The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Maid of Fairbourne Hall Bethany House (January 1, 2012) by Julie Klassen



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.







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


The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen is another stellar historical romance in the author's quiver. Margaret Macy is a spoiled young woman in Regency England until her mother marries a man who is determined to get his hands on the inheritance Margaret will receive on her twenty-fifth birthday. That date is only three months away, and the stepfather is applying pressure to his nephew to compromise Margaret, forcing a marriage between them and allowing him access to the funds. She is determined to escape his influence and flees the house dressed as a maid. Through a series of errors, she finds herself employed as a housemaid at the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, the man whose heart she broke years ago when she turned down his marriage proposal. Nathaniel has returned from his time in Barbados a changed man, but he still can't get Margaret off his mind. Margaret, Nora in her new position, just has to stay incognito for three months to claim her fortune, but her stepfather is taking extreme steps to find her. Klassen writes thoroughly compelling historical romances that are far more than that label could explain. But her real talent lies in creating characters that the reader comes to care about. I was sad at the end of the story because I knew I wouldn't be spending time anymore with Nathaniel, Margaret, Betty, Helen, and the rest. Each person feels real and alive, and despite the implausibility of the plot, Klassen's characterizations make the reader believe in it. I don't know what I'm going to do until Klassen's next book comes out!

The Girl in the Gatehouse

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Girl in the Gatehouse Bethany House (January 1, 2011) by Julie Klassen



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.







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

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen is a poignant Regency romance in the vein of Jane Austen and a terrific follow-up to her previous novel, The Silent Governess. Mariah Aubrey has been sent in disgrace from her family home, along with her female servant Dixon, to live in the gatehouse of her aunt's estate, Windrush. But Aunt Fran isn't long for the world, leaving Mariah to the mercy of her stepson Hugh, and the new tenant Captain Matthew Bryant, who is renting the estate to finally win over the affections of the woman who rejected him many years ago. Mariah supports her small, but growing, household by writing novels, anonymously in order to keep her parents from finding out and from bringing further shame to her name. Meanwhile, she and Bryant are growing close as they investigate the mystery of the man on the roof across the road. Klassen has packed almost too much plot in this novel, mistaken identity, men lost at sea, lost heirs, evil poorhouse matron, several different romances, betrayal, and a woman wronged, but she juggles it mostly to good effect. Mariah is a thoroughly likable heroine, and her love for those around her allows the reader to fall in love with them as well. Klassen's novels are always a joy, and while I enjoyed this one, I don't know that it had the same quality as her previous books. Not that it was at all bad! I normally give her books five stars, and for me, this one was a four star book. Fans of Regency romances will be well pleased by the references to Austen, and readers will appreciate that Klassen never shoves faith down their throat by proselytizing.

The Silent Governess

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Silent Governess
Bethany House; Original edition (January 1, 2010)
by
Julie Klassen


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.


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!

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen is another stellar addition to the author's works. Olivia Keene fled her home after her attempt to rescue her mother left a man unconscious and bleeding. While looking for a safe place to hide, she is arrested for trespassing at Brightwell Court. Lord Bradley has his reasons for not prosecuting Olivia's law-breaking, and when she is struck mute after another accident, both Olivia and Lord Bradley are pleased that she can't speak about who she is or what she's seen. Klassen is a fresh voice in historical Christian fiction. Her stories are never cliched, characters never stereotypes, and her faith never used as a weapon. Her writing sucks me in so completely that I often have to give myself a good shake to bring myself back to the real world. Klassen is the rare author whose books I want to pass out to everyone I know.

I'm taking Mia to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs tonight. The local late-run theater is running a special with up to four free admissions. So we're having a girls' night out: shopping at Wal-Mart (big spender that I am!), and I'll spring for supper at the show.