Book review: The Heiress of Winterwood (Whispers On The Moors) by Sarah E. Ladd

I got this book through booksneeze, which features books with a Christian message. I selected this book for two reasons. It is a book by first time author Sarah Ladd and the summary suggested a book that would incorporate the Christian message in a plot that would be appealing to all readers that like historical novels. Coming from a household in which religion is handled as a private matter, I am not used to books that overtly mention a Christian theme and seem to preach a sermon in every chapter. This book definitely can keep readers entertained, who do not seek a Christian book, but are simply looking for a good historical novel.

For bookclubs, there are some suggested discussion points in the end and again, with the possible exception of 2 or 3 questions, the majority of the discussion points do not touch on overtly religious themes. I can therefore recommend this book to readers of all backgrounds and beliefs.

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The plot is interesting, detailing the adventures of two people, who do not start out as lovers in the beginning, but over the course of the book find love for each other. Amelia Barnett is a young heiress, who has taken on the young daughter, Lucy, of a friend who died shortly after giving birth. As an heiress, Amelia's life should be quiet and comfortable, but Amelia knows the value of friendship and when her fiancee insists that Lucy will not be part of their life as a married couple, Amelia desperately is looking for a solution to stay mother to Lucy. Because, if Amelia does not get married by her 24th birthday, she will lose her inheritance. So Amelia comes up with a plan that is both ingenious and risky. She decides to offer the father of Lucy a marriage to her as a quasi business transaction. She would be married in time to inherit and keep Lucy in her life, while her "husband" would be married to a rich wife and enjoy a comfortable life.

The two protagonists Amelia and Graham, the biological father of Lucy, start out as not even friends, but over the course of the book find love for each other. I think that is the fact that makes this book interesting to me. It is not the usual, people fall in love with each in the beginning, than fate intervenes and they are separated, only to find each other and marry to live happily ever after in the end. This book starts off with two strangers and we get to experience as readers how their love for each other develops through the shared bond of loving Lucy. So when Lucy is in danger, the situation forces Graham and Amelia to work together to save the child they both love and through that ordeal their relationship changes as well.

Overall, this is a very good first novel by Sarah Ladd. Enjoyable and quick to read, with characters that are well developed and a storyline that keeps the reader engaged.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own and have not been influenced by booksneeze or any third party.