The First World War has engulfed
Europe. The three sons of Sir William and Lady Elizabeth Dansforth
are all in uniform―their four daughters are involved in various
pursuits of the heart and soul.
Ashton Park is the first of The
Danforths of Lancashire trilogy by Murray Pura, set in Lancashire,
England in 1916-1923.
Wouldn't you like to join Todd Turpin, assistant groundskeeper, with the fragrant scent coming up the drive? But then, maybe you would like to pass by, as Old Todd Turpin has long been guardian of Miss Victoria Dansforth, high-spirited youngest daughter.
Wouldn't you like to join Todd Turpin, assistant groundskeeper, with the fragrant scent coming up the drive? But then, maybe you would like to pass by, as Old Todd Turpin has long been guardian of Miss Victoria Dansforth, high-spirited youngest daughter.
| cliffs above the Irish Sea |
And then she hauled back on the
reins, turned the mare's head to the left, sprang from the saddle,
and hit the ground boots-first with a shout. The horse dug in all its
hooves and tossed up mud and stone and grass. The cliff edge was only
a few yards away when she stopped.
--Ashton Park, 11
Now, whoever would suspect that of this
genteel young lady?
Sir William Danforth is a Member of
Parliament and master of Ashton Park estate. He is frequently away at
Westminster. Firstborn son, Edward, is part of the Royal Navy at dock
in Scotland; son Kipp, with the Royal Air Force, is flying with his
squadron in France; and youngest son, Robert (Robbie), is with the
British Army, in Dublin, a part of Britain. Daughters are Emma, soon
to wed, and Catherine, married, lives across the Irish Sea in
Belfast; Elizabeth (Libby), nursing in France, and Victoria at home
at the 116-room manor house. Sir William also has a hunting lodge in
Scotland. He has other holdings. Albert Moore, daughter Catherine's
husband, manages the Danforth shipyards in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Eldest daughter Emma's soon betrothed is an Anglican minister,
Reverend Jeremiah Sweet. Catherine and Albert have come early to be
with the family Easter week preceding Emma and Jeremiah's prepared wedding
ceremony.
A few yards away from Ashton Park is
the Danforth Castle. Sir William's ancestral home is overseen by the
main groundskeeper, Harrison. Tourists come to view what life must
have been like within its walls, being interested in their English
heritage.
I like that there is a map in the front of the book so you can tell where everyone is at, and a list of characters so you know who everyone is from the start. Then we can get on with the action! Helps move the story along, indeed.
I like that there is a map in the front of the book so you can tell where everyone is at, and a list of characters so you know who everyone is from the start. Then we can get on with the action! Helps move the story along, indeed.
I must confess that I cannot take you
beyond the middle of chapter two, as change begins both within the
household and abroad.
Enough to say, Murray Pura's novels are
fabulous, not only because I love historical fiction, but the
intricate ways he blends the happenings within and without the family
structure. Highly recommend Ashton Park. Rich in history, you
will travel far beyond the estate and look forward to the next books
in The Danforths of Lancashire series.
Murray Pura earned his Master of
Divinity degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and
his ThM degree from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. In
addition to his writing, Murray has pastored churches in Nova Scotia,
British Columbia, and Alberta. His novels include the Snapshots in
History series The Wings of Morning, The Face of Heaven,
and Whispers of a New Dawn featuring the characters 20 years
later. The novel after Ashton Park, Book 2 in the series,
comes out July-August and is entitled Beneath the Dover Sky –
it covers the years 1924–1933 in the family saga. Book 3 is due out
for Christmas-New Year’s and covers the years 1934–1941. Murray
writes from his home in southern Alberta near the Rocky Mountains.
Ashton Park by Murray Pura
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(January 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736952853
ISBN-13: 978-0736952859
***Thank you to author Murray Pura and
Wynn&Wynn for sending me a copy of Ashton Park to read and
review in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
I am sure you will agree Book 2,
Beneath the Dover Sky, has a beautiful cover! It is ready for
pre-order and releases August 1, 2013. Just time enough for you to
read Ashton Park. You won't want to miss this background
story. 
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