When Winterwood heiress Amelia Barratt’s friend dies in childbirth, she feels compelled to propose to the baby’s father, Captain Graham Sterling. He refuses her proposal. Danger follows. The baby Lucy is taken hostage and a large sum of money is demanded for her release. Amelia and Graham must work together to find the culprit and free the baby.

The Heiress of Winterwood is the first installment in the Whispers on the Moors series by Sarah E.. Ladd, published by Thomas Nelson. The story is set in Darbury, England 1814 and is about heiress Amelia Barratt who takes care of baby Lucy following her friend’s death in childbirth. The baby’s father Graham Sterling has never met Amelia, but on his arrival to pick up the baby, she proposes a marriage of convenience, even though she is already engaged. Captain Sterling is surprised and overwhelmed and refuses the proposal initially. When Amelia ends her engagement and reveals her plan to marry Captain Sterling instead, her family is livid. Baby Lucy disappears and a ransom note is presented. Plenty of people have motives for the abduction. Frantic with worry, Graham and Amelia work together to get the baby released find the culprit and try to get real about their feelings for each other.

Main character heiress Amelia Barrett is an opinionated and assertive character, but also in the hold of her selfish and greedy family. She seemed to show her strength in the wrong places while letting people trample all over her in others. She is my favorite as she seemed a realistic character with noticeable strengths and weaknesses.

Supporting character Edward Littleton is Amelia’s fiancée who seems a reasonable match, but he shows his real colors pretty soon. He is my least favorite character because he has no intention at all of being a good husband to Amelia and only goes after her money.

The writing of The Heiress of Winterwood is beautiful and vivid with great dialogue and amusing parts. The Downton Abby-like vibe of the story was complete with descriptions of opulent environments, interiors and lifestyle which for me were the best part. The family’s reaction to Amelia going against their wishes when proposing to Captain Sterling was the worst part for me, but it added and excellent dramatic element to the plot.

The relationship between Amelia and Graham develops when they get opportunity share some secret moments alone. As they get to know each other more, they both become pleasantly surprised by the other and feelings seem to deepen.

I enjoyed reading about how Amanda kept her Bible and book of psalms close to feel guided and comforted even when she had doubts and needed help to trust and believe. Graham was lead to God by a trusted fellow sailor and father figure in his life.

Conclusion: this is story with a Downton Abbey-like vibe which centers on the drama of rescuing a kidnapped baby and the added elements of romance and faith. I can’t wait to read the next installment already in place on my Kindle.

Anyone who enjoys a historical romance plot with a spiritual and drama element would love this story. Similar authors to explore might be Julie Klassen or Carrie Turansky.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: great mixture between romance and drama, great character building,