To Whisper Her Name Tamera AlexanderDawn at Emberwilde
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Publication date: May 10, 2016
Series: Treasures of Surrey #2
Pages: 320
Genre: Historical, Romance , Christian
Synopsis:Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady yet unexciting role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would provide her a steady environment to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.
The unexpected arrival of a striking stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.
At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with mysterious rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. And perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.
At Emberwilde, Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.
My Opinion
First I want to state that I received this book from a giveaway on GoodReads for an honest review in return. I wish for the life of me that I could remember who it was that hosted the giveaway, but I cannot, but thanks for selecting me as one of the winners.
I have never read a book penned by Sarah E Ladd before, so this was a new adventure for me. I will be honest, it was a little slow for me to get interested in, but once the story got going – specifically when Isobel met her two suitors – it got a bit more interesting, but not to the point that made me absolutely love it, however I did like it, just not enough to make me want to read it again in the near future.
I liked how Colin was taken with Isobel from the moment he laid eyes on her when she came to stay at Emberwilde. He was a good man, a lovely hero. I like how he took his time going about wooing her and how he went after her in the end – not only to win her affection, but also to give her what was rightfully hers. Her aunt, boy she was something. I thought her character was going to be good, but she had hidden motives, which were selfish ones. Mr Bradford was another one who made you think he was good, but he, too, had hidden motives as well that would serve his and her aunts selfish intentions.
All I can say is, I am gad the right man for the girl, which I was rooting for Colin from the beginning. Another side note that I want to mention is, that I don’t believe you have to read the first one of this series to be able to understand and follow this one as I didn’t and nor was I lost or confused by any of the characters by doing so. So you can consider this a ‘stand alone’ book.
Favorite Quotes
N/A
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend it:
Would I read it again:
Forever Safe
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publication date: June 1, 2016
Series: Beacons of Hope #4
Pages: 342
Genre: Historical, Romance , Christian
Synopsis:Race Point, Massachusetts, 1876Will she ever be able to stop running, even when she believes she’s finally safe?
Heiress to a vast fortune, Victoria Cole has everything she wants, including the perfect fiancé. Having left two other men at the altar, Victoria is sure that now she’s found her true love and will finally live happily ever after. As her wedding draws near, however, Victoria’s life is threatened. To keep her safe, Victoria’s father hires a bodyguard.
Tom Cushman’s number one priority is protecting his clients, which means no personal entanglements. But he’s never guarded someone as beautiful and winsome as Victoria. After a near-kidnapping, the wedding is cancelled, and Tom hides Victoria at Cape Cod’s Race Point Lighthouse until her attacker can be found. Appointed as assistant light keeper with Victoria posing as his wife, Tom believes the isolation of the lighthouse will keep her safe.
As Victoria struggles to live without familiar luxuries, her heart betrays her with growing feelings for her protector. Determined to help Tom stop fleeing from his haunted past, can the runaway bride learn to face her own fears? With the attacker closing in, will both of them ever be able to stop running and find the safety they long for?
My Opinion
That’s my boy! I taught him everything he knows!
First off, I want to say what a hoot James Cushman – Tom’s Dad – was. I never read a book where the parent was so hilariously entertaining that they caused you to snicker every time they graced your pages. I loved how he would goad and give Tom the third degree about Victoria and telling him ‘that’s not a kiss, kiss her again and mean it’. What a man!
Victoria is the daughter of the hero and heroine from ‘Out of the Storm (Beacons of Hope #0.5)’. She is a spoiled young girl who is used to having someone cater to her every whim. Everyone always gives into her whims and charming eyes and smile, that is all but Tom. He is the first man – or being – whom truly challenges her, doesn’t give in to her, and isn’t afraid to tell her no. He also doesn’t pamper or coddle her either like all her other suitors did. Even though they are from entire different classes and worlds, you can see how they do mesh well together. By challenging her, Victoria learns that you don’t need the latest dresses in fashion, pretty gems, or the perfect hairstyle to truly be happy or know what happiness is. By staying at Race Point light house with Tom and his parents, she learns how to do everyday chores and realizes what kind of life she wants for a change. She also realizes that her fiancee ‘Nathaniel’ – while he is a very nice and caring man -, he isn’t the one for her. Yes she would be happy, live a rich life, never want for anything, but she didn’t truly love him nor did she feel for him for what she felt for Tom. I kinda felt sorry for the guy, I mean how can you not since he was so nice and likable? At least she did the right thing to let him go and find someone who would want him as their first choice and not their second.
About 80 to 85% into the book, I kinda had a hunch on who the villain was, which I was correct. Don’t you just love it when you can play detective and try to guess who the villain will be? Half the time I am successful on pin pointing them and sometimes I am not. But looking back in the book, you can kinda tell from the beginning that that person was a possible villain from their attitude and dialog.
As always, this was such a great book, but yet I am a bit biased as I love just about anything Jody writes. I for one can’t wait for more of her new historical’s to be released as I know I will gobble them up with glee.
Favorite Quotes
N/A
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend it:
Would I read it again: