Synopsis
Can you trust a man with no name?
Cornwall, 1861
Beth Jago appears to have the idyllic life, she has a trade to earn a living and a cottage of her own in Cornwall’s beautiful River Valley. Yet appearances can be deceptive …
Beth has a secret. Since inheriting her isolated cottage she’s been receiving threats, so when she finds a man in her home she acts on her instincts. One frying pan to the head and she has robbed the handsome stranger of his memory and almost killed him.
Fearful he may die, she reluctantly nurses the intruder back to health. Yet can she trust the man with no name who has entered her life, or is he as dangerous as his nightmares suggest? As they learn to trust one another, the outside threats worsen. Are they linked to the man with no past? Or is the real danger still outside waiting … and watching them both?
Victoria Cornwall
Victoria Cornwall grew up on a dairy farm in Cornwall. She can trace her Cornish roots as far back as the 18th century and it is this background and heritage which is the inspiration for her Cornish based novels.
Victoria is married, has two grown up children and a black Labrador, called Alfie. She likes to read and write historical fiction with a strong background story, but at its heart is the unmistakable emotion, even pain, of loving someone.
Following a fulfilling twenty-five year career as a nurse, a change in profession finally allowed her the time to write. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Historical Novel Society.
The Captain’s Daughter is the third novel in the Cornish Tales series. The first The Thief’s Daughter and the second The Captain’s Daughter.
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When I started to read this book I was slightly put off, by what I felt, was an overuse of descriptive words. However once past the first couple of pages the book was very easy to read and made me want to read more. I was interested in knowing more about Joss and his background and the reason he had been visiting Beth. I loved the way that the story unfolded and the fact that I wouldn’t have guessed that Joss who had been scarred by the war, had a secret. I thought it was interesting how the author incorporated the way the Crimean War had affected both Edward and Joss and the conversation between them regarding this was pretty emotional.
This novel was easy to read and to follow and seemed to me to be a story about hope over adversity and despite having different backgrounds they both had issues and demons from their past, which gave me a good understanding of why they behaved as they did.
I felt that I could empathise with both main characters and could totally understand Beth’s suspicions about Joss’ intentions.
I really enjoyed the way that I was willing Beth and Joss to get back together and this made me want to keep reading to find out whether they did. however the author was very clever in the way they did this and by not making this a quick happy ever after I did wonder whether they would end up together.
There is a particular scene involving Martha and her Son Tom which was beautifully written and very emotional. It did bring a tear to my eye and being a parent myself I could fully sympathise and understand the bravery of Martha.
I did enjoy the snippets at the back where information was given regarding the legacy of the Crimean War and information about the 46th Regiment of Foot and thought this was a nice extra touch.
I really thought this book was an enjoyable page-turner that did leave me wanting to read more. I would highly recommend it.
Victoria’s historical novels set in Cornwall are always entertaining and The Daughter of River Valley is no exception. Beth Jago lives alone in a small cottage. Her grandfather died recently but assured her that her life there would continue. Letters from a local solicitor, however, tell a different story. It’s no wonder then when a stranger enters her house her suspicions are aroused and she does the only thing she can to defend herself. When her intruder regains consciousness he has no idea who he is. Although Beth is suspicious, she allows him to stay to recuperate hoping he will soon reveal who he is and why he tried to enter the cottage.
Great characterisation and a steady build up of the relationship between ‘Luke’ – as she has named him – and Beth. A feisty determined heroine and a man, who despite having no knowledge of who he is, shows through his behaviour that he’s a decent and honest sort. Of course there was a twist to this story, one I did guess but it in no way spoilt the read for me. A lovely romantic read.
This historical story set in Cornwall is a gripping romance that will hold you throughout the book. Although the hero is initially the villain he is the ideal man for Beth. She is a strong woman but one who doesn’t know that. You will be rooting for Beth and hoping that against all the odds life will become sweet for her and love will win. Of course, being a romance this will be the happy ending but in a way I did not see coming till almost the end. Put the kettle on, find the chocolate and prepare for a great time reading this great story.