A slow started gave way to an intriguing novel of two sides of a war.

I nearly gave up on "A Castaway in Cornwall" due to the likeness of another book that is about some of the same subjects, and up until the 25% mark I nearly gave up on finishing the book, but that wouldn't do since this is a Julie Klassen book!

I am so glad I stuck with it since the book picked up soon enough with more than enough mystery, action, romance, and adventure to make this a book I love, not quite as much as Klassen's "The Painter's Daughter" but I still very much enjoyed it at the last.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Thank you, Julie Klassen, Bethany House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

I always jump at the opportunity to read anything by Julie Klassen. A Castaway on Cornwall is definitely one of my most anticipated reads for this year. Laura Callaway is an orphan living with extended family in Cornwall but does not feel like she belongs. She spends most of her time walking the beach collecting items from shipwrecks. She does her best to identify the owners to bring them peace. Until one day, she finds a man on the shore, he is alive, but only just. Laura saves him. However, he has an accent and his injuries are quite suspicious. He doesn’t seem like he is dangerous but he is definitely not telling her the truth about who he is…

This is an enchanting novel set in the backdrop of the aftermath of the French Revolution. England and France are at war. Everyone is eyed with suspicion. I absolutely love the historical detail even though it is not the highlight of the novel. The highlight is the characters, specifically Laura and Alexander. Both are castaways in their own way. It only makes sense that they would connect. I love Laura’s development as she discovers what home truly is!

Even though this novel has a pretty slow start, it does pick up. There is actually quite a bit of suspense! In fact, there are a few twists and unpredictable endings. I was absolutely shocked with one of the plot points, so it will definitely keep readers on their toes. However, with all Julie Klassen’s novels, the description is absolutely beautiful! I have even added a visit to Cornwall to my travel bucket list…after COVID, of course. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book releases tomorrow, December 1st, 2021!

A swoony adventure based on a shipwreck in Cornwall. I love the look into the lives of smugglers in Cornwall and the rationale, right or wrong, of how this was incorporated into their everyday life. Each chapter has a fascinating quote to provide a look into customs or events in Cornwall during this time. A captivating description of the geography around this area made this tale really come to life. The best part of this story though is Laura and Alexander and their discovery of the truth to so many questions. Laura learns that not everything is at is seems and Alexander must learn to trust again. Klassen once again portrays characters with substance that go beyond the norm and creates layers of depth to the story that promise to keep you reading for more. The supporting characters are equally interesting and add a rich backdrop to this already exquisite tale. Highly recommended for all fans of historical fiction. 
I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

It is 1812, and Laura Callaway feels like a castaway in Cornwall, where she lives with her uncle and his somewhat disapproving wife.  Missing her parents, who are presumed dead, Laura has found solace and purpose in searching the shores after shipwrecks.  She finds and collects lost belongings and attempts to return them to the families of their owners.  She does this under the disapproving eye of the Wreckers, men who try to seize and sell the cargo of wrecked ships, despite laws to the contrary. When a stranger is washed ashore, the Wreckers want to kill him, but Laura saves him too.  However, she begins to have questions as more lost items turn up.  Can this stranger be trusted?

This is a wonderful, well-researched book by Julie Klassen.  The laws and practices surrounding wrecked ships of the time were fascinating.  Klassen also provided tidbits of Cornish history, mythology, and practices at the beginning of each chapter.  The characters sometimes converse in the old Cornish language.   Legendary wrecker Tom Parsons is a major character in this novel, and the Napoleonic wars play a part.  The romance is well written, and there is a Christian theme of forgiveness throughout the book.

I would recommend this to any fan of historical fiction and romance.

I received  a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley.  My review is voluntary.

I read another book recently about a small village on an English coast and the shipwrecks that happened and how people would take the things that wash ashore and sell or hide them for profit. 

Image my surprise when that same thing happens in this book.  And then again imagine my surprise when one of the things that the main character in the book, Laura, tries to save is an actual human who happens to still be alive. 

Laura and her neighbour who was a chamber nurse set to work straight away to get this castaway survival to survive.  It's touch and goes for a bit but they're getting it done.  But things aren't adding up. 

Who is this man and where did he come from?  Where is he bound? And why was there a french navy coat among the items washed ashore?  No one else has been found alive and they need answers soon. 

I loved meeting Laura and Alex.  They're great characters and they seem to be growing close but yet Alex has secrets he's not willing to share.  Laura has mysteries in her past that she still needs to figure out answers to.  

Can they help each other with answers?  When Alex must go to Jersey and that's where Laura's parents last were before they died she knows she must go with him.  Not just for answers but also for love. 

The journey is dangerous and he's a wanted man.  Who can they trust and will they survive?

Great book and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

A Castaway in Cornwall
by Julie Klassen
Back of the Book: “Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.
While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast--known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors--Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.
As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents' fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?
Impressions: This felt a bit deja vu for me as I recently read, The Light at Wyndcliff, by Sarah E. Ladd. Both books had similar settings and theme of shipwrecks. 
Rated: a few kisses, shipwrecks, death, deception, theft, war, and prison camp memories
Liked: I enjoyed the characters and glimpse into Cornish culture. Laura feels out of place in her new home after being orphaned. Although these are her feelings it appeared that she was well-liked in her interactions with others. It took Laura leaving to realize that she was more apart of the community and family than she realized. There are defiantly times where I feel this way, that I don’t belong or don’t fit in. Just as Laura does, I think it is important to keep doing good no matter. 
Disliked: Perhaps this is a spoiler but I didn’t care for Alexander’s decisions when it came to women. I know that he liked Laura but his past relationships brought up so much confliction for him that it felt like he wasn’t sincere in his regard for her. I imagine he didn’t have much time to process all that he was experiencing to know his true feelings until they were apart but even then, he seemed swayed too easily by his fathers’ input. 
Learned: Unsaid feelings can lead to bitterness. Bitterness leads to hate and ultimately death. You can not chase after such negative feelings and win.
Quotes: 
“Life can be hard, and yours has not been easy. But I can honestly say that serving God and serving others has given me purpose and fills my soul when life is sometimes disappointing. I would love for you to find that same fulfillment.”
“That is not how love works. It is not blind to faults, nor must it accept the wrongdoing of those dear to us.” 
“He did believe the Almighty heard his prayers, although God had not promised he would not suffer. If the Father had allowed his believed Son to suffer and die on this earth, why should a mere mortal like him expect a carefree life?”
“Almighty God, look with mercy on those here assembled and accept our humble petitions. We are grateful for this new day and for the gracious hospitality of your hosts. Please pardon our offenses of yesterday and guard us from evil today. You know our weaknesses and the temptations that surround us. We ask for your protection through any dangers ahead, and we pray for all who travel by land or by sea.”
“Life might disappoint you, Friends may desert you. But God is faithful. Stay close to Him, and you won’t stray far from the right path.”
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

This was a decent romance, with likable characters but I did not think this was as good as some of the other Julie Klassen books I've read. Maybe it was just me, but I didn't feel that spark between the characters that I usually feel when I read her romances. I did enjoy the little bit of intrigue, and the ending was very sweet, but it wasn't enough to make me love the book as much as I wanted to.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A Castaway in Cornwall is another immersive historical mystery/romance from Julie Klassen, and as usual, she does not disappoint. This one as a bit slower than I remember her books usually being, although that’s not to say she’s usually a very fast-paced writer either. However, the leisurely pace also worked so I could simultaneously soak in all the details and become engrossed in every twist and turn. 

Klassen’s research remains top-notch, and she clearly knows the places she writes about, both from visiting many of them and doing supplementary research (something she notes she relied on a bit more this time around, due to COVID-19). However, she makes the Cornwall coast really come to life in her prose, and the addition of the photos she shared in a video on her YouTube channel only serve to amp up the immersion. And even beyond the visuals, it was cool to see the little bits of daily life in Cornwall, including the somewhat harrowing fact that most people back then couldn’t swim! 


Klassen’s characters are also unique, standing out in the aristocracy-saturated Regency market (although less so when you compare her characters to many of her peers in Christian fiction, where only a handful of authors write Regency). Laura has been through a lot with the loss of her parents and being dependent on others for room and board, but is also involved in recording shipwrecks and keeping track of the casualties for her uncle, which I found really interesting 

Alexander was a prisoner of war with loyalties to the Bourbons during the Napoleonic Wars. I found the broader discussion of the politics of the time moving, as well as the consequences for him sticking to his own convictions in the matter. 

However, I did find myself a bit perplexed by the inclusion of a discussion question at the end about relating Alexander’s political differences with his brother to what’s going on today, which struck me as a very poor comparison, given the drastically different circumstances at play today they weren’t back then in that particular issue, although I’m not surprised to see this comparison, all things considered, given the number of people who do believe in that way.

I did still enjoy it, despite the flaws, which in the grand scheme of things, were fairly minimal or to be expected. Julie Klassen is a favorite, and the issues I’ve pointed out have not (overly) impacted this view, although I have become a bit more cynical. I think if you loved her previous work, or love sweet and suspenseful historical romance, you’ll enjoy this one.

Julie Klassen has a way of transporting you to the location in all of her books and this one is no different.  I will admit, I did get a little lost in all of the descriptions of the shipwrecks and the boating references.  I also thought the story lagged a little bit in the beginning and I did have trouble getting into it.  If you stick with it, it is a good story and the romance is well done.  This is not my favorite book from this author, but I am glad I read it. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.  All opinions are my own.

Welcome to the coast of Cornwall!  Ship wrecks, smugglers, and strange men are all part of the intrigue in this latest tale by Julie Klassen. Lovely Laura, a kind young woman with a melancholy heart, lives with her guardian, her Uncle Matthew Bray, the local minister, and his family. When a shipwreck deposits a wet, bedraggled man on the beach at her feet, Laura immediately sets out to heal the man and uncover the mystery surrounding his identity. 

Alexander Lucas, the mysterious man from the shipwreck, slowly begins to heal and begins a search for a cryptic object that he needs to take home with him. The story unfolds as Alexander’s past gradually gets exposed to Laura. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? Nothing is quite as black or white as it seems. 

Read this appealing story to uncover the mystery behind the shipwrecked man and his unforeseen connection to Laura! I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the intrigue, the understated romance, the unique characters, and the discovery of the real meaning of family. 

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

#ACastawayInCornwall  #NetGalley

***VERY EXCITING, EDGE OF THE SEAT READ***
Floatsam: Any goods floating on the sea where a ship has sunk or been cast away.
Jetsam: Anything purposely cast out of a ship when in danger, in hopes of saving it, or at least lightening the load.
1813, N. Cornwall, England - "Sometimes I wonder how I ended up here in Cornwall, so far from my childhood home. I feel like a castaway, set adrift on the tide by the long-ago deaths of my parents, and left wanting answers.  Is there a plan in all this?  Does God truly hold my fate in His hands, or has my life all been happenstance, the mysterious ebb and flow of chance?" Laura spends her days rescuing things from the sea, and trying to return them where they belong.  Only now, she's rescuing a man.  
Alexander is trying to get home to his father and brother before it's too late.  But there is a war on and he has a past they may yet catch up to him, interfering with his goal. "He did believe the Almighty heard his prayers, although God had not promised he would not suffer. 
I enjoyed learning about the hurdy-gurdy.  If you look it up on Wikipedia you can actually hear a sample.  I also loved how Jago called her Our Laura, just like in the BBC series Lark Rise to Candleford. 
Tea Moment: Laura rose and put the kettle on.  A few minutes later, refreshed by tea and shared cake, Laura urged, "One more?" Mary smiled. "What shall it be this time? Smuggler? Pirates? Shipwrecks?" Laura nodded. "Yes please. All three." Outside the wind continued to rise, and Mary began another story. 
I was gifted a book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are mine alone without compensation or expectation.  I am happy to recommend this novel for those who enjoy clean, historic English romance with a bit of danger. 
5 Stars (excellent)

Reviews posted or will be posted at: Amazon wait for 12/1, Goodreads, My Blog, CBD, Barnes and Noble, BooksAMillion,  Google Play Books , Pinterest, IG, Kobo wait for 12/1, Lifeway wait for 12/1

(4.5 / 5)

Laura Callaway feels like a castaway as she searches flotsam and jetsam from nearby shipwrecks on the coast in Cornwall for anything that might be of value, either monetarily or sentimentally. She's not completely alone, but she does feel abandoned by her parents. Then she discovers a real castaway on the beach--Alexander Lucas, who managed to survive a shipwreck. As Laura helps nurse him back to health, clues begin to surface about his identity, and before she knows it, Laura is caught up in a game of spies, smugglers, and prisoners.

This book had my attention from chapter one and kept it all the way through. I was surprised to realize how many pages it had once I was done, and the only reason it even took me more than two days to read is because I was too busy to get back to it like I wanted to. Laura and Alexander were both really interesting characters, and the description of shipwrecks, smugglers, and treasure kept me firmly in early 1800s England.

Even side characters and small side plots were interesting, and what I really liked about the story is that the romance wasn't so in-your-face, as if it was the only thing that mattered in the book. The half-point detraction was for a few minor quibbles that mostly came about near the end of the book. Some things were resolved a bit too easily, in my opinion, including a relationship that ended up feeling like it was only strained to give the MC a stronger reason to feel "castaway." Also the villain's arc ended with a trope that I find tired.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking for more from this author. I highly recommend it to fans of Christian books in the historical and/or romantic genres.

Julie Klassen has a way of writing stories that teach you about love at the same time that they teach you about forgiveness and the history of the world.  Each time I read one of her books, I learn something new, and I especially loved this book for showing the two sides of a war most people in the US don't know much about.  Her books, while Christian in genre, can be appreciated by people of all faiths and people of no faith, because you can read the story and see the beauty and ugliness of human nature.  You can understand what good can come from doing right by other people, even if it puts you in danger, and you can see the importance of having faith in something, even if that something is simply yourself.  Having faith in God is paramount to those of the Christian faith, but first you must have faith in yourself and recognize that the right path for you is also the path that God sets you on.

Laura Callaway hasn't belonged anywhere in a long time, ever since moving to Cornwall at a young age following the deaths of both her parents.  While she may not always understand the Cornish ways of her guardians and her neighbors, she adopts them in her own way, ensuring her belief in what is good and right remain firm.  When a ship wrecks near her home, the people flock to the beach to see what cargo they can claim as their own, only a few paying any mind to saving the people on board.  A man washes ashore, injured, and Laura immediately rushes to his side, saving him from certain death from a bloodthirsty "wrecker" who'd rather there be no survivors, so that no one can claim what they find.  Taking him home, she nurses him back to health, soon learning that all may not be as it appears.  The man has an accent, even though he tries to hide it, and as bodies and belongings float to shore, it becomes clear that his secrets may put all of them in great danger.

There is something about a story where one person saves the other that calls to me.  Perhaps it's because I like the appeal of the idea that one person would risk themselves to save another, even if they didn't know them.  There is something so wonderful about that idea, and I especially liked how Julie Klassen portrayed it in this book.  Laura was a sweet soul, clearly respecting of the Cornish traditions while also maintaining her own set of morals around what she would and wouldn't do to fit in.  She befriended outcasts, saved shipwrecked items at her own peril, and took the time to notify loved ones of sailors who perished, even if it meant receiving an angry reply in return.  She wasn't without faults, but she clearly had a beautiful heart.  Alexander Lucas, the man she saved, was another who I could tell had an innate sense of good in him.  His back story was so tragic, and I can't reveal much without giving away a large spoiler, though I think you will know his secrets before he reveals them.  It doesn't take long to figure it out, and by then, you've become so attached to his character that you don't really care about his history.  All I cared about was how he was going to make it work with Laura, because they both clearly deserved a happily ever after.

I always read Julie Klassen books, and so it's no surprise to me that I really enjoyed this one.  Julie is a masterful storyteller and one I hope continues to gain readers from all backgrounds to enjoy the messages she imparts in each story.

If I were to give one word to describe Julie Klassen’s latest book, A Castaway in Cornwall, I would use the word rich. The setting, background and story are written masterfully and the emotions spill across the pages. It is more than some of the other light Christian fiction reads in the best way possible. Mystery and romance fill up the story and keep the reader entranced to the very satisfying conclusion.

I was so excited to receive a review copy of this one! Julie Klassen is a favourite & the story sounded fascinating!

And it did not disappoint! Take a classic Klassen Regency romance, add a little more action than usual & a touch of the poetic feel of Amanda Dykes and you end up with Julie Klassen’s best novel yet!

And I do not say that lightly! I love all her novels! And this is by far the best of them all! Beautifully written complex characters with stories to unravel, and a plot that takes a whole new direction just as you think it’s drawing to a close... 

As mysterious and beautiful as anything she’s ever written, with beautifully flawed characters and a story that touches both the heart and the intellect, this is a stunning reflection on the meaning of family and belonging. 

This is not to be missed! I will be rereading - and soon!

Keep an eye out for it or pre-order - release date is December 1. 

Thank you SO much to @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the ARC! All that was required of me in return was an honest review.

The Christian fiction story takes the reader on an adventure in Cornwall. Laura is lives with her uncle and his wife doing her best the contribute to the family with the treasurers she finds along the the shoreline. She discovers a shipwreck and saves one of the few survivors. Her compassionate nature leads her into adventure as she aids the survivor in escaping capture and finding his family. Through her journey ,she learns that true love and happiness can be found in unexpected places. This was a sweet romance and although slightly predictable, it had enough adventure to hold my attention.

All around me is the sound of the sea. Not a roar but a rhythm--a watery hum, strumming like a vibrating chord, a quickened heartbeat. The Atlantic rolls in, lapping and slapping at rocks with percussion, punctuated by the mournful cries of gulls.

...Beauty amid harsh conditions. Life where nothing should thrive. 

Can I say the same for myself? Am I thriving, or merely surviving?”
-Miss Laura Callaway

Before I even get to the synopsis I have to say this book is incredible, and might even go so far as to say this is one of Julie’s best! I was immediately hooked right from the beginning and spent two late nights finishing this book. One thing I love about Julie’s books is they are hearty! While I love books I can finish in a day, I really love books that give me so much to hold on to!

Synopsis: 

Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.

While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast--known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors--Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents' fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks? --This text refers to the hardcover edition. 

I’ve been reading a lot of books set in Cornwall lately, and was so happy to read this one and get a good feel for the location knowing Klassen’s writing style. Her descriptions made it feel like I was there, her characters made me feel like I was walking their story with them and the Christian elements gave me hope and so much peace as I read. This is an absolute must-read for 2020. If you loved the Girl in the Gatehouse, The Silent Governess or the Maid of Fairbourne Hall (all my favorites of Julie Klassen’s) I think you would love this story! 

I received a complimentary book from NetGalley and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cornwall's coast is fascinating, especially to Laura Callaway. Although she feels like an outsider in her new home, she fills her days helping others and working to return lost flotsam and jetsam to the rightful owners. On the day she discovers a man who has washed ashore, her life changes. Julie Klassen has done her research in this interesting story of love and loss. I found the characters compelling and the setting remarkable. Although the book was a bit slow, the story is well written. Klassen goes into detail to make the reader feel the chilly coast and the heartache Laura carries. If you enjoy historical fiction set in England, this is the book for you. I received a complimentary copy of this item. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have been a fan of Julie Klassen since her first novel, which I have read several times. My opinion has not changed. This time, Klassen takes us to the wild, windswept coast of Cornwall as we are caught up in her wonderful storytelling, an ability that has brought great enjoyment to this reader over the years. I have never missed a Klassen book and never intend to. Recommended. My thanks to Bethany House for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is expressly my own.

4 ⭐️
Sitting in my favorite reading spot, I sip my steaming cup of coffee while writing this review. I just finished this lovely book by Julie Klassen. She writes a historical romance that’s fluent and captivating. 
I knew nothing about shipwrecks and what became of the crew and cargo. JK did a superb job explaining it all to me. It was fascinating. How the sea is uncontrollable and learning of the fate of those who survive. 
I loved the romance and JK always does a great job with mysterious twists and turns. 
The ending felt a bit rushed, but that could just be me. I really loved this one! I highly recommend it if you love historical Christian romance. 
Quotes from the Chapter pages....
“Bodies washed ashore were not allowed Christian burial until 1808, when a Cornishman, Davies Gilbert, succeeded in getting an Act of Parliament passed for their burial in churchyards.”
—A. K. Hamilton Jenkin, Cornish

“The news of the wreck it soon spread along shore, And women and men ran for gain; Thus numbers they harden each other the more, That love of curst money may reign.” —Religious tract by an anonymous clergyman

Thank you Bethany House Publishers via NETGALLEY for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.