Last November, we selected the beloved classic Little Women for our book club pick. So, that means for our next selection, we’re choosing a newer novel to read. For our January book club pick (and February’s!), we’re featuring a book from a bestselling novelist Silver Petticoat readers love!
The Silver Petticoat Book Club is reading Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen.
ABOUT SHADOWS OF SWANFORD ABBEY
When we first read the official book synopsis of Shadows of Swanford Abbey, we knew it was destined to be a Silver Petticoat Book Club pick! The heroine’s name is Rebecca Lane – a name that is rather significant to us here at The Silver Petticoat Review.
While our website is currently run by us, Amber and Autumn, it was also initially co-founded by a third person – our close friend, Rebecca Lane!
Well, after reading the delightful book, we decided that it would be fitting to select Julie Klassen’s new book. Not only does it include the “perfect” name for a heroine, but it is a fabulously entertaining book to read.
The book is an amalgamation of many genres we love: Regency Romance, Clean Romance, Austenesque, Inspirational Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, and Gothic Romance.
If you were to combine Jane Austen with Agatha Christie with a touch of Charlotte Bronte, you’d find Shadows of Swanford Abbey.
So, we hope you’ll join us for our first book club pick of 2022!
Read our complete review of why we recommend the book: ‘Shadows Of Swanford Abbey’ Review: This Is A Delightful New Novel From Julie Klassen
And check out the official synopsis below.
Content Note: It’s a wholesome read with some mild suspense.
Also, be aware that it is a Christian novel and does include some religious quotes from time to time, but it’s not overly preachy if inspirational reads aren’t typically your thing.
We mostly saw these moments as reflective of a Christian character from that time.
OFFICIAL BOOK DESCRIPTION OF SHADOWS OF SWANFORD ABBEY
When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother’s desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.
The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey’s cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past–including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick—magistrate, widower, and former neighbor—who long ago broke her heart.
When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something…
BUY OUR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY BOOK CLUB PICK
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JOIN THE SILVER PETTICOAT BOOK CLUB
Our book club focuses on sweet, smart, or Austenesque books with love stories. We select a book once every two months.
For every book club selection, the choice alternates between a new book and a classic one. Our latest pick is a new novel. So, in March 2022, we will select a classic book to read.
We categorize all classic books as ones published before the year 2000. All books published after 2000 are classified as new.
You can check out our previous book club selections HERE to see if our book club is the right match for you.
The genres that interest us for this book club include:
- Austenesque
- Classic Literature
- Clean & Wholesome Romance
- Fairy Tales
- Fantasy
- Gothic Romance
- Historical Fiction
- Historical Romance
- Literary Fiction
- Paranormal Romance
- Romance
- Romantic Mystery/Romantic Suspense
- Rom-Com
- Women’s Fiction
- YA Fiction (typically fantasy/paranormal, romance, or historical)
We focus on ones and twos for the “steam” levels and may include a three now and again. A one is like a Hallmark film. A two is PG-ish with possible love scenes behind closed doors, and a three may include a love scene or two, but they are more emotion-based. Think PG-13-like.
There may also be some profanity in a two or three read – although we tend not to enjoy books with too much strong language, so don’t expect us to choose books with constant profanity.
We don’t include fours or fives.
This book club is not a “romance” genre book club, even though we sometimes pick romances. We select from many genres (as shown above), but it must have a good love story in it that is at least a significant subplot.
HOW THE ONLINE BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION WORKS
Near the end of the second month, we’ll discuss the book on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. The primary discussion points will be on Facebook and Goodreads.
We will also provide downloadable and printable discussion questions to discuss with your family and friends. They will be posted on The Silver Petticoat Review for your personal use if you’d like to create an in-person chapter of The Silver Petticoat Book Club.
To participate either online or in your own group in person (or on Zoom), you’ll want to find a copy of the book (from the library, buy it, borrow it, etc.) and begin reading. You’ll have nearly two months to finish.
Come online, or create your own discussion with friends at the end of the second month, and be ready to exchange views!
You can follow our site, The Silver Petticoat Review (subscribe to our newsletter for updates), for up-to-date information on the book club. You may also connect with us via our social media sites using the hashtag #TheSilverPetticoatBookClub
Read more about The Silver Petticoat Book Club HERE.
Are you going to read Shadows of Swanford Abbey with us? Have you read Julie Klassen’s books before? What do you think of our January book club pick? Sound off below!
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