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petitehelene's review against another edition
3.0
Estava tão entusiasmada com o livro mas depois parecia que a leitura do mesmo se arrastava... A história está muito bem construída e o enredo cativa. Mas eu não apreciei por aí além. Annabel conhece Marco um capitão de Malta que vem despertar recordações da sua mãe há muito desaparecida e dada como louca. Enquanto Annabel conhece um sentimento crescente por Marco vê-se a braços com coisas misteriosas que eram da sua mãe, começa a sentir algumas dificuldades em manter-se lúcida e pensa que alguém poderá atentar contra a sua vida...
emlickliter's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd - Mysterious inheritances and a cool gothic atmosphere make this a great story! Happy Reading!
blackngoldgirlsbookspot's review
5.0
Bride of a Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd is a second novel that actually surpasses the first in a series. Exceptionally dark and conniving characters as well as the eerie settings of a Victorian asylum and misty estate lend an air of authenticity that make this novel seem as if it were written by a Bronte contemporary. Annabel Ashton is certainly as memorable a character as Jane Eyre and the rakish Captain Dell'Acqua is as mysterious and unpredictable as a storm-tossed sea.
Details unique to the period from the Great Exhibition down to the Maltese lace wedding cap, show just how dedicated to research the author is. Bride of a Distant Isle is an example of refined storytelling that's never tedious. Each tiny detail lends to the story as a whole.
I've come to expect nothing less than the best from the pen of Sandra Byrd and this installment in the Daughters of Hampshire series is certainly that. A stellar novel! If you are searching for quality historical fiction, you've found it!
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Details unique to the period from the Great Exhibition down to the Maltese lace wedding cap, show just how dedicated to research the author is. Bride of a Distant Isle is an example of refined storytelling that's never tedious. Each tiny detail lends to the story as a whole.
I've come to expect nothing less than the best from the pen of Sandra Byrd and this installment in the Daughters of Hampshire series is certainly that. A stellar novel! If you are searching for quality historical fiction, you've found it!
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
colleenlovestoread's review
4.0
Find my full review at http://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.com.
I have long been a fan of Sandra Byrd's writing and have read and enjoyed all three books in her Ladies in Waiting series (To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, and Roses Have Thorns) as well as the first book in this Daughters of Hampshire series (Mist of Midnight). I always know that when I see a new historical fiction book by Sandra is coming out I'm going to want to read it and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm happy to say that Bride of a Distant Isle kept her on this streak and once again provided hours of entertainment.
From the get-go I knew I was going to like Annabel. Right from the start she is thrown into one horrible situation after another - from being ripped from the school she loved teaching at to being thrown at a man she couldn't stand to having her very freedom ripped out from under her - and at every obstacle she refused to give up and barreled through to try and find the best outcome of each dire situation...and she did it all with more grace than I believe I could ever have had. I found her to be such a well drawn character, along with Captain Dell’Acqua and a most of the other secondary characters. I have to admit I wasn't as big a fan of the development of Mr. and Mrs. Everedge or Mr. Morgan (the man her cousin tried to force her to marry and who I didn't think necessarily warranted the vile disgust she seemed to feel for him, but that could just be me) but all of the other characters seemed very realistic.
I also really enjoyed the development of the surroundings our characters found themselves in. Sandra Byrd did an exceptional job of immersing me in the dark, slightly decaying Highcliffe Hall as well as the asylum we get to peek into. This whole world was so easy to see and experience along with the characters and I'm always delighted when an author is able to make me feel like I'm actually seeing the situations play out in front of me. It makes the reading experience so much more enjoyable!
I do have to say that I didn't have a very hard time figuring out the mysteries surrounding Annabel and who was involved in them. I don't want to say too much and spoil any surprises for other readers, but for me I had most of it figured out pretty soon, even if I didn't know the exact why's and how's. There weren't any big surprises or gasp-y moments, but that isn't to say that it wasn't enjoyable going along for the ride and seeing Annabel figure out what was really going on and whom she could really trust. I should also mentioned that this is clearly Christian fiction, so if you do not enjoy those elements in your historical fiction please take note. I think Sandra did a good job of never becoming too preachy (which I've experienced in other Christian fiction books and didn't enjoy) but I thought it should be noted.
I really do mean it when I say that I always know I'm going to enjoy a Sandra Byrd historical. She hasn't disappointed yet and this being my fifth book of hers I've read I have the upmost confidence that she'll continue to entertain me. Any reader who enjoys Christian fiction will especially love her books.
I have long been a fan of Sandra Byrd's writing and have read and enjoyed all three books in her Ladies in Waiting series (To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, and Roses Have Thorns) as well as the first book in this Daughters of Hampshire series (Mist of Midnight). I always know that when I see a new historical fiction book by Sandra is coming out I'm going to want to read it and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm happy to say that Bride of a Distant Isle kept her on this streak and once again provided hours of entertainment.
From the get-go I knew I was going to like Annabel. Right from the start she is thrown into one horrible situation after another - from being ripped from the school she loved teaching at to being thrown at a man she couldn't stand to having her very freedom ripped out from under her - and at every obstacle she refused to give up and barreled through to try and find the best outcome of each dire situation...and she did it all with more grace than I believe I could ever have had. I found her to be such a well drawn character, along with Captain Dell’Acqua and a most of the other secondary characters. I have to admit I wasn't as big a fan of the development of Mr. and Mrs. Everedge or Mr. Morgan (the man her cousin tried to force her to marry and who I didn't think necessarily warranted the vile disgust she seemed to feel for him, but that could just be me) but all of the other characters seemed very realistic.
I also really enjoyed the development of the surroundings our characters found themselves in. Sandra Byrd did an exceptional job of immersing me in the dark, slightly decaying Highcliffe Hall as well as the asylum we get to peek into. This whole world was so easy to see and experience along with the characters and I'm always delighted when an author is able to make me feel like I'm actually seeing the situations play out in front of me. It makes the reading experience so much more enjoyable!
I do have to say that I didn't have a very hard time figuring out the mysteries surrounding Annabel and who was involved in them. I don't want to say too much and spoil any surprises for other readers, but for me I had most of it figured out pretty soon, even if I didn't know the exact why's and how's. There weren't any big surprises or gasp-y moments, but that isn't to say that it wasn't enjoyable going along for the ride and seeing Annabel figure out what was really going on and whom she could really trust. I should also mentioned that this is clearly Christian fiction, so if you do not enjoy those elements in your historical fiction please take note. I think Sandra did a good job of never becoming too preachy (which I've experienced in other Christian fiction books and didn't enjoy) but I thought it should be noted.
I really do mean it when I say that I always know I'm going to enjoy a Sandra Byrd historical. She hasn't disappointed yet and this being my fifth book of hers I've read I have the upmost confidence that she'll continue to entertain me. Any reader who enjoys Christian fiction will especially love her books.
reader_fictions's review against another edition
4.0
Despite adding the same completely unnecessary, ridiculous Christian plot element that Mist of Midnight had, Bride of a Distant Isle is even better.
So yeah, once again, a particular character (or actually two this time) are stand-ins for god or the holy spirit or whatever (I don’t understand Christianity enough to be able to clearly identify just how I’m supposed to interpret god’s involvement here), and it’s incredibly stupid imo, but it also doesn’t really matter in the larger plots mostly so I just roll my eyes, dock .5 stars, and move on. The other weird thing about these books is that when the heroines remember stuff, they end up zoning out in the middle of interacting with people. I was willing to let it slide in Mist of Midnight but now that both heroines are doing it, I’m a bit wut.
Aside from those things (okay, and also how much people say the word “perhaps”), I delighted in Bride of a Distant Isle. It’s a bit less gothic and a bit more readable (I don’t know why but I always find gothic stuff a bit slow going). There are a couple of cool things just to start with. The first book had a Methodist heroine, and this one is Roman Catholic; it’s pretty cool that this series isn’t espousing a particular flavor of Christianity, and it really does add to the sense of religion as historical and character building rather than foundational element. Another big plus is that both heroine and love interest are half-English and half-Maltese. Diverse characters in historical romance are super fucking rare (unless they’re sheikhs), and it’s a delight when it’s done well.
Annabel Ashton has been living with her cousin Edward, who inherited the family Hall because Annabel was illegitimate. Still, Annabel’s been pretty okay with her life despite the death of her mom in a mental institution when she was young; Annabel does enjoy her work as a teacher. Unfortunately, that life comes to an end when Bride of a Distant Isle begins, because her brother has forced her home to Highcliffe Hall so that he can sell her in exchange for his debts to a mega creep who wants her for his collection. *gags* Before that, though, he wants her to help him woo a Maltese ship captain into trading with him.
The plotting (aforementioned caveat aside) is excellent, and the ship is fabulous. It’s shippier than the first book. Annabel and Marco are completely adorable. I don’t know why I expect Christian fiction to be the opposite of bantery, since I’ve had tons of bantery Christian friends but I do. Byrd has delightful flirty banter between her ships.
Another surprise success, Bride of a Distant Isle is a good choice for readers of historical fiction with romance.
So yeah, once again, a particular character (or actually two this time) are stand-ins for god or the holy spirit or whatever (I don’t understand Christianity enough to be able to clearly identify just how I’m supposed to interpret god’s involvement here), and it’s incredibly stupid imo, but it also doesn’t really matter in the larger plots mostly so I just roll my eyes, dock .5 stars, and move on. The other weird thing about these books is that when the heroines remember stuff, they end up zoning out in the middle of interacting with people. I was willing to let it slide in Mist of Midnight but now that both heroines are doing it, I’m a bit wut.
Aside from those things (okay, and also how much people say the word “perhaps”), I delighted in Bride of a Distant Isle. It’s a bit less gothic and a bit more readable (I don’t know why but I always find gothic stuff a bit slow going). There are a couple of cool things just to start with. The first book had a Methodist heroine, and this one is Roman Catholic; it’s pretty cool that this series isn’t espousing a particular flavor of Christianity, and it really does add to the sense of religion as historical and character building rather than foundational element. Another big plus is that both heroine and love interest are half-English and half-Maltese. Diverse characters in historical romance are super fucking rare (unless they’re sheikhs), and it’s a delight when it’s done well.
Annabel Ashton has been living with her cousin Edward, who inherited the family Hall because Annabel was illegitimate. Still, Annabel’s been pretty okay with her life despite the death of her mom in a mental institution when she was young; Annabel does enjoy her work as a teacher. Unfortunately, that life comes to an end when Bride of a Distant Isle begins, because her brother has forced her home to Highcliffe Hall so that he can sell her in exchange for his debts to a mega creep who wants her for his collection. *gags* Before that, though, he wants her to help him woo a Maltese ship captain into trading with him.
The plotting (aforementioned caveat aside) is excellent, and the ship is fabulous. It’s shippier than the first book. Annabel and Marco are completely adorable. I don’t know why I expect Christian fiction to be the opposite of bantery, since I’ve had tons of bantery Christian friends but I do. Byrd has delightful flirty banter between her ships.
Another surprise success, Bride of a Distant Isle is a good choice for readers of historical fiction with romance.
margaretpinard's review against another edition
4.0
This was a well-done romance-suspense, and had lots of interesting historical novelties. The Exposition was made much of but not explored too much, however. The Catholic faith theme was almost unintrusive enough for me to fold it into the rest of the heroine's character, but the ending made it a little too obvious. Otherwise, sympathetic hero and heroine, hidden motives, good pacing, and well-done setting.
sprinklesugarbunbun's review against another edition
4.0
3.7 ; the plot had me reading through the night, however, the slight cheesiness of the miraculous nurse as well as some loose ends brings the rating to what it is. Byrd writes well, and conveys interesting gothic stories; if anything, the stories have too much of a religious message, honeyed by a few super sweet scenes than I care for.
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