Ashes on the Moor - (Proper Romance Victorian) by Sarah M Eden (Paperback)

About the Book

"After the death of her parents, Evangeline must succeed as a schoolteacher in a remote region of Northern England in order to claim her inheritance from her grandfather and be reunited with her younger sister, Lucy. When a local bricklayer, Dermot, offers his help, she finds herself falling in love with the Irishman"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The life of an impoverished schoolteacher is not one Evangeline Blake would have chosen for herself. Torn from her home and her beloved sister and sent to work in the gritty factory town of Smeatley, Evangeline must prove herself to her grandfather, a man who values self-reliance above all else, before he will grant her access to her inheritance. Raised to be a lady of refinement, she hasn't any of the skills necessary to manage on her own nor does she have the first idea how to be a teacher. Yet, failure means never being with her sister again.

Alone and overwhelmed, she turns to the one person in town who seems to know how she feels--Dermot McCormick, an Irish brick mason who is as far from home and as out of place as she is. Despite the difference in their classes and backgrounds, Evangeline and Dermot's tentative friendship deepens and grows. Her determination and compassion slowly earn her the faith and confidence of the skeptical residents of Smeatley, who become like the family she has lost.

But when a secret from her past comes to light, Evangeline faces an impossible choice: seize the opportunity to reclaim her former life and rejoin her sister or fight for the new life she has struggled to build for herself--a life that includes Dermot.

Ashes on the Moor is the inspiring love story of one Victorian woman's courage to fight against all odds, and the man whose quiet strength gives her the confidence to keep trying.

Review Quotes

"Eden sets the bar for quality and sweetness with her new novel. This soft, warm blanket of a book is as sweet as Eden's ear for Dermot's Irish lilt and as heartening as Evangeline's discovery of her own inner strength. A thoroughly pleasant romance."-- "Historical Novel Society"

"Sweet, sincere, and highly recommended! Eden shows time and time again her talents as a writer, with vivid settings, emotional depth, and an engaging plot. Main character Evangeline is a true heroine, working to overcome incredible hardships while remaining relatable and down-to-earth. Her budding romantic relationship with Dermot is a highlight, as well as her interactions with her students. Pick up a copy of this delightful novel today!"-- "Compass Book Ratings"

"Another deftly crafted gem of a romance novel by a true master of the genre...An inspiring love story of one Victorian woman's courage to fight against all odds, and the man whose quiet strength gives her the confidence to keep trying. Unreservedly recommended."-- "Midwest Book Review" (5/23/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"Blends a bucolic historical setting with deep characters for a rewarding tale. Sarah Eden provides solid historical details to highlight Evangeline's struggles with understanding Yorkshire accents, living in poverty, and being socially isolated because she has to keep her family connections secret. Eden ably captures the changing of an era, the horrors of factory work, and the displacements of being Irish in England, a lady among the working classes, and a Southern Englishwoman in the North. Will appeal to readers seeing a chaste romance that makes gentle challenges to conventions of feminine propriety."-- "Publishers Weekly" (11/3/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"Eden does not shy away from the realities of life for the working poor in a Victorian mill town, deftly weaving such elements into Evangeline's fish-out-of-water experiences as she adjusts to her new circumstances. A strong supporting cast of students and families adds context and depth. Readers will enjoy Evangeline's growth as a strong woman almost as much as the steady, slow burn of her relationship with Dermot, which moves from wariness to friendship to sweet romance."-- "Booklist" (1/17/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"Evangeline's conviction and authentic concern for her friends gives everyone a new sense of hope, and her strengthening moral compass, aided by her growing feelings for Dermot, opens her grandfather's eyes to better opportunities for everyone. Determined to be a woman of both dignity and courage, she becomes an agent of change and encouragement. Once again, Eden proves herself a gifted writer dedicated to unique, out-of-the-box storytelling with inspiring and thought-provoking elements. Exploring one woman's struggle to find her place in a world where every step forward is a challenge offers an uplifting--and very clean--romance."
-- "Kirkus" (2/1/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"The dialog and character development in Eden's latest are very well done; readers will particularly enjoy the banter between Evangeline and Dermot and will be eager know what happens next to the townsfolk and our protagonists."-- "Library Journal" (5/1/2018 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Sarah M. Eden is the author of several critically acclaimed historical romances, including Seeking Persephone, Courting Miss Lancaster, and award-winning Proper Romance series novels Longing for Home, Hope Springs, and The Sheriffs of Savage Wells. Combining her passion for history and an affinity for gentle love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library and dreams of one day traveling to all the places she reads about.