Escape to Edwardian England
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Raised by the Grimaldis in Monaco, Brook Eden has never fit in. Not with the royal family and not with the regular townspeople. When she asks her best friend Justin to look into something she found in her mothers things, he returns from England with news that she does indeed have a family. Yet, not everyone in the household is as certain as her father that she is, indeed, the lost Baroness of Berkeley.
As Brook settles into a new life with her father and other relatives, Justin Wildon struggles with loss of his own and his new role as the Duke of Stafford. A role which takes him away from the young woman he has grown to love as more than a friend. But fear of what may appear as a convenient match as well as uncertainty of his Brooks feelings, keeps him from declaring himself.
 Despite her new home and wealth, Brook is tormented by nightmares and the mystery of her mothers death. Why was she fleeing in the middle of the night with Brook? And when she is attacked by a man demanding something she doesnt have, things get really interesting.

Written from three points of viewBrook, Justin, and Brooks maidThe Lost Heiress drew me in from the first pages. Brooks propensity to involve herself in dangerous activities, her kindness, and her courage give her depth. As does her confusion with Justin and the other men who surround her in her new life. Justins steadfastness and commitment to the dukedom make him the perfect compliment to Brook. Deidre OMalley, the maid, struggles with her new mistress and has to decide whether to confide in her or not.

White states in a letter to readers at the end of this book that she began the story when she was twelve and through many, many rewrites, the story evolved into the beautiful book that is now available to readers. This one was worth the wait and I am looking forward to the next one.

***Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and faire review. All opinions expressed are my own.
425781
I enjoyed this peek into the Edwardian period when aviation was just taking off (pun intended). The title fits the story well. Flight pioneers hope to launch into the wild blue yonder, and they are in a race to be the first to fly across the English Channel. This story focuses on James Drake, a pilot, and the wealthy Bella Grayson. Her parents want her to marry well and take her place in British society. She longs to write for her fathers newspaper. What will happen when these two determined young people pursue their dreams? And could these dreams include each other? The characters seemed true-to-life and history to come to life as this drama unfolded. I liked the suspense included in the tale, which added a great subplot. I wish the characters could continue. Perhaps a story about Bellas sister could continue the saga. Hop aboard for adventure, intrigue, and some tense moments. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
1962217
A really interesting look at an alternative Edwardian London. Reminds me a bit of the bloody red baron. Enjoyed it very much but I wish the stories were a touch longer.
3239580
This third volume of the Edwardian Murder Mystery series is not quite up to the first two books.  Oh, Rose Summer is still trying to keep her parents from shipping her off to India because she is a rebel and hasn't found a suitable husband.  And there's a murder discovered by Rose, so that she may assist her sometimes fiance detective, Harry Cathcart.  The characters and atmosphere are excellent, as always, but what keeps me from giving this five stars is the unlikely solution to the murder.  Perhaps other readers will find the denouement sufficient, but I just couldn't buy it.

I would, however, recommend this book if for the first few pages only, in which the author describes the ethos of the time, the disdain the self-styled upper class and the wealthy had (and have) for the poor and untitled.  Change comes slowly and painfully.  Egalitarian concepts were (and are) fought, perhaps as much by the bottom rung as by the top.  There are a couple of surprising quotations on the social subject by Winston Churchill and Ambrose Bierce.

All this aside, this is a light and pleasant journey to London in the first decade of the 1900s.  Ms. Chesney knows whereof she writes--or at least she convinced me.  I haven't read any of Ms. Chesney's regency novels, but if they are anywhere close to the Edwardian books, I will give them a look.
3297745
I took this book on my iPad on vacation and found myself on the edge of my seat, awaiting the next turn of the plot! The antiquated language was a delight.  The awareness the author raised about the lack of women's rights in 19th century England made this a fascinating read.i recommend it to anyone who loves period pieces.
1506431
A Victorian period romantic novel with the characters maturing and evolving while intertwined with high society and European Monarchs keeps the reader coming back for more!
2630828
This is a splendid book, with all the favored elements of a British country village mystery--and some important differences.  We do have an intrepid aristocratic sleuth and a valued companion, as Lord Peter has his Bunter and Albert Campion has his Lugg.  But our hero is a pleasantly eccentric heroine, Lady Emily Hardcastle, and her outspoken companion is Flo, her maid.  But this is the most egalitarian lady and maid you are likely to meet.

Apparently Lady Hardcastle and Flo go back quite a number of years, have traveled extensively--China and India are mentioned--and have had some exciting, not to say dangerous adventures.  Lady Hardcastle has been widowed, but she seems to have more than adequate independent means.  As the story opens, it is Emilys decision to forsake London life for a quieter country existence.  At least, thats the plan, but we soon learn that adventure seems to follow Lady Hardcastle wherever she goes.

Milady and Flo are barely settled in their new home before the villagers clamor to know Lady Hardcastle better, and not long after that there is a body found in the woods.  The police pick an obvious suspect, but Lady Hardcastle is convinced they are in error.  So she and Flo start applying their not-inconsiderable skills to the problem at hand.  Before long, there is another murder, and a jewel theft.

In this story, there is no silliness with the police telling the talented amateurs to stay out of their way.  The local Inspector has the good sense to recognize that Lady Hardcastle is quite useful, and actively seeks out her assistance.

The story is engagingly told.  Needless to say, the country life of milady and Flo is hardly quiet, and it would appear that the duo is just getting started on their adventures.

My thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for making a somewhat belated advance copy of this book available for me to read and review.
1948782
I am so pleased to  have discovered Elizabeth Edmondson.  Anglophiles and lovers of  " British Cozy Mysteries  "  will enjoy this read. There are numerous editing errors, but I could easily overlook that and just enjoy the journey
1412494
Enjoyed these brief romantic adventures set in yesterday's England. The stories, while not sophisticated in plot, are entertaining. My personal favorite was The Three Thieves. I enjoyed this book so much I ordered the Oppenheim Omnibus published in 1931 with 41 stories.  Enjoy!!!
4889715
This was a nice and easy 'escape' read. I enjoyed disappearing into the book. There were not many complications and it made it a fun story. I enjoyed the many layers of romance.
436391
It was a period piece taken place in England. Lot of action and romance. My type of story very interesting.
4884101
Absolutely beautiful series !  I would highly recommend this to anyone who would love to escape to the 19th century English countryside. You will fall in love with these wonderful characters.
6143
This was a great escape if you are looking for great historical romance. Read this in just a couple hours. The characters were well defined and had a good story. There was a few places where the story was choppy but well worth the read.
277872
Very much enjoy this program.  Lovely period of time in rural England.  Enjoyable characters and settings.
2993799
The setting of the story is around 1910/1911. There are trains and mentions of automobiles (such as the Rolls-Royce). It's an exciting time period because the suffregette movement is underway, it's getting close to World War I, and the British are living in the time of the Edwardian era. Brooke is a woman who grew up in a family that was not biologically her own. She is the long lost heiress of a British aristocrat. From a cultural perspective, I would think that it would be hard to fit in with her biological family and adapt to a new culture simultaneously. Her friend, Justin, is truly meant for her. He loves her, even though he has a tendency to be almost annoying. He means well. As for Pratt, I am not surprised that he went after Brooke. All in all, this was a decent book.
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Book description:

She goes back in time to save a man's life...
Eleanor travels to England for a Jane Austen festival and is swept back in time to the glittering Regency era to help a pair of ghostly sisters prevent a deathly duel...

But she may have the wrong villain...
Lord Shermont, renowned rake and womanizer, has a Napoleonic spy to capture and a dastadly crime to untangle. The last thing he needs is a scandal too...

Thankfully, Jane Austen's sage advise prevents a fatal mistake...
With Jane Austen's guidance, Eleanor untangles the international intrigue going on before her eyes. But, which of the dueling gentlemen is the spy and which is the man of her dreams?

This book really surprised me in how much I ended up loving this story. I am not a big "Regency" period reader, but I do enjoy Jane Austen and thought I would give it a try. The story is full of ghosts, mystery, time travel and history, which keeps you involved with the characters until the very end! I won't give away some of the twists, but the character of Eleanor was refreshing to read. She was educated and had a passion that woman wish and hope we have in how we lead our lives. Eleanor is put in to a situation where she has to figure out what she needs to do to fix the past for the ghost/real sisters, but fate seems to guide her in a direction she may not be ready to accept. "Jane Austen" comes in to the story when Eleanor has a situation where she doesn't know what to do. So, she thinks about the books Austen wrote to draw on an answer! A variety of secondary characters are filled by the 'handsome' gentleman, the snooty older ladies, and family members that will have you laughing and intrigued by their lives.

Have you ever thought about if you were able to go back to a time period that you enjoy and had a life there...would you return back to your own time? The writing style of the story gives such vivid details of the Regency time period and customs that you feel like your living there with Eleanor. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, it turned out better! I would tell anyone that enjoys a good book to take a look at this one. The book is like a looking glass to a time period through the eyes of someone who treasures the history of our world's past.

Rating: 4.5/5  (Amazon doesn't give halves..but I do!)
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Illness has forced the Foster family to return to England from their missionary school and orphanage in India. Julia gains employment at Highland House, the home of Sir William Ramsay, as governess to his children, Andrew and Millicent, and to his teenage cousins and wards, Katharine and Penelope.

Sir William is looking for a governess who won't mind staying in the country, because he has only recently inherited Highland Hall, and the death duties are placing a lot of financial pressure on him. Julia hasn't told him she plans on returning to India with her family as soon as her father is well again, and as she spends more time at Highland Hall, getting to know Sir William and his family, she has to rethink her future plans.

The story and characters captured my attention from the start. I like an intelligent heroine who isn't afraid to have her own opinions, so I liked Julia. William was a man with many troubles, but made a fitting hero. I liked the romantic subplot featuring Sarah, Williams sister, and I liked the Christian aspect of the storyJulia, especially, has a strong Christian faith (shes partly modelled on Amy Carmichael, a real-life missionary to India).

The novel combines elements of classic British fiction like Jane Eyre with the Edwardian era, currently made fashionable by the TV series Downton Abbey. I'm a huge fan of Downton Abbey and fiction set in England, and it always bugs me when Im pulled out of the story by silly factual errors, or by English characters using American vocabulary (like fall or pavement). Carrie Turansky contacted me to ask if Id read her draft to find any such errors. I was pleased to help, and can only hope I found them all!

The Governess of Highland Hall is the first of a trilogy, and I look forward to reading the next in the series. Recommended.