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The Shadowfields
"This is a beautifully written story that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen." ~Kristen Stieffel, freelance editor "A recommended read for your next carriage ride." ~ Catherine Bonham For uprooted orphan Elizabeth Corrington, nothing in life stays the same for long, not even home or family. When a new heartbreak brings her to live with her eccentric grandfather on the magnificent Shadowfield Estate, Elizabeth discovers not only the stability she has longed for, but also a world of freedom, adventure, imagination, and unexpected friendships. This new happiness is threatened, however, by a manipulative uncle with plans for her home and future. With the estate and her own fate on the line, Elizabeth must overcome the insecurities of her past and learn to fight for what - and whom - she loves.
124 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2016
5 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Mary Ruth Pursselley
6 books14 followersMary Ruth Pursselley is an Ozarks farm girl who has worked as a kennel assistant, stable hand, and janitor in the past. She currently teaches music and works as a freelance editor to pay the bills, since there's "not a lot of money in revenge". She's a Hobbit at heart, so she spends as much time as possible at home on her family's beef ranch, and enjoys expanding her personal library, studying creation apologetics, designing and wearing costumes every chance she gets, and drinking large amounts of tea.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2021
This story was precious. <3 I read this in little chunks before I went to bed each night because it was so chill, and sweet. I loved the characters and the setting. <3
July 30, 2022
A delightful novella!!
A short little piece to read for when you want to relax for a bit. A lovely protagonist with a heartfelt setting. Shadowfields seems like a home I want to live in😀
A short little piece to read for when you want to relax for a bit. A lovely protagonist with a heartfelt setting. Shadowfields seems like a home I want to live in😀
April 24, 2020
Age Appropriate For: 13 and up mild peril and very mild romance
Best for Ages: 13 to 30
Mary Ruth Pursselley (AKA Mary Schlegel) is a talented writer who I’ve enjoyed. This novella was one of those rare ones that has the depth of a novel, vibrant characters, lots of emotion. This author seems to do an excellent job with shorter works. Though, I enjoyed her fantasy novel I read as well.
One of the things that I love about reading indie authors is you can find sweet stories. You know, the old-fashioned kind where no one has weird problems and traumatic pasts do not always include things I would rather not read about. This story was a feel-good read, but not without its moments of sadness, and not without the main character going through some pain.
Elizabeth was a sweet girl but goes through some tough stuff. Also, she is willing to stand up to people when the situation calls for it. Sweet and strong. I love those kinds of girls. The secondary characters were great! I loved all of them.
The setting in England was beautiful and vivid. This author is great at painting word pictures without even using a lot of words. That’s probably why her novellas are so good.
I highly recommend this to those who like novellas, sweet historical fiction, and light reads that still have depth to them.
Best for Ages: 13 to 30
Mary Ruth Pursselley (AKA Mary Schlegel) is a talented writer who I’ve enjoyed. This novella was one of those rare ones that has the depth of a novel, vibrant characters, lots of emotion. This author seems to do an excellent job with shorter works. Though, I enjoyed her fantasy novel I read as well.
One of the things that I love about reading indie authors is you can find sweet stories. You know, the old-fashioned kind where no one has weird problems and traumatic pasts do not always include things I would rather not read about. This story was a feel-good read, but not without its moments of sadness, and not without the main character going through some pain.
Elizabeth was a sweet girl but goes through some tough stuff. Also, she is willing to stand up to people when the situation calls for it. Sweet and strong. I love those kinds of girls. The secondary characters were great! I loved all of them.
The setting in England was beautiful and vivid. This author is great at painting word pictures without even using a lot of words. That’s probably why her novellas are so good.
I highly recommend this to those who like novellas, sweet historical fiction, and light reads that still have depth to them.
September 15, 2018
This was . . . nice, but it almost didn't really feel like a book - it felt more like an opening chapter, or an excerpt from a diary. Nothing really happened aside from a series of nice events. There were some moments when it seemed like there was going to be an arc or a problem, but they never surfaced, and reminded vaguely in the shadows.
Not badly written, just rather boring.
Not badly written, just rather boring.
July 27, 2025
This book holds a lot of writing promise. The overarching storyline is enjoyable, the characters are well-drawn, and the nuts-and-bolts of the author's writing is strong. The story is charming in many respects. But this book is also flawed.
First, this is a novel length story told in the timespan of a novella. There's nothing inherently wrong with using a short format to tell a story that takes place over a long period of time, but in the case of this book, the story felt incomplete. I didn't feel like I was getting little glimpses into a character's life but more of an incomplete picture that was missing a few pieces.
Second, several potential conflicts arise throughout the book that are ultimately dealt with before you can really invest in them or feel much about them. You are clearly supposed to feel some degree of anxiety or concern when it looks like things are about to go wrong, but they never really do go wrong, and I never really felt worried. Everything always ends up going well for the main character.
Third, there are some issues with historical accuracy. The female lead has far more freedom than a young woman would have had at this time, especially a young woman with the elevated financial status she has. She also contemplates becoming a governess in the latter half of the book, which is also not accurate for a young woman of her status. Personally, I am willing to forgive some of the historical inaccuracy, because I think the author may have been somewhat young when she wrote this book, but I think it's worth mentioning for readers who care about historical accuracy in their stories.
In some ways, the book almost reads as slice-of-life, although I don't think this was the authors intent. Very little happens that is truly or permanently negative, and the overarching story is fairly simple with very little meaningful conflict. At the same time, however, some significant changes happen in the main characters life, and the thrust of the book does feel like the reader should be experiencing a sense of urgency at certain points.
Perhaps this story would have worked better for me more if there had been more historical accuracy. I could have read story like it were the diary of an average young woman from the time period living an average life. Or maybe if the story had been more fleshed out where the stakes really mattered, the villain had some real teeth, and there was real uncertainty over how things would go.
I want to be clear that I wouldn't say don't read this book. I can definitely see other people enjoying this more than I did. I actually let my mother read it first, and she really liked it. But I do think it's worth knowing the above things before going in. I think the author writes under a different name now (Mary Schlegel), and I would like to read some of her more recent work. While The Shadowfields has flaws, the writing is strong enough to make me think I might like some of her current stories.
First, this is a novel length story told in the timespan of a novella. There's nothing inherently wrong with using a short format to tell a story that takes place over a long period of time, but in the case of this book, the story felt incomplete. I didn't feel like I was getting little glimpses into a character's life but more of an incomplete picture that was missing a few pieces.
Second, several potential conflicts arise throughout the book that are ultimately dealt with before you can really invest in them or feel much about them. You are clearly supposed to feel some degree of anxiety or concern when it looks like things are about to go wrong, but they never really do go wrong, and I never really felt worried. Everything always ends up going well for the main character.
Third, there are some issues with historical accuracy. The female lead has far more freedom than a young woman would have had at this time, especially a young woman with the elevated financial status she has. She also contemplates becoming a governess in the latter half of the book, which is also not accurate for a young woman of her status. Personally, I am willing to forgive some of the historical inaccuracy, because I think the author may have been somewhat young when she wrote this book, but I think it's worth mentioning for readers who care about historical accuracy in their stories.
In some ways, the book almost reads as slice-of-life, although I don't think this was the authors intent. Very little happens that is truly or permanently negative, and the overarching story is fairly simple with very little meaningful conflict. At the same time, however, some significant changes happen in the main characters life, and the thrust of the book does feel like the reader should be experiencing a sense of urgency at certain points.
Perhaps this story would have worked better for me more if there had been more historical accuracy. I could have read story like it were the diary of an average young woman from the time period living an average life. Or maybe if the story had been more fleshed out where the stakes really mattered, the villain had some real teeth, and there was real uncertainty over how things would go.
I want to be clear that I wouldn't say don't read this book. I can definitely see other people enjoying this more than I did. I actually let my mother read it first, and she really liked it. But I do think it's worth knowing the above things before going in. I think the author writes under a different name now (Mary Schlegel), and I would like to read some of her more recent work. While The Shadowfields has flaws, the writing is strong enough to make me think I might like some of her current stories.
January 4, 2020
This heartwarming sweet and clean Regency romance novella, narrated in the first-person, made the reader feel the emotions and era personally. Just the right length single plot short book to leave one satisfied and with a smile of their face following a feel-good read. Recommended to anyone who enjoys this genre.
July 30, 2019
Refreshing and sweet, this book definitely made me smile. I’m sure the author could have gone more in depth and flushed the story out to be more detailed and intense, but it was, nonetheless, a simple and lovely read.
May 13, 2016
Shadowfields, by Mary Ruth Pursselley, is a Gothic novella that explores the human search for stability among life's continual changes.
Elizabeth is a young orphan who spends her formative years being shuffled from one relative to another. Always she wonders if the next place will truly be her home.
In a way I guess you could say that this novella is really about unrequited love. But not the way you think. After the death of her parents Elizabeth's uncle Roger takes her in. Then let's her go. He is the first person in her life to abandon her without dying. Poor little Elizabeth can't fathom this kind of betrayal.
It is only after achieving stability at her grandfather's house (Shadowfields), that she can finally see Uncle Roger for what he is. Hint: he's not a nice person.
Shadowfields plot moves at a steady pace and features characters that ring true, even on a psychological level.
A recommended read for your next carriage ride or for taking out to your secret garden.
Elizabeth is a young orphan who spends her formative years being shuffled from one relative to another. Always she wonders if the next place will truly be her home.
In a way I guess you could say that this novella is really about unrequited love. But not the way you think. After the death of her parents Elizabeth's uncle Roger takes her in. Then let's her go. He is the first person in her life to abandon her without dying. Poor little Elizabeth can't fathom this kind of betrayal.
It is only after achieving stability at her grandfather's house (Shadowfields), that she can finally see Uncle Roger for what he is. Hint: he's not a nice person.
Shadowfields plot moves at a steady pace and features characters that ring true, even on a psychological level.
A recommended read for your next carriage ride or for taking out to your secret garden.
January 25, 2016
Enjoyed this book
Couldn't put Shadowfields down! Enjoyed this story. Enjoyed the characters and settings. The sweetness of young romance and turmoil of life mixed into a satisfying read!
Couldn't put Shadowfields down! Enjoyed this story. Enjoyed the characters and settings. The sweetness of young romance and turmoil of life mixed into a satisfying read!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews