The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
January 4, 2012
The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Bethany House (January 1, 2012)by Julie Klassen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards.
She graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt–and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?
Observing both brothers as an “invisible” servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?
On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of “serve one another in love.”
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE
Sally Says: I have yet to open this book. Which annoys me. Julie Klassen has quickly become one of my favorite writers, right up there with the best in historical fiction. Her books are on my must-read-now list.
The book came right before Christmas, and even in the week after, my schedule didn’t allow me to open it up. But without reading it, I know it’ll be a good one and one you should read. Why? Because I read Julie’s first book The Lady of Milkweed Manor. Really good. Then I read her second book The Apothecary’s Daughter. Even better. Then I read The Silent Governess — very good! — and The Girl in the Gatehouse which so far is my favorite.
My point is that each book of hers has gotten better and better. And she takes a well-loved era and finds new angles and story lines. The premise for The Maid of Fairbourne Hall hooked me right away.
If you haven’t read anything by Julie Klassen yet, go buy all her books now. You’ll enjoy time spent with a talented writer.