". . . peace is not dependent upon your circumstances. It is dependent upon where you place your faith. . ." (257)
Title: A Stranger at FellsworthSeries: Treasures of Surrey
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Could losing everything be the best thing to happen to Annabelle Thorley?
In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.
Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.
As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.
In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.
Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.
As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.
If you haven't heard the audio sample of this book, I think you'll need to go check it out. I think I first fell in love with A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd, the third installment of the Treasures of Surrey series from that audio clip. In all honesty, I wasn't too sure what to expect. I wasn't thrilled with Book 1, The Curiosity Keeper but the second book, Dawn at Emberwilde had me intrigued from beginning to end. One that that did kept me continuing with the series was first, the suspense level in each book was good enough to keep the pages turning, and then the beautiful covers!
A Stranger at Fellsworth is no different. The suspense, though easily concluded with some rational thinking was a page turner, and I enjoyed the growth of our two main characters, Annabelle and Owen. Each have their own demons and/or growing up to do, and though you may not love them in the beginning, by the end of the story, you will appreciate how far they've come. The subtlety of it all makes it even more relatable. The cloud of mystery that surrounds them gives a tad bit of essence into the over suspense nature of the book. The understated yet keen message of having faith in the plans of our lives rounds A Stranger at Fellsworth nicely.
"We are not placed on this earth haphazardly. Each of us have a path. Each of us have a purpose. It is part of life to find that path and follow it. " (195)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE TREASURES OF SURREY SERIES (click on the image to take you to my reviews)
Sarah E. Ladd has always loved the Regency period — the clothes, the music, the literature and the art.
A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period and gave her idea of what life would’ve looked like in era.
It wasn’t until 2010 that Ladd began writing seriously. Shortly after, Ladd released the first book in the Whispers on the Moors series.
Book one of the series, The Heiress of Winterwood, was the recipient of the 2011 Association of Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for historical romance. Ladd also has more than ten years of marketing experience. She holds degrees in public relations and marketing and lives in Indiana with her family and spunky Golden Retriever.
Her NEW series, Treasures of Surrey, includes The Curiosity Keeper, Dawn at Emberwidle and her just released, A Stranger at Fellsworth.
Many thanks to publisher, Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing the prizes.
Grand Prize: (1) winner will win a copy of Strangers at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd & (1) ARC of a fiction published by the same publisher. (Prize mailed out separately)
First Prize: (1) winner will win an ARC of an historical fiction published by the same publisher, courtesy of yours truly.
Great review. Sounds like an excellent read.
ReplyDeleteCherylB1987 AT hotmail DOT com
Thanks Cheryl!
DeleteThis review makes me want to read this book even more. I hope to win, but will be reading this book regardless of if I win or not. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone.
ReplyDeleteHahhaha. Thanks Debbie!! Made me smile! *wink wink
DeleteExcellent review! I enjoy reading stories in which the characters work through difficulties and come out stronger for them. Sarah Ladd is a new-to-me author. I look forward to her stories.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thanks Caryl.
DeleteI received this yesterday, can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Enjoy!
DeleteLovely review, Annie. I love Sarah's books and I'm anxious to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read all the books in this series.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll get the chance Connie!
DeleteI was cracking up when I read that Annabelle has to deal with unpleasant situations when forced to work for the first time. Isn't that how we all felt about our first jobs? Lol I can't wait to read this and see how everything turns out for Annabelle and Owen!
ReplyDeletehahha. You're right about our first jobs!
DeleteThanks for a great review and
ReplyDeletegiveaway!
Connie
cps1950 AT gmail DOT com
Thanks Connie!
DeleteI've not read any of Sarah's books, this sounds like a good series!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patty! Hope you'll get to read it soon!
DeleteLooking forward to this book.
ReplyDeleteThereadmaster@me.com
Good luck and hope you'll get to read it soon!
DeleteThere's just something about listening to a book read aloud that makes it stand out - it's one of the main reasons I love audiobooks so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour!
Sounds like an awesome read.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy reading series! I have the other 2 books in this series and am looking forward to reading this 3rd book. I love mystery and suspense and A Stranger at Fellsworth sounds like it will not disappoint! Thanks for the the review, Annie, and the opportunity of this giveaway!! ~Alison
ReplyDelete