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Cornish Saga #1
Pengelly's Daughter
A stunning eighteenth-century Cornish romance, perfect for fans of Poldark! 1793. Rose Pengelly's father has been ruined - he has lost his boat yard and his fortune, plunging Rose and her mother into poverty and debt. There appears to be only one way out of their terrible circumstances; for Rose to marry Mr Tregellas, a powerful timber merchant and the man Rose believes is responsible for her father's downfall. He has made his terms clear; either she marries him or faces homelessness and destitution.Desperate, Rose sets out to find evidence of Mr Tregellas's wrongdoing. In her search, she encounters a mysterious young sailor called Jim, who refuses to disclose his identity. Even as she falls in love with him, she questions who he really is. He may help her restore her fortune and her good name, but does he ever tell her the truth?
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2016
28 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Pryce
9 books41 followershttp://nicolapryce.co.uk
Nicola Pryce is published by Atlantic Books and represented by Teresa Chris. She loves both literature and history, and has an Open University degree in Humanities. She is a qualified adult literacy support volunteer and lives with her husband in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, UK. She and her husband love sailing and together they sail the south coast of Cornwall in search of adventure.
Pengelly's Daughter is her first novel, then The Captain's Girl, The Cornish Dressmaker, The Cornish Lady, A Cornish Betrothal, The Cornish Captive and The Cornish Rebel.
Nicola is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Historical Writers Association.
Follow her on :
https://twitter.com/NPryce_Author
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nicolapry...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.facebook.com/nicolapryceb...
Nicola Pryce is published by Atlantic Books and represented by Teresa Chris. She loves both literature and history, and has an Open University degree in Humanities. She is a qualified adult literacy support volunteer and lives with her husband in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, UK. She and her husband love sailing and together they sail the south coast of Cornwall in search of adventure.
Pengelly's Daughter is her first novel, then The Captain's Girl, The Cornish Dressmaker, The Cornish Lady, A Cornish Betrothal, The Cornish Captive and The Cornish Rebel.
Nicola is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Historical Writers Association.
Follow her on :
https://twitter.com/NPryce_Author
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nicolapry...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.facebook.com/nicolapryceb...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 25, 2016
DNF @ p. 156 of 327 (epub version) [~50%]
I strongly dislike all the characters in this novel so far. The hero is an ass, the heroine is incredibly wishy-washy with her flipping between unbearably shrewish and stupidly/suddenly in love with said mysterious ass (who she just claimed a paragraph ago that she'd never forgive) in incomprehensible speeds, and all the side characters are either too pitiable or tiresome. I just can't deal with this.
I strongly dislike all the characters in this novel so far. The hero is an ass, the heroine is incredibly wishy-washy with her flipping between unbearably shrewish and stupidly/suddenly in love with said mysterious ass (who she just claimed a paragraph ago that she'd never forgive) in incomprehensible speeds, and all the side characters are either too pitiable or tiresome. I just can't deal with this.
May 11, 2017
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, of which I am extremely happy and grateful to the author.
Wow, this book, where do I start?
Story in brief- Rosehannon is a feisty young woman trapped by poverty, fallen social class, culture, society and family expectations. Her dreams and ideas are modern, but in reality, there has always been social commentary through the ages about the role and chances of women, so I got over this quite well. In trying to find answers regarding her father's death and the loss of their flourishing business, she comes across a man named Jim who helps her in this endeavour. Their feelings for each other grow, but so do the obstacles which would allow them to be together.
So what did I love about this book? First, it's historical, I'm a sucker for history. I really felt like I was in Fosse and Porthruan. Second, the romantic thread was an amazing slow burner. This is no seam bursting bodice ripper (hurrah!), but it smoulders as much as Darcy and Elizabeth as well as John Thornton and Margaret Hale. Third, which follows on from number two, because the characters manage to act like normal human beings in control of themselves and not dive under silken bed sheets for pre-marital romps; the growing relationship between Jim and Rosehannon focuses actually on heir actions and actual feelings. Fourth, (mild spoiler alert) the ending isn't a wedding dress and the sunset, the ending is the start of their official courtship. I loved that, especially since the author than can write a sequel where we can see Jim and Rosehannon together trying to plan a wedding with some further bumps in the road (hint hint, Nicola Pryce).
There were some parts of the writing style which I didn't care for, and there were a few times when the narrative actually repeated itself, but these things were not enough for me to become distracted.
I started reading this book at 6pm on the day it arrived. I was hooked to the point at 1.30am I had to physically make myself put it down. The next day I ignored my poor hairdresser and read some more, and then finally at 8pm that evening I finished it (after feeding the kids and putting them promptly to bed). I love this story, and I am very excited to have discovered an author who knows how to write mystery/ history/ romance without resorting to smut and bad language. Highly recommended.
Wow, this book, where do I start?
Story in brief- Rosehannon is a feisty young woman trapped by poverty, fallen social class, culture, society and family expectations. Her dreams and ideas are modern, but in reality, there has always been social commentary through the ages about the role and chances of women, so I got over this quite well. In trying to find answers regarding her father's death and the loss of their flourishing business, she comes across a man named Jim who helps her in this endeavour. Their feelings for each other grow, but so do the obstacles which would allow them to be together.
So what did I love about this book? First, it's historical, I'm a sucker for history. I really felt like I was in Fosse and Porthruan. Second, the romantic thread was an amazing slow burner. This is no seam bursting bodice ripper (hurrah!), but it smoulders as much as Darcy and Elizabeth as well as John Thornton and Margaret Hale. Third, which follows on from number two, because the characters manage to act like normal human beings in control of themselves and not dive under silken bed sheets for pre-marital romps; the growing relationship between Jim and Rosehannon focuses actually on heir actions and actual feelings. Fourth, (mild spoiler alert) the ending isn't a wedding dress and the sunset, the ending is the start of their official courtship. I loved that, especially since the author than can write a sequel where we can see Jim and Rosehannon together trying to plan a wedding with some further bumps in the road (hint hint, Nicola Pryce).
There were some parts of the writing style which I didn't care for, and there were a few times when the narrative actually repeated itself, but these things were not enough for me to become distracted.
I started reading this book at 6pm on the day it arrived. I was hooked to the point at 1.30am I had to physically make myself put it down. The next day I ignored my poor hairdresser and read some more, and then finally at 8pm that evening I finished it (after feeding the kids and putting them promptly to bed). I love this story, and I am very excited to have discovered an author who knows how to write mystery/ history/ romance without resorting to smut and bad language. Highly recommended.
February 6, 2017
This story is set along the Cornwall coast of England during the 1800's. Rose Pengelly and her mother have lost their beautiful home and are living in poverty. Rose's father has been discredited and thrown in jail where he died. His shipyard was taken from him by his enemies. Rose is determined to clear her father's name and find out what really happened. She puts herself in danger, when she disguises herself as a young man and meets a handsome sailor named Jim, who tries to help her. Rose discovers many shocking secrets which lead to life changing events for both her and her family.
I loved this book and cannot wait to read another one by the author. it was interesting to learn about the role of women in society and how they were expected to act at that time. Rose clearly rebelled and tried to prove that she could do a man's job.
Highly recommend this historical novel!!
I loved this book and cannot wait to read another one by the author. it was interesting to learn about the role of women in society and how they were expected to act at that time. Rose clearly rebelled and tried to prove that she could do a man's job.
Highly recommend this historical novel!!
September 1, 2020
I like it, but so far it's almost too fast-paced and overdramatic.
May 16, 2019
2.5 Stars
This was pitched to lovers of Poldark, and being a big fan of those, I have to say that it is a good pitch for this story. Rose is a young woman who rebels against the restrictive roles of the 18th century female. Jim is the mysterious sailor she falls for. There is lots of historical detail here, the Cornwall coastal towns are vivid, and there’s plenty of old-timey ship building references. This was a clean romance. The author could have left out the vulgarity of the one protagonist and the descriptiveness of the one aggressive scene (and the use of the word loins lol), to keep it consistent. The end was pretty predicable, but I did like the relationship between the two main characters. This was nice writing for a 1st novel, a few places where the writing didn’t flow smoothly, but I look forward reading the rest of Pryce’s Cornish Saga Series. And I like that they can be read as stand-alones.
This was pitched to lovers of Poldark, and being a big fan of those, I have to say that it is a good pitch for this story. Rose is a young woman who rebels against the restrictive roles of the 18th century female. Jim is the mysterious sailor she falls for. There is lots of historical detail here, the Cornwall coastal towns are vivid, and there’s plenty of old-timey ship building references. This was a clean romance. The author could have left out the vulgarity of the one protagonist and the descriptiveness of the one aggressive scene (and the use of the word loins lol), to keep it consistent. The end was pretty predicable, but I did like the relationship between the two main characters. This was nice writing for a 1st novel, a few places where the writing didn’t flow smoothly, but I look forward reading the rest of Pryce’s Cornish Saga Series. And I like that they can be read as stand-alones.
December 15, 2016
Truly enjoyable.
This is not the sort of book I would normally pick off the shelf, and I expected for it to be a bit of a struggle. However I was presently surprised and eaisly read it within a few days. The era is well researched and therefore interesting and believable. The characters are strong and well thought through. Rose, the protagonist, is certainly a case of being her own worst enemy! Parts of the story were a little predicatable, of course she was going to fall in love with the sailor she meets in the middle of the night and of course he was going to turn out to not be a sailor at all, and of course they wouldn't work through their misunderstandings until the very last minute, but in this case, it didn't make it any less enjoyable. It had strong tones of 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'North and South', where two head strong characters fall in love but keep themselves separated due to pride and misunderstandings, and the author pulled this off well so you, as the reader, are really longing for them to be together. I would certainly be interested in reading future books from this author.
This is not the sort of book I would normally pick off the shelf, and I expected for it to be a bit of a struggle. However I was presently surprised and eaisly read it within a few days. The era is well researched and therefore interesting and believable. The characters are strong and well thought through. Rose, the protagonist, is certainly a case of being her own worst enemy! Parts of the story were a little predicatable, of course she was going to fall in love with the sailor she meets in the middle of the night and of course he was going to turn out to not be a sailor at all, and of course they wouldn't work through their misunderstandings until the very last minute, but in this case, it didn't make it any less enjoyable. It had strong tones of 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'North and South', where two head strong characters fall in love but keep themselves separated due to pride and misunderstandings, and the author pulled this off well so you, as the reader, are really longing for them to be together. I would certainly be interested in reading future books from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2021
I enjoyed this novel set in Cornwall. There are colourful descriptions and good characterisations by Nicola Pryce, which brings the Cornish scenery to life.
I agree with others however, that Rose is given too much foresight for someone of her age and time. She doesn't't want to eat the almond sugar bon bons because she thinks they are trainted with slave's blood. She is strong, independent and runs a boatyard - all very honourable characteristics, but would a young woman living in 1793 really see the world in such a way?
I agree with others however, that Rose is given too much foresight for someone of her age and time. She doesn't't want to eat the almond sugar bon bons because she thinks they are trainted with slave's blood. She is strong, independent and runs a boatyard - all very honourable characteristics, but would a young woman living in 1793 really see the world in such a way?
June 6, 2022
I've read all the books in this collection and like them very much. I'm quite familiar with the locations in the book and feel Nicola Pryce conjures up the old days very atmospherically. I particularly like the notion on not being able to get over the river easily as it's full of boats - well, ships!
I read all sorts of things including pretty high falutin' stuff, and I'm a writer myself. These books are the ideal 'get away from it all' but they're well-written too. I couldn't enjoy them otherwise.
I read all sorts of things including pretty high falutin' stuff, and I'm a writer myself. These books are the ideal 'get away from it all' but they're well-written too. I couldn't enjoy them otherwise.
August 10, 2024
I enjoyed this book, Rose Pengelly is a strong character and I liked her spirit. I thought the story was unpredictable and had plenty of interesting characters and action as well as a lovely location and sense of place.
However I would've liked an epilogue to find out what happened next. I'd have read another book featuring this character. I feel like there's more to the dtory.
There was a scene I'd really wish she'd stood up for herself but she didn't. This is more than a love story and I think it'd still be a good story if there was no romantic element. If this writer wrote more strong women and less romance I'd read them.
However I would've liked an epilogue to find out what happened next. I'd have read another book featuring this character. I feel like there's more to the dtory.
There was a scene I'd really wish she'd stood up for herself but she didn't. This is more than a love story and I think it'd still be a good story if there was no romantic element. If this writer wrote more strong women and less romance I'd read them.
December 28, 2017
I was very lucky to win this book in a Goodreads draw earlier in the year. Very good, with a twist about a third of the way through. I hope there is a sequel as I would like to see how the story develops. Having grown up in Cornwall, I'm trying to guess where the author based her fictional locations on but am not sure. At first I thought it maybe Falmouth, but it could be Fowey...
February 6, 2022
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book, it is about somewhere I do not know at all, however I certainly got a feel for it. The book covers a time when there was much change, and the rule of man was coming to an end. I don't think there are many women nowadays that would put up with the way women were treated then.
I really enjoyed this book, it is about somewhere I do not know at all, however I certainly got a feel for it. The book covers a time when there was much change, and the rule of man was coming to an end. I don't think there are many women nowadays that would put up with the way women were treated then.
August 1, 2023
A read for women, difficult for men
I found this book difficult to read and sometimes to contain my frustration in understanding the mind of the leading lady. A surprising twist at the conclusion did not make up for a difficult read.
I found this book difficult to read and sometimes to contain my frustration in understanding the mind of the leading lady. A surprising twist at the conclusion did not make up for a difficult read.
December 21, 2019
Not really my type book.
May 30, 2022
Fantastic!! I listened to this on scribed. You can read these as stand alones! If you love Poldark, you'll love this! Brilliantly written, can't wait to read the rest! Clean reads too!
October 5, 2016
Pengelly's Daughter has all the hallmarks of a rollicking good historical adventure, and if you like a feisty heroine who doesn't stand for any nonsense and a ruggedly handsome hero who has just a hint of a secret in his background, then I am sure that this story will appeal.
Set against the sweeping majesty of the Cornish coast, Pengelly's Daughter is a family saga which gives more than a nod towards the massively successful Poldark series by Winston Graham. Does it have the same classic pull as Graham's work? Well, no, it doesn't, but that's no bad thing, as the story is more than capable of standing on its own merits. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Rose, Pengelly's eponymous daughter, who, as the book opens, finds that she and her mother have to live in almost penury due to some bad decisions made by her father who has since been punished for a crime he may, or may not have done. Meeting a mysterious young man called Jim, who helps to get Rose out of far too many mishaps, forms the basis for this lively story about the prejudices faced by young women in Georgian England, and also of the evil machinations of despicable men who sought only to bring about the downfall of the Pengelly family.
Do they succeed, well, I’ll leave it for you discover for yourselves, but if you enjoy a lively historical adventure, with a hint of mischance and a dash of romance, then I highly recommend Pengelly's Daughter as a good historical family saga.
Set against the sweeping majesty of the Cornish coast, Pengelly's Daughter is a family saga which gives more than a nod towards the massively successful Poldark series by Winston Graham. Does it have the same classic pull as Graham's work? Well, no, it doesn't, but that's no bad thing, as the story is more than capable of standing on its own merits. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Rose, Pengelly's eponymous daughter, who, as the book opens, finds that she and her mother have to live in almost penury due to some bad decisions made by her father who has since been punished for a crime he may, or may not have done. Meeting a mysterious young man called Jim, who helps to get Rose out of far too many mishaps, forms the basis for this lively story about the prejudices faced by young women in Georgian England, and also of the evil machinations of despicable men who sought only to bring about the downfall of the Pengelly family.
Do they succeed, well, I’ll leave it for you discover for yourselves, but if you enjoy a lively historical adventure, with a hint of mischance and a dash of romance, then I highly recommend Pengelly's Daughter as a good historical family saga.
February 10, 2017
From the cover of this novel I got a Catherine Cookson/family saga vibe that I have to admit almost put me off. But the blurb and the comparisons with Poldark had me sold. For a debut novel this has all the makings of a great historical adventure. I actually looked up the author expecting a back catalogue of similar novels so well established was her style, characterisation, and vivid descriptions of the sights and smells of Cornwall.
Rose, true to form in this genre of novel, was a feisty and headstrong heroine, fighting to make her own way in what was very much a man's world.She was ahead of her time in her thinking, with ideas that many of the other characters found shocking. As for Jim, well... I only wish that we saw more of him. The relationship he had with Rose was my favourite part of the novel and I would have loved more of an ending to their story. Hopefully this is just the beginning for them and a sequel of some kind is in the works - there are so many brilliant characters that there is easily scope for more stories set in this particular fictional community.
Full review posted here: http://lilmissvixreads.blogspot.com/2...
4/5 stars: With a hero who is more than a match for Ross Poldark, this is a fast paced and fun historical romp through Cornwall.
Rose, true to form in this genre of novel, was a feisty and headstrong heroine, fighting to make her own way in what was very much a man's world.She was ahead of her time in her thinking, with ideas that many of the other characters found shocking. As for Jim, well... I only wish that we saw more of him. The relationship he had with Rose was my favourite part of the novel and I would have loved more of an ending to their story. Hopefully this is just the beginning for them and a sequel of some kind is in the works - there are so many brilliant characters that there is easily scope for more stories set in this particular fictional community.
Full review posted here: http://lilmissvixreads.blogspot.com/2...
4/5 stars: With a hero who is more than a match for Ross Poldark, this is a fast paced and fun historical romp through Cornwall.
July 27, 2016
I received this book to read and review
It is 1793 and Rosie's father has died some time ago. She and her mother have been scrimping every penny to pay the rent and buy food. Rosie does some book keeping and her mother takes in sewing. But unbeknown to Rosie her mother is hiding a secret.
William Tregellas is a rich man - very rich. And he has been paying all the bills - even for Rosie's father's funeral. It was only meant to be a temporary thing until Rosie's mother could get back on her feet after her husband's death but now it has gone too far - she cannot pay. Tegellas has found a love in Rosie and wants to marry her. She has until her 21st birthday to give him an answer or he calls in all their debts. But Rosie is 21 in three weeks !!
One day Rosie meets a stranger called Jim . She doesn't know if this is his real name or one he has made up to hide who he really is. But as she begins to fall in love with him she also has the problem of Tregellas to deal with.
She knows Tregallas has dodgy dealings and she sets out to find out the truth.
With skullduggery and dangerous liaisons can Rosie find the perfect answer ?
It is 1793 and Rosie's father has died some time ago. She and her mother have been scrimping every penny to pay the rent and buy food. Rosie does some book keeping and her mother takes in sewing. But unbeknown to Rosie her mother is hiding a secret.
William Tregellas is a rich man - very rich. And he has been paying all the bills - even for Rosie's father's funeral. It was only meant to be a temporary thing until Rosie's mother could get back on her feet after her husband's death but now it has gone too far - she cannot pay. Tegellas has found a love in Rosie and wants to marry her. She has until her 21st birthday to give him an answer or he calls in all their debts. But Rosie is 21 in three weeks !!
One day Rosie meets a stranger called Jim . She doesn't know if this is his real name or one he has made up to hide who he really is. But as she begins to fall in love with him she also has the problem of Tregellas to deal with.
She knows Tregallas has dodgy dealings and she sets out to find out the truth.
With skullduggery and dangerous liaisons can Rosie find the perfect answer ?
August 9, 2016
The beginning of the novel see Rose Pengelly and her mother struggling to survive after her father has been cheated out of his shipbuilding business in late 18th century Cornwall. She has received an offer of marriage from a local businessman, William Tregellas, but Rose refuses, believing that it is he who got her father imprisoned as a debtor and where he died. In trying to prove her belief, she is aided by a mysterious young sailor, Jim, who has his own reasons for wanting revenge on Tregellas. The book has two distinct sections, the first being the solving of the mystery. In the second section, Rose learns of Jim’s true identity and feels that they can never be together, added to which there are still mysterious secrets to uncover. Although I found the two sections a little disconcerting, it was still a good adventure story and the pace fairly rattled along. Rose herself is a fiercely independent young woman, despite the rigid social mores of the era, and I loved her loyalty to the dressmaker Madam Merrick, whose character I adored. More please!
February 8, 2017
I thoroughly ejoyed this well paced story with a fiesty heroine bucking the traditional role for women. My daughter who is 11 also read it and enjoyed it too... it would be well placed as a YA book as well as adults. More from this author please!
December 24, 2016
Cornwall, 1793 is the setting of this historical fiction debut.
It is geographically vivid, emotionally moving, dramatic in conflict.
A feisty heroine and a ruggedly handsome sailor stoke the fires of
romantic possibility and then shift to impossibility.
There is enough romantic alternation and striking events to keep the reader alert.
However,Rose's question remains " does he ever tell her the truth?"
Goodreads giveaway
It is geographically vivid, emotionally moving, dramatic in conflict.
A feisty heroine and a ruggedly handsome sailor stoke the fires of
romantic possibility and then shift to impossibility.
There is enough romantic alternation and striking events to keep the reader alert.
However,Rose's question remains " does he ever tell her the truth?"
Goodreads giveaway
February 4, 2017
Historical fiction set in Cornwall in the 1790's with an independent-minded young woman as heroine, daughter of a ship builder, who dreams of becoming a ship builder herself although she has been born into a man's world. She falls in love with a fugitive sailor who is hiding a secret about his identity. It's a rousing good story with a heroine you can root for and lots of wonderful detail that brings the story to life.
July 30, 2016
I got totally swept away reading this book -it has a strong plot, very evocative descriptions and wonderful characters. I particularly liked how the author has captured what it must have been like to be a feisty woman with ideas and passion in the 1790s. The romantic setting of Cornwall and interesting historical context made this a good read.
April 7, 2017
A really enjoyable read set in Cornwall in 1793. Will suit Poldark fans. I would thoroughly
recommend this book.
recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews