As the first full-length novel in The White Sails Series, DISCERNING GRACE captures the spirit of an independent woman whose feminine lens blows the ordered patriarchal decks of a 19th century tall ship to smithereens.
Wilful Grace Baxter, will not marry old Lord Silverton with his salivary incontinence and dead-mouse stink. Discovering she is a pawn in an arrangement between slobbery Silverton and her calculating father, Grace is devastated when Silverton reveals his true callous nature. Refusing this fate, Grace resolves to stow away.
Heading to the docks, disguised as a lad to ease her escape, she encounters smooth-talking naval recruiter, Gilly, who lures her aboard HMS Discerning with promises of freedom and exploration in South America. When Grace's big mouth lands her bare-bottomed over a cannon for insubordination, her identity is exposed. The captain wants her back in London but his orders, to chart the icy archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, forbid it. Lieutenant Seamus Fitzwilliam gallantly offers to take Grace off the fretting captain's hands by placing her under his protection.
Grace must now win over the crew she betrayed with her secret, while managing her feelings towards her taciturn protector, whose obstinate chivalry stifles her new-found independence. But when Grace disregards Lieutenant Fitzwilliam's warnings about the dangers of the unexplored archipelago, it costs a friend his life and she realises she is not as free as she believes.
DISCERNING GRACE is historical women's fiction that will appeal to fans of Claire Fraser from Outlander and Demelza Poldark from Poldark—in other words, fans of feisty historical female leads.
Praise for Discerning Grace -
“I love historical fiction and Discerning Grace does not disappoint with all the trappings of a great story - drama, humour, romance and some tears (from me!) thrown in for good measure. A well-woven story of young Grace, who does not accept the future her father has in store for her and runs away to, hopefully, a better life but one that she is in control of. On her journey she meets some characters who are delightful and others who are quite loathsome, and one particular dishy lieutenant! Tragedies and triumphs abundant for our gutsy heroine, Grace. If you love good historical fiction with a spirited female lead read Discerning Grace. Thrillingly, Grace’s story doesn’t end in the final chapter of this book and I’m waiting expectantly for what’s in store for her in the next book.” - Amazon Review
About The Author
Emma Lombard was born in Pontefract in the UK. She grew up in Africa—calling Zimbabwe and South Africa home for a few years—before finally settling in Brisbane Australia, and raising four boys.
Before she started writing historical fiction, she was a freelance editor in the corporate world, which was definitely not half as exciting as writing rollicking romantic adventures. Her characters are fearless seafarers, even though in real life Emma gets disastrously sea sick.
Discerning Grace, is the first book in The White Sails Series. To join the crew—subscribe to Emma's newsletter: www.emmalombardauthor.com
Emma Lombard was born in Pontefract in the UK. She grew up in Africa—calling Zimbabwe and South Africa home for a few years—before finally settling in Brisbane Australia, and raising four boys.
Before she started writing historical fiction, she was a freelance editor in the corporate world, which was definitely not half as exciting as writing rollicking romantic adventures. Her characters are fearless seafarers, even though in real life Emma gets disastrously sea sick.
Discerning Grace, is the first book in The White Sails Series. To join the crew—subscribe to Emma's newsletter: www.emmalombardauthor.com
