Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady yet unexciting role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would provide her a steady environment to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.

The unexpected arrival of a striking stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with mysterious rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. And perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde, Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

My Thoughts

Oh, Regency! What a fickle period you are and how I love you! Elaborate social etiquette, beautiful gowns, endless balls, and of course, the upstairs/downstairs interplay and glaring disparity between the haves and the have-nots.

This is my first Sarah Ladd title and I am very impressed by the way the mood of the story is portrayed through every little detail. From the characters thoughts to the weather and surroundings, this story is saturated with feelings of foreboding and uncertainty.

Isabel is at peace with her safe and predictable position as a teacher and as guardian of her younger sister. Her unknown relatives offer her and her sister a better life yet she’s plagued with feelings of unease.

Isabel soon discovers a life of privilege isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and there could be some truth in the lore surrounding the mysterious Emberwilde Forest. I loved all the intrigue and suspense! I look forward to picking up another Sarah Ladd title soon.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through BookLook Bloggers. The opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

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 an 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 is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. She lives in Indiana with her husband, daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

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