Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

About the book:

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Bethany House

 Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.
When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure.

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

My review:

Julie Klassen has masterfully woven a tale of treasure, intrigue and romance to turn the heads of any fans of Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters. With a mysterious character or two, a lost heiress and a secret room rumored to house a great treasure it is no wonder I could not put this book down until I had turned the very last page.

Abigale Foster has struggled to find her place amongst her family ever since she gave her father a misguided but well-meant piece of financial advice that left them close to broke. She has desperately been trying to make amends since then, going so far as to give up her dowry so her younger, prettier sister might still have her own season. Devastated after her childhood friend, whom she had thought to marry, turns his attentions to her sister, she is desperate for escape. When her family is mysteriously offered an old country estate at a price that is too affordable to turn down, she offers to go ahead to prepare their new home. However, all is not as seems in this mysterious old house with rumors of a lost treasure and missing heiress lurking like shadows.

             

Julie Klassen knows how to write a mystery, let me tell you! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another twist comes to shake things up. The way the mystery played out was very satisfying and the truth about the treasure seemed believable.

            

 There characters were all very well written and, for the most part, likeable. I really did not care for Abigale’s family or Clive, but these were minor characters that were not around too much. The romance was quieter than usual and I very much enjoyed that.

           

 Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to all regency fans. As always, I eagerly await Julie Klassen’s next novel.

 

Review: Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

About the book:

 

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

Bethany House

With Britain caught up in WWI, Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, has declared himself a conscientious objector. Instead, he secretly works for the Crown by tracking down German spies on British soil, his wild reputation and society status serving as a foolproof cover.

Blinded by patriotism and concern for her brother on the front lines, wealthy suffragette Grace Mabry will do whatever it takes to assist her country's cause. When she sneaks into a posh London masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice, she never imagines the chain of events she'll set off when she hands a feather to Jack.

And neither of them could anticipate the extent of the danger and betrayal that follows them--or the faith they'll need to maintain hope.

 

My review:

 

 

In the midst of WWI Grace Mabry, a young and idealistic suffragette, is sent to the country to avid the threat of German air raids. Meanwhile, Jack Benningham, a man of the peerage has been secretly routing spies for MI5 under the guise of conscientious objection. After a tragic accident leaves Jack blind, he retreats to his country estate where Grace is serving with the Woman’s Foraging Corps. With suspicions of treason and secrets at every turn can they overcome it all and accept each other for who they really are?

          

 This was a novel I had been greatly anticipating ever since reading For Such a Time, Breslin’s debut that was easily my favorite read of 2014. The wait was absolutely worth it! This book had it all; intrigue, romance and a bit of action to boot. With words that flew off the page, I could not put it down until I had turned the last page.

          

 The characters were superbly written and I enjoyed all of them, especially Jack, Grace and Clare Danner. Grace’s extreme patriotism and love for her brother often lead her to prematurely judge others yet, she grows greatly during her time with Jack and the WFC. She is also a fiercely loyal friend with an immensely kind heart and a desire to help those in need. Despite his external scars, Jack deepest wounds are internal and he must learn to listen to his heart and his damaged faith even when his head is telling him something completely different.

           

I cannot wait to read Breslin’s next book and would definitely recommend her novels!

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Review: The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

About the book:

The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

The Pathfinders: Book 1

WaterBrook Press

 At the wood's edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald's wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood's edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin's absence, another unaware of his twin's existence. And for Anna, who loves them both--Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

My review:

Let me start by saying what an absolute pleasure it was to read this story. Benton has such a way with words that the scenes were coming to life in my mind completely of their own free will. I thought I was getting a love story that would push boundaries and cross cultures and I did. What I wasn’t expecting was a sweeping family saga told through many tumultuous years and the eyes of such different, compelling characters. The story starts with a bang figuratively and literally. Major Reginald Aubrey makes a snap decision, driven by grief and fear, so resounding it affects and drives the lives of two separate families for years to come.

           
I was surprised to discover the romance between Two Hawks and Anna did not develop for quite some time and that I did not care one wink. I loved seeing the story unfold through Good Voice and Lydia’s eyes. They were such well written, strong characters who made me feel their emotions. I hurt with them, wept with them, longed with them and felt their peace and joy.

            
 This was my first read by Lori Benton and she has expertly earned a place as one of my must read authors. I eagerly await the continuation of this series and the continued journeys of these two families through the impending Revolutionary War.