I am beyond happy to share this book with you today. First, I have to say that the more I read historical novels, no matter the time period, the more I fall in love with them. I’ve always said that I would love to live in a different time period than this one, and reading these books allows me to escape for a bit. Today’s book is fun, romantic, and dangerous. It was everything I was expecting it to be and more!
About the Book
When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl’s heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.
Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope–believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father’s demanding expectations.
Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan’s new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.
My Perspective
Who doesn’t love a story about a man who will do anything to make the woman he loves happy? This story is exactly that. Nolan is everything the title of this book makes him out to be, a noble heir. Some men in his position would have jumped at the chance to become rich, no matter that it would mean leaving their girlfriend behind. But Nolan? He went straight to Hannah’s side and asked for her opinion. Each step of the way, in fact, he was quick to ask her before making unnecessary decisions, and I found that so endearing. He wasn’t afraid to tell his father that he would leave his inheritance and the estate if it meant harming his true love. But then you see this little part of him – the part who is longing for a father, longing for approval. You have to read in between the lines a little bit to see it, but it’s there.
Aside from Hannah and Nolan’s love story were two characters that really caught my attention. The first is Edward. His character surprised me throughout the whole book and I found that I didn’t really know his character at all (in a good way). I had placed judgment on his hard heart way too soon, and found myself smiling as his character continued to grow. There is one scene that really touched my heart – without giving too much away, I will say that he does something annually to memorialize Nolan’s mother and it just really got to me. To see a sensitive man under the façade he carried was such a treat.
The other character that caught me by complete surprise was Iris. Oh my goodness this woman was a wonderful character – smart, witty, charming, and not afraid to speak up. Her personality blended perfectly with Hannah, Nolan and Edward. She is almost like an eccentric relative that you just adore being around. I hope that perhaps we can see a background story on her in the future!
Bottom line is this book is fun, enjoyable, and even mysterious. The ending caught me by complete surprise, and my heart stopped beating for a moment while I kept reading through the pages to see the outcome. I invite you to be swept away in the pages, and let your mind be captivated. I promise you will enjoy it! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Also a member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at www.susanannemason.com.
Giveaway!
If you’d like to enter for a chance to win Susan Anne Mason’s Courage to Dream series, plus A Most Noble Heir, here’s your chance!
I really enjoyed your review! I’m with you…I would also have loved to live in a previous time period. Looking forward to this book!
Thank you for your review and information on “A Most Noble Heir” and for being part of the book tour. Appreciate the chance to enter this wesome giveaway!
I read this one recently and enjoyed it immensely. I have the trilogy but need to find time to read them.
It should be very interesting to see what happens when the stable hand finds out that he’s royalty. Thank you for the interview. It sounds like a must read.
Thank you for this review, I look forward to meeting Iris in this book.
I like historical fiction because it tells a great story while giving you knowledge of the era and the area. Thanks for the opp to win.
Thank you for this review and Thank you for the chance to enter this giveaway!!
Historical fiction is my favorite! I think I choose it more than any other to read. I like learning historical facts through them and the feeling of arm chair time travel. All the sights, sounds, and feel of whatever time period the author sets the book in! I love the simpler time without all the distractions of our modern world. Where real conversations take place and friendships are forged. There’s just so much to love about it!!
Thank you for the giveaway chance! I only have Irish Meadows on my shelf and really would love the whole series to go with it. 🙂