In London Society, Annabelle Thorley is facing a future
that looks anything but bright. Since her father's
financial ruin, and the deaths of both parents, she is
living with her selfish and abusive brother, Thomas and his
cold wife. Engaged, her fiance broke the engagement after
the financial scandal and has already attached himself to a
lovely young lady. Thomas demands that she marry his
wealthy business associate, Cecil Bartrell, who does not
seem to mind her lack of wealth and family financial
debacle. Annabelle says she will never marry Bartrell. He
always smells of brandy and bad body odor, he scares her.
He talks about wanting to possess her and refuses to accept
her refusal of marriage. As Thomas becomes more insistent,
Annabelle knows she can not continue to refuse the match and
is threatened by both her brother and Bartrell. Fleeing
is her only solution but where can she go? The only family
she has now is a distant Aunt and Uncle Langsby who live in
Fellsworth and operate the Fellsworth School. She has not
seen them in decades, but she will go there, tell them her
dilemma and beg for their help.
Owen Locke, dashing gamekeeper with a strong connection to
the forest, land and his daughter, Hannah, is a widower
whose wife died a tragic death.
He dreams of becoming a landowner and being able to leave
his land to his only child. He meets Annabelle and falls in
love with her at first sight. When she tells him about her
plans to leave home and where she wants to go, Owen decides
to protect and help her. He lives in Fellsworth and has
known her aunt and uncle for many years. Their friendship
begins and slowly turns into more. Sarah E. Ladd knows how
to tell a good story with an inspirational thread weaved
nicely into an unpredictable plot filled with suspense,
second chances, faith, family, and forever love.
A STRANGER AT ELLSWORTH by Sarah E. Ladd is a historical
romance with a gentle
touch. It is a faith based tale with a vivid and engaging
cast of characters, along with rich details of the English
countryside in the 1800's. Poachers, murders, a group of
vile villains, lies and betrayals, keep you turning these
pages. In the end, along with tender kisses, Annabelle and
Owens find their forever love. I found Owen to be a
wonderful hero. The ladies maid, Crosley, who Annabelle
took with her when she left home betrayed her and was easy
to hate. Uncle Edmund gets my vote as my favorite
character as he showed Annabelle how a loving family should
be. His posing for her to paint his portrait at his wife's
insistence was a delightful addition to a rich read with
period details that is completely engaging. I loved it!
In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin,
Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has
called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy
of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon
faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do
the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her
long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position
awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her
life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant
situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted
are called into question.
Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower
and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter.
As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping
poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to
eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a
chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle
Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since
his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second
chance at love.
As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten
the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious
strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing
Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to
stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the
future.
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