Beauty Among Ruins: A Novel of the Great War

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Average customer rating 4.7 (6 comments)

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What a difference a few years can bring! Impetuous New York heiress Lily Durham is sent by her parents to live in England with her cousins but she soon finds herself in the wilds of Scotland, helping care for wounded WWi soldiers. The convalescent home for these soldiers is actually a castle that has seen better days, but it is perfect for safely housing men who are suffering physically, emotionally, and sometimes spiritually. I enjoyed seeing Lily's progression from an uncertain girl to a woman determined to make a change. A girl used to a life of privilege who wants to be more than a socialite. Castle owner Alec MacGregor carries a heavy burden as he tries to care for his mother and sister while struggling to keep the castle in his family. I loved seeing how this American lass alters his lonely life with her friendship. Is it possible that they might become more than friends? Beauty Among Ruins is set in Scotland during the early years of WWI and author J'Nell Ciesielski paints a vivid picture of the Scottish countryside during this tragic time. Appealing characters and a light mystery enhance the plot and the sweet romance between Lily and Alec makes it even more enjoyable! This is a perfect read for fans of historical romance. I received a copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

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What a delightful and enchanting historical romance set during WWI. The book boasts of raw, palpable emotions, breath-taking beauty, and the heart's call for home. It made me laugh out loud from the well-placed humor and banter, weep from the sorrow and heart-break, and sigh with contentment at the tender sweet romance. Lily, the American, is full of life and zest but is deemed impertinent and selfish so is sent across the ocean to England before the start of the war in 1914. 1915 finds her as a nurse's aide, tending to the broken soldiers in a Scotland castle. Alec is the reclusive laird, brooding, stubborn, straight-laced but loyal and selflessly working towards preserving his crumbling legacy and history. Underneath the gruff and scowling exterior lies a tender, fiercely protective heart of gold that only a few people get to see. Alec is a swoon-worthy hero, for sure. There is great humor throughout the story, even in the midst of fear, pain and horrors of the war seen through the recovering soldiers' tales. The title "Beauty Among Ruins" is so appropriate - there is beauty everywhere in this story - in the dilapidated castle of old, in the rugged untamed landscape of Scotland, in the broken hope of the soldiers, in the fledgling star-crossed romance between Lily and Alec. I received a copy of the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

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When the eyes of Heaven look down upon us, what do they see? The author has taken us vicariously to an absolutely gorgeous area in Scotland. The scenery details bring you along out into the fields where Kinclavoch castle can be seen in all its glory! After reading this, a trip to that part of the world is a must. The plight of the old family estates is well documented and one can certainly understand why many have been sold. In 1915, Kinclavoch has temporarily become a convalescent home for returning soldiers, wounded in the war. Lily, a debutante from New York, is there to help in whatever way she can, along with her cousin Bertie who is a nurse. I must admit to laughing out loud as well as being ready to scream as I read this fabulous book. Between poisonings, madmen, fire, kidnapping and other nefariousness you will NOT put this down until you have reached the final end. This ARC was received through Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. These comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

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I always love when a book by a new-to-me author feels like discovering a treasure. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of J'Nell Ciesielski's books in the future. This one is set mostly in Laggan,Scotland from April 1915 to April 1916. Lily Durham, whose family were members of New York society, had been sent off to stay with relatives in England until she learned the proper way to conduct herself. Having joined her cousin in traveling to Scotland in order to help wounded soldiers staying at Kinclavoch Castle to convalesce, Lily embraced the freedom she found there in spite of the strict rules imposed on the nurses and aides by Matron Strom. Alec MacGregor, also known as Lord Stratham, may have been the owner of the castle and laird of the estate, but he too needed to find a sense of freedom, a freedom Lily's lightheartedness and caring ways offered. The question remained as to whether Lily could hold onto that freedom, and whether Alec could ever embrace it. While this book does not contain Christian references, there are many parallels to be drawn between its themes and biblical truths. Freedom is often found within boundaries and in service to others. I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Beauty Among Ruins from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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An American Heiress is sent to England and her mother’s cousin, in hopes she will grow up and return home and marry well. We get to meet Lilly Durham, and enjoy her vibrant personality, and her caring personality. She goes out of the way to try and help all, especially the sick and injured. She ends up with her cousin Bertie, as a nurses aid taking care of the injured men returning from the trenches of on the Continent, during WWI, and she ends up scrubbing urinals and folding sheets, along with caring for the men. Lilly also meets, and gets rejected by Alec MacGregor, Lord Strathem, all the while staying at a picturesque castle that has seen better days. Then strange and sometimes dangerous things begin to happen, and we are watching along with others looking for answers. We meet some famous people, with big hearts, and we there when one of the soldiers is kidnapped on his way to the make shift hospital, and then there are leaking ceilings, sick horses, fires, along with some happy times. We are also invited to a party, and see some sweet romance, but with all that is going on, including a war, will all of these folks even make it to the end of this book? A sweet read reminiscent of Downton Abbey, and you will be quickly turning pages for answers. I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

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An American Heiress is sent to England and her mother’s cousin, in hopes she will grow up and return home and marry well. We get to meet Lilly Durham, and enjoy her vibrant personality, and her caring personality. She goes out of the way to try and help all, especially the sick and injured. She ends up with her cousin Bertie, as a nurses aid taking care of the injured men returning from the trenches of on the Continent, during WWI, and she ends up scrubbing urinals and folding sheets, along with caring for the men. Lilly also meets, and gets rejected by Alec MacGregor, Lord Strathem, all the while staying at a picturesque castle that has seen better days. Then strange and sometimes dangerous things begin to happen, and we are watching along with others looking for answers. We meet some famous people, with big hearts, and we there when one of the soldiers is kidnapped on his way to the make shift hospital, and then there are leaking ceilings, sick horses, fires, along with some happy times. We are also invited to a party, and see some sweet romance, but with all that is going on, including a war, will all of these folks even make it to the end of this book? A sweet read reminiscent of Downton Abbey, and you will be quickly turning pages for answers. I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.