Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

About the Book
Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.
For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.
The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.
At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

My Thoughts
As a general rule regency era novels aren't my go to favorites but there are a few authors in this genre that I enjoy and Sarah E. Ladd is definitely one of them! From the moment I picked up her debut I have been a fan and this book has to be one of my favorites!
Isabel was a wonderful heroine, she had a heart that truly cared for all those around her, and while she had a free-spirit, she was respectful of others. I also really liked Colin, he was an honest man determined to do his job well and to uphold justice, and he was very kind. They were a well paired couple and I enjoyed their journey to love.
There were many pieces of mystery throughout the book and it was interesting to see them all fit together at the end. I had guessed some things but not all so it was fun to watch it unfold and it kept my attention until the very end!
In short I loved this book and while it is the second in the series there is very little connecting them so this is able to be read as a standalone!

Meet the Author
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday #205: Dawn at Emberwilde

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd
Thomas Nelson-May 10, 2016

About the Book

Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.
For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.
The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.
At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.
At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

Why I Want It

I've loved every book of this author's and I'm looking forward to this one!

Top Ten Books To Read if You Are in the Mood for Regency

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

As a general rule I'm not much of a Regency reader but I have found several that I really enjoy! Regency has been gaining popularity lately (mainly due to Downton Abbey) so I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you!

#1. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

#2. The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen
(I have loved every Julie Klassen I've read but these are my favorites!)

#3. A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

#4. Whispers on the Moors Series by Sarah E. Ladd

#5. The Ransome Trilogy by Kaye Dacus

#6. Forgotten Castles Series by Jamie Carie

#7. The Daughters of Bainbridge House Series by Laurie Alice Eakes

#8. The English Garden Series by Lori Wick

Some Bonus Edwardian Faves!

Ladies of the Manor Series by Roseanna M. White

Edwardian Brides Series by Carrie Turansky

Top Ten Books/Authors to Read if You Like...

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

If you like...The Christiansen Family Series by Susan May Warren 
You should try...Chapel Springs Series by Denise Hunter

If you like...Julie Klassen
You should try...Sarah E. Ladd & Carrie Turansky

If you like...Karen Witemeyer

You should try...Cathy Marie Hake

If you like...Laura Frantz

You should try...Lori Benton

If you like...Diary of a Teenage Girl Series by Melody Carlson

You should try...Hollywood Nobody Series by Lisa Samson

If you like...Melanie Dickerson

You should try...Dina L. Sleiman

If you like...Irene Hannon

You should try...Lisa Harris

If you like...Mary Connealy

You should try...Jen Turano

If you like...The Heart of San Francisco Series by Julie Lessman

You should try...The Golden Gate Chronicles by Karen Barnett

If you like...Lynette Eason

You should try...Patricia Bradley

The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

About the Book

“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

My Thoughts

I thoroughly loved this author's first series and was quite excited to start into this new one! This author has the beautiful ability to completely sweep her readers away to another time and place. I was totally engrossed in the story the entire time and it felt like I really was in the English countryside. She also did an amazing job with the mystery aspect and kept me guessing until the very end.

I loved both Camille and Jonathan! I admired the way Jonathan didn't let the fact that he was now his father's heir change him in any way, and how he never viewed himself as “above” others despite being of the upper class. And I was impressed with Camille's independence and the strength she displayed in face of all that she had endured. I would have enjoyed having a little more romance between them since they didn't really spend too much time together but it was enough that it was believable, I just wanted a little more.

The other characters were well-written as well whether they were good, evil, or somewhere in between! I enjoyed this whole book immensely and would definitely recommend to any fans of the regency era!

Meet the Author

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever. Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possesion

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

#2. In Good Company by Jen Turano

#3. Among the Fair Magnolias Novella Collection

#4. Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

#5. The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

#6. Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett

#7. Gone Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley

#8. A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

#9. Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant

#10. Taken by Dee Henderson

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

About the Book
Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.
Darbury, England, 1819
Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she’s desperately hidden for years.
Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father’s position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breathe a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he’ll never be free to find his own way in the world. He’ll never be free to fall in love.
When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long kept?

My Thoughts
Regency novels tend to be hit or miss with me but I always find myself looking forward to this author's books. She writes in a fresh way that stays true to the time period but also keeps you interested. I felt transported to another time and place and hardly put the book down once I got into it.
I loved both Cecily and Nathaniel's characters, they were both kind and selfless yet still trapped by secrets from their pasts. I loved Nathaniel's care for his mother and sisters after his father's death and how kind Cecily was with Mrs. Trent.
The supporting cast of characters was fantasticly written too from Nathaniel's family to Mrs. Trent and Clarkson, and even those you didn't love quite as much like Andrew and Mrs. Massey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to seeing what else this author has in store for us!

Meet the Author
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever. Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor Website

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd examines how to escape the clutches of a tainted past in the final installment of her Whispers on the Moor series. A Regency-era novel, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall cleverly shows that even though our pasts may be shameful or painful, God can take the darkest personal histories and turn them into the brightest futures.

Celebrate with Sarah by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd here.

Waiting on Wednesday #131: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
Thomas Nelson-October 7, 2014

About the Book

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?

Why I Want It

I enjoyed the first two books in this series and while I'm not sure how it connects it looks good and I can't wait to read it!

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman

#2. Rebels by Jill Williamson

#3. Deceived by Irene Hannon

#4. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

#5. Where Treetops Glisten by Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, & Tricia Goyer

#6. Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun

#7. A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley

#8. A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

#9. The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

#10. A Matter of Heart by Tracie Peterson

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd

About the Book
Patience Creighton has dedicated herself to the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. But the return of the enigmatic master of the estate puts everything she loves at risk.
Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she invests herself in teaching at her father's school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to make the school successful.
Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin's edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of property --- including the land where Rosemere School is located --- but possesses little money to manage its upkeep. When debtors start calling, he is desperate to find a new source of income, even if it means sacrificing Rosemere.
When a fire threatens the school grounds, William must decide to what lengths he is willing to go to protect his birthright. And when Patience's brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience suddenly finds herself unsure of her calling. After a surprising truth about William's past is brought to light, both William and Patience will have to seek God's plans for their lives-and their hearts.
Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/sgVC4

My Thoughts

After loving Sarah E. Ladd's debut novel last year I was extremely excited to read her second one, and it did not disappoint. From the glances we got of William Sterling in the previous book I wasn't sure what exactly to expect from him but he turned out to be a pretty awesome hero. He had many flaws but it was really cool to watch as he put his past behind him and worked toward becoming the man he was supposed to be. Patience was a great heroine too. I greatly admired her ability to be polite and do the right thing even in very difficult circumstances. She had to deal with so many things but she did it with grace and dignity. I was able to guess some things about the ending but there were a few surprises in there as well. Knowing what was coming did nothing to detract from the story at all and I loved watching it all play out! This was a beautiful sophomore novel and I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us!

Meet the Author

Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. The Heiress of Winterwood was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Learn more about Sarah at: http://sarahladd.com

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Don't miss Sarah Ladd's latest Regency novel, The Headmistress of Rosemere. She is celebrating the release of book two in her Whispers on the Moors series with a fun "School" Your Desk Kindle Fire Giveaway and an Author Chat Facebook Party!

Between January 17–28, visit Sarah Ladd's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win a Kindle Fire grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 28th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.)

RSVP today for Sarah's The Headmistress of Rosemere Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your Regency trivia skills, announcing the winner of the "School" Your Desk Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at the next book in the Whispers on the Moors series!

So grab your copy of The Headmistress of Rosemere and hope to see you on the evening of January 28th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 28th!

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors Read in 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I found quite a few new authors this year and several became favorites so here are my top ten!

#1. Melissa Tagg-I absolutely adored this author's debut novel, Made to Last, and I can't wait to read Here to Stay!
#2. Sarah Sundin-I have been wanting to read this author's books for awhile and I finally read them all this year and loved them so much!
#3. Roseanna M. White-I am loving this author's Circle of Spies series and can't wait for the next installments!
#4. Melissa Jagears-Another debut author whose book I loved so very much!
#5. Sarah Ladd-Yet another debut author who wrote an excellent book!
#6. Erynn Mangum-I have been hearing about this author for awhile and finally read the first two books in her newest series which I loved!
#7. Katherine Reay-This debut author's book was incredibly unique and very well done!
#8. Stephanie Morrill-My sister read this author's first series and I was interested so when I won her two Ellie Sweet books I was excited! I enjoyed the first one and I'm in the middle of book 2!
#9. Amber Stokes-A debut author and a friend whose book I loved!
#10. Serena B. Miller-Loved this author's A Promise to Love and look forward to seeing what else she has!

Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait to Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

Luminary by Krista McGee

Fatal Exchange by Lisa Harris

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah Ladd

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander