Life was very different centuries ago and women were taught that their place was to be quiet and not rock the boat. At least that is how Evangeline feels when she loses almost all of her family and is forced to a small town by her Aunt and told she was to be the teacher for the children of the town - even though she had never taught before. But her kind and caring heart have her make the best of the situation and she comes to realize she is actually a great teacher despite her Aunt's hatred for her and determination to make Evangeline's life miserable.

I always enjoy reading books set in a time that I am not familiar with so that I can imagine what life would be like and wonder how I would handle life in that time period. I am fairly strong-willed, like Evangeline, so imagine that I would react much like she did with the children she taught, her family, and the townspeople.

There is a romance too between Evangeline and Dermot. Two people that you might never have expected to fall in love, but it works for them. It takes some doing, and I was quite amused at Dermot's "rule" of only one knock on his door per day.

There are some "evil" characters, but all makes some sense near the end when the truth comes out. It does not justify the actions of these people, but it does make some sense.

A new Sarah M. Eden book? Yes there is!
I was able to get an Advanced Readers Copy and I am LOVING IT!

Love the theme, the characters, the story line, everything!
So. So. So. Good! Cannot put it down!

Well written, but a little too dreary for my personal tastes. Would have loved a little lighter, more focus on the romance aspects.

Sarah Eden took a book that could have been somber and tragic due to its location and character’s situation in life and used the underlying themes of family and home to infuse the book with warmth, comfort and hope.

It was obvious that every aspect of the book was extremely well researched giving the book depth and richness. This was especially apparent in the way Sarah Eden handled the Yorkshire language. Not only could you tell she had a beautiful handle on such a unique way of speaking, but she understood that it was also a part of their identity, tying it in beautifully to that underlying story arc of home and purpose.

The imagery throughout the book created an emotional attachment to the scene and the characters. The way Sarah Eden used the bells pulled you immediately into Evangeline’s grief making you feel it deep in your heart with every gong. Then to use the bells again at the end of the book as a symbol of hope for the future was exceptional story telling.

The world needs more books like this. Books where women face impossible circumstance and overcome them with courage, kindness and optimism. Books that advocate the value of teachers and the difference, however small, they can make in a child’s life. Books that show that friendship does not need parameters. This is a must read.

I loved this book!! Set in a textile town, it brought to mind, one of my favorite books North and South by Elizabeth Gasgill and movies 'North and South' BBC. When tragedy strikes, Evangeline and Lucy have to leave the only home they have ever known. Life is bleak in Smeatley, but Evageline tries so hard to keep her chin up, even living in poverty. I liked Evageline's character and how much her sister Lucy meant to her. I loved this story so much and could picture life on the moors. Keep them coming Sarah M. Eden, your books are among my favorites.

This is a darker and sadder novel than I'm used to with Sarah Eden. Still really enjoyed it and highly recommend.

This was such an enjoyable read. Definitely one of Ms. Eden's best books.

The beginning started a little slow and I had trouble believing anyone could be so heartless in the immediate wake of so much devastation. And Evangeline's meek responses to her aunt's cruelty was hard for me to understand. Over time, Evangeline grows a backbone and becomes fierce, almost to a fault.

I didn't always agree with her convictions or choices (SPOILER* I agreed with the school inspector that her attitude was a bit of a problem at that point. She could have pled her case privately so that she wasn't directly challenging the way things were run. And I certainly thought there was value in teaching the children how to speak "properly." If they ever wanted to get a job outside of their mill in that small town, they would probably need to be able to communicate with others. She could have taught them primarily in Yorkshire dialect, especially as they were young but also taught language classes so that they would be respected and valuable outside of their little town. She could have compromised). But I did like her character development over the course of the novel.

I liked that there weren't always easy answers and that some characters were not so black and white (the vicar for example). I liked the restoration in some relationships and the lack in others; I found it realistic and relatable. No matter how much you try, some things are just out of our control.

I loved Dermot's character and Ronan as well. (*SPOILER* I assumed Ronan was Autistic. It was an interesting portrayal in that time period). Despite heavy subject matter, there was a lot of humor shared between the characters throughout the story, which I appreciated.

Though I love stand alone novels and wish that not every story became a trilogy, I'm invested in these characters now and I can't help hoping for a follow up (maybe Susannah? Or Lucy? Or you know what would be really awesome- Berta. I would love to see her get some healing). I'd highly recommend this book.

Sarah M. Eden never ceases to amaze me with her historical research and character development.
Such an endearing story about how two different sides can be intertwined by a bond stronger than any foe, able to weather any hurricane.

Really emotional and memorable, with great character- and relationship-building.

Oh, this book was charming! It's been a while since I've read a book like this. It has made me want to seek out more.

Taking place in 1871, it follows Evangeline Blake, a young woman who has just lost her parents and two brothers, leaving her and her younger sister at the mercy of their grandfather.

While Lucy, the younger sister, is shipped off to school in Leeds, Evangeline is sent to be a school teacher in a small mill town. She knows nothing about being a teacher, let alone living on her own. She has never cooked or cleaned, and the fact that she can hardly understand the local dialect discourages her even more.

As she attempts to make her place and prove to her grandfather that she is capable of taking care of her sister, she finds help from a stubborn Irish man and his son.

This book is categorized as a romance (a "proper romance," actually), but I would say it's much more historical fiction with a sprinkling of romance. And the romance itself is a slow burn, which is honestly my favorite. So many books these days rely on instalove, so I really appreciated this very slow developing romance.

My favorite part of the book overall was Evangeline's growth as a teacher, and the clever ways she found to help each student learn in their own way.

Lets start with the love - 'Ashes on the Moor' has a beautiful cover, creative title, beautiful location and a fantastic cast of characters to give every aspect of this story depth and uniqueness. I haven't read a historical fiction that follows the lines of this plot and I enjoyed that very much.

The story begins so bleak and full of sadness. Evangeline and her 12 year old sister Lucy, have been orphaned and though they come from a family of wealth and privilege, they are separated almost immediately at the hands of probably the cruelest Aunt on the planet! The amount of ache that you will feel for Evangeline and her plight seems to have no bounds. Her new neighbor, Irish born Dermot McCormick is a local brick mason, who has secured for himself work in the small West Yorks mill town of Smeatley. He and his son Ronan, don't respond too well to their strange new neighbor. As the story progresses there is a gentle and easy development in not only Evangeline's ability to adapt to her new life, but also between her and Dermot. I appreciated the way the interaction between her and the towns folk was written also. She comes from a different class and part of society but she was loving and gracious as she went about her life. As she grows in confidence she is able to find herself in a position to fight for her sister. That was also a joy to read.

I was excited to see this story was based in Yorkshire. My roots are there, and I've probably only read a handful of books that have been located in the region. Here is where I will broach my frustrations with this book. When it comes to writing dialogue a choice needs to be made to whether you write it in English or whether you take on the dialect of the locals. I can understand that to make it 'authentic' it has something special to it when it is written more accurately to the people in where it is placed. However, I endured no end of frustration with the constant 'lessons in Yorkshire dialect'. Yes I may understand the language, and many will not - but there are alternate ways to explain away the choice to write in dialect. Some authors will add a glossary for those words/phrases that are really hard to understand (or less obvious to figure out on your own) or perhaps it is just left alone. None of the Irish was 'explained' away. It was irritating and ruined a good portion of my reading. This is my issue, and may not bother other readers. Perhaps with my family being from Yorkshire I found it more frustrating. There was far too much repetition and disrupted the flow.

Many times while reading I was reminded of why I love books like 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell. This era and the trials that the people working and surviving on the livelihood of the mill intrigues me. I enjoyed as a child visiting the Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire with my school and then taking my kids there years later. I love the history. It is clear that Sarah Eden has researched it well. Great story & plot. Wonderful characters. A little less on the dialect lesson and I'd have given this 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

I have mixed feelings about Ashes on the Moor. It seems very well researched. Little details ring true. The hero and heroine are flawed but likeable. They are both outsiders, and the changing nature of their relationships with the townspeople was satisfying. I enjoyed watching Evangeline figure out how to be a successful schoolteacher (although certainly some of her ideas about her charges seemed a bit modern).

On the other hand, the story is very like a fairy tale. The hardships Evangeline faces at the beginning are over the top. She has lost her parents and her brothers. Her maternal aunt sets her up in a situation where she has no money, no food, and no cleaning supplies to deal with the filthy schoolhouse and rooms she has been sent to run and occupy. As terrible as her aunt is, I just found this unbelievable. The mysterious grandfather reminded me of Heidi’s grandfather by the end. Harsh, then kindly. I guessed her aunt’s motivation for her cruelty early on, and I found the aunt’s relationship with her husband unbelievable.

While reading the first half, I felt Ashes on the Moor was the most depressing happily ever after romance I’ve ever read. Then <spoilers>everything thing worked out <i>perfectly</i></spoiler> in the end. I felt Dermot forgave her far too easily for deceiving him. (Either he shouldn't have been upset, or he should have been more upset.)

The writing is good, and I wanted to keep reading. But it would have been a much better book if the author had toned down the extremes. However, I think many fans of historical fiction will enjoy Ashes on the Moor.

I read an advance reader copy of Ashes on the Moor from Netgalley.

This book was just what I needed. I love those stories that settle in and just absorb you. And Ashes on the Moor by Sarah M. Eden is exactly that.

From the first page to the last, this lovely story of love and family will enchant readers.

I quickly came to love Evangeline, Dermont, and Ronan. Evangeline and her sister Lucy have lost their entire family. Then they are, with out much in the way of explanation or warning, separated from each other. Already broken hearts are needlessly smashed.

The first person outside of her cold aunt and distant uncle that Evangeline meets in her new town is Dermont McCormick, and his son Ronan. Little by little Evangeline and Dermont become friends, and Evangeline bonds with Ronan–who was so much like the brother she lost. In one endearing moment, Ronan states that they should keep her. (If you hadn’t got misty eyed yet reading this, this scene is bound to do it.)

I enjoyed on Evangeline and Dermont’s relationship built slowly over time.

I received an ARC from Shadow Mountain.

After the death of most of her family, Evangeline's cruel aunt brings her to Smeatley, a factory town totally different from her previous home. Raised in the upper class, Evangeline now must work as a schoolteacher--despite having no experience and barely understanding the Yorkshire accent--if she is to prove herself worthy of the inheritance her grandfather has saved for her and, more importantly, to be reunited with her sister Lucy, who has been sent away to attend school elsewhere. Evangeline's aunt is cruel to her, refusing to acknowledge that they are related, constantly critical of all of Evangeline's efforts, and reluctant to give Evangeline anything that might help her succeed. Irish brick mason Dermot is the only other person she knows, and while he initially seems reluctant to speak to her any more than necessary, he comes to be her dearest friend and biggest support. Dermot's son, Ronan, is different from other children and Dermot is worried about how he'll do at school, but Evangeline seems to understand his needs and he thrives under her attention. As Evangeline tries to do her best for her students, she finds herself clashing with school administrators and must decide how to move forward if the school inspector demands she change her teaching style to the detriment of her students. Changing her style could help her efforts to be reunited with Lucy, but they could also alienate all of the students; refusing to change could cost her her job and force her to leave Smetley--and Dermot.

I absolutely loved this book. Sarah Eden is fantastic at writing snappy dialogue and incorporating humor, and I laughed so many times at Dermot's and Evangeline's interactions. Eden also does a great job at developing her characters, and I loved not only the main characters but also secondary characters. I really enjoyed the look at Victorian England and the working class--it was really interesting to learn about issues such as mill workers' housing and factory conditions in the context of the story. I also really enjoyed reading about the dialect differences and how the people of Smetley's language wasn't considered "proper" and how it was difficult for children to learn to read English that was spelled so differently from their own dialect. That was just a really interesting addition to the story--the type of addition that makes this book stand out from other historical romances. The romance is sweet, the characters are terrific, and I loved everything about the book. I've loved Sarah Eden's Regency books, but I'm excited about her venture into the Victorian Era and hope she'll be writing more books in this time period!

I read a copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Opening line:
"Through a thick fog of grief, Evangeline Blake suffered the blow of each clang of the distant funeral bells."

Another lovely romance from Sarah M. Eden.
Evangeline Blake lost almost everyone in her family, except her younger sister, whom she promised would always be with her. Her mean, bullying aunt has different ideas, however.
Dermot McCormick is an Irish man in England and feels very excluded in the little village where he and his son are now living. He keeps to himself and works hard to prove himself. And he's just fine staying away from everyone--until he meets Evangeline.
This is an interesting story about change; not only in circumstances and of the heart, but change that makes us a better human. Evangeline came from wealth and privilege and is thrust into poverty and hard work. She's stubborn enough and determined enough to make her way that she changes and her heart is opened to the village and their children. The same can be said of Dermot and of the village. They all find they can be strong and change (except maybe on person who I wanted to kick really hard).
I really enjoyed learning the history of the era and the dialect and hardships these people faced. And I REALLY loved what Evangeline did to help the children.

Thank you for the early read netgalley and Shadow Mountain!

I enjoyed this story written by Sarah Eden. The story took place in Northern England in 1871. The writer did a great job of showing how the dialect of this area affected how the children at this time were limited in how they approached learning. I appreciated the development of Evangeline. She was given the task of teaching in an area where she was not familiar with dialect, had never been independent, and she overcame her obstacles. I was disappointed with her family, but family is sometimes not as supportive as we would wish.

Format: Kindle ebook
Tissue warning: not for me
HEA: yes
Triggers: I can't think of any
Narrative: third person, following Evangeline and Dermot
My reviewer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Recommend read: Yes
Published: March 13, 2018

Thank you first to Netgalley and the author Sarah M Eden for my free e-copy of Ashes on the Moor in exchange for my honest-to-goodness review.

This was a lovely book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was just the right length and had just the perfect amount of descriptors, conversations, and angst. The *one* drawback I feel the need to complain about is the Yorkshire accent. I have read some difficult dialects before, but this one tops the cake. I'm sure that's how Ms. Eden intended it so that we the reader can emphasize with Evangeline on her struggles in understanding the townspeople herself. It was just really difficult to get a flow in reading. The smallest vice I have is when Dermot and Ronan sing their traditional Irish songs in the Gaelic tongue, and Ms. Eden describes it as "Irish language." I've visited Dublin (and I highly recommend it) and everyone there spoke English. It was English with the Irish accent, but English. Gaelic is the old language, which is what the songs they sang were spoken in. Maybe they didn't refer to it as Gaelic in the time period that Ms. Eden wrote this story, but still. It's a minuscule gripe I had.

Read this when it comes out in 2018. Enjoy this. I most certainly did.

Full review on twinmomreviews.blogspot.com

Another lovely book by Sarah M. Eden. Not only was the story endearing, but the researched details added to its reality. This was a fascinating visit to 1870s industrial England. Change can be so challenging and this story has change bursting forth into everyone's lives. Evangeline has lost almost all the family she holds dear. In addition she's yanked out of her familiar, privileged surroundings and placed in an industrial Yorkshire town to teach school and learn to manage her own life. The only source of help is an Irishman who seems none too welcoming. He's dealing with changes as he and the townspeople are becoming acclimated to one another. Then there are Evangeline's students. Just going to school alters their existence to say nothing of learning to read for the first time! If change is embraced the results can be beautiful. Growth is absolutely blossoming for Evangeline and the other citizens of Smeatly.

I loved this book. After I finished it I found myself continually thinking about it and wanting to tell other people about it. Sarah Eden enters an new time period for her stories - Victorian England. Think "North and South." This book is not as light-hearted as some of her others ("The Sheriff of Savage Wells and some of her Jonquil books). I think of it more along the lines of her Hope Springs novels, although possibly not as sad as some of those books.

It follow the story of Evangaline, a twenty year old who finds herself alone in the world. Born to priviledge she suddenly has to find a means to support herself. She reaches out to Dermot, an Irishman who lives in the mill town where she now lives. Life is hard where they live, and they both face challenges and also watch/help those around them deal with their own trials.

The story covers topics such as schooling in the Victorian era, life in the mills, autism, and the push for the English to unify their language.

I very much enjoyed this book. I will definitely read it again and recommend it to others.

It was hard to read about the hardships of the good people of this small town. I think it's important though, for us in the modern times that have so much, to learn of the things people went through. I was so frustrated for poor Evangeline, because she wanted to badly to prove herself but was limited in what she could do. I was so angry with her Aunt for being so cruel to her. All in all, another beautiful story by Sarah Eden that made me feel all the feels.