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by Alison Atlee 29 Jan 2013
384 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
ISBN-13: 9781451673258
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When Betsey disembarks from the London train in the seaside resort of Idensea, all she owns is a small valise and a canary in a cage. After attempting to forge a letter of reference she knew would be denied her, Betsey has been fired from the typing pool of her previous employer. Her vigorous protest left one man wounded, another jilted, and her character permanently besmirched. Now, without money or a reference for her promised job, the future looks even bleaker than the debacle behind her. But her life is about to change ... because a young Welshman on the railroad quay, waiting for another woman, is the one man willing to believe in her.
Mr. Jones is inept in matters of love, but a genius at things mechanical. In Idensea, he has constructed a glittering pier that astounds the wealthy tourists. And in Betsey, he recognizes the ideal tour manager for the Idensea Pier & Pleasure Building Company. After a lifetime of guarding her secrets and breaking the rules, Betsey becomes a force to be reckoned with. Now she faces a challenge of another sort: not only to outrun her sins, but also to surrender to the reckless tides of love...
"Starred Review. Atlee's splendid cast of supporting characters, her insights into Betsey's passion for independence and John's compassion for the downtrodden, and her fine eye for period detail make this an unusually satisfying feast for romance readers. " - Publishers Weekly
"Readers should like Betsey, a feisty heroine who stands up for herself. The other characters and the book's setting will also appeal." - Booklist
"This debut novel suffers from an excess of minor characters and subplots, but the central relationship sweeps readers to a satisfying conclusion. Fans of Victorian-era romances will enjoy this seaside diversion." - Library Journal
Alison Atlee spent her childhood re-enacting Little Women and trying to fashion nineteenth century wardrobes for her Barbie dolls. Happily, these activities turned out to be good preparation for writing historical novels. She now lives in Kentucky.
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