Dawn 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: