Review: A Winter by the Sea
Today I’m sharing a book review for A Winter by the Sea, an inspirational Regency Romance novel by Julie Klassen. It is Book 2 of the On Devonshire Shores series.
Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from the author as part of Austenprose PR publicity tours. All views expressed are my own. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
My Review
I enjoyed revisiting the Summers sisters at their Regency-era boarding house on the Devonshire coast. It was fun to encounter Viola as a newlywed, but this second book in the series focused on Emily’s romance.
This story revolves around a royal visit to the area, which I understand is based on actual events. The Duke and Duchess of Kent were the parents of the future Queen Victoria. She was a baby in this book. From Wikipedia:
Following the birth of Princess Victoria in May 1819, the Duke and Duchess, concerned to manage the Duke’s great debts, sought to find a place where they could live inexpensively. After the coast of Devon was recommended to them they leased from a General Baynes, intending to remain incognito, Woolbrook Cottage on the seaside by Sidmouth.
I was fascinated with how the author seamlessly wove the historical events into the fictional story. Well done!
From the Publisher
Royalty comes to Sidmouth, bringing unexpected danger and the sweet possibility of romance. . . .
When the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter–the future Queen Victoria– rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal family’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited secrets and intrigue into their home.
Meanwhile, Emily Summers longs to become an author. A local publisher offers to consider her novel if she will first write a Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily agrees and begins researching the area with help from the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she’s long held dear and her budding dreams for the future. Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.
About the Author
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul,
Minnesota.
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