Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.
While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast–known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors–Laura … survivors–Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.
As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents’ fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?
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“I feel like a castaway, set adrift on the tide by the long-ago deaths of my parents, and left wanting answers. Is there a plan in all this? Does God truly hold my fate in His hands, or has my life all been happenstance, the mysterious ebb and flow of chance? ~Laura pg. 8”
I think we all have asked this at one time in our life or another; is there truly a plan God has for us, or is it all happenstance? Julie Klassen explores this in her newest novel where she takes our heroine, Laura Callaway, on a journey to discover the answer to that very question. She feels adrift after the deaths of her parents & never really a part of her uncle’s family, though he cares a great deal for her. Until one day she finds a barely alive stranger washed ashore after a shipwreck, thus changing the course of her life as she sets out to discover who he is.
Alexander Lucas is our hero; a mysterious, dark stranger who keeps hold his secrets. I don’t blame Laura for being a bit wary of him! The more she begins to get to know & trust him, the more tangled this story got, all in a good way. I enjoyed peeling back the layers of who his character was to get a deeper understanding of his life. I fell in love with him the moment Laura brought him into her care and just had a feeling he was one of the good ones.
This story had a definite Poldark feel that I very much savored! There’s not a character in here that I didn’t like, with the exception of our villains, who truly made my skin crawl. There’s plenty of mystery in A Castaway in Cornwall along with danger, secrets, and an immersive atmosphere that will take you on an adventure through the pages. Julie Klassen is already one of my top historical writers and I really liked the feel of her latest installment. It’s a bit more suspenseful than her usual Regencies, but definitely a good change! Oh and you can’t forget the romance, it sizzles & sparks so when our hero & heroine are finally able to get together…wowser….pure magic! The faith message is strong with many deeply rooted truths and reminders of God’s promises in our lives. Watching Laura taking those truths in her heart & finding her place in the Lord was very encouraging to me. I recommend this book to inspirational historical fans, Julie Klassen fans & those who love all things Cornwall or Poldark!
“I used to wonder if there was a plan in all the loss I experienced. Now I know the answer. Yes. Once, I feared I would never belong anywhere again. But I no longer ask myself if I am flotsam or jetsam, cast off and unwanted. I finally understand that in God’s hands, and now in Alexander’s arms, I am truly home. ~Laura pg. 378”
*I received a complimentary digital copy through Netgalley and wasn’t obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are mine. *
Rich in historical detail and populated with colorful, interesting characters, Julie Klassen’s book, A Castaway in Cornwall, whisked me away to the wild Cornwall shores and kept me captivated to the end. I enjoyed learning more about the history and customs of Cornwall, and I could tell that Klassen had done her research on the area. Set in the early 1800s, this tale featured Laura Callaway and a shipwreck survivor named Alexander. I enjoyed the interaction between the two.
With plenty of intrigue, suspense, adventure, and a dash or two of romance, this novel has something for everyone. Themes of family and home, belonging, and forgiveness add to the satisfaction of the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Loved the gorgeous setting, the Cornish customs and traditions, and a plot that whisked me away. The heroine endeared herself to me by creating a purpose for herself, and one that was so important and compassionate for people she’d never met. Pieces of the hero’s past were revealed in stories along the way, but without using the time-slip format. I appreciated knowing his history because the plot wouldn’t have been as meaningful without it. Fans of Poldark or Cornwall in general will not want to miss this story.
I love Julie Klassen’s novels. They are high-quality stories clearly well researched and well written. A Castaway in Cornwall is no exception. This story is breathtaking. I found the plot engaging. The characters all unique and realistic. The romance sweet and satisfying. And, the themes timely and thought-provoking. A Castaway in Cornwall is a true 2020 must-read that I highly recommend.
One of my most favorite aspects to Klassen’s novels is that her characters are realistic. They may believe in God, but they are also angry or hurt or struggling or frustrated or questioning. They aren’t perfect even when they seem perfect. I really love Laura’s character in this novel. She is a truly good person. She is law-abiding when many around her are rule-benders. She genuinely cares for others — even those who seem like outcasts. To Laura, a person in need is a person in need no matter his/her race, financial status, or position in society. She is always respectful no matter what. And, she is humble. Add to this that she is beautiful and Laura appears to be the perfect Christian character. But Laura knows better. She knows she is holding resentment in her heart. She knows she needs to forgive but struggles to do so. She knows she can have a haughty attitude towards others. And, she knows she looks like a good Christian girl, but really she is just going through the steps as if she is following a “good-girl, Christian checklist.” Laura knows she is a woman who needs fixing, but how does one get “fixed” when it feels like God has deserted her? And, herein lies the spiritual crux of this story. Laura’s physical journey in this novel is a metaphor for the spiritual journey we all must endure in order to see just how much God works in our lives. God loves His kids and He is an active Father, but we kids have to be willing to pause, self-reflect, and stop making assumptions that God is impotent just because we don’t get what we want when we want it. This is a superior and timely message we all need to hear today. Does Laura realize just how important she is to her Heavenly Father? Does she do what she needs to in order to see God active in her life? Well, you’ll just have to read this superb story to find out.
A Castaway in Cornwall is a beautiful, hope-filled, satisfying Historical Romance that I highly recommend. If you are a fan of Julie Klassen’s stories, and if you love well-researched, romantic, and engaging Historical Fiction, then A Castaway in Cornwall is the novel for you!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Laura Callaway has felt like an outside ever since her parents died. She struggles to understand the ways of the people of North Cornwall. A mysterious survivor of a shipwreck washes ashore, and she feels obliged to care for him. It soon becomes clear that he is not who he claims to be, but is the truth more dangerous than Laura is prepared to handle?
This was an interesting read. I really enjoyed the first half of the book. As someone who has moved frequently, I sympathized with Laura’s feeling of being out of place. But it also meant I felt little patience that she had been in Cornwall for five years and hadn’t attempted to adjust to her new home.
The romance was…alright. Definitely not my favorite and not one I will remember. The attraction between them was apparent, but I wasn’t convinced it was love. Alexander lied often, and Laura had to persist to learn the truth. And yet, she fell for him in spite of the lies.
As I said, I enjoyed the first half. The world building and details of the area were lovely. However, I felt like the last half took a took that I could find realistic. It was too much of a stretch for me to enjoy.
Overall, not an awful read, just not an immediate favorite. Readers of Regency romance looking for a Christian read with an edge of adventure may enjoy this one.
I loved everything about this book!
I was captivated through out the whole book. It has historical history, forgiveness,love, romance, wonderful characters and so much more!
All these together have made this book wonderful!!!!
I have a new favorite Julie Klassen novel!! This book was just wonderful, with its mystery plot line and its great characters. I had trouble putting this book down because I wanted to know what happened next. I also loved the location and settings of this novel. I really want to visit Cornwall and Jersey after reading this story! Basically this was a pretty perfect read for me. And that cover is gorgeous! My hard copy of this book is a beautiful addition for my keeper shelf.
The best book by Julie Klassen! Very well written plot and well developed characters keep you glued to the pages as we have come to expect from Klassen. Each of her books has been my favorite and somehow better than the previous book. Step back in time to a small town along the dangerous shores of Cornwall where there are plenty of shipwrecks, treasure, pasties to eat, and a mystery to solve. Really hoping there is a book two to continue the story. Now read to find out why.
A Castaway in Cornwall is my new favorite Julie Klassen book! Adventure, mystery, romance, and faith combine to make a captivating, unputdownable Regency read. Once again, Ms. Klassen demonstrates her amazing storytelling expertise in this story which is replete with vivid descriptions and imagery that give life to the characters and setting. The characters are well-drawn and memorable. The romance is slow-building and sweet. I love Laura and Alex and the way their relationship develops despite secrets and difficult circumstances. The story is rich in historical detail, and real life historical people and places are seamlessly woven into the fictional story. I enjoyed the interesting, informative epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter which added depth and authenticity to the story. This book is a wonderfully entertaining and absorbing read from cover to cover, and I highly recommend it.
Julie Klassen is an auto-read author for me and has been for years. I love her ability to pen great novels with intriguing plot lines, sweet romance and elements of faith. A Castaway in Cornwall had all of these elements plus a measure of danger which kept me riveted to the story. If you haven’t read this yet, add it to your to-be-read list! The only downside is that I am once again up-to-date on having read all of her books and must wait months to read the next one. Fans of Christian historical fiction should definitely check this one out!
Very cute book. Great characters and lots of historical details that were fun to read about. I was worried there would be a sad ending, but thankfully there was a happy ever after. I was able to listen to the audio version of this book and the narrator was great.
Synopsis:
Laura Callaway came to Cornwall following the loss of her parents. Since that time, she’s felt like an outsider. Yet, she finds some belonging as she wanders the cost looking for lost items that she strives to return to their owners. When a shipwreck brings an injured man into her life, Laura works to save his life. However, not all is as it seems with her injured sailor. He has secrets that might just suck Laura in and change her life forever.
Review:
My favorite part of this book summed up in one word: setting! I absolutely loved the setting from the sea to the cliffs to the sunken church, it was incredible. It was more than just a place, it played a pivotal role in the story. I felt transported to another time and place thanks to Klassen’s descriptions. I also enjoyed the storyline and characters, but the setting made me want to drop everything and hop on a plane. If you want to do a bit of traveling, but have to stay where you are, A Castaway in Cornwall is a great option.
I love the history and experiencing the way of life along the Cornwall coast. The intrigue with France layers the drama with prejudices and fears. Julie Klassen has another wonderful novel that captures the imagination.
Laura was orphaned as a young girl, sent to live with her aunt, who also died. She was loved by her Uncle, but when he remarried she became unwanted. She had a habit of going down by the sea, looking for items that washed ashore from shipwrecks, which were common there. She was on shore when a shipwreck happened and witnessed a man washed up on shore, all other passengers lost. She protected him and had him brought to her neighbors house where she helped nurse him back to health. The story unfolds from there for both Laura and Alexander, their backgrounds and family stories interestingly told, and neither of them fit in. Danger twists in during this time of war between France and England. The wreckers are also interesting to learn about, adding to the mystery. Intriguing, holds your interest to the very end. Another get lost in story by Julie Klassen.
I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #ACastawayInCornwall #JulieKlassen #5Stars #ChristianHistorical #Bethany
I absolutely loved the moody atmosphere of this book with its Cornish setting and air of mystery. Laura is a character that’s easy to sympathize with- she’s not in the most ideal circumstances, but she makes the best of it with grace and strength. Her compassion for her elderly neighbor and the genuine friendship they share shows a lot about her personality. As a collector myself, I thought her beach combing was an interesting quirk, and one that led to the rescue of Alexander. One of my favorite storylines is where the heroine nurses the hero back to health, and I particularly enjoyed the friendship and slow romance between Laura and Alexander. The way the details of his life unfolded slowly throughout the book kept me enthralled and the sense of danger added urgency to the plot. This is a book of discovery in more ways than one! Highly recommend!
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
While Laura searches for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast, Laura finds a man is washed ashore after a shipwreck, Laura takes him in, nurses and protects him until she can figure out just who he is. Returning items to their rightful owners is something Laura does and this man seems to have a special need that she feels she can help with. A little mystery and a little romance. I requested a copy through NetGalley, no review was required. My review is voluntary.
The writing is good. The research is great. Laura is all that is good. She is not perfect, but she is lovely inside and out. There are many wonderful people in the story. Captain Alexander did not impress me. He has some great character traits, but not when it comes to women. Although I found myself wishing for a different ending, the story has one of my all-time favorite proposal scenes. You will have to read the book to understand what I mean.
Julie Klassen always does an amazing job bringing the time period and setting to life. It makes me want to take a trip to Cornwall. The heroine is very unique, and I wanted to see her accomplish her goals and find what she was seeking. Those who enjoy well written Regency novels with mystery, inspiration, and romance will enjoy A Castaway in Cornwall.
I am a Julie Klassen fan. I’m also a Winston Graham ( Poldark) fan. Both of them write really long, descriptive, historical fiction. Where WG might focus more on describing the countryside, the political climate, or a character’s personality, JK focuses more on women’s fashion, emotional/romantic background, and proper etiquette of the time. Really, I don’t think you could go wrong reading either author. And Cornwall is on my bucket list for travel, if that ever happens again after 2020. But until it does—I can read this and dream.
I loved the attention to historical detail in the book. I felt immersed in the local culture and time. The story held my attention from beginning to end. I thought the conversation and dialogue good. The villain was excellent in his role. There was such tragedy but hope in the story. I wasn’t sure about the character Treeve in the story but I like him. I think he was a great addition to the story and clever. I never did come to like Mrs Bray. I feel like the romance was shown and not told. I thought the H witty and likeable.