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16 October 2013

THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL by Carrie Turansky ~ Reviewed by Marian Baay


The Governess of Highland Hall


Reviewed by Marian Bay
~5 stars~*****

Carrie Turansky takes her readers back to 1911, England, where we will meet some fascinating characters between the walls of Highland Hall.

Julia Foster spent twelve years in India, helping her parents with missionary work among young girls. Her father’s health declined and they had to return to England. Now it is Julia’s task to financially care for her parents. She finds a job as governess at Highland Hall—a beautiful estate with Sir William Ramsey as the new master.

Sir William is a widower with two young children. He inherited Highland Hall from his cousin who has left the estate in a very difficult financial situation. Besides the estate, his cousin also left two teenage girls in William’s care. William is intrigued by the new governess, but after his deceased wife’s betrayal he has decided not to trust women anymore.

Julia has her hands full with Sir William’s children, but soon enough she starts to care for them. The teenage girls are not happy with Julia—or with a governess in general. They think they don’t need a governess, but the oldest, Katherine, will turn 18 soon and she must be prepared for her first season in London.

Money is a big issue for William. Besides the difficult financial situation his deceased cousin left him in, he must also pay death duties for inheriting the estate. It seems to be impossible to get the money in time…unless he marries someone with big money. Then Lady Gatewood—Katherine’s aunt—takes a wealthy American young lady to Highland Hall. She hopes William and Alice will marry to solve William’s financial problems.

Julia wonders why Sir William is always brooding and one day she asks him what troubles him. He decides to take her in his confidence and tells her about the financial situation. Julia has a good idea to save some money by changing the menus. It will not be enough to pay the death duties, but it should help a bit. Julia’s wisdom will bring more changes to Highland Hall. Some servants do not understand nor like the changes, but they also do not know about the financial difficulties.

The longer Julia works at Highland Hall the more her feelings grow for Sir William. William returns those feelings, but he cannot possibly marry the governess. Obviously the wealthy American is a better choice to save Highland Hall.
What choice will William make? Will he choose for wealth or rather for love?

I really enjoyed this new book by Carrie Turansky. The characters are very enjoyable and easy to love. There are also some very interesting secondary characters in this novel, which I didn’t mention in my review, but I loved them all! This book is certainly worth the read if you love historical novels. I’m already looking forward to Carrie’s next book!


This book may be purchased through CBD, Amazon, BAM, and your local bookstore.
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GIVEAWAY: In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month we are giving away this lovely pink water bottle (stainless steel, from Dick's Sporting goods, retail value $10.) Leave a comment on this review or on Diana's review of The Governess of Highland Hall (Diana's on Friday).

35 comments:

  1. Thanks for that wonderful review Marian! As you know, I do so love historical romances and so I am going to have to get my hands on this gorgeous looking book asap! Loved the video too!!

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    1. I'm sure you will enjoy this book, NOELA! No ... you will LOVE it. :)

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  2. Hi Noela, glad to hear you enjoy historical romance novels. That's my favorite genre to read too. : ) I hope you enjoy meeting the Governess of Highland Hall!

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  3. So loved this review. Will have to read this now as I would like to know does he chose <3 or $?! I adore history/historical and who doesn't like romance ;)

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  4. What a wonderful review, MARIAN. You told me I would love this book and you were right. It was wonderful!

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  5. Thank you for sharing this wonderful review, Marian. I can't wait to read this book!!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. I hope you will get a chance to read this book soon, Britney!

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  6. Wonderful reveiw Marian. I have the book and am going to read it very soon. I so love that you chose to promote breast cancer awareness. 6 years ago I made a fleece blanket for my midwife with roses and ribbons on it, it was lovely and just the present for her since she was dealing with women coming to her with breast cancer. Would love to win the bottle would be a good reminder of compasion being needed and a healing upon the women of the world.
    Hugs
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
    Faithful Acres Books
    http://www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com

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    1. Thanks, Linda, and enjoy reading this book! What a nice present you made for your midwife!!

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  7. MARIAN loved this review, it sounds like this is another one to be added to my TBR leaning tower! :) If only I could add more hours to my days! lol The trailer was wonderful too!

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    1. Thanks, mom! :) Yes, I also wish for more hours a day... *sigh*

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  8. Loved the review - sounds like I really need to get my hands on this book!

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    1. Thanks, Betti. You won't regret getting this book!

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  9. Beautiful review. I have this book coming to me in the mail - and you can bet I'm going to be meeting the mailman for the next week until I get that and can read it. :) (no need to enter me in the drawing, let someone else win!)

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Susan! I'm sure you will enjoy this book!

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  10. This does sound like it's going to be a wonderful book & series. Beautiful cover.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  11. I loved this book!!! Your review is right on the money, MARIAN :) Awesome water bottle. Since I came home from the hospital I have had a pink insulated coffee mug (with water in it) by my side at all times. I am so thirsty and have to keep the medications flushed out of my kidneys and liver. This would make a nicer water bottle...hint hint ;) j/k, but you can throw my name in the hat! ♥

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    1. What would be nicer than to have this beautiful water bottle by your side while you drink much water to keep your kidneys and liver healthy. Great to see you stop by, Anne!

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  12. Great review Marian. I want to read this. It sounds like such a good story. Wish I could read faster, and do computer faster also. Thanks for the chance to win the book. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. You will love this book, Maxie! We're giving away the pink water bottle in the picture - not this book. Thanks for stopping by.

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  13. oh thanks so much for this entry. I have a dear friend who is now fighting a mass on her thigh with chemo. She beat lung cancer with chemo and was off chemo for 14 months. She came to choir tonight with no hair and the cutest pink shirt and pink hat for breast cancer awareness on.....she is my inspiration....singing even with chemo...even with one leg amputated. Would love to win! Rhonda rhonda_nash_hall (AT) comcast (DOT) net

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    1. Your friend is amazing. What a blessing to see God's power through her!

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  14. My mother is a breast cancer survivor so if I won I would give the water bottle to her! a_stonecipher@yahoo.com

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  15. Great review Marian. This book really sounds good love to read it.
    Blessings
    Diana
    joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Diana! I hope you'll get a chance to read it soon.

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  16. This book does sound very good. I look forward to reading it.

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  17. I have been a nanny, twice, for brief periods - love children, & love everything about this book! Wonderful storyline - want to read the book!

    Thanks for your review, Marian, & congratulations, Carrie!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. Wow, so fun to read messages from all the friends who have stopped by! Thanks for your kind comments about The Governess of Highland Hall. She would be delighted to meet each of you! Blessings and happy reading, Carrie

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  19. I'd love to be entered! Very pretty water bottle.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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