A WINTER by the SEA comes after The Sisters of Sea View and is the second novel in the On Devonshire Shores series by Julie Klassen. The book can easily stand alone, but I am so glad I have read the two books in sequebce, becoming reacquainted with the interesting and sometimes eccentric characters from the first novel and coming accross some new ones. Needless to say that I am looking forward to the third book book in the series.
The Summers sisters are taken aback when the Duke and Duchess of Kent, together with their baby daughter, the future Queen Victoria, move into Woolbrook Cottage in Sidmouth and board three of their staff with them at Sea View Cottage. This makes life very interesting for everyone involved……
The story is historically based, wth excerpts from Queen Victoria’s biographies and guide books on Sidmouth and its surroundings. There are also quotations from Jane Austen, especially from Persuasion, and some well chosen scriptures. In fact the book has a strong Christian message of unconditional love, of laying one’s life down for others, of living in truth and taking care of the poor.
In the well described setting on the Devonshire coast we come across strong friendships, family relationships, both good and bad, true love and betrayal, superstition and even smuggling. There is also gossip and the self importance of those who look down on the less fortuate.
I really loved this book and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
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