About the Book
Book: The Nature of a Lady
Series: The Secrets of the Isles #1
Author: Roseanna M. White
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Romance
1906
Lady Elizabeth “Libby” Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn’t favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage’s former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished.
Oliver Tremayne–gentleman and clergyman–is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he’s happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth’s summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it’s the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can’t quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.
As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.
Click HERE to purchase your copy!
My Thoughts
What a fantastically beautiful story! Roseanna M. White knocked it out of the park with The Nature of a Lady. This outstanding story has it all: a murder mystery, tons of intrigue, two sweet romances, character self-discovery and self-reflection, and an illustration of properly wrestling with God and His Truths in order to come to a better, stronger relationship with Him. This is a book that definitely had me turning pages well into the night. The Nature of a Lady is an absolute MUST-READ!
One of the things I love so much about White’s novels is how good she is at crafting characters who always manage to worm their way into my heart. I always feel deeply for White’s characters, and often find that I relate to their issues. I love White’s novels cause when I read them I don’t feel as alone as I usually do because if she can describe how I feel so adeptly through her characters I’m clearly not the only one who feels all the feels I feel on the regular. Take being the black sheep in your family for instance. Libby is her family’s black sheep. She isn’t like anyone else she knows and it hurts her that she’s different. It’s not the difference that bugs her so much as it is the constant state of being a disappointment to others and being so constantly disappointed that others won’t accept her for who she is. There’s this tiny moment in the novel where Libby says she thinks it’s time to give up. Oliver gives her a look and she tells him, “I’m not like them. And I don’t enjoy trying to be.” The “them” in this moment are two socially-adept, beautiful young women who come from Libby’s upper-crust society who always know what to do and say. They always want the things Society tells them to want and they never question their families, their peers, or their social structures. This moment broke my heart. Libby’s resignation, her utter sense of defeat, her total acceptance of her black-sheep status — it all just hurt me. I was so glad that Oliver was there in that moment to set her straight cause I wanted to jump into the book, hug her, then inform her that she is perfect exactly as God made her. And that’s what hurts so much about being a black sheep — we feel like a disappointing mistake. But, honestly, that’s garbage. The black sheep of this world are unique and special. We’re no mistake, we’re just often surrounded by people who are blind to how cool and amazing we truly are. It’s a matter of finding those who can see us for who we are, who can see us as God does. And I’m thrilled Libby found her special, perfect-for-her place in life among people who genuinely love her and accept her as one of their own.
I love The Nature of a Lady. This book is amazing and I could gush non-stop about its greatness. I’ll simply end this review by saying that this story is magical and wonderful. It’s a definite MUST-READ and I highly recommend it.
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback review copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishers as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Christian Fiction Girl 
Hallo, Hallo Nicole,
This is such an interpersonal review that I literally felt the emotions you had as you wrote it!! I love when book bloggers share portions of their lives inside their reviews (I have the tendency of doing the same!) and how they interlink the story to their life or a memory of their lives… this story had such a strong resonance with you, I nearly felt I had read portions of it myself as you shared your heart and soul with us!
I came across this author years ago, but sadly, I didn’t have the proper chance to read her novels as of yet. I knew she had different series she was working on but it was only recently where I noticed my local library is starting to purchase her novels. I’m going to see if they have this one and will begin reading her novels based on your fabulous recommendation.
I definitely agree with you about people labelled as black sheep — I never understood it myself as people get short-changed too quickly by people who choose to prejudge and not accept anyone who is different from them. I’ve been judged in a similar fashion throughout my life and I agree, it grows old fast. I’m thankful I have my parents supporting me but the judgement I’ve faced has been from others outside family and even that takes it toll too.
I can see why you wanted to give this book a huge HUG and I most likely will have the same reaction after I’ve read it myself. I’ll try to remember to swing back and let you know I’ve read it! I love using NG myself but I can only use it for audiobooks as sadly my migraines won’t let me read ebooks. 😦 And, how fantastic the publisher sent you a print copy!! Congratulations!!
PS: I read and review INSPY Lit myself – however, I’m a hybrid reader, so you’ll also find mainstream genres & reviews or showcases, too. The book which made my 2020 was “Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish” – you can search for that in my search box and find out how that story really touched my bookish heart last year. It was my first foray into reader her stories and this year, I’ll be reading a second selection.
LikeLiked by 1 person