Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

About the Book

Book: The Governess of Penwythe Hall  
Author: Sarah Ladd  
Genre: Historical Romance  
Release Date: April 16, 2019

In the first of a new series from beloved Regency romance author, Sarah Ladd, Delia, a governess to five recently orphaned children, would risk anything to protect them . . . even her heart.

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.  

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

Never are we promised an easy life, but we are promised

that when we rely on Him for strength, we will

have what we need to face our challenges.

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is a stirring, emotional tale set in 1811 Cornwall, England. It is a wonderfully entertaining novel, pleasantly reminding me of gothics by authors like Victoria Holt that I have enjoyed through the years. There’s the brooding hero, Jac Trethewey, and the heroine with a troubled past who comes into his life, Cordelia (Delia) Greythorne. From the coastline to the foggy moors, the magic of Cornwall is so vividly conveyed that you can easily sense its rugged, awesome beauty. And then there’s ghosts … ghosts of the past, that is.

Delia, a sympathetic character who has endured painful losses. While she might seem a little weak at first, it’s not long before we see her strength and courage when it comes to those she cares about. And Jac … what a wonderful hero! I immediately connected with his love for the land, desire to rebuild his estate, and vision for an apple orchard. I loved the sweetly growing relationship between Jac and Delia, but best of all is the almost immediate rapport and love he has for his brother’s children in Delia’s charge.

Ladd’s writing easily flows across the page in this absorbing novel. Family secrets and the evil of greed come into play. Some villains are obvious, others a surprise. Spiritual themes are gently woven into the story, such as fear being seen for what it really is, a “bitter, vile enemy.” We are reminded that God always has a plan and provides all that we need when we look to Him for strength and guidance.

I have loved all that Sarah E. Ladd has written, but The Governess of Penwythe Hall just might be my favorite so far. I certainly look forward to all that’s to come in this series.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and Thomas Nelson. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.


 

About the Author

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. 

Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. Visit her online at SarahLadd.com; Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor.

More About The Governess of Penwythe Hall

5 things to know about Cornwall, England:

1. Throughout its early history, Cornwall’s inhabitants called the country Kernow.
2. Early inhabitants largely spoke their own language known as “Cornish,” which became nearly extinct in the 1800s
3. The country has a long and rugged coastline and there were frequent shipwrecks.
4. Fishing was a major industry, with herring, mackerel, and sardines being common catches.
5. In 1870, novelist and poet Thomas Hardy called Cornwall “the region of dream and mystery.”

Imagine yourself in The Governess of Penwythe Hall with these pictures of 19^th Century life in Cornwall ...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2016/may/19/everyday-life-in-cornwall-captured-in-the-19th-century-in-pictures  

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/cornish_nation_01.shtml

https://www.maritimeheritage.org/ports/Cornwall.html

http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/cornish-fishing/history-of-the-cornish-fishing-industry.php  

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away a grand prize of a finished paperback copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/de80/the-governess-of-penwythe-hall-celebration-tour-giveaway 

Blog Stops

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Just the Write Escape, April 19

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Through the Fire Blogs, April 22

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