Sarah Ladd's Headmistress of Rosemere ~ Reviewed

Headmistress Of Rosemere (Whispers On The Moors V2 [Paperback]
By Sarah E. Ladd 

Pages 320
Binding Softcover
Release Date Dec 1, 2013
Publisher Thomas Nelson
Series Whispers On The Moors
Series Number 2
ISBN 1401688365





Description

Patience Creighton has devoted her life to running her father's boarding school. But when the enigmatic master of the estate appears at her door, battered and unconscious, the young headmistress suddenly finds her livelihood--and her heart --in the hands of one dangerously handsome gentleman.

At twenty-five, Patience Creighton is already a spinster. The busy headmistress of Rosemere always expected a dashing man to sweep her off her feet and take her away . . . but that man never came. And since her father's death, keeping the school running and her mother happy has been plenty to keep her occupied.

William Sterling dallied his way into financial trouble and mortal danger. When he is assaulted by his creditors' henchmen on the road home from a tavern, he guides his horse to the doorstep of his tenant, the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. After being tended to by Patience, the wounded William rides off into the dawn--but makes a point to learn more about the lovely headmistress.

As he spends more time at Rosemere, something delicate begins to develop between William and Patience. But that will not deter William's creditors. With little money to repay his debts, and less for the upkeep of his estate, it becomes clear that sacrificing Rosemere may be the only way to preserve his legacy. But it may also cost him his happiness.

Review: 

The Headmistress of Rosemere tells the story of Patience Creighton.  Her father passed away six months ago, causing her mother to go into an emotional downward spiral.  Her brother left shortly after for London and has not been heard from, leaving Patience to run the boarding school that her father began. Patience loves the girls and wants to fulfil her father’s dream of keeping the school alive, however, the pressures of running it on her own, along with the management of the girls and staff are beginning to take a toll on her.  In the meantime, the landlord of the property, William Sterling, is struggling to keep himself afloat.  After years of irresponsibility, followed by gambling away money he doesn’t have, he finds himself in danger of losing not only his home, but possibly his life.  He’s finally trying to get himself on his feet when different incidents bring him to Rosemere hall.  After meeting Patience, he finds more and more excuses to visit.  They both find themselves attracted to the other, but both feel inadequate to live up to what they believe should be the other’s expectations.

               

I really enjoyed this book.  I haven’t read a book with a setting in England for a while and it was a refreshing change.  I really admired Patience’s character, and what she was willing to sacrifice to keep the school afloat.  And I liked watching William’s character develop, as well, from a spoiled young rich boy to a man willing to fight and do what it takes to keep his land and care for the woman he loves.  I don’t believe anyone will be disappointed in this story!

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers