A Castaway in Cornwall

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 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? ( )

The best part about this book is the cover: major kudos to the artists and/or designers who had a hand in it. ( )

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. ( )

A Castaway in Cornwall is Regency fiction at its finest. There is intrigue associated with war and smuggling and questions about Alexander Lucas's true identity. Klassen teases us with Laura's interest in this unknown survivor and I kept hoping that Laura's gentle and trusting nature wasn't being taken advantage of. Laura is an outcast needing to experience the joy of belonging and I love when she finally understands that all of us are valuable in God's eyes.

This is a wonderful story of love and forgiveness and I recommend A Castaway in Cornwall to all who enjoy inspirational historical romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

Laura, who salvages things found on the beach and tries to get them back to their owners, finds the biggest surprise in man almost dying from the latest wreck. This book is written well and keeps you turning the page and staying up too lates. ( )