In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young
woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover
her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her
future in his hands.
Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life
in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny,
Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon
her return, people are surprised to see her…and highly suspicious. Less
than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and
assumed not only Rebecca’s name, but her home and incomes.
That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to
London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals
believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and
her father’s investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly
charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best
intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced
to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want
Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone
suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?
A captivating Gothic love story set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, Mist of
Midnight will leave you breathless.
Publication Date: March 10, 2015
Howard Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 384
Series: Daughters of Hampshire
Genre: Historical/Christian/Romance
arc - netgalley
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The synopsis above tells perfectly what this book is about. Reading the praises below I am at a loss of what more I can offer, everything seems to be summed up so nicely.
Mist of Midnight is the first in Sandra Bryd's new Victorian Series and I am excited! If this book is any indication of the what the series holds then we are in for a real treat. I was spellbound reading this book. Always the sleuth I had my magnifying glass out trying to decipher the clues, just when I think I had it figured out another twist. I am rather new to Victorian England and also the Gothic genre so I wasn't sure what to expect. There are things in this book that go bump in the night, there is a cat with beady eyes that glow in the dark, a graveyard right on the property with figures walking around during the mist at midnight, things disappear and characters you aren't sure are trustworthy.
I liked Rebecca, I liked the way she was portrayed. Still shell shocked after the death of her parents only to arrive back in England to encounter a mess. She was written in a realistic manner that perfectly reflected the situation, with confusion, anxiety, not knowing who to trust and not a friend in the world.
This is the kind of Christian fiction that I enjoy, it isn't overly preachy but rather in a manner that is genuine and reflects Rebecca's state of mind and concerns. It shows her vulnerability and her security in her faith even when confidant and scared.
be sure to click on this box to win lots of great prizes offered by Sandra Bryd
Praise for Mist of Midnight
“Intriguing secondary characters and lush scenery contribute to the
often sinister, even creepy, moments readers will come to anticipate.
Infusing her story with mystery, tension, and emotion, Byrd (To Die For:
A Novel of Anne Boleyn) strikes a fine balance between the darkness of a
Gothic mystery and the sweetness of a captivating love story. Byrd—and
Brontë—fans will enjoy this first of the new Daughters of Hampshire
series.” –
Publishers Weekly
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“Mist of
Midnight is wonderfully atmospheric, with all the right
elements for a true Gothic novel, from sounds that go bump in the night
to characters who are not at all what they seem. The spiritual
underpinning is solid, comforting, even as we’re trapped in the author’s
finely spun web of mystery, romance, and a sense of foreboding that
doesn’t lift until the final page. Charlotte Brontë? Victoria Holt? Meet
Sandra Byrd, the modern mistress of Gothic romance!” (Liz Curtis Higgs,
New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night)
“Once again, Sandra Byrd delivers a richly layered story that will
leave you eagerly awaiting the next book in this brand-new series. Mist
of
Midnight has it all: intriguing and memorable characters—including a
central female protagonist who is both complex and inspiring—a plot
chock-full of mystery and suspense, and a Victorian gothic setting,
impeccably researched and artfully and evocatively relayed. Prepare to
be transported!” (Karen Halvorsen Schreck, author of Sing For Me)
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“Mist of
Midnight is a beautiful, haunting tale. Sandra Byrd
masterfully weaves together both romance and suspense among a cast of
mysterious characters. I was immediately swept into the wonder of this
story, and I loved unraveling all the secrets and discovering exactly
what happened at the old Headbourne House.” (Melanie Dobson, author of
Chateau of Secrets and The Courier of Caswell Hall)
“Sandra Byrd’s trademark attention to historical accuracy combines
with an eerily building intrigue to envelope readers in a sense of dark
foreboding that hinges precariously between hope and desperation. Mist
of
Midnight is a subtly haunting, beautifully atmospheric, and
decadently romantic Victorian tale that will find a comfortable home
among the best Gothic romances of days gone by.” (Serena Chase, author
of The Ryn and contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog)
“Not since Jane Eyre have I read a Gothic romance that has captured
my heart so completely. From the exotic India to an English estate
shrouded in mystery, Byrd’s eye for detail shines through on every page.
Romance lovers are sure to devour the tale of Rebecca Ravenshaw and her
search for the truth behind the mysteries of Headbourne House and the
handsome young captain who lives on the estate.” (Renee Chaw, reviewer
at Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot)
“From the first word to the last, Mist of
Midnight is a completely
absorbing romantic, and mysterious, novel. Ms. Byrd’s writing is
splendid, and her characters are so complex and endearing that they leap
off the pages. I couldn’t put it down. An absolutely irresistible
read!” (Anne Girard, author of Madame Picasso)
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After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling
author
Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult
fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was
her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die
For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick for 2011 and
The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, was named a Library Journal
Best Books Pick for 2012. Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I
published in April, 2013.
Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens
including the Secret Sisters Series, London Confidential Series and a
devotional for tweens.
A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra has published many
nonfiction articles and books. She is passionate about helping new
writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self
publication. As such, she has mentored and coached hundreds of new
writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.
Please visit
www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more, or to invite Sandra to your bookclub via Skype. You can also connect with Sandra on
Facebook,
Twitter,
Pinterest, and
Goodreads.
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