The Captive Imposter
November 2015, Everstone Chronicles Book3
Whitaker House
Whitaker House
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About the Book:
What's in a name? For her own protection following the murder of her brother Will, hotel heiress Estella Everstone assumes the alias of Elle Stoneburner and takes a job as companion to an elderly widow. Never did she imagine that her position would lead her back to her beloved Everston, a picturesque resort property tucked away in the rugged mountains of Maine. Living below her station in a guise of anonymity has its struggles, but her spirits are buoyed by a newfound friendship with the hotel manager, Dexter Blakeley. And his distaste for the spoiled socialites who frequent his hotel causes her to take a close look at her own priorities and past lifestyle. When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer of employment she can't refuse. As the two interact and open up to each other, Estella feels a growing attraction to Dexter--and increasing discomfort over concealing her identity. Yet, in spite of the false pretense she's putting forth, she's never felt freer to be herself than in his presence. But will he still love her when he learns the truth about who she is?
What's in a name? For her own protection following the murder of her brother Will, hotel heiress Estella Everstone assumes the alias of Elle Stoneburner and takes a job as companion to an elderly widow. Never did she imagine that her position would lead her back to her beloved Everston, a picturesque resort property tucked away in the rugged mountains of Maine. Living below her station in a guise of anonymity has its struggles, but her spirits are buoyed by a newfound friendship with the hotel manager, Dexter Blakeley. And his distaste for the spoiled socialites who frequent his hotel causes her to take a close look at her own priorities and past lifestyle. When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer of employment she can't refuse. As the two interact and open up to each other, Estella feels a growing attraction to Dexter--and increasing discomfort over concealing her identity. Yet, in spite of the false pretense she's putting forth, she's never felt freer to be herself than in his presence. But will he still love her when he learns the truth about who she is?
My review:
Crandall’s tale of presumptive and mistaken identity is a
charming addition to the Everstone Chronicles. The setting at the end of the
nineteenth century at a Maine resort adds a fresh feel to romance in which the
journey drives the story to the expected happily-ever-after ending.
A few twists in this inspirational historical romance add
page-turning intrigue. The reader knows this is the third in a series, but as
the reasons for assumed identity are gradually revealed, never feel as though
stepping into the middle of a story. Both hero and heroine begin their
relationship under assumptions about the other, ala the mistaken identity
trope, to sweet affect when Elle learns the truth about Dexter long before he
learns her secret. Readers are tossed headlong into an old family fray and Elle
grows up quickly as she learns more about her older siblings, the family past
and present and their connections that were kept under the carpet.
Secrets and misunderstandings, adventure, danger and the
past come together in this spiritual romance where angst over telling the truth
may hurt worse than keeping a potentially life-saving secret. Told in first
person throughout, readers of romantic historical fiction set in high society
will enjoy Captive Imposter and the rest of the Everstone Chronicles. Book 4,
The Cautious Maiden, released October 2016 and will be reviewed on this site on December 13. The Bound Heart was reviewed here.
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