The Nature of a Lady

Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Secrets of the Isles #1
Release Date: May 4, 2021

Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn't favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage's former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished. 

Oliver Tremayne--gentleman and clergyman--is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he's happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth's summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it's the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can't quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

---

Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

With a fascinating setting in the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall in the summer of 1906, The Nature of a Lady swept me away to a great adventure.

While this story had a different flavor than most of Roseanna M. White’s previous books, it still had the colorful, realistic, and engaging characters which I’ve come to expect from her writings. Lady Elizabeth Sinclair is an intelligent, unassuming, and charming heroine who travels to the Isles of Scilly with her maid Mabena Moon for a summer holiday. Oliver Tremayne is a well-respected and loved vicar who is compassionate and helpful. It was delightful to see their relationship grow and develop as they worked together to solve the mystery of Oliver’s missing sister, Beth.

I greatly enjoyed learning more about the Isles of Scilly and visiting there vicariously. Although there were a few parts of the tale that seemed a bit slow to me, there was plenty of adventure and suspense to make up for that. With the added inspiration and romance thrown in, it was a wonderful read, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

I can always count on a good book if Roseanna M. White writes it. The Nature of a Lady, the first in the Secrets of the Isles series, introduces us to strong female characters, a mystery, romance and a sweet faith element that will speak to many.

I was quite intrigued to discover the Isles of Scilly. I had never heard of them, and I feel like I've been on vacation with Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair. The vivid descriptions of the beach, the gardens, and even the caves make me wish I could visit this enchanting tourist spot. 

I loved Libby's quest for independence, and more than once, I pictured myself in her place. Sadly, I wouldn't have had as much restraint as she did and would have told my brother to shove off and bopped him in the nose. I like reading historical fiction, but I'm so glad I wasn't born then. Unfortunately for Libby, she had to run away on a "vacation" to avoid the fiancé her brother picked out for her. And when she arrives in Scilly, it isn't too long before she stumbles upon a mystery. Or rather, the mystery comes to her and lots of danger along with it.

I loved the cast of characters in this one. Each had a powerful story to tell, and each grew to make this historical romance stay with you long after reading the last page. I highly recommend it.

I received this book courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

---

---

Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

" I always say that there are some born here. Some who visit. Some who leave. Others who stay. . . . . When we stay, it's because the islands know our names . . . "

Did these islands possibly know her name? Lady Elizabeth Sinclair wondered if anyone in her life had truly known her name, the hopes and dreams it represented . . . certainly not her brother, or he would have never insisted that she marry a man whom she hardly knew, much less loved. Surely sneaking away on a summer holiday would only postpone the inevitable, nevertheless, the Isles of Scilly would provide her with hours of uninterrupted enjoyment, for she was a lady who loved exploring nature far more that tittering away her time mingling with polite society. But never in her wildest imagination could Elizabeth have anticipated getting mixed up with the perplexing, albeit dangerous secrets of Isles. Or its handsome vicar.

"I'm just not a man of science, my lady. I'm also a man of faith. The sort who says God created an orderly universe, set rules in motion, . . . but who also believes that a God who made such rules can also break them on rare, very special occasions. . .. . . He can raise the dead."

Oliver Tremayne was a puzzle, to be sure. So knowledgeable about creation, and yet willing to have faith in a God whom he couldn't see. So kind, so genuine, so manly . . . . Elizabeth had never entertained the thought that she might take delight in studying a specimen of the male species. Birds, bugs, and flowering plants usually held her attention; but this man . . . and his friends, and his family (one of whom was missing, the other being missed already), and his faith. And they would need ever bit of all three to find the kind of treasure that others had been willing to kill for.

Enticing, entertaining, and enchanting all describe this considerable volume of pure reading pleasure, with its myriad of interesting characters who serve to evoke a lush, imaginative mirage of an island paradise where everyone knows your name.

"Libby . . . . listened to the night insects as they made their debut. And could swear that when the wind blew again, she could hear the islands whisper, 'Elizabeth'. "

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Mindy Houng

"He knows your name. Your true name, the one at the heart of you that has never been spoken. He knows you, and He calls you by it. You, in all your uniqueness...He knows how you fit into this world."

What a delightful start to the Secrets of the Isles series! Roseanna White is a master storyteller who weaves a fascinating tale with an intriguing plot infused with mystery and suspense, witty dialogue among the 1900 English nobility and the common folk, lovable characters who are diverse in background and interests, and deeply profound spiritual truths. The central theme of 'to know and be known' is beautifully laid out in the plot and in the characters' lives. This book has more mystery and a shroud of intrigue surrounding the plot than her previous books, and the plot has some nicely placed twists. If you enjoy historical fiction with a side of pirates and treasure-hunting, you will absolutely adore this book.

Libby is an unusual earl's sister - a naturalist with a keen scientific mind and a refreshing innocence, sweetness, and tenderness. She feels lost in her world until she comes to the Isles of Scilly. Oliver is a vicar on the islands who is truly lovely - so compassionate, caring, and loving. They're brought together when Oliver's sister goes missing, and Libby becomes embroiled in the mystery and danger surrounding her disappearance. Mabena, Libby's maid, and Casek, Oliver's life-long nemesis, are fun and their relationship adds a different dimension to the plot. I can't wait for the next book in the series to get to know the other characters better.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

“Perhaps you weren't perfectly adapted to the environs into which you were born, Libby. But that doesn't mean He made a mistake in where He put you. It means only that He set you on a journey, like any other migratory creature who needs different settings for different seasons. He led you here. ~pg. 221”
 
“He wanted more for her. Wanted her to love the Creator with the same boundless fascination with which she loved His creation. Wanted her to trust Him as she had so quickly come to trust Oliver.~ pg. 250”
 
I've only read Rosanna's Ladies of the Manor series when it came out in 2015 and I absolutely fell in love with her writing style, her story settings, and the way she draws you completely into the pages of the book. I knew The Nature of a Lady would be a little different of a style for her, but still contain the things I came to expect; a great blend of romance and historical details.
 
I was really intrigued with the setting of this story, the Isles of Scilly. I'd never heard of this place before so it was with fascination that I explored it along with Libby—aka Lady Elizabeth Sinclair. Having escaped her overbearing brother's plan to marry her off to Lord Sheridan, at least for the summer anyway, she finds herself quickly drawn into the culture of the island and its people. Having a keen eye for nature & a sharp scientific mind, there's much fodder for exploration on this beautiful but mysterious land. There's also rumor of possible pirate treasure, that's where this story takes an unexpected twist!
 
Our hero Oliver Temayne was the local vicar and beloved by all. Watching him work his “elbow magic” on Libby (you'll find out more about that) and his gentle nature will endear you to him. His quest to find his missing sister, also named Elizabeth, was part of the mystery in the story.
 
So if you're up for some adventure, a little bit of a mystery to solve, finding a hidden pirate treasure, a beautiful island to explore, an unusual hero & heroine to get to know along with a whole cast of characters, faith, and of course a gentle love story, then I know you'd enjoy this as much as I did. Fans of Roseanna White’s other books will find this just as delightful, with a little twist!
 
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

---