At Summer's End By Courtney Ellis

 

When an ambitious female artist accepts an unexpected commission at a powerful earl's country estate in 1920s England, she finds his war-torn family crumbling under the weight of long-kept secrets. From debut author Courtney Ellis comes a captivating novel about finding the courage to heal after the ravages of war.

Alberta Preston accepts the commission of a lifetime when she receives an invitation from the Earl of Wakeford to spend a summer painting at His Lordship's country home, Castle Braemore. Bertie imagines her residence at the prodigious estate will finally enable her to embark on a professional career and prove her worth as an artist, regardless of her gender.

Upon her arrival, however, Bertie finds the opulent Braemore and its inhabitants diminished by the Great War. The earl has been living in isolation since returning from  the trenches,  locked away in his rooms and hiding battle scars behind a prosthetic mask. While his younger siblings eagerly welcome Bertie into their world, she soon sees chips in that world's gilded facade. As she and the earl develop an unexpected bond, Bertie becomes deeply entangled in the pain and secrets she discovers hidden within Castle Braemore and the hearts of its residents.

Threaded with hope, love, and loss, At Summer's End delivers a portrait of a noble family--and a world--changed forever by the war to end all wars.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: At Summer's End (9780593201299): Ellis, Courtney: Books

Courtney Ellis began writing at a young age, and developed an interest in history from her grandfather’s stories of World War II. After obtaining her BA in English and Creative Writing, she went on to pursue a career in publishing. She lives in Western New York with her rescue dog.

Connect with Courtney online at @CellisWriter on Twitter, and courtneyellisauthor on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest​.

www.courtney-ellis.com 

My Thoughts...

Was a fantastic debut. How Will Ellis ever top At Summer's End.

A historical like no other. I was engrossed from the very first chapter.

I am not going to retell the story the synopsis is above. All I am going to say is grab this fantastic new 5 star book. You can thank me later.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.