Letter from Briarton Park

The Letter from Briarton Park is the newest book by author Sarah E. Ladd. Having read and enjoyed previous books by this author and being intrigued by the description, I dug right into this volume. This book, set in Regency England, has a fairly typical plotline but has enough mystery to add in twists and turns that keep the story interesting. Several items set this book apart. To begin with, main character Cassandra Hale, although an orphan seeking information about her family and a governess, is a strong female protagonist. She has a firm sense of right and wrong and follows through with what she thinks is the right thing to do even when it isn't the socially proper thing to do. Several other characters prove to not have the same moral fortitude and provide some of the mystery elements. Hale also finds that individuals in her life have not always been honest with her and at times her life is in danger.

As indicated there are numerous twists and turns in The Letter from Briarton Park to keep the reader guessing. However, as a Regency romance, the end is fairly predictable. Ladd provides some excellent character development among both the main characters and several supporting figures as well. In addition, her descriptions draw the reader into the story. All in all, The Letter from Briarton Park is an enjoyable and entertaining book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Letter from Briarton Park from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Last Grand Duchess

Often books about the last Russian Czar and the Romanov family focus on his son Alexei or his daughter Anastasia. Having read several previous books about his family, The Last Grand Duchess: A Novel of Olga Romanov, Imperial Russia, and Revolution by Bryn Turnbull caught my attention for two reasons. One, it is a time period I enjoy reading about and two, it focused on Olga, the oldest daughter which is a viewpoint often not covered.

Author Bryn Turnbull tells the story through flashbacks, alternating between when the royal family was placed under house arrest in the palace and several years earlier when World War I just atarted. This tactic allows the reader to understand how choices the royal family, but particularly the Czar and Czarina, made created the conditions that were ripe for the Russian Revolution to take place. While depicting Rasputin as having the Czarina wrapped around his fingers and being quite manipulative, Turnbull also shows the royal family to be quite loving and totally devoted to each other. Simultaneously, she portrays the royal family as being woefully out of touch with the real world but convinced they are caring and looking after the Russian people. Often princesses or grand duchesses are portrayed to be individuals who are waited on hand and foot and only interested in the next ball. However, Olga and her sisters were engaged in a variety of volunteer work including serving as nurses at the imperial hospital, slept on army cots, and had a regimen of daily chores to complete.

Turnbull provides a new and interesting look into the Romanov family. The love shown for each other through the bitter end is inspiring. Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction and particular those are interested in Russia.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Last Grand Duchess via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.