Monday, April 22, 2019

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL, a Cornwall novel by Sarah E. Ladd

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 THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL, a Cornwall novel by Sarah E. Ladd, published April 16, 2019.


Blurb for THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE:

Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast. 


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Connie’s Review:

Winter - 1808 - Cornwall, England

Cordelia (Delia) Greythorne is preparing to depart Greythorne House during a fierce and freezing storm. Delia is now a widow after 3 years of marriage to Robert. Her mother-in-law is furious at her saying she betrayed them all.

Easten Park - Yorkshire - 1811

Delia has been governess for the Twetheway family for 3 years. During that time, the children’s mother passed away and their father, Randall, is fighting for his life after a riding accident. With him is his man of business, Mr. Steerhead, an arrogant man. Randall calls Delia, governess to the 3 girls and Mr. Simon, tutor to the 2 boys to his bedside. He tells them that he will be leaving the children under the care of his brother, Jac Twetheway, of Penwythe Hall in Cornwall. He wants Mr. Simon and Delia to accompany the children there and remain as their educators. Mr. Steerhead will oversee the funds and the inheritances for the children.

Penwythe Hall - Cornwall

When the children, Delia, and Mr. Simon arrive at Penwythe Hall, Jac is surprised to see them because he had not received a letter from Mr. Steerhead telling him they were coming. However, Jac is very welcoming and is happy to take over raising the children. Unfortunately, Jac’s father had left him with little funds as he had gambled it away. Now, he is planting apple orchards and will have a cider mill hoping this will bring in much needed money to keep the estate running.

The story follows the children as they settle in and learn to enjoy Penwythe Hall. But there are secrets that Mr. Simon is keeping and Delia is also hiding some terrible things from her past. Before long, things come to a head placing them in danger.

This is another good story from Sarah E. Ladd. I have read everything I can of her books and find her to be a favorite author. However, this story left me a bit disappointed in Delia’s character. I found that she took some foolish chances that put her in great danger. Jac is a terrific character and a very strong man. As always, I am sure readers will enjoy this new story from this very talented author.

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

THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL, a Cornwall novel by Sarah E. Ladd, Thomas Nelson available now in ebook, print, and audiobook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

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