Time of Grace by Gabriella West

Caroline Singleton is a shy and reserved young woman. After the death of her beloved brother Ralph, she moves from her home in London to take up a post as a governess in Lady Wilcox’s household in Ireland, leaving behind her ailing mother. This type of post is one of the very few opportunities open to a woman in 1916.

It’s in the house of Lady Wilcox that Caroline meets the beautiful and alluring maid servant, Grace Sheridan. Grace isn’t all she seems at face value. She’s hiding a secret. She’s caught up in Ireland’s fight for freedom.

When Caroline and Grace begin an illicit relationship, Grace trusts Caroline with her secrets. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond the control of both Caroline and Grace separates them. Will they find one another again? Will their love be strong enough to survive the condemnation and rumors that follow Caroline back to England and forwards again to Ireland? What of Grace’s involvement in the Easter Uprising? Will Grace even survive?

A wonderful historical romance set against a backdrop of the Irish Easter Uprising of 1916 during WW1.

Caroline had never expected to find the love of her life in Ireland, nor did she expect that love to be another woman, let alone a woman from a lower class than her own. Even in a conventional relationship, the class war created a big divide in those days.

It’s a very difficult time for Caroline and Grace. The emotional turmoil both women feel is so well described, I could feel their anguish. There are lots of ups and downs in their tumultuous relationship. So many, that as much as Caroline loves Grace, she does begin to have doubts and lose trust in her. As much as Caroline wants Grace, Grace appears to be pushing her away and Caroline wonders if it is all worthwhile.

I’m not well versed in Irish history, although I have heard of the Irish Easter Uprising. Gabriella West has described the events very well. As I always do when I’m interested in a particular storyline, I use Google and Google images to find out more. The historical facts appear to be accurate. The images I saw, were in fact as I’d visualized them whilst reading the story. The people mentioned in the book as leaders of the rebellion are real people. All in all, I feel Gabriella West has written a terrific and true to history account in her book. Her research is very well done. Her scenic descriptions were excellent.

The history and facts are carefully integrated and neither over shadows the other. In my honest opinion, there is a perfect balance between the facts, fiction and romance.

This is the first book I’ve read from Gabriella West, I look forward to reading more soon.