Replenish the Earth

by Anna Jacobs

In 1735 Sarah Mortonby’s mother dies in poverty, and a shocked Sarah finds she has inherited the family estate. Advised to sell the crumbling manor house to her neighbour, Mr Sewell, she visits it and decides to keep instead. Sewell is furious – and he is a man noted for getting his own way at all costs.

Desperately needing help to manage her land, Sarah proposes to her bailiff, Will Pursley, a man who was himself dispossessed of his farm by Sewell. Can they save the estate together? Will the oppressed villagers help them? And will the fondness growing between them turn into love?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, my period for everyday history is the early modern period specifically 1660-1750 but for some reason I just could not get into it. Maybe it was me being in the wrong headspace, I began it in April when I was finishing my dissertation and degree. It just wasn’t a book I couldn’t put down and when I did I never found a good time to pick it back up as my sleeping pattern is horrendous. But I made the effort to finish the book and read the last 100-150 pages in just over a day (spent the whole of 20/7/2019 finishing the last 90 ish) and I did enjoy it! There just seemed to be something missing and I can’t put my finger on it exactly. The spelling and grammar mistakes in my copy also didn’t help the flow but that was probably publication error. Overall I did love the book and would recommend and will likely come back and read again in the future when I’m in a better headspace just at this time I couldn’t get into it as much as I hoped I would

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book AnnaJacob is becoming one of my favourite Authors and can’t wait to read more of her books
Was so pleased that Sarah’s life was turned around and eventually got what her family deserved and she ended up with Will the man she loved from the minute they met and it wasn’t a marriage of convenience
Great book x

[Mrs S E Munro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

A good read but not as good as her usual storyline. Anything by this author is well worth reading. Love the social history.

[John Milliner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her best books. Interesting as always but not gripping. It wasn't a patch on "Like No Other", a story of much the same time.

[Ness Kingsley · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars. (one for the title, half for the innocent cattle)

Perhaps it wasn't entirely my cup of tea but it had its charms and I bought it because the title is brilliant and the question of Can a marriage of convenience lead to true love? combined with that title ... I was helpless against its wiles.

Also the hero keeps on comparing women to cows and is completely serious about it. I just ... obviously I had to read it.

Also - the final line in this quote cast me into HYSTERICS:

To his surprise, she flung her arms round his neck.
"Don't talk like that, Will! Don't ever talk like that! I need you in so many ways! I shall always worry that I forced you into a marriage that is distasteful. What have I to offer a man? I'm not even pretty!" And she burst into tears.

"Sarah! Sarah!" He lifted her face from his shoulder and kissed her on the mouth for the first time, kissed her good and long. "How do you go on about not being pretty!" He said when he drew away, smiling down at her. Her shook her slightly to emphasis his words. "I like your face well enough, I promise you. And I like your company, too. I believe we shall do very well together."

Then he patted her on the shoulder and walked back to his cows.

...

...

...

also: warning - wasn't expecting it but there's a random moment where a woman - who we've never met before - is raped. It was a sudden change in tone that I wasn't very happy with.

[Eowynselixure_book Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, the plot was immersive, the characters were well fleshed out, Sarah creates a found family in her home who support her. I loved Sarah's character although I did feel she was a bit too independent for the time period and historical accuracy. The story wouldn't have worked if she had been different though.

The love interest was mush deeper than your average puddle and likeable, I didn't enjoy that once he married Sarah the story focused on his arc, almost like the story became his own as did she.

The villain of the story commited terrible crimes the extremities of which were blamed on madness which is a trope I don't enjoy. However he did make the plot interesting.

Overall it was a good and enjoyable story but with flaws.

[Ann Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good read by Anna Jacobs. Sarah, still in her late twenties, thought she would be destitute when her beloved mother dies. However Sarah is overwhelmed to find she has inherited a large manor house. The sensible thing would be to sell it, however on seeing it Sarah falls in love with it and makes it her home. Sarah is blighted by a neighbour, Sewell, who is very angry that Sarah did not sell the land to him.

[Maxcine Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smashing read

The book relates to village life and the strength and skills villages have. It also shows the greed and unfairness of some people who have money and in position's of power. It takes a woman who's birthright is gentry but actions are of those who understand poverty actions support those born into poverty.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

From the first page to the last this book has been capturing. I have loved it and hope a continuation will be written. Thank you Anna Jacobs for giving us this amazing book. ❤❤❤

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah and Will

Another lovely read from Anna she does historical novels like no one else this was a joy to read well worth 5 STARS .

[Joan Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saga

Another brilliant read, I know that whenever I pick up a book by Anna Jacobs I will be in for another enthralling story.

[Leena Aluru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[william shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book brilliant author

[jeanette horner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Same type story as her other books but very good read,read it on a lazy wet Sunday and enjoyed it

[Sarah thatdivinationwitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it any first period drama reading in many a years. It didn’t disappoint. Loved Sarah and Will’s story. Anna writes in a unique and easy way too. You just sink into the pages.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and the time period it was set in.
The main character was easy to like and you just wanted things to work out for her.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "class" differences were interesting. I almost didn't check it out because of the cheesy artwork.

[Dpic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great story.

[Roslin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

[Sue Q]

Better than I expected - might try another book by this author