With a fascinating setting in the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall in the summer of 1906, The Nature of a Lady swept me away to a great adventure. While this story had a different flavor than most of Roseanna M. White’s previous books, it still had the colorful, realistic, and engaging characters which I’ve come to expect from her writings. Lady Elizabeth Sinclair is an intelligent, unassuming, and charming heroine who travels to the Isles of Scilly with her maid Mabena Moon for a summer holiday. Oliver Tremayne is a well-respected and loved vicar who is compassionate and helpful. It was delightful to see their relationship grow and develop as they worked together to solve the mystery of Oliver’s missing sister, Beth.

I greatly enjoyed learning more about the Isles of Scilly and visiting there vicariously. Although there were a few parts of the tale that seemed a bit slow to me, there was plenty of adventure and suspense to make up for that. With the added inspiration and romance thrown in, it was a wonderful read, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Roseanna M. White writes characters that leave the page and breathe right in front of the reader, which is why I am always eager to pick up a new book by her. This latest series opener does not disappoint; instead, it transports us to another time and place with people who rapidly become like old friends.

Life is different on the islands, both for those of us reading, and the characters in the story. Libby only wants a place to fit in, but she cannot find it in London. Pressured to marry a man of her brother’s choosing, she instead takes a summer trip, hoping to enjoy herself and give distance to the problem.

Fitting in is a dominant theme. Expectations of others, societal rules, and family dynamics all play heavily into the struggle to find a place where she feels like she belongs. When Libby finally feels like she has found home, the problem is that those who are in charge of her life will never accept her solutions; does she have the strength to fight for her place?

Oliver has a home and belonging, but his life is not free of problems. One by one, he has lost many he loves, with others possibly leaving his life, too. His responsibilities are great but he is a man who accepts them with grace and takes his position seriously.

The author fleshes out both the primary and secondary characters, who provide integral parts of the mystery without ever feeling like their only reason for existence is to provide a clue. I loved that this novel of belonging provided that for all of its characters.

This is an excellent novel about finding one’s place in the world, about seeking God’s will over man’s, about discovering who one is created to be. I give it my highest recommendation for teens and up, and those who enjoy historical novels set in England will especially relish the incredible setting the author gives her unforgettable characters.

I received a review copy of this novel from the author and publisher, but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

To escape her social responsibilities, nature-enthusiast Lady Elizabeth (Libby) travels to the Isles of Scilly with her handmaid for the summer. There she finds herself being mistaken for another Elizabeth, who has mysteriously disappeared, and alongside this other Elizabeth’s brother, Oliver, tries to find this mystery girl’s whereabouts using the clues she left behind.

This story is one best enjoyed in the springtime with the budding trees and flowers. A nature-enthusiast, like Libby, would appreciate the detailed descriptions of plant life in this story as well as Libby as a character. I felt a certain connection to her as well with her hesitation in social situations and preference for simple things in life.

The insta-love romance between Libby and Oliver was tame but well done and I was able to buy into their attraction which is not always the case for me as a reader with this type of trope. The mystery itself lost me somewhere in the story but I stuck with it until the end but I will probably remember the love story more so than the mystery when I think back on this book.

I appreciated the discussions on faith in this story (Oliver is a clergyman and supports Libby in developing a connection to God through her love of nature) and this was woven well into the story with some grace and was not forcefully done. Overall, this is a gentle story with an air of mystery and a sweet romance.

A special thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

A thrilling setting and heart-squeezing romance meet White's consistently dazzling research. What a unique and wholly absorbing historical. Just enough mystery to off-set the growing and believable friends-to-lovers romance between Libby and Oliver.

White is a must-read for me and The Nature of a Lady proves again why.

The Nature of a Lady #1 The Secrets of the Isles by Roseanna M. White

I love the setting in this story and time period: the Isles of Scilly, 1906, with prologue set in 1645. From the vivid descriptions; I could easily envision the beautiful flora, fauna, birds and water surrounding Scilly. Even the book cover beautifully depicts the beauty of the Isles (as I imagined it to be).

Lady Elizabeth “Libby” Sinclair is a very intriguing lady, and doesn’t behave like a titled lady should, according to her peers...which makes me like her all the more and is one of my favorite characters. Her interest in nature and microscopes certainly cause a stir among her class, but that is what sets her apart from them in an endearing way. I believe she actually “found” who she really is during her time on the Isles. The mystery and danger she finds herself in the midst of, bring to light an inner strength that I don’t think she knew she possessed.

Another favorite character is clergyman and gentleman, Oliver Tremayne. A native of Scilly, he loves botany and biology and certainly has ample specimens available to study. I love his love for family and the community surrounding the Isles. The “elbow holding” is rather interesting. I enjoyed the growing relationship between Oliver and Libby and the very tense relationship between Mabena and Casek. I love Oliver’s grandmother, Mamm-wynn, she is a sweet woman with spiritual insights that often enlighten and guide herself and others.

I especially enjoyed the spiritual elements woven within the story-line and the spiritual journey Libby experiences. This story is filled with intrigue and mystery, pirates and buried treasure, danger and suspense, forgiveness, love and enduring faith. I enjoyed the author’s notes, especially how this story came to life, and the way she weaves historical facts within the fictional story-line.

~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher; also an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

This was a magical story that took me to a place I was not even aware existed. Where you may ask? Why to the Isles of Scilly which is south of another magical place, Cornwall, 28 miles off the shore to be exact.

The year is 1906 and we have Lady Elizabeth, Libby for short, and her maid Mabena, whose goes by a few names (Moon, Benna). Mabena is a native to the islands and went to work for Libby and her family due to her own reasons. Now she has manipulated a visit for her and Libby to visit the islands so that she can find out what happened to her friend Beth.

Beth Tremayne, the vicar Oliver Tremayne's sister, has disappeared. And apparently no one knows where. Oliver, being the big brother, is obviously worried about her and begins searching for her with the help of Mabena and Libby, who keeps getting mistaken for his sister.

Libby is a lady with a scientific mind, which was very frowned upon at the time. Needing the escape as much as Mabena needed to get to the islands, I found the unfolding of their friendship quite interesting as well. One thing that I really appreciate about author White's characters, is that a lot of times her heroines are unique and out of the box for the time period. Most times they do not fit in to their society's norms. Libby was such a one with a soft heart and full of insecurities.

This story was full of the beauty of these one of a kind islands, a mystery, talks of ghosts and fairytales, shipwrecks and pirates. Oliver and Beth's grandmother is quite a woman. She comes off a little mad, but whenever she came on the scene and spoke the things she did, I got goose bumps as she helped a certain love story along. It was almost as though she already lived the future. Throw in another love story and you have an atmosphere of enchantment with a flavor of gothic.

I hope to one day visit that part of the world.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all view and opinions are my own.

I hate that I am writing this, but this book is just not for me right now. I have started it a few times, and I can't seem to keep the characters straight, and I am ending up confused. This is a definite me problem, not the book problem. I have seen so many fantastic reviews, and I hope it continues to get the love and praise it deserves. I hope one day to come back and try again, and hopefully that time will be the time that it ends up working out for me.

The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White is an excellent start to a new series! Set it in 1906, the story takes place on the Isles of Scilly, which are located due West of Cornwall, England. These islands have a temperate Oceanic climate, which is a good bit warmer than the rest of Britain. I had never heard of this location before reading this book, and now I have a new place on my travel bucket list. One aspect that I love about Roseanna’s books, is that most of them have some sort of mystery that the main characters become involved in. This book is no different - there’s a missing person, a mistaken identity, and a search for pirate treasure! Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the multiple points of view. Readers get into the heads of several characters, and though that can sometimes be confusing, Roseanna pulled it off well. One of the main characters is Oliver Tremayne, who is a vicar. He is kind and caring toward his congregation. Though he struggled to get along with one of the other islanders, whom he’d grown up with. I appreciated this because it made him seem more human and relatable. Libby is another main character; she struggled to understand how the God she learned about on Sundays and what she knew of the natural world went together. I enjoyed reading her journey to trusting God, and how it wasn’t something that happened quickly - it seemed natural. Of course, I loved the romance as well! This is another fantastic adventure by Mrs. White, and I cannot wait for book 2!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Nature of a Lady promises to be the start of another great series from Roseanna M. White. I found myself anxiously awaiting what would happen next and kept turning the pages late into the night. The characters were so unique and I easily fell in love with all of them. I can’t wait to see what the second book in the Secrets of the Isles series holds!

Libby was so unlike any normal London lady. Doing her best to fit into a world where she didn’t belong was no easy task, but she tried. When her well meaning brother decides it’s in her best intrest to be married, he began pushing her into a marriage with his best friend, and that was the final icing on the cake. Hoping some time away will give everyone fresh perspective she embarks on an adventure to a place where her maid grew up. Mabena Moon is also Libby’s friend, and Libby knows that the little island where she grew up is the perfect place to escape and study a world so different than hers normal one. What she finds just might take her breath away.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction with a little mystery thrown in. White kept my interest the entire time and I enjoyed watching the interactions between the island characters, some friendly and some not so friendly. I am anxiously awaiting the next book where I can spend more time with them! I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The island of Scilly is a place I didn't even know existed. And now, I want to go there!
I loved this story. I loved Elizabeth and all her quirks and funny behaviors, the ones that made her think of herself as less than an ideal lady...
I loved the detailed descriptions of the land, the islands in particular.
The mystery was great. It kept me guessing the whole way through!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

“Perhaps you weren't perfectly adapted to the environs into which you were born, Libby. But that doesn't mean He made a mistake in where He put you. It means only that He set you on a journey, like any other migratory creature who needs different settings for different seasons. He led you here. ~pg. 221”

“He wanted more for her. Wanted her to love the Creator with the same boundless fascination with which she loved His creation. Wanted her to trust Him as she had so quickly come to trust Oliver.~ pg. 250”

I've only read Rosanna's Ladies of the Manor series when it came out in 2015 and I absolutely fell in love with her writing style, her story settings, and the way she draws you completely into the pages of the book. I knew The Nature of a Lady would be a little different of a style for her, but still contain the things I came to expect; a great blend of romance and historical details.

I was really intrigued with the setting of this story, the Isles of Scilly. I'd never heard of this place before so it was with fascination that I explored it along with Libby—aka Lady Elizabeth Sinclair. Having escaped her overbearing brother's plan to marry her off to Lord Sheridan, at least for the summer anyway, she finds herself quickly drawn into the culture of the island and its people. Having a keen eye for nature & a sharp scientific mind, there's much fodder for exploration on this beautiful but mysterious land. There's also rumor of possible pirate treasure, that's where this story takes an unexpected twist!

Our hero Oliver Temayne was the local vicar and beloved by all. Watching him work his “elbow magic” on Libby (you'll find out more about that) and his gentle nature will endear you to him. His quest to find his missing sister, also named Elizabeth, was part of the mystery in the story.

So if you're up for some adventure, a little bit of a mystery to solve, finding a hidden pirate treasure, a beautiful island to explore, an unusual hero & heroine to get to know along with a whole cast of characters, faith, and of course a gentle love story, then I know you'd enjoy this as much as I did. Fans of Roseanna White’s other books will find this just as delightful, with a little twist!

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

Roseanna M. White is one of my historical fiction go-to authors and she has done another wonderful job with The Nature of a Lady. In this first book in a new series, The Secrets of the Isles, readers will find themselves fascinated by life on the Scilly Isles, off the southwestern coast of England, during the early 1900s. Gig races, pirate's booty, community bonds that hold fast through thick and thin, a place where everyone knows everything about everyone, or do they? The author has given her vibrant characters depth and realism and portrayed their inner feelings profoundly allowing those emotions to resonate within the reader. Libby, Beth, Elizabeth--so many of the same name, and yet each so different. Lady Elizabeth, Libby, a lady on holiday to gather strength to refuse her brother's choice of husband for her--wanting to find a place where she fits in, and it certainly doesn't seem to be the world of London society. Beth, strong and determined to protect her family, and now missing. And then there is the Elizabeth of the past, how does she fit in? Mabenna, the maid, or just who is she? And Mamm-wynn, such a precious and seemingly prescient grandmother. I'd take her any day as mine! I loved watching the characters change and mature in their attitudes and relationships with each other. White is a master at blending historical information with faith-filled inspiration. Will Libby be able to figure out where she belongs as she begins to recognize that the God who created the world of nature she loves to study, knows her true name and knows how she fits in His world. Lessons of faith are threaded throughout giving readers much to think about. Scenes and conversations are authentic and add so much. Interest is kept high as there are several surprise twists to the plot and a climactic ending that is rather edge-of-the-seat suspenseful. I really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next in the series. Readers who love historical fiction will not want to miss The Nature of a Lady. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. A favorable review was not required and the opinions are my own.

What a engaging, mysterious, and wonderfully romantic story!

Roseanna M. White has again created a heroine who is intelligent, delightfully socially awkward, and completely relatable in her insecurities and vulnerability. Libby's love of the natural world had her crawling in the dirt observing, bringing her microscope on her summer trip, and speaking of worms and such at dinner. Society, needless to say, frowned on such activities!

Libby's struggle to reconcile the God portrayed by much of the clergy with what she observed in nature and read in the scientific tomes of her time caused her to question matters of faith. The author dealt with this beautifully and logically. My favorite faith lesson she learned was that of realizing the very personal way God loved her and called her by name.

Oliver was the kind of vicar who truly embraced the concept of a good shepherd - and lived it! His love and care for the flock entrusted to him were so evident to all on the islands. Their trust in him was amazing. It was fun that Mabena credited his ability to draw people's innermost thoughts out to his "elbow magic". Yet despite his tender heart, the enmity between him and Casek was intense...

So many wonderful characters populated the islands! I adored Mamm-wynn with her sprite-like ways and Tas-gwynn with his penchant for exaggeration. Mabena, Casek, Beth. I could go on and on...

The mystery surrounding Beth's disappearance added quite a bit of excitement and suspense. I was very surprised when events played out and secrets were revealed!

If you enjoy historical fiction with mystery, romance, and faith, you will want to read The Nature of a Lady. And check back for new releases in The Secrets of the Isles series to learn more about the other wonderful characters introduced in this story. Based on the timing of her previous releases, my guess is that the next book will release in another six months or so. So stay tuned, and I'll be sure to let you know...

This new series set in the Scilly islands offers a fantastic read, complete with suspense, drama, and romance. Roseanna White never disappoints. Her well-developed characters and creative plots offer a delightful read in wonderful settings. This story features Lady Elizabeth Sinclair, who loves exploring nature, escaping to an island for a summer with her maid, and Oliver Tremayne, a vicar who lives on one of the islands. His missing sister and quirky grandmother draw the two together to solve this mystery, which may involve pirate’s treasure. I enjoyed watching the characters evolve and make discoveries and am looking forward to reading more of their adventures in the next book. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
#TheNatureofaLady #NetGalley

Rosanna White's books are among my favorites, and I was thrilled to discover that she is starting a new series with this story! While I love her WWI series and would be happy with her series to continually be set in the same time period, it is fun that this book has an island setting in a little earlier time period.

I loved getting to know Libby and Oliver, as well as Mabena and the other islanders. The setting is so beautiful, and I enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of a character who loved nature as much as Libby does. The questions Libby has in regards to faith and science are thought provoking and made me think. I also enjoyed that this story had a bit of mystery with Oliver's sister having disappeared.

I highly recommend picking up this (and Roseanna White's other stories!) book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This is my honest review.

This is an absolutely fantastic start to a new series from Roseanna White! After reading her WWI series, this change in scenery was fresh and inviting, and I was enchanted by the Isles of Scilly, an absolute jewel off the coast of Cornwall. If you want a book that mixes Historical Romance with suspense, mystery, some pirates, wonderful and endearing characters along with a beautiful scenery described in a manner that you just want to book your next flight there, then this is your book! I have to say this author never disappoints me and always surpasses my expectations in unexpected ways!
A bit about the story. Elizabeth Sinclair -alas, Lady Elizabeth-, the daughter of an Earl who passed away, is pestered by her brother to an arranged marriage she can’t stand. A woman who loves science and nature, she asks to spend the summer with her maid, Mabena Moon, in one of the Isles of Scilly, happy to be away from London Society demands and be able to bask in the nature’s beauty. But from the start, she is welcomed by strange happenings, being mistaken for “another” Elizabeth, who was staying in the cottage just before she arrived but mysteriously left without a word.
Oliver Tremayne feels the world on his shoulders. His parents died in a boat accident, and his older brother Morgan passed away a few years ago too. Now, it is only he and his sister Beth, and his beloved grandmother Mamm-wyn, who is battling dementia, but at times, she seems like the wisest person in the world. Oliver is a clergyman, and his kind and empathetic nature leads him to win the love and trust of his parishioners, and many more. But he’s beyond him with worry when he finds out his sister Beth is no longer holidaying at the cottage she was supposed to, but has vanished into thin air. In her place, he finds “another” Elizabeth in the cottage, whom he met a couple of years ago in her family’s Manor, dirty and inspecting the garden, and had a marvelous chat with her about nature and God’s creation. Turns out, she was the daughter of the recently deceased earl.
Together, with Mabena’s help (Beth’s good friend), they dig into a dangerous mystery, involving a pirate shipwreck and a hidden treasure. And yes, unexpected at first, but natural as they get to know each other, a growing friendship quickly turns into something more… Will they find Beth? What secret lurks behind her disappearance? Will Libby be able to let her heart rule, or will society expectations tear her from what she desires most?
This was a wonderful story, and a great start to a new series! I can’t wait for the next book! My only problem is the waiting!
I have to say that what made this book amazing was especially the character development. Other than the enchanting setting, as I already said, and the poetic descriptions and some dialogues, the characters were so vividly portrayed, that I felt their struggles and fears were mine too. I related to Libby’s desire to belong and be loved for who she is, not the title she was born to. She was sweet, shy, fragile in some ways, vulnerable, yet strong and determined in others. But her heart was huge and full of love to give and desire to be given. Oliver was the perfect clergyman, with his heart for people, his loyalty to the core, and his ability to see through them into their souls. I loved that when he held a person’s elbow, he could determine the person’s character. And the way he saw into your eyes, as if he could see your bare soul, because he did. He was truly charming and empathetic. I totally fell in love with him!
The romance was totally sweet, clean. Even if they fell in love kind of fast, it didn’t feel rushed, but natural, as if they were really meant to be with each other. It was swoony!
And I loved most of the side characters too: Sweet Mamm-wyn and her all seeing wisdom, Mabena with her strongminded and sparky character, Ennyon, even Casek… Hope to see more of them in the next stories.
There are some interesting faith themes in the book that were artfully touched. The battle of science against religion, how they don’t have to be in opposition, but complement each other, the vision of God loving us unconditionally, our trust in Him despite the outcomes in life. I loved how Oliver’s dialogues with Libby break her prejudices and bring her to a better knowledge of a God that never forsakes us and loves us as we are, human and flawed.
The mystery, the pirate story was something that made the story all the more engaging and quite a page turner. I loved the adventurous, mysterious and dangerous story side of the story.
Definitely, I book and series I highly recommend! Deep and profound, yet enjoyable, sweet and very intriguing! Five stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I loved this most recent novel by Roseanna White! The characters are top-notch. Animosity and tension easily flowed enough to make me despise the antagonist; however, not enough that I couldn't move over to his side when the tables turned for him. I love Lady Elizabeth and Oliver and the developing relationship they enjoy. There's enough mystery and who-dun-it to make this book impossible to put down!

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

A riveting read with a well built plot and characters that stay with you long after the last page is turned down.



A case of mistaken identity draws Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair into a mysterious adventure while on holiday on the Isles of Scilly to escape the matchmaking schemes of her brother.



Libby is an intelligent young woman, with a passion for studying nature. I admired her logical sensibilities, while also being sincerely compassionate, taking time to be present with others. I especially loved her interactions with Oliver and how he helped to open her eyes to see things in a new light.



Ms. White brings the breathtaking setting to life, from the cliffs and caves to the cottages and beaches through the people who love the isles best. My very favorite character had to be Mamm-wynn, for how closely she walked with God and trusted His urgings, never hesitating to follow. She is a sage woman, who comes off as a little eccentric, and completely endearing, beloved by all. I also really enjoyed many of the other characters and hope to see more of them in future books, and honestly I'm still not sure what to think of Sheridan--could he be hiding something?



Fantastic characters, filled with mystery, adventure, and a stunningly beautiful setting, this book quickly won me over and had me wishing for the next book in the series before I'd even finished this one. I loved the premise of mistaken identity, with multiple smart capable heroines, a resounding message of faith, and high stakes adventure. This is a well paced and plotted story with a lot of things going on at once and multiple levels of relationships between the various characters. I am definitely hoping to see many familiar faces in future books to come! Definitely a solid read all the way through, you won't want to miss it!





I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As always, Roseanna M. White creates a wonderful story with a backdrop of rich historical detail and accuracy. I always appreciate the research that is involved in the construction of each of her stores. I enjoyed this setting and era of the early 1900s. I really enjoyed the investigative component to this story as Libby and Oliver work together to discover information about Oliver's sister. Between the great character development, fun side characters and the pirates, there was lots to enjoy in this fabulous book! Thanks to netgalley for an arc of this story, all thoughts are my own.

This is the first book in a series called Secret of the Isles. I can’t wait to find out all the secrets of this beautiful place. This first book is wonderful and all kinds of mysterious things happens when Lady Libby and her “maid” goes to the Island. Well her maid Mabena had her own secrets too.
I loved the characters and the descriptions of the island. I felt like I went on each trip with Libby, Mabena & Oliver as they were hunting for Oliver’s sister Beth. Libby became more involved than she wanted when she was mistaken for Beth. They encounter ancient legends and pirate wrecks. Such a scary search.
It also has a spiritual thread. Libby learns a lot about trusting God from Oliver who is not only a friend and loves botany like she does but also a clergyman. Another character I loved was Mamm-wyn and how she wanted to take care of Libby and how she knew things they didn’t think she was capable of.
Enough romance, danger and mystery to keep you reading through the night. Don’t miss this first book where you will be ready to read the next one. I’m ready now.
I received a NetGalley copy and a paperback from the publishing company but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.