This is one of those books that is perfect to read on a snowy weekend with the wind howling outside and you are safe and warm under your favorite blanket with a cup of tea or coffee within reach. It has mystery, danger, and, of course romance. The setting is Cornwall England in the 1800s with lush grassy hills and cliffs overlooking the sea. There are satin ballgowns worn in manors while poverty is worn on the faces of the manor tenants. There is upheavel among the poor while the wealthy scheme to keep all their riches. There may even be a cursed house and a ghost or two.

Julia Twethewey is a 19 year old Londoner who seeks refuge at her cousins country manor after being jilted by a man who gave her false hope. On her way to the manor she is held at gunpoint but quickly rescued by Isaac Blake the handsome younger twin brother (by three minutes) of the owner of the town's mine and the town's major employer. Matthew Blake, though a twin, is very different from his brother in his goals and his determination to stay the richest employer in the town.

Julie's aunt pushes her to make Matthew her husband, which Matthew thinks is a great idea, but her heart keeps leading her to Isaac. While this love triangle plays out there is a great deal of activity surrounding the mines, their danger to the workers, the violence from greed and from poverty.

The manor in the title is a character by itself in the book. It has a rich history that includes being cursed for mothers to be and roaming unsettled ghosts. The author is an amazing detailed writer. After her description of the rooms in the manor I saw them all in my head. The best room and the one with the most secrets was the library. Filled from floor to ceiling with hand crafted editions it also deceptively has many hidden doorways leading to unknown mysteries that some will kill to keep unknown.

I was reminded of the books and PBS series Poldark while reading this rich novel. Just like that story it takes place in Cornwall, involves mine owners, and has a delicious love entanglement. It is the second in the Cornwall series but is very much a stand alone book. I do plan on reading the first book now because more snow is coming and reading these stories is an enchanting way to spend my time indoors.

I received a free copy of this book from First Edition and Net Galley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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It is very rare that I find a sequel that is better than the first book but this book blew me away. I could hardly set this book down. Though, The Governess of Penwythe Hall was a fabulous book, I fell more in love with this one.

I loved following, Julia’s story. She was the oldest girl from the last book and I LOVED her character. She was not your typically Regency female but she wasn’t your cliche “special one” either that I have seen in this types of books. She was a breathe of fresh air and I just loved everything about her. I connected with her more than I did Delia. Isaac was also amazing. I really, really liked his character. He was the perfect male protagonist that left me cheering and hoping throughout this whole novel.

Though most of the characters were lovable there were a few that I did not like like Julia’s aunt and Matthew. I know they were the “antagonists” of the story but I still did not like them much.

The mystery in this novel was so much more real and heart pounding than in the last one. I was sucked in from the first page it appeared. The mystery really made this story stand out to me.

I really enjoyed this novel and I cannot wait to read more of Ms. Ladd’s books in this future!

*I received this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.*

Ladd is making me a happy reader. I'm becoming a fan. I love mysteries, even if I do solve it before the end of the book, or the show. As long as it's a fun adventure or a gripping one, I'm happy. This book is a fun adventure. Drama and romance are highly featured along with a mystery in a historical setting. I like that it's both clean and faith-based. I figure this book and this series will be a best-seller in no time, and for good reason. I'm highly anticipating the next book in this series.

Celebrate Lit gets a thank you for my copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and this review was left freely.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah Ladd was a very enjoyable read. I always look forward to reading a book by Sarah Ladd. She has the ability to take the reader back into time and immerse themselves within the story. The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is the second in the Cornwall Novel series. She has brilliantly written it so it may be read without reading the first book and not feeling left out on any important information.

The reader follows the journey of Julia Twethewey as she travels to stay with her uncle and aunt during her cousin’s confinement period. Her first experience in Cornwall is not a pleasant one. However, Julia is not content to sit around so she also ventures out to the community around her. She soon discovers that there are things amiss in the mining community. Her interactions keep involving the Blake brothers, but there is one her heart is drawn to. As the book continues, mystery and unknowns start to compile while the reader tries to figure it out before Julia does.

Having read so many books, I find a book that is unpredictable to be refreshing. Even if I have a hunch about someone or something, I enjoy having surprises along the way. The book reminded me of some aspects from Poldark, which I enjoyed because I could imagine the real struggle of times between miner and owner. Also I could easily imagine the sense of responsibility some owners may have felt versus those who may not have felt so inclined to responsibility for others in the community. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and had a very hard time putting it down until I had finished! Once again, I enjoyed Sarah Ladd’s latest book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor was a delightful read! Julia Twethewey arrives at the estate of her extended family heartbroken but is very quickly introduced to prominent citizens in the small mining community, both those her well-to-do aunt consider appropriate and those she does not. Particularly, she encounters twins Matthew and Isaac Blake who may appear similar but each draws her in a different way.
There is also the little issue of the potentially haunted house, lost treasure, and danger to keep you entertained.
Author Sarah Ladd transports you directly to Regency England as Julia discovers who to trust, who to love, and what her future holds.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor may be Sarah Ladd’s best novel yet. This story has it all — mystery, intrigue, suspense, and romance. This is the kind of story I hated to have to put down. The plot is super engaging. The characters are extremely well written. The writing is stellar; I felt like I was inside the story actively watching everything play out. The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is a story I won’t soon forget.

Isaac Blake is my favorite. He is a dreamboat of a hero — he’s manly and protective, he is handsome and compassionate, and he is honorable and intelligent. He always wants to make the right choice because he never wants to let anyone down or cause anyone unnecessary pain. Unfortunately for Isaac, his sense of never letting anyone down is so strong he sometimes becomes inactive and doesn’t make any decision at all. He gets so caught up in what could potentially go wrong that he becomes stagnant. A pastor I love to listen to — Alistair Begg — once said, “Tomorrow is the devil’s favorite word.” The idea here is that sometimes we put off today what we should do because we allow our fears to get the better of us. When this happens, we’re putting off God’s work. Isaac, because of his fear of failing others, has become very good at saying, “not today.” If God sets things up for us, it is our duty to overcome our fears and worries today so we can accomplish God’s will for us. Easier said than done, I know, but a great reminder for us today for sure. Does Isaac learn his lesson and overcome? Well, you’ll just have to purchase a copy of The Thief of Lanwyn Manor to find out!

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is a highly engaging, well-written novel I highly recommend. Sarah Ladd is a fabulous storyteller, and I look forward to the third installment in this outstanding series.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Solid regency set outside of London and the season with characters who develop and grow through the course of the book. Recommended for anyone looking for a true historical with a little mystery thrown in.

I've enjoyed other books by this author and was excited to read this new one. It moved rather slowly for the first half I kept putting it down thinking I wouldn't finish. It seemed to be filled with a lot of frivilous things, a little bit of mystery, and not much that interested me. It reminded me of Northanger Abbey.
Then about 75% into the book it picked up pace. The mystery part of the novel picked up, the subtle romance developed more and the questionable characters became more suspicious. I found myself reading straight through to the end fairly quickly once it picked up pace. At first I was only going to give it three stars because it was not too interesting in the beginning and I almost didn't finish it. But because I received this ARC through netgalley I wanted to finish and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. It's worth reading, just know that it gets better and better.

"The Thief of Lanwyn Manor,"is the second book in the Cornwall Novel series, but it can be read alone.
An unforgettable story of mystery and gothic romance.
It is early 19th-century, Cornwall, England, and Julia is visiting her family at Lanwyn Manor, a companion to her cousin, bedridden and with child. There are dark tales of things not right at the Manor, such as it is haunted and only bad has happened beyond those walls.
Isaac and his twin Matthew who own some of the local mines, and each vying for Julia's attention. Which one is the honest one?
Julia knows her heart, will she follow it?
"Hear me, Son. Family is the only thing on which you can rely." Father to the twins.
I can't wait to read more novels from this wonderful author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC.

It was such fun to travel to Cornwall during Regency times for another riveting and romantic tale from Sarah E. Ladd. The Thief of Lanwyn Manor captured my imagination and my attention and kept me turning pages and guessing to the end. Ladd is a master at crafting richly painted settings and colorful, layered, and engaging characters. Isaac and Julia are wonderful main characters, and there is a stellar cast of secondary characters. The story flowed beautifully and Ladd’s impeccable research was readily apparent. It was interesting learning more about mines and mining in general during those times.

This is the second in the Cornwall Novels series, but it can easily be read as a standalone story. I would recommend this to those who enjoy well-written Regency novels.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As always, Sarah Ladd has created an incredible and memorable story. I love the time period and the setting of Cornwall. It made me picture a combination of “Poldark” and “North and South” and the hardships people endured and yet the strength of character and community developed by the very same.

Ms. Ladd’s writing creates the full visual and sensory experience, making me feel that I am there in the moment to experience all that both Julia and Isaac experience.

There was an intriguing mystery and heartfelt romance - truly an unforgettable story.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E Ladd is a wonderful historical romance. Loved the Cornwall early 19th-century setting where readers find Julia visiting Lanwyn Manor, hoping to find a cure for a broken heart. She finds a whole lot more! The characters are well defined and well rounded, with attributes and flaws and they are either likable, relatable, or despicable. They are colorful and riveting--an overbearing aunt, insolent house staff, a sweet cousin bedridden with a difficult pregnancy, and twin brother mine owners, who ultimately compete for Julia's attention. The storytelling is excellent and is replete with lots of twists and turns. There is a mystery afoot in the somewhat gothic manor as well, which helps to keep the interest high. The author has a lovely way with words as she describes the scenery, the homes, the customs, and the mining industry of the 1800s. I enjoyed the book and readers who love a little mystery mixed in with romance set in an English countryside will not want to miss The Thief of Lanwyn Manor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

Until the past year, the Regency era held little to no interest to me. I attribute this to the fact that I’m not a romance novel devotee, nor do I find myself drawn to matchmaking tales or stories about typical marriage customs. I have read a couple of Jane Austen’s books, and I didn’t care for either one. I prefer the Colonial or Victorian periods. However, last year I read a couple of Christian fiction titles set during the Regency era, and to my surprise, I actually enjoyed them! One of these was “The Governess of Penwythe Hall”, which is book one of The Cornwall Novels series. As a result, I did not hesitate for a moment to sign up for the sequel!

“The Thief of Lanwyn Manor” shares many of the themes of its predecessor, but with a unique plot that Sarah Ladd weaves into another intricate tapestry. This book could be read as a standalone, as there are very few spoilers, but I always recommend reading a series in order when possible to get the most out of it and to appreciate how everything comes together. Either way, this second book also has a simultaneously mysterious and romantic air about it. Fans of Abigail Wilson will enjoy The Cornwall Novels, and it is that layer of foggy inscrutability that most draws me to these books. There is an underlying aura of disquiet that permeates the story, an instinctive type of foreshadowing that blends into the romance and makes the narrative intriguing. The plot unfolds slowly but steadily, the pacing appropriate for the style.

As for the characters, they are well-developed overall. Julia Twethewey, a child in “Penwythe Hall”, is now 19 and thankful for the opportunity to serve as temporary companion for her cousin, Jane, who is confined to bed for the last trimester of her pregnancy. Part of Julia’s motivation is also to fulfill both her desire and society’s expectation to marry well: “Of course she was in search of a husband. Every single lady of marriageable age was eager for security.” The twins, Isaac and Matthew, add romantic tension and enhance the mysterious elements, and numerous secondary characters populate the narrative to balance the scales. Because of the novel’s location setting, mining plays a significant role, and I learned about the struggles and dangers involved in this livelihood, which in this case become a primary source of conflict. As is still true today, different places, even when near each other, can be vastly diverse in their values and way of life. As Julia notes, “Geographically she was not that far from home, but indeed, there was no denying she was in a very different world.” Nevertheless, as “The Thief of Lanwyn Manor” goes to show, it is not where we live that truly matters, but rather who we are and how we live and, most importantly, Who goes with us.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Sarah E. Ladd is a master of regency romances and I think this is my favorite of hers! Atmospheric and romantic, this one kept me glued to the page. I've seen several others compare the feel of it to Poldark and I'd agree - that's exactly what I thought of as I read. Loved it!

This charming, sweet romance set in Cornwall, England is a mashup of vibes of Agatha Christie, Jane Austen and Poldark. Ball gowns and mining mixed with treasure, secrets, and a dash of local gossip to keep things interesting. A fun read, while a bit slow at times, it is a lovely regency novel with a decent (if not slightly predictable) mystery woven throughout.

I don't usually talk much about book covers especially in reviews. I am making an exception for this one. The cover is breathtaking and immediately drew me to the book. It fits right with the story and the time period. The opening of the book will have many readers on the edge of their seat. Good grief ,I uttered as I began the story. This poor woman who has come to help out her family is staring down the barrel of a gun. The author does an excellent job of making the story intriguing as we are introduced to the stunning Julia. Her presence will stir up a mystery and perhaps grab someone's heart.

I loved learning about the mines and how hard it is to endure the dangers as they work. I would get anxious and have to run out at the first little rumble I heard. Isaac and Mathew may be brothers but they are nothing alike. Matthew seemed calculated and kinda shady. I did not trust his interest in Julia at all. Isaac is very caring and his intentions are honest. It is a sure sign that something is not right when Matthew pursues Julia and wants to marry her quickly. I smell a rat somewhere and I hope Julia is not fooled by dashing good looks and words that mean nothing.

The more I got into the book, the better the story became. The author weaves a tale of mystery that had me reading as fast as I could. Yes there are characters that are not trustworthy in the story and it causes danger for several. Decisions will be made in the story that will cause heartache and perhaps happiness. I can't give anything away so let me leave you with this. Find a comfortable place, grab a blanket and get ready to transport back to 1818 England where trust, danger and a mystery will keep you glued to the book. This is a must read for all Regency fiction fans. If you aren't a fan of this type of story you will be after reading this book.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I loved this story and the main characters of Julia and Isaac. They were wonderful people. They were willing to help others over themselves. This story had secrets and intrigue. I did not want to put this book down. I needed to know how Isaac was going to be able to help all the people in the village. There were many twists and turns that had me guessing about what might happen next. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A gothic romance, set on the mysterious shores of Cornwall.



Julia Twethewey accepts the invitation of her cousin to visit Cornwall, and is swept into the local politics and cutthroat world of mining. There are rumors of mysterious occurrences, as things begin to disappear, Julia wonders just what she has gotten herself into. She finds a friend in a neighboring mine owner's son, Isaac, who is kind hearted to a fault, but is it too soon for her recently broken heart?



Isaac is the younger son of a priminant mine owner, with a passion for fair treatment for the miners. He and his twin brother have worked alongside each other for years, Matthew is the face of the business, while Isaac does much of the legwork of the family business. I admired his strong work ethic and his care for others.



There is a lot going on in this book with the eeries goings on at the house, business politics of mining in Cornwall, as well as family drama, and obstacle-filled romance. I admired both Isaac and Julia, their friendship grew naturally over the course of the book, and how they supported each other through the trials that they faced. Highly enjoyable, with surprise twists along the way, with great tension between the characters as their various relationships are navigated.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love a good Regency story filled with intrigue, suspense, great characters, dastardly characters, struggle, dreams, hope, healing and love (and I could probably add several more words to that list but I'll refrain). And let me tell you, this one has it all! I've been hooked on Sarah E. Ladd's books since I came across the second book she had published at my public library. The cover was gorgeous and I just had to read it. After that I've picked up every one of her books that I can to enjoy. But this one is going to have the privilege of being my favorite of her books so far!

I couldn't put it down. I read and read and read. Luckily (but not really luckily) I hadn't been feeling well and not sleeping well at night, so I had this lovely gem to keep me company in my sleepless state. It was wonderful. While I was reading at night I kept imaging and picturing myself there in Cornwall with these characters. It starts with a bang and ends with a bang! All the little things happening throughout the book, the little details, watch for those and see if you can figure out who the thief is and why. Very intriguing. I had my guesses. I was right on some and slightly (but not really) surprised on others. Read it and you'll understand.

There is a bit of a love triangle...kind of. It's complicated. Kind of. Do I have you confused? I can't clarify because then I'd give away information that you have to read the book to figure it out all on your own. Piece it together if you will. Which characters are really as they seem? Which characters aren't? Well, just so you know, there are some surprises waiting for you in that regards because you might not believe your eyes. There are some vexing characters too. *cough, cough, the aunt or mother figure* (Is that really all that surprising? They do tend to get a bad rap sometimes, what with having the vapors and all and tremors and needing to take to their beds, it's all too much for them to handle because of their delicate constitutions. Ok, not all of them are that way but you get my gist.)

I found the mining aspect of the story very interesting. Learning a little bit more about the history of mining in the Cornwall area (or rather in that time period because there were similar mines in other locations than Cornwall). I've read many books set in Cornwall, mostly all focused on smuggling, so it was great to read about another industry there (a non-illegal industry).

I hope you enjoy this one if you pick it up. And just a heads up, if you are a fan of Sarah E. Ladd's and read the first book in this series, you'll discover that the main character in this book was one of the young charges in the first book. That was a fun connection and it meant that we saw just a little glimpse of the main characters from the first book.

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril and suspense but nothing graphic. Nothing more than a few sweet kisses.

I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Great descriptive writing- the scene is set vividly and the characters multifaceted.  Well crafted story, full of intrigue and suspicious characters to wonder about.  The romance is sweet, clean, and fulfilling.  Of course all resolves in the end - with a very satisfying, sweet conclusion!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.