Harsh memories and even harsher decisions!

Once Upon a Storm (Struck by Lightening #1) by Kimberly Cates  

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A younger son returned from army life.  A woman who’d been his friend and companion as a child. As a girl she’d survived a dreadful storm and lightening strikes, but remembers little of it.

Harsh memories of the past; a lordly father, Earl of Ravencroft, brutal and violent, a disappeared mother, two sisters sent to Italy, all take their toll.

Now there’s a smarmy overseer, Mr. Inchwick filling his own pockets from various avenues of the Earl’s, including substandard building materials.

1843 and Captain Simon Harcourt returns from the far flung British empire. Afghanistan this time with a magnificent horse, a Turkoman stallion, he intends to breed.

His father will build him stables at Everdene Hall, a place he’d stormed out of and vowed never to return. The horses and a vow to his dead comrade in arms, Jamie the fiery Scotsman, is what’s brought him back. The price however might be too dear, to clear the village out and relocate the tenants so his father can have an unimpeded view of the valley. (From a Hall his father would never inhabit. It’s only a carriage accident nearby that has him ensconced here at the moment)

But what if something different can happen? Here’s where his childhood accomplice, Penelope Waverly, daughter of an architect comes in. She’s indomitable! I applauded her rescue of the chimney sweep. I loved the story of Penelope building a tree house at a young age. Then there’s her ideas for relocating the village, a winner.

Slightly long winded but an enjoyable read!

An Xpresso Books ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.