Straight Reading from the Library: Lord Esterleigh's Daughter by Kathy Fisher-Brown

Kathy Fischer-Brown has writting an intriguing trilogy that she is touring with Goddess Fish Promotions and I was chosen to be able to read and review the first book of the trilogy Lord Esterleigh's Daughter. Check out the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the post for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift certificate. 

READ THE BLURB

As a child, Anne Fairfield dreams of the father she never knew, the hero who died fighting the French and their Indian allies in a land across the sea. Her mother’s stories, and fantasies of her own devising, sustain and nurture her through a poor and lonely existence. Until one winter night, a strange man comes to call, and the life she has known comes crashing down like shattered glass.

Forced to confront sordid truths, secrets and lies, the headstrong young woman begins to learn that, like generations of women ruled by their hearts, she is destined to follow in their footsteps.

Set against the backdrop of 18th century England, Lord Esterleigh’s Daughter is the first book in “The Serpent’s Tooth” trilogy, which follows Anne from the rural countryside, to London society and into the center of the American Revolution.

READ THE REVIEW

A word of warning up front:  this book is the first in a true trilogy.  If you go into this book expecting  there to be resolution for you, you will be disappointed. It reminds me of the old cliffhanger movie serials ...not that I'm old enough to remember those, btw!!.... with Penelope Trueblood tied to the railroad tracks or strapped to a rocket. Anne is left in less than an ideal position at the end of the book.

That being said, this is a dark Gothic tale of love, revenge, and scandal. Anne is thrust into a world she's not prepared for and doesn't particularly want. She wants the fantasy of the father who would sweep her away from all the pain of growing up in a village that abuses her for being a bastard, but when he comes it's too little too late.  He's not been off in a far away land--he's been just down the road her whole life--and he only comes to make amends on Anne's mother's deathbed (yet another strike against him).

The characters are well-drawn and three dimensional-- in even the secondary characters you see the author's skill at making them real. There were times I wanted to shake Anne or warn her from following a certain path, but at the same time I yearn for her HEA. 

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, because I want to find out what happens to all these characters and follow the various storylines that Ms. Fisher-Brown has created. 

MEET THE AUTHOR

Authors get their ideas in a variety of ways. For me, it’s mainly from dreams—very cinematic dreams—that stay in my head long after I’ve awakened. Mostly these night flicks are nothing more than a collection of cryptic and often unrelated scenes that need to simmer on the back burner while my muse helps to add seasoning and substance to the mix.

I’ve always loved history. Way back in junior high, my mind would wander from dates, battles and treaties to musings on what it might have been like to live in another time. Family vacations always included visits to Civil War or Revolutionary War battle sites, tours of colonial houses and restored villages, which, even these many years later, serve as inspiration.

Born in New York City, I live in central Connecticut with my long-time husband, a grown-up daughter and two dogs. 2012 was a big year for the family as we welcomed our first grandson into the world.

Links:

Website: http://www.kfischer-brown.com/

Blog: http://illsay.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @KFischerBrown

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KathyFischerBrownAuthor

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