A Winter By The Sea By Julie Klassen

A Winter by the Sea

by Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: On Devonshire Shores

ISBN: 9780764234286

If you know anything about me, I'm a Julie Klassen junkie, errrr, a fan. A Julie Klassen fan!! I've read every single one of her books and am always excited for the next one. Julie sent me her book for review!

Summary:

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.

My Review:

If you enjoy savoring a book for the cast, location, and storyline, A Winter by the Sea is one you'll enjoy!

First of all, can we talk about the cover?! Just as amazing as the first book in the series.

I have to admit, Julie Klassen has a knack for writing stories with a great ensemble of characters. This story is no exception. This time the Summers ladies are to host some of the staff of the Duke and Dutchess of Kent! What an honor and stress inducing situation!

No surprise that the three staff are all men who are as different as night and day. One makes me squint at him to wonder what in the world he's up to, once gave me (and Emily) heart eyes, and there last had me rolling my eyes on the regular.

Emily, somewhat the "lead" in this story has SO much going on! She hopes to get her first novel published, but she seems to be dashed at every turn. Then, there's the heartbreak she's still dealing with from Charles giving her the cut after her sister Claire runs off a year ago. I couldn't say I was sad that Mr. Thompson started catching her eye. Who can resist a man willing to give the youngest sister, Georgiana fencing lessons?!

I'll admit that I don't very often pay attention to the epigraphs, but with every new chapter, I couldn't wait to read them to have an idea of what might be coming! Be sure to read them as you go.

Sidmouth came alive in this story. I could imaging taking a walk along the esplanade, the cold weather, the sea caves, running into the nanny and princess, etc. I absolutely want to visit this area one day just imagining the characters in this series!

About the Author:

Julie Klassen (www.julieklassen.com) 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. For more information, visit julieklassen.com.