Summary: A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen
Set adrift on the tides of fate by
the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives
with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels
like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.
While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept
Cornwall coast--known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors--Laura searches
for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return
keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura
acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.
As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover
he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his
accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not
who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might
provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents' fate. With
danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing
between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks? (from Amazon).
My review
On a stormy night Physician’s daughter Laura Callaway
is alerted that there’s a shipwreck on the local shore with only one survivor.
Alexander Lucas hides his secrets well, but danger seems to follow him
to Cornwall.
A Castaway in Cornwall is written by @Julie Klassen, published
by Bethany House Publishers. The story is set in North Cornwall 1813 and we
follow Laura Callaway as she works on her admirable
project to salvage trinkets from wrecks and inform next of kin of their loved
ones lost at sea. When another ship wrecks, a man is washed
ashore and ends up in Laura’s care to be nursed back to life. He presents
himself as Alexander Lucas, has a foreign accent and reveals very little about
who he is and where he is from.
While this is the second book I have read recently with similar setting, this plot stands out in the way it describes people’s struggles to survive in rather modest circumstances. With a backdrop of the Napoleonic War, the story deals with the need to belong to a family and a community. As an orphan, Laura struggles with both.
Main character physician’s daughter Laura Callaway lost her parents and lives with non-blood relatives. For a woman who struggles so much, I quite admire how she is able to make such a difference in other people’s lives and that’s why she is my favorite of this story.
Supporting character naval sea Captain Alexander Lucas
struggles with consequences of war, and goes through a process of learning how to
trust again. I felt he seemed human and likable as we got to follow his thoughts
and perspectives. Danger seemed to follow him ashore in Cornwall.
I loved the vivid descriptions of daily life and occasional
celebrations at the Cornish coast. I could easily see how story could
easily be adapted to a movie reminiscent of Poldark. I found the characters relatable
and many of them sympathetic. A few really unlikable ones wired me up and added
great drama. The mystery element was my
favorite part, which related to Alexander Lucas previous life and family
background gradually told via his perspective of the story.
The romance part of
the story seemed to be on the backburner until the last part of the plot. As
danger was at the forefront, that made perfect sense to me. I enjoyed the dramatic
parts of the story and the slightly surprising elements at the end. I felt it was all expertly tied up into a
satisfying conclusion to this standalone novel.
Anyone who enjoys a historical romance set in Cornwall will love this story. As will fans of Julie Klassen. Similar authors to explore while eagerly awaiting next release from Julie Klassen might be Kristi Ann Hunter or Jody Hedlund. Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
Conclusion: A
Castaway in Cornwall is the entertaining and enjoyable story about a woman who struggles
to belong and a man marked by war who both long for a place to call home.
Rating: 4 stars / 5
Where to by your copy
Book Details
Paperback : 400 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0764234224
Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (December 1, 2020)
About The Author
A little about me…
I love all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, I worked in publishing for sixteen years and now write full time. Three of my books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park won the Minnesota Book Award, and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards. I have also been honored with the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. I 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. For more, visit author's website https://julieklassen.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment