Vale
Historical Fiction
by Tess Bentley
Trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage, thirty-six-year-old modern woman Vale is depressed. She longs for a happier life for herself and her two children.
Everything changes when she meets John Emberley, who presents himself as a distant relative but forces Vale back to his Victorian England with magic. Escaping into the English countryside, she finds an ally, Edward Emberley, master of Avenhurst Manor, who informs her she belongs to a cursed family of landed gentry and is eighteen again.
As she adjusts to the Victorian life, she struggles to overcome the pain of being separated in time from her children. But as she gets to know Edward, she realizes he may be much more than a friend—and even a chance to get her son and daughter back. But if she is to get her dream of the man she deserves and the children she misses, she must be ready to face not just her own inner turmoil, but the dark forces, old curses and buried secrets that lie hidden in the tranquil Victorian countryside.
REVIEW
4 out of 5
Bentley draws you in with the opening scene, and keeps pulling you deeper. The premise intrigued me, and I loved seeing the differences and parallels in the characters. My biggest complaint is there are times when the story goes into too much of a lull. Then there were times I wish things had been fleshed out a little more, but felt glossed over to keep things moving. That out of the way, the characters are believable, and Edward is absolutely swoon-worthy! Part fantasy, part romance, part family secrets and mysteries, this is a great leisurely read!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tess is a writer of historical fiction with a touch of speculation and the Gothic.
Tess has loved books—their scent, feel, and the world held within their pages—since she was a young child. That love of reading was vital in her development as a woman and mother. After spending ten years working as a registered nurse, Tess found herself in extremis, and returned to her first means of escapism: books. Tess has since written her first novel, Vale, and has recently received her MA in English with a specialisation in Gothic Studies with Distinction. Women’s issues—now and historically—hold a tender place in Tess’s heart.
Tess lives with her family in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s with their cat, Patch, who was rescued.