Beneath His Silence

Author: Hannah Linder
Genre: Regency Romance
Release Date: October 31, 2022

Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?
 
A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author.
 
Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.
 
Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.
 
Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

“The curse had settled upon the house. In dim and haunting fog, this silence had woven its cold fingers through every window and down every corridor. It had inhabited every room, every stairwell. It had managed its way to the garden, touching every bursting bloom, until the petals dried and withered. After a time, the curse had reached as far as the cliffside, where the breeze suddenly lacked warmth and the horizon lost beauty.”
 
Whoa, this was a story that wrapped around me in every way possible! I loved the gothic undertone and atmospheric feel tingling down my spine, causing goose flesh to spring upon my skin. This one immersed me in its pages so completely! It's truly a beautifully written, haunting tale from a debut author that I am already a fan of. Hannah Linder is one to watch for in the future!
 
What started out as a lady bent on revenge for the death of her sister, turned out to be a tale of mystery, adventure and a touch of suspense. Ella Pemberton only believes what her late father and the whispering gossips told of Lord Henry Sedgewick of Wyckhorn Manor; the brooding hero who was accused of killing his wife. She does the unthinkable & impossible when she poses as a mere Governess to young Peter, wanting to expose the truth her father was never able to. But as each layer is peeled away, she discovers that things begin to prove quite the opposite. Is Lord Sedgewick indeed guilty, or could there be deeper truths that remain hidden?
 
As I turned each page, I loved how the story deepened and became something I didn't expect! This is the kind of story that surrounds you & makes you forget the real world around you. I could have read this in one sitting because I didn't want to miss a single moment of it. As for the romance, oh my word, it developed in spite of Ella & Henry's resistance. It sizzles just beneath the surface, and when it fully blooms, wow! I also loved the faith thread that added another layer and set the tone for the theme of forgiveness and redemption only God can grant.
 
“If you have not seen proof of Him Miss Woodhart, I daresay you have never really looked. ~Henry to Ella”
 
If you are a fan of Gothic Regency novels, or stories that parallel Michelle Griep or Jaime Jo Wright's On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor then you will love this one!!
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. 

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Reviewer: Kristina Hall

Characters: Both Henry and Ella were well-developed characters. I'm not a fan of brooding characters, so I found Henry frustrating at times. I enjoyed Ella's spiritual arc.

Language: Clean.

Moral/theme: This novel featured themes of salvation, guilt, and trust.

Plot: Plenty of drama, moments of suspense, and an air of mystery kept the plot moving right along. From the other reviews I've read, I believe Beneath His Silence drew inspiration from some of the classics. I'm not a big reader of the classics, but those who are will enjoy finding the similarities.

Random comments: I love the cover!

Romance: Clean. Just kissing.

Writing: Hannah Linder's writing worked well for this novel. The characters' dialogue seemed quite historical and reminded me of the British shows my mom and sister are fond of.

Overall: Beneath His Silence was an interesting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and Regency romances with a touch of suspense.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

I think I just found a new favourite author! Hannah Linder's Regency Gothic Romance has everything you look for in this genre.

With a definite Jane Eyre vibe, the reader is immediately drawn in by Ella Pemberton. She is determined to discover why Lord Sedgewick of Wyckhorn Manor killed her sister Lucy. Posing as a governess, she finds a way in, but what she finds, once inside, proves more sinister than she expected.

Henry (Lord Sedgewick) doesn't know what to think of Ella. She is impertinent and seems to not know her place. He has no idea she is his dead wife's sister. While both have secrets to keep, one thing is clear - their growing attraction to one another.

With themes of forgiveness and redemption, this book has, as I said, a definite Jane Eyre vibe. So much so that the author has taken the Jane Eyre story and given it a little twist that is shocking and unforgettable. I look forward to the author's next book!

​I received a review copy courtesy of Barbour Fiction through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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