The Headmistress of Rosemere

Her burdens are heavy, but Patience Creighton is a survivor and will do what she can to preserve her father’s dream while supporting her mother. Life was not always so harsh. Before her father died, Patience had her brother Rowan and mother to lean on. But all that has changed now. Rowan has deserted the family and Patience has given him up for gone while her grieving mother continues to dote on him. It wouldn’t be SO bad except her mother also refuses to see that Patience has kept their girl’s school afloat. Instead Mrs. Creighton talks incessantly about her dear boy and how when Rowan comes home he will set things right. Patience is not amused. While dealing with frustration and stress Patience also sees to the care and schooling of her 20+ charges. Distraction comes in the form of William Sterling, her landlord. When he turns up in their barn suffering from injuries Patience is immediately intrigued. But William is not keen on sharing the details.

William has a reputation and not a good one. He knows that, but rather than face up to responsibility he blames his misfortune on a past heartbreak. Now he’s so far in debt it’s doubtful he’ll ever fight his way out of it. Then one night the Creightons’ barn burns down. Suspicions run high, but he can prove nothing. Is someone trying to send him a message at the risk of putting Patience Creighton and her students in danger? After all one of his creditors had been so brash as to sic henchman on him once before. As his long list of woes continue to grow William is tossed together with headmistress Patience Creighton who has her own battles to fight.

Not bad, not bad. I first became acquainted with the work of Sarah E. Ladd a few months ago through The Heiress of Winterwood (predecessor of The Headmistress of Rosemere). Personally the THoW was a more favorable read (it had ships, donchyaknow), but THoR wasn’t too shabby. Ms. Ladd is in a class of her own when it comes to Regency fiction. Her stories are rather simple but still rich. Details come alive in a new way which makes up for the lack of mystery in the plot. The descriptions of the scenes that surround the characters are truly colorful.

I wouldn’t call the book a page-turner, although I did read THoR in one sitting, but it isn’t boring either. There isn’t too much scandal which is something I appreciated. Action is limited but the stories are more character driven as both William and Patience fight their personal battles. Overall it’s a recommended read.

DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “The Headmistress of Rosemere” from BookSneeze.com provided by the publishers, Thomas Nelson, in exchange for our honest review.