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24 May 2013

Noela Nancarrow Reviews The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

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.
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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? 

54 comments:

  1. NOELA your review makes me want to re-read this alluring tale. It was so good I was frantically flipping pages.so I need to reread it again at a leisurely pace. lol

    I remember one time we were riding down the interstate and I felt led to pick up my Bible and start reading it our loud. After reading for a few moments I glanced up and saw a HUGE fire extinguisher fly off the left side of a Big Tractor Trailer and instead of it coming straight at us like it should have, the LORD caused it to come around the back of the rig and fly off into the grass on the right side. THAT WAS A MIRACLE!! With the wind and speed of that truck it should have come straight into our windshield. All we could say the THANK YOU LORD!!

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    1. It surely was a page-turner TERESA! :) I actually did go back once to read through all my favorite bits again but then kept reading & reading... ;)

      Wow - what a great miracle story!! Some angels travelling with you on that drive I'd say Teresa. Isn't it good to know God is the one in control?

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  2. This was a great audiobook. Lots of suspense in this one! God has rescued me so many times in scary situations that I couldn't list them all. He is SO good!!

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    1. Yes, I loved the suspense and drama in this book CARRIE!

      Amen Carrie, He IS so good! As the song goes, what a wonderful God we serve! :)

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  3. Can't believe I haven't left a comment yet. It's not like I haven't been here already this morning. ;)
    Great review, NOELA. The book really was awesome - Julie's best imo!

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    1. Lol, yes you've been here and everywhere Dutchy... but did you get any cleaning done yet? ;)

      I LOVED this story too and I think it just may be my favorite also!! :)

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  4. Thanks for the great review, Noela. So glad you enjoyed the book!

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    1. Hi JULIE, thanks so much!! This book is definitely one of my all-time favorite books! :)

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  5. Hey, NOELA ... I have this one sitting on my TBR file, so don't enter me, but I'm pretty sure I'll love it, not only because of your wonderful review, but because I love all of Julie's books!!

    Did want to let you know that there wasn't a link to this interview on the promos you did on FB, and I know people are going to want to enter this one for sure!! :)

    Hugs and Happy Weekend!!
    Julie

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    1. Yikes JULIE, thanks for letting me know! Fixing it now - I know exactly how I made that boo-boo lol, whoops!! You're a sweetheart, love you, and thanks for your comment!! Can't wait until you read this one!! :)

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  6. excellent review SKL! stay strong, stay lovely, stay well-written! bless you and Julie!

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    1. AWW thanks Murray PURA!! :) Same to you and God bless you right back!!

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  7. This is not on my IBR pile yet because I'm hoping to win it. Think Positive, right? I definitely will be following it around the internet. Always enjoy Julie's books!
    Enjoyed your review, Noella! I'm glad you've joined the group here.

    Have a great weekend everyone!

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    1. Thanks so much DEBRA!! Yes, thinking positive is good but ya also got to answer the question LOL!! :)
      I totally agree - Julie's books are fantastic, love them all too!! God bless and have a great weekend too!!

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  8. Oh, I just loved this wonderful story, NOELA, and you did such an awesome job of reviewing it!

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    1. Thank you DIANA my lovely cohort!! Definitely one of the best stories!!! :)

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  9. Our book club has read two of Julie's books. I also have met her in person at the local Christian book store. An amazing author!

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    1. MARTHA, how exciting! They never have any book signings at our Christian book store! :( She IS an amazing author---I remember the first book I ever read of hers called The Lady of Milkweed Manor. That one instantly made me a Julie Klassen fan!

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  10. Yes I have .. Was in a fishing tournament one time and the wind got up high . My husband was stering the boat and I was praying .. Have never seen the waves so high . The wave were so high that when we went down and looking up all you could see was waves. That day several boats sunk . We had to get back across the river to get the boat out. If we had not had The Load that day we would not be here today. Thank you Jesus. I loved your review and would love to win this book .Thanks again .
    Blessings
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. ELIZABETH, that sounds terrifying! Thank the Lord for his hand of protection on us. I loved going out on the boat on a lake, but wild horses couldn't drag me on a boat in the ocean. Carnival Cruise Lines---maybe. lol

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    2. DIANA--you really NEED to go on a cruise someday--but personally, I would make it another, besides Carnival--they have had too much attention lately... ;-) I have been on several and enjoyed them all--much better than being in a small boat in the ocean--the last time I did that (in Hawaii), I got seasick!

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  11. I have mostly have had it great, but I know that he has watched over me as I have to do a lot of driving in crazy traffic. centraleast2 at gmail dot com

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    1. CENTRALEAST2, we can all identify with that answer. We've missed alot of close calls thanks be to God and His angels watching o'er us!

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  12. In the last year, I have had 2 close calls on the interstate. I am very sure that God protected me from disaster. One was when I came up over a rise, going 70 per hour. An 18-wheeler was in front of me and was able to straddle the large metal object in the middle of my lane. There was a car right beside me, so there was no option to swerve to my left. I had this terrible moment of realization that there was nothing I could do. I felt that I was hurling toward catastrophe as I sped over the metal object, attempting to avoid it with my tires. There was a terrifying, loud scraping noise. In my rear view mirror I thought I was seeing smoking pouring out behind me. With the Lord's protection, I was able to quickly pull over and stop. I didn't lose control of the car and my tires securely gripped the pavement. It was definitely a blessing of protection--not only for me, but for those cars traveling around me! The Lord was so merciful. BTW, it wasn't smoke, it was oil from my oil pan being demolished.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Oh KAY, my heart was in my mouth just reading that!! Praise God He was in control of your car and the whole situation. Thanks for sharing and lotsa luck in the draw!! :)

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  13. As a visting nurse, going from home to home, some areas have given me the willies. When in those circumstances, I had to stop and remember I was not in this alone.
    Lori
    ldwrncpn[at]comcast[dot]com

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    1. Hi LORI, thanks for stopping by! I love the term 'willies' lol, it somehow perfectly describes a feeling doesn't it? That's so great though that you remember to pause and think about the Lord being with you at those times and maybe offering up a prayer. God bless!!

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  14. I have THE TUTOR'S DAUGHTER on my reading list.

    I do know that I have traveled through life with an Angel on my shoulder many a time.

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    1. MARY, good to hear you have The Tutor's Daughter on your reading list... I'm guessing you already know it's a fabulous story! :)

      Angels are often mentioned in the Bible and one of the ways they serve God is to provide protection at times for God's people. It's exciting to know isn't it Mary that at times we really do have angels with us!

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  15. When I was 28 years old, I had not been feeling well. I finally went to the doctor and he ran some lab work. He told me that something was wrong, but wasn't sure and needed to run numerous tests. So, I was admitted to the local hospital and they immediately started running tests. The next day which was a Friday, the radiologist came into my room. I worked for her and at first did not think anything about it until she closed the door and set down on the end of my bed. She said she doesn't give the news to the patient, but since I worked for her she asked if she could be the one to tell me. Tests showed I had tumors and they were rapidly collecting fluid around my ovaries. They thought I had ovarian cancer. I lived in a small town and taught many children piano lessons. Word spread like wild fire around town and every church of all denominations had special prayer for me that weekend. They sent me to the next bigger city and the doctor said we must do surgery right away. I had to sign for a complete hysterectomy. Doctor said he would do whatever he would have to do. I was so scared, but when they opened up the surgical site there was no tumors and no fluid. Doctor told my Mother maybe they were looking at something else. Mom said no told him about everyone praying and believing for a miracle. Doctor said well you got yours today. It's still amazing to the doctor I'd worked for. She says, "I saw it. I know it was there and now it's gone". God is good all the time!! Thank you for entering me in your giveaway!!
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hallelujah BARBARA, what a wonderful testimony!! Thank you for sharing and we praise God for your healing!!! :)

      I wish you all the best with your entry to win Julie's book! Blessings!

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  16. One time, I was frantically trying to find my grandmother after a summer thunderstorm and power outage; she has a heart condition. My young girls and I had just prayed for God to send a solution, when a man much too young to live in her building (a senior community) walked us safely up the pitch-black stairs using his cell-phone light and to her unit, making sure we didn't need further assistance. Once my grandmother opened the door, I was so relieved I hugged her and began weeping. By the time I turned to thank the man, I realized he had quietly disappeared before we even had a chance to tell him how grateful we were for his help. It was an immediate and very dramatic answer to prayer! Thanks for the giveaway. danandlyndaedwards(at)msn(dot)com.

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    1. Ooh I wonder if that younger man was an angel? In the scriptures, when angels appear in human form it's often in the form of a man, so you never know! And even if he wasn't, God provided the help you needed. Praise His name!

      Thanks for stopping by LYNDA and sharing your inspiring story! God bless!!

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  17. I fell asleep at the wheel and jerked awake when my foot pressed the brake as I came up to a stop light behind other cars. I definitely think there was an angel protecting me and others. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi VERONICA, yikes that sounds like a very close call. I'm so relieved your foot pressed on the brake and not the accelerator! I'm sure you were being looked after too! Thanks so much for sharing, God bless!!

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  18. I have been rescued numerous times during my life & there is no other explanation except God- an example is my mother, brother, grandmother, & I being within minutes of dying from asphyxiation when my aunt & uncle found us (I was just a child). HE has been good to me!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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    1. He is SO wonderful isn't He, BONNIE! Gosh Bonnie, I'm so glad God sent your Aunt and Uncle to save you all... what a terrible tragedy that would have been.
      God bless you, and thanks so much for coming by to enter in the competition!

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  19. What a great review! Thanks for that! Yes, I have been in a dangerous situation. I had never driven in a blizzard before. One day, I was sent home early from work and drove in a blizzard! It took me an hour and a half to drive 20 minutes! I could hardly see, but prayed the entire time and God got me home! :)

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    1. Thank you JOI! And thanks for sharing also! Those driving situations can be some of the scariest ever... not that I've ever experienced a blizzard mind you with living in Aus, but we have driven in such heavy rain on a mountain where we could only see a metre in front at a time! I imagine a blizzard would be even worse than that. Thank the Lord He got you home in one piece!!
      If the other OWG gals don't have your e-mail, pls add it so we can get in touch with you if you win. Thanks Joi. :)

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  20. Lovely review! I can't wait to read it. :)
    I have had many bad situations where I know it was by the grace of God alone that I walked away unharmed. Once, I was in a really bad accident where they have no clue how I walked away from it without injury or death. I felt a bubble of protection around me the whole time and I know it was a miracle!
    Susan P
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thanks SUSAN, you will really enjoy it!! Such a fabulous story and one of my favourites! :)

      Just reading all these stories and yours too Susan, I'm just marveling at how often God must step in and protect or save us all from harm! And I think it goes to show that HE really is the Author and Finisher of Life! That's a great testimony Susan and especially that you felt that bubble of protection.. very special!

      Best of luck with your entry!!

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  21. I do love Regency romances. This sounds lovely, with a bit of mystery intertwined as well. :)
    Laura - lahudsonchef at yahoo

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    1. LAURA, this one put me in mind of Jane Eyre a bit. I love these sort of stories as well. Do you have an answer to the question Noela posed above? :)

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    2. Diana, yes...forgot to answer that. Over a decade ago, I was car-jacked in my own driveway. After being grabbed from behind, I completely lost my mind at first, screaming bloody murder, then biting the fella's arm. But, suddenly, I knew to call on my Father, "Father!" was all I could say. My mind calmed enough to understand that the large guy behind me was demanding my car keys. I handed them to him and he took off. He really did only want the car. There's a lot more to this story, but it was God calming me down that kept me from being hurt by a scared & desperate kid (first time in trouble, had just started running with a chop shop).
      Laura

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    3. Thanks LAURA! Gosh what a frightening experience that would have been for you. I'm so relieved that even though your car was taken, you were left unharmed. Well apart from some very shattered nerves I'd guess. I think in that situation I'd probably need God to spring me into some kind of action because I imagine myself just freezing up!!

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  22. Oh my, yes. The Lord has a full time angel in charge of looking out for me! In Jan. while going thru the airport I was arrested with brass knuckles in my backpack. My policeman son in law stuck them in there, worried about us in Mexico. I did not know! Long story short, after handcuffs, shackles, full day in jail..the Lord put fellow cellies there for me to witness to and lead to Him. I've a simpler plan of witnessing in mind...no more jail!

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    1. MELODY, that would have horrified me to no end! You have had so many adventures and I'm sure they are all going into a book one day--this one included. I'm with you...no more jail! Just your missionary work and good books! :)

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  23. I give blood regularly and never had any problems afterwards. Well except for one time. It was the middle of the summer and very hot. I was in a rush to meet my parents as we were leaving for a trip and I must have not waited long enough after giving blood. Anyway I passed out at the wheel of my car!!! On the busy interstate no less. Thankfully I was in the right lane and my car went off the road to the right. Totaled the car but I walked away with only a few scratches. I could very easily not be here today.

    Love Julie's books and have not read this newest one yet.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. PATTY, that is one of the scariest things I have ever heard. I can hardly believe you walked away from that one, but so thankful to the Lord you did!

      Hoping you get a copy of JULIE'S newest asap! You'll thoroughly enjoy it! ~Blessings

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  24. I was just finishing typing my response (a long one of course...and my wifi here at the hotel expired & I lost it all! SO ANNOYING! well here goes again. ;-)

    I had trouble thinking of an answer, until I read Lynda E. response. This incident happened when we were neighbors with Diana in Cali (I don't know if you remember this story or nnot, Diana...)

    My oldest son was about 2 yr old, and I was driving to a shopping center for some shopping, & he did not want to sit in his car seat, so I had given in and let him sit in the seat next to me (this was before the carseat law). I was sitting at a red light, in a turn lane, waiting to make a left-hand turn, when unknown to me, my son had fiddled with the door handle, so when the light changed and I began my turn, the momentum of the turn pulled the door open and my my son screamed "WAIT MOMMY!" and to my horror, he began tumbling out into the middle of the intersection! Note: I had always thought that if something horrific happened to me that I would just freeze and nothing would come out of my mouth, but I learned that I could scream! It was like watching a scary scene of a movie in slow motion. I thought for sure that he would be run over by either MY car or the car following me through the turn. I pulled over & was ready to run into the intersection to get him, but saw that a man had come out and grabbed him and brought him to the corner where I had stopped--and then he was gone! Where did this man come from & how did he get to my child so quickly? I believe this man was an angel!

    My son and I were both so traumatized, that we sat in the car for quite a while just clinging to each other! I of course scolded him for messing with the door-handle and told him he had scared me to death and that he should NEVER do it again! He said "I won'y Mommy!" and he ALWAYS sat in his car-seat w/o ANY complaint after that scare. I also found that for MANY years, I could not have the car windows down, because the sound of the "whosh" of the wind coming in through the widows, would bring back that same fear I had felt as I watched him tumbling out of my car...

    And yes, this book sounds very exciting and I would love to read it.
    Vicki
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

    PS I also remembered two different times (two different children) disappeared on us and we thought maybe they had been kidnapped which were also very scary--fortunately, both times they were safe--two more stories, one which I think I shared on another blag answer. :-)

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    1. Oh my gosh VICKI... I think I just dropped my jaw on the floor reading that!! I'm feeling traumatized after reading that just thinking how terrifying that would've been for you and your son! Thanking God for helping you both through that!!

      Yeah, good idea to leave your other stories for another time lol, that was enough shock for one day! ;) Vicki, this book is just fantastic and I know you'll absolutely love it!! Here's hoping for a win for you!

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  25. Yeah, I had totally forgotten about that, since it was about 36 years ago! ;-) I think that was my #1 biggest scare ever and then # 2 was when we thought my yr. old daughter had been kidnapped (but wasn't) and #3 would be when my youngest disappeared in a mall on a Christmas eve (& turned out to be fine! Any guesses why many of my family and friends have told me I should write a book?!? ;-) Plenty of other adventures through-out my crazy life... LOL

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  26. Correction: my 4 yr. old daughter...

    --Curious if Diana remembers my son Thad falling out of the car...

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