Synopsis
In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her future in his hands.
Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her...and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca's name, but her home and incomes.
That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her
home and her father's investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?
A captivating Gothic love story set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, Mist of Midnight will leave you breathless.
Link to Mist of Midnight on the Simon and Schuster/Howard Books Website:
About the author:
Sandra Byrd is a best-selling author and has earned Library Journal's Best Books of the year pick twice, in 2011 for To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, and in 2012 for The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr. She's twice been a Christy Award finalist, for To Die For and for Let Them Eat Cake: A Novel. Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I published April 2013
I received the book from the publisher for an honest review.
An excellent tale of loss, betrayal and trusting as one woman tries to claim back her identity and heritage.
Rebecca Ravenshaw had an horrific experience in India and had lost her parents during the Rebellion. When she finally stepped foot on English soil she thought that everything was good. But, once she arrived at Headbourne, her family estate, she realized that it would not be the case.
Not only was there an imposter, that stole her identity but also a suicide and a lot of mystery surrounding the Indian maid that disappeared. Every where she turned she walked into ill mannered people that mistrusted her and ostracized her, but this woman had some backbone that the aristocrats and servants had to recognize. They tested her on a few occasion but at the end Capt Whitfield came to her rescue. But with that the mystery to her imposter deepened. Who was she? Where was her maid? Was she murdered or did she in fact commit suicide?
With so many people around her, each with there own agenda, it was hard to find the truth, and yes the truth was shocking. Betrayal from so called friends had off balance her a few times but only her faith and a guardian angel kept her on track.
I must admit I loved the captain's character, wrapped in so many secrets of his own, his role couldn't be underestimated. He rose with each challenge posed to him, a real gentleman that saw past Rebecca's outward attire, the woman she really was. Enjoying her love for India, her beautiful stories and making way for her shortcomings. I loved the manner the author brought in the rich culture of India with the English culture, making it unique and beautiful.
It is a moving story, written with the greatest of love. The characters were believable, each strong in their own right, supporting Rebecca's character, making the story very interesting.
Ms.Byrd knows her audience and how to keep their attention throughout this Gothic love story that takes you back to the Rebellion of India in 1857 to the very English country side where you are judged by what you have and your name instead of the person you are.
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Thank you so much, Lynelle!!
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