The Governess of Penwythe Hall + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

My Review:

published in 2019

Sqqqqquuuuueeeeeee!!!! THUD. I’m bruised from head to toe from all the body slams onto my fainting couch (I’m an energetic swooner when it comes to Gothic + Regency.) And…oh my…I’m still reeling in a kaleidoscopic state of tizziness after finishing this sublime read. It took me back to my early teens when I discovered a treasure trove of Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney books at my public library. I got that same thrill of anticipation as I started to read Governess of Penwythe Hall. I mean — Cornish coast — a struggling ancestral home — a reticent hero — smugglers — danger! I feel a surge of fangirling excitement welling up inside of me just remembering it all!

“If you lean on your faith, you’ll arrive at a destination created just for you.”

And what a journey Ladd takes Jac and Delia on! Enticing descriptions and a mysterious ambiance lulled me into a stupor of bibliophile bliss. A romance that manages to be both sweet and passionate, the specter of danger, a shroud of mystery and cutthroat action — all the elements essential for this genre with the added bonus of a gentle faith thread woven throughout. Sweet Perfection! 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 3 2024.

27 thoughts on “The Governess of Penwythe Hall + Giveaway”

  2. Haven’t read any of her books in quite a while, and she is always good. You introduced me to her via the Jonquil books. Those are great! Anyhow, thanks for the reminder. Don’t enter me as the library has this.

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    1. The Jonquil books are by Sarah M. Eden who is also an exceptional Regency author. Glad your library has this book — Sarah E. Ladd is one of the authors my library routinely stocks. Neat to think your little ol’ library and my little ol’ library have the same collection! 🙂 Happy Reading, CC!

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      1. I don’t know why I mix up the two of them! I do own several books by both of them for my Kindle. And, luckily, the library also has some offerings!

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  3. Oh my, isn’t the cover gorgeous! My reading is in dire need of some gothic/regency stories and “The Governess of Penwythe Hall” sure sounds like a fascinating what to do just that. Would love the opportunity to read and review Jac and Delia’s story.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  6. Kav, I was a Victoria Holt fan back in the day too and I’ve never read a Sarah Ladd book so I’d say this is one I should try for, right? 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Ooohhh, wow, what fun you’re going to have. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of Sara E. Ladd’s books — even her series are written in such a way that you don’t need to read the books in order. But, this one is the first book in a series so it’s as good a place to start as any! 🙂 Good luck, Cindy!

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  13. Kav, You’re such an entertaining reviewer!!! I do enjoy Sarah Ladd’s stories, and would love to re=read this one as it’s been YEARS since I read it the first time. TY for another fabulous giveaway. 🙂

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