The Maid Of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Welcome to my first review of 2012! 

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall has the honor of being the first book reviewed on my blog for 2012.

This is the second book I have read of hers. You can see my review of  The Girl in the Gatehouse by clicking on the name, and I liked it quite well. 

Margret has decided she can't marry the man she was expected to, so she runs away to London. With out a husband she is with out support of her own, since she isn't wealthy enough to support herself. (Like many of us!) Being in this predicament she decides that her best option is to go to work. She is totally unprepared for this lifestyle change, but she has no choice. Her inheritance will not be hers for a few more months yet, and since she can't risk her virtue she runs away with her maid Joan. Joan is not going to be staying with her, so Margret under the name of Nora soon finds herself employed at Fairbourne Hall. That would be unremarkable, if it were not that she is a lady in disguise with her life on the line, or if it were not the home of not one but two of her formerly shunned suitors! 

Soon "Nora" is watching the inside workings, as she is working, of this home. She is wondering if it is not too late to figure out a way to gain the attention, favor and love of this man and get her life back on track. At the same time she is now privy to inside information. Margret has to decide what to do, who to trust, and how to act in kindness, with a loving and serving heart. Something she grew up not totally understanding. 

I really enjoyed this book, as I did the last one. I plan to read all of Julie Klassen's books that I can! 

Carol 

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  The Maid of Fairbourne Hall  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

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764207091