The Letter from Briarton Park

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LADD, SARAH E.

THE LETTER FROM BRIARTON PARK

In Regency England, one letter will alter a young woman's fate when it summons her to Briarton Park -- an ancient place that holds the secrets of her past and the keys to her future.

Cassandra Hale grew up knowing little about her parentage, and she had made peace with the fact that she never would. But Cassandra's world shifts when a shocking deathbed confession reveals a two-year-old letter from Mr. Clark, the master of Briarton Park, with hints to her family's identity. Stung by betrayal, she travels to the village of Anston only to learn Mr. Clark has since passed away.

James Warrington is a widower and the new master of Briarton Park, where he lives with his two young daughters, his sister, and his mother-in-law. When Cassandra appears at his doorstep with a letter from the previous owner and then proceeds to assist his family in an unexpected way, he is honor bound to help uncover the answers she seeks.

The more time Cassandra spends in Anston, the more she begins to suspect not everything -- or everyone -- is as they seem. As details emerge, the danger surrounding her intensifies. Using wit and intuition, she must navigate the treacherous landscapes between truth and rumor and between loyalty and deception if she is to uncover the realities of her past and find the place her heart can finally call home.

My Review:

Jane Austen-esque with a hint of mystery. 

There are all kinds of secrets just waiting to be exposed -- from Cassandra's past to Briarton Park's complicated family dynamics...not to mention the mysteries the house itself holds within it's walls. Plus there's a village brimming with locals who might just be harbouring things they want kept hidden as well. And Cassandra's arrival proves to be the catalyst that stirs up an emotional tempest of intrigue and romance. What a thrilling read!

Loved the pacing and the way the author slowly reveals key bits of the plot until you think you finally have all the pieces to solve the mystery...only you don't because there are even more startling discoveries lying ahead! And the way Ladd develops the relationship between Cassandra and James is sweet perfection and not without it's own drama!

I'm always thrilled when I see that Sarah E. Ladd has a new book coming out and, after reading The Letter from Briarton Park I'm reminded why. 

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading, Yorkshire setting, #7 Start new-to-me series

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 The Letter from Briarton Park, 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 26 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The Light at Wyndcliff

 

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LADD, SARAH E.

THE LIGHT AT WYNDCLIFF 

In the third book of this sweet Regency Cornwall series, one young man must search for truth among the debris of multiple shipwrecks on his newly inherited property.

When Liam Twethewey inherits the ancient Wyndcliff Hall in Pevlyn, Cornwall, he sets a goal to fulfilling his late great-uncle's dream of opening a china clay pit on the estate's moorland. When he arrives, however, a mysterious shipwreck on his property -- along with even more mysterious survivors -- puts his plans on hold.

Evelyn Bray has lived in Pevlyn her entire life. After her grandfather's fall from fortune, he humbled himself and accepted the position of steward at Wyndcliff Hall. Evelyn's mother, embarrassed by the reduction of wealth and status, left Pevlyn in search of a better life for them both, but in spite of her promise, never returns. Evelyn is left to navigate an uncertain path with an even more uncertain future.

When the mysteries surrounding the shipwreck survivors intensify, Liam and Evelyn are thrown together as they attempt to untangle a web of deceit and secrets. But as they separate the truths from the lies, they quickly learn that their surroundings -- and the people in it -- are not as they seem. Liam and Evelyn are each tested, and as a romance buds between them, they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome their growing differences.

My Review:

An atmospheric Regency with a Gothic flare that brings to mind classics written by Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. I made the acquaintance of those authors waaaay back in high school when I was finally allowed to venture into the adult section of the public library. I was completely entranced by this type of trope and I felt the same sort of thrill embarking on this delightfully mysterious visit to Cornwall. Love when a story brings nostalgia into the reading mix.

Also love the fresh twists Ladd brings to the genre. It's Liam who has inherited the gloomy, long neglected estate and Evelyn who has lived there most of her life as the steward's granddaughter. That role reversal was not only fun to read but brought different kinds of tension into play. And mercy, but there is tension galore in this novel! Between the villagers and the new lord. Between the steward and the new lord. Between Evelyn and the new lord. Get my drift? Liam's welcome isn't very...well...welcoming. 

And then we have the wild Cornish coast -- the moors and the sea and all manner of dangers both natural and man-made. The sordid and complicated lives of smugglers and wreckers and excise men. Loads of shivery delight as Liam and Evelyn draw together to solve the mystery on their doorstep. All that and a sweet, budding romance besides. It's a Regency Reader's Heaven!

Please note: This is another Thomas Nelson (Christian Publisher) novel that can't be classified as Christian Fiction due to the lack of any faith thread. It is  a clean read though.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

Giveaway available in paperback or ebook -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Light at Wyndcliff, 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 November 21 2020. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

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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!

The Governess of Penwythe Hall

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LADD, SARAH E.
THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL

Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she'd never escape its hold

Cornwall, England 1811

Blamed for her husband's death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer's unexpected death and his last request for her to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can't abandon the children now that they've lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall...back on the Cornish coast she's tried desperately to forget.

Jac Twethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall's once-flourishing apple orchards, and he'll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn't heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced, he battles both grief at his brother's death and bewilderment over the sudden responsibility. Jac's priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess -- and the mystery shrouding her past -- proves to be a distraction to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall series introduces us to the Twetheway family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

My Review:

Sqqqqquuuuueeeeeee!!!! THUD. I'm bruised from head to toe from all the body slams onto my fainting couch (I'm an energetic swooner when it comes to Gothic + Regency.) And...oh my...I'm still reeling in a kaleidoscopic state of tizziness after finishing this sublime read. It took me back to my early teens when I discovered a treasure trove of Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney books at my public library. I got that same thrill of anticipation as I started to read Governess of Penwythe Hall. I mean -- Cornish coast -- a struggling ancestral home -- a reticent hero -- smugglers -- danger! I feel a surge of fangirling excitement welling up inside of me just remembering it all!

"If you lean on your faith, you'll arrive at a destination created just for you."

And what a journey Ladd takes Jac and Delia on! Enticing descriptions and a mysterious ambiance lulled me into a stupor of bibliophile bliss. A romance that manages to be both sweet and passionate, the specter of danger, a shroud of mystery and cutthroat action -- all the elements essential for this genre with the added bonus of a gentle faith thread woven throughout. Sweet Perfection! And....

Sqqqquuuuueeeeeaaallllll!!!! It's the first book in the Cornwall series so start counting down the days until The Thief of Lanwyn Manor releases in January 2020!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 May 25 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Weaver's Daughter

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LADD, SARAH E.

THE WEAVER'S DAUGHTER

Kate's loyalties bind her to the past. Henry's compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?

Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families assunder -- including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns deep her father's pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war seeking refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather's plans to modernize the family's wook mill, ignoring the grumblings from local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family's livelihood and legacy.

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings contine to bring her to Henry's side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with a powerful decision that will forever affect her village's future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, their village, and their souls -- even if it means risking their hearts in the process.

My Review:

Um...wow? Is that all I have to say? Well, maybe more like WOW!!!!!!!!!! (exclaimed in a hyperventilating gasp of awe accompanied by recurring rushes of goosebumps.) I mean this is the kind of all-encompassing, emotion-stirring, heart-snatching thrill of a read that's certain to send an avid reader into a tailspinning swoon. And it takes you ages to get through because your mind is on fire with all the possibilities that might be on the horizon for this hero and heroine. So you have to stop reading, catch your breath and dream ahead a bit before you can bring yourself to continue. Because if you read The Weaver's Daughter too fast it will be over too soon, but if  you linger too long in the miry muck of angst you're libel to suffer long-term ill effects.

Oh dear, if that sounds like addled jibberish, well, that's what this story has reduced me to. I shall try to rally my sensibilities and strive for a coherent thought or two.

Think North and South. Not the American war between the states mini-series but the British period drama. If you loved that movie, you will LOVE this novel. Weavers versus millers at a time when innovative thinking was threatening the livelihood of traditional occupations. The moral dilemma of child labor. A forbidden Romeo and Juliet kind of love (only with a much happier ending!) Tyrannical patriarchs who stir the unrest into a broiling fury of emotions. Any one of these elements would promise an enthralling read but combine them all and it's positively spellbinding!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Weaver's Daughter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 Sunday August 5 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Stranger at Fellsworth

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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!

Dawn at Emberwilde

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LADD, SARAH E.
DAWN AT EMBERWILDE

Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father's death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news o unknown relatives turns Isabel's small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family's invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocated to Emberwilde, a srawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumours and ominous folklore -- along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it -- in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

My Review:

Following in the exquisite tradition of Austen and Bronte, Sarah E. Ladd has created an enticing Regency romance with a bit of a Gothic flare. An orphan heroine who suddenly finds herself with an estranged family, an ancestral home steeped in mystery and two men to complicate her life. A tale told in such delightful prose it begs to be read aloud.

I devoured this book in one day. Shivering in delight when a certain gentleman appeared on the page. Shuddering with disdain when another dared make an appearance. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot as Isabel is led through a maze of subterfuge and betrayal before all becomes clear. Just the kind of thing for a cool rainy day read.

A subtle faith thread comes courtesy of Isabel's Fellsworth School friend, Mary.  "Remember, with each dawn seek guidance, and with each night give gratitude. For there is a divine plan for each of our lives, and a journey, and you have started yours." p.58 I love Mary for those words of counsel and I'm pretty sure that she will be the heroine in the next Treasures of Surrey novel. I'm really looking forward to getting to know her better.

A captivating read that's sure to delight Regency and Gothic fans alike.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sladd

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Dawn at Emberwilde please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 12 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Curiosity Keeper

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LADD, SARAH E.
THE CURIOSITY KEEPER

“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whomever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop on Blinkett Street. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille has no choice but to accept help from the mysterious stranger who came to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content working as a village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may or may not be the answer to his questions.

Curious circumstance throws them together, and an intricate dance of need and suspicion leads the couple from the seedy backwaters of London to the elite neighborhoods of the wealthy to the lush, green Surrey countryside—all in the pursuit of a blood-red gem that collectors will sacrifice anything to possess.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, each will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

My Review:

My Regency lovin' heart is pitter-pattering a rapid staccato beat once again. Can't explain why I love this time period so much but I do! Curling up with The Curiosity Keeper turned a bad day into something so much better. I love it when an author can sweep me away on page one and Sarah E. Ladd did just that.

I connected to Camille right away. It felt like the sharp shards of her brokenness pierced my own heart somehow.  My emotions ran all over the place on her behalf. From wild indignation to rampant rage to heart crushing sorrow. Camille was much more stoic in the face of adversity than I was during this read!

I love the fact that nobly bred Jonathan works as the village apothecary. He's such a contradiction of the time and doesn't quite fit with his own family. He's kind and compassionate, and has such an engaging bedside manner -- I came near to swooning in those scenes. Such a gentle man.

Camille and Jonathan's action-packed first meet sets the course for a dramatic tale full of intrigue and danger. That mystery casts a shadow over their chance at happiness though. Trusts have been broken. Family torn asunder. Greed and deceit threaten. There is a quiet message of hope in God's ability to bring about good from evil and the resounding climax of this story is a testimony of that.

A superb Regency that you'll want to gobble up in one sitting.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Curiosity Keeper please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 4 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Lady of Willowgrove Hall

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LADD, SARAH E.
A LADY OF WILLOWGROVE HALL

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Darbury, England, 1819

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she’s desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father’s position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breathe a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he’ll never be free to find his own way in the world. He’ll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long kept?

My Review:

I'm all a twitter over yet another captivating Regency novel by this author. Honestly, open book and fall through time. The temptation to curtsy when greeting my boss was nearly impossible to resist. And I had the strongest urge to ring for the maid to help me dress in the morning. Such a disappointment when she didn't make an appearance. Luckily Ladd's exceptional writing enabled me to live Regency through the eyes of Cecily.

What an enthralling story. From the historical details to the compelling plot, I was totally hooked. Love the conflict and angst created by the layers of secrets and the surprising results when those secrets finally come to light. And the romance...be still my heart. Doomed by their secrets, Nathaniel and Cecily both feel they can't act upon their deepening attraction. Talk about keeping a reader on tenterhooks! A definite must read for historical lovers...especially Regency ones.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Lady of Willowgrove Hall please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 26 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

My thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group and the publisher for my review book.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sladd



The Headmistress of Rosemere

 

GIVEAWAY

LADD, SARAH E.
THE HEADMISTRESS OF ROSEMERE

Patience Creighton has devoted her life to running her father’s boarding school. But when the enigmatic master of the estate appears at her door, battered and unconscious, the young headmistress suddenly finds her livelihood—and her heart —in the hands of one dangerously handsome gentleman.

At twenty-five, Patience Creighton is already a spinster. The busy headmistress of Rosemere always expected a dashing man to sweep her off her feet and take her away . . . but that man never came. And since her father’s death, keeping the school running and her mother happy has been plenty to keep her occupied.

William Sterling dallied his way into financial trouble and mortal danger. When he is assaulted by his creditors’ henchmen on the road home from a tavern, he guides his horse to the doorstep of his tenant, the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. After being tended to by Patience, the wounded William rides off into the dawn—but makes a point to learn more about the lovely headmistress.

As he spends more time at Rosemere, something delicate begins to develop between William and Patience. But that will not deter William’s creditors. With little money to repay his debts, and less for the upkeep of his estate, it becomes clear that sacrificing Rosemere may be the only way to preserve his legacy. But it may also cost him his happiness.

My Review:

Ladd had me captivated from the very first sentence. I love the way her words transport me to another time and place. She has created an ambiance that makes it so easy to slip out of my crazy world and into a more genteel time. Not without it's share of problems, mind you, but an escape just the same. I didn't want to shake myself free from this story.

There's nothing like a reforming hero who is struggling to mend his ways. Especially when he's smitten by an upstanding lady who possesses heart and compassion and courage in spades. The dynamics between the two -- the way their acquaintance turns into friendship and finally love  -- makes for a sublime read.

If you are looking for an escape read that's better than a vacation then The Headmistress of Rosemere is the book for you!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 16 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

The Heiress of Winterwood

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LADD, SARAH E.
THE HEIRESS OF WINTERWOOD

Darbury, England, 1814

Amelia Barrett gave her word. Keeping it could cost her everything.

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s baby. She’ll risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to the child’s father—a sea captain she’s never met.

When the child vanishes with little more than an ominous ransom note hinting at her whereabouts, Amelia and Graham are driven to test the boundaries of their love for this little one.

Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she’s forced to examine her soul and face her one weakness: pride.

Graham’s strength and self-control have served him well and earned him much respect, but chasing perfection has kept him a prisoner of his own discipline. And away from the family he has sworn to love and protect.

Both must learn to have faith and relinquish control so they can embrace the future ahead of them.

My Review:

 I'm in a swoon of Regency euphoria! What a brilliant debut novel! Ladd has a lovely, flowing style -- lots of gorgeous historical details and I think she got the time period's conversation just right. The combination catapulted me into history and I do so love getting lost in a book!

Ameila is a determined (alright, stubborn), heroine. I loved the contrast between her behaviour and the 'acceptal' deportment of a young lady in that time period. And Graham doesn't know what to make of her!

An added suspense element really gives this story a kick and I found myself in rabid-reader mode which led to a near sleepless night just so I could reach the end in a timely fashion! If you love Regency, this just might be the next book for you!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Heiress of Winterwood, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 28 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!