I was a slow convert to books set in Regency England, but authors like Julie Klassen and now Sarah Ladd have shown me how truly delightful this time period can be. In this novel Patience Creighton is the headmistress of a school her father started almost by default. Her mother is overcome by grief, her brother has disappeared, and she is doing all she can to keep everything working. Then she has an encounter with their landlord, after he is attacked on the moors. Maybe her safe corner of the world isn’t so safe after all. The book is rich, with the redemption of William Sterling, but more than that it is Patience’s story. A story of coming to grips with the reality she was doing what she thought was expected of her rather than what she was called to do. And when those burdens were lifted, she was left wondering who she was. I think many of us can relate to that struggle to learn who we really are and where our identity is truly settled.
I enjoyed this novel, and found myself squeezing in 15 minutes here and there, because I wanted to know how the characters fared. This book is a slight continuation of some characters from her debut novel because William Sterling takes the lead. A historical that will transport you back to another time and place.
Be sure to read to the end for a chance to read the Headmistress of Rosemere and Shadowed by Grace for yourself!
Patience Creighton has dedicated herself to the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. But the return of the enigmatic master of the estate puts everything she loves at risk.
Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she invests herself in teaching at her father’s school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to make the school successful.
Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin’s edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of property — including the land where Rosemere School is located — but possesses little money to manage its upkeep. When debtors start calling, he is desperate to find a new source of income, even if it means sacrificing Rosemere.
When a fire threatens the school grounds, William must decide to what lengths he is willing to go to protect his birthright. And when Patience’s brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience suddenly finds herself unsure of her calling. After a surprising truth about William’s past is brought to light, both William and Patience will have to seek God’s plans for their lives—and their hearts.
Learn more at Sarah’s website.
And don’t forget you can read the first chapter of Shadowed by Grace and watch the videos on why I wrote about the Monuments Men here.
Comments 34
I think God has been patient/gracious to me in my parenting. I often feel guilty about how I handled things, what I did or didn’t do in regards to my kids. But I can see how God works in our family’s life despite the many mistakes I make and that He loves my kids way more than I ever could. Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve read great reviews of both books!
Author
He is so gracious to fill in the gaps in who we are and what we do!
I step away from the Lord for serveral years and did things I’m not proud of and almost died. When I was ready to come back to him my Lord Jesus welcomed me back with open arms. I serve a loving and very patient God.
Author
I love that about His character.
I enjoy reading stories like this one, young women always had hard times in earlier time periods. Thanks for sharing comments about Patience. I would like to know more about her and hope to win this book.
thanks Paula O
Almost 9 years ago, I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called Addison’s. The short explanation is that my adrenal glands do not function at all by themselves. Before I was diagnosed, I was literally lying in a hospital bed dying because no one knew what was wrong with me.
Through this trial in my life, God showed me His grace. I felt His hand in everything during this, as well as not too much later when my grandpa passed away. These times have given me reminders of how much grace God has shown in my life. There are times when I’ve struggled with doubt and fear, but He’s been so patient with me as I worked out my salvation with fear and trembling. I’m forever grateful for His saving grace and mercy, as well as His mighty hand and power!
Author
I hate going through the valleys of life, but you are so right. It’s then that we almost sense God’s presence the most. He meets us in our weakness and desperation. Now to learn to live there in the good times, too.
There are some things in my life I struggle with. I seem to fail God over and over again. Yet he still loves me and is there for me everyday. He has never failed me.
Author
His character is so steadfast. There are many days I cling to that truth, too, Rebecca.
We have been going through a really rough time with our 19 year old son, & because of much prayer & my surrendering my son totally to God, my son is graduating from the program he has been in the past 8 months. God has shown me that He is faithful, & that I just needed to be patient & trust in Him!
Author
Surrender is so hard. God’s been walking me through that again.
Trials and tribulations during the past two years with my health but I have had great faith and strength.
Author
Sharon, I’m praying God will meet you at your point of need!
I almost died 3 times from a surgery I had, my deceased step father was always at my bed side and one day I fell back and I felt nothing when I hit the floor, like someone carried me down to safety. My mother said Henry was not in her dreams.. I told her he was watching over me. God has always been there too.
My dad for a while just didn’t look good and I could see he was tired all the time. Everyone gave the excuse he was getting older, but I really don’t see 69 being that old. Then a few months later my mom called and said we needed to take him to the hospital where a emergency room nurse decided he only had a bladder infection and could go to fast track where they would just give him a antibiotic. I got this strange feeling that his problem was more serious and I swear I heard the words speak up. So I said no I want him seen by a doctor. Good thing I did he has a highly aggressive cancer in his bladder and will have it removed in a few days. The doctor said whatever made me ask for the tests saved his life. I believe God is always with us and he wants us to help one another, but he also talks to us if we listen. All we need is faith in him!
Author
Praising God that He gave you the wisdom to question what the doctors were saying! He will talk if we listen.
Of all the forms of romance stories, I have always liked the Regency.
Yes, I have a neuromuscular disease. I’d have never made it without Gods abiding grace. I’ve has it for 20+ years ; he has never failed me!
Author
Praising God for that, Rachael.
Thanks for the chance to win. It looks like my kind of read.
I think His patience and grace are displayed daily in my life. Often times He intervenes when I am short with my family, or impatient while waiting in line at the store etc. I feel a check in my spirit and am compelled to stop talking, take a deep breath and respond instead of react.
I loved Sarah’s first book and would delighted to read this new one 🙂
Author
I know I need His patience and grace with my kids. My prayer is that I never get in the way of their relationships with Him.
I love Julie Klassen (and the fact she lives in Minnesota!) and am so excited to try Sarah Ladd! It sounds like a great book and I have only seen rave reviews! Thanks for this opportunity! Katie
Author
If you like Julie’s books, Katie, then you’ll love Sarah’s.
For most of my life I never missed a church service. When the doors were open, I was there. I volunteered for many of the ministries. The last few years, since the economy is so bad, I am making less and less money, while working many more hours. I have to work most of the days church services are held, and even though I miss most services, I know God still watches over me and my family. Rarely a day goes by that I do not read some scripture. There are many in the congregation that feel that I am not a faithful member, and should be stricken from the rolls. It is hurtful to me that they are making judgments about me without knowing the circumstances.
Author
Faith is so much more than attending services. That’s an important piece, but yes, He will still love you even if you aren’t in church every time the doors are open.
God has shown his grace and patience in my life by allowing me to live through a decade of meth addiction and the pain & destruction I caused in my families’ and many other’s lives. I know for a fact I’m only here today because God has a bigger and better purpose for life and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me and how I can use my past to glorify His name!
P.S Shadowed by Grace was beautiful, Cara!
kam110476(at)gmail(dot)com
Author
Kristen, I’m so glad you liked it! And praising God that He brought you out of addiction. He has so much more for you!
Though I’m not always the most faithful to having a quiet time each day, God continues to make His very much known in my life. Good and bad circumstances – He’s there.
admurphy(dot)musician(at)gmail(dot)com
Author
I love that about God. He never forsakes us. He’s there if we’ll just look for Him.
Love what I’ve been hearing about Headmistress of Rosemere and Shadowed by Grace! I can’t wait to read them!
Sorry! I forgot to answer the question! God shows His patience and grace in my life every day by forgiving me when I fail & not losing patience with me when I stress out instead of trusting Him 🙂 I’m so thankful His patience is so much greater than ours and that His mercies are fresh every morning! What a joy to know that my God will never get tired of me?!?! X)
Author
Grateful for His patience, too, Elizabeth!
How has God shown His patience and grace in your life?
Delight and embrace – I am known. I am loved.
He is totally faithful when I am faithless.
He never relaxes His hold of me… grateful!