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Bride of a Distant Isle A Novel The Daughters of Hampshire Sandra Byrd 9781476717890 Books

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Bride of a Distant Isle A Novel The Daughters of Hampshire Sandra Byrd 9781476717890 Books

The first line grabbed me and never let me go, “I had no warning before evil befell me.” I instantly cared for Miss Annabel Ashton as the novel is told through her eyes in first person, making the story very personal and at times intense. Annabell has been a teacher at the Rogus School for young ladies in Winchester. The year is 1851. Annabel plans a short visit with Edward and his wife but they have other plans. Edward Everedge is her cousin who has recently gained her mother’s inheritance when she passed. Annabell was an illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum. She would have no claim to the inheritance.

Things quickly change and Edward seems to have her trapped. The social structure of that time period had little opportunities for a single woman to have a say in her future. I loved how this author weaves historical details and culture into this story that were intriguing and at the same time didn’t bog the reader down. I also liked learning about some background of the Catholic Church and how it played out in society.

Strange things start to happen to Annabell when they arrive in the home of her childhood. Things go missing, then things appear! The servants start to treat her funny and start whispering behind her back. Annabel recalls, “I had been encouraged to forget all about my mother, to not think of her or speak her name, for fear of reminding others of her condition and set them wondering if madness was to be my legacy.”

Annabell makes friends with Captain Del’Acqua at her cousin’s request. Edward wants her to obtain information from the Captain that will help in his business dealings. Annabell doesn’t much like this new turn of events but begins to like the Captain very much. She’s hoping he can help her get out of the mess she finds herself trapped in.

In author notes I was surprised to learn how easily someone could be put in an Asylum and never get out. The author says, “The trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum,… listed some reasons for admission from 1864-1889 and they included: Reading novels, Nursing too long, Political excitement, Time of life (perhaps related to another reason for admission, Uterine Derangement), Laziness on conversely, Hard Study, and yes, Immoral life, or Moral Madness.”

What an eye opener. I couldn’t believe how easily someone could be committed (most of the list tailored to women). Annabell digs deep into how her mother was admitted into the Asylum. She is also in search for her birth father. The things she uncovers rock her world. The author has a few surprises for readers that I didn’t see coming. Oh, My!! Buckle up and enjoy this fascinating, suspenseful adventure back in time as this courageous woman, Annabell learns how to navigate the system; as she learns who her real friends are and who will help keep her secret as she desperately tries to search for answers that might lead to freedom.

I highly recommend this read for pure enjoyment and for your book club pick. There is so much to talk about. This book is not for the faint of heart. There are nail biting parts and things that make you say, “What?” “No way!” I look forward to reading the next book in the Daughters of Hampshire series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins![...]
The Book Club Network blog[...]
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Bride of a Distant Isle A Novel The Daughters of Hampshire Sandra Byrd 9781476717890 Books Reviews

One of the things I’m really loving about Sandra Byrd’s current series, Daughters of Hampshire series (you know, besides fabulous writing and intriguing stories with mystery), is how she brings different cultures as key parts of the stories (the first, Mist of Midnight, had hints of India. Also it was one of my favorite reads last year, so go read it!). It’s not something I have really seen in books written about 1850s England, but I absolutely love love love it.

Like I mentioned, I loved how Byrd brought about another culture and how it was for those in England. This book focused on Malta and since I knew next to zero about it, I loved learning more and how she weaved it perfectly in the story. Not only that, but the look at Catholicism during this time in England was fascinating too.

I also have to say the thread of mystery was done so well too. And our Annabel and Captain Dell’Acqua? Loved them!

“All will be well in the end; if it’s not well, then it’s not the end.”

This book also gets you, how shall I saw, “involved.” I wanted to be in the book, so I could have punched some people in the face (not really internet, I’d go for the kneecaps. I kid people. Kid!). Oh man, did some folks in this book make me angry…And I absolutely loved it!

So yes, if you couldn’t tell, this series continues to get better and better and I’m already looking forward to more.

Fans of Sandra will absolutely love this one and historical fans, if you haven’t read any of Sandra’s book, get on it! (She also has a fabulous contemporary novel series you should read as well!)

What’s a recent favorite Victorian novel you’ve read?

(Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Annabel Ashton is the illegitimate daughter of a dead father and a mother who died in an insane asylum. As such, she has few options when her cousin Edward calls her from a teaching position in Winchester to the family home at Highcliffe, where she will stay until Edward marries her off to a dark and odious man. At least that's what everyone, including Annabel, believes. Yet she's about to be hurtled forward on a journey that could make her an heiress--and could cost her everything.

Annabel Ashton is the kind of character I love rooting for. She wants to maintain autonomy, but because of her gender and time period, has very little opportunity to do so. This makes her vulnerable, but she is also quite capable, intelligent, and strong. Even when she fears she is succumbing to her mother's mental illness, Annabel remains as level-headed as possible and never sways from her mission to prove legitimacy. Her voice and circumstances captured me from page one, as did her romance with the dashing Captain Marco Dell'Acqua.

Ah, Marco...the epitome of a romantic Maltese man, and yet in no way a stereotype. His romance with Annabel was by turns sweet, touching, and intriguing. As with Luke Whitfield of Mist of Midnight, I sometimes wondered if he had Annabel's best interests at heart. There were a couple of times I wanted to urge her, mentally, to flee for the nearest convent. However, Marco pleasantly surprised me in many ways.

The suspenseful, Gothic nature of this book was just as good, if not better, than Mist of Midnight. I often wondered where Sandra was going to go with her plot. Was Annabel's mother truly dead? Would Annabel be proven mad and if yes, what would happen next? And, the ever-present question what's really going on that the author doesn't want me to know, but that I'll have fun guessing at? The clues were, again, satisfying, as was the real story, which did keep me guessing.

Finally, I appreciated this book for its unique elements, such as Annabel's Maltese heritage (a departure from Italian, which I suspect most authors would fall back on), and her Catholic faith. Even though I did not enjoy the threat of the insane asylum or the scenes within it, I also appreciated the examination of Victorian psychology. I'll keep my eye on this author, especially for times when I need a little Jane Eyre, a little Jane Austen, and a lot of unique intrigue.
The first line grabbed me and never let me go, “I had no warning before evil befell me.” I instantly cared for Miss Annabel Ashton as the novel is told through her eyes in first person, making the story very personal and at times intense. Annabell has been a teacher at the Rogus School for young ladies in Winchester. The year is 1851. Annabel plans a short visit with Edward and his wife but they have other plans. Edward Everedge is her cousin who has recently gained her mother’s inheritance when she passed. Annabell was an illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum. She would have no claim to the inheritance.

Things quickly change and Edward seems to have her trapped. The social structure of that time period had little opportunities for a single woman to have a say in her future. I loved how this author weaves historical details and culture into this story that were intriguing and at the same time didn’t bog the reader down. I also liked learning about some background of the Catholic Church and how it played out in society.

Strange things start to happen to Annabell when they arrive in the home of her childhood. Things go missing, then things appear! The servants start to treat her funny and start whispering behind her back. Annabel recalls, “I had been encouraged to forget all about my mother, to not think of her or speak her name, for fear of reminding others of her condition and set them wondering if madness was to be my legacy.”

Annabell makes friends with Captain Del’Acqua at her cousin’s request. Edward wants her to obtain information from the Captain that will help in his business dealings. Annabell doesn’t much like this new turn of events but begins to like the Captain very much. She’s hoping he can help her get out of the mess she finds herself trapped in.

In author notes I was surprised to learn how easily someone could be put in an Asylum and never get out. The author says, “The trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum,… listed some reasons for admission from 1864-1889 and they included Reading novels, Nursing too long, Political excitement, Time of life (perhaps related to another reason for admission, Uterine Derangement), Laziness on conversely, Hard Study, and yes, Immoral life, or Moral Madness.”

What an eye opener. I couldn’t believe how easily someone could be committed (most of the list tailored to women). Annabell digs deep into how her mother was admitted into the Asylum. She is also in search for her birth father. The things she uncovers rock her world. The author has a few surprises for readers that I didn’t see coming. Oh, My!! Buckle up and enjoy this fascinating, suspenseful adventure back in time as this courageous woman, Annabell learns how to navigate the system; as she learns who her real friends are and who will help keep her secret as she desperately tries to search for answers that might lead to freedom.

I highly recommend this read for pure enjoyment and for your book club pick. There is so much to talk about. This book is not for the faint of heart. There are nail biting parts and things that make you say, “What?” “No way!” I look forward to reading the next book in the Daughters of Hampshire series.

Disclosure of Material Connection I received a complimentary copy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins![...]
The Book Club Network blog[...]
Book Fun Magazine [...]