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Broken Blossoms
At the age of fifteen, Katherine Widcombe, the niece of a baronet, is found missing from her bed whilst visiting her maternal aunt in Bristol. She is returned to her aunt and uncle’s home, Widcombe Hall, blindfolded and with the weight of a terrible secret on her young shoulders. Six years later, she is invited to spend Christmas with her cousin, Philippa and her new husband Conrad, Earl of Croston. She is horrified when Conrad confesses his love for her. Dismayed by the awful truth of her past, Katherine returns to the Hall and decides to accept the marriage proposal of Sir Herbert Fox, a man thirty years her senior. But marriage doesn’t bring her the peace she craves and in fact, she discovers that her husband has secrets of his own and this will bring terrible consequences for Katherine. These consequences will mean a perilous journey and privations that a woman of Katherine’s wealth and rank would never be expected to endure and will draw on all her strength and courage to overcome.
- GenresHistorical Romance
412 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2013
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Julia Bell
13 books209 followersI'm a writer of historical romances mostly and I'm pleased to say my historical romance Songbird won a Chill Book Premier Readers' Award in March 2019 and in September 2020 it was the Finalist Winner in historical romance with Readers' Favourite. I've also been awarded a 5* review from Readers' Favourite for The Wild Poppy (2021) and A Cruel Suspicion (2023).
I've lived in Yorkshire, England for most of my life. I have two children and five grandchildren with lots more family in the North of England.
I've done many jobs in my time, including a nurse; training at St James's Hospital in Leeds and I've also done 'time' working for the Prison Service.
When my children were young I successfully completed an Open University degree studying psychology and sociology.
I'm now a proud member of Promoting Yorkshire Authors and love attending the get-togethers and meeting other authors.
As well as writing I love country walks and travelling abroad. I have great fun while waiting at bus stations, railways stations, airports and ferry ports - any place where people are on the move, as I'm a terrible people watcher.
I've lived in Yorkshire, England for most of my life. I have two children and five grandchildren with lots more family in the North of England.
I've done many jobs in my time, including a nurse; training at St James's Hospital in Leeds and I've also done 'time' working for the Prison Service.
When my children were young I successfully completed an Open University degree studying psychology and sociology.
I'm now a proud member of Promoting Yorkshire Authors and love attending the get-togethers and meeting other authors.
As well as writing I love country walks and travelling abroad. I have great fun while waiting at bus stations, railways stations, airports and ferry ports - any place where people are on the move, as I'm a terrible people watcher.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 30, 2019
Julia Bell builds an intricate web of secrets in Broken Blossoms. After being kidnapped, young Katherine is returned home. Still a captive in her soul, she flees for years from her past, marrying in an attempt to find peace. What she finds instead is that her husband has secrets too, secrets that can be very dangerous to her. Bell’s writing is powerful, compelling, and descriptive and the mystery of Broken Blossoms drives you quickly to its final page. This one’s perfect for anyone that loves a bit of mystery and depth to their romance!
July 13, 2014
4.5 stars for this one. It has been in my book mountain for a good while and it finally reached the top. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, characters I loved, liked and of course a villain to hate. Moments of tears, of laughter, smiles and frowns, this story has it all and will go straight into my folder of books to keep.
I have now read 5 of Julia's books and look forward to reading the rest.
I have now read 5 of Julia's books and look forward to reading the rest.
October 28, 2024
A beautifully crafted historical romance by the author, Julia Bell that draws you into a world of secrets, scandal, and survival! This compelling narrative had me hooked from the first page to the last.
The tale unfolds through an intricate plot that begins with young Katherine’s mysterious disappearance and return, setting up a web of secrets that haunts her into adulthood. The story twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is excellent, with each revelation building upon the last, creating layers of intrigue and drama.
Katherine Widcombe is a remarkable protagonist whose strength of character shines through every trial she faces. Her unwavering family loyalty and resilience in the face of adversity make her not just sympathetic but truly admirable. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, from the complex Earl of Croston to Sir Herbert Fox, each bringing their own secrets and motivations to this richly detailed story.
The dialogue captures the period perfectly, flowing naturally while maintaining the formality of the era. Conversations carry weight and meaning, often revealing as much in what remains unsaid as what is spoken. The author does a great job in using dialogue to build tension and reveal character, especially in scenes between Katherine and her husband.
The novel explores the constraints placed upon women in historical society, the price of family loyalty, and the strength required to overcome life’s unexpected challenges. The author delicately balances these themes with moments of hope and determination, creating a narrative that resonates deeply with modern readers while remaining true to its historical setting.
I found myself completely invested in Katherine’s journey, cheering her courage and resilience throughout every twist and turn. Broken Blossoms is a blend of historical drama, romance, and suspense that will keep readers engaged until the final page. I award this 5 stars.
The tale unfolds through an intricate plot that begins with young Katherine’s mysterious disappearance and return, setting up a web of secrets that haunts her into adulthood. The story twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is excellent, with each revelation building upon the last, creating layers of intrigue and drama.
Katherine Widcombe is a remarkable protagonist whose strength of character shines through every trial she faces. Her unwavering family loyalty and resilience in the face of adversity make her not just sympathetic but truly admirable. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, from the complex Earl of Croston to Sir Herbert Fox, each bringing their own secrets and motivations to this richly detailed story.
The dialogue captures the period perfectly, flowing naturally while maintaining the formality of the era. Conversations carry weight and meaning, often revealing as much in what remains unsaid as what is spoken. The author does a great job in using dialogue to build tension and reveal character, especially in scenes between Katherine and her husband.
The novel explores the constraints placed upon women in historical society, the price of family loyalty, and the strength required to overcome life’s unexpected challenges. The author delicately balances these themes with moments of hope and determination, creating a narrative that resonates deeply with modern readers while remaining true to its historical setting.
I found myself completely invested in Katherine’s journey, cheering her courage and resilience throughout every twist and turn. Broken Blossoms is a blend of historical drama, romance, and suspense that will keep readers engaged until the final page. I award this 5 stars.
April 13, 2015
not my usual genre, but really enjoyed this book
April 3, 2021
So complex
How can one person go through so much and survive and none was her fault yet she is punished over and over again
How can one person go through so much and survive and none was her fault yet she is punished over and over again
February 25, 2026
Katherine carries a big weight, at aged 15 she was kidnapped from her bed and returned some time later blindfolded and a few miles from home. Apart from sharing this with her grandmother she has kept it a secret. At aged 21 she agrees to marry Herbert, a man considerably older than her. The marriage is good at first until Herbert's rather sordid fetish is revealed.
September 29, 2016
First, the cover attracted me. Second, the blurb drew me in. Then right from the very start I knew this would turn into something different. And how!
For a while I was lulled into my comfort zone of beautiful descriptions and being transported back to the 18th century with accurate historical details adding even more interest. Then shock! Horror! Surely not! Should I read on?
If you like historical drama, love that brings tears to your eyes, a growing sense of unease, and surprises and shocks, then pick up this book.
For a while I was lulled into my comfort zone of beautiful descriptions and being transported back to the 18th century with accurate historical details adding even more interest. Then shock! Horror! Surely not! Should I read on?
If you like historical drama, love that brings tears to your eyes, a growing sense of unease, and surprises and shocks, then pick up this book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews