Book: The Letter

Author: Edwina Kiernan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 1, 2022

She wants a new life.

He’s in danger of losing his.

Will love solve everything — or immerse them in even worse peril?

Restless and ready for a change, Grace Stratton gladly accepts the opportunity to leave her remote parsonage home to serve as a wealthy spinster’s companion in the idyllic country town of Lindenfell. Its warm atmosphere and friendly inhabitants sooth Grace’s lonely heart. But when a mysterious stranger arrives, she soon discovers things aren’t always what they seem.

Convinced chloroform will revolutionise the medical world, Dr. David Carbury frequently administers it to his London patients — until one of them dies. Facing a grave trial to prove his innocence and defend a drug most people view as poisonous, he makes hasty plans to buy time to bolster his case. But he wasn’t expecting to face an even deadlier challenge.

As attraction sparks not long after they meet, Grace soon suspects he’s hiding something, and David knows he can’t run from the truth forever.

But neither of them could imagine the sinister threat lurking just around the corner…

Immersed in faith and intrigue, this Christian Victorian romance from award-winning author Edwina Kiernan will encourage and delight you long after you turn the last page.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is the story of two people who hope to find a new beginning for their lives. Grace Stratton feels the small judgmental town in which she has grown up is not where she wishes to stay. Given a chance to become a companion for an elderly lady, she leaves to pursue that opportunity for change. I admired her courage to take a leap of faith for something better and her tenderness toward Miss Withers to be there and care for her.

Dr. David Carbury flees London under a cloud of suspicion and facing legal life threatening circumstances. Escaping to his Aunt Withers’s house, he uses his cousin’s name instead of his own in order not to be discovered. At first I did not like him, but his compassionate heart for helping others changed my opinion. I am glad he faced his problems and confided in his friend, Isaac, who was instrumental in helping him with the charges that were brought against him.

I enjoyed the historical aspect of what was taking place in the medical field. How Ms. Kiernan wove this into the story was interesting and key to the story. I also liked the faith and forgiveness aspects as was evident in the lives of many of the characters. I loved Miss Withers and the godly advice she gave to Grace. I would like to have seen Grace and David’s relationship develop at a slower pace and to see more of them as a couple.

Grace’s mother’s past embroils her in a very dangerous situation that provides a twist in the story. It was tense and suspenseful, but I am glad Grace was able to escape from it.This is the first book in the Victorian Virtues series and can be read as a standalone. However, I have seen that the story of her parents’ love story is told in a previous book and I believe that would have answered given me more details for this story.

I recommend reading this book for readers of all ages. I received a complimentary copy of the book through the publisher and Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Edwina Kiernan is the Christian author of the award-winning novel, Ruby’s Redemption.

An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination and research to create hope-infused tales set in times past.

A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood.

She is a committed follower of Jesus (the Living Word), and endeavours to use her pen to point others to Him.

More from Edwina

Have you ever wished you could travel back in time to a place where quaint buildings are bathed with a golden glow in the afternoon light, where the people are polite and respectful, and where the pace of living allows your soul to breathe and just… be?

In that case… Welcome to Lindenfell!

The Letter introduces us to Grace Stratton (daughter of the hero & heroine from my award-winning novel, Ruby’s Redemption), who accepts a position as a lady’s companion in a place she’s never been before, but where she’ll soon discover a whole new world.

“The air in Lindenfell had a scent of its own — one of warmth and peace. Of hope.”

Lord-willing, the Victorian Virtues series will have nine books, each based on an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, and each exploring the historical events and everyday realities that change and challenge eighteen main characters and nine blossoming romances.

Friends and foes, tragedies and triumphs, hopes and heartaches — the best and worst of life, all in one fictional market town in Victorian England.

It is my deepest hope that, as you travel to Lindenfell in each book of the series, you’ll find the truth and hope you need to navigate your own trials and triumphs, and discover that the refreshment your soul longs for is already available to you, wherever you may be.