Edwardian Bride Series, Book 1
Carrie Turansky
Historical Fiction
Back of the book:
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 an 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 financial ruin. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a 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 over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall's future?
Read The First Chapter
My thoughts:
I really enjoy literature that is set in the Edwardian time frame and The Governess of Highland Hall was a great example of well written fiction in this period. Ms. Turansky did a wonderful job of remaining accurate to the time while keeping the story line interesting.
The main character is Julia who has been a missionary with her parents in India. She loved her work with the young girls there but because of her father's medical condition she and her family are forced to return to England. Once they are back on the continent Julia seeks a position as governess to help alleviate some of the financial strain on her family.
Julia finds a position at Highland Hall that is ran by Sir William Ramsey. Sir Ramsey has recently acquired the estate because of the death for his cousin. William is faced with many struggles over whether to go with his heart or to stick with what is acceptable among the nobility. Julia proves to be the source of his greatest predicament. Falling in love with the governess is beyond acceptable in his social circles. He also has the added responsibility of securing the future of Highland Hall for the family name. In order to do that he either needs to remarry someone of means or find a way to raise more capital.
Along with the story line of Julia and William is the charming tale of the budding romance between William's younger sister Sarah and the head gardener. That is a definite no no to the social norms of the time. The cast of characters is filled out with people that appear to be loyal, but aren't and those that are just out to benefit themselves.
This book is light enough for a great afternoon read but it is complex enough to hold you interest on into the evening. I recommend it to anyone that enjoys historical fiction and more specifically that from the Edwardian period.
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Thanks for this thoughtful review! It's been a fun and busy week for me and the governess! I love your tag line: Keeping Mommies in the know one review at a time!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Happy Reading!
Carrie