Monday, March 9, 2020

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of THE THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR, 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 by 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 THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR, a Cornwall novel by Sarah E. Ladd, published January 7, 2020.


Blurb for THE THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR:

In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?

Cornwall, England, 1818
Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.

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Connie’s Review:

Tregarthen Hall, Cornwall - 1808

Isaac Blake’s twin brother, Matthew, is a few minutes older than he is and is set to inherit Tregarthen Hall and the family’s working mine. Isaac will inherit a small home and another mine that has been closed,

Cornwall - 1818

Julia Twethewey, age 19, and of Penwythe Hall, is on her way to be a companion to her cousin, Jane at Lanwyn Hall, when she is held up by outlaws at an inn. It is believed to be a result of the unrest among people of the area because her uncle, William Lambourne, has recently closed one of the mines which affect everyone in the area. Isaac Blake is there and steps in to protect her.

At the Hall, home of her uncle William and Beatrice Lambourne, Julia is happy to be with her cousin, Jane, who is having a difficult pregnancy. She also enjoys the company of her other cousin, Caroline. Julia is getting over a broken heart and hopes that being with Jane will help her heart to heal. She learns that there are supposed to be ghosts at the Hall and someone has been stealing items. In addition, there is a curse that no child born in the Hall has lived to grow up. There is rumored to be a treasure built into the stones of the house, but it has yet to be found.

Julia meets many of the townspeople and learns more about the mining business. Matthew shows her attention which is encouraged by her aunt and uncle, but it is Isaac to whom she is attracted. But mischief occurs and people are put in danger. Will Julia and Isaac be strong enough to find out who is causing this and perhaps find a road to a life together?

I liked this book but found that the beginning seemed to drag somewhat. However, I realized that it was to enable the author to introduce the characters so we could find empathy for the hardships the town has been experiencing. Sarah E. Ladd has long been a favorite author of mine and I hope that other readers will discover her sweet, clean romances.

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

THE THIEF OF LANWYN MANOR, a Cornwall novel by Sarah E. Ladd, available now in ebook, print, and audiobook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks

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