Review: The Governess of Penwythe Hall

Cordelia Greythorne is comfortable in her role as governess to the children of Randall Twethewey. Having fled Cornwall following the death of her husband, she has settled into life at Easten Park a truly loves the children under her care. These children had earlier lost their mother, and look to her with love and respect.

 All of that is upended by the sudden death of Randall Twethewey. Twethewey, in the moments before his death, requests that she and the tutor stay on to care for the care for the children, at the estate of his brother, Jac Twetheway, in Cornwall. Though she fears the return to Cornwall she stays with the children and they all depart for Penwythe Hall.

Jac Twetheway, accused of having stolen Penwythe Hall from Randall, is busy trying to establish the orchards and make the estate profitable again. He does not receive the letter regarding his brothers death, and is quite surprised at the arrival of the tutor, five children, and their mysterious governess.

At the Frost Ball rumors swirl about Delia and her background, and the arrival of her brother in law leaves her rattled, yet Jac is sure of her character and trusts her fully even when she evades his questions.

This story was rich and captivating. I loved Delia’s devotion to the children, the way that their relationship with Jac slowly grows and flourishes, and the mystery and suspense that builds throughout the story.

The book also has rich descriptions of the orchards, garden, crags, and moors that bring the setting to life.

This light romance was a joy to read, and the suspense kept turning the pages until late at night. I finished this book the day I started it.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book through the Amazon Vine reviewers program.

This book will be available April 16, 2019.

Review: A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This story opens with Lauren Millard receiving a visit from her five older siblings, during which they declare that it is her duty to give up marriage in order to care for their mother. Lauren, the youngest, was only three when her crying chased off their mother’s suitor so they blame her for their mother being alone.

Meanwhile, Langdon Rochester is lounging in his family’s library when his father comes in. Though he has graduated from the university, he has done nothing with his life. His father gives him an ultimatum: become his apprentice and marry by September first or be disinherited.

Willie Sharp has been working at the Rochester’s factory and caring for his father, who also worked for the Rochester’s until he was disabled by an attack of apoplexy. His father needs rehabilitation in the convalescent hospital, but they cannot afford that.

Quincy Tate is Willie’s friend, and is struggling to find his place and a sense of equality as a young black man in the South.

For all four of these young people think that Atlanta Cotton Exposition of 1895 seems to offer an answer to their problems.  Langdon believes it will be a good place to find a young woman who will suit his needs. Lauren, who has been weaving at her mother’s loom, believes she might meet a young man who would be willing to take on her and her mother, Willie can earn enough money for his father’s care, and Quincy would be able to help his family financially.

Their lives all come together at the Exposition, where issues of race and class surface. Laurel begins to see that though the North and South are united, black and white are still divided.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were unique, and Lauren was perfectly loveable. I found myself genuinely caring about what happens to her. The story unfolds at the perfect pace, with a thread of mystery weaving throughout. As these characters interact, each learns valuable lessons about life that are applicable to all of us.

This book is also rich in symbolism if you take the time to look for it. From Lauren's single shelf of well-loved books to the floor-to-ceiling shelves in Langdon's library, even the descriptive details in the story have meaning.

Often Christian fiction is just “clean” fiction. This book, however, is true Christian fiction with a strong message of faith and the value of the family of God. Willie’s church rallies around him and his father and blesses them richly.

 “Everybody who’s born got two choices – be owned by God or be owned by sin.”
-Mam (Quincy’s mother)

Lines like these are ones that we can all take to heart.

That brings me to one last thing – each character has their own unique voice, which makes the dialogue colorful and real.

This is an excellent and inspiring piece of Christian fiction.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah.