I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Published by Thomas Nelson on July 7th 2015
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group
Genres: Historical, Love & Romance
Pages: 341
Suggested Age: 14+: Some non-graphic violence
The Curiosity Keeper (Thomas Nelson, July 2015)"It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail's egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it."
Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She's done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.
Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother's death made him heir just as his father's foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession---a ruby called the Bevoy---can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop---and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.
Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.
This was a fantastic start to the Treasures of Surrey series by historical fiction author, Sarah Ladd. The cover of this book is absolutely stunning and if you picked it up based solely for the cover, you’re not going to be disappointed as the story is just as good!
Camille, as a character is a strong character who is very self-reliant and has some difficulty in letting others extend a hand of friendship. However, when an act of violence forces her into hiding, she must learn to swallow her pride and allow a new friend to come to her defense.
This book is an exciting tale of love and adventure that will keep you turning the pages until the very end! I look forward to the next installment in this series.
About Sarah E. Ladd
Sarah E. Ladd has always loved the Regency period — the clothes, the music, the literature and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period and gave her idea of what life would’ve looked like in era. It wasn’t until 2010 that Ladd began writing seriously. Shortly after, Ladd released the first book in the Whispers on the Moors series. Book one of the series, The Heiress of Winterwood, was the recipient of the 2011 ACFW Genesis Award for historical romance. Ladd also has more than ten years of marketing experience. She holds degrees in public relations and marketing and lives in Indiana with her family and spunky Golden Retriever.
I’m just about to start reading this one:)