Escape to Historical Cornwall with this new release... The Governess of Penwythe by Sarah E. Ladd (Review & #Giveaway)


Welcome to my tour stop! Read my review and enter the tour giveaway below...

The Governess of Penwythe
(The Cornwall Novels #1)
By Sarah E. Ladd
Christian Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 352 Pages
April 16th 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Summary

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.

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My Review

THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE is a story of loss, faith, family, and love with a twist of danger. Readers will fall in love with these characters, especially the children under the governess's care. Highly recommended to historical romance fans, both in the general and Christian markets.

It was so easy to love these characters! Delia has a troubled past, but she is loyal, optimistic, loving, and cares deeply for the children in her care. The Twethewey children are wonderful and charming. I loved getting to know their different personalities and felt for their struggles as they try to recover from their parents' deaths. Jac is a wonderful mix of hard-working, genuine country landowner and dashing gentleman. Both Delia and Jac have their weaknesses and vulnerabilities as well as strengths. Flaws make them feel human, so I appreciate how well formed each of their characters are. I felt for their hardships and the tough choices they faced, which made the ending that much sweeter. Really quite perfect.

The story itself moves at the great pace. There is a feel of mystery and suspense in parts, balanced with fun, laughter and romance. The story never drags and there are several twists to keep it interesting with a few climaxes as well.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I loved this story and highly recommend it! Ladd never disappoints, and that is definitely the case here.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher on NetGalley through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

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.


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 19th Century life in Cornwall
(Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/cornish_nation_01.shtmlhttps://www.maritimeheritage.org/ports/Cornwall.htmlhttp://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/cornish-fishing/history-of-the-cornish-fishing-industry.php)

Tour Schedule

Back Porch Reads, April 11
LifeofLiterature, April 11
Moments, April 11
Genesis 5020, April 11
Mary Hake, April 12
KarenSueHadley, April 13
EmpowerMoms, April 13
The Avid Reader, April 14
Wishful Endings, April 15
Simple Harvest Reads, April 15 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
The Becca Files, April 16
Remembrancy, April 17
Worthy2Read, April 18
By The Book, April 18
Pause for Tales, April 21
Bigreadersite, April 22
Hallie Reads, April 23
Henry Happens, April 24

Tour-Wide 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! 



One of Ladd's first books, The Headmistress of Rosemere, is still an old favorite of mine. Have you read any of her books? Will you be reading this one?

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