On Sparrow Hill (The Oak Leaves Book 2)

Maureen Lang has once again woven two separate story lines, centuries apart, into one engaging, compelling experience. She captivates the reader with first one story, then once the suspense has built, you are left hanging (in a delightfully good way) and transported to the other. Not all authors can juxtapose two separate stories and keep the reader engaged in both, but Maureen Lang has developed this technique into an art form. Both this book and its predecessor, "The Oak Leaves" are put together this way. Before reading these novels, I was not familiar with the Fragile X Syndrome, so not only did I enjoy a delightful combination of romance, mystery (well, suspense anyway) and faith, but I learned about Fragile X, not just textbook facts, but its impact on families from a personal and emotional point of view. I would recommend this book whether or not you have read "The Oak Leaves" although I would certainly recommend that if you can get both books at the same time, you should read them in order. However, unlike many book sequels, this one can definitely stand on its own without making you feel that you are missing something. If you like love stories, you will love this book.

Rebecca Seabrooke is committed to her work as the curator for the Hollingsworth Estate, an important British family. Secretly, Rebecca has had a crush on Quentin Hollingsworth since childhood. Now he seems interested in her. Could there possibly be a future for them? Of course, the times are different, but could nobility and the servant class become an item without stirring idle gossip? And what of Quentin's thoroughbred mother? Respected for her family's long history of service to the Hollingsworth, could Rebecca find acceptance as an equal? When 150-year old letters, written by Berrie Hamilton, one of Quentin's ancestors, are fount in a vault, Rebecca is reminded that hurdles can be jumped with God's help and wisdom. Maureen Lang, in this sequel to The Oak Leaves, has once again weaved engaging parallel stories: that of Berrie Hamilton's quest to help a young mentally impaired girl find meaning within her disability, and that of Rebecca Seabrooke's struggle against conventionality. Berrie writes her sister-in-law Cosima regarding the hardships she faces as she works to establish an Irish school for the mentally challenged. She fights against an uncaring system and is unwittingly pitted against the brother of one of her students, an Irish Lord. She dislikes her attraction to him. And he reminds her of his distrust of the English. When Quentin's English cousins visit, Rebecca is reminded of the struggle Cosima endured regarding her fears of the family curse, the fear of bearing a mentally disabled child. And indeed, in later years, the ancestral gene would carry the Fragile X-Syndrome, a theme prominent in Lang's first book, The Oak Leaves, and a reoccurring subplot in this book. A good read from start to finish.

Lang's second book in this series, On Sparrow Hill starts when commercial manager Rebecca Seabrooke finds out her boss, aristocrat Quentin Hollinsworth will be moving into his family home (which Rebecca manages) for the summer. Rebecca has been successful at hiding her long-time crush on Quentin with him gone most of the time, but fears he'll find out about her feelings if he's in such close proximity. Does God have a plan to bring them together? Letters from Quentin's ancestor, Berrie Hamilton, reveal a family history that starts with her intentions to be headmistress over a school for handicapped children. Berrie takes in a stranded girl whose family apparently doesn't want her, but when the girl's brother, a dashing Irishman, shows up on Berrie's doorstep her ordered world is upset. Berrie is sure God's plan is for her to run the school. Does He have a bigger plan in mind? Things to love about On Sparrow Hill: Romance. Two times the story lines equals two times the romance in this book. Lang creates a fine tension between the characters that makes the romance jump off the page. My favorite scene is when Quentin chases Rebecca in the rain with no shoes on - sigh! History. Lang's use of small details throughout the historical portion of this book makes reading it a joy and really draws you into the story. Also: Double the heroes Strong heroines Inspirational message Plot This is a great read - so don't miss it!

Two eras intertwine in this tale--present day England, and Victorian Ireland. Rebecca is the commercial manager of Quentin Hollinworth's estate. The biggest challenge her job affords is trying to forget the childhood crush she had on Quentin. For twelve generations her family had been servants to Quentin's family. Although class distinctions aren't supposed to exist anymore, it's not so easy to forget a history she comes face to face with every day. Besides, as a member of the dying aristocracy, Quentin makes regular appearances in the tabloids. Rebecca's duty is to protect his reputation, not provide more fodder for the paparazzi. When an American contacts her claiming to be a relative of Quentin, Rebecca searches the vault for proof of the connection. There she comes across letters written by Beryl Hamilton in 1852, which lead us to the historic storyline. In Beryl's role as headmistress of a school for the mentally handicapped, she faces many obstacles. She has to deal with a justice of the peace who thinks women in general are feeble-minded, a population who thinks her students are beyond help, and the brother of one of her charges who all but accuses her of kidnapping his sister. The two timelines are placed in alternating chapters. This added suspense and kept each story fresh in my mind. I also appreciated the fact that the two tales were left to unfold independently. What I mean is that only once in the book do we see someone actually sitting down to read a letter, and this gave it a more immediate feel. I highly recommend On Sparrow Hill. Each storyline was so compellingly told that I started every chapter eager to see where that particular thread would go next. Even though this was a sequel to The Oak Leaves, it stands on its own very well. I haven't read the first book--yet--but I didn't feel I was missing a piece of the puzzle. This was a touching and romantic story I won't soon forget.

When reading Maureen Lang's book, On Sparrow Hill, one feels like you are "there" living the events along with the characters. Empathy, excitement, intrigue, love, and excitement are just a few words that describe feelings evoked. Ms. Lang has the ability to weave and unfold a story involving the past and the present leaving the reader wanting to know the result of how they come together. One feels empathy while reading of the fears and challenges of raising a special needs child. A delightful addition is the word pictures painted such as the "cuddle farm" where the sheep live. Wonderful reading!