Blooming with Books: The Weaver's Daughter ~ Review

The Weaver's Daughter
By Sarah E. Ladd

The Weaver's Daughter finds Kate Dearborne's life slowly changing as progress comes to a trade that was once done by hand - the weaving of cloth. But progress has brought mills with machinery that cut the time needed to weave and dye by hand. Worse this progress and the laws of England has allowed mills to add more machines cutting the workers needed to do such jobs. And where adult labor was once needed now younger children are employed - children who are expected work long hours for less pay.

Amberdale finds itself in a conflict one that finds the Dearborne family against the Stockton family and mill. As the years pass the conflict and animosity grow between the two slowly bringing this small Yorkshire village into it where sides are drawn. With her brother, Charles taking a job with the Stockton Mill Kate's life becomes even more complicated as loyalty to family is her father's guiding passion. And her brother's lack of loyalty has made Charles a persona-non-grata in the eyes of Silas Dearborne. And Kate finds herself in the middle of this war with her love and loyalty to both brother and father.

When the heir to the Stockton fortune returns from the war on the Iberian Peninsula he is haunted by what he's experienced. Looking forward to spending time with grandfather and sister Henry is unprepared for the labor war brewing on his very doorstep. With his grandfather's dark moods and paranoia and his Mollie sister removed to London Henry's homecoming is not what he expected.

As the animosity between weavers and mills grows across England Henry finds himself forced to look at the issue from the varying points of view as they are presented to him. Progress is coming whether the Stockton Mills implements them or not. As feelings escalate Henry and Kate must decide where they will stand before Amberdale is destroyed by those who call it home.

The Weaver's Daughter reminds me of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South (which I now need rewatch and/or reread) with the added twist of those who are doing the wool work all by hand in opposition to the machinery-driven mills. I liked how the author presented both sides of the issue from the varying perspectives of several characters giving a balanced view of the situation that was facing all whose livelihoods and very way of life was in doubt. This is also a look at class and social status in England in the early 19th Century.

If you enjoy Historical Romance Fiction that has a bit of mystery in it (murder, sabotage, etc.) give this book from Sarah E. Ladd a try. If you've never read her books before this is an excellent one to start with as it is complete and not part of a series. This would be an excellent weekend or summer read especially if you have some time off. I will admit I read this book in one day - it was one of those "I can't put it down books" so I was willing to forego a little sleep to see how it ended.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through TLC Book Tours with no expectations of a positive ~ all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Kate’s loyalties bind her to the past.

Henry’s loyalties compel him to strive for a better future.

In a landscape torn between tradition and vision,

can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?

Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder — including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father’s pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war hoping to find a refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather’s goals to modernize his family’s wool mill, regardless of the grumblings from the local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort out the truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family’s livelihood and legacy.

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry’s side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with the powerful decision that will forever affect her village’s future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, and their village, and their souls – even if it means risking their hearts in the process.

Available at:
Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky Golden Retriever.