CFBA: The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Song Stuck on the Brain: It Will Rain by Bruno Mars

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:



The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Bethany House (January 1, 2012)





by



Julie Klassen

MY TAKE:

Julie Klassen is a master in this genre. Her characters sparkle, the details are specific and deep but not overwhelming. I always feel as if I've actually stepped back in time with her. Some of the historical details I found particularly interesting, were the cosmetic creations. The stillroom seemed like an interesting place to work, allthough probably way more work than I'd actually want to do. :)

But the details, really, are just background. The true draw is Margaret's story. Unaware of her elitist ways, she gets a whole new look at the world and herself when she's forced to live the life of a maid. Being on the other end of the social scale is an eye opener, but she embraces it with grace and her heart wins you over. The romance is not just icing on the cake, it's the cake too. It gives substance as well as the sweet high.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?

Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?

On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.

She graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

CFBA: The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

Song Stuck on the Brain: Only Hope by Mandy Moore

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:


The Girl in the GatehouseBethany House (January 1, 2011)


by


Julie Klassen


MY TAKE:

Julie Klassen has done it again. Her latest novel blew me away. You don't have to be a Janite (Jane Austen Fan) to appreciate how fantastic The Girl in the Gatehouse is, but if you are a Janite than you are definitely going to appreciate the extra tidbits and finer points of this novel. I enjoyed the quotes from the era's well known writers, although the quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne made my nerves screech. Men! Other historical bits were fun to learn as well, like the recipe to make ink. All of it cleverly entwined without missing a beat in the plot.

What impresses me about Julie's stories, is the depth and humanity that we see in each character. Each one has their own past full of secrets and regrets, things that make society cringe, and yet in Julie's hands they become people we love and care about. Each finding a new path toward forgiveness and second chances. The intricacy of her research and plot just make the characters shine, like jewel s set in perfectly wrought precious metals. I become a bigger fan with each new book and can't say enough to encourage you to read all of her books. Trust me, you can't read just one.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative's estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how--by writing novels in secret.

Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made.

When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans. The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Girl in the Gatehouse, go HERE

Check out these other titles by Julie Klassen as well:

For those of you with a Kindle, you can download The Apothecary's Daughter for FREE on Amazon. Click HERE to check it out.







ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

CFBA: The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

Song Stuck on the Brain: I'm Your's by Jason Mraz

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:


The Silent Governess


by


Julie KlassenBethany House; Original edition (January 1, 2010)




MY TAKE:

I loved this book. Historicals sometimes begin to feel repetitive and a little overdone, but Julie did a fantastic job with this one. Reminded me a little of Jane Austen. The relationships were believable and compelling. And all those secrets! I couldn't put it down, I had to know how she was going to make the story work. Not to give anything away, but guessing the family connections between all the players was very nail biting, especially in the romance department. This book was refreshing and not the least bit repetitive to it's genre.

ABOUT THE BOOK:


Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of The Silent Governess, go HERE. You can also sign up as a Follower when you get to that page, and get announcements of the first chapters for all the great books we tour!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.