A wonderful historical! This book has enough drama. And perhaps just enough romance to qualify for a historical romance. The characters are really well thought of. Overall an enjoyable read.

I have never read any of this authors books or actually seen any in a bookshop!
I absolutely loved it and most definitely will be on the hunt for more of AnneMaries other books.
Thankyou NetGalley!

This is the first book that I have read by AnneMarie Brear and it certainly won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the end. The story follows the life of Annabelle Wallis who is brought up by her adopted mother Widow Wallis who is a herbalist in Yorkshire. The story starts in 1850 in a quaint village in Yorkshire and we get to follow Annabelle as her life develops as she has to deal with many problems and dilemma’s that she has to deal with. She comes across as a very hardworking,helpful, and caring young girl. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy reading Catherine Cookson type of books. I’m looking forward to reading many more books by this author as she really had me drawn in to the storyline which I loved

It’s only fairly recently that I became a fan of AnneMarie’s work. By no means have I read everything that she has written but that is something I hope to rectify by the end of the year. I love the way in which she writes such fantastic sagas. I read the synopsis for ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ and it certainly sounded as though it would turn out to be another amazing saga. Well it was certainly all that and more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ from the very start. As soon as I started to read I knew that I wouldn’t be doing much apart from reading for the rest of the afternoon. That’s exactly what happened too. To say that reading this book became an addiction is a huge understatement and then some. I found it nigh on impossible to put the book to one side for any length of time. I had become so attached to certain characters and so wrapped up in their lives that I had to keep reading to see how things turned out for them. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ to be another cracker of a saga story. I was gripped by the story from start to finish and on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ is superbly written but that is true of AnneMarie’s books in general. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of an emotional story. AnneMarie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the way in which she describes them. She describes the characters so vividly and thoroughly that they seem just as real as you and I and not characters in a book. Reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ felt like being on an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns. The story certainly tugged at my heartstrings and then some. I love the way in which AnneMarie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly he reading more of AnneMarie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

It is an idyllic life she lives with her adoptive mother in a cosy cottage in a village on the Yorkshire countryside. She and her mother sell herbs and potions and her mother is the local healer/midwife. But that life gets a lot heavier and she ends up in the slums.

The book is a good read and pictures Victorian life. The romance part is a bit "fast" and I am not sure if it is realistic in a society that was highly regulated. On the other hand it is clear he does not care about all of that and is a younger son.

Life was going great. Annabelle loved her home and especially loved the woman who took her in all those years ago. Annabelle had no worries. Mum tried to prepare her for the future but Annabelle wouldn't listen. And now she found herself in trouble!!





I loved the book. This is my first by Annemarie Brear. I enjoyed all of the characters in the book. I especially liked Nellie. She had a heart of gold. Annabelle learned that her "normal" was not everyone else's normal. She was learning survival skills by Nellie and by Nellie's children.



The title mentions the peacock shawl. A shawl is a wrap to keep you warm or protected (a cover). The spiritual meaning of a peacock feather is a symbol of peace. I took this symbolism of Annabelle and the infant were wrapped in GOD's love and peace. It took awhile for Annabelle to realize this and make the difficult decision she needed to make.



As you read this story, you can assume it was going to turn out one way. It had some twists and turns in the story line that surprises you.



#BookandTonic. #The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl

#BOLDWOODBOOKS

Yorkshire Dales 1850

As a terrible storm rages, Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a distressed young woman at her cottage door, heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. But by dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.When news spreads that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead, Annabelle realises the terrible secret she has stumbled on. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees to the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the precious orphan as her own.The cobbled streets of York’s slums are no place for a young woman like Annabelle or a Hartley babe and John Hartley is determined to bring them both home. But Annabelle proves impossible to find.Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?

The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl is a historical fiction novel that follows Annabelle, an orphan taken in as a baby by Widow Wallace. Annabelle has led a relatively fortunate life until a series of events force her to flee her pretty cottage for the slums of York with a wealthy estate owner trying to hunt her down.



I throughly enjoyed this book. The descriptive writing transports you to the picturesque rolling Yorkshire Dales countryside and then with Annabelle to the slums of York.

Annabelle, and all the other main characters, are well written and likeable. Despite being Annabelles story I really felt for the wealthy Hartley family too. I loved Annabelle’s friendships and relationships with the different characters as well.

1850’s England isn’t a time period I would normally read, but it’s fascinating. I loved learning how people lived then, how they earnt their money and the morality of the time. The opposite of the wealthy family estate and the poverty of the slums is really well written, albeit quite horrifying to think so many people had to live like that.

My only complaint is that, whilst I enjoyed reading Annabelle’s former life, I would have liked the main storyline to have got going a bit quicker.

The ending of the book whilst “finishing” this story is left in way that another book could follow. Which I would definitely want to read!

The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is a historical fiction romance that was entertaining and a delight to read. I will definitely read more by this author! Congrats on your publishing week!

Book Review “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl” by AnneMarie Brear
FEBRUARY 2, 2022 ~ NIKIPRESTON
Historical Fiction/Romance


SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl

Yorkshire Dales 1850

As a terrible storm rages, Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a distressed young woman at her cottage door, heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. But by dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.

When news spreads that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead, Annabelle realises the terrible secret she has stumbled on. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees to the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the precious orphan as her own.

The cobbled streets of York’s slums are no place for a young woman like Annabelle or a Hartley babe and John Hartley is determined to bring them both home. But Annabelle proves impossible to find.

Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3bvURLt

MY STAR RATING GUIDE;

1 STAR = DNF

2 STARS = OK

3 STARS = GOOD

4 STARS = EXCELLENT

5 STARS = SUPERB

5 STARS PLUS = FOR WHEN 5 STARS JUST ISN’T ENOUGH

REVIEW # NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS

What a wonderful, beautifully written book The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is. I fell in love with Annabelle almost immediately. A gentle soul who loves her life with her adoptive “Ma” selling tonics and remedies to the villagers. Living in a pretty cottage surrounded by the herb garden. A quiet gentile life that Annabelle never wants to end. Then Disaster strikes and her world in thrown into turmoil. Annabelle will not break her promise to Lady Hartley to care for her baby. No matter how much she loves her home she knows she has to keep this beautiful baby girl safe, just like her “Ma” did for her. The Hartleys need to blame someone for the death of their sister and Annabelle fears that they will point the finger at her. She takes the decision to flee the life she loves so much.

I was totally engrossed in this exquisite yet heart breaking story. I really had an affinity with Annabelle. Her morals are strong and nothing will break them, even if it means living in the slums of York. I really enjoy historical romance fiction and this is certainly up there with the best of them. A gripping story of love, strong family morals , loss and so much drama. AnneMarie Brear has a flowing style that keeps your attention from beginning to end. Her characterisations are brilliantly written in a believable manner. The countryside is described in so much detail you can picture it all well in your minds eye. My heart went out to Annabelle and I just wanted he to get her happy ending.

If you love a good Victorian Romance fiction then I highly recommend The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl. You will be swept away into a world of days gone by when the social class system was strong and the lord of the Manor has the last word. A truly magnificent Novel that will not let you down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Author Bio –


AnneMarie Brear is the bestselling historical fiction writer of over twenty novels. She lives in the Southern Highlands in NSW, and has spent many years visiting and working in the UK. Her books are mainly set in Yorkshire, from where her family hails, and Australia, between the nineteenth century and WWI.

Social Media Links –

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/annemariebrear

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/annemariebrear

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annemarie-brear

With Thanks for the Advance Copy for this #Blogtour to……

Rachel Gilby https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/

AnneMarie Brear https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annemarie-brear

Boldwood Books https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/

Advertisements

I've just read The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl in one sitting! I was engrossed from the first chapter. Set in 1850, Annabelle lives with her ma, the woman who took her in as a baby and brought her up. They live in a village in Yorkshire in a time when social class was very evident and made their living as herbalists. I've never read Annemarie Bear before, but she drew me in with her realistic characters and the lifestyles they were living. I loved it.

This is a very gripping historical romance by AnneMarie Brear and the first of her books that I have read. Annabelle Wallis' story is a beautiful one, set in the lush English countryside, one is transported to a different place and time by the delightful descriptive writing of the author. I was immediately in Victorian England, on a vast country estate. I could see the charming cottage where Annabelle was raised by the widow Wallis. It was easy to picture the cozy cottage with the flowers and herbs all around, making a wonderful place for Annabelle to grow up.
But when Annabelle finds herself suddenly alone for the first time ever she is filled with dread, not knowing what to make of her circumstances and how she is to survive without her loving guardian to guide her.
Thrust suddenly into situation that is nothing but surreal to the innocent, sheltered Annabelle, she must make life altering decisions at short notice, changing her life as she has known it forever.
I totally enjoyed Annabelle's story, it swept me away and I didn't quit reading until I finished. I am not usually one for romance novels, but this one held me in it's enchanting grip till the very end. I fully recommend this historical romance to all fans of the genre, it is a beautiful story with a wonderful feel good ending. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you to #BoldwoodBooks and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

TThe Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is a detailed well written story that is easy to follow with a good flow. The plot captivates the reader, holding their interest till the final page!
I like how Brear has created a compelling plot that uses a great amount of research into the both the higher and lower victorian social classes. Also, Brear has used vivid descriptions to create a clear image of the scenery and atmosphere. The reader can see a diffence between the lifestyle and hardships faced, as all the characters come to life before their eyes. The writing style has gentle wit that often left smile and tears, and with good mixture of dialogue and description, often reminded me of catherine cookson.
The character development of The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is relateable and realistic characters easy to form connection with characters in particular Annabelle, who is a wholesome and caring person...tired of the same old faces in the city of London, John decides to return home where he mets Annabelle and reacquaints himself with his brother and his family. He comes across as been a determind man. The chemistry between John and Annabelle is a slowly built attraction and awareness that flutters between them both!
I would recommend reading The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl to lovers of historical fiction and sagas about the Victorian Era, as it is a gripping emotional story with touching, sad and joyous scenes as the characters form new friendships and battle scandal and grief!

We start the story with Annabelle and her life in the countryside, tending to vegetables, fruits and other plants. The story builds a picture of a life that although it is filled with hard work, it is enjoyable and the setting is idyllic. When the events in the description happen, and Annabelle moves to York the contrast between her old life and the new one is stark. The story takes time in the beginning to build an understanding of her life in the countryside and this helps show the contrast between her life and those less fortunate than herself. She’s not rich but she is in a far better position than many people in that time were.

The descriptions both of the countryside, and York were vivid and detailed and it was easy to empathise with Annabelle when she had to leave her home. The characters were equally vivid and one thing that shone throughout the story was the kindness of many of the characters, even those who had little of their own. The story shows that you can be kind and generous even if you have almost nothing, and having everything doesn’t automatically make you a good person.

This was a book I enjoyed. It was good to watch Annabelle develop through the course of the story and chart her own path in the world.

The book begins in Yorkshire in July 1850. Annabelle Wallis lives with Widow Wallis, an elderly woman. We learn that twenty-two years ago, she brought Annabelle home as an orphaned newborn baby from the market and raised her as her daughter.
They live a quiet existence, growing produce to sell at the market, but Widow Wallis is worried what will happen to the girl after she has died. The local shepherd Dickie wants to marry her, but Annabelle would prefer just to remain friends.
John Hartley returns to Hartley Manor after seven years away. He’s now thirty years old and encounters Annabelle in the village, after her horse is scared by a dog. There in an immediate attraction between them, but surely their huge difference in social standing will prevent any kind of romance…
I don’t want to give away any more of the story, because I enjoyed how it all unfolded and hope you will read the book and enjoy it too. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction and romance, authors like Nadine Dorries and Catherine Cookson.
It was a lovely story, it held my interest all the way through. The characters are really well-written and the settings brilliantly described. I would definitely read more of her books and I think it would make a great film too!

5 Word Review: Family, secrets, disgrace, life, love.

Oh to live in a remote cottage by a stream, tending a herb garden and mixing tonics.

The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl by AnneMarie Brear was a beautiful read.

Annabelle goes through so much. I loved the part of her life we got to see, from the picturesque to the poverty-stricken. She is one tough cookie, and I loved to see her fight for her convictions. She is good and loyal and generous, and my heart broke for her many times even as her actions filled it up.

John Hartley is... Complicated. Although he's not the oldest, he has a lot of responsibility, and takes n a lot of responsibility. I loved how he searched so determinedly for his niece, and for Annabelle.

I was expecting heart break, and there was heart break, but there was also so much more to the story.

This was a very comforting read. As much as it tackled some pretty hard hitting issues like death and grief and poverty, it retained a beautifully heart-warming narrative of love and care. Annabelle is a beacon of light in a harsh time and place. The ending was perfect, this book left me smiling.

Something I particularly loved about this book is that although there was a threat of sexual violence it never came to fruition. The danger was in the settings, and although there were vile people, the heroine avoided that particular trope which is all too prevalent in similar stories.

I will absolutely read more by this author.

In a Nutshell: The story wasn’t exactly what I had expected, but it was quite interesting for its genre. But what a spoiler of a title! Sheesh!

Story:
Yorkshire, England: 1850. Twenty-two year old Annabelle Wallis lives with her adopted mother in a little village near York. Both of them are herbalists and use their garden to sustain themselves and provide herbs to the village. Annabelle is being courted by her best friend, a shepherd named Dickie, but she is sure that she doesn’t feel the same. Enter local rich boy John Hartley. One look at him and Annabelle knows what she wants. But this is obviously impossible due to class differences. Circumstances however change for both of them and soon Annabelle ends up on the run and John Hartley is determined to locate her. Will things end well for both of them?

A warning coming your way: DON’T READ THE GOODREADS BLURB! It reveals too much of the story and spoiled my reading experience. As I progressed through the initial chapters, I was wondering what made me request a historical romance, a genre I haven't read in ages and don’t pick nowadays. That's when I took a relook at the blurb and realised that the events mentioned therein don't even begin until 45% into the book!

I can save you from the spoilers in the blurb, but I am sorry I cannot save you from the spoiler in the title. I wonder who decided to name this book, “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl”. The appearance of the titular ‘orphan’ is a little before the midway mark, and the first appearance of the peacock shawl is much earlier, around the 18% point. Elementary, my dear Watson! The woman having the peacock shawl is going to give birth at some point in the story, and whoops, she’s gonna die too! (“Orphan” after all, not just “baby” in a peacock shawl! Aargh!) If the shawl were of an ordinary colour such as “red”, I would not have noticed anything when it was first mentioned, but calling it “peacock” is such an obvious giveaway to what’s going to happen.
Since the title is already a spoiler, I suppose it does no big harm if I mention that the orphan's dad isn’t dead. But he doesn’t make a direct appearance in the story at all. It irritated me that no one was gunning to catch the male culprit and making him pay; the entire focus/blame was on the woman, as always.

Of course, I ought to look at the merit of the plot and the characters, and this is where the book does pretty well. The story proceeds at a fairly quick pace and most scenes contribute in taking the plot ahead. There is a variety of characters in the plot and most of them are carved well. Annabelle and John steal the show with their conflicting feelings and their courage to go against the norm. There are some secondary characters too who make a strong impact.

What I loved most of the book was its historical detailing. I always used to wonder what the men of historical times did. Though an avid reader of historical fiction, I have hardly read a book that focusses on the activities of the wealthy landowners of the past. The only male activity consistently mentioned in classics is hunting. Contrast this with the extensive details on women’s hobbies such as overseeing the house, getting new clothes tailored, playing the piano, drawing/painting, reading, and so on. This book finally shone some light on what the rich men of yore did. Also, as Annabelle is one of the village folk than the upper class gentry, her track reveals a lot about life for the ordinary villagers of those days. Another historical thing the book handles well is the glimpse it offers into the unseen side of English towns: the poorer neighbourhoods and the tough lifestyle of these “city” dwellers. This is again something most historical fiction novels ignore, as we only see the perspective of those loaded with money and land.

The story does go somewhat over the top at times. It is also pretty predictable. Then again, this genre thrives on predictability so this ought not to take away anything from the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the glimpse into historical England, I loved the quick pacing, I liked a lot of the plot and the characters, and I hated the title for spoiling my fun of discovery.

3.75 stars from me.


My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Dilly Court and Lesley Pearse fans will be completely gripped by Annemarie Brear’s latest Victorian saga, The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl.

Annabelle Wallis is shocked when during a terrible storm she finds a pregnant young woman at her door about to go into labour. Moments later, a baby girl is born, but by morning, the child’s mother vanishes leaving her child clad in a silk peacock shawl. When news reaches Annabelle that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner John Hartley, has been found dead, she realizes she has inadvertently found herself tangled in a terrible mystery that puts her directly in the line of fire. Terrified that she will be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees Yorkshire for the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the child as her own.

John Hartley is desperate for answers and he is convinced that Annabelle holds the key to uncovering the mystery behind his sister’s tragic death. Determined to go to the ends of the earth to find her, John will leave no stone unturned to locate Annabelle. However, despite all of his best efforts, the elusive Annabelle proves absolutely impossible to find.

With the York slums full of danger and peril, Annabelle finds herself far from home and with nobody to rely on other than herself. With a child in her care she grows to love as if she was her own flesh and blood, will Annabelle’s act of kindness end up costing her everything? Or will it end up bringing her the happiness she had long given up on?

Full of grit, warmth, hope and heart, Annemarie Brear’s The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is an engrossing and poignant Victorian saga full of characters that leap off the pages, compelling drama, heart-wrenching pathos and searing emotional intensity guaranteed to hold readers spellbound and eagerly turning the pages.

Wonderfully evocative, highly atmospheric and powerfully written, saga fans will want to add Annemarie Brear’s The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl to their auto-buy list.

Such a gorgeous book, perfect to cosy upon the sofa with. With the descriptions being so vivid, I found myself closing my eyes & drifting off to the cobbled slums with Annabelle.

A beautifully written, captivating love story between the rich & the poor, with some great well developed characters.

I haven't read anything by this author before, but definitely want to now. The author's writing draws you into the story, compelling me to stay until the last page.

This is a book you want to cozy up with a fire blazing and a cup of tea at your side. You will not want to put it down once you have been transported to the English countryside. AnneMarie Brear has a way to bring the scene to life. Vivid descriptions of the lush gardens, lavender tickling your nose, and a pony up to his typical moody tricks. Setting the scene for a tale. Annabelle Wallis was orphaned as a baby and taken in by the herbalist, Widow Wallis. She has grown up in a cottage on the Hartley Estate, where they tend their gardens and make their living by selling vegetables and tonics in the village. One night as a storm is raging, Eliza Hartley pounds on the door pleading for help. Annebelle could not turn her away or the baby she delivers. Afraid she has done wrong Annabelle flees everything in the world she knows, determined to give this baby everything she was given. No matter the consequences.

The characters are all well developed and add to the vibrancy of the story. The book quickly grabs your attention, and the storyline will have you rooting for Annebelle! There is also a bit of romance between the classes. Will they be allowed to love one another or will rules keep them apart? You must read to find out. Thank you to AnneMarie Brear and Boldwood Books for this intriguing book.

The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl by AnneMarie Brear is a Victorian historical romance set in Yorkshire in 1850. This engaging historical family saga, a tale of love, family secrets and loyalties, is filled with hope and resolve.
It is a moving and compelling story, with captivating characters and a strong sense of place. Using her extensive historical knowledge and research, the author creates a page-turning historical drama that will tug you on your heart strings.

It celebrates the courage and independence of women, even in the constricted and suffocating Victorian society, their strength and the power of sisterhood. There are wonderful female protagonists.

This beautifully written saga made me think it will make a wonderful costume drama on BBC or Netflix.

The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl would appeal to fans of emotionally-charged historical family sagas.