On the off chance you are not a serious fantasy reader like me, I figured I'd share a historical fiction today!

It's been a while since I picked one up.  I haven't been in the mood is what it comes down to.  But I was asked by the publishers to give this one a try, and so I did.

Where This Idea Came From...

The idea is that each week all of us book bloggers can write a post where we talk about the book or books we are reading for the week - and yes if you are still reading the same book for a few weeks in a row that is totally fine.  Just be sure to include the answers to the five questions for What are you reading Wednesday in your post.  Then hop over to one of the host sites and share your link!

Of course, this will be even more fun if you leave the host a comment, and then jump around to another post or two, or five, and gush with them!

We cannot wait to see what you are reading.

What Are You Reading Wednesday - the nitty-gritty

When Evangeline is sent to live in a small mill town in Northern England as a schoolteacher in 1871, she finds herself struggling to fit in with an unfamiliar culture. Raised with the high-class Victorian values and ideals of a sophisticated upbringing, she is unprepared for the poverty she finds in the gritty factory town of Smeatley, where the locals speak with a hard-to-understand Yorkshire accent and struggle to thrive with few resources or opportunities.

Though she has no training as a teacher, she must prove herself successful before her grandfather will release her substantial inheritance to her and allow her to be reunited with her younger sister, the last remaining member of her family after a fever claimed the lives of her parents and brothers.

Evangeline's sudden change in circumstances is complicated when her aunt—a woman who values class distinctions more than her family relationships—forbids her from acknowledging any connection to her or to her grandfather, Mr. Farr—the man who owns nearly the entire town. For the first time in her life, Evangeline is truly alone.

Heartbroken, she turns to the one person in town who has shown her kindness—an Irish brick mason, Dermot, and his son, Ronan. Despite the difference in their classes and backgrounds, Evangeline and Dermot become friends, due in part to her ability to connect with Ronan, whose behavior requires special attention. The boy is uncomfortable around strangers and rarely even speaks to the other children in town. He often fixates on details other people ignore, and he adheres to specific, self-made rules that give his life order and structure; for example, Dermot's coat must be hung on a specific peg next to the door.

Evangeline attempts to prove herself a worthy teacher and earn the respect of her hard-to-understand students. Determined to find a way to introduce them to "proper English" while still honoring their unique language and culture, she enlists the help of a local family to write down familiar stories in the Yorkshire vernacular. Because of her efforts, the students and their families warm to Evangeline and she continues to look for ways to give the children a chance to become more than factory workers in the local cotton mill.

When the town learns of her upper-class status, Evangeline must work twice as hard to win back their trust--especially Dermot's. In the end, Evangeline and Dermot discover that, even though they come from different social spheres, together they can overcome social prejudices, make a positive difference in the lives of even the humblest people, and enjoy the strength that comes when two hearts find each other.

Ashes on the Moor is the inspiring love story of one Victorian woman's courage to fight against all odds, and the man whose quiet strength gives her the confidence to keep trying. 

Why did you decide to pick up this book - cover or content?

Who is your favorite character so far, and why?

Will you finish this one?

Finish the sentence:  This book reminds me of... (other books, movies, TV shows...)

What type of read is this one? (slow but interesting, cannot put it down,...)

Co-hosts to check out

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