Wednesday, January 16, 2013

"The Tutor's Daughter" by Julie Klassen {Book Review}



I have admitted before to my *slight* addiction to the British Isles. Add that to my desire to time travel to the England of Jane Eyre, and you will understand my obsession with Julie Klassen's books...

About the book:


Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor's Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall coast-a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions-where danger lurks, faith is tested, and romance awaits.
Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?
The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems-and secrets-of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her...
When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?


My thoughts: 

At the risk of sounding like one of my teenage daughters, Julie Klassen rocks! 

So, what makes Julie Klassen books so special? She is one of the few authors who isn't afraid to touch the dark deeds of history and is able incorporate them into her stories in such a way, you won't even realize you are being given a history lesson. (Have I mentioned I love history?) I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of her books -from the very first- and they have only gotten better. 

The Tutor's Daughter was no exception! Emma and Phillip and Henry (as with all of the characters) are extremely well written. They come alive as if they are right in front of you. The setting amazing, so full of life and detail, you can picture yourself in every room in the manor.

Filled with suspense and mystery and even a little danger thrown in for good measure, you won't be able to put it down once you start! 

About the author:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com 

The extras: 


Don’t miss my review of Julie’s TheMaid of Fairbourne Hall. (Even better than Downton Abbey!)

Read what others are saying about The Tutor’s Daughter on the blog tour!

Julie's book, The Apothecary's Daughter, is currently bargain priced for only $4.99!

and the giveaway:
 
Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)

Tutor's-Daughter-300

One fortunate winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at "The Tutor's Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways - gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!

So grab your copy of The Tutor's Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

The fine print: 
I was provided with a complimentary e-copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review.