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07 July 2016

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd Audiobook Review


Blurb: For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.


Carrie's Audiobook Review

It is so difficult to find a good Christian fiction new release audiobook to listen to, so was I ever thrilled when I learned Sarah E. Ladd's newest Regency from Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins was available as a download from Audible.com! I have a membership and I promptly downloaded it and listened!

SPOILER: I love a rags-to-riches story and I've written some myself. Isabel is such a sympathetic heroine, orphaned and working in a girl's school. One begins to realize, pretty quickly, that all is not well at Emberwilde.

This story includes elements of extreme betrayal and avarice as well as criminal behavior and murder. For Isabel, almost no one is beyond suspicion. She's a strong young woman who takes a while to "push back" at some of the nonsense being hoisted upon her. But she eventually does rise to the occasion.

This was a very good listen! Narration was good but could have been better, but it wasn't a deterrent to the listen.

Note: I did receive a paperback from the publisher but am under no compulsion to post a positive review. As mentioned, I purchased my own audiobook copy and listened.

Giveaway: A Paperback copy of Sarah's lovely Regency, Dawn at Emberwilde (a gorgeous cover on this paperback!) Leave a comment as to why you enjoy Regency stories.  I like them because some of my ancestors lived in England during Regency (my great-grandparents immigrated to Michigan later) and because I loved Jane Austin.  

41 comments:

  1. I love reading Regency because of how different the manners, dress, and landscape is from my own life. It's so fun to visualize!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Heidi, per random.org you are our winner of Sarah's lovely new book, Dawn at Emberwilde! Congrats! I agree with your comments, too!

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  2. So far I have just loved every single one of Sarah Ladd's recency era novels. I so enjoyed your review, CARRIE, and am looking forward to reading this in short order. Thank you!

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  3. Wonderful review Carrie!
    I have the book and have only 23 pages left. This is a great story.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Just saw this comment, Tina! Thanks so much! I hope you loved Sarah E. Ladd's new Regency!

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  4. Thank you, Miss Carrie, for a great review! A beautiful cover for a beautiful book! Keeping my fingers crossed! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. You are welcome, Melanie! I enjoy audiobooks so much! The cover is lovely for this Emberwilde book and the others by Sarah E. Ladd!

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  6. This book looks like a great read. I am looking forward to reading it. I too have ancestors who lived in that era. Thank you for the giveaway.
    Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn! It's fun reading about a time and place where your ancestors lived!

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  7. I love Jane Austen and all the etiquette of the Regency period. I'd love to wear the long day dresses, I love an empire waistline, so flattering on nearly every figure!
    betherin02 AT gmail DOT com

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    1. That's funny about the Empire waistline being flattering but it is true, Beth! Blessings!

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  8. I guess I like the Regency period since some of the first romance books I read ages ago were set then. It's also so very different than now: the clothes, the manners, the customs. I really enjoyed Sarah's other books so am looking forward to Dawn at Emberwilde.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I hope you got a chance to read Daw at Emberwilde, Pam!

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  9. I love all the rules of the society, especially courting.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. I think there were a GREAT many rules in Regency about courting but I bet many were broken!

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  10. I love reading Regency novels because I enjoy reading about the elegance and history of that era. Great cover, looking forward to reading.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I love all those descriptions of beautiful things, too, Dianne, but my ancestors apparently worked in the hops fields of England, so I doubt they saw much of that!

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  11. Wow does this ever sound intriguing and thoroughly enticing!!

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    1. Thanks for the review, Carrie! Regency novels carry such an air of glamour and fascination for me!

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    2. Hey Noela! Thanks so much! My reviews don't compare to yours, but I do enjoy a good audiobook! Hugs to you my Aussie Angel!

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  12. I love the Regency era because of the elegance of that time period. If you were from a well-to-do family, you got to wear beautiful gowns and expensive jewelry, not to mention how important good manners were, as apposed to today's society. :( Thanks for the giveaway and good luck everyone.

    princessdebbie1_2000ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Hi Debbie! The British Regency novels are such a contrast to our Early American country stories, but novels set in America during this era can have a similar flavor. Thanks for coming by!

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  13. I love the Regency period of English History! The culture and social habits are fascinating! Regency novels expand on the Fairy tales I loved as a child!

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    1. Hi Jeanna! What a pretty name! I picture most Americans, during that time period, as more rough and tumble as they were busy building a new country. Regency contrasts sharply with that.

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  14. I like the Regency period because of the manners and clothing. That time frame is one of my favorites to read about. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. Hi Loraine, There is a strong sense of nostalgia in Jane Austin's Regencies and in many of them. I like that!

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  15. I love the romance of the Regency period. The fashion is gorgeous too! CARRIE, thank you for the beautiful review.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. I think in actuality Regency was a terrible time in which to live, but that's why this is called fiction!

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  16. I love historical fiction and am not overly familiar with the Regency period, so this story sounds quite fascinating. Thanks so much for the review and giveaway, Carrie.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Betti! Regencies are British-set stories set during the time when the Prince Regent was in charge of running the country, but they all have certain attributes. Author Vanessa Riley, whose novel we recently featured, has a great blog that explains all things Regency. Here's the link: http://www.christianregency.com

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  17. I love reading Regency Christian fiction! I find this era so fascinating with all the gowns, jewels, the balls, elaborate meals, the chivalry of the men, and the courting...sigh :) This book sounds like it's full of all of the things I enjoy about Regency fiction. I love the added bonus that it also has twists and suspense! Thanks for the GREAT review and giveaway, Carrie! I can't wait to read Dawn at Emberwilde!!!

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    1. Thanks for coming by! I love all that, too! It's such a fun escape.

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  18. The world of Jane Austin has alwyas been one that intrigues me. Through books I can get a glimpse of that time. In a sense, I wish that I could have been part of that world. It is so different from my life and would have been an adventure to be a apart of. Also, I love horses, so it is almost guaranteed that my family would have had horses during that time. I would have loved being able to ride around everywhere.

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    1. Hi, Elise! Jane Austin does give us a lovely fictional slice of that time period. Since it is fictional, we're spared reading many of the realities of the time, such as the poverty and what the common man lived like.

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  19. I love Regency books because I was just born in the wrong era. Okay, I would really miss all the conveniences of running water and electricity, being able to travel across the world quickly and skyping with my daughter. But I do love history and a simpler lifestyle in theory.
    Arletta

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    1. I agree with you Arletta! The lack of modern conveniences would be hard -- on the other hand we wouldn't have known any difference! Blessings!

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  20. Honestly it would be a first for me, but I am interested in trying. Sounds awesome! Kristie tklovenestataoldotcom

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  21. I love historical romance stories from nearly any period. Regencies are one of my favorites though. I love them because they remind me so much of Pride and Prejudice.

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