Amelia Barrett gave her word. Keeping it could cost her everything.
"Darbury, England, 1814"
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.
"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.
"Darbury, England, 1816"
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.
"A Lady at 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?"
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This series were my first books to read by this author. I found every story to have interesting characters, and the plots kept my interest. However, I would have to describe the romance element in each book as very "vanilla." I never got any sense of a building relationship, but more of a last chapter, end of story romantic conclusion. Not for me.
This collection is one of the best by Sarah E. Ladd. She has a way with her words, she just picks you up and takes you a great adventure. Her characters are ones you will not soon forget. All three of these novels were delightful.
So fun! This proper romance has a mystery that is intriguing and keeps your interest. Some go into to much detail of things surrounding the scene. This book has just the right amount. The author kept the story moving which also keeps my interest. I have read the second book in the series which can be read alone but both books are as equally mysterious and entertaining! Great swoon worthy romance as well!
This was a fabulous series!! Historical fiction is so much better when you see how little human beings really change despite technology and circumstance. I also wrote individual reviews for each book attached to their titles!
All three of these books are really good reading. At times the formality of life is tiresome but that was the way life was in the early 1800’s. Each story is different and doesn’t sequel the other. I think you will enjoy the read.
I can't tell you which book I liked the best, each one kept my I interest in a different way. All the characters were all suited to each other, would have liked to have read about the marriages of the first two storylines.
I feel like I’ve found the Jane Austin of Christian authors! I absolutely loved the stories of redemption and pictured characters from Pride and Prejudice as I read Sarah’s books! Well done ❤️
Good writing and interesting plots- I really enjoyed them. Book #1: 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.
Book #2: 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.
Book #3: 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.
Sarah Ladd has done it again with A Lady of Willowgrove Hall. She has written an historical romance that brings to mind the classic stories of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. This well-written Regency novel is a recommended read for fans of the genre.
Cecily Faire and Nathaniel Stanton are people with shameful pasts. Mistakes and indiscretions keep them from living the lives they want. Too many people are determined to chart their courses and leave them yearning for true love. Forgiveness is hard to come by and even harder to bestow, but it is the one thing that will set them free.
A well-researched setting and time period combine with strong characterization to produce a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ladd brings to life the manners and customs of the Regency period and includes details that bring about a wonderful sense of authenticity. Her characters are believable in their motivations and actions. Both major and minor characters are well-developed, not something you always find in a romance novel. The theme of forgiveness, both the need to give and receive it, is naturally woven through the story. And while modern readers may be surprised at the shame that followed Cecily and Nathaniel, I found it extremely relevant even today.
So if you are looking for an historical romance that is more than fluff — a book with both heart and soul — then check out A Lady of Willowgrove Hall.
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(Thanks to Thomas Nelson and LitFuse for a review copy of the book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Sarah Ladd is a new author to me. Her writing style and intriguing plot lines have taken her to the top of my "favorite authors" list. If you like Julie Klassen's books, you'll love this trilogy!
I enjoyed all 3 of the books in this collection very much, but The Heiress of Winterwood was my favourite. A sweet, clean regency romance. I like her writing style, it's easy to read and flows well. Fans of Edenbrooke will enjoy these books as well.