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When I picked this book for a blog I was writing on Inspirational Romances I wasn’t sure what to expect. The author was one I had never read and while the cover was lovely, the back blurb described a standard historical romance plot. Dawn at Emberwilde proved to be much more than just a typical romance though and I am delighted that I took a chance on reading it.
This is book two of the author’s Treasures of Surrey series but you do not have to read book one (I hadn’t) to enjoy this one.
The messenger is young, handsome and completely unexpected. Isabel Creston has lived a quiet, unassuming life at Fellsworth School in the charming countryside of Surrey. Along with her young half-sister Lizzie, she is completely dependent on the institution since she is an orphan with no family or money. It is with some surprise therefore that she reads the missive that Mr. Bradford brings her. She has an uncle, aunt and cousins at Emberwilde, a grand, wealthy estate only a short distance away, and they are inviting her to come and stay with them. Since Isabel has recently finished her education and would soon have found herself either teaching at Fellsworth or working as a governess at a nearby home, the communication seems especially fortuitous. The school urges her to accept the opportunity and she shortly finds herself in a carriage with her sister, riding toward a new destiny.
Isabel and Lizzie receive a cordial if cool welcome at Emberwilde.  They settle in but the house seems full of rather odd secrets and rules. It isn’t long before Isabel learns that the vast, mysterious woods that border the property – called Emberwilde Forest by some and the Blackwood Forest by others – are the stuff of “ominous folklore”. As she discovers firsthand, they are also the home to dangerous ruffians. Local magistrate Colin Galloway urges her to be careful in the area and to watch her sister closely. But it is not the woods that Isabel fears. Her aunt seems determined to marry her off to Mr. Bradford with almost unseemly haste yet Isabel finds herself unable to form an attachment to the good looking, charming and sociable young gentleman. It is the quiet, gentle Mr. Galloway who draws her eye. As her questions regarding her family grow and she feels an ever increasing pressure to wed, Isabel must choose what matters most to her – security and the approval of her new family or love.
This does sound like a typical Regency romance complete with worthy, beautiful poor relations and unexpected rich family charging to their rescue. It certainly had the potential to be very common and run of the mill.   However, the author makes the story unique through her unconventional handling of the plot points and her charming characters. Isabel is precisely the sort of heroine whom I enjoy: Intelligent, practical, kind and with a strong moral center. She appreciates all the Ellisons are doing for her and offering her but she is also a tad wary of their kindness. It is clear from the beginning that things are not quite what they seem at Emberwilde and she is rightfully cautious of accepting anything or anyone at face value. When the time comes that her family demands of her something she is simply not willing to give she sticks to her principles and refuses. She is not unduly stubborn or demanding but she knows what she wants and needs and doesn’t compromise on issues she feels matters.
That way of handling familial relationships is refreshing. Typically, authors create a situation where the new relatives are sinister and evil or where they are kindly and every one becomes instant besties. Here the relationships build slowly and carefully, like they would in real life. There is no immediate bond and while her aunt’s rush to marry off Isabel might appear somewhat suspicious there appear to be numerous practical reasons behind it.
The romance portion of the story is also well handled; in fact, I can easily say it is my favorite part of the book. Isabel has two suitors, both of them equally appropriate but only one of them has the approval of her aunt. The courtships take place in the kind of low key, mannerly style typical of the era but the interactions show genuine warmth and regard. What I liked most was how careful Isabel is in her appraisal of both men; she examines every aspect of her interactions with them and looks for character over infatuation. I also appreciated that Isabel, having been poor before, knew that there was always the option of returning to Fellsworth and working for a living. She isn’t looking for grand romance in a marriage but she is determined to enter into it only with someone she likes, respects and trusts.
I loved the gothic overtones of the tale. There is a great mystery surrounding Isabel’s mother which is gradually revealed, as well as the sinister shenanigans surrounding Emberwilde itself. The author does an excellent job of balancing the ambience of a gothic with the faster pacing of a criminal mystery and drawing both storylines to a satisfactory close at the end.
While this book is labeled as an Inspirational, the author doesn’t use the novel as an opportunity to proselytize. The characters are people of faith but their beliefs are woven naturally into the storyline and far from being presented as having all the answers, they often question themselves and their convictions on their path to growth. Certainly given the time period I think their attitudes and behavior are realistic and add authenticity and legitimacy to the story.
Dawn at Emberwilde is a beautifully crafted novel that incorporates standard romance plotlines and breathes some fresh life into them. I am happy to recommend it to readers who enjoy sweet, thoughtful love stories.
Grade: A-
Book Type: European Historical Romance|Inspirational Romance
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 21/08/16
Publication Date: 05/2016
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I've been an avid reader since 2nd grade and discovered romance when my cousin lent me Lord of La Pampa by Kay Thorpe in 7th grade. I currently read approximately 150 books a year, comprised of a mix of Young Adult, romance, mystery, women's fiction, and science fiction/fantasy.
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Glad I’m not the only one who loved this book. I look forward to reading more of this author.
I really liked this book and have read all the author’s books. Wish there were more books like this.