Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Review: Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd

Title: Mist of Midnight
Author: Sandra Byrd
Genre: Historical Fiction/Christian/Romance 
Series: Daughters of Hampshire #1
Publication Date: 10th March 2015
Pages: 384
Book Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

Synopsis: In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her future in his hands.

Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her…and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca’s name, but her home and incomes.

That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and her father’s investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?

A captivating Gothic love story set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, Mist of Midnight will leave you breathless.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Sandra Byrd's Ladies in Waiting series and jumped at the chance to read the first in her new Daughters of Hampshire series, set in Victorian England. 

Mist of Midnight is wonderfully atmospheric with Headbourne House, the family graveyard and chapel shrouded in mystery and mist. The gothic feel with that delicious sense of foreboding was one of my favourite parts of the novel. 

Rebecca Ravenshaw returns to her family home in England after her parents are killed in the Indian Mutiny, expecting safety and financial security. What she gets instead is the onerous task of proving her own identity and the 'other' Rebecca Ravenshaw an imposter.  

I liked Rebecca's forthright character and I loved her flirty interactions with Luke and naughty sense of humour, all within the bounds of propriety of course. Luke was really likable but for a 'Gothic' hero I expected a little more brooding intensity so whilst the author gave us reason to be suspicious of him, I actually didn't mistrust him.

Mist of Midnight is marketed as Christian fiction, which I don't read much of but I found it very subtle and completely in keeping with Rebecca's missionary family. I loved the contrast in cultures and Rebecca's effort to 'fit' in her native England while embracing what she loved of both countries. 

Next up, Bride of Poseidon in 2016 :)


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17 comments:

  1. I don't read as much Christian fiction as I used to but this one piqued my interest and I'm going to order it for my library's inspirational fiction collection.

    Sounds like an intriguing story! I like that there is a mystery involved and the setting sounds really cool too.

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    1. A great addition to your library! Sandra's writing is gorgeous and the setting and mystery will keep you turning the pages. Thanks for stopping by Christina :)

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  2. Thank you, Teddyree, it's always an honor to be on your blog; thank you for taking the time to read & review. Christina - thanks for considering it for your library. I appreciate that!!

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    1. My absolute pleasure Sandra ... I'm looking forward to the next installment, you had me with the title! :)

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  3. This sounds like a good story, I don' mind a little subtle Christian fiction and the story itself sounds good, interesting comment on Luke, that he is not really brooding enough to be a intense 'gothic' character. It must be difficult to come back to England after years of living in India.

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    1. I think you'd enjoy it Kathryn. I really liked Luke but he was probably less 'dark' than other gothic heroes I've read, if that makes sense? And he was so nice and kind I wasn't suspicious of him lol.

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  4. I love the cover for this one and like Gothic type stories. I don't mind Christian fiction if it works with the story and in this case it sounds like it does. I'll definitely be looking for this one! Great review!

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    1. this cover definitely had a cover fairy, it's gorgeous isn't it and the gothic story ties in with the cover perfectly!

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  5. Subtle is nice cos I do not want preachy

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  6. Oooh, I love the sound of this one. I'm thinking the Gothic aspect may keep me interested in this one.

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    1. I loved the gothic feel Ryan and the mystery pulls you in, hope you like it too :)

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  7. This does sounds good! You know how to find the good ones! :)

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  8. What an interesting premise. Even though gothic is not really my thing I have to say I am intrigued after reading your review.

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  9. Love the cover, love the summary and glad you liked it. Bodes well for me.

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  10. This sounds like a book right up my alley! Thanks for sharing your good thoughts.

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