Book Review: The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd

From the Publisher:  
    Darbury, England, 1814
Amelia Barrett gave her word. Keeping it could cost her everything.

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.

My Thoughts: When given the opportunity to review this book I jumped at it.  First, it's a regency novel (love that time period) reminding me of Jane Austen or Julie Klassen.  Second, the plot was one that I hadn't remembered reading.

I sat down during my spring break to get some reading done (wanting to be able to tell my students that I read over break) and I wanted to get ahead on some review reading.  I opened my eBook around 7pm.  Next thing I knew I had been so thoroughly engrossed, engaged, enthralled with the novel that it was 12:30 in the morning.  I wanted to see what became of Amelia, Graham and little Lucy.  Would Amelia find her faith?  Would she be able to keep her word?  What choices would the characters make?

I connected deeply with Amelia as I have been struggling in my faith of late.  I've said it before but it surprises me when reading a work of Christian fiction and there is a message that within its pages that seems like it was written to speak to me.  To my heart.  To my doubts and hopes and dreams and fears. This, The Heiress of Winterwood, was one of those books.  I saw much of myself in Amelia, many qualities that I want to have.

I found Graham to be chivalrous, charming, capable.  The background characters were interesting to where you were interested, but not distracting to the main story.  They added to it, rather than detracting.

The storyline was well thought out, interesting and believable.  The characters, relatable and likable.  The writing style was engaging and well timed.

Would I Recommend This Book?  Yes!  No hesitation.  It was a sweet romantic Christian story.  Well written, interesting plot.  Why wouldn't you read this one?  I'll be reading it again.  The only thing I didn't like... was that it ended.  I wanted to know more about these characters.  I cannot wait to read the next book in the "Whispers on the Moors" series.

Rating: 5/5 stars

[ A  definite favorite, will be re-read again and again, and permanently placed on my bookshelf. ]

(I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.  All opinions are my own.)