Rambles of a SAHM

A Most Noble Heir

Susan Anne Mason

Historical Fiction

Will Gaining the World Cost Him Everything He Holds Most Dear?

When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl's heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.

Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father's demanding expectations.

Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan's new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.

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My Thoughts

I adore a good rags to riches story and that's exactly what I got with A Most Noble Heir. Nolan Price has been employed as a stable hand at Stainsby Hall in Derbyshire, England for years. He loves the work and fellow employees, especially the lovely kitchen maid Hannah Burnham.

Nolan has dreams of a farm of his own and making Hannah his wife. He's been saving and planning for years and he's on the cusp of all that happening when his mother takes ill. Nolan's mom has been keeping something very important from him for his entire life and now that she's dying she must confess. The news is shocking and devastating and changes not only Nolan's life but the lives of all those around him.

I enjoyed reading about the struggle of instant fortune. It's something we all dream about but rarely let ourselves think about the repercussions of what it would really be like. Every aspect of Nolan's life changed and he had to learn to navigate and balance what used to be with what is.

The learning curve wasn't steep for Nolan alone. It was also hard for Hannah and Nolan's new family. It was equal parts blessing and curse. What I really enjoyed about the story was the suspense of the sinister plot that was going on during this time of transition.

This is definitely a book for historical romance lovers. The rural manor house setting and all the British complexities make for a delightful read.

Other Reviews For This Author

Irish Meadows

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Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. 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.

Irish Meadows

Courage To Dream, Book 1

Susan Anne Mason

Historical Fiction

1911

Long Island, New York

Faced With an Uncertain Future, Sometimes

All You Have Left Is the Courage to Dream

Brianna and Colleen O'Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he's put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry--as long as her father's choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone's plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O'Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father's machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

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My Thoughts

I adore a delicious historical fiction read. I have a group of authors that I just automatically pick up their new books. But one of my favorite things is discovering a new historical fiction book by an unknown author. And when I wind up loving the book it's like icing on the cake. That is exactly what happened with Irish Meadows.

The turn of the century is such a fascinating time. So many things were changing but a lot of the changes weren't always open to women. In fact women's futures were still commonly thought of as only becoming wives and mothers. Sisters Brianna and Colleen O'Leary find themselves stuck in this very position. It is expected that each will marry well.

Brianna longs to go to college when her current schooling is finished. Her father thinks it is foolish and a waste of time and money. Instead he expects her to marry. She's determined to make her dream come true but circumstances just continue to impede her progress.

Colleen on the other hand would love to marry and to marry well. The problem is that her father's choice and her choice are not the same. To avoid such a union she decides to take drastic measures. The repercussions aren't pretty but they do have a lasting effect that will ultimately shape the rest of her life.

What I liked about this book was that it went farther and deeper than a nice romance. The author allowed us to get to know the characters and to understand what made them think and feel the way they did. The story is what I would consider somewhat of a complete story for the featured characters. Even though this book is part of a series I enjoyed feeling like the main characters had all the presented situations wrapped up. It was also nice to see the thread of continuity that is going to be woven into the next novel.

I look forward to reading not only the next book in this series A Worthy Heart but also many more books by this author. If you like historical fiction with a bit of romance then I encourage you to give this book a try.

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www.SusanAnneMason.com

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