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11 February 2014

Diana Reviews 'The Headmistress of Rosemere' by Sarah E. Ladd

The Headmistress of Rosemere


Reviewed by Diana Flowers
5 stars*****
(No Spoilers!)

A Truly Wonderful Regency!

Author Sarah Ladd has penned an intriguing Regency era novel—reminiscent of the legendary Jane Austen—set amongst the glistening, snow-covered, windswept moors of England; with their mysterious beauty, dark secrets, and much anguish of the heart.

At the ripe old age of twenty-five, Patience Creighton has resigned herself to the fact that she will forever remain a spinster. After the death of her beloved father and desertion of her brother, the headmistress of Rosemere is left with the responsibility of twenty-nine female pupils and her severely depressed mother. Life is fairly monotonous until the handsome owner of Rosemere arrives, wounded and desperately in need of Patience's care.

William Sterling had been viciously attacked on the moors by the henchmen of a man he is greatly indebted to. Years of gambling and irresponsibility have finally taken its toll on him…will he have to sacrifice Rosemere to pay off his debts? As his attraction to Patience begins to turn into something deeper, her brother shows up at Rosemere with an old flame whose proposal she had once rejected. Can Ewan give her the security of a home, children, and the life she had once dreamed of but had cast aside? And as dark secrets come to light concerning William, will she turn her heart away from him…forever?

The Headmistress of Rosemere can be read as a stand alone, but now I am so anxious to read the first novel in the Whispers On The Moors series! Sarah Ladd is a masterful storyteller; her descriptive imagery lending an air of mystery and intrigue to the moors. My mind went instantly to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, and William Sterling fits in quite nicely with the brooding heroes in those two savory classics. With likeable, well-defined characters, and a realistic, intriguing storyline that will keep the reader flipping those pages, you're sure to enjoy this great story even if you're not a big Regency era fan. Ms. Ladd definitely has a new fan in me! 
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This book can be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away a copy of each of Sarah's books this week, choice of format (international winners--ebook or audiobook only.) Please be sure to leave your email addy for contact purposes.



109 comments:

  1. What a beautiful cover! I love reading historical romances set in this time period, too, and this one sounds particularly good. I truly hope I can win a copy. Thanks for offering me the opportunity.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! Both of the covers on Sarah's books are quite lovely---Sarah was blessed! Please come back by and leave an email addy for contact purposes! Thx!

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    2. Thank you for the kind words about the covers! Thomas Nelson's design team is amazing!! :)

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  2. Oh thank you DIANA for your beautiful review... It was just what I've been waiting for!! ;) I can see now I am going to have to get this book asap and squeeze in reading it somehow! And what a GORGEOUS cover too!! I do love all historicals, but there is something wonderfully intriguing and beautiful about the Regency era. :)

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    1. NOELA, thank you for your oh, so kind words! You mustn't miss out on this one, and according to Ms. Baay I need to stick my nose in the first one as well---which awaits me on my Kindle! Can't wait to read it!

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    2. Hi Noela! I agree with you --- there is something intriguing about the Regency, isn't there?

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  3. I just can't wait to read this book, which dear Carrie sent to me for my birthday. I so loved Sarah's debut novel and when I read your wonderful review of Rosemere, Diana, then I know I must pick it up next. :)

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    1. Yes you should, MARIAN! :) You will love it. Sarah has a way with Regency that not too many authors have!

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    2. Hi Marian! So good to connect with you here!

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  4. Great review DIANA, This sounds like another one to be added to my TBR tower. lol I can't believe I haven't read one of Sarah's books yet. :-)

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    1. TERESA, I know you will enjoy this one! One more to add to that tumbling over stack!! hehe

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    2. Hi Teresa! I love that you call it a "tower" instead of a "stack"! My TBR "Tower" is out of control too!!

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  5. I love the cover of this book, it is absolutely beautiful.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. And the pages within likewise, DANIE! Good luck to you!

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    2. Hi Danie! Thanks for stopping by, and best of luck in the drawing! :)

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  6. Diana, Thank you for featuring Sarah's book. The story line looks wonderful. I have been wanting to read her books as they have such good reviews. Thank you for opportunity.
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome, JACKIE! It is a great book and I'm so excited to meet a wonderful new author!

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    2. Hi Jackie! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. I enjoy a good series, but it's nice that they can be read on their own!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I'm feel the same way, PATTY! I'm looking forward to backtracking and reading the first book!

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    2. Hi Patty! These books were written so they could be read by themselves, but there is definitely a thread that runs through them that unites them together into as series! I hope you enjoy it!

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  8. The cover always sells me first, just reaches out and grabs me - then I check the back cover! Hope to get to read this!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. I'm glad this one reached out and grabbed you, MELODY! I'm a cover girl, too! ;)

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    2. Hi Melody! I love a good cover, too. It is always interesting to see how a cover artist interprets an author's work, isn't it? I love how to design team at Thomas Nelson has designed my covers!

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  9. Beautiful cover! I love historical christian fiction in this time period.
    Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
    Blessings, Tina
    tfrice@comcast.net

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    1. It sure is, TINA! I believe you will love this one as well! Thanks so much for coming by!

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    2. Hi Tina! I love to read books from this time period too. My favorite! Good luck in the drawing!

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful story! Great review!
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    1. It tis, my dear SUSAN! Thank you and good luck in the drawing!

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  11. Very good review Diana, as usual.Wish I was good like that, but I don't read fast enough anyway. I would really love to win Sarah's book. She always has such beautiful covers. Hoping the drawing machine picks my name. Love you and sending (((hgs))) to all of you OWG gals. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. I love that! The drawing machine....you're too cute, MAXIE! Here lately I can't read fast either. I have been keeping my 7 yr old gson til 10 pm several days per week. Not the best atmosphere for reading. lol Love and hugs back!!

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    2. Hi Maxie! I am not a very fast reader, either -- I marvel at people who can fly through a book!

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  12. A lovely review thank you. A must read for me.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. MARY, thank you! I so hope you'll get the opportunity to read this one!

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    2. Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by! :)

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  13. Thanks for sharing the great review! The covers to her books are gorgeous!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Heidi! I love the covers for this series as well. The cover for the 3rd book should be ready before too much longer -- I can't wait to see it! :) Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Hi, HEIDI! Good luck in the giveaway! Can't wait for the cover reveal for Book 3!

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  14. Mysterious beauty, intrigue, dark secrets, anguish of the heart, windswept moors - all terms adding suspense to a wonderfully unusual storyline, with lots of romance!! Sounds perfect to me - thanks for the descriptively wonderful review, Diana!! Would love to read "The Headmistress of Rosemere", the cover gives added meaning to your term "mysterious beauty"!

    Thanks for the opportunity to win, and read, one of Sarah's books - my first!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
    OWG

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    1. Isn't Diana's review wonderful, Bonnie? She always does such a lovely job on reviews! I hope you are able to get a chance to read it -- best of luck in the drawing! :)

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    2. I think Sarah's beautiful descriptive imagery in this book unlocked some of mine I didn't know I had. LOL Thanks so much, BONNIE! You're a dear!

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  15. Your review is beautiful, Diana. This sounds like such a wonderful book! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Brittney -- I agree, Diana's review is lovely. Good luck, and thanks for visiting!

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    2. Thank you both so much. It's easy to write reviews for such great books!

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  16. Excellent review, Diana. This one is on my list of must-reads.

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    1. Hi Anne!! I am glad you were able to stop by the blog. :)

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    2. Thx so much for your kind words, Anne! If you haven't read the first one I have heard it is the bomb as well!

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  17. Thanks for the chance to win this book. I have heard great things about it. Book 1 is in my short stack to be read book pile.
    Nancycooks4u (at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Nancy! I really hope you enjoy The Heiress of Winterwood!!

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    2. NANCY, it'll be easy to move that one up to the top then! :D

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    3. Definitely will. I have a couple coming to review, but think I can squeeze it in before they get here! It's time to journey back to the regency era in England for me. :-)

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  18. Hi Diana, thank you so much for taking the time to read The Headmistress of Rosemere and for writing such a beautiful review!!!

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    1. You are so welcome, SARAH! It was such a pleasure -- reading your novel and writing the review!

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  19. What a lovely review. Thank you for the opportunity to be a winner.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. You are so welcome, MELANIE! Tossing your name in my cyberhat here!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by, Melanie! Good luck in the drawing!

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  20. Regency romances are one of my favorite venues so I am always excited when I discover a new author in that genre. The review was wonderful and enticing and I look forward to the opportunity to read Sarah's works. I also liked your author page! Best wishes to both Diana and Sarah.

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    1. Thank you, KATHERINE! You're most kind! Please do come back and leave an email addy for contact purposes should you win. Thx! :)

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  21. This looks like a wonderful book. I've not read any of Sarah's books but they are on my wish list. I think it is just the right read to curl up with on a chilly winter day! Thanks, Diane, for the review. Wishing Sarah all the best.

    Thanks for offering the giveaway!
    Blessings,
    Karen
    klange61AThotmailDOTcom

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    1. Pardon me, thanks Diana, for the review! :)

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    2. EVERYBODY calls me Diane here at home, KAREN, so no worries! It was a great book to "chill' with! lol

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  22. This is a great give away! E[at]abluestone[dot]com

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    1. Lotsa luck to you, ELIZABETH! Thank you for coming by OWG!

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  23. I love Sarah's first book! I can't wait to read the second book.

    Bianca
    biancarachele@gmail.com

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    1. And I can't wait to read the first, BIANCA! I'm a little backwards. lol

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  24. Great review. Sounds like a book to add to my reading list.
    bveinotte at juno dot com

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    1. Thx, BRENDA! Be sure to put this one at the top of your list!

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  25. Loved Sarah's first book!! I can't wait to read this one...definitely on my wish list!!

    Sheri
    hspruitt [at] frontiernet {dot} net

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    1. I can't wait to read her first book, SHERI! It's awaiting me on Kindle!

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  26. Can't wait to see if our library will get this in. Sounds great. Ellen
    steveandellengray@yahoo.com

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    1. Well, perhaps you'll win it here, ELLEN! That would be a nice Valentine's gift for you!

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  27. Beautiful cover that just "calls" to you to look inside for a deeper look! Sounds very interesting.......
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Indeed it is, SUSAN! The luck of the Irish to you in the drawing! ;)

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  28. I SO enjoyed Sara's FB author chat party, it heightened my interest to read this book!! Thanks for the chance.
    Lisa
    My email is lisagaska@hotmail.com

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  29. This book is on my "I want" and "To Be Read" list! Would love to win it :-)
    Catherine.dacosta09@gmail.com

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    1. Great list, CATHERINE! I hope you get your wants and wishes fulfilled! :)

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  30. Thanks so much for coming by, KATE!!

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  31. I am an Austen fan and haven't had a chance to read anything for Sarah yet. I would love to read this book...the cover is beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us :)

    ~Melissa
    mafinnegan(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. MELISSA, it's wonderful to "see" you here! You must put Sarah's books at the top of your wishlist! If you love Jane, you're sure to love Sarah!

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  32. Great review! I loved this story so much! It was hard to put down, and very sad to end. I didn't think in the beginning that I could love it as much as Winterwood, but I so did. Such beautiful romance in both stories. Looking forward to #3 in the series. No need to enter me in the contest as I own both books.

    Georgianne Barnett

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    1. GEORGIANNE, I'm sure Sarah will appreciate your kind support. I'm looking forward to reading Winterwood---I've heard so much about it! Also looking forward to book 3! Thank you so much for coming by OWG!!

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  33. Thanks for the review, if i won I'd like the soft cover version

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    1. KAREN, I hope you come back by and leave your email address for contact purposes should your name be drawn. I'm delighted you dropped by!

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  34. I enjoyed Sarah's first book & have been looking forward to the sequel's release. The new cover is just as stunning as the first! Would love to win a paperback of The Head Mistress of Rosemere!
    dancerchick(at)cimexico(dot)org

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    1. ANGELA, welcome to OWG! I agree...both covers are lovely. Can't wait for the cover reveal of book 3! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  35. Oops, forgot.......from above to enter correctly....flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com
    Please accept this, my oversight. Thanks. Enter me please!

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    1. MARY LOU, I know you had some problems getting on here, but persistency is a trait we so admire on OWG! Bless you so much for coming by and of course your entry is acceptable! :)

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  36. I am just reading her first book at this very moment. Would love to win her second, or even the first.
    csaunderson123@gmail.com

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    1. I am anxious to read that one, too, MISS C! It awaits me on kindle!

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  37. What a lovely opportunity, thanks for the giveaway ! Sounds like a book to add to my reading list !
    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. One to add and put at the top, JANKA! Good luck in the drawing!

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  38. Have not yet read any of Sarah's books, but would love to read this one! I've heard so much about it :)

    ~Micaela
    bookworm9404(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's a wonderful story, SARAH! Dropped your name in my cyberhat here! ;)

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  39. Had trouble getting on here--for some reason, my iPad, just won't let me post here! I can read them, but not post! Anyway, I loved your review (as usual) and would love the opportunity to win ANY of these books--they all sound great, and I enjoyed reading the interview of Sarah as well!
    Vicki (you know my addy...)

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    1. Hey, VICKI! I'm so glad you stuck with it! We love persistency on OWG blog. Hoping it pays off for you!! :)

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  40. Looks like quite a group in the running here, but please put my name in also! I haven't read this author and would like to very much.
    myrenterp at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you so much for dropping by, MARY! We have drawn the winners and the names are at the top right. Please do come back as we have giveaways almost weekly!

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  41. Ilove the preview please add my name to the draw
    Wyndyc at gmail dot com

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  42. Great preview, really whetted my appetite to read this book, love period stories like these and this sounds like a great one!

    chiaowl@owly.net

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    1. I'm glad my review did what I meant it to, CHIAOWL! lol I hope you get the opportunity to read BOTH of Sarah's books in her new series!

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  43. I love the winter setting (kind of unusual - so many stories happen in spring/summer), and the moors/swamps/bogs are so underrated. Very creative setting for a regency!

    rdalquis(at)css(dot)edu

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    1. The setting on the moors really drew me in, RACHEL! Winter just added to the mystique! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  44. The cover of this book is very inviting! A beautiful winter landscape! Thank you for the giveaway. As a fan of Charlotte Bronte, I would love to win a copy.
    denannduvall(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It sure is, DENISE! If you go to Sarah's author page you can see the cover model's face. How cool is that! We have drawn the winners and the names are at the top right. Please do come back as we have giveaways almost weekly!

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  45. The Headmistress of Rosemere sounds wonderfully, romantic and dramatic. I need to put this on my "must have" list!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. Love that, MERRY! Must have...I know that feeling! lol We have drawn the winners and the names are at the top right. Please do come back as we have giveaways almost weekly!

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