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.  

Diana's Spring Favorites!

Spring is by far my favorite season of the year! It's a time of renewed hope, beautiful weather, light gentle rains, spring flowers, and more great books! Here is my spring list of favorite books I have read so far in 2016 in no particular order.

*Click on to title to order any of these wonderful books!*


A Worthy Heart By Susan Ann Mason

Susan Anne Mason has penned a mesmerizing, impassioned Irish American saga of two families whose lives intertwine at the lovely and affluent estate—the O'Leary stables, Irish Meadows, in 1914 Long Island, New York.

Charity's Cross By MaryLu Tyndall

MaryLu Tyndall takes the reader off on a turbulent, exhilarating seafaring journey—from the perils of frothy, turquoise waters filled with swashbuckling pirates and a dangerous jungle replete with exotic birds, foliage, and uncivilized natives—to the beauties of the Caribbean with its warm breezes, swaying palms, sugar cane, and tropical fruits of the West Indies.

The Steeplechase By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie Fancett Pagels has written an outstanding, detailed story that is so jam-packed it reads like a full length novel. Action, intrigue, spies, breathtaking romance—it's all in there!

Beyond The Silence By Tracie Peterson & Kim Woodhouse

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse have successfully teamed up to pen an intriguing, heartwarming read about a young woman who travels to the lush, rolling hills of California seeking to fulfill her dreams and finds much more than she bargains for—a chance at love and life threatening danger stalking her every move.

Sense And Sensibility By Sarah Price

What transpires when you blend Jane Austen's memorable characters with Sarah Price's unique Amish voice? A captivating classic retelling of Sense and Sensibility is born!

Bride Of A Distant Isle By Sandra Byrd

Lovers of Gothic & Victorian era authors such as Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Dapne du Maurier, and even Julie Klassen fans, are sure to delight in this suspenseful, well written novel—intertwining the exotic allure of the island of Malta and the beauty of the English seaside!

A Flight Of Arrows By Lori Benton

I just finished reading an ARC of this historical masterpiece!! Review coming up later on OWG! Be sure to pre-order a copy by clicking on to title above this cover—release date April 19!

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MY SPRING TBR LIST!

Sofi's Bridge By Christine Lindsay

Dawn At Emberwilde By Sarah E. Ladd

The Beautiful Pretender By Melanie Dickerson

Do you have any good 2016 book recommendations for me??
~HAPPY READING~

GIVEAWAY: One blessed commenter will win a $10 Amazon gift card! To be eligible please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.

Diana Reviews The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

 

The Curiosity Keeper By Sarah E. Ladd
Thomas Nelson, July 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
4.5 stars~ (No Spoilers!)

Riveting Regency!

 



In The Curiosity Keeper, Sarah E. Ladd takes the reader on an unforgettable Regency adventure—of a young woman's journey from the dank, overcrowded, noisy streets of Somerset, London, to the flowering orchids that patchwork lush, verdant forest land, ponds laden with majestic swans, and cobblestones paths of Surrey, England.

Abandoned by her mother, Camille Iverness runs a shabby curiosity shop with her father in a rough area in London. After a brutal attack and betrayal, Camille is rescued by Jonathon Gilchrist, heir of Kettering Hall. Jonathan had been sent by his father to the curiosity shop to recover the Bevoy, a valuable, massive ruby said to bring blessings or curses to the owner. Convinced Camille knows nothing of the stolen Bevoy, Jonathan arranges a way of escape for her to the beautiful countryside where his family resides. Amongst treachery, greed, and deceit will Camille find a gem far more valuable than a priceless ruby?

Sarah Ladd has proven herself to be a masterful writer of Regency fiction! Her stories are filled with angst, romantic tension, multi-faceted characters, and mystery. The Curiosity Keeper is an unpredictable read full of twists and turns—prepare yourselves for a real shocker near the exciting conclusion! I truly found this one hard to put down until the climactic ending...as I do with all of Ms. Ladd's novels. Highly recommended!

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Sneak peek of Sarah Ladd's next book coming out next May, 2016! Isn't it a beauty? I cannot wait!

A special thanks to Net Galley for providing a copy of The Curiosity Keeper in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstores.



GIVEAWAY: Author Sarah Ladd is generously giving away a paperback copy of The Curiosity Keeper to one blessed commenter!

Marian Baay reviews THE HEIRESS OF WINTERWOOD by Sarah E. Ladd

THE HEIRESS OF WINTERWOOD

By Sarah E. Ladd

Reviewed by Marian Baay
~5 stars~

Amelia Barrett must marry before her 24^th birthday to inherit her fortune, including the Winterwood estate. After her parents died, her uncle became the master of Winterwood until Amelia would marry. Her uncle has found a suitable match in Edward Littleton, but there is one thing they don't agree on; nine months ago Amelia promised her dying friend Katherine to take care of her baby Lucy. Amelia loves the baby as if she was her own child, but Edward doesn't want to take her in after they get married. The closer they come to their wedding day, the more Amelia sees of Edward's true nature, and doesn't want to marry him.

When Lucy's father—Captain Graham Sterling—returns home to see his daughter for the first time, Amelia proposes to him. It is the only way to keep her promise to her deceased friend to never leave Lucy.
Graham is surprised by Amelia's proposal. He has never met her before—and now this strange woman is asking him to marry her! And it must happen soon too, because she is turning twenty-four in a couple of weeks.

Now there's a jealous, rejected fiancé, an uncle who sees his business fall apart when Amelia isn't going to marry the man he had chosen for her, and there's Graham's drunken brother who needs money to pay his debts.
When baby Lucy suddenly vanishes and a ransom note is found, they are not sure who is after the kidnapping. This incident makes Amelia, as well as Graham, think about their strengths, failures, and nightmares. Can they really trust God to deliver?

I immediately fell in love with Amelia and Graham. Both are strong characters with flaws—which they must overcome. The storyline is strong and believable. The characters are real and likable. There was never a good time to stop reading—I kept turning the pages and the ending was satisfactory. I'm looking forward to Sarah Ladd's next book!

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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.

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

The Headmistress of Rosemere

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd

Thomas Nelson Publishing, Dec. 2013

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.

Sarah E. Ladd Interviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Author Sarah E. Ladd

Sarah is the author of The Headmistress of Rosemere, the second book in the Whispers on the Moors series.

Sarah, welcome to Overcoming With God. We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers.

Thank you so much for having me! I have been a fan of this blog for quite some time, and I am thrilled to be here!

Would you tell us about something difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

I absolutely love being a writer – it truly is a dream come true for me. Being a writer has encouraged me to face something that is very difficult for me – and that is the fact that I am an introvert! 

I think it is easy to think of writing as a solitary endeavor and to assume that writers work in an isolated environment. But like with most professions, the writing world is changing. With the ever-increasing presence of social media, authors are much more visible than they have been in the past. In many ways, this is a huge blessing. I absolutely love connecting with readers and getting to know them. But on the other hand, for introverts, it can be very difficult to “put oneself out there.” I realize that I am over-generalizing here, but several authors I know (not all!) tend to be private individuals and are a little intimidated at the thought of sharing their personal stories in public forms. I know that I have struggled with this at times.

Through my publication journey, however, I have learned that God stretches in the areas we need to grow. Sometimes it is difficult to put myself “out there,” but through God’s grace, it is getting easier to do so.

(CFP: Many authors are introverted. In the “olden days” it wasn’t an issue like it is today! In fact, it was expected that most authors were reclusive and in their writing closets most of the time. Thanks for sharing, Sarah! We share these stories on OWG as an encouragement to others—and we pray these testimonies will bless authors, too. God’s Word tells us that by our testimonies, there is healing for us and glory brought to God!)

The Heiress of Winterwood

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

Yes! The Headmistress of Rosemere is available as an audio book. The first book in the series, The Heiress of Winterwood is also available on audio book.

(CFP: The Heiress of Winterwood was on my Best of 2013 but I don't recommend the audiobook because the narrator is awful. BUT the narrator for The Headmistress of Rosemere was excellent!)

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

There is one line in The Headmistress of Rosemere that I think addresses this topic. It is a quote by Cassandra, one of the secondary characters, when she is sharing her thoughts on a difficult issue in her life:

            “God allowed this to happen. I do not comprehend why, but He will not leave me   here, Patience. This is part of his plan for my life. If I stay here, if I stay angry, I might miss the plan that He has for me.”

Like Cassandra, the hero and heroine in The Headmistress of Rosemere find themselves in situations they do not completely understand.  At times they feel quite hopeless. Both characters learn that it is not their problems that define them. Instead, they find that how they choose to respond to those difficulties is what truly defines their character. They both come to realize that their own strength and wisdom is not sufficient to fix the issues in their lives, and it is only when they seek God’s will do their paths become more clear.

(CFP: Love the name Cassandra, which I named my daughter! I’ll also include my bibliotherapy comments on my reviews later in the week.)

Thank you, Sarah, for agreeing to answer these questions. Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!

Thanks again for having me! 

Here are Sarah's links:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Website

Giveaway: "Like" Sarah's Facebook page and let us know you did so!  We're giving away a copy of each book this week, choice of format (international winners--ebook or audiobook only.)

Carrie's Summer Rxd Reads

Audiobooks

Threads of Grace by Kelly Long  2013 

It happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist, Howard Books 2013  Lovely new release!!!



Julie Klassen, The Tutor's Daughter, Bethany, 2013  One to savor!!

Jennifer Delamere, Rita nominee and fabulous story!!!

Karen Witemeyer's Stealing the Preacher will be available in audiobook later this summer and will release in ebook and paperback formats in June.

Sarah E. Ladd's debut novel is available in audiobook but the narrator is so awful I'd recommend you read Heiress of Winterwood in ebook or paperback format.

On my list, too, available in paperback and ebook formats:

Melanie Dickerson The Fairest Beauty, Although a YA this crosses over to historical romance.



Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman, Sigh..., It is by Julie--need I say more?  Amazing read!

Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall, Mar. 2013, Marvelously Complex!

C.J. Chase The Reluctant Earl 2013,  A Sparkling Gem!!!

The Reluctant Earl

Novella
Bachelor Buttons by Kathleen L. Maher, 2013

Nonfiction

Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy, releases in July, 2013. Wonderful wisdom and encouragement!