FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Passings turned the lives of the living inside out. Loved ones were put on the frayed edges of ill regard, an inheritance, a wedge between them. Who benefited from whom? The one whose life hung by threads could no more direct his desires than the laws allowed. Charlotte should have been better prepared. Indeed, death had a way of forcing life into an entirely new context.”
Storm at Nottingham Castle by Ann Elizabeth Fryer was one of those books I knew I would like from the start. The elegant prose had just the right balance of description and poetry to pique my interest. The writing flowed nicely, giving the story an easy pace, even though some chapters were longer than others. With a refreshing balance of deep self-reflection, the characters’ thoughts easily captivated me, pulling me into the narrative with resonating connecting points.
It took me a few chapters to figure out what was going on behind the scenes, not in a frustrating way, but rather in a way that kept my interest. This is one of those stories with many layers that are fun to peel back. The mystery evolving through the narrative was intricately layered and required concentration, but was well worth the attention in the end. I found the setting captivating with its gothic charm and perfect for the story.
But what truly made it a memorable read were the characters. While this book focused on Charlotte, the eldest, each of the three Sherwood sisters was perfectly suited to her role in the family. Their mutual support proved invaluable in desperate circumstances. I enjoyed the sibling bond and the birth order characterization that made them so easy to relate to in the beginning. Even when their paths diverged, I appreciated hints that other stories would be forthcoming. I found the hero, Mr. Rushforth, devastatingly gentlemanly in a mysterious sort of way. While the attraction was instant, the slow-burning romance blended perfectly with the air of suspense pulsing through the plot.
Truly, this one has it all: romance, tragedy, intrigue, and suspense. With quite a few nuggets of wisdom tucked into this intriguing story, it is most definitely worth the read.
Click on the book cover for the synopsis and purchase link.
About the Author
Ann Elizabeth Fryer loves nothing more than using story and romance to relay the depths and graciousness of a Father who holds us securely in the palms of His hands. Daydreaming her surroundings from a young age, she’s lived in historic homes most of her life and regularly participates in backyard archaeology. When she’s not writing historical projects, her contemporary novels show a flavor of her forever-passion for all things old. Ann, her husband, and three children make their home in small-town Illinois where they can hear church bells keep time and tradition.
Devoted Steps 