Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when … Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry–the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust–who in her life is false or true, brass or gold–and what is meant to be treasured.
more
Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd is the first book in her Victorian Ladies series. Written in the first-person, Ms. Byrd immerses you into the middle of 1866 England. Where collecting antiques is a very common hobby of the wealthy. If you’re going to spend a lot of money on an antique you have to know if it’s authentic. That’s where Eleanor Sheffield and Sheffield Brothers come in. They evaluate your treasures. Eleanor learned the business from her father before his passing and now she works with her ailing uncle. The story started off a little slow for me but it didn’t take it long to draw me in. I enjoyed learning more about different collectables without being over whelmed by technical talk. It was a great story and had it all; lost love, suspense, betrayal, and then redemption and a stronger love. This is a well-written story that deserves multiple reads. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd is a treasure indeed.
I found it hard to put aside this exceptional novel to take care of my daily chores.
Sandra immerses us into the lives of Eleanor Sheffield, a curator and evaluator of antiquities, and the wealthy collectors who seek authentication for their treasures. Eleanor has been taught by her father and uncle how to tell an original piece of art from a fraudulent copy. She has learned to trust her eye to spot a forgery. Can she also trust her instincts when it comes to people? Can she trust her uncle’s failing memory, her firm’s longtime employee, or her own perceptions of her beloved’s intentions? It is clear she trusts God to keep her through the many difficulties surrounding her since the death of her father. It has fallen on her to conserve the reputation of Sheffield Brothers, a firm bult by her father and uncle, while forging her way for women to take their place in the business world of Victorian England.
Sandra has done extensive research and even incorporates a few famous people of the time into the story. The legends of the horse pictographs on the chalk cliffs and the Hawthorne brought from the Holy Land were fascinating and added depth and richness to the novel.
The romance was not lacking and was sweetly represented. The object of Eleanor’s affections, Harry, Lord Lydney, is steadfast, thoughtful and loyal to his friends. Harry and Eleanor share a meaningful faith. They show it by living the scripture that they quote. Eleanor has a heart for the downtrodden and makes friends equally above and below her station.
If you are looking for a sweeping tale filled with symbolism, romance, and a Gothic flair— look no farther! This book accomplishes the task. Sandra carefully crafts the plot and authentically captures the flavor of 1866 England. Definitely among my top picks for this year.
*I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to give favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Sandra Byrd is a master at creating those mysterious and atmospheric gothic style novels that I love so much. I have missed novels similar to those by Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt that I once devoured and am thrilled to see a few Christian authors beginning to publish novels in this style. I have loved each and every one of Sandra Byrd’s previous series and if Lady of a Thousand Treasures is any indication, I will also love her Victorian Ladies series.
Lady of a Thousand Treasures held me spellbound from page one until the end. It was fun imagining what the different treasures looked like based on the author’s detailed descriptions of them but it was even more fun to actually see examples shared on her Pinterest board. This particular story is filled with enough mystery and romance to keep me involved and has plenty of twists and unexpected turns to satisfy the most particular reader. Characters are well-rounded and are quite easy to either love or hate but it is not always simple to decide where a couple of them stand.
This is a lovely, lovely book with beautiful prose and so many facts about art and history that most readers will not only be entertained but educated. And of course a subtle message of faith is deftly woven throughout. This author cannot write quickly enough for me but I will have to be patient and perhaps try to slow my reading speed. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and Tyndale House Publishers. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
“He left me and did not return when he said he would. Not once, but twice.”
Filled with doubts about the one man who captured her heart and then dared to misplace it, Eleanor Sheffield is commissioned to either place the vast treasures of the recently deceased Lord Lydney into a museum or allow them to remain in their original home; becoming the sole property of his sole heir; the living, breathing Lord Harry Lydney. As a conservator, Ellie must meticulously document the authenticity of every valuable, while determining whether or not she can trust the man who has seemingly betrayed her. It seems that the Harry she once loved and admired has a myriad of secrets.
Tortured with her conflicting opinions, Ellie has to set aside her personal challenges and find a way to improve her professional reputation among London’s elite collectors, for her family business “Sheffield Brothers” has already lost one brother; her own father, to death, while the remaining partner; her uncle, is suffering with lingering bouts of embarrassing confusion. Meanwhile, debts are rising and clients are dwindling, putting Ellie in the unenviable position of having to sell some of her own valuables. Placing the Lydney collection in the South Kensington Museum would go a long way to boost her prestige among peers, even as her father’s lingering tutelage reminds her to rely upon what her eyes see, rather than upon what others want her to see.
What an intriguing story, finely layered with trust, mistrust, romance and disgust. Fortunately, Ellie is granted the opportunity to realize that she can “be on the outside who (she) was on the inside”, learning that “every circumstance in life doesn’t have to end happily for the Lord to provide a happy ending”. . . .. although it’s quite certain that the ending to this story will prove quite satisfactory; for surely people are life’s greatest treasures.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Sandra Byrd is one of the great modern authors writing historicals today, and “Lady of a Thousand Treasures” does not disappoint. In fact, it may be my favorite yet among her compelling novels.
Yes, Byrd (as always) has her historical facts straight in “Treasures,” but never does she bore readers. From the first paragraph, Bryd draws us in, making it difficult to put her book down. I especially appreciated the themes of testing (one’s faith, one’s own character, and the character of others) and clinging to a mustard seed of faith.
If you love well-written historicals, “Lady of a Thousand Treasures” is a must read!
This much anticipated series starts off with a winner! Ms. Byrd is at the top of her game providing her readers with an original storyline rich with lyrical prose, filled with twists and unexpected turns, endearing characters and spiritual truths that kept me eagerly turning the pages to a very satisfying end. Sandra Byrd’s historical research is impeccable, providing the reader with a wealth of knowledge about the collecting of antiques and historical objects.
Elanor is given the responsibility as trustee of determining who should receive a collection of treasures upon the death of a wealthy client. In Eleanor, the author has given us an intelligent heroine who is eager to prove herself in a field that is dominated by men. Yet, despite her independence, she is vulnerable. Will she ever be treasured, cherished by another? Where can she place her trust?
This captivating book will remain on a shelf with my favorites to be returned to again and again. A most noble hero will have the reader swooning at a very satisfying conclusion.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
” I think treasures mean so much to me because they remind me of people, even when time has passed and I may no longer believe what I once did….They want a fragment of bone or true cross because when things seem dark, and it appears as if God is elusive and does not seem to be responding, they want something to hold on to. Something to prove that the one in whom they trust, at the deepest level, is who they believe them to be.”
” You are beautiful to me in every manifestation. You are clothed in strength and dignity.”
“It is only by testing, or being tested, that we understand whether the substance or the person is as it appears to be or is merely masquerading.”
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This story is filled with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. Eleanore Sheffield’s life has centered around her love of antiques. Growing up her father taught her all he knew about evaluating and obtaining antiques and priceless treasures for the nobility. But now that her father has died and her uncle’s health is rapidly declining, the upkeep of not only the house but the business has fallen on her shoulders.
With the death of Baron Lydney; Eleanore is tasked with not only cataloging but deciding the fate of the items in his vast estate. Should the items be donated to the local museum or should the items be awarded to the Baron’s only son, Harry? Who should she trust?
While this story is as artistic as the countless antiquities described within the pages, the plot seemed to drag in places. This story has an abundance of information and details, and I would suggest that it may be best enjoyed by someone who can carve out large chunks of time for reading it.
For me personally, I recognized several places in the story where the Christian viewpoint would have added greatly to the story, however, it was missing. There were a few mentions of God and trusting in His plan. However, it seemed to fall flat when the characters didn’t act on the knowledge.
Sandra Byrd writes with beautiful word imagery, and really sets up the scenes for the story beautifully. The mystery was expertly woven throughout the story and kept me guessing as to how it would turn out.
While I enjoyed certain aspects of the story, I never could fully get into the story and identify with the characters. I give this story 3-stars.
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Among the books I’ve collected by authors I’ve yet to read but am certain I will enjoy, I have several by Sandra Byrd. Lady of a Thousand Treasures has been waiting on my kindle for some time, but the minute I opened it up to read “just a bit,” I did not want to set it back down.
The lushness, the enchantment of this novel lies in the writing even more than the characters or plot line. Written in first person, the narration somehow has a gentleness, an almost tender feel that reflects the Victorian setting without fully falling into the style of that time. And like a true Victorian heroine, Eleanor Sheffield may not always understand what is going on about her and she is forever sneaking into places she should not be.
As much as a cameo appearance can enrich historical fiction – the poet and painter Gabriel Dante Rossetti in this instance – it is the small pieces of unknown history that truly peak my interest. And in a story of treasures, the Adore ring is the detail that enchanted me. Given to Eleanor before he left her behind without a proposal of marriage by her childhood friend and first love Harry – now Baron Lydney – the jewel missing from the band seems to hold some symbolism within the story. And as their lives become enmeshed by his father’s attempts to control and punish from the grave, it is Harry’s worth and suitability that Eleanor must determine while balancing her duties and meeting every challenge as the threat of debtor’s prison looms should she fail.
It seems fitting that much of the tension in this story are more falsehoods and curiosities than mysteries. When something triggers a memory for Eleanor, I can’t help picturing her standing as if in a daze while others watch and wait for her to come out of it. The pace is gentler than expected based on the book’s description, but the slow burning romance and the unfolding of the various plots and entanglements make for a highly enjoyable, savorable story. And I find that I’m glad to have more Sandra Byrd books waiting.
This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are only my own, honest opinions.
Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.
The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry—the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.
Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.
With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—and what is meant to be treasured.
I had trouble getting into this book. I have read other books by Ms Byrd that were better. It seemed to drag in a lot of sports. I found myself skimming in a lot of places. It did have a happy ending. But it seemed to take a long time to get there. I did have the bad guy figured out before we were told who it was.
I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing by way of NetGalley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Excellent, excellent read! If I could, I’d give more than five stars.
Author Sandra Byrd pens one of the best Victorian romance novels I’ve read.
The historical research conducted in preparation for writing this book is obviously quite extensive.
Eleanor Sheffield is her father’s daughter. With her father’s recent passing, Ellie must step up to the plate and keep Sheffield Brothers running. An antique appraisal business, Ellie’s father is renowned for his skill and knowledge in the world of antiquities. Eleanor is quite a talented appraiser in her own right, unfortunately Ellie struggles to gain respect for her work simply based on her gender.
With the death of a local wealthy baron, Ellie has the opportunity to prove herself more than worthy. She is appointed as the temporary trustee of the baron’s vast and glorious collection of beautiful antiquities. Yet, the monumental task comes with one rather large problem, the baron’s son, Harry, once broke her heart. Even though Harry says he still loves her, Ellie maintains a safe distance between her heart and the man who once almost destroyed it.
As Ellie begins the laborious, yet delightful, task of cataloging and evaluating the late baron’s antiques, strange things begin to occur. A figurine belonging to a set of twelve, disappears and then later reappears. Locked doors for which she has no key. Antiques that are not listed on the baron’s catalog at death, appear. When her uncle, her father’s brother and the other half of Sheffield Brothers, is brutally attacked, and the shop broken into, Ellie realizes there is far more going on.
Somehow Ellie must find away to protect Sheffield Brothers reputation, getting the shop back to good financial standing, while protecting the life of her uncle, along with her own. As the time of evaluating the late baron’s death comes to a close, Ellie faces an extremely important decision…as temporary trustee, it is her decision that determines where the extensive collection will be housed.
Will it stay in the baron’s estate, and therefore, inherited by Harry or will the collection be donated to the auspicious museum that desires it. Someone is trying to sway her decision, one way or another, but who?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions, therein, are solely my own.
@justreadtours
@NetGalley
Sandra Byrd is an excellent writer—I am always assured of a fantastic story when I pick up one of her books, knowing it will be full of mystery, rich detail, and characters worth reading about. I am pleased that this book begins a new series with more to come.
This novel is full of historical detail and even some technical detail, too: we learn where various customs (like Twelfth Night) come from, the horrifying realities of the Victorian prison system, how forgeries were detected before modern techniques became available, and even some about the earliest board games, a favorite pastime in my own home, so of special interest to me.
One of the overarching themes is integrity. How do we know that what or who we are looking at is genuine? While there are no firm answers and sometimes the characters make mistakes, I really appreciate that this is realistic and relatable for those of us reading it. Eleanor is the professional but she is by no means perfect; her lack of confidence causes her to question both the items and the people that surround her.
My absolute favorite thing in any book is when the author does not rush the ending, giving the reader a wonderful sense of closure to the story and our time within it. Byrd does that beautifully, unfolding the mystery and allowing us to savor the conclusion to time very well spent. It was thoroughly satisfying!
While Byrd is undoubtedly one of my favorite authors, she continues to surprise me with the depth of her stories. I can always be sure of a good read that makes me think long after the last page has turned. This book is no exception and I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction in general, though it is especially riveting for those with an interest in the Victorian era.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed are both honest and my own.