by
It's 1850s Nantucket, a bustling metropolis full of rolling wagons, screaming seagulls, and hawking mariners, with the smoldering smell of cooking whale oil covering all. Sheltered, and previously destitute, Mary Regina takes her first steps into this teeming caldron of island life. Dream's End gives you a lush and vivid picture of Nantucket, full of famous historical figures, such as Maria Mitchell, George Enos, Absalom Boston and Abram Quary, all the while casting a twinkling eye at genre conventions. It's a deep dive into the whaling era, suspenseful and tantalizing, as a young Scottish woman takes on society, ghosts, and an unknowable husband, until she becomes fearful for her life.
I shuddered to think of my true position within London society. Little could Sterling Barton know of my alternatives. Yet, here was an option, fraught with emotional obstacles, true, but still preferable to the life I might have to lead without it. I only wished that this man, who was offering me a chance for a decent living, would stop his sardonic smile and evaluating stare. I shook my head to clear it of extraneous emotions. No, there was no choice. Sterling Barton must be my husband.
As I turned back to him with my answer, he bowed deeply.
“The answer is yes, Mr. Barton.”
“I am honoured, Miss Chattan,” he countered, as he slowly rose back up to his full height, and, once again, his eyes took up their cold mocking gleam.
Amazon Reviewer on Amazon wrote:5out of 5 stars
ROMANTIC HISTORICAL MYSTERY
Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2024"This was a mystery with a difference. It immediately draws you in through the tale of a young Scottish woman bound for America who has agreed to take on the role of a governess, through a marriage of convenience to the guardian of a young boy. While readers will enjoy the suspense and a satisfying end to a mystery novel, they will also be fascinated by the description of what it was like to live in Nantucket in the 1850's."
5 out of 5 stars
Exciting Historical Romantic Suspense
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024"Dream's End tells the story of feisty, likeable Mary Regina, who takes a chance to improve her circumstances by marrying a widower established on Nantucket. The reader experiences island life through Mary Regina's eyes, from descriptions of Nantucket town and surrounding landscape, to clothing details and dialogue that reflect the historical time period. Mary Regina bravely navigates through her new life and relationships, including a heartwarming bond with her stepson. At the same time, mysterious occurrences threaten to shake her confidence, right up until a suspenseful climax."
