Finding Anne de Bourgh by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen + Win This Book!

As heiress of Rosings Park, Anne de Bourgh’s health is of utmost importance to her mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Thus, following the shock of a recent fire at Rosings Park, the young woman is spirited away to Brighton to take the cure. While her domineering mother is bent on healing her daughter’s sickly constitution to secure her a suitable match, Anne herself is far more concerned with sketching the flora and fauna of the lovely sea town. It is in pursuit of artistic inspiration among the flowers that Anne becomes acquainted with Mr. Owen Talbot, a charming man with whom Anne feels an immediate connection, notwithstanding their differing stations.

But despite their growing esteem for one another, the couple faces an insurmountable problem: Lady Catherine has set her sights on a rich, well-connected man for her daughter, and Mr. Talbot is simply too common. With their love in jeopardy, the couple soon faces far graver problems. There has been a murder in Brighton, and Anne is innocently drawn into an amateur investigation that ultimately traces its roots to her own family. With a frightening foreshadowing regarding the de Bourghs, Anne begins to question whom she can truly trust.

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As a fan of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, of course this book has been on my radar.  I love how this author developed the character of Anne de Bourgh.  She brought light and life to Anne showing how she might go from the character depicted in Pride and Prejudice to the young lady found in the last few chapters of this book.

Anne is the sickly daughter of an overbearing, opinionated mother.  In P&P, she is sallow, unbecoming and of no consequence but in this book we see what a little thought and imagination can bring to Anne's story.  I really loved the growth Anne made in this book.  She ventures her own opinion once and gains some confidence.  Every little instance of Anne expressing her own thoughts, opinions and desires felt like a small victory.  

In the meantime, a dangerous, unsavory plot is swirling around Anne.  It grows right along with Anne's confidence.  There's nothing like a bit of intrigue to liven things up.  This book is more gentle and placid in nature so I appreciated the growing plot to help keep me engaged.  It was a good balance of plot and characters and I enjoyed it.

Content:  mild peril and violence, death

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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