Bride of a Distant Isle

There are lots of things to like about this story! Someone wants Annabel out of the way and is determined to accomplish it, while not caring a whit that she begins to wonder if all the strange occurrences around her are a result of her beginning to develop the madness that caused her mother to die in an insane asylum. Through the book, there are plenty of people that may have a motive to put Annabel out of the picture...but is it real, or imagined?

Four stars because I was able to put it aside for a few weeks.

Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.

Last year, I found myself captivated by the writing in ‘s first book in the new Daughter of Hampshire series. I knew from reading that one as well as others in the past of Sandra's historicals that I needed to plan some time. When I read Sandra's books I'm not satisfied with a few minutes and done. I want to sit and pour in the details and get enveloped within the story. I have found that to be completely true once again with this latest book, Bride of a Distant Isle.

Intrigue, friendship, romance, hardship, pride, adventure, feminist independence, and gentlemanly flirtations all reside within these pages. 

In addition to these first two books, a third in the series, A Lady in Disguise is tentatively scheduled to publish in 2017 and I can already tell you that I eagerly await that next release as well!

It just so happens that I have had this book in my stack of to be reads for a little longer than usual. As you may have noticed, book reviews have slowed down a little bit as homeschooling has picked up. (Plus there is that Rascal as a toddler reigning a bit of havoc as well...) While still a book in the Daughters of Hampshire series, Bride of a Distant Isle stands completely on its own. This is once again a page-turning gothic Victorian romance with a good bit of mystery. While we had a flare of India in Mist of Midnight, in Bride of a Distant Isle our flavor is decidedly Maltese. While I do not know much about Malta yet, it was interesting to learn snippets of this near Greek and Italy isle. (AppleBlossom will be studying Greece and Rome history next year, so I'm sure to be reaching for more books featuring such locales.) I was captivated from the first page is an earnest statement.

I started reading Bride of a Distant Isle one evening and enjoyed myself that I hated to put it down. Later that night, we had storms and scared children and an insomnia mama and I read and read until finally around 5:30 in the morning I put the book down and blissfully got a few hours of sleep. Sandra Byrd's writing continues to impress me with each new book of hers that I read. While I haven't read her contemporary or youth titles, her historicals are fascinating and entertaining. Filled with vivid details that bring the characters alive and right off of the pages and into my imagination. I always know that with Sandra's books I will not be disappointed and I could definitely recommend this one highly. I'm disappointed that it had to end and now while I will await the next book in the Daughters of Hampshire series, I will attempt to find something to hold me over until then.

 

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This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.