New Book Alert + Giveaway Details! The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Starting October 15, 2013, you'll be able to pick up Christian romance writer, Carrie Turansky's latest novel, The Governess of Highland Hall! To celebrate the release, Carrie and her publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah are hosting a fabulous giveaway of not one or two but three great Edwardian themed prize packages RIGHT NOW! For all the details on how to be entered to win one of the prizes, visit Carrie's website here: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/governesslaunch/ but first check out my review of The Governess of Highland Hall below.

The Story:
Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey. 

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

 While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?


My Thoughts:

What do you get when you mix Jane Eyre, Downton Abbey, with a bit of a Sunday School lesson? The Governess of Highland Hall. In her latest novel, Carrie Turansky brings the Edwardian period to life in a story of love and betrayal, friendship and trust, a dash of "soapiness", all mixed with strong Christian themes. This book is sure to please fans across many different fiction genres.

Julia Foster, fresh from India where she served as a missionary with her parents, takes on the role of governess to help support her mother and ailing father. In spite of herself and past hurts, she finds herself developing a friendship with the man of the house, someone who is far above her station. Even with the hardships that come with the job she finds herself enjoying life at the estate while waiting to see what God has in store for her future. William Ramsey, the owner of Highland Hall, is at a loss as to how to keep his estate intact and afford the high inheritance taxes as well as how to entertain and educate his two young children and his teenage cousins. If things don't change fast, he could lose his estate, his family, and his heart. Both Julia and William that keeping the faith is the most important thing. 

The Governess of Highland Hall is a worthwhile read but it had me worried me for a bit. I did not care for William at all. He seemed arrogant, overbearing, and to be honest, more grouchy than most of the antagonists I've come across and he was supposed to be a hero! That said, I simply adored the other characters. Sarah, William's sister, was an absolute gem. Her sweet and charming personality more than made up for what her brother lacked in the personality department. Julia, our heroine was also a fine character. She never really let anything shake her faith. Sure, she had a few discouraging moments but she always stood up for herself, which isn't something you always see in stories like this one. All in all I was highly impressed with her story. I love anything set in this time period and am so glad it's becoming popular again thanks to the success of series' like Downton Abbey. Ms. Turansky has a real winner on her hands with this one and hopefully there will be more stories like this to come. 

*I receive complimentary books for review from the publisher. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Pre-order your own copy, visit Amazon or your favorite retailer.

~ My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ~

Meet the Author:

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of nearly a dozen novels and novellas, including Snowflake Sweethearts and Along Came Love. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award and the International Digital Award. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, counselor and the author of several parenting books.

Don't forget to visit Carrie's website!

http://carrieturansky.com/

Happy Reading!