The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her twenty-two years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads, and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart.

1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen-years-old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love.

Amazon


About The Author

Hazel Gaynor is the acclaimed New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of five novels. Her debut, THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, won the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award, and THE GIRL FROM THE SAVOY was shortlisted for the 2016 Irish Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the Year. She was also selected as a WHSmith Fresh Talent title in 2015 for A MEMORY OF VIOLETS. Her novel THE COTTINGLEY SECRET was one of BookBub's most anticipated books of summer 2017 and her co-written novel LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS is a finalist in the 2018 WFWA Star Awards. In 2018, Hazel will release her sixth historical novel, THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S DAUGHTER, inspired by the true story of Victorian heroine, Grace Darling. Hazel's books have been translated into eight languages and are published in 15 countries to date. She lives in Ireland with her husband and two children and is represented by Michelle Brower of Aevitas Creative, New York. For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com 


My Review

I found myself quickly immersed in this story, a story of life and death, and love and losing.
The author did a wonderful job of melding the centuries, with the lighthouse guiding the lives of people chosen to operate them. When you know that this book is based on a true story, and see how fragile life is.
A story woven with love, and I didn’t see some of it coming, but you might want to keep the tissues handy!
We span decades and centuries and the book comes together beautifully, intertwining a family, but making you want to hold your loved one’s close.
A story that will linger!

I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher William Morrow, and was not required to give a positive review.