The Maid of Fairbourne Hall - a Litfuse Review

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen is like reading a classic! Love Jane Eyre? Like Jane Austen? This book will remind you of those types of classics. Klassen did her homework--this novel, taking place in early-1800s England is written so well that I could almost picture myself beside the characters.

Margaret Macy, born to a fairly well-to-do family, finds herself in a quandry. Her step-father has decided how Margaret's inheritance should fall--by her marriage to his nephew. The nephew's character is questionable and disgusting to Margaret, and the only way that she knows how to get away from the man (and at the same time receive her inheritance rightfully in three months) is to run away and hide. To do this, though, she has to be quite crafty--she dons her deceased father's spectacles and wears a brunette wig over her blonde hair. Otherwise, she will surely be caught by her stepfather's watchers.

What she didn't realize was that her running away would require her to do a task that she was not quite prepared for--that of a servant! Quite spoiled by having had her own maid to help her, Margaret is now on her own and finds herself the servant of two of her previous beaus--Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch. Having to clean up after them including emptying their chamber pots, a task Margaret abhors at best.

While Margaret has had to humble herself during her servitude, she begins to see the value of others and focus her feelings not only on herself, but on others.

This book has been a joy to read. At times it made me laugh at Margaret's exploits, and Klassen does a brilliant job of making each character seem real. If you love historical fiction with a little romance tied in, you will want to buy this book. It's a keeper!!

You can go here to read more reviews about this book. And if you go to this page you can find an excerpt of the book!

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14/12. Winner will be announced at Julie's Fairbourne Hall Book Chat Party on 3/15. Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek of her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack (Seasons 1 and 2)!


So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for a book chat party.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 15th!

I received The Maid of Fairbourne Hall as a complimentary gift in exchange for review from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to give a favorable review; my opinions are my own.