationships -- forbids her from acknowledging any connection to her or to her grandfather, Mr. Farr -- the man who owns nearly the entire town. For the first time in her life, Evangeline is truly alone.

****There is a ton more in this book blurb but I stopped it here because the rest is like reading a synopsis of the whole book! Revealed way to much in my opinion!***

My Review:

published in 2018

 "Christy" (Catherine Marshall) set in a small Yorkshire mill town with a bit of Bronte a air.  Eden brings drama and conflict to life in this atmospheric look at class differences in Victorian England. There are characters to love...and hate! And even some who surprised me. Lives intertwined for better or worse on the Yorkshire moors. 

Delicious shiver of readerly delight!

We meet Evangeline on the day of her family's funeral. Unfortunately, we also meet her overbearing, spitefully vindictive aunt as well. And that first scene sets the tone for the rest of the book. Ashes on the Moor isn't bereft of humour, but it isn't as lighthearted as some of Eden's more recent works. Oh, there's banter between the hero and the heroine -- but there's more of an edge to it. And the nature of the story is more drama than comedy. But it's beautifully told and the author captures a depth of emotions, pulling her readers into the turmoil that has become Evangeline's life. My heart still feels a tad bruised. :-)

So, this is a bit of an enemies to more romance. Irish brick mason Dermot is not happy to be saddled with the unexpected care and keeping of the new school teacher who is clearly out of her depth. Sure and he's surly as can be when we first meet him, but then he's an Irishman transplanted among the English and he might have a chip on his shoulder about that. Best you discover his story on your own so I'll say no more.

Evangeline is clearly shell shocked when we first meet her. Who wouldn't be after losing all her family to a vicious fever? But her aunt has deliberately set her up to fail and is gloating all the while. But meek, resigned Evangeline slowly develops a backbone and the ability to look beyond her own trauma and into the difficult lives of her ragtag students.

Phew! This story played havoc with my emotions but I was cheering in a most unladylike fashion by the end (those staid Victorians would be appalled!)

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Justine Eyre (who is one of my favourite narrators!) and couldn't put this book down. The perfect pairing for my discerning literary ear!

Please note: while not a Christian Fiction selection it is an inspiring clean read.

Goal Update: #6 Diversify my reading, Yorkshire! #8 Play author catch-up

  GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or e book copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Ashes on the Moor, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 March 19 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck