Friday, April 19, 2019

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE, a Cornish Tales novel by Victoria Cornwall

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE, a Cornish Tales novel by Victoria Cornwall, published April 16, 2019.


Blurb for DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE:

Evelyn Pendragon is spirited but lonely, and largely ignored by her parents whose attentions are taken up with her brother, Nicholas: the expected heir to the family’s Cornish estate and the one who will carry on the Pendragon name.

Stifled by her aristocratic existence, Evelyn finds companionship in an unlikely place when she befriends Drake Vennor, an apprentice gardener on the estate.

But When Evelyn’s life is thrown into turmoil by a tragedy, she realises just how much she has come to rely on Drake. Will family expectations and the burden of the Pendragon name mean she must turn her back on him when she needs him the most?

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Connie’s Review:

Cedar Lodge, Cornwall, England - 1870

Cedar Lodge, home of Howard Pendragon, is a fine country home yet somewhat smaller than Carrack House, owned by Howard’s older twin brother, Sir Robert Pendragon, seventh Baronet of Carrack House. There is no love between the brothers. Today, Howard is desperately hoping that his laboring wife will give birth to a boy. When the arrogant doctor arrives, he does something very evil. However, the maid sees what he did. The man wants to make a name for himself and will stop at nothing to achieve this.

Now, Robert, the Baronet, has called for the doctor’s services as he thinks his own wife is with child. She is Robert’s second wife and as there has been no child to date, he is desperate for an heir.

Cornwall - 1886

Evelyn and her brother Nicholas, two years older than she is, are the children of Sir Robert. When she can, Evelyn likes to escape from her governess to go out into the garden which is her father’s pride and joy. Today, she sees Timmons, the head gardener, interviewing a young lad, Drake Vennor, who wants to become his apprentice. After reminding Drake of the long hours, hard work and many years of training, he is hired.

Nicholas had a bout of Rheumatic Fever a years or so ago that left him weakened. Now, it appears that his heart may have been damaged by the fever and he is quite ill. When Nicholas does pass away, Howard Pendragon is ready to have his son, Mawgan, come in and learn to be the next head of the estate. But Robert declares that Evelyn will be the head of the estate and will now begin her training to take on the responsibilities.

Evelyn is next faced with dealing with the evil tutor, Mr. Burrow, and after that the equally evil, Dr. Birch. Both of these men are pompous with overinflated egos. Life for Evelyn is very difficult that tests her mettle as far as it can. Her father has no sympathy for her and her mother is a mouse.

Years later, Evelyn and Drake cross paths again and realize that their love for one another has only grown stronger. But, will society and Evelyn’s arrogant and strong-willed father keep them apart?

This is a very powerful story of enduring and unending love. The characters are crafted beautifully and their interwoven lives have been perfectly written by the author. I highly recommend this book and can assure readers that they will remember this book for a very long time to come.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

DAUGHTER OF THE HOUSE, a Cornish Tale novel by Victoria Cornwall, ChocLit, available now in ebook and audiobook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

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