My Review~ Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd
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| Bride of a Distant Isle Daughters on Hampshire, Book 2 by Sandra Byrd Copyright 2016 Howard Publishers ISBN: 9781476717890 |
An unforgettable romance set in Victorian England, Bride of A Distant Isle is the engrossing story of Annabel Ashton, who fights to save her family home and her mother's honor while trying to figure out if the man she loves wants her—or just wants to use her to achieve his own ambitions.
Miss Annabel Ashton is a teacher at the Rogers School for Young Ladies in Winchester when she takes a brief visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall at Milford-on-Sea. She believes her stay will be short but soon learns that she will not be returning to the safety of the school. Instead, she remains at Highcliffe, at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge.
Annabel protests, but as the illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, she has little say. Edward is running out of money and puts the house up for sale to avoid financial ruin. He insists that Annabel marry, promising her to a sinister, frightening man. But as the house gets packed for sale, it begins to reveal disquieting secrets. Jewelry, artifacts, and portraits mysteriously appear, suggesting that Annabel may be the true heir of Highcliffe.
Miss Annabel Ashton is a teacher at the Rogers School for Young Ladies in Winchester when she takes a brief visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall at Milford-on-Sea. She believes her stay will be short but soon learns that she will not be returning to the safety of the school. Instead, she remains at Highcliffe, at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge.
Annabel protests, but as the illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, she has little say. Edward is running out of money and puts the house up for sale to avoid financial ruin. He insists that Annabel marry, promising her to a sinister, frightening man. But as the house gets packed for sale, it begins to reveal disquieting secrets. Jewelry, artifacts, and portraits mysteriously appear, suggesting that Annabel may be the true heir of Highcliffe.
She has only a few months to prove her legitimacy, perhaps with assistance from the handsome but troubled Maltese Captain Dell’Acqua. But does he have Annabel’s best interests at heart?
And then, a final, most ominous barrier to both her inheritance and her existence appears: a situation neither she nor anyone else could have expected. Will Annabel regain her life and property—and trust her heart—before it’s too late?
And then, a final, most ominous barrier to both her inheritance and her existence appears: a situation neither she nor anyone else could have expected. Will Annabel regain her life and property—and trust her heart—before it’s too late?
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My Thoughts:
Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd is a second novel that actually surpasses the first in a series. Exceptionally dark and conniving characters as well as the eerie settings of a Victorian asylum and misty estate lend an air of authenticity that make this novel seem as if it were written by a Bronte contemporary. Annabel Ashton is certainly as memorable a character as Jane Eyre and the rakish Captain Dell'Acqua is as mysterious and unpredictable as a storm-tossed sea.
Details unique to the period from the Great Exhibition down to the Maltese lace wedding cap, show just how dedicated to research the author is. Bride of a Distant Isle is an example of refined storytelling that's never tedious. Each tiny detail lends to the story as a whole.
I've come to expect nothing less than the best from the pen of Sandra Byrd and this installment in the Daughters of Hampshire series is certainly that. A stellar novel! If you are searching for quality historical fiction, you've found it!
Details unique to the period from the Great Exhibition down to the Maltese lace wedding cap, show just how dedicated to research the author is. Bride of a Distant Isle is an example of refined storytelling that's never tedious. Each tiny detail lends to the story as a whole.
I've come to expect nothing less than the best from the pen of Sandra Byrd and this installment in the Daughters of Hampshire series is certainly that. A stellar novel! If you are searching for quality historical fiction, you've found it!
~ My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars~
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. 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.*
Happy Reading!
Thank you so much for ALL you do, including reading and reviewing. I appreciate you!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! It is always a pleasure for me to write reviews of such wonderful stories!
DeleteThank you so much for ALL you do, including reading and reviewing. I appreciate you!!
ReplyDeleteBride of A Distant Isle sounds like a very intriguing book! Thank you for a great review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alexa! Sandra's books are always entertaining and worth the read!
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