The Heiress at Winterwood by Sarah Ladd

From the publisher: "Amelia Barrett gave her word. Keeping it could cost her everything.

Darbury, England, 1814

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend’s baby. She'll risk everything to keep her word—even to the point of proposing to the child’s father—a sea captain she’s never met.

When the child vanishes with little more than an ominous ransom note hinting to her whereabouts, Amelia and Graham are driven to test the boundaries of their love for this little one.

Amelia’s detailed plans would normally see her through any trial, but now, desperate and shaken, she’s forced to examine her soul and face her one weakness: pride.

Graham’s strength and self-control have served him well and earned him much respect, but chasing perfection has kept him a prisoner of his own discipline. And away from the family he has sworn to love and protect.

Both must learn to accept God’s sovereignty and relinquish control so they can grasp the future He has for planned for them."

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Amelia and Graham were both very likable characters.  Immediately you felt attached to them and their situation.  Amelia might have pride, but don't we all?  She struggles with believing in God when things go wrong, but haven't each of us?  It was easy to understand Amelia and her struggles as well as admire her as she tried to do what was best.

Graham is a strong character who learns that his strength isn't the only thing that matters.  He has to learn to rely on God.  I appreciated when Graham admitted at one point that he had not started the journey with prayer but  now he would continue it with prayer.  I think that readers will be able to relate to that.

Ladd did a good job of introducing some mystery and intrigue in the book.  She was able to do this in a way that made me want to read faster and faster to figure out what happened.  Yet, I also didn't want to miss any details.  

The romance was sweet and not sappy or overwhelming.  Ladd did a good job with building up the romance as they got to know each other's characters.  

I would recommend this book. I cannot wait to read more from Sarah Ladd!

I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.