MY REVIEW:
Once again I have been held spellbound by one of Carolyn Miller’s novels. It was such a joy to read as I witnessed Caroline’s transformation from the perfect society daughter to a compassionate believer who put others before herself.
The other characters were also wonderfully portrayed, even the requisite villain. Gideon Kirby was especially endearing with his willingness to give up his own life to protect his sister. The interactions between the characters were not only entertaining but very believable as well. I found the details about fossil hunting during that era to be quite interesting, especially some of the terms used to describe the process and the finds. With vivid descriptions of the Devonshire coast and a few smugglers thrown in for good measure, a bit of mystery and danger, some secrets, and of course romance, the plot held my attention until the very end when I found myself sad that it was over much too quickly.
After reading Miller’s previous novels, A Hero For Miss Hatherleigh is exactly what I expected and more. I love this author’s books and always eagerly anticipate the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Kregel Publications. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can a proper noble lady find a future with a fossil-hunting man of faith?
As the daughter of Viscount Aynsley, Caroline Hatherleigh knows every rule of society–and she’s always followed them precisely. But when she visits south Devonshire and encounters a fossil-hunting scientist and his sister, her assumptions about what is right are shaken. Questions she has never considered about the importance of friendship and faith suddenly confront her–and her comfortable understanding about how the world works is thrown off balance. What if God wants to be the center of her life, rather than merely a social obligation?
Gideon Kirby loves science, and hunting down proof of past lives is a joy he won’t willingly give up. But his scientific leanings are being challenged both by his personal beliefs and by local smugglers in the Devonshire countryside. And every day his sister’s illness becomes more desperate, her care growing more demanding. Adding a viscount’s daughter to the mix is a complication Gideon never expected–especially since he must stay far away from this young woman he’s falling for in order to protect his beloved sister’s secret.
When a mysterious stranger visits the village, that secret will be exposed, no matter how Gideon fights. Then tragedy strikes in a smugglers’ cave. And the threat of scandal may lead to broken hearts and passionless propriety. Will the shaky bond these two have nurtured be strong enough to overcome their differences–or will the trust they’ve withheld from each other tear three lives apart?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.
