Thanks for sending me an arc, I do appreciate it. I wasn't able to get into this one and haven't been able to get back to it so I won't be leaving an official review at this time.

Romance, clean; series, but stand alone read
After the death of her father, Gillian takes on costuming to support herself, and after meeting Viscount Thomas Lockwood, things start becoming more clear that her father was murdered. Clues are uncovered, Gillian stubbornly refuses to disbelieve her father's innocence.
Intriguing mystery, and subtle romance with interesting back story, and side characters. Well done. More of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but still a good read for me. If you enjoy period romance and mystery, this is a great pick.

Thank you for the chance to review this book, however, unfortunately, I was unable to read and review this title before it was archived.

Sandra Byrd has once again written a delightful historical gothic-romance novel that will enthrall readers from page one. This novel has plenty of gothic mystery and rich romance that readers will delight in as they read this gorgeous and enthralling story. Byrd has a way of writing that makes it so readers will not want to put down her novel—strong and bold characters and an enticing, deep, and strong story that will leave an imprint on the mind. Readers are not going to want to miss the third and final standalone novel in the Daughters of Hampshire series.

Series: Daughters of Hampshire
Genre: historical, romance, mystery, gothic, Christian
Publisher: Howard Books
Publication date: March 21, 2017
Number of pages: 384

A Lady in Disguise is a book that grabs you at page one. Gillian Young is the daughter of a police officer who has died. Gillian finds out after his death that he is suspected of being involved in illegal activity. Gillian sets out to prove her father is innocent of the allegations. As she does, she realizes the web of lies and deceit surrounding the allegations. Each layer she uncovers puts her in danger.

Gillian inherits a family property but it is in need of repair. The neighbor to that property is the charming Viscount Thomas Lord Lockwood. He offers to help oversee the property while Gillian works as a costume designer in London. As Thomas and Gillian become more acquainted, Gillian wonders if Thomas is interested in her, or her property. There is also a class issue between Gillian and Thomas. Gillian's mother married a middle class person so Gillian feels as if she is not able to branch into Thomas's elite world. Thomas helps her to see that she is not bound by that class.

A Lady in Disguise really is a suspenseful mystery that has a romantic component to it. You see betrayal on many levels and Gillian begins to wonder who she can trust and whether or not she has gone mad. When the police are the ones that are targeting you, where do you turn? Gillian is able to find clues and is determined to clear her father's name but by doing so, she puts her very life in danger as well as her future with the man she loves.

The book is well written and is part of a three book series called the Daughters of Hampshire . This is the first book I have read in the series but I fully intend to read the first two.

I’ve read and enjoyed the last two instalments in the Daughters of Hampshire series, by Sandra Byrd, an author who I discovered relatively recently. Although the books are part of a trilogy, and set in the same geographical region, they can be read as standalone titles, as the characters bear no relation to one another, and do not appear in successive books, as they do in some series.
As with the others, A Lady in Disguise was a Victorian Romance with hints of a Gothic Thriller. Mist of Midnight was excellent, Bride of a Distant Isle was very good if a little far-fetched in places, but in my opinion, this one was the best of them all.

Meticulously researched, with a strong sense of period and of place, and cleverly interwoven historical details, including the early days of the now world famous organization known as the Salvation Army, the early Metropolitan Police force, and even references to the embryonic women’s suffrage movement. The details also allowed to the faith elements to be bought into the story, in a realistic manner which fitted the period, and did not come over as too preachy. Even the events of the last chapter, which some people might object to, were acceptable, when is some other novels like this they come across as cheating.

Some readers may wish to be forewarned that this novel does have rather a dark tone at times, and handles some very difficult and controversial issues including human trafficking, child prostitution and police corruption. I felt that these were dealt with sensitively, without the whole thing taking on a seedy or sleazy tone. Whilst this is categorized as Romance, I felt the romantic elements were often the in background, with the plot and activities of the character being given more prominence, and the protagonists remaining true to their character. Hence, the romance did not come over as simpering, mushy or fluffy as some romances do.

Finally, some American authors have trouble pulling off a British setting, but Sandra Byrd does it magnificently (helped in no small part by some British Beta readers). My only complaints were the rather odd name that the heroine Gillian used for her mother Mamma (which sounded like it was somewhere between the American Momma, and the archaic British Mama), and couple of scenes which bordered on the improbable.
Other than that, though, this was a wonderful read, meriting a Five-star rating which I rarely give. Recommended for any lover of Victorian Historical and Clean Fiction, and Romance.

I requested a copy of this book from the Published Howard Books, via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a really great historical mystery containing a gothic romance. I loved the feel of this atmospheric novel, and enjoyed the mystery and romance. It was a great addition to the Daughters of Hampshire Series, and I am looking forward to more.

I truly enjoy the writings of Sandra Bryd...thank you for sharing her latest novel w/ me. Loved it!!!!

I didn’t realize how much I had missed Gothic romance novels until Sandra Byrd released her first book in the Daughters of Hampshire series. I enjoyed it so much that I looked forward to each subsequent book. “A Lady in Disguise” is the third and final book if the series follows the usual rule of three. I personally would love to see this author continue to write novels in this vein.

“A Lady in Disguise” continues the series with its wonderfully sinister atmosphere, heightened suspense, and characters perfectly suited to their roles. I loved how difficult it was to determine whether certain characters were friend or foe. There were moments that I suspected each of them even when I hoped I was wrong. I did begin to suspect one over the others and my suspicions turned out to be correct; however that did not affect my enjoyment of the story one bit. The dialogue between Thomas and Gillian was delightful. I so enjoyed their scenes together.

With the perfect combination of drama, suspense, romance, and faith with just a touch of humor, “A Lady in Disguise” was exactly what I had hoped. The suspense element grew at just the right rate and had me worried about whether Gillian would survive her troubles. A surprise or two along the way were the icing to the cake. My only complaint is that it ended much too quickly but then I shouldn’t read so fast. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for her readers next.

Innocence and harm, corruption and protection.
This miltifaceted novel offers much more than a love story - it offers a meaning, an invitation to offer however small (you think) helping hand to the world who has been hurting by the crimes identical both then in Victorian England and now.

Gillian Young is her own woman between two worlds - the arictocratic world of her mother's side, who, a daughter of the lord, had chosen an actress profession and a middle class marriage of love, and the common life from with father, an honest policeman.
But now her father is dead and his police colleagues are treating her strangely, as if there might be some foul play on his side, even corruption and entanglement with the women of ill fate (read: prostitution). Gillian can't believe that, but the facts are not straight - they might indicate both her father's innocence or his involvement with crimes.
And in the meantime there are other things to worry about - her newly found passion to help the girls in need, brought to life when visiting A Theatrical Mission helping children and young women of formerly theatre employment, now without money and under threat to sell their bodies for a living. She can bring just youngsters Ruby and Charlotte and older seamstress Mother Martha to her house, or can she do more? Could she listen to her mother's wishes - expressed by a letter found posthumously - to sell the Winton Park, her family's aristocratic home? Mrs W., her chaperone, seems to agree with this intent.
And there is Thomas, lord Lockwood, whom she is strongly attracted to, and he seems to be equally attracted to her. But there are some issues unaddressed in his behaviour.
Should she choose the safe middle class life, or should she live fully, even if the threats to her thinking, movements and job as a seamstress are very, very real? Her father might be murdered and she might be unprotected and alone against the world of power.

As I said, this is more than "just" a love story. It is a quite true story about the world we are still living in - where the powerful can prey after the weak ones, namely children and young women. The novel is extremely powerful in impact about this cause, at least in me - to see the need and respond to it, however small (seemingly) the possibilities to help are. The Victorian England was a cruel world for the unprotected ones - but obviously the respond to help was great, too. Namely lord Shaftersbury, mentioned in the novel, was an honourable and influential figure to help the weak ones.
The white-collar crime is another threat still present in our times - and the one which is hard to find against because relaying the crime might hurt you not just on your body, but also on your economical well-being and good name, which are still very impactful things.
Gillian has suffered all of this in her quest for truth and helping the others - and I quite admire her character. She is an "ordinary" person thrown under the non-ordinary "vehicle" of threats, so to say - and she fights back with a heart still present. I like her quest for independence while still being able to understand the dignity of the others.

But while she is an admirable, multi-faceted character, I can't say the same for the main hero. The authoress tend to write the strong female characters (at least in this series), but her men are more mysterious than real - which is not the bad thing per se, but the lack of realness might make them harder to connect with. And Thomas Lockwood is, by my opinion, the weakest character here - he is just too good to be real, and sometimes just feels like a prop, as Gillian does all of her fighting and discoveries (almost) alone.

Speaking about the "alone factor" - I love than she is, in reality, not alone! Maybe alone from the human help (not truly, but mostly), but she is well protected by the divine powers. The Mother Martha' s story is simple, but oh so beautiful! It fulfilled my heart like nothing else.
And speaking about the little stories - the Mrs W's character and story is the best-crafted character arc here. High literature!

The other aspects were done beautifully - The Little Women's impact, the sheer beauty of the theatrical and sewing business must make any female's heart feeling warmer, if even for a moment. After all, the beauty can make a beautiful things for a heart.

Having said all that - this is the most complex novel by Ms Byrd I have read till now. Is is a powerful book speaking of compassion, truth and a good fight - all in a very attractive setting.
And I am more than convinced to lay my hands on everything this talented, gifted and warm authoress would ever write!
Highly recommended read - and this is to be said about all the "Daughters of Hampshire" series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
A thoroughly enjoyable book. Love how real the characters and their thought processes, words, and reactions are. The romance is engaging and believable and the love interest is appealing. Really enjoyed reading all the passages describing the theatre, the costume designing, and the sewing. Also liked how the book dealt with serious issues of the time and did not gloss over that these types of things took place. The miracle at the end of the book made the novel quite unique. It was a great way to transition to the end of the book. Would highly recommend A Lady in Disguise.

Really enjoyed this wonderful story. Love the gothic angle. Gillian must find out if her father was a police officer on the take or did someone murder him to stop him from finding out who the bad guys were. Love Gillian and Thomas. They interact wonderfully together. I did not want to stop reading to go to work or bed. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I have given of my own free will.

Gillian Young is a talented seamstress and works for the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane and her father has just died in an accident. She finds out that her father may have led a double life. She meets Viscount Thomas Lockwood, a very handsome young man who is actually a neighbor in Hampshire where the family home, Winton Park is. After her father's death, she finds out that her mother, also deceased, wants the house to be donated to the 'Cause'.

The Cause is where there are people who want to stop the human trafficking that is taking place. One organization, The Salvation Army, that tries to do good and help the helpless if you will. A lot of children, mainly girls are sold into slavery and often into prostitution and this is also a topic that is not often talked about in certain circles, this is Victorian England in the late 1800's. Gillian ends up taking into her home two girls that if left on their own would have been entered into this life. She soon grows fond of these two girls and they help her make the costumes for the theater.

After Gillian has left her father's funeral and returns home she finds that her home has been searched by the police. They seem to be looking for proof of her father's supposed dishonesty. She finds herself being followed and does not know whom to trust. She searches her home and Winton Park to see if she can find proof that her father was innocent of any wrongdoing.

A Lady in Disguise is the third novel in the Daughters of Hampshire series. I have read them all and I have enjoyed each one. The depth of the characters, the plot etc is written in such a way that you can almost feel the mists rolling along the streets and the darkness of the tale reminds me of other Gothic authors that I have read over the years, particularly Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. The research is impeccable and the story is romantic but a clean romance. Very reminiscent of authors from the early to mid 1900's. I love all of Sandra's books, especially her Tudor series, my favorite era in historical fiction. I look forward to whatever comes next from Sandra Byrd!

Sandra Byrd is not a new author to me I have enjoyed her Lady in Waiting series and have read book one in her Daughters of Hampshire series. All her books are stand alone so no need to read in order. I have a great respect for authors who can write in different time periods. With the Ladies in Waiting taking place in the Tudor times and Daughters during the Victorian era, so many changes over the years meaning more research for the author. Victorian England is new to me and it's only been recently that I have been turning some of my reading into that direction.

Gillian Young is a young woman grieving the sudden death of her father, a local and well respected police officer. But as accusations of illegal activity are brought to light Gillian refuses to believe that he was involved in any unsavory actions. As she tries to figure out the truth, events begin to make her question who she can and cannot trust and whether his accident was really an accident at all. Also could he in fact be guilty as rumored to be.

I love the authors writing style she makes you feel part of the story and drew me in, making me care not just for Gillian but for those she takes under her wing. I love learning about the lifestyle in that era, the theater world and the art of costume making.

A Lady in Disguise is a great historical fiction novel that is full of mystery, suspense and intrigue. While I am not a big fan of romance novels I felt that the love story here was done perfectly and not overbearing, it fit the story in a realistic manner. This is Christian fiction, there is scripture, prayer and it was done in a realistic manner, not over the top. Plus I loved the ending

Sandra Bryd will continue to be an author in which I anticipate her next book. Be sure to check out my review for one of her previous works.

I received an ARC from the publisher (via Netgalley) and give my sincerely thanks for the opportunity to review A Lady in Disguise.

Gillian Young's father has recently passed away under mysterious circumstances, leaving her a townhouse and a country manor. She has a home and can provide for her needs by designing and sewing gowns for a Lady and costumes for the theater. Thomas Lockwood, a viscount, is her country neighbor. Is he interested in her or her land? Francis Collingsworth, a constable, and son of her father's partner is also interested, but in what? Sandra Byrd has created a delightful mixture of gothic romance and Victorian morals with a touch of the Gospel added to the story. I loved the mystery of never knowing who was truly on Gillian's side. the plot was engrossing and I had trouble putting the book down to sleep at night. A truly enjoyable read.

From Amazon:
In this intriguing novel of romance, mystery, and clever disguise set in Victorian England, a young woman investigates the murder of her own father.

After the mysterious death of her father, Miss Gillian Young takes a new job as the principal costume designer at the renowned Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. But while she remembers her father as a kind, well-respected man of the Police Force, clues she uncovers indicate he’d been living a double life: a haunting photograph of a young woman; train stubs for secret trips just before his death; and a receipt for a large sum of money. Are these items evidence of her father’s guilty secrets? His longtime police partner thinks so.

Then Gillian meets the dashing Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Their attraction is instant and inescapable. As their romantic involvement grows, Gillian begins to suspect even Lockwood’s motives. Does Lord Lockwood truly love her? Or is his interest a front for the desire to own her newly inherited property? And what should she make of her friend’s suggestion that Lockwood or men like him were involved in the murder of her father?

Soon Gillian is convinced that her father has left evidence somewhere that can prove his innocence and reveal the guilty party. But someone wants to stop her from discovering it. The closer she comes to uncovering it, the more menacing her opposition grows. With her life on the line, Gillian takes on an ingenious disguise and takes on the role of a lifetime to reveal the true killer—before it’s too late both for her and for those that she loves.

From the author:

From the Author
An interview with Sandra by Jenny Quinlan of Let Them Read Books.

What inspired you to take on the Gothic genre? I loved reading old-school Gothic romances, ones filled with atmosphere and suspense, such as those written by Victoria Holt, but I found it difficult to find many new ones still written with the "traditional ingredients."

As an author, I also wanted to update the concept a little for modern readers, and put my own spin on it, as authors will. I like more of the hero on the page than was present in many of the Gothic romance novels of years past, and I like my heroines to be a little bit less waifish and a little stronger minded than was popular then. I wanted to include just a wee bit more hard history, and I like weaving in an element of faith. But I tried my best to stick to the elements many readers expect from a Gothic romance, which might include:
A large country house in need of attention and affection, already in disrepair. In some ways, the house represents the heroine.

A Byronic hero, who might be questionable and always conflicted. The heroine falls in love, but she has to know before she commits - will he prove true?

Characters--especially servants, but others, too--that may be untrustworthy; our heroine does not know and must puzzle it out.

Psychological underpinnings, perhaps including madness or a suspicion of it.

A supernatural element, whether naturally explained or not.

Parents who are not present or who are dead, so the heroine must rely on her own wit and resources.
Women in the Victorian Era were defined and constrained by strict social mores and expectations. Can you talk a bit about creating a heroine from that era that today's readers can still identify with? They had major constraints, and the heroines in my books cannot just solve their problems like you or I might - but I love them the more for that; they are forced to cleverly use the tools at hand. Truthfully, all of us, then and now, are constrained in some way from the full self-determination we would prefer, and perhaps that is one way we identify with them. And yet ... the human spirit, a strong woman's spirit, faces those challenges head on, tries to think through what she wants, and then plots a way toward it. When roadblocks occur, she finds a way over, around, or through. That was true a thousand years ago and is still true, now.

The very freedom of our age has wrought a new set of challenges. But we still find a way to triumph. Seeing women do that, then, encourages me as a woman to do that, now. If they can be contenders, so can I!

Also - we must all be risk-takers to gain what we want: love, respect, a meaningful life, and personal fulfillment. Today's readers certainly have that in common with yesterday's women, my historical heroines.

How does your faith shape the inspirational aspects of your fiction? My faith is central to my worldview and interests, so it informs the subjects I pursue in my books. Honestly, I felt it would be anachronistic to write about 19th Century England and not have any mention of or interaction with faith; it was completely integrated into daily and weekly life. It interests me how a strong Christian woman approaches challenges in her era and setting. I don't set out, in fiction, to teach, only to show and reveal and understand through the heroine's eyes. Hopefully, that makes a good story whether the reader is a Christian or not!

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Darkness in Victorian times

An engaging mystery and romance set smack in the middle of the Drury Lane theatre district of London in Victorian times.
There's treachery, mystery and fear. Young children, the 'pantomime children', discarded when too old or when the season is over and who are lured into darker employment in London or taken to Paris are at the heart of the matter.
Miss Gillian Young is a talented seamstress whose father, a hitherto respected inspector in the police force, has recently been killed in a mysterious 'accident'. Gillian is left with nothing but puzzles, and fear. What happened to her father? It seems he is being accused of corruption and more. Few of the constabulary turns out for his funeral. Gillian is determined to find out the truth, despite the menacing warnings she has to let things be.
Gillian has inherited a property outside London. There she meets the handsome Viscount Thomas Lockwood who owns property adjacent to her's. They are attracted to one and other. Gillian also becomes acquainted with a young policeman who is the son of a colleague of her father's.
But threats and disquieting happenstances are closing in upon Gillian. Who can be trusted? Who are the villains? Why are the police searching her properties?
Gillian's ambitions as a costume designer is fascinating. When she is given the opportunity to be the principal designer for the theatre production of Cinderella she employs young people from a home for pantomime children her mother supported, The Cause.
The back story of the pantomime children, their exploitation and unknown futures lends this story strength. Child trafficking has never died and this story hides these dark secrets in its background. With strong Christian underpinnings, Boyd's end note and research about the pantomime children and their inclusion in this novel takes the story to a different level and is to be commended.

A NetGalley ARC
(March 2017)

Miss Gillian Young a costumer for the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and an heiress to a tumbledown estate, has an interest in the theater and in the wealthy lord whose estate borders her own. The untimely death of her father and the mystery shrouding his work in the police force have Gillian completely at a loss. Digging into her father's work becomes more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. Nobody is worthy of her trust--including some of father's co-workers, and quite possibly, the mysterious Lord Thomas Lockwood, her handsome neighbor.

Embarking on a journey into the past, traveling to universes unknown, romancing a prince, or slaying fabled dragons--these are just a few of the unending possibilities that we as readers look for when we pick up a book. With her latest series, Sandra Byrd takes readers on yet another scintillating journey from the seediest underbellies of Victorian England to an elegant theater where world-renowned actors in resplendent costumes tread the boards much to the delight of lords and ladies.

Ms. Byrd's A Lady in Disguise, is quite possibly her best book to date! Not only does she pen such a authentic, believable character in Gillian, but she gives her such a fantastic occupation! I'm so used to reading regencies and Victorian-set stories of heiresses and fine ladies who do nothing but attend balls or embroider pillows, that Gillian's tale took me quite by surprise! Descriptions of ombre fabrics and the delicate beading of gloves made me feel as if I could shrug out of my dog hair covered cardigan, step through the page, and slip right into a bespoke silk dress of Gillian's creation.

Sandra Byrd certainly has a knack for the elegant, but also for writing what it may have been like to be poor and female in the 1800s. Her writing exemplifies what it means to do your research and put it to good use. I felt completely immersed! The gutters, the fog, and the overall miasma that permeated the streets of the slums during the 19th century lend an even greater air of mystery to Gillian's story. To go from a women's home to the streets to the bustling theater and to a ballroom takes immense care and consideration. There's no such thing as "choppy" writing in A Lady in Disguise.

This book is one of my favorites by this author and is definitely one that has earned it's place on my keeper shelf. I highly recommend this clean read to fans of Jane Eyre or similar Gothics, romance, and mystery!

A Lady In Disguise is the third and final book in the Daughters of Hampshire series. Of the three books included in the series it is by far my favorite. If you've not read the first two books, never fear, each are stand alone titles so you can read them in any order.

After reading the series I am convinced that Sandra Byrd will be a name synonymous with Gothic romance in the future. She has taken all of the elements from our beloved old school Gothics and brought them forward with a few updated twists.

While most of the action takes place in London there is still a run down estate that lurks in the background. The heroine's parents are gone and her father's death has a mystery surrounding it. There are characters that should be trustworthy but they aren't. There are those that are trusted but shouldn't be. And there are certainly those that waffle back and forth between trustworthiness and sinister motives. The tension of figuring out the truth is delicious!

A Lady In Disguise is a wonderfully entertaining tale but it also has a great bit of depth. Mixed among the mystery and intrigue is the very real truth of the ill treatment of women and children. Sandra Byrd gives us a glimpse into the hidden-in-plain-sight world of the poor, child labor, and prostitution.

My favorite overriding element of the book was the fact that while we as ordinary people can't help the masses we can reach out and make a difference in the life of an individual. Think of the impact if we would each reach out to just one other individual and lift their burden. The domino effect would be massive.

I look forward to reading the next series of Gothics from Sandra Byrd. I would recommend this book and the entire series to those that enjoy mystery and intrigue mixed with a bit of historical romance. If you have a book club this would be a wonderful choice. Lots of different discussion possibilities are included in the stories.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

This is the third book in the Daughters of Hampshire series but it is a standalone read. Gillian is a costume/dress maker living on her own now that her father, a police inspector, has died in an accident. However, her father’s integrity is under a cloud of suspicion, Gillian has inherited her grandparents’ run-down estate, and she is trying to support herself while protecting young girls in her care. Added to that, Gillian does not know who among her father’s co-workers are corrupt and whether she can trust two men who seem to be vying for her affections. I liked how the author used all these events to tighten the tension around Gillian gradually and completely. I really did not know how she would overcome so many obstacles but she had such strength, determination, and spiritual fortitude. It was obvious who the villain was but I was unsure how long his reach was and I kept reading to see how her father was connected to it all. I appreciated the historical information that the author included in the story, everything from theater life, costuming, to the timely issue of child trafficking. Like Gillian, I was unsure of Viscount Lockwood’s motives. I would have liked to see Lockwood interact more with Gillian to make their romance more believable but their bantering had some swoon-worthy moments. I appreciated the epilogue at the end, it really wrapped up the story nicely. I’d definitely recommend this book and this series although the first book was my favorite--4.5 stars.
*I received this book free of charge from NetGalley.