A Stranger at Fellsworth

by Sarah E. Ladd Narrated by Jude Mason

Overview

Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth Academy, forcing one young woman to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining her hopes for the future in this sweet Regency Romance.

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, where her estranged uncle serves as the school's superintendent. Upon arrival, Annabelle learns that she must shed her life of high society and work for her wages for the first time.

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 purchase land he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife's death, Owen begins to consider a second chance at love.

As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they'd found.

• The third and final book in the Treasures of Surrey series (The Curiosity Keeper is first and Dawn at Emberwilde is second)
• Books can be read out of order
• A full-length novel at 90,000 words
• A happily-ever-after, clean romance

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

03/13/2017
In the third installment of her Regency-era Treasures of Surrey series, Ladd returns to the Fellsworth School in the English countryside to introduce Annabelle Thorley. Despite her father’s poor business dealings, Annabelle has lived a life of privilege and protection. After the deaths of her parents, Annabelle’s brother, Thomas, is ill prepared to salvage the family fortune and take care of his younger sister. Annabelle’s betrothal to a wealthy older man becomes Thomas’s plan B. After a physical altercation with Thomas, Annabelle flees to the London home of their estranged uncle, the superintendent at Fellsworth School in the outskirts of the city. Widower and single father Owen Locke, a gamekeeper whose daughter attends Fellsworth, has accompanied his employer to visit Thomas in London. After observing Annabelle’s distress at her brother’s behavior, Owen agrees to arrange safe transportation to Fellsworth for Annabelle. However, keeping Annabelle safe soon proves more difficult than anyone anticipated. With betrayals, murders, and criminal activity disrupting the peace at Fellsworth, Ladd fills the pages with as much intrigue as romance. Inspirational references are limited to a few mentions of prayers. A well-crafted story for fans of Regency novels. Agent: Rachelle Gardner, Books & Such Literary Management (May)

4 stars RT Book Reviews

'Once again, Ladd delights readers with a skillfully plotted, suspenseful page-turner. . . Like all superior novelists, Ladd doesn’t default to pat endings, offering even her villains a potential happily-ever-after by putting her faith (not to mention the characters’ and the readers’) in God’s abiding mercy.'

Historical Novel Reviews

This novel reads well and fast; its vivid imagery and likeable characters fill the pages. The well-crafted metaphors and tight sequences make for an absorbing read. Though set around the Regency period, the style is fresh and the voice genuine. The spiritual aspect of the novel does not overpower; it is woven into the plot and provides a graceful way to unite the beliefs and morals of Annabelle and Owen Locke. I want to read more in the series.'

From the Publisher

'Ladd's third Regency outing (after Dawn at Emberwilde and The Curiosity Keeper) can easily stand on its own, but readers who enjoy this book will want to devour the trilogy.'--Library Journal

'Once again, Ladd delights readers with a skillfully plotted, suspenseful page-turner. . . Like all superior novelists, Ladd doesn't default to pat endings, offering even her villains a potential happily-ever-after by putting her faith (not to mention the characters' and the readers') in God's abiding mercy.'--RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

'With betrayals, murders, and criminal activity disrupting the peace at Fellsworth, Ladd fills the pages with as much intrigue as romance. Inspirational references are limited to a few mentions of prayers. A well-crafted story for fans of Regency novels.'--Publishers Weekly

"This novel reads well and fast; its vivid imagery and likeable characters fill the pages. The well-crafted metaphors and tight sequences make for an absorbing read. Though set around the Regency period, the style is fresh and the voice genuine. The spiritual aspect of the novel does not overpower; it is woven into the plot and provides a graceful way to unite the beliefs and morals of Annabelle and Owen Locke. I want to read more in the series.'--Historical Novel Reviews

Library Journal

06/01/2017
After the death of their father, life with her cruel and controlling brother Thomas becomes unbearable for Annabelle. Finding refuge at her Uncle Edmund Langsley's estate, she takes a tutoring position. Still grieving his wife's murder, gamekeeper Owen Locke has sworn never to love again—until he meets Annabelle. A sudden rash of poaching, a murder, and Thomas's arrival with a fiancé in tow for Annabelle forestall any future the two may have. As the story unfolds and the well-rounded, likeable protagonists play out their drama, the rising tension keeps readers in suspense. VERDICT Ladd's third Regency outing (after Dawn at Emberwilde and The Curiosity Keeper) can easily stand on its own, but readers who enjoy this book will want to devour the trilogy.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171134082
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	05/16/2017
Series:	Treasures of Surrey , #3
Edition description:	Unabridged

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