Book Review and CFBA Tour: The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Girl in the GatehouseBethany House (January 1, 2011)byJulie Klassen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.
I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative's estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how--by writing novels in secret.
Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made.

When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans. The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Girl in the Gatehouse, go HERE

MY REVIEW:

I saw the gatehouse…and the girl who inhabited it in this sweeping novel that covered the life and breath of a solitary authoress.

Having been a great fan of another book by this author, The Lady of Milkweed Manor, THE GIRL IN THE GATEHOUSE is similar to her debut novel, but had its own arc that made it unique. My heart ached for Mariah and the repercussions that have fallen upon her because of a mistake in judgment she made. It was written in such a way that with each turn of the plot I ached for her more and some of the injustices of that era.

I thought the subplots were well woven. I was taken to England, I believed the character emotions, I was swept on the wave of romance and each story within the pages of the novel was well portrayed. Never once did I feel rushed. Which is what I loved most- the theme wasn’t overt, but portrayed in a way that never lagged, but kept up a steady pace.

I think in some areas circumstances were elongated maybe more than necessary, but that could also be due to the genre.

I thought cover to cover this book was well done. A great story about redemption, the power of forgiveness and the hurt of revenge, I think this novel will be well liked by regency lovers.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.