In London Society, Annabelle Thorley is facing a future that looks anything but bright. Since her father's financial ruin, and the deaths of both parents, she is living with her selfish and abusive brother, Thomas and his cold wife. Engaged, her fiance broke the engagement after the financial scandal and has already attached himself to a lovely young lady. Thomas demands that she marry his wealthy business associate, Cecil Bartrell, who does not seem to mind her lack of wealth and family financial debacle. Annabelle says she will never marry Bartrell. He always smells of brandy and bad body odor, he scares her. He talks about wanting to possess her and refuses to accept her refusal of marriage. As Thomas becomes more insistent, Annabelle knows she can not continue to refuse the match and is threatened by both her brother and Bartrell. Fleeing is her only solution but where can she go? The only family she has now is a distant Aunt and Uncle Langsby who live in Fellsworth and operate the Fellsworth School. She has not seen them in decades, but she will go there, tell them her dilemma and beg for their help. Owen Locke, dashing gamekeeper with a strong connection to the forest, land and his daughter, Hannah, is a widower whose wife died a tragic death. He dreams of becoming a landowner and being able to leave his land to his only child. He meets Annabelle and falls in love with her at first sight. When she tells him about her plans to leave home and where she wants to go, Owen decides to protect and help her. He lives in Fellsworth and has known her aunt and uncle for many years. Their friendship begins and slowly turns into more. Sarah E. Ladd knows how to tell a good story with an inspirational thread weaved nicely into an unpredictable plot filled with suspense, second chances, faith, family, and forever love.

A STRANGER AT ELLSWORTH by Sarah E. Ladd is a historical romance with a gentle touch. It is a faith based tale with a vivid and engaging cast of characters, along with rich details of the English countryside in the 1800's. Poachers, murders, a group of vile villains, lies and betrayals, keep you turning these pages. In the end, along with tender kisses, Annabelle and Owens find their forever love. I found Owen to be a wonderful hero. The ladies maid, Crosley, who Annabelle took with her when she left home betrayed her and was easy to hate. Uncle Edmund gets my vote as my favorite character as he showed Annabelle how a loving family should be. His posing for her to paint his portrait at his wife's insistence was a delightful addition to a rich read with period details that is completely engaging. I loved it!

Book Summary

In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.

Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.

As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.