Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

 

Secrets of Pembrooke Park is Julie Klassen’s latest release in a long line of books.  Each one is a regency romance, but each one is very unique.  I am not sure how as an author you don’t end up crossing wires somewhere along the way and forget which characters you are working in or which town.  But however Julie keeps it all straight, we are blessed with many new and exciting titles.

Abigail’s family has lost their fortune and it is all her fault.  She encouraged her father to invest along with her Uncle in a bank and they lost everything and are now forced to move.  A long lost relative offers the use of their family home, but Abigail and her family can’t ask any questions and they must leave the house as is, other than cleaning it.  But the house comes with a dark secret.

When Abigail arrives she is not warmly welcomed by the steward who has guarded the house ever since it has stood empty.  When he learn she is family come to reopen the house and is not one of the treasure seekers, he begins to warm up and Abigail starts to set the house to straights.  But the stories of ghost and treasure hunters make it difficult to settle into the house.  She finds herself drawn into the mystery and wonders if she can restore her family’s fortune by finding the treasure.

Secret treasure, a handsome parson, and a wonderful huge estate.  What else do you need for a fun read.  Regency isn’t my thing, but Julie writes such delightful books, they are a great break from an intense thriller.  I love her writing style and how she can make you kind of wish you lived in one of those wonderful old houses even though you know that they are drafty, hard to heat and probably not all that fun to live in. J  She has a gentle way of writing and yet the mystery of her books is always interesting. 

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up one of her books, let me recommend that you get started soon as she is still writing and it will take a bit of time to catch up. 

Happy Reading,

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

 

Julie Klassen's book The Dancing Master could not have come out at a better time.  It came out just a couple weeks before Christmas, so not only were some people looking for a new book to give as a gift, others were looking for a good read during the winter season.

 

Alex Valcourt, his mother and sister flee London after a scandal ruins their livelihood.  Their dance academy is forced to close because of actions by his father.  They move to little Beaworthy in remote Devonshire, where Alex is hoping to start another academy.

 

Julia's mother has imposed an unwritten rule in Beaworthy, "no dancing."  Julia doesn't know why and finds herself attracted to the new dance master in town.  She knows her mother would never approve of him as a husband, but of course that makes him all the more attractive.

 

Gentle regency romances are Julie's specialty and that is very clear in this book.  She has added a bit of intrigue and mystery to it, which adds to the interest of the story. 

 

The is no fast pace to this story, it is just a pleasant tale that makes you want to start taking dance lessons.

Happy Reading

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

Julie Klassen has become one of those authors that you expect good books from.  She is so consistent, she has become a favorite just because she is easy to recommend.  The Tutor’s Daughter proves my point.  The day the book hit the shelves here at the bookstore, readers were in to pick it up.  They knew it was good and they didn’t have to wait for me to read it to tell them so.

When Emma and her father move to Ebbington Manor in Cornwall, they figure they will have a quiet time teaching two of the younger sons on the manor.  They know the family because they taught the older boys at their boarding school and are excited for the chance to teach the younger two.  How hard can it be?

When Emma gets a threatening note, the stakes go up.  Is she really a threat to someone that doesn’t want her in the house or is it just a prank of an adolescent boy who has a crush on her.  Emma is determined not to be pushed around by a coward, but what will is cost her?

The regency romance is not dead.  In fact it is alive and well in Julie Klassen’s world and she loves sharing that with us.  She writes a wonderful story that keeps readers' attention, adds a bit of mystery just to make it a bit more interesting and then throws in a lovely love story for good measure.  

Happy Reading

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers,

This review is one that is easy to write.  Most of you who follow my blog know my feelings on Julie Klassen.  I really, really like her books. To be perfectly honest I didn't expect to, regency romance is not a favorite of mine, but these stories... well what else do I say about them.

Maid of Fairbourne Hall is her most recent release and was just a joy to read.  I usually read them after a high intensity book or if I am on vacation.  They are perfect for that.  This one is no different. 

Margaret does not love her new step-father.  He is trying to force her to marry his nephew.  Then she overhears him telling his nephew that he needs to get Margaret to marry him any way possible, good or bad.  She knows it is time to do something about it.  

Margaret decides to disappear and hide away until she receives the inheritance from her aunt.  Then she will be able to support herself and will no longer be forced to live with or marry anyone.   The only problem is that when she flees her home, she really has no plan except to get out.  How will she support herself, where will she live, who can she trust?  It all looks just a bit overwhelming until Joan suggests she take a job as a maid somewhere.  How hard can that be? 

Once again Julie delivers a book with a great deal of humor, but also with a bit of insight into what it was like to live as a maid.  She includes little quotes at the beginning of each chapter that come from different publications of the day.  It is amazing what people believed or expected about and from their work staff.  I have over the years read several books where an aristocrat hides out as a maid to escape from some evil person.  According to the first quote in the book, only one person ever did it in actuality.  So much for the romance of it all. 

Happy Reading

P.S. This book is available at Baker Book House or online by request at bakerbookstore.com

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers, 

Julie Klassen loves Jane Austin and Regency era writing.  That is reflected in the books that she writes.  Her 4th novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, is no different than the others.  It is very much a Regency period and even has some of Jane's own story intertwined into the main character's life.  It makes for a bit of a different read.

Mariah is banished by her father from her family home.  She has created a scandel and her father wants to make sure it doesn't affect her sister's prospects of making a good marriage. 

She moves into the gatehouse at her aunt's estate and resigns herself to a life without the love of a husband.  She needs to make money so she begins writing novels and selling them to a publisher.  She enjoys the work, but uses a pen name because she doesn't want her father to find out. She is afraid of what he would do if he did. 

Captian Matthew Bryant is looking to prove himself to the woman he loves.  Her father would not allow them to marry because he wasn't wealthy enough nor did he come from a good family.  So he leases the estate of Windrush Court in the hopes of proving to the world he is worthy of her hand.

I can not say it enough, these books were written for those who love Jane Austin books.  Julie says on her website, "If you love romance, English accents, Jane Eyre, or anything by Jane Austen, then you and I are soul sisters..."  She also writes for those of us who are looking for a good read and enjoy a good story. 

For January in Michigan this is a perfect read.  A cozy quilt, a cup of hot tea, and a warm fire and you will be ready for a wonderful night of reading. 

Happy Reading

Julie Klassen

Dear Readers, 

Julie Klassen loves Jane Austin and Regency era writing.  That is reflected in the books that she writes.  Her 4th novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, is no different than the others.  It is very much a Regency period and even has some of Jane's own story intertwined into the main character's life.  It makes for a bit of a different read.

 

Mariah is banished by her father from her family home.  She has created a scandel and her father wants to make sure it doesn't affect her sister's prospects of making a good marriage. 

 

She moves into the gatehouse at her aunt's estate and resigns herself to a life without the love of a husband.  She needs to make money so she begins writing novels and selling them to a publisher.  She enjoys the work, but uses a pen name because she doesn't want her father to find out. She is afraid of what he would do if he did. 

 

Captian Matthew Bryant is looking to prove himself to the woman he loves.  Her father would not allow them to marry because he wasn't wealthy enough nor did he come from a good family.  So he leases the estate of Windrush Court in the hopes of proving to the world he is worthy of her hand.

 

I can not say it enough, these books were written for those who love Jane Austin books.  Julie says on her website, "If you love romance, English accents, Jane Eyre, or anything by Jane Austen, then you and I are soul sisters..."  She also writes for those of us who are looking for a good read and enjoy a good story. 

 

For January in Michigan this is a perfect read.  A cozy quilt, a cup of hot tea, and a warm fire and you will be ready for a wonderful night of reading. 

 

Happy Reading