A Lady in Disguise - My Review

Sandra Byrd's novel A Lady in Disguise is the perfect read for those who love stories set in England.  More specifically, stories set in Victorian England.  The Victorian era has always been my favorite era of literature, so I was excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint!  The characters were relatable, and it was easy to stand behind the female protagonist of the story, Miss Gillian Young.  Her story will resonate to the heart of the reader, because she endures so much.  Her world is constantly changing throughout the text, and as a reader you want so much for her life to turn out right. 

As the pages to this book begin,  Miss Young is already facing tragedy, and quickly the reader will learn how much Gillian has already lost.  Sadly, there comes a point in her life when she wonders if she can trust anyone.  Unfortunately, Miss Young feels there could be danger lurking behind every bend in the road, and she soon discovers many of the individuals around her cannot be trusted.  Her parent's love letters are her only means of solace. 

Gillian's mother was an actress and found her own charities close to heart.  In turn, Gillian will find those individuals who need her assistance.  Through much prayer, she will start to discover the Lord is her only point of help in a world where she feels very alone.  Who will rescue her from the devastating places in her life?

Lord Lockwood has known Miss Young for years, and unbeknownst to Gillian, has started to form an attachment to her.   Yet there are so many obstacles in the way.  Throughout various events, he wonders if Miss Young even cares for him at all.  Her mysterious nature after her father's death does not make sense to him at times, yet his only desire is to protect her.  Will she ever understand this? 

Every character in this text comes with their own backstory that is vital to the overall message of the story, and it is interesting to see how each individual's strengths and weaknesses develop to either help or hinder Gillian.  Miss Young depends on certain people in her life, because without them, she would not be able to make her living as a seamstress.  Yet Miss Young also starts to learn about life from those around her, as she begins to discover her true and dependable friends.  As with most, in order to progress in life, one must learn from life's mistakes, which takes time.  Miss Young, through trial and error, will hopefully one day put all the confusing pieces of her life back together. 

This text was difficult to stop reading, because it was such an exciting and interesting read.  Even throughout the ups and downs of the book, I could not wait to learn what happened next in Gillian and Lord Lockwood's life.  There were moments when it seemed nothing could ever be right again, and then I would turn the page only to find more turmoil with bits of hope thrown in.  This heart-pounding tale is a must for any avid reader, because it is story you wish would never end--in some respects that is.  You will have to read the book in order to understand--so go check it out!  Happy reading!  

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to RelzReviewz for my copy.

About The Book 

*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. 

*Synopsis is from the back cover of the novel.

About The Author 

  

Award-winning and bestselling author Sandra Byrd has published four dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including Mist of Midnight, Bride of a Distant Isle (A Romantic Times Book Reviews Top Pick), and her most recent, A Lady in Disguise. For nearly two decades, Sandra has shared her secrets with the many writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington area.

Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more or to invite Sandra to your book club via Skype.