Linore Burkard's The Country House Courtship ~ Reviewed

THE COUNTRY HOUSE COURTSHIP
By Linore Rose Burkard
Published by Harvest House
ISBN# 978-0-7369-27994
287 Pages


Back Cover:

It’s been five years since Ariana Forsythe married the Paragon, Mr. Phillip Mornay. Now, Ariana’s sister, Miss Beatrice Forsythe, is seventeen and determined to marry advantageously as well.

The Mornays have disappeared from high society as they raise a family at their country estate. Can Beatrice persuade them to chaperone her in London? And what about her business with the curate, Mr. O’Brien, whom Beatrice had rashly promised to marry years earlier? She's too sophisticated now to settle for a mere clergyman—despite his agreeable countenance and gentle, understanding ways.

Ariana falls gravely ill, secrets come to light, motives are revealed, and pretenses that were easy to keep up in the darkness, begin to crumble. As hearts are bared and truths uncovered, a country house courtship like no other cannot be far behind!


REVIEW:

Linore Rose Burkard's unique style of writing and passion for this time period spills out onto the pages. She quickly whisked me into the Regency era and I fell right in step with the characters I enjoyed from the first two books of this series. I found Linore Rose Burkard’s stories captivating, inspiring and laugh out loud funny in parts. Linore’s characters are endearing and believable, and I quickly bonded with them. This author deals with a wide variety of situations which lets the reader to experience a full array of emotions. I felt immersed in the Regency period - its trials, the culture, style of clothes and manner in which the classes were treated then. Linore also alludes to medical horrors these people endured with mass sickness, poverty and uncleanliness.

This book opens with Ariana and Phillip Mornay, five years after their marriage. It was fun to read about this couple's passionate love for one another, and how that love has spilled over to their family life. Oh, let’s not forget about Mr. O’Brien, who created quite the stir right before the Mornay’s wedding. Linore shows us another side of Mr. Peter O’Brien we weren’t privy to before. I grew quite fond of Mr. O’Brien and the situation he found himself in. Poor guy, grin!

Ariana and her sister, Beatrice, although from the same family, were driven by different desires in life. Linore did a great job creating Beatrice and I found it difficult, in the beginning, to warm up to Beatrice. She was not at all like Ariana and there were several times I just wanted to tell Beatrice “Wake up girl! There are more important things to be chasing after and worried about in life” I guess this means Linore Rose Burkard has done a great job developing this character and having her get under my skin!!

Don’t let how I felt about Beatrice stop you from reading this book. You won’t want to miss out on experiencing true love, family and forgiveness, and how this household gathered together to let God have His way in their lives. Linore writes a satisfying conclusion to her Regency series. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next, and neither will you. I was very thankful to receive a review copy of this book.

Reviewed by: Nora St. Laurent
ACFW Book Club Coordinator