Within the Dark Hills

by Sian Ann Bessey

Desperate to escape the unwanted advances of a cruel master, chambermaid Annie Morgan runs miles through stormy weather to find sanctuary at the home of Reverend and Mrs. Davies. Without family and tainted by scandal, she’s in dire need of a new identity and an occupation to match. Equally bleak is the future of Evan Powell, a miner who harbors dreams of escaping the black mines that are slowly killing him and finding refuge under the promised blue skies of America. But recently, the wife who Evan adored died, leaving the devoted father struggling to care for his young daughter, Jane.

To benefit both Annie and Evan, the kindly reverend arranges a marriage of convenience, one that is quietly contracted in a hasty ceremony—an event that sparks pointed gossip among those in the small Welsh town and outright rejection from Evan’s family. Annie must tread carefully lest she let slip anything about her past— particularly when she learns that her former master has been afoot, inquiring about a missing maid. More importantly, she feels she must avoid any emotional entanglements with Evan, who remains devoted to his beloved deceased wife. But as Evan works with Annie to care for Jane, Evan knows their relationship is growing into something more and must face the torments of a divided heart. And in the midst of Mormon missionaries preaching a strange new religion, disaster strikes the town and Annie’s troubled history can no longer be hidden.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Lds Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Lds, Historical Romance

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S., where she earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today best selling author and a Whitney Award finalist.
Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Reviews

[Chanae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really a 1.5 star book for me. This story was a type of "arranged marriage" love story, which I usually like but this one was just too rushed and predictable to enjoy. And then at the end the author had to throw in a quick conversion to Mormonism and send them on their way to Zion - all within 2 chapters or so - with hardly no trouble or heartache or persecution for this decision - and then the end. Really? I am a Mormon. I like historical Mormon/LDS fiction, reading about the pioneers and the early conversion stories and treks to Zion. But the way it was just throw in to this story I would say made it even more rushed and unbelievable. If you are going to have a conversion story (to any religion, not just the Mormon/LDS church) there should be time for the characters to really be converted so the reader believes that they believe it. I'm sure there are many of my fellow Mormons who will disagree with me, but that's just my personal preference when it comes to historical LDS fiction. This was a disappointing read for me.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie has to escape her employer in Wales. Evan is trying to work in the mines and care for a young, motherless daughter. A preacher suggests for them to enter a marriage of convenience, but will that solve everything? Annie still has to hide and Evan isn't sure his heart will ever heal enough to love again.

I wasn't too sure I'd like the story as it was started to build, but I ended up loving it!! I love how tough Annie is--not only physically, but mentally. Although the tongues are wagging all around her and she is shunned by her new sister-in-law, she manages to hold her head high and carry on. Evan is amazing too. He's been saving for America forever, but when hard times fall upon his sister, he dips in to help out--even though it's clear she's angry with him for being hasty.

I hope there's another book coming--it ends with a semi-cliffhanger and I really want more.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Loved Loved this book! Such a clean, sweet read. Little bit tense here and there so couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Couldn't put it down from the very beginning to the very end.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars may be a bit of a stretch but given I had Welsh ancestors I felt a kinship to the characters. I loved the Reverend, and I loved Will Gap, and so many other bit characters. They added so much to the story! The dangers and challenges of coal mining were well depicted. It made me appreciate my cushy office job. The story was a little predictable but there were enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. Go in with an expectation of a 3 star book and I think you will enjoy the read.

[Jen Geigle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enlightening book to read about the situation for Welsh miners. I found it really helpful in my research and enjoyed as always, a book by Sian Bessey.

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book to read because I have Welsh ancestors. My ancestors lived in the south of Wales, where this book is located in the northern part of Wales. Coal mining in the 1800’s was a dangerous occupation. Within the Dark Hills weaves a story of danger, a little romance, and the love of friends.

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars from me on this one! While I did like this story it was really weak in a lot of parts and really rushed in others. I felt like I didn't believe in what was being sold to me. I think with a little development this would have been a more enjoyable read. I did find parts of it enjoyable I just felt a bit cheated out a potentially good story.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I learned a lot about the coal mines in Wales. I am certainly glad my husband and children aren't involved in mining. The love story was sweet and compelling with such great characters. It is always nice to have a satisfactory ending. I will be looking for more from this author.

[June Guymon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Within the Dark Hills” is a sweet romance novel set in Wales during the mid-1800s. It is a quick read that will speak to most young female readers. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read and was an interesting story. I liked the historical information about the miners in Wales. It didn't sound like a good life at all!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, well-paced, with interesting characters. I have Welsh ancestors that emigrated to America about this time period, so this was of special interest to me.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story contains lots of fascinating information about what mining life was like in 1800s Britain. "Within the Dark Hills" takes place in Wales around this time. The main characters are twentysomething Annie who is fleeing for her life in the pouring rain when we meet her and Evan Powell the very young, handsome, good and decent Godfearing widower with a young daughter who slaves away in the coal mine like all the other men in his community. When we meet Evan, a devastating accident/explosion has just occurred and much of the book is spent with Evan in his highly dangerous work environment. If you've ever seen "How Green Was my Valley" this book will make you want to go watch it again.

Seeing the perfect matchmaking opportunity when a soaking wet and scared Annie arrives on his doorstep, the victim of sexual harassment, Reverend Davies introduces them to each other and suggests they marry right away-for Annie it means protection from the snobby, rich landowner she was working for who made those unwanted advances and the lonely man who needs a mother for his daughter. LDS missionaries will be visiting the area soon as well, so this story was a page turner and I enjoyed reading it as Annie and Evan's slow burning romance for each other grew but the author could easily have done an Anita Stansfield and stretched this plot out into a couple more books with Annie and Evan struggling with PTSD, mourning for lost wives, creating a new blended family, and all the drama that comes with immigrating to a new land and the lifestyle changes a new religion would bring. I would like to have spent more time with these characters and these issues, but, oh well.

Like other reviewers have commented, *spoiler alert* the last few chapters felt rushed as both Annie and Evan immediately accepted the gospel without any issues and were off to America with the other saints. I felt it could've gone on longer. A sequel to this story would've been nice but this book was published in 2012 and this author has since moved on to other projects. I liked Bessey's latest book, "The Noble Smuggler" which is why I went back to the library to pick up this older work as she is a good writer.

Don't pay any attention to that model on the cover. Annie is NOT a redhead, in fact, she is distinctly described in the book as having DARK hair and eyes. Other than that and the rushed story resolution at the end, it was not a bad read. Nothing offensive and everyone who picks this up should also enjoy it.

[Danielle Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mormon conversion story

I guess it was my mistake to not read the reviews. Sian Ann Bessey is an awesome author and writes very well, however I felt tricked into buying a book that was pretty much pushing the author’s belief system.
And possibly trying to preach to the reader. I paid for this book! If I wanted a lesson on Mormon faith I will talk to them at my door. But I should not get it this way.

Possibly as this book was inspired by her grandfathers life as a minor, maybe this is how her family converted to the Mormon faith, but regardless, I don’t want to read about that history in my period romance novels.

I am very disappointed. As I choose not to continue reading the end of the book as I felt I was being preached to, it took the enjoyment out of an otherwise fantastic story.

All her other books I have read have not been like this and I’ve enjoyed them immensely.

Lesson learned. Read the reviews. I guess the summary of the story hinted at the inclusion of Mormon missionaries, so I should have read that fully as well.

[Christy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second great grandfather was a coal miner that came from Wales. We can only assume that his family mined coal in Wales. It's sad that he never escaped it and died in a mining accident in West Virginia. Not much to do with this book, but that's what it made me think of and how I relate to the story. I wish more people in Wales would take a DNA test so their matches would show up and we could find his (our) family there.
The story was good, average.

[Kambria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely characters and a message with depth

I love a story with hard-working and honest characters. A graceful, strong woman and a confident, compassionate man who struggle and strive and come out victorious- together! I loved learning about the Welsh people and the lovely message of the restored gospel towards the end. A satisfying and endearing book that I couldn’t put down! Love all of Sian’s books and this one is amazing!

[Jamille Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book that I've read from this author and I liked it. Very sweet love story set in Wales about two people who need each other and are put together by happenstance to help each other in their time of need.

It was a bit slow so I had a hard time staying focused or starting up again when I put the book down, but I liked it all the same.

[Krystle]

The baseline of the story was good but the actual development was lacking. I feel like it started out so well. Lots of potential that just wasn’t given the right attention. There weren’t enough details to help the reader picture as the story progressed. All that being said did I still enjoy it? Yes. Yes, I did.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story that unfolded between the hero and heroine was not surprising at all, but I liked the main characters, and enjoyed their story. However, what really made this book stand out for me were the details about Welsh mining life. The author's description is harrowing and a little hard to read for that reason, but also compelling. Reading this book reminded me how good I really have it.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful & uplifting

Not at all what I was expecting, but in a good way. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I worked with coal miners in one of my careers, and though I visited a mine it was one large enough to drive vehicles into, not like the conditions described here. A hard life even now, I can't imagine it then.

[Angela Whiteley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but the story was super predictable. The building of characters was shallow and the emotion was not written in a way that you connected with it. Despite all of that, it is a decent read and if you have nothing better I would recommend it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars for this historical fiction account of miners in the old Welsh country, and a woman who is protected by God from a fate worse than death. Realistic and simple. The LDS angle seemed a bit of an afterthought, but the story was Christian through and through. Sweet story.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story. I didn't expect it to have a tie to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the end, but it was nice. My ancestors came from Wales and actually did come over with Dan Jones. So that was fun to read a little about.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!! On its own it was a great read, but it was even more interesting to me because
My grandpa and his whole family were coal miners. My dad grew up in a coal mining town. And my ancestors are Welch. I can't wait to ask my dad more questions about them!

[JLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different story so for that reason I gave it 5 stars. It flowed nicely, easy to read, kept my interest and the author brought me vividly to the various places in the story. Reading a good book that gives me a view of history is a plus. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful read that also gives more insight to Irish mine workers and their perils. I can't believe what people did to make a living back then. I loved the relationship growth and lots of personal growth. Highly recommend it.

[Talitha McHatten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written

I really like this story and plot. The author is a talented writer. The hero and heroine converting to a religious cult was a nasty shock though so I will be very careful about this author in future!

[Karlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute book. I felt like the plot line with the missionaries was kind of thrown in at the last minute and was really disjointed with the rest of the story. I also kind of wished there was more romantic tension and less descriptions of babysitting.

[Cori Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the premise and the story of this book. It was so interesting to watch the relationships unfold. I will say I didn't love the confrontation before the ending. It was a little over the top for me. I won't say more in case you read it. Other than the last bit, it was a lovely read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mining in Wales was the main focus in this fictional account. Scary to know that men's lives back then were expendable--men's greed! I really enjoyed Annie and Evan's love story--early pioneers.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Kind of forgettable. I didn't appreciate that the author summarized so much of their falling in love. I'd rather she included these conversations she mentioned.