About the Book
Book: His Grace’s Governess
Author: Jackie Killelea
Genre: Christian Historic Romance
Release date: February 4, 2025
A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?
Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family’s London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.
Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has no intention of finding love. Since losing his family in a tragic carriage accident five years ago, he has devoted himself to protecting his young niece, the only family he has left. But when his niece’s enchanting governess arrives at the estate, Edmund finds himself reconsidering his vow never to love again. Why then, as he seeks to know her more, does she seem determined to avoid him at all costs?
As Eleanor fulfills her role as governess, her past begins to catch up with her, threatening to unravel the secrets she holds dear. Both Eleanor and Edmund must confront their deepest fears and decide whether to succumb to the darkness within or brave the path to healing and love.
My Review:
Forced to seek employment as a governess or face destitution, Eleanor Clairbridge receives an offer from the Duke of Albemarle to teach his niece, Rosie. Immediately drawn to Eleanor, Rosie flourishes and so does Edmund. Both he and Eleanor have lost their parents and it takes someone like Ellie who has experienced grief to bring Edmund out of his deep suffering and help him see a brighter future. Edmund also helps Ellie to see that she is a beautiful person, both in character and appearance. The staff added a welcoming feeling and depth to the story. I enjoyed this Regency romance. This is one story that will appeal to readers of all ages. It is the first book in the Saving the Spinsters series. It will be interesting to see what the next spinster's story will be like. I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.
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About the Author
Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.
More from Jackie
In His Grace’s Governess, much trouble befalls Edmund and Eleanor as they attempt to sort out their close proximity to and burgeoning feelings for one another, but there is one scene in particular that I enjoyed researching.
In one scene of the novel, Mr. Roskilly(the gardener at Ivy Grange Estate) worries at Eleanor plucking the plant Rabelera–otherwise known as Greater Stitchwort–from the ground. He fears that danger will befall Eleanor if she takes it from the garden and Eleanor, misunderstanding him, even believes at one point that Mr. Roskilly might be threatening her. But, why is Mr. Roskilly so worried? Is he really so concerned that Edmund’s hackles will be raised when he sees that Eleanor has plucked a few mere flowers from the garden–and with his niece, no less?
Indeed, that is not where his concern lies, for if you read the passage closely, you’ll see that Mr. Roskilly is Cornish. This is an important factor. When doing my research for the novel, I found that, in Cornwall, it is believed that Greater Stitchwort is the property of the pixies. It is believed that to pick it is to take it from them and to anger them, and if you anger them then there is all the chance that they may well retaliate for you having stolen what was theirs. Truly, they may even enchant you, according to legend. Having read this and being sufficiently intrigued, the scene was born! I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.
Here is an excerpt from it so you know what I’m referring to:
“Hope yer walk’s went well. ’Tis a fine day fer one.” He grinned, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. His Cornish accent was thick, with a friendly tone to his voice.
Eleanor returned his smile and nodded. “It certainly is. What better way to spend a morning than to enjoy the sun in these beautiful gardens? They’re the finest I’ve ever seen.”
She could’ve sworn there was a hint of a blush on the man’s tawny face. “I than’ ye, miss. We do our righ’ bes’, and keepin’ i’ as i’ is makes ’is Grace ’appy. Ever since…” The man trailed off, a growing look of concern on his face.
What had he been about to say? Something about the duke or his family?
“Greater Stitchwort.” He spoke with a grave edge to his words, looking intently at the flower in Rose’s hand.
Eleanor’s gaze flitted from the man to the flower, her brows furrowing. “Is something wrong, sir?”
The man tilted his head, flicking his eyes to the side in a plea for a private conversation.
I will not say whether this decision to pick the plant affected Eleanor later on in the story or not, but I’ll leave you with this: Do consider all of the plants you touch before you decide to place your hand upon them and pull them from the ground.
Happy reading!
Jackie Killelea
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18
Holly’s Book Corner, February 19
Texas Book-aholic, February 19
Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20
Pens Pages & Pulses, February 20
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 21
Stories By Gina, February 22 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, February 22
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24
Connie’s History Classroom, February 25
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 25
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 26
Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna)
For Him and My Family, February 28
Pause for Tales, February 28
Book Looks by Lisa, March 1
Blossoms and Blessings, March 2
Cover Lover Book Review, March 3
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 3
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Jackie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
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Award-winning author 
