The Sea Child - by Linda Wilgus (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this enchanting, adventurous debut novel, a band of seafaring smugglers lands on the Cornish coast, where a young widow with a mysterious past becomes entangled in their schemes--and with their charismatic captain.

"A wonderfully romantic story, perfect for fans of Poldark and du Maurier."--Joanna Miller, author of The Eights

England, early 1800s: Destitute and forced to leave her home in London, Isabel, a young widow of the Napoleonic Wars, returns to the village on the rugged Cornish coast where she was found as a small child, dripping wet and alone. Hoping to learn more about her enigmatic origins, she's shocked to find herself at the center of a local legend claiming that she is the daughter of a sea spirit.

As Isabel adjusts to life in her rented cottage, the coast is rife with smugglers and the Revenue Officers who hunt them. One evening, a group of dangerous raiders arrives at her door, carrying their wounded captain, Jack. Remembering her late husband's fatal injuries, Isabel decides to care for Jack and soon feels a powerful connection to him. Even after Jack recovers, Isabel finds herself unable to forget him. Meanwhile, the sea calls to her, and a Revenue Officer who likes to hang smugglers poses a threat in more ways than one. Before long, Isabel finds herself caught on the wrong side of the law, with violence and heartbreak looming.

From the coves of Cornwall to the wild coast of Brittany, during perilous raids at sea and society dinner parties, Isabel fights to understand her kinship with the ocean while seeking answers about her past. But when the threat catches up with them and Jack's life hangs in the balance, she must draw on all her courage and delve deep into the mythical heart of the Cornish coast. For only a sea child can turn the tide . . .

Review Quotes

"A stunning debut deliciously laced with folklore, mystery, and romance . . . I loved it!"--Liz Fenwick, author of The Cornish House

"The Sea Child reminded me strongly of Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier, one of my favorite stories of all time. Set in beautiful Cornwall, there's swashbuckling, smuggling, forbidden desire, and, best of all, a woman fighting not just for her love, but for her independence. I loved this book."--Victoria Scott, the bestselling author of The Storyteller's Daughter

"I absolutely loved this. Linda Wilgus is such a wonderful writer--the lush descriptions of Cornwall made me want to be there. Her turn of phrase is so pitch-perfect. And the storytelling is perfect, with excitement and feeling and light and shade and gorgeous characters. I adored the love story too. I was in my element with the gorgeous romantic storyline, the setting, the whispers of magic, the high adventure, and the beauty--the whole thing is just dreamy."--Tracy Rees, author of Amy Snow

"The Sea Child is an enchanting love story. The tension between Isabel and Jack kept me turning the pages, and Linda Wilgus's lyrical prose conjures a spellbinding setting. Isabel is a vulnerable but courageous character who struggles against the rules that limit a woman's freedom as she strives to pursue her dream of sailing across the oceans. This novel combines the best of historical fiction--immersion into a bygone period and beliefs--with a touch of the supernatural, making it a captivating read."--Jane Yang, author of The Lotus Shoes

"Passion and adventure combine to make this breathtaking debut a completely gripping read. The freedom of the sea and the wild, mysterious beauty of the Cornish coast provide a captivating backdrop as romantic as the story itself. . . . Unputdownable!"--Fiona Valpy, author of The Sky Beneath Us

"Perfect for fans of Poldark and du Maurier, The Sea Child is both absorbing and satisfying. Steeped in pistols, smugglers, and Cornish myth, it is a wonderfully romantic story, and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into it."--Joanna Miller, author of The Eights

"In this vibrant debut . . . Wilgus peppers the narrative with illuminating details about the legacy of smuggling in Cornwall and dashes of mysticism. This stands out from the pack of historicals about Cornwall."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Linda Wilgus grew up in the Netherlands and lived in Italy, Belgium, and the United States before settling in England. A graduate of the University of Amsterdam, she worked as a bookseller and a knitting pattern designer before becoming a full-time writer. Her short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines. Wilgus shares her home with her husband, three children, and their dog. The Sea Child is her debut novel.