My rating: 4/5
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5Published: October 31, 2024
Author: Matilda Lockwood
Genre: Historical romance, Adventure
Bound by duty, yet drawn by desire—will Cecelia follow her family to a new world or forge her own path with a daring artist?
In the shadowed halls of Castle Rowley, maid and expectant mother Cecelia faces a future she never asked to cross the Atlantic with her family for a new beginning in America, far from their troubled past at the castle. But her encounter with Kunal, a passionate woodcarver from the East India Company, ignites a different fire within her. He sees her—truly sees her—and inspires her to pursue her hidden talent for drawing.
As their secret romance blooms, Cecelia is caught in a tumult of heart and duty. With her departure looming, she must embrace the safety of the path laid out for her, or risk everything for the life and love she dreams of?
Treasures of Castle Rowley is a tale of love’s power to defy expectations and the bravery required to follow one’s heart.
Treasures of Castle Rowley is a continuation from the first book, Secrets of Castle Rowley which featured Annabel. Treasures, however, is about Cecelia who is a pregnant scullery maid with a keen eye for artistic endeavors. She's very talented in arts but could not venture much into it due to her condition and also her family's circumstances. One day, a chanced encounter with Kunal, a talented woodcarver, in the market changed her life forever.
Here is my take on the first book:
"Every journey shapes us, even the most difficult ones," she said gently. ''What matters is how we carry it forward.''
The storyline may lean towards the norm, since such pregnancy would have been frown upon during those times, but it is common in the current world hence it is easier to relate to. I could imagine while reading it, as though I'm watching a Diva channel type of movie! The writing is fluid, and the pace is definitely better than the first with more adventurous plots. I have enjoyed the book from the start until when it reaches towards the end. I find the ending a little comedic, a little rush. I guess I would have preferred a little slow burn or a little dramatic LOL! With that said, I do enjoy this more than book 1 :-)
''Reading should bring joy, not frustration. If it doesn't, then it's simply the wrong book.''
In summary, even though the story started on the 'wrong footing', it has a 'happy ever after' ending after a tumultuous adventure! All's well that ends well! My heartfelt gratitude to the author for taking the trouble to post this book to me. She has even included many gifts that I will definitely treasure, especially these lovely bookmarks that she has handmade them herself!
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