A Winter at the White Queen by Denise Weimer
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Book 1 in Romance at the Gilded Ages Resorts
1910, White Queen, on the shore of Clearwater Bay in Florida
Ellie Hastings has been tasked by her aunt to discern the character of the wealthy bachelor, Lewis Thornton. Aunt Florence has the young man in mind for Ada, her youngest daughter.
Lewis has seen all the tricks that young women determined to meet him have used over the years, but Ellie seems different. Her cousin and her parents fit in perfectly at the White Queen. There’s some mystery about Ellie.
He hatches a plan to aid a friend that will allow him to spend more time with Ellie.
I was drawn into the setting of the Gilded Ages Resorts from the beginning. My interest was quickly snagged by this unlikely couple—a wealthy bachelor accustomed to pursuit by single women and the poor relation woman at the beck and call of her high-society aunt.
The lonely little girl, Cora, tugged at my heart. Our heroine has long been taught not to value herself and many misunderstandings arise from this mindset. Twists in the action moved the story in a direction I didn’t expect. I became invested in the plight of the characters, making this book a page turner for me.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the collection!
-Sandra Merville Hart
