|
The Tutor's Daughter |
Reviewed
by Noela Nancarrow
5
stars~*****
Traverse
the continents to England and the windswept coast of Cornwall where you’ll find
the sprawling Ebbington Manor upon the high cliff tops of North Cornwall. Peer
over the cliffs of giddy heights and you’ll behold turquoise seas and pounding
surf off the dramatic coastline. With this exquisite setting as a backdrop, ‘A
tutor’s Daughter’ will fully engage your senses as you get lost in the Regency
era of this outstanding story.
Emma
Smallwood lives with and helps out her widowed father who is a tutor. However,
his boarding school is failing and her father is feeling melancholy and
unmotivated, which is not boding well for the future of the school. In the bid
to acquire some new pupils, Emma drafts a letter to the Weston family whose
older sons had previously attended, knowing they also had two younger boys.
Emma receives a reply that Sir Giles Weston requests that her father consider
coming to Ebbington Manor to teach his sons there for a year, and that Emma was
welcome to come along. John Smallwood perks up at the prospect and is eager to
go, longing for a change. On the other hand Emma, remembering one in particular
of the two older Weston sons, is not so keen. Nevertheless, knowing her father
needs her assistance, she accepts Sir Giles’ invitation and soon they are on
their way by coach to Ebford, Cornwall.
When
Emma and her father arrive they seem to be unexpected, and Lady Weston even
upon discovering Sir Giles’ forgotten invitation to the Smallwood’s, still
seems rather cool toward them. When tense words were heard behind doors between
the hosts, Emma had the distinct impression they were not welcome.
The
Manor in which the Weston family lived was a grand place that had expanded over
the years, creating an awkward mixture of Medieval, Tudor, and Georgian
architecture. With an ancient two-story hall that displayed crossed swords and
shields on the darkly paneled walls, an off-limits north wing, and creaking
stairs, the old Manor took on a mysterious ambience. The mysteries surrounding
this place and the Weston’s, magnified when Emma began to hear strange
happenings throughout the night, including high pitched wailing; hurried footsteps;
and ghostly piano playing. What are the closely guarded secrets that surround
this family?
The
older sons of the Baronet, Phillip and Henry, have grown up quite a bit since
Emma last saw them. While she is drawn to one of them by his gentle and helpful
nature, she finds the other brother intimidates and perplexes her. But someone
is playing pranks that are escalating in intensity and Emma doesn’t know who is
responsible. At times, Emma’s heart is being pulled in two directions but as
her feelings grow for one of them, will it be one who will hurt her? She knows
only too well also, that any relationship has very little chance of working out
as they are the sons of a Baron and she is simply a Tutor’s Daughter.
I
enjoyed this historical journey to Cornwall and Ebbington Manor immensely. This
adventure was just brimming with tangible atmosphere and characters of great
depth and charisma. There were inspiring moments of faith renewed, along with heart-stopping
suspense and danger. This was a page-turner edged in intrigue. Including a breathtaking
romance, this story had it all!!
You can buy Julie's books at Amazon, CBD, and other bookstores.
____________________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY: A Kindle copy of The Tutor's Daughter for one commenter who answers the question. And don't forget to leave your email address as well.
QUESTION: Have you ever been in a dangerous or
scary situation and experienced the Lord rescuing you from that place?