CFBA Tour: The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Maid of Fairbourne Hall Bethany House (January 1, 2012) by Julie Klassen   
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.

She graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?

Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?

On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE

I GIVE THIS BOOK:


MY THOUGHTS:
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is a masterfully woven novel that drew me in from the first sentence, and didn't let me go until the conclusion. At first, I didn't think I was going to like Margaret at all. She seemed very self-centered, spoiled, and inconsiderate. However, my view of her changed very quickly and soon I absolutely loved her.

Margaret's father-in-law is such a horribly greedy man. He is willing and actually encourages his nephew, Marcus, to compromise Margaret in the hopes of making her marry Marcus. His plan backfires when she overhears him telling Marcus this and she flees the house that night!

I really like the scene when Margaret is cleaning the upstairs bedrooms, one is messy and the other one is nearly pristine. She immediately assumes that the neat one is Lewis's bedroom and is shocked when she discovers it is Nathaniel's. This is just the first thing she discovers she is wrong about Nathaniel.

I loved this book and think it is Julie's best work to date. I have read all of Julie's other books and this is now my favorite. I highly recommend The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. If you decide to read it, make sure that you start it when you have enough time to read it in one sitting; because if you find that you enjoy it as much as I did, you won't want to put it down. I foolishly started it late in the evening and wound up staying up very late to finish it.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***