Review: "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" by Melanie Dobson

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review: "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" is filled with mysteries and tangles of deceit.  Melanie Dobson creates a plot with three generations of layers to sort through.  Dobson definitely thought outside-of-the box when writing "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor." There isn't much that is predictable or ordinary in the plot. Amid the quaint cottages and country lanes of England, Dobson weaves a story shadowed with darkness and pain.  Stories of the past slowly unfold in the present for Heather Toulson, who uncovers shocking revelations about her family and shares some of her own.

The novel started a bit slow, especially in the present day scenes. There were some detailed passages about art restoration that I skimmed, but the pace picked up within several chapters. Secrets and lies are continuously present and create an engaging, yet heavy read. There is a pattern of deceit that emerges among all three generations, and the results are thought-provoking. They can also be disturbing.  This is especially true of Libby's role in the novel. Through Libby, Dobson sheds light on the stigma attached to children who were deemed "abnormal" by society in the 1950's and 1960's. As a reader, I couldn't understand Libby's decisions, which made me feel like an outsider. I was left feeling sympathetic to her character and very perplexed by certain interactions between Libby and other characters. The history of the Doyle family is plagued by painful twists, which could have been avoided through truth. It seems a bit unrealistic that each woman would follow such similar life paths, and the plot almost sounds like a soap opera when you tell someone all of the details. Regardless, it is easy to keep turning the pages while seeking resolution.

It would be unrealistic to end "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" with complete and perfect closure. There are broken hearts that cannot be mended and relationships that cannot be fully repaired.  Dobson gives readers a hopeful conclusion for Heather and her family, finally on the mend, thanks to lessons learned from long buried secrets.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Summary from Howard Books: When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder.

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways. 

Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

Review of "The Courier of Caswell Hall"

Rating: 4 Stars

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Review: "The Courier of Caswell Hall" by Melanie Dobson served as my introduction to Summerside Press' "American Tapestry" series.   History and love share the stage in this story set during the turbulent American Revolution.  The plot brims with historical details and give a new perspective on the turning point in our nation's history.  Overall, I enjoyed the abundance of history and Dobson's descriptions of the beautiful Williamsburg area.  There were times in the beginning of the novel when the plot seemed a bit stilted by the emphasis on historical facts; and while the narration flowed well, the conversation felt stilted.  Fortunately, once the historical foundation was laid, the plot became more emotionally engaging and the characters became more dimensional.   

The novel is divided into three parts, parts 2 and 3 were when the story really took off for me. Dobson built tension among the characters as loyalties were divided. Lydia's transformation from a loyalist to a true Patriot was gradual and her resistance was understandable, given the constant presence of British soldiers at her family's plantation.  Dobson highlights the role of women in the Revolution through a few other characters, including Sarah, Lydia's friend and neighbor. I applauded the bravery that each woman exhibited when she chose to aid her country in spite of overwhelming danger. Sarah and Lydia were neighbors but were impacted by the war in divergent ways, which was probably very representative of the reality of the Revolutionary War. I was surprised, and saddened at times, by some of the turns of events in both Lydia's and Sarah's lives.  Dobson concludes each story on a bittersweet note, but leaves the reader with an appreciation for the lasting legacy of the women and men who gave America her freedom. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blog Tour:  http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdobson

Summary: An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

Purchase a Copy: http://amzn.to/1aLxC9s

About the Author: Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.  Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com

Review of Refuge on Crescent Hill by Melanie Dobson

Rating: 4 Stars

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Synopsis from Kregel Publications: This homecoming wasn’t what she expected . . .
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Jobless, homeless, and broke, Camden Bristow decides to visit the grandmother she hasn’t seen in years. But when Camden arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother has passed away, leaving her the 150-year-old mansion on Crescent Hill. The site of her happiest summers as a child, the run-down mansion is now her only refuge.

When Camden finds evidence that she may not be the mansion’s only occupant, memories of Grandma Rosalie’s bedtime stories about secret passageways and runaway slaves fuel her imagination. What really happened at Crescent Hill? Who can she turn to for answers in this town full of strangers? And what motivates the handsome local Alex Yates to offer his help? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camden uncovers
deep family secrets within the mansion’s walls that could change her life—and the entire town—forever.

Click Here to read an excerpt! 

Review: The cover of Melanie Dobson's novel, Refuge on Crescent Hill, evokes the mysterious aura that lingers, almost tangibly, until the last page.  The grand home on Crescent Hill is a primary character in the novel, and she shines with a faded beauty through the dust and peeling paint. Dobson speaks of Crescent Hill in rich detail, drawing the reader in to uncover its past and present secrets. Each of the main and secondary characters is somehow tied to the house, and their lives entwine in unexpected ways.  Like any good suspense, there are good guys, bad guys, victims, and heroes.  There is little mystery as to who is good and who is bad; their loyalties are fairly clear from the beginning of the novel.  Dobson tells the story from several different perspectives: Camden Bristow, Alex Yates, Jake Paxton, and Stephanie Ellison-Carter.  Each chapter is comprised of various scenes, each told from the viewpoint of a different main character.  A scene often ends right before something is revealed,  which moves the plot at a steady pace to keep the reader interested. 

As a fan of historic homes and history, the setting of this novel is the highlight for me.  Although the plot is modern day, its focus on the past provides just the right amount of historic elements.  The connection of the house to the Underground Railroad differentiates the Refuge on Crescent Hill from other novels.  I've read books set during the Civil War and the years of slavery, but have seen little mention of the Underground Railroad.  It is inspiring to read about the sacrifices the families made in the quest and fight for freedom.  I enjoyed looking at the photos of the real house that inspired the story on Melanie Dobson's website. 

The romance element is quite small in this novel.  It is primarily a mystery, but is also story about love and sacrifice.  There is ultimately romantic interest between Camden and Alex, but the development of their relationship is not a primary focus.  There were moments in the story that I wanted more depth.  I did not feel entirely connected to the characters, but I enjoyed this book nonetheless.  Refuge on Crescent Hill is a page-turner until the end. 
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About the Author: Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good. A former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, Melanie has worked in the fields of journalism and publicity for more than eighteen years. She and her family live in Oregon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson

Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis from Summerside Press: Cleveland, Ohio, 1928. Secrets bind the notorious Cardano family together, but Detective Rollin Wells is close to exposing the family’s dark secrets. The Cardanos are working in the hills south of Cleveland, and when Rollin travels to Sugarcreek to investigate, he discovers that the Cardanos want him dead.

Rollin hides out in an Amish home, trying to uncover why the Cardanos are in Amish country and who is collaborating with them. As he gets closer to the truth, he also attempts to find out what a beautiful Amish woman named Katie Lehman—a woman who reminds him of the girl he once loved—is hiding.

Will Katie trust him with her secret…and her heart? Or will the Cardano code of honor silence them both?


Review:  The Silent Order is a refreshing and exciting departure from the traditional Amish and historical fiction novels.  I was first drawn to the setting of the novel - 1928 Ohio. The 1920s was both an exciting and turbulent time in history, yet I have read so few novels set during that period.  My interest was further piqued by the summary.  How often do we see the mafia, detectives, and the passive Amish community in the same plot?  My expectations were set: this was not going to be a traditional Amish fiction novel.  I was not disappointed.

Melanie Dobson's writing and suspenseful story-line gripped me from the beginning.  The novel maintains a steady pace until the end, woven with secrecy, danger, and of course faith and a bit of romance.  Both main characters, Katie and Rollin are likable and well-developed.  They each wear scars from their pasts, and they are bound by the losses and traumas they suffered at the hands of cruel men.  As Katie's and Rollin's lives cross in Amish country, they reveal hidden secrets to each other and the reader.  In the midst of peril and fear, they experience healing, which provide heartfelt and tender moments.  The Silent Order is a fast and intriguing read that I highly recommend!