The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd, ©2013

Whispers on the Moors series (Book 2)
Patience Creighton has devoted her life to running her father's boarding school. But when the enigmatic master of the estate appears at her door, battered and unconscious, the young headmistress suddenly finds her livelihood—and her heart—in the hands of one dangerously handsome gentleman.

Darbury, England, February 1816

A predawn visitor identified as William Sterling, master of Eastmore Hall, is found in the Rosemere stable with cuts and bruises and his horse in the courtyard. Brought in through the kitchen to be tended, he bolts quickly to continue on to his estate. Rosemere School for Young Ladies is on land that is part of his estate. Headmistress Patience Creighton tends to his wounds and "opens his heart."

At twenty-five, now a "spinster," Patience has no thought of a life beyond caring for the girls at their boarding school. Her father has passed away, her brother has moved away, and her mother's sorrow has burrowed her away.

Following a fire to the school ground's stable, Patience's brother returns with a couple surprises of his own and plans for changes to the school.

Through bad choices and narrow escapes, William has debt and little else to offer to his land holdings and tenants. Thought to be the elusive master of Eastmore Hall, he finds he needs more than idleness and separateness from others. He thoughtfully brings the animals from Rosemere to his stable after the fire. This contact with the school brings him closer ~ to himself and those he has begun to meet, opening up his life.

I liked how William was able to stand for right at the end instead of fear of retribution. Wise choices brought him around and were beneficial to all. There was steady growth in the characters as they began to trust and not selfishly look to themselves for the answers. By opening up communication and speaking truthfully, they removed any misgivings they might have had about one another.

With the uncertainty of the school structuring before her, I was glad Patience was able to not "go with the flow." Even unknowing the outcome of her actions, Patience stood for what she needed to do for herself rather than expectations of others making her decisions.

I look forward to her next novel in this Regency era period. Sarah Ladd is a strong author with insight into her characters.

The Headmistress of Rosemere is on the ECPA Christian Fiction Bestsellers list for March 2014!! christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/fiction.php?id=0314 And you won't want to miss Book 1 in the series, The Heiress of Winterwood, featured in Amazon’s Gold Box Deal today. Start several great new series, just $1.99 per title: amzn.to/1kGjseY #TNZFictionGoldBox, on sale as an eBook today.

Book 3 in the Whispers on the Moors series, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, releases in the Fall of 2014.

Author Sarah E. Ladd

Visit author Sarah Ladd's Cold Winter interview. novelcrossing.com/news/sarah-ladd-cold-19403

 

***Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for sending me a copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd to read and review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***