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The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall by Rebecca Anderson Published by Shadow Mountain on April 1, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 272
Format: ARC, eBook, Paperback
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A ghostly estate. A handsome caretaker hiding a secret. And the intrepid Hyacinth Bell, who is set on solving the mystery of both.
1887, the Cornwall coast
For years, rumors have flown through the village of Suttonsbury about Ashthorne Hall--that its occupants hoard pirate treasure, that a ghost walks its halls--but botanist Hyacinth Bell cares only about the estate's extensive, one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is eager to focus on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love--like an orchid--must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom.
What she doesn't expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor's caretaker, upon their first meeting. He is handsome and charming, and the connection between the two is nearly instantaneous. Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root.
But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing, then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth's worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but Hyacinth suspects he is withholding information and decides to investigate the mystery herself.
Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate.
Rebecca Anderson is a new voice in historical fiction and her writing will pull you in. ~ Amanda – Simply Love Books
The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall is a story of mystery and romance. Hyacinth Bell has come to care for the many orchids at the manor while the family is in India, and finds herself chasing ghosts. She sees a white figure and it intrigues her more than scares her. Lucas Harding is the caretaker for the manor and finds Hyacinth a unique and interesting person. She finds him charming and is easily swept away with notions of romance for the first time. Shortly, she starts to hear things and things appear and disappear. Being forbidden from the north wing of the manor doesn’t stop her from exploring and finding something quite unusual. Things are good until danger appears at her doorstep.
Rebecca Anderson has written a wonderful Victorian romance that had me reading it in one sitting. I loved her style of writing when she took a scientist/botanist and used that as a love language for Lucas and Hyacinth. The heroine was a strong individual and her sense of adventure propelled the story forward creating suspense and intrigue. The use of the Lament at the beginning of each chapter added another dimension to the story just like another character. The importance of his sister’s plight just added another layer and how important it was for Hyacinth and Lucas to let it be known to the world. The story took me away to Cornwall and the coastline, and how beautiful and dangerous it can feel at the same time. Rebecca Anderson is a new voice in historical fiction and her writing will pull you in. Fans of historical romances would definitely enjoy The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall and will no doubt will love it as much as I did.
About Rebecca Anderson
A ll my life I’ve been lost in a world of myth, magic and romance. Oh, I keep one brightly-polished toe planted firmly on the ground so I can find my way back to the mundane… when I absolutely must. But for the most part I fill my days spinning tales of contemporary characters caught up in the unusual, the magical, and the mystical as they embark on their Hero’s Journey and their quest for love.
I have an incurable case of wanderlust and so travel when I can. My family tells me I’m adventurous. Man, have I had adventures! But never…I mean never on purpose. I’m a big scardy cat. Yep, I admit it. I’m no Indiana Jane. I’m an “accidental adventurer.” I hear about a destination, and I think, “Oh, that looks pretty,” so I put on my Librarian hat and do research, planning out all the details of my safe little vacation. Then, when I get to that far-off place, that’s when both the “accidental” and “adventure” start happening. Enchanting, unexpected, and sometimes even dangerous, things, people and animals present themselves on my travels. When I’m not writing or travelling, I have the privilege of playing (play being the operative word) Granny Nanny to several of my grandkids. They keep my inner child alive and well. I have three wonderful adult children who are the real magic in my life.