The Lost Heiress (Ladies of the Manor Book #1)

Book one of the series, and what a beginning! Such an amazing story filled with romance, mystery, intrigue, and faith. If you like Downton Abbey then you will love this series. A beautiful Christian twist on the era.

This book had it all! History, romance and suspense. I devoured this book and couldn't put it down. I simple fell in love with Brook and Justin and her father. I can not wait for Brice's story in a few months!! Well done!!

Delightful start to The Ladies of the manor series by Roseanna! From what I've read this book was a labor of love for the author over many years. I really enjoyed her writing style, excellent quality.

Loss surrounds the beautiful Brook Eden like a well worn blanket; her life has been pieced together with both love and rejection from those in Monaco who have accepted her into their family, even if in name only; bypassing the fact that her real identity, following the tragic death of her mother, has remained an unsolved mystery; until now.

Justin Wildon, also known as Lord Harlow, and soon to become known as the Duke of Stafford, has given Brook the gift of identity, accompanying his beloved childhood friend to England in order to meet her family for the first time. In the blink of an eye this whispered illegitimate offspring has become the Baroness of Berkeley, with a vast fortune at her fingertips and a loving father, the famed Lord Ambrose Whitby, who is overjoyed to finally be reunited with his missing daughter.

In spite of Brook's "happily-ever-after", there are dark forces beyond her control which seek to destroy the young heiress, her life is severely threatened and heinous shadows lurk among her nearly constant, reoccurring nightmares. The one person who has stood by her side and loved her unconditionally for most of her life, now seems determined to put formal distance between them, merely to devote attention to his own family fortune. Brook's impetuous, independent spirit suffers mightily and her heart is nearly broken before God intervenes and transforms her fear into faith. But will it be too late for Brook and Justin? Will greed, betrayal and hatred among friends destroy young love and promising futures?

"The Lost Heiress" swells with history, mystery and romance upon the turn of every page, leading its readers on a magnificent journey, not soon to be forgotten.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really did myself a disservice by reading the Ladies of the Manor series out of order! I started with the second book, the Reluctant Duchess (my favorite of them all), then read the third, A Lady Unrivaled, and only now got the first one read. Because there is a continuing plot thread between them all, I knew for the most part what would happen in The Lost Heiress and found myself skimming through much of the introduction of the various family members and cousins and their drama. I was mostly interested in the relationship between Brook and Justin, and how they went from best friends to in love. I was a bit disappointed with their transition since there were so many other distractions keeping them apart, but once they give in to their feelings and trust each other their romance is pretty amazing. Partway through the book the rare red diamonds known as the Fire Eyes come into play, which amps up the suspense and tension as villains stop at nothing to discover them. I especially enjoyed the closeness between Brook and her father after their reunion and was glad that she had someone steady to rely on.

(Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

I have never read anything from Roseanna White. I have seen her books, but they were very historical looking covers with the lady in the long dress and the ships in the background. I didn’t feel any urge to pick them up and buy them. But with her newest release The Lost Heiress by Bethany House publishers, I loved the image of Brook on the cover and the synopsis on the back sounded intriguing. So I picked up a copy.

White does a good job at creating the historical time period with the descriptive words. I enjoyed the struggle the characters had with the differences between driving the new “automobiles” or riding their horses. It made me wonder if I would have had the same dilemma if I lived in 1910. One of White’s greatest strengths, in my humble opinion, is her ability to paint a picture with her words. I really felt like I was roaming Brook’s father’s home and riding the horse through the back pasture. Her attention to detail really drew me in.

The conflict surrounding the red diamond aka Fire Eyes grabbed my attention. I wanted to know as much as Brook did why she didn’t live with her father after her mother died. I kept waiting for the journal to explain, but after finishing the complete novel and writing this review, I realized that White never explained why Brook went to live with the opera singer’s family. Why didn’t she return home? There was a mention of a newspaper article sent to her mother. I don’t know if this was what White wanted to satisfy that question, but it didn’t work for me. As an avid fan of suspense, this mystery seemed alright. It didn’t leave me begging for more and staying up all night to read, but fans of lighter mysteries might enjoy this one.
The characters weren’t that two dimensional. I really didn’t relate to either of them. Jack and Brook wanted nothing more than to be together and have their happily-ever-after. They were characters that I didn’t hate, but I wished I could have liked them more. The mystery element gripped my attention more.

Overall, Roseanna M. White’s The Lost Heiress is a cozy historical mystery with lackluster characters, but White’s attention to detail will grab any readers of historical dramas.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Heiress from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions stated are all my own.

Definitely five big stars for this dramatic, suspenseful, inspirational, historical romance. I'd love to see this made into a movie--or better yet, a TV series?

You take one young woman, the illegitimate daughter of the famous actress Collette Sabatini and supposedly Prince Louis Grimaldi--but then Brook finds out the actress and the prince are not even remotely related to her. The actress dies without telling Brook who her parents are, but not without giving her a pearl necklace and several letters written by someone to her real mother, a woman who died in a tragic accident when Brook was a baby.

And then you take one young nobleman, Justin, heir to a dukedom and her best friend, and you send him from Monaco to England with one of the letters. He's going to college, but he tells young Brook he will search for her relatives. He finds some answers, but many more questions.

Why did Brook's mother run away from her husband's estate in the middle of a dark, stormy night? Why did she beg Collette with her dying breath to take Brook far away and pretend the child was the actress's own? Why does Brook's father know nothing about the pearl necklace? What is there about that handsome gentleman that makes her heart go ice cold? Will her best friend become more than a friend? And why does she have the same nightmare every night?

The answers--most of them--can be found in this book. Plus one more question.

I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White is a historical romance novel and the first book in the Ladies of the Manor series. It is 1910 in Monaco and Elizabeth Brook Eden is waiting for her friend, Justin Wildon. Brook (as she prefers to be called) is hoping Justin has news for her about her real family. Brook found out that the woman who raised her, Collette Sabatini, was not her biological mother (she found her). Justin has found her family and he is taking her to them in Yorkshire, England. Justin and Brook met when he was twelve and she was five years old. Justin taught Brook to do many things like riding astride, shooting, climbing trees. Brook has a fiery, independent personality.

Brook is taken to England to meet her family. Her father is Lord Whitby and he recognizes her at once (she looks like her mother). There have been impersonators over the years, so not everyone is as welcoming. One person is Deirdre O’Malley. Deirdre is Irish and a maid in the household. She has a family to help support and has been feeding information to a nasty man named Lord Pratt (Lord Whitby has a sister and two nieces that also visit the house). Justin is forced to go away soon after delivering Brook to her new family (his father and grandfather pass away). Justin has fallen in love with Brook, but his estates need handling (money) before he can propose to Brook (he does not want Brook to think he wants her for her money).

Brook adjusts quickly to life with her family in England. Then one day she is attacked. Someone wants Fire Eyes! What are fire eyes and why do they think Brook has it? Brook is not safe until they solve this mystery. It turns out that this mystery could have something to do with the death of Brook’s mother. Can they figure out the mystery and solve it in time? Will Justin be able to win Brook’s heart?

I give The Lost Heiress 4 out of 5 stars. It is nicely written and very easy to read. The book is twice as long as normal novel, but you would never know it (it just flows so nicely and you get lost in the book). I easily read The Lost Heiress in a couple of hours. I have only given you a brief overview of the book. There is much more to it along with many more characters (sometimes it can be a little hard keeping everyone straight). I got a little tired of the lack of communication between Justin and Brook as well as her temper (she would get mad and walk away). Of course, Justin put up walls and would not share information with Brook. I found that very frustrating and distracting from the book. Otherwise, The Lost Heiress is a pleasure to read and I have a feeling that there will be another book soon (about Duke Worthing).

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Heiress from NetGalley and The Book Club Network Inc. (courtesy of the publisher) in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Growing up among the royalty of Monaco, Brook has always known that she belongs elsewhere. The only evidence of her heritage comes in the form of a packet of letters and a pearl necklace, which Brook entrusts to her best friend, Justin Wildon, the future Duke of Stafford. He soon discovers that Brook is the missing heiress of Eden and the Baroness of Berkley. As Brook and Justin travel to England to embrace her heritage, she soon discovers that the mystery of her mother’s death and the threat that follows Brook wherever she goes are inherently connected to a rare treasure. Together, Brook and Justin must discover the secrets of Brook’s inheritance before they become targets of kidnappers and thieves themselves.

The Lost Heiress was an interesting and exciting novel to read, particularly as I am not familiar with any of Ms. White’s previous works. She expertly created a complex cast of intriguing characters, who brought this absorbing storyline to life. Likewise, her writing style and plot structure place Ms. White among the top tier of emerging Christian fiction authors.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Lost Heiress to anyone interested in excellent Christian historical fiction! While other novels released this year have been recommended to readers based on their similarities to the Downton Abbey series, The Lost Heiress most closely connects to the period (1910) and British society and servants that has made the TV series such a hit. Ms. White expertly intertwines Brook and Justin’s perspectives with those of their servants, as they attempt to solve the mystery of Brook’s origins and her connection with a mysterious treasure. Additionally, the novel contributes a fresh set of twists on classic storylines, making the novel feel both comfortable and captivating to its readers.

Special thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Lost Heiress!

Thanks!
Brittany at BooksandBiscuits.com

Author Roseanna M. White begins her "Ladies of the Manor" series with "The Lost Heiress", an Inspirational Historical Romance set in the early twentieth century. Although her childhood is spent in the royal palace of Monaco, Brook Eden bears a British birthright with uncertain origins. Raised by the royal family, the Grimaldis, Brook was once thought to be the illegitimate daughter of Prince Louis, heir to the throne, and opera diva Collette Sabatini. After that assumption proves false, mystery remains as to the truth of Brook's ancestry. Determined to find her real family, Brook seeks help from her lifelong friend, Justin Wildon, Lord Harlow. When Justin travels to England to further his education, Brook asks him to investigate her lineage, and he discovers that she is actually the Baroness of Berkley, and heiress to a sizable estate. Her real father, the Earl of Whitby, is alive and anxious to finally meet her. Travel to the estate of her newly-found family brings a few answers and even more questions. A tragic history may be repeating itself, and Brook will need the strength of her faith and the support of her dear friend Justin to help her courage remain steadfast. Justin has his own issues of inheritance to deal with, and as changing circumstances bring about new responsibilities, the relationship between Justin and Brook also changes. Has the friendship that began so long ago deepened into the love of a lifetime? Can the bond they share survive threats to their happiness and grow into a future filled with joy? "The Lost Heiress" is an involving, intriguing Inspirational Historical Romance from author Roseanna M. White.

Review Copy Gratis Bethany House Books

Overall, I believe this story was well written and depicted the era (early 1900s in Western Europe) well. I liked learning about Brook’s and Justin’s friendship and seeing it grow throughout the story. I also liked how the story was full of suspense, although a little predictable, which kept me reading from beginning to end.

Some things, however, that bothered me a little was Brook’s up and down personality. In some moments she seemed to have a joyful and careless spirit. But in other moments, she seemed stern and serious. I would say her hot and cold personality made it challenging to connect with her—I struggled to know who the real Brook was.

Also, the conflict she developed with Justin in the story seemed to get carried away. Although I’m sure the author intended it to be that way, I felt their conflict could have been easily avoided or solved.

But despite all this, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in suspense stories that take place in a different era from the one we live in today.

After the death of her adoptive mother, Brook began to wonder about the identities of her biological parents. Her best friend, Duke Justin, volunteered to help, searching Great Britain for the family crest Brook had found on some of her mother’s things. Finding the owners of the crest, Justin then took Brook to meet her alleged father. But even if this man is her father, many questions remain—how exactly was she adopted by the actress from Monaco, and why didn’t her father know she was alive?

I truly enjoyed The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White. It was beautifully written, with romance, mystery, and a little bit of danger. I loved how realistic the setting was and how vibrant the characters were.

I adored Brook’s fiery personality. She was angered easily, yet willing to forgive. I loved her feistiness, as well. She was the woman willing to break the bonds of English society—one result of her foreign upbringing. Roseanna White did a very good job creating a dynamic, likeable character.

I cannot begin to tell you of the ups and downs of the relationship between Brook and Justin! Their misunderstandings made me frustrated more than once. You would think that the length of their friendship would help enable them to communicate and understand each other better. But they were both in unfamiliar circumstances in addition to trying to transition from friendship to active romantic relationship.

There was an element of mystery and danger in this novel as well. Was Brook’s separation from her father and adoption by another woman a simple accident or was there a sinister plot behind it? Is there something else going on now? The author gave her readers glimpses of an enemy plotting behind the scenes long before the danger is revealed to the characters. I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery as the author continued to add clues and plot twists.

Overall, The Lost Heiress was a beautifully written book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more books by Roseanna White, and would recommend this one to those who enjoy sweet historical romance.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I recently finished reading The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White. Holy Moly guacamole! This has to be one of the best novels I have read to date! Roseanna M. White paints a beautiful and mysterious picture in her latest Edwardian novel. Filled to the brim with intrigue and heart-stopping romance, The Lost Heiress has taken its rightful place amongst literary classics such as Pride and Prejudice. This novel is everything I could have ever wanted in a story- fast paced, funny, and more romantic than an episode of Downton Abbey! I really cannot give higher praise to this book. The characters were perfectly flawed, the setting like something in a dream, and the plot heart pounding. If you are looking for something to fill the void in your literary life, then take a chance on The Lost Heiress. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Ever wanted to time travel? You'll be transported to 1910 Monaco the moment you open this book by Roseanna White. Delightful descriptions of settings, coupled with dangerous and intriguing situations (and a healthy measure of chemistry between characters) make this story one you won't want to put down. This is the Edwardian world of England, full of the tradition and class-awareness of the time. The extravagance of the clothing, the absolute first-class level at which the upper class lived during that time, as well as the give and take of the upstairs/downstairs dynamic - it's all here. I recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction with a bit of romance and mystery. It is appropriate for all readers - clean, but realistic. Brook and Justin are interesting and complex characters. They are privileged, to be sure, but not untouched by grief and loss. I'm not one of those reviewers to retells a story - I just tell you why I liked it, and why I think you should read it. I loved the sweeping descriptions of the countryside, even including smells. I loved the emotional rollercoaster the characters were on. I love the switching from English to French, because that's what real people would do! Even the lady's maid, who we've all come to love-to-hate is an endearing character in this book. I will be looking for book 2 in Ladies of the Manor today!

The two page list of characters before the book started was a little intimidating; I wondered if I could keep up with the list of who’s who while reading. My hesitation vanished when the author opened the story with eighteen year old Brook Eden.I loved the opening scene. “Gleaming silver, green leather, the nearly silent rumble of engine…Brook trailed a gloved hand along the door, cast one glance over her shoulder, and let herself in. She couldn’t stop the grin as she gripped the wheel of the Rolls-Royce.”

Brook’s not like the women of her time. She’s curious, spunky, a well-educated, an independent thinker. She’s a young lady I instantly connected with. She adores the family that raised her but a part of her heart was missing. She had to know who her parents were and where she came from.

I loved Brook’s free-spirit, passionate ways and her zest for life. She asked her dear friend Justin to find her lost family and oh, teach her to drive. Grin! It was his car she slipped into on page one. Justin Wildon was a gentlemen – who was also known as Lord Harlow. He and Brook grow up together in Monaco. He was noticing more and more she was turning into quite a beautiful young lady.

Justin had gone through great lengths to verify who Brook’s family was. He told her what her full name was; Elizabeth Brook Eden, Baroness of Berkley. She’s surprised. It’s not what Brook expected. Justin then takes her to meet her loving father; the famed Lord Ambrose Whitly who is overjoyed at finally meeting his daughter in England.

Not everyone in England is willing to believe Brook is who she claims to be. She undergoes scrutiny and is treated coldly by servants and some family members. Brook soon discovers that other girls have claimed to be Lord Ambrose Whitly’s long lost daughter. Brook knows people wonder what makes her any different from the others. Brook could not foresee all she would encounter after meeting her new family.

Justin is unexpectedly pulled away from Brook to attend to his own family crisis, at a time when Brook needs him most and just when they begin to wonder if they could be more than friends.

I like how this author deals with the faith element in the story naturally. There is a divine intervention that transforms Brook’s fear into faith as she learns to trust God even when she doesn’t understand what’s happening. In hopeless times fear tries to take over Brooks’ life. Her close friend Justin is far away which forces her to learn to trust God not only in the happy times, but also in the hard times. She soon realizes that God can turn terrifying storms into things of beauty.

Will Justin save the day? Will she find a safe place? Will she trust God in the storm?

I enjoyed the rich history of the Era and this author does an amazing job of making me feel as if I were there among the characters watching this royal family go about their daily routines as protocol demands. This story is told in the POV of Brook and Justin. I liked that. I was surprised at how much I disliked the villains in the story who took joy in plotting Brooks’s demise.

I liked how this author brilliantly wove several story lines into the mix and added the perfect blend of danger, mystery, romance and intrigue for a fun memorable read. The stage is set for book two in the Ladies of the Manor series. I’m looking forward to it! You will too!

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How have I not read anything by this author yet?!! I was utterly swept away by this entrancing Edwardian-period tale that unfurls into one of the most intriguing mysteries I’ve ever read! And in conjunction with an enchanting albeit heart-wrenching love story, ‘The Lost Heiress’ enthrals from the beginning to the satisfying end!

The beautiful and carefree Brook Eden is stunned to learn through her long-standing friend Justin Wildon that she is a long-lost Baroness! We follow Brook’s journey from the bright and warm Mediterranean atmosphere where she was raised by her French mother in Monaco’s palace, to the purple-sprigged countryside and dreary weather of England. How will this impulsive and spirited personality fit into her new role as the Earl of Whitby’s daughter and missing heiress? Will she be accepted by her father and his staff when so many before have tried to pass themselves off as the Earl’s long lost daughter? The anxious Brook leans on Justin, her anchor in this new land, and who has travelled to his home country along with Brook to be her mainstay. Numerous questions lay yet unanswered as to why Brook was separated from her family in the first place. When mysteries deepen and danger escalates, Brook needs answers but longs for peace.

Justin, a future Duke himself, has come to realize that his deep affection for Brook goes beyond friendship and longs to court her but cannot while she is only just discovering her true identity. But even so, Brook only thinks of him as an adored brother. As Brook struggles to adjust to her new life, Justin’s own pressing responsibilities grow. With too much time apart, trouble brewing, and intense emotions surfacing between them, Justin and Brook’s charming, easy-banter relationship becomes tempestuous and unpredictable, whilst simmering in unspoken feelings. This thrilling novel is rife with clandestine meetings, ominous threats, grave deception, and murder. Our two heroes will learn that God moves even in the darkness to accomplish His will.

The varied and vibrant characters all left their mark on me, as did the exquisite and irresistible romance, making this a story one longs to return to! Roseanna M. White has eloquently crafted a tantalizing and riveting novel and it is my pleasure to highly recommend it to all!

I have found a new favorite from Roseanna! This books has it all. Mystery, romance, intrigue, friendship, humor, danger...The Lost Heiress is a thick book but contains zero fluff. There was never a time where I wanted to skip over words to get to something more exciting. I enjoyed ever sentence. The story kept my attention from page one and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.

I loved the relationship between Brook and Justin from the beginning. To watch it change wasn't always fun but at the same time, it was more real than some books. I don't like when the characters are unrealistic in how they react to things and just stop talking to each other after years of friendship. Even though things got crazy from time to time, they still cared about each other. They went the extra mile to tell the other person where they were wrong for their actions or behavior. There are people who say Christian fiction is full of the same story and it just seems unrealistic. I beg to differ with that opinion, especially with this author's books. It was interwoven with the character's faith. That didn't mean nothing bad ever happened because of their faith. That isn't real life. This story showed how despite hardships and everything not being sunshine and roses, you can still do the right thing and treat people the right way.

Brook's strong character was a pleasure to watch as she dealt with so many different personality types. She understood that not everyone likes you but you don't have to be unkind to them for it. I felt so badly for Justin as he struggled with the responsibilities he had to deal with and the losses while trying to be there for her at the same time. The secondary characters were just as powerful. I loved her father and her friend Brice. I can't wait for his story in book two.

There are some shockers in the story, too. I won't give them away, but just know they might surprise you just a bit. There are the "bad guys" and you can tell one of the biggest ones pretty early on. You just don't realize how bad one of them gets until later in the story.

I really loved this book. I hated for it to end. I can't wait for books two and three in the series. I know they will be just as wonderful. I would give them 10 stars, but since the top is 5, it is for sure that. It is a great story for teens and up. It has some great topics of discussion that you could talk with your teen about, or any book club. Grab your copy today!!!

Disclaimer: Book received by published in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Heiress is one of the better historical romance novels I’ve gotten from Bethany House. The book is long, but engaging, and the writing is good as well. It’s clear that a lot of research went into this book and it is all the better for it. While I would have liked to seen less “Strange Girl Enchants Everyone and Gets Away with Breaking Society’s Rules,” White does a good job of balancing the enchantment of Brook with the realism of grumpy servants and shock at familiar terms. There are times when it goes a little too much in the enchantment direction, but not often.

I did feel that some of the mystery and tension got a little contrived, especially towards the end. In fact, the suspense parts of the books were my least favorite—I thought the story was engaging enough simply telling the tale of an heiress returning to her lost family without adding diamonds and pistols and kidnappers galore.

So, yes, the tension did feel contrived, mostly at the end, and the absolutely bonkers ending didn’t help at all. I was torn between confusion and disgruntlement at the strange, obtuse epilogue—and in no way did I feel as if it were a satisfactory conclusion to the story. It was more of a “Let me focus on the fact that the main characters are getting a happy ending and let’s just hand-wave away that little bit there about the danger that is now being invoked on another character,” and I didn’t like that at all. I also didn’t like how the obvious villain turned out to be the obvious villain, but even so, the book was engaging and fun despite that—and the romance was decent for once, too, although I prefer my romantic angst to be the more quiet type and less the “We can never be friends again if I love him!” type.