"For years, rumors have flown that a ghost haunts Ashthorne Hall, but botanist Hyacinth Bell cares only about the estate's one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is focused on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love--like an orchid--must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom. What she doesn't expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor's handsome and charming caretaker, upon their first meeting, Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root. But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing, then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth's worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but Hyacinth suspects he is withholding information. Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate"--
Rarely do I begin a book that starts out with an interesting story, but then builds and builds as I turn the pages, till the end where my heart is pumping, and I shut the book, and say, "Wow, I'm speechless!". This book left me speechless, as it was that good, and made me aware of something in history that I had no idea that happened!
It begins in 1877 on the shores of Cornwall, England, with a botanist, Hyacinth, who is somewhat if an expert in the care of orchids, and who is asked by Mr. Whitbeck, Orchid enthusiast, and owner of Orchids Hall, to care for His beloved hothouse full of his precious array of all his orchids while he and his family go to stay in India. Orchids are beautiful flowers not native to Cornwall, but needed to be cared for in a hothouse/greenhouse back then.). Little does Hyacinth realize that there are rumors that Ashthorne Hall is haunted, nor does she expect to meet its very handsome caretaker, Lucas. Hyacinth finds herself drawn into a mystery that eventually leads to love, but also grave danger, but one which she will play a vital part!
As I read this book, I thought it was going to be a nice romance set in Cornwall, just a sweet story...but it ended up being an incredible story that had my heart pumping, and I read in one night because I had to find out what happened! I was so engrossed, and didn't expect what happened at all, then to find that what happened, even though this story was fiction, the subject did actually take place! This book was very well written, great characters, amazing plot, and unpredictable and amazing climax! I give it 5 stars!! At first I thought it would be a 4 star, but as I read, it got better and better! I highly recommend it!!!!
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