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Edwina
The summer of 2008 changed Edwina Emily Blair's life completely. A small town librarian, she loved her predictable lifestyle. But her European-born stepsister Cecelia had other plans. As the two of them were about to board a plane for Scotland, Cecelia was suddenly called away to Italy. Edwina found herself alone in Edinburgh, tired, hungry, and very late. When the hotel clerk told her that she no longer had a room, she fainted - right into the arms of a tall Scot standing behind her. Anxious to meet his fiancé, Alex Dunnegin whisked Edwina off to his castle and that's when the trouble began. The handsome Laird became the hero for the novel Edwina was writing. And Cecelia, her beautiful, entrepreneurial sister, the heroine. Could it be any other way? Edwina would find out that the stubborn Scot did not always play the part she wrote for him. My grandmother, a Southern farmer's wife, became the spark of light in my simple, quiet existence when she told me stories. As a child I listened in the dark of night as she, in the other twin bed in my small room, told me about her life. What it was like to live on a farm in the early 1900s. About the two children she lost to death and how it affected her. I felt like I knew the people who had died before I had been born. They had lived and it mattered. With her penchant for Irish story-telling, she began what was to become my own desire. To tell stories. For the last eleven years I have written a dozen fiction novels and as many true stories of my own life experiences, hoping that perhaps my stories will touch another's life like my grandmother did mine.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2008
34 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 6, 2019
This book was very different from the typical historical-fiction books that I read, yet, I found myself enjoying this book immensely! The only thing that I didn't like was how abrupt the ending was, I think that there could have been at least a few more chapters provided to round out the ending a little better. Other than that, it was a great read! I would recommend.
October 25, 2011
This book had so much promise from the description. It, however, was just OK -- and short enough to finish despite being rather mediocre. I love the name Edwina, but the eponymous protagonist has two things going against her: she's kind of a Jesus freak, and she's always putting herself down by saying she's plain or 15 pounds overweight. I can only handle so much of girls with low self-esteem.
My other problem with the e-book version I have is that the formatting is awful... Lots of typos, random symbols, headers in the body of the text. Needless to say, all of the above detracted from the overall reading experience.
My other problem with the e-book version I have is that the formatting is awful... Lots of typos, random symbols, headers in the body of the text. Needless to say, all of the above detracted from the overall reading experience.
May 9, 2014
Pretty blah really. Edwina ums and ahs her way to a nanny position in Scotland, then ums and ahs her way to the man of her dreams. Stories about women with low self esteem aren't my thing. I love the Scottish accent, but if I had to read another 'aboot' I was going to scream. Punctuation was lousy, this book needed another good edit - at one point even one of the major character's names was spelt wrong....
July 27, 2011
This book inspired me so much, being a small town girl myself, Edwina underestimates herself. I could relate so much with her character. She was funny and real and lovable. Her Scottish romance was realistic and enjoyable on every page.
Have read it three times already. A sweet and fun contemporary love story.
Have read it three times already. A sweet and fun contemporary love story.
August 5, 2016
This book would have gotten 4 stars had it been edited better. I had to reread parts numerous times because it tended to jump from one part to the next without warning. It left you feeling like you had accidentally skipped a page. That being said it was a good book with some enjoyable characters.
April 25, 2010
Heartwarming and makes you want to read more. Can't wait for her next book. I'll be picking that up personally this summer in Niles Michigan.
August 11, 2018
Edwina by Willow Rose
This is not the first book I have read by Willow Rose and it definitely won’t be the last. I like the way she keeps me wanting more.
Do you believe in the super natural? Do you believe that a person can be possessed? Do you believe that a possessed person can affect the lives of others? If you do, then this book is for you. If not, read Edwina and see if your mind gets changed.
Amazon calls Edwina “A terrifying nail-biting story from the Queen of Scream Novels!” Marie-Therese takes in foster children. At first, it seems like she does it just for the money but then…She takes in Edwina. Soon, something horrifying happens to people who in one way or another come in, or just past, Edwina.
I started the book last night and finished it today. I did not want to put it down. I needed to keep reading to find out what horrors Edwina brings upon others. The book does not end with any perfect solution. The book ends with me wanting more. I need to find out what happens the next time Edwina goes into foster care.
08.11.18
This is not the first book I have read by Willow Rose and it definitely won’t be the last. I like the way she keeps me wanting more.
Do you believe in the super natural? Do you believe that a person can be possessed? Do you believe that a possessed person can affect the lives of others? If you do, then this book is for you. If not, read Edwina and see if your mind gets changed.
Amazon calls Edwina “A terrifying nail-biting story from the Queen of Scream Novels!” Marie-Therese takes in foster children. At first, it seems like she does it just for the money but then…She takes in Edwina. Soon, something horrifying happens to people who in one way or another come in, or just past, Edwina.
I started the book last night and finished it today. I did not want to put it down. I needed to keep reading to find out what horrors Edwina brings upon others. The book does not end with any perfect solution. The book ends with me wanting more. I need to find out what happens the next time Edwina goes into foster care.
08.11.18
April 10, 2019
3.5 stars.
I don't know how to rate this book. It was so strange but good and interesting at the same time! Granted, the writing style and typos lacked good review and publishing. Still, the plot left me intrigued and had some twists I was NOT expecting.
I did not like the cover and felt it should have been a little more light. The storyline and setting were very different and so I was left reading regularly until I found out how it would end. The book would randomly jump days, weeks, or months ahead and the vast differences in settings throughout the book was striking.
Set in modern times (2008), a single librarian with a rich sister ends up meeting Scottish royalty. I will not tell more as there are so many different plot twists and interesting details that leave the reader turning page after page.
So overall, a weird, poorly edited book, but very interesting and different story that I am glad I read! Very clean too. :)
I don't know how to rate this book. It was so strange but good and interesting at the same time! Granted, the writing style and typos lacked good review and publishing. Still, the plot left me intrigued and had some twists I was NOT expecting.
I did not like the cover and felt it should have been a little more light. The storyline and setting were very different and so I was left reading regularly until I found out how it would end. The book would randomly jump days, weeks, or months ahead and the vast differences in settings throughout the book was striking.
Set in modern times (2008), a single librarian with a rich sister ends up meeting Scottish royalty. I will not tell more as there are so many different plot twists and interesting details that leave the reader turning page after page.
So overall, a weird, poorly edited book, but very interesting and different story that I am glad I read! Very clean too. :)
November 23, 2017
This was a disjointed story that went on for way too long. I try to always finish a book that I start but this one was a challenge.
April 21, 2018
Really hard for me to follow. Storyline had gaps in it that weren't filled.
November 22, 2018
i love how the plain Jane ended up having a Cinderella ending.
June 25, 2021
Characterization was good, but the story moved too slowly for me.
May 1, 2013
After reading reviews for this book, I was happy to start reading it. Unfortunately that's pretty much where my happiness ends.
First of all, this book needs editing: missing spaces, missing punctuation, and missing quotation marks (this made it confusing to read, since quotes and narration all ran together). The formatting for the Kindle also off, making it distracting to read.
Second, Edwina is a 27 year old woman, with multiple degrees under her belt. She was raised by two loving parents and doesn't sound like she had many problems grown up - minus the recent death of her mother. WHY does she insist on acting like a child? She's too scared to do anything, she has to have straps on all her shoes...all in all Edwin is one big pity party. Boo hoo, my step sister is prettier than me. Boo hoo she has more money than me. Whaa whaa she is more successful than me. The list goes on and on. To top it all off, Edwin is rude and blatantly disrespectful. She imitates the Scottish accent (probably terribly) while IN Scotland and continues to call Bertilda 'Bertie' even after being told not to. She's just so darn helpless and clueless, and yet she does nothing to help herself.
Third, so many things are just unrealistic. Cecilia - the beautiful, successful, self-made step-sister CHOOSES to wear Birkenstocks? In public? I must be way behind on the times because I remember these shoes being completely ridiculed growing up. Nope, just looked up the shoes and they're still ugly. Okay, moving past the shoe issue, for someone as organized as Cecilia, I don't think it would have been difficult for her to place one or two calls and have the reservation changed. Actually, there shouldn't really be a need to change it since she would have booked a room for TWO people - Edwina's name should already be on the records somewhere.
Fourth, God was thrown in there so casually, yet apparently Edwina is very religious. Didn't make sense... maybe trying too hard to make the Christian angle work...
There are some good elements in here - love Scotland, it's described beautifully. There's probably a fair amount of character growth. I just can't get through it...maybe I'll try again at a later date.
First of all, this book needs editing: missing spaces, missing punctuation, and missing quotation marks (this made it confusing to read, since quotes and narration all ran together). The formatting for the Kindle also off, making it distracting to read.
Second, Edwina is a 27 year old woman, with multiple degrees under her belt. She was raised by two loving parents and doesn't sound like she had many problems grown up - minus the recent death of her mother. WHY does she insist on acting like a child? She's too scared to do anything, she has to have straps on all her shoes...all in all Edwin is one big pity party. Boo hoo, my step sister is prettier than me. Boo hoo she has more money than me. Whaa whaa she is more successful than me. The list goes on and on. To top it all off, Edwin is rude and blatantly disrespectful. She imitates the Scottish accent (probably terribly) while IN Scotland and continues to call Bertilda 'Bertie' even after being told not to. She's just so darn helpless and clueless, and yet she does nothing to help herself.
Third, so many things are just unrealistic. Cecilia - the beautiful, successful, self-made step-sister CHOOSES to wear Birkenstocks? In public? I must be way behind on the times because I remember these shoes being completely ridiculed growing up. Nope, just looked up the shoes and they're still ugly. Okay, moving past the shoe issue, for someone as organized as Cecilia, I don't think it would have been difficult for her to place one or two calls and have the reservation changed. Actually, there shouldn't really be a need to change it since she would have booked a room for TWO people - Edwina's name should already be on the records somewhere.
Fourth, God was thrown in there so casually, yet apparently Edwina is very religious. Didn't make sense... maybe trying too hard to make the Christian angle work...
There are some good elements in here - love Scotland, it's described beautifully. There's probably a fair amount of character growth. I just can't get through it...maybe I'll try again at a later date.
January 3, 2015
I've decided that I'm officially too old now to always finish a book no matter how horrible it is. And so, I label this book too painful to finish and I move on with my life.
From the very start, it felt like the author was trying too hard. Too wordy, too thesaurus-y, and, don't get me wrong I love my bible, but too in your face Christiany. It all felt totally forced.
I also found the story completely unbelievable. Edwina's father marries a rich, famous actress but he's a plain simple man himself? And I couldn't figure out if Edwina and her sister, Cecelia, were fast friends or if there was mostly resentment there - this is a problem, Miss Author.
Actually, now that I think about it, I just didn't *get* most of the relationships and interactions in this book. For example, I found Bertilda's treatment of Edwina quite atrocious yet in one interaction Edwina seems embarrassed, the next interaction she is outraged, and then the next she finds it humorous? I couldn't keep up. And this is a small, silly thing but I was so annoyed that Edwina called her Bertie though she had been asked not to about a billion times in the short one third of the book I did get through.
What a bummer! I had been looking forward to this book for some time and it was such a disappointment.
From the very start, it felt like the author was trying too hard. Too wordy, too thesaurus-y, and, don't get me wrong I love my bible, but too in your face Christiany. It all felt totally forced.
I also found the story completely unbelievable. Edwina's father marries a rich, famous actress but he's a plain simple man himself? And I couldn't figure out if Edwina and her sister, Cecelia, were fast friends or if there was mostly resentment there - this is a problem, Miss Author.
Actually, now that I think about it, I just didn't *get* most of the relationships and interactions in this book. For example, I found Bertilda's treatment of Edwina quite atrocious yet in one interaction Edwina seems embarrassed, the next interaction she is outraged, and then the next she finds it humorous? I couldn't keep up. And this is a small, silly thing but I was so annoyed that Edwina called her Bertie though she had been asked not to about a billion times in the short one third of the book I did get through.
What a bummer! I had been looking forward to this book for some time and it was such a disappointment.
October 1, 2013
This book had the potential to be a good romance similar to those of
. The storyline was interesting and kept my attention. But the characters seemed very one-dimensional. Edwina was always self-deprecating, Cecilia was always materialistic, and the Laird was always the macho hero. They did change somewhat but not to a noticeable degree. But the biggest problem with this kindle novel was that the editing and formatting was atrocious!! It made the reading difficult especially in dialogue sections.
. The storyline was interesting and kept my attention. But the characters seemed very one-dimensional. Edwina was always self-deprecating, Cecilia was always materialistic, and the Laird was always the macho hero. They did change somewhat but not to a noticeable degree. But the biggest problem with this kindle novel was that the editing and formatting was atrocious!! It made the reading difficult especially in dialogue sections. 
February 1, 2019
3.5 stars. I first read Edwina seven years ago in 2012. It is a Christian contemporary novel. I think what I enjoy most about the story is the character Edwina herself. She's a librarian who lives a quiet life and realizes she needs to make a change. The story mostly revolves around her and her growth. The romance is light, and with this read the love interest didn't really impress me. I guess since I have read romances with better love interests since 2012, I didn't like Edwina as much this time. Also the Kindle version is sloppily formatted and edited. Why do people let that happen to their creations?
June 30, 2013
This was a wonderful read. It is a soft romantic read with wonderful characters that you immediately fall in love with. It was written with a touch of class in the simple but amazing story line. It was a bit short and had some minor edit needs but the creation is so good you don’t notice it or let it take away from the reading. The main character Liz struggles with the world and her desire for more, she is a bit naive but certainly refreshing. Her family is a bit odd as is the Duke’s which brings even more color and delight. You will simply fall in love with the servants too.
I bought this book via Amazon.. Kindle format
I bought this book via Amazon.. Kindle format
May 1, 2015
A likable story, this book has a lot of focus on shoes...The title character is bound by the restrictions society puts on her, and those she puts on herself. She rebels against them by refusing to wear shoes.
She dares to leave her comfort zone, and takes a job as a nanny in Scotland, with a very unlikable Laird for employer. The secondary male character, Spencer, was a good deal more personable. All the other characters' mood swings made them a little difficult to get a grasp on.
My other complaint is the book needs an overhaul with the editor, to give it better formatting, readability and continuity. In all, it was a pleasant read, though.
She dares to leave her comfort zone, and takes a job as a nanny in Scotland, with a very unlikable Laird for employer. The secondary male character, Spencer, was a good deal more personable. All the other characters' mood swings made them a little difficult to get a grasp on.
My other complaint is the book needs an overhaul with the editor, to give it better formatting, readability and continuity. In all, it was a pleasant read, though.
October 9, 2011
This Book was not my Noraml Read I am more of a Paranormal Buff.. I was Pleasantly Pleased with this Book.. I am SO looking forward to the Second Book.. Cecelia.. I have fallen for the Characters and even though Alexander seems to have rough edges he is by Far my favorite.. The tall silent type.. knows what he wants and goes for it.. Although I do like all of the Characters.. :) I would reccomend this book to anyone who wants a light, funny, heart warming story.. I do not think you would be disappointed.. { Going to go so I can start Cecelia..} Enjoy Reading..
August 3, 2016
I really enjoyed this heart warming story. I liked the characters, they had just enough quirky aspects to their personality to make each of them fun. The Kindle e-book version did have some errors or I might have given it 5 stars. It challenged my thinking and entertained me as well. I did not want to put it down which is good indicator. There were some surprises along the way, it was not too predictable and that added to my enjoyment. The setting in Scotland made it delightful. I would buy a sequel. A very good story.
May 6, 2012
Wow! What can I say about this book? It was a touching, beautiful book - a true romance without the clicheness that often comes with romances nowadays. The characters were real and the romance progressed quite slowly which was also realistic in so many ways. I laughed and cried reading this book.
It does need a little editing but because the story and characters were so good, I didn't let that affect my perception of the book. Some well edited books aren't as well-crafted.
One word that I think describes this book - unpredictable. The author will surprise you many times.
It does need a little editing but because the story and characters were so good, I didn't let that affect my perception of the book. Some well edited books aren't as well-crafted.
One word that I think describes this book - unpredictable. The author will surprise you many times.
August 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The title character is a classic risk averse Meyers-Briggs ISTJ type who won't surrender her heart to anyone until she is very certain of the outcome. Like many intelligent people she doesn't like the uncertainty of emotions, especially the messy part before anything is said and both are afraid of rejection. It was frustrating to read in places but that is an indication of the writer's skill - she made me care about Edwina. And everything turned our right in the end despite Edwina's fears. I'm looking forward to reading her other books.
March 3, 2012
Being that I don't typically read Christin fiction, this book was a good example of why. I think aside from the religious connotations the writing was simply immature and unrealistic. I hated the main character "Edwina" and her martyr attitude in living life. This book stunk in many ways. Edwina goes to Scotland and almost immediately picks up the language making her seem very superficial. Yep, this book was a dud.
May 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It was clean and refreshing. I am a sucker for romance and then you throw in Scotland as the setting! Inspirational Historicals are usually my forte but this was set in modern times. The book draws you in and I felt such a kinship with the main character that I found myself in tears a couple of times. I would highly recommend this to any romantics and look forward to reading more from this author.
August 6, 2013
I wanted a fluffy brainless read while traveling for a wedding. This certainly met that goal.
The writing style was enjoyable with interesting characters.
I ended up not caring for it because it was a total eye roller, particularly at the end. One expects some eye rolling in a fluffy brainless read, but my Fluffy to Eye Rolling Index tolerance ratio is less than or equal to around 0.7, 0.75 absolute max. This book came in around 0.85.
The writing style was enjoyable with interesting characters.
I ended up not caring for it because it was a total eye roller, particularly at the end. One expects some eye rolling in a fluffy brainless read, but my Fluffy to Eye Rolling Index tolerance ratio is less than or equal to around 0.7, 0.75 absolute max. This book came in around 0.85.
March 23, 2015
I feel this author has good ideas in writing stories but I also feel she needs to develop the charactors a bit more. The Scot is kind of unbelievable in his transition from employer to loveing Edwina. More needed to be shared in his thoughts and actions to make a smother transition. But a good story and I wish it could have gone on longer in developing this transition. But a good clean read
January 31, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much. The Kindle version has some problems. It seems there wasn't a proofreader assigned to this book. Words and sentences are missing but it is easy to figure out what is being said. My version was free from Amazon Kindle store.
August 13, 2013
Sweet love story. I enjoyed the book, but found the formatting for the kindle to be off a bit which made it difficult at times to figure out who was speaking. I also felt like the story skipped ahead through time a bunch, which I didn't really like.
May 27, 2015
A fancy tale
I felt I was in Scotland, I could hear the people speaking, see the castle, see the green hills. The author truly immersed you in her story. I love the Scotts way of speaking, and I can hear him still.......
I felt I was in Scotland, I could hear the people speaking, see the castle, see the green hills. The author truly immersed you in her story. I love the Scotts way of speaking, and I can hear him still.......
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June 7, 2011Loved it!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews