Thursday, February 26, 2015

The Secret of Pembrooke Park Blog Tour and Giveaway ~ My Review

Hey Everyone! I'm super excited to be part of 
The Secret of Pembrooke Park BLOG TOUR! 
Many thanks to Bethany House and Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose for putting together this tour. And, of course, thanks to Julie Klassen for writing another wonderful story! The Secret of Pembrooke Park is the second book I've read of Ms. Klassen's, and it won't be the last! 





The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Publication Date: December 1st, 2014 
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
Pages: 460 
Received: E-copy from the publisher 
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars








My Review

The beginning of The Secret of Pembrooke Park grabbing me as my heart felt for poor Abigail! She takes the blame for the financial crisis that they are currently in; she advised her father to invest with her uncle in a business that failed.  I also felt keenly how her mother and younger sister over-looked her; they considered her on-the-shelf. And I felt her heartbreak, as she watched the one she loved take an interest in someone else.

Their financial troubles have caused them to sell their house and look for a place to let. A distant relative offers to let them stay at Pembrooke Park. The old manor that has been closed up for the past 18 years, in fact, the previous occupants left rather suddenly, and under suspicion circumstance. Abigail and her father agree to have a look at the place. After an inspection, they agree to stay under the conditions set by the current executor who is to remain anonymous.

Layered in dust the manor is in need of a thorough cleaning and some repairs. With a small staff of servants, Abigail gets to work putting the place in order. Her mother and sister, Louisa, stay in London to enjoying the season. Soon her father is called back to London on business leaving Abigail alone at the manor. Her first night there alone she hears many strange sounds; creaking floors, footsteps and “a ghostly moan, “All alone. All alonnnnne ..”  Spooky!!

Curious as to why the manor was suddenly abandoned all those years ago, Abigail beginnings searching the rooms, and asking the servants and neighbors questions, but no one is willing to talk about it. From the bits of information she is able to gather, and through cryptic letters she begins to receive, Abigail starts learning The Secrets of Pembrooke Park

The Secrets of Pembrooke Park is a Gothic Regency Romance that I found wonderful to read! I loved the mystery, the shadowy figures, the bumps-in-the-night, the strange relative who shows up for a visit, the accidents and rescues, and, of course, the romance! I would highly recommend this!


FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC e-copy of the story from the publisher for my honest review.

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FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

About the Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.







Connect with Julie Klassen




Giveaway Information


There will also be a drawing for 4 great prizes! To enter, simply visit and leave a comment on the blog(s) of your choice. Increase your chances of winning by visiting multiple stops on the tour.

Contest closes at 11:59 pm PT, March 9, 2015. Winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments on the blogs, and announced Julie Klassen's website on March 16th. The giveaway contest is open to residents of the US, UK, and Canada.

For more information on the giveaway go to Julie Klassen's website


THE SECRET OF PEMBROOK PARK BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE: 

  • February 16                My Jane Austen Book Club (Guest Blog)
  • February 16                vvb32 Reads (Excerpt)
  • February 17                Psychotic State Book Reviews (Review)
  • February 17                My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice (Spotlight)
  • February 18                Addicted to Jane Austen (Review)                          
  • February 18                Peeking Between the Pages (Review)                                            
  • February 19                Jane Austen in Vermont (Interview)                                               
  • February 19                Living Read Girl (Review)                                       
  • February 20                My Love for Jane Austen (Excerpt)                                    
  • February 20                Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books (Review)                                   
  • February 20                Laura’s Reviews (Guest Blog)                                             
  • February 21                Confessions of a Book Addict (Review)
  • February 21                A Bookish Way of Life (Review)                                         
  • February 21                Romantic Historical Reviews (Excerpt)                              
  • February 22                Reflections of a Book Addict (Review)                                           
  • February 23                Austenesque Reviews (Guest Blog)                                    
  • February 23                Peace, Love, Books (Review)                                              
  • February 24                vvb32 Reads (Review)                                              
  • February 24                Poof Books (Excerpt)
  • February 25                Babblings of a Bookworm (Review)                                    
  • February 25                Austenesque Reviews (Review)                                          
  • February 25                Luxury Reading (Review)
  • February 26                So Little Time…(Review)
  • February 26                More Agreeably Engaged (Excerpt)
  • February 26                Faith, Hope and Cherrytea (Spotlight)
  • February 27                Psychotic State Book Reviews (Interview)                         
  • February 27                Booktalk & More (Review)
  • February 28                Laughing with Lizzie (Spotlight)
  • February 28                The Calico Critic (Review)
  • March 01                    Leatherbound Reviews (Excerpt)                                        
  • March 01                    Delighted Reader (Review)
  • March 02                    CozyNookBks (Review)                                           
  • March 02                    Laura’s Reviews (Review)   

Don't forget! To enter the grand giveaway, just leave a comment here and/or at another blog participating in The Secrets of Pembrooke Park blog tour! :) 


44 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on THE SECRET OF PEMBROOKE PARK. I can't wait to read it. :)

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  2. I cannot wait to read this! Thanks for your review!

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  3. This was a great book! I would love to read more books by Julie Klassen!

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  4. WOW! The Secret of Pembrooke Park is also my second of Julie's books! LOL! And just like you it won't be my last! :D I can't wait for her next release! ;) I also LOVE your cover quote at the top for your blog!!! It is so true!

    ~Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)

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    1. Hi Amada! Thanks! Yes! I never feel like I have enough time to read!! Haha! I'm sure you all would agree! ;) I set up this blog kinda spur-of-the-moment and didn't have a name picked out. I was thinking I really don't have time for this, hence the name So little time... :)

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  5. Thanks for the review, Candy, and for recommending the book. I appreciate it! (I've posted a link on my Author Page on FB.)

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  6. I loved the treasure hunt and secrets aspect of it. The sweet romance was beautiful. Glad you liked this one too, Candy!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sophia Rose! Yes, this was fun, and I agree, it was a lovely romance! Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. read it. loved it. ready to win!

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  8. Sounds lie a mix of my favorite books all whipped into one :) Also makes me want to look into Klassens other books.

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  9. Thank you for sharing your review with us, Candy! What was the first Julie Klassen book that you read? I believe mine was The Silent Governess, which I read during the time when I would get so many books through interlibrary loan. I own 4 (formerly 5..I donated #2 to one of my local libraries) of her books and I cannot wait to read The Secret of Pembrooke Park! ~ Blessings, Juli emeraldelena@hotmail.com

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    1. Hi Julianna! My first was The Silent Governess, too! I also have The Apothecary's Daughter, but I haven't read it yet. I need to do that! I hope you get a chance to read The Secret of Pembrooke Park soon! :)

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  10. I look forward to reading this latest novel.

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  11. Thanks for your review! It really made me want to read this book.

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  12. Really enjoyed your review! Thank you!
    ~Amanda

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  13. Love this book. Definitely a 5 star in my book. Thanks for a great review.

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  14. Thank you for the review on your blog! I'm a huge Julie Klassen fan & "The Secret of Pembrooke Park" would be one I'd love to read. I've enjoyed this blog tour & the willingness of each host to feature the giveaway on their blogs. Each review & excerpt have just made me want to read this even more, if that's possible, lol! Thanks for a chance to win some great books by one of my favorite authors!

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  15. Thanks for the review, Candy. I cannot wait to read it. It sounds magnificent. Now, I just need some good ole' reading time! :)

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    1. Hi Janet! Thanks! I hope you get a chance to read it soon, and yes, we need more reading time!!

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  16. This is a great review for what I'm sure is a terrific book. I'm really looking forward to reading it. It would be fabulous to win this contest with all of Julie's wonderful books!

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  17. Wasn't Secret such a charming book? I loved the mystery, and who wouldn't like Mac Chapman? Feisty little guy!

    Blessings,
    Andrea
    Proofreader/Editor/Writer
    andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
    writingtoinspire.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Andrea! Yes, I really enjoyed it! Mac Chapman was definitely an interesting and very loyal man! :)

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  18. I love all of Julie Klassen’s books, and I cannot wait to read Lady Maybe! This blog tour is so exciting!

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  19. Loved all her books! Can't wait to read this one!
    Dezi A
    sethdezAThotmailDOTcom

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  20. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to reading this one!

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  21. I'm like Janet T., I need some time to read. Great review, Candy.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joy! Thanks! Since reading time is so limited, I think I would be happy if I could read faster. :)

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  22. thanks for sharing your thoughts about this book. love Julie's books. lovely cover.

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  23. I love Julie Klassen's books and look forward to reading this one! :)

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  24. thanks for the review, I would love to win a copy to read ;)

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  25. What a fun giveaway! I'd love to own copies of all Julie's books!

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  26. I'm definitely going to add this to my wish list!

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  27. I'm looking forward to reading this book and I hope I win! :)

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  28. "So little time...so much to read." Story of my life...no pun intended! And this one's definitely on my list of so-much-to-read! :)

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  29. Always a fan of Julie's books - can't wait to read it! truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. Great review. I have enjoyed a few of Julie's books and look forward to reading this newest one.

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  31. Wow, I'd never heard of this book before and now I really want to read it. This is probably going to end up on my TBR at some point. I'm getting Beauty and the Beast vibes from this story. The blurb also reminds me the Austen and Bronte classics. You've sparked my curiosity with this review ;) Good job!

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  32. sounds like a Cinderella situation for Abigail - great offer and happy to enter - definitely a JK fan!

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  33. Hey Everyone! The winners of The Pembrooke Park Blog Tour have been posted at Julie Klassen's website.

    http://julieklassen.com/News%20&%20Events.html

    Winners have until March 22, 2015 to claim their prize!

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