Havencross

by Julie Daines

When a shocking scandal involving her father spreads through London society, Elaine Cardinham and her parents are forced to retreat to their country home in Cornwall for refuge. But Havencross is no sanctuary for Elaine. She is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her brother—and the heartbreak she left in her wake all those years ago. It has been five long years since Gareth Kemp last saw Elaine—when she rejected his marriage proposal. Her reappearance convinces him of one he has never stopped loving her. To put his feelings for her aside, he focuses his attention on the dangerous smuggling plaguing the Cornish coast. As Elaine attempts to run from her past, she ventures ever closer to a dangerous truth—and Gareth may be the only one who can save her from a deadly finish.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Regency Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2017

Reviews

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author's writing style, so I was so excited to read her new book! And it did not disappoint. I felt transported to the setting and loved the rich historical details and descriptions of the landscape. Elaine and Gareth are easy to like, and I loved how their relationship developed as they grew close again. The danger and tension of the plot kept the pace moving steadily along and I felt like there was a good balance between the various aspects of the story. This is definitely a book I plan to read again and highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, ruination, a scandal, death, smugglers, King Arthur, childhood friend, the seaside, broken hearts, true love, castle ruins, horses, secret letters, deception, peril, stolen glances, soft touches of the hand, windblown hair, mindnight walks, caves and secret rendezvous...and much, much more.

I laid down to rest yesterday afternoon because I hadn't been feeling well, and opened up this book to enjoy while resting. Let me just say I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. Thank heavens for a quiet day. I had a lot of down time due to not feeling well over the weekend that I finished 3 books! Yes, 3! >.< I must say it was absolutely fabulous to rest and read, the not feeling well part was most definitely NOT fabulous. :-P I didn't like it one bit, my body hurt and wouldn't stop aching everywhere. So what do you do when that happens? Why snuggle in bed with lots of warm comfy blankets and read your heart out. Hee Hee! It helped distract me from the pain, and my mind was very happy with me.

Elaine escaped her home to London 5 years prior due to the disappearance of her dear brother. Now, her parents and her are racing back home to Havencross, escaping disgrace and ruin caused by her father. How will she ever find someone to save her from the pain and memories of home now? There is no one who will offer for her hand in marriage now. Her life will now consist of roaming the halls of her home, never talking with her father, being her mother's sole companion and comforter, avoiding the gossips of the area, long walks on the moors, walking to the castle ruins, walking the beach, encountering memories of her childhood, memories of her brother and their best friend Gareth, and doing all she can to avoid Gareth (the neighbor she also fled from years ago). Unfortunately fate has different plans for Elaine. All expectations she had for her imprisonment at Havencross will be thwarted by fate!

A mystery and a gentle romance that will sweep you into the pages as you wander the cliffs and ruins of this seaside town. You'll be racing through the night trying to escape the peril and danger with Elaine and Gareth. Can they uncover the clues and truths fast enough to save their friends and family or will all secrets remain hidden and their lives forever altered and changed from one decision?

I always enjoy a good story with plenty of mystery, intrigue and secrets. Julie Daines does a great job as an author adding those elements into her novels. The characters are very well written as well as the relationships and interactions between all characters. I loved the beginning, the ending, but most especially, the journey I experienced while reading this novel.

Content: Clean. Moments of peril, gun and swords used, murder, smuggling, kidnapping. Nothing graphic. And a handful of stolen kisses.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

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

I always enjoy this author's books and this one wasn't any different. I was expecting a nice, sweet Regency romance but got a great mystery/suspense as well. The mystery was gentle swirling in and out of the pages throughout the book, but the suspense isn't always present, which made it quite shocking and a fun surprise.

Elaine is a fun character because she's so brave and forthcoming for her time. She's resilient and strong, which makes her a perfect complement to both Gareth, a childhood friend. Gareth is more simple than the recent London citizen (Elaine) and feels a strong tie and connection to his Cornish roots.

The setting and plot are very engaging and I could picture the caves and cliffs quite well. The twists and surprises left me almost reeling at times, but don't get me wrong--I loved that! I was completely hooked from the first page until the last because this one is packed with danger, romance, friendship, and loyalties and it's one that Regency lovers won't want to miss.

Content: mild+ violence (death, fighting, killing); mild romance (sweet).

*I received a copy through the publisher, which had no affect on my opinion. All thoughts are my own.*

[Michelle Griep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smugglers. Cornwall. Romance. Danger. Win, win, win, win. Havencross is a great summer read to whisk you away to the cliffs of the English countryside. With a hearty does of Arthurian legend, this story is a fun Regency read. The writing is pretty straight forward, nothing unique or fancy, and the characters are exactly what they're supposed to be, from lovable to oh-my-goodness-I-want-to-kill-that-one! I give this one a thumbs up.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a straight up 10 star story, if there was such thing as 10 stars! Julie Daines is an absolute master, and I was sucked hook line and sinker into this Cornish tale of murder, smuggling, legends, scandal, mystery & lost love. Cornwall is such a beautiful county, with such rich history - it's one of my favourite places. I first went to Tintagel, Jamaica Inn & Bodmin Moor as a teenager, and I totally fell in love.

Imagine Poldark, Regency & the legends of Merlin & Camelot all rolled into one, and you have Havencross. Many attempt to write this era, and most do a fantastic job. This one however was the cream of the crop. There was zero predictability in the plot, I was constantly being surprised and I had no idea who would live or die!

Julie deserves a lot more national attention as a writer of this genre, with her classical style of story telling. This is my top pick for historical fiction for 2017. Absolutely stunning read that you will not put down, and curse the mundane life around you that gets in the way!

Thank you to Covenant & Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like a movie playing out in my head. It was so easy to visualize the scenes and the character interactions. I love when that happens. And isn't the cover so pretty? I love it.

Elaine has been publicly humiliated, her family disgraced. They move from London to Havencross in Cornwall. There Elaine has to face not only her buried feelings of loss for her brother, but the love she left behind- Gareth.

Gareth is a steady sort of man. Strong. I loved him.

This book was an excellent mixture of mystery, intrigue and romance. I loved how the mystery played out and how the book built in intensity. So very good!

Content: mild violence, death

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some hard lessons learned in this book! I think I could also learn a thing or two from it!

This story kept me on my toes and had me finishing it without making dinner! There is action, adventure and second chances where the heart is concerned!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a slow start, I can't put my finger on what it is about this book that just didn't pull me in. It was more of a mystery with a lot of sad people that slowly developed into an even bigger mystery and eventually a love story. I think it unfolded just a bit odd for me. I enjoyed the end but still kept wishing for something. This is got some fun history in it and an amazing backdrop for a story. Very clean with a bit of violence.

[Tiffany Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Elena's mother began weeping immediately, probably because she had no knitting needles in hand to manage her grief."

"Sadly, however, he seemed unhurt."

"The sky was a brilliant blue this morning and all was still. Even the wind seemed to have lost its breath, but that could not last long."

These are some of my favorite lines from "Havencross," Daines' new Regency.

Elaine's family flees London on the heels of a scandal between her father and another woman. They return to Elaine's childhood home of Havencross--a part of the countryside known for smugglers. Gareth, the man whose suit Elaine refused five years ago, is still there and now the prosperous owner of a tin mine. Lord Chiverton is also there, having followed Elaine from London, and hoping to continue their relationship. But Elaine is devastated at the division in her family, and at the bleak future that rises ahead.

The helpful and charming ghost of Guinevere appears to Elaine during Elaine's wanderings one day and changes her future. With a little bit of a dark plot twist, two charming lads both named Will, and the bravery of Elaine and Gareth, Daines' weaves an exciting and unique Regency. This book is for those who like romance, but also like strong supporting characters and don't mind ghosts and dead bodies. The last half of the book flies by so don't start it if you don't have a solid block of time to read!

Highly recommended.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The writing was incredible with the setting so real, I felt like I'd been pulled back in time to Cornwall, England. The main character, Elaine has essentially been banished from London society because of a scandal with her father. I found it interesting how each person dealt with their new place in Cornwall after being gone for so long. I loved how Elaine connected with her surroundings, while at the same time wishing herself back in London. The developing romance with Gareth was well-done surrounded by several different mystery aspects. I love a great mystery and even though this novel is a regency romance, the mystery intertwined in the story is strong enough to delight mystery readers as well.
And of course, who wouldn't love the references to King Arthur of old as Elaine walked through the ruins of what might have been his castle. The little hint of magic around King Arthur and Gwenevere added another layer to the story that kept me reading. I look forward to reading more by Julie Daines.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this Regency Romance. It had elements of piracy, betrayl, love, King Arthur, and much more woven throughout the story. Elaine and Gareth were wonderful characters to get to know and love. Havencross itself was a beautiful setting that was perfect for everything that needed to happen, and it helped me fall in love with this particular area. Julie did a wonderful job of keeping the pages turning. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a story full of adventure love, intrigue, and forgiveness, this is the book for you.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about Julie Daines' books is that the mystery often takes center stage, and the romance perfectly complements the action and intrigue. LOVED the setting, loved Gareth, and it was so interesting learning all about smuggling.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love it, but I didn't. I felt like I never really connected to the characters or the story really. It was just ok for me.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly enjoyable read. (Grade B-).

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elaine Cardinham and her brother grew up in Cornwall until Elaine rejected their neighbor Gareth Kemp's, proposal of marriage, and her brother disappeared. Then she and her parents moved to London.

Fast forward 5 years and the family's suddenly moving back to their Cornwall home, Havencross, to hide from the disgrace a scandal involving Mr. Cardinham is bringing to the family. Elaine never thought she'd return to Havencross, and if she did it would be with a husband just visiting her family.

Elaine feels as if the happy life she envisioned for herself has been snatched away by her father's indiscretion. No one will want to marry her now. Her parents don't speak to each other, her father locks himself away in his library, which leaves Elaine playing companion to her mother. She relieves her stress by visiting childhood haunts where she, her brother, and Gareth played together.

I really liked the two main characters. Elaine was strong and brave, which was different for the women of her time, when they were expected to play piano, embroider, and other frivolous pursuits. Gareth was also a strong person, but kind. He took care of his recently widowed mother, and worked hard. He was perfect for Elaine, but could she see that, and if so, how long would it take her?

The author does a wonderful job describing the scenes and it was easy to envision it in my head as I read. This isn't just a love story, there are smugglers and possible ghosts from King Arthur's time. This is only my second book by Julie Daines and I've loved both of them, so it certainly won't be my last.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings)]

Really enjoyed this one! Review posting on the blog this week.

[A.L. Sowards · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it’s not my favorite genre, I enjoy a historical romance from time to time. But I like them to be clean, and I like the characters to have both internal and external obstacles to overcome. This book delivered on all fronts, with mystery, some past trauma, and run-ins with ruthless smugglers. A very enjoyable read with great characters and a great plot.

[Charity Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick recap: Elaine Cardinham's family must leave London after a scandal and retreat back to the country. Cornwall is full of memories that she never wishes to revisit. Of course, Gareth Kemp, her childhood friend, still lives there and has moved up in society. She is torn between her feelings for a rich Earl or a gentleman miner. Plenty of smugglers, adventure and romance abound.

My thoughts: Julie Daines is a new to me author. I always love the Regency era and this book didn't disappoint. It had a touch of the speculative to it, but overall it flowed well. Characters had depth and were lovable. I felt like the plot moved along at a great pace, although, it was definitely predictable. Definitely check it out! The link is in the pic above.

Thanks for this book in exchange for my thoughts! As always, this is my honest review! Here's to many more!!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I was glued to the pages of this book. It's a regency romance, but it also includes a mystery that had me turning pages long into the night!

The Cardinham family is rocked by scandal and must flee London to their estate in Cornwall. Elaine never wanted to come back to Havencross because it evokes too many memories of her brother who suddenly disappeared, and Gareth, the man who proposed to her and she refused. But nothing has stayed the same at Havencross. Gareth now owns the mine his family once worked for, and dangerous smugglers have infiltrated the coastline. Not to mention a handsome earl who comes to ask for Elaine's hand. But can she put the past behind her to find a future with the earl? Or will the secrets of Havencross put her in Gareth's path once again?

I loved so many things about this book. The setting was amazing and so well done, the love story was sweet and pulled me right in, and there were so many twists and turns to the plot---even when I thought I had it figured out, I was surprised! The character of Elaine was so relatable as she tries to sort out her feelings with the events happening around her. And there is more than one mystery going on. There's the mystery of what really happened to her brother. The mystery of what really happened between her parents. The mystery of why Elaine turned down Gareth's proposal. And the mystery of the wounded woman in the cave. And the writing is such that readers will get all the feels as Elaine figures it all out.

This is an expertly crafted story that readers will love! Definitely one of Ms. Daines' best books yet.

Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Daines is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always wonderful. I absolutely loved Havencross. I could tell Julie researched thoroughly for this book and it paid off. The setting itself was a character. With the beautiful descriptions and details, I could picture Cornwall. The story is beautifully told and I loved the suspense that was throughout the book as well. Elaine was a strong, smart and caring character. All of the characters were written well. Gareth was especially wonderful. I loved the seeds of hints that were planted along the way. I was not surprised by the "bad guy", but wow, so many exciting scenes and heart-pounding suspense kept me reading and reading and reading until I was done.

5 out of 5 stars. Everything this author writes is perfect!

I received a paperback copy from the publisher all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Britta Stumpp · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. I picked it up after reading both of Julianne Donaldson's books (which I loved) as a suggestion of similar reading material. It's a regency romance, but not as intensely internal as Blackmoore or Edenbrooke. While I found the Cornish countryside fascinating, the characters were rather flat. I just didn't get the sense that the two protagonists were very much in love at all. They seemed more like brother and sister actually, constantly antagonizing one another. It was cute. Fun to learn a bit more about Tintagel, but overall, just sort of....meh.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am beginning to love regencies more than almost any other genre, in part because society was so vastly different then than it is now. Women for the most part has no real role other than securing the best marriage match that will grow their own fortunes. It was all about society, propriety and wealth and the higher you climbed the more that was expected of you. Women for the most part were considered property unless their dowry allowed a marriage that would generously benefit all parties.

Take the traditional regency romances, we've all come to love like that of Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey or others and place it along a rich coastline filled with its own legends and stories, castles and myths like King Arthur and Camelot and the greatest love between Arthur and Gwenevere and you have the basics for the novel Havencross by Julie Daines. For the Cardinham family they had the title and prestige and up until their son John died, all was well. They had left for London in hopes of leaving that part of their past behind, their family home of Havencross in the small country village of Cornwall. But amid rumors of her father's soiled reputation they were forces to head home. It seems her father was seen having an affair with another woman and much to the families dismay, everything that they had hoped for was now in ruins. Even the match Elaine had secured with Lord Chiverton seemed lost as well.

She had left behind all her childhood memories, those she shared exploring the cliffs and caves, once rumored to house magical mysteries of Merlin and Camelot. Even those old castle ruins spurned many of their own legends and the childhood love she once had for Gareth Kemp were best kept in the past. She needed to figure out how she was going to find a future and with Gareth being less the above poverty, still working in the tin mines. So once more she wished upon the hand of Merlin's to find a way out of her mess. She wasn't expecting to find a wounded woman in one of the caves in need of medical attention, but the only help closest to her was the Kemp's and she would have to try and convince Gareth to help even if he refused to believe her childhood stories.

I received Havencross by Julie Daines compliments of Covenant Communications. There is something amazing about this novel. Perhaps because it contains tidbits of everything we love. Regency fans will love everything about this book and even fantasy fans will love the connection with King Arthur along with some mysterious smuggling that seems to be happening right in their own backyards, but for now, those remain a secondary concern. With Gareth's hard work, he is no longer a nobody and is in position to marry above his previous social standings and unfortunately the only woman he has loved is finding herself in her own possible marriage proposal from a man she had thought forgotten about. Mystery, adventure, romance and even a bit of magic will find its way into a reader's heart by the conclusion of Havencross and now Julie Daines will be a watch author for me, one that will go on my must have list. This one easily garners a 5 out of 5 stars in this readers opinion.

[Sheila Coburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4. These are the books I find when I am waiting on the library list for something else. They all kind of seem to be the same but I guess that’s what you get when you put in a historical romance.

When a shocking scandal involving her father spreads through London society, Elaine Cardinham and her parents are forced to retreat to their country home in Cornwall for refuge. But Havencross is no sanctuary for Elaine. She is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her brother-and the heartbreak she left in her wake all those years ago. It has been five long years since Gareth Kemp last saw Elaine-when she rejected his marriage proposal. Her reappearance convinces him of one thing: he has never stopped loving her. To put his feelings for her aside, he focuses his attention on the dangerous smuggling plaguing the Cornish coast. As Elaine attempts to run from her past, she ventures ever closer to a dangerous truth-and Gareth may be the only one who can save her from a deadly finish.

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely fell into Elaine Cardinham's world and did not want to resurface! Torn from her London home to flee back to the Cornish coast and all she had tried so hard to forget, Elaine had to face challenge after challenge. I wasn't quite sure how it would all turn out for her and who was behind all of the smuggling problems. Daines kept me engaged and wanting more as I watched Elaine try to reconcile her past with her future. If you want a fast paced novel full of emotions, romance and danger then Havencross is definitely the book for you! I received a free copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elaine has been carrying the weight of her brother's disappearance for years and she hopes the recent disgrace of her father will not ruin her chances of a secure future. Quickly she learns that the past can threaten the present.

This is set at a time when every level of society had ties to smuggling and keeping that work secret meant anything could happen. Elaine's entry into this environment as someone who didn't have a part to this business was believable. She was a rather difficult character to like at first, but she does progress through the story.

Gareth was even harder to enjoy, so the romance aspect of the story suffers. The mystery was rather predictable, making the suspense what I took from the story.

There was also hints of supernatural with the hinted appearance of a ghost to lead Elaine to what she needs to find.

Overall, it is an interesting novel and one I would recommend to readers who like suspense in their historical fiction.

I received a copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Julie Daines has a fabulous, excellent, exciting, fun, new, and unexpectedly thrilling story that readers will not want to miss!! A delightful sweet regency romance adding a well-rounded twist of mystery and suspense, a fun surprise for this genre, that readers will absolutely love!! Relationship development between characters, as well as the well-written plot will capture the attention of readers from page one and they will not want to put down this thrilling novel! This is a book that readers are not going to want to miss!!

Genre: historical, regency, romance, mystery, suspense, Christian
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: August 1, 2017
Number of pages: 282

A review copy of the book provided by Covenant Communications. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Shash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had romance, scandal, mystery and danger. And I loved the connections to the legend of King Arthur!

Elaine and Gareth were great characters. I was rooting for them and wanted them to get their happy ending. Especially Gareth. He was everything a hero should be!

The mystery and suspense part of the story was intriguing. The pieces just kept coming. Even though I had some ideas about what was going on, everything played out in ways I didn’t expect. It kept me glued to the page.

This is the first full-length novel I’ve read by Julie Daines. I can’t wait to read another! She is quickly becoming a must-read author for me!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it says romance, this was more mystery and adventure, which was fine, just not what I was expecting. I liked the characters. I really like this author and will be looking for more of her books.

[Marinda (rindasreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read and exciting adventure!