Melanie Dobson pens epic multi-generational story about the cost of living authentically
Coming to terms with
your family’s secrets
Award-winning author
pens epic multi-generational story
about the cost of living authentically
Every
family has secrets they’d prefer to stay hidden, but where is the line between
protecting the ones you love and simple self-preservation? The theme of Melanie
Dobson’s sweeping new novel, Shadows of
Ladenbrooke Manor (Howard Books/May 5,
2015/ISBN: 9781476746142/$14.99) is how the choices of a few can impact generations.
In
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor we meet young
Libby Doyle, a free spirit who spends much of her time dancing with the butterflies
in Ladenbrooke’s gardens. Even though she struggles socially, Libby is enchanted
by the beauty of the butterflies.
Libby has captivated
the heart of Oliver Croft, the young heir of Ladenbrooke Manor. When Oliver’s body is found drowned in the
River Coln, authorities search for answers but find none. Soon after, Libby
vanishes, and her parents, Walter and Maggie Doyle, wonder what happened
between their daughter and the boy who lived next door.
If Libby were born today rather than
in the 1950s, she would fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. Dobson’s reasons
for including this element were personal. “My oldest daughter has sensory
processing issues, and we have friends with children on the spectrum. These
children often struggle with relationships but can also be incredibly bright
people, such as Libby, who excel at art or science or whatever talents God has
given them. In this story I wanted to celebrate these kids and encourage moms
who might feel hopeless and alone.”
Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor slips back
and forth between the 1950s and a contemporary story where we meet Heather, the
Doyles’ daughter. She returns to her family’s cottage to sort through her
parents’ belongings, where she uncovers a string of shocking secrets that leave
her wondering if anything her mother said about her childhood was true. “Mother-daughter
relationships can be complicated,” Dobson concedes. “I love when women of
different generations are honest with one another about their weaknesses and
offer each other grace, just as Christ gave freely to each of us.”
As Heather sorts through the
belongings left behind in the cottage, trying to separate truth from deceit,
she has an uncomfortable reunion with her first love. Together, they unravel a
mystery that will change everything she thought she knew about herself and her
family.
Award-winning author Dobson seamlessly
weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old
mystery to reveal how the Doyle and Croft families are entwined. Set in a charming
world of thatched cottages and lush English gardens, this mystery highlights
how God’s light cuts through the shadows of life, bringing transformation and
restoration and creating beauty from the ashes of our lives.
Advance
Praise
“Dobson
handles sensitive issues with tact, careful to avoid too much detail but
remaining honest. Mysteries are solved, truths revealed, and loves rekindled in
a book sure to draw new fans to Dobson’s already large base.”
~ Publishers Weekly
“How
far do patterns of behavior echo through generations? Are they passed down
through a family’s DNA — or through choices subtly modeled by one parent after
another? ‘Armchair psychologists’ will love how Dobson tackles these intriguing
questions in this past-meets-present page-turner, and Anglophiles will find the
manor, cottage and butterfly garden settings irresistible. Perfect with a pot
of English tea!”
~ Christian Book Distributors
“Mystery,
intrigue and grace . . . these are the hallmarks of
Dobson's time-split novels. Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor is
meticulously researched amid England’s lovely Cotswolds. Beautifully
written by this master storyteller and not to be missed.”
~
Cathy Gohlke, Christy Award-winning author of Secrets She Kept and Saving
Amelie
"Dobson’s
latest is a splendid combination of the past and the present, skillfully woven
together with an interesting mystery. The fascinating British setting,
exploration of family secrets and hopeful ending create an engaging reading
experience."
~ RT Book Reviews
Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of 14 historical
romance, suspense and contemporary novels. Two of her novels won Carol Awards
in 2011, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of
Indiana in 2010.
Dobson received her undergraduate degree in journalism from
Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent
University. She worked in publicity and journalism for more than 15 years,
including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel. Prior to launching
her own public relations company in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity
manager at Focus on the Family.
Dobson and her husband, Jon, enjoy living in the Pacific
Northwest with their two daughters. When she isn't writing or
playing with her family, Dobson enjoys exploring ghost towns, line dancing and
reading historical fiction.
To keep up with Melanie Dobson, visit www.melaniedobson.com, become a
fan on Facebook (Melanie-Dobson) or follow her on Twitter (@MelBDobson).
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