In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?
Cornwall, England, 1818
Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.
As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.
When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.
My Review:
published in 2020
Poldark meets Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South, Cranford, Wives and Daughters — novels and BBC miniseries) with a distinct Gothic flare. Dust off those fainting couches and grab your smelling salts and a fan or two and settle in for a mystery-steeped Regency that will have your heart performing somersaults and your tummy doing loop-de-loops. I’m a tad shy of giddy after finishing this one.
Beautifully written — Ladd’s word choice enhances the Regency vibe and her descriptions bring layered depths to the story. And her characters! Loved Julia right from the start (and adore that last name — Twetheway — so much fun to say!) She has honor and backbone and such a giving heart. But, goodness her Aunt Beatrice! I might have bald patches from tearing my hair out over her histrionics! The perfectly imperfect character-I-love-to-hate in a novel!
Two suitors — but rest assured because one is definitely not really in the running so this isn’t quite a love triangle. More like a stumbling block which kept me rabidly reading so I could get to the part where all things romantical are put to rights. Phew! The author put me through my paces though.
The mystery brings some Gothic ambiance to the story. A cursed house with mysterious goings on. Thievery and threats and all things sinister. Cue the creepy organ music and keep some comfort chocolate on hand as you mull over all the diabolical possibilities.
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 Thief of Lanwyn Manor , 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 10 2024.
Kav's Best Reads 
sounds great
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Good luck, Mark!
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I would love a chance to win! Thanks! Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com
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Good luck, Blessed Mommy!
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Great author and intriguing tales! Second book in series ~ I missed this one! Would like to read it. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com
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I love Sarah Ladd’s storytelling style Good luck, Kathleen!
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Somehow I missed this one! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
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You’re welcome, Anne. Good luck!
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My, this sounds good!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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It really is! Good luck, Kimmy!
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Sarah Ladd is an exceptional author!
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Yes she is! Good luck, Caryl!
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This one sounds great. I’m currently reading a Sarah Eden series (Love!!) but will add Sarah Ladd to my list too!
Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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Oooh, I love Sarah Eden’s books too. Must get back on playing catch up with some of her series. Good luck, Sandy!
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Sounds like a good one!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
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Good luck, Melanie!
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I’ll always say yes to a Sarah Ladd novel.
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Good luck, Becky!
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Love Sarah Ladd and such a beautiful cover to invite you in.
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Yes, the covers in this series are lovely. Good luck, Lucy!
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I have not read this one yet! She’s such a good writer, one of my favorite historical authors 💖
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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I’m pretty sure I’m current with her books and aim to stay that way. Good luck, Trixi!
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Kav, this sounds like another good chance to read my first Sarah Ladd book. Count me in, please! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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Counted! We’ve gotta get your reading Ladd! Good luck, Cheryl!
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Fabulous sounding Regency story that I’d LOVE the opportunity to read! Love the beautiful cover too.
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy of “The Thief of Lanwyn Manor”.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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You’re welcome, Kay. Good luck!
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Ooh, this is one by her that I don’t have!
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Gotta keep your collection up to date! Good luck, Elly!
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There is something about a Regency book that I can’t resist! Thanks, Kav!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
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Good luck, rubynreba! Regency is one of my favourite time periods to read about in fiction.
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I tend to enjoy her older novels more and I missed this one, so it’s perfect. I also agree with Becky to say yes to a Sarah Ladd book!
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I’m proud to say that I’m all caught up with Sarah E Ladd’s books and I plan to stay caught up. Easier to do since she seems to only publish one a year…I think. Yikes, I’d better check her website and make sure I’m not missing some! Good luck, Perrianne!
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The Cloverton Charade releases in September, so I think you’re right about only one book a year. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do in order to read them all!
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