A Stranger's Secret

A Cliffs of Cornwall Novel

By: Laurie Alice Eakes

Narrated by: Laura Kirman

As a grieving young widow, Morwenna only wants a quiet life for herself and her son. Until a man washes ashore, entangling her in a web of mystery that could threaten all she holds dear.

Lady Morwenna Trelawny Penvenan indulged in her fair share of dalliances in her youth, but now that she's the widowed mother to the heir of the Penvenan title, she's desperate to polish her reputation. When she's accused of deliberately luring ships to crash on the rocks to steal the cargo, Morwenna begins an investigation to uncover the real culprits and stumbles across an unconscious man lying in the sea's foam - a man wearing a medallion with the Trelawny crest around his neck.

The medallion is a mystery to David Chastain, a boat builder from Somerset. All David knows is that his father, after lying and stealing his family’s money, was found dead in Cornwall with the medallion in his possession. And he knows the widow who rescued him from the water is impossibly beautiful - and likely the siren who caused the shipwreck in the first place - as well as the hand behind whoever is trying to murder David.

As Morwenna nurses David back to health and tries to learn how he landed on her beach, suspicion and pride keep their growing attraction at bay. But can they join together to save Morwenna's name and estate, as well as David’s life? Can they acknowledge the love they are both trying to deny?

“Expertly crafted and filled with mystery and intrigue, Laurie Alice Eakes’s newest book is sure to delight historical romance fans.” (Sarah E. Ladd, best-selling author of The Thief of Lanwyn Manor)

“With a fabulous mix of emotionally complex romance, gothic suspense, and characters who will stay in readers’ minds long after the book is finished, A Stranger’s Secret is a compelling, mystery infused love story that any historical romance lover will enjoy.” (Dawn Crandall, author of The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, and The Captive Imposter)

Regency romance with inspirational elements

Book two of the Cliffs of Cornwall series; can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone.

Includes a reading group guide

©2015 Laurie Alice Eakes (P)2018 Zondervan

Morwenna struggles with learning unconditional love and acceptance

Story begins with David, a boat builder, washing ashore during a storm. He is rescued by Morwenna, a prideful and widowed Triloni granddaughter. Morwenna rescues him and suspects the ship he was in was lured to crash on the rocks to rob it and the passengers of their possessions. But someone is trying to kill David by poisoning and he trusts no one, especially not Morwenna, his rescuer.
I liked the independent spirit of Morwenna. Her character develops and matures in this story. The book will interest readers interested in historical books set in England in the 19th century and laced with intrigue and family drama. Morwenna’s tries to escape her autocratic family, while David misses the closeness of his own.

Good story

I truly enjoyed the story. I am not certain whether it was the narrator's interpretation of the character or the intention of the writer but I found the heroin biting and angry overmuch of the time. it became taxing to listen to and I wished for a more gracious characterization.