This is a delightfully fun novel that contains essences of romance and history and modern times all expertly crafted into a cohesive and addictive narrative. Blythe Barton whisks herself to Cornwall to escape the prying reporters and her ruined marriage, and the reader gets to know and like Blythe as she rediscovers herself during this much needed respite. Complete with a captivating historical atmosphere of a misty Cornwall, author Ciji Ware does a fabulous job of recreating the nuances of epic authors such as Daphne Du Maurier and Mary Stewart. I was one of the readers of the recent reissue of Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware (reviewed here) and I had fallen in love with Ware's writing style. While the last novel was more about a true historical character, A Cottage by The Sea offers a modern tone with flashback settings to 1700's England. The novel mentioned Daphne Du Maurier several times, and there were many times especially during the flashback settings that the gothic style was prominent within the book.Blythe Barton finds herself with an uncanny ability to see into the past, and this past contains her probable ancestors of the Barton/Trevelyan clan of the eighteenth century. While renovating Cornish property Blythe comes across a framed family tree that beckons her soul. The owner of the Cornish property where Blythe finds her quaint English retreat is of course a handsome sexy man who Blythe falls for immediately. She goes into business with him, among other things, and along the way tries to recuperate and heal from her messy divorce. Strong family ties are a theme in this novel, with the past family members invading her thoughts as well as Blythe's present-day family; such as her grandmother's quotes and her immature, conniving and betraying sister. Since the novel echoes with themes of gothic romance novels, this one made me want to delve into Du Maurier and Mary Stewart again. I really enjoyed the details of the land and the old estate which featured a castle, of course.Blythe needs to find the missing link of the past and find contentment in the present, and readers are taken through a haunting love triangle of the past that reverberates mystery and intrigue throughout the novel. I loved the past day revelations the most, and the characters of the past deserve a novel all their own. The supernatural elements were believable and added much to the story without becoming outlandish. Ciji Ware does a splendid job of merging the two stories into a suspenseful family saga that I loved getting lost in. Prudish readers like me who are not accustomed to ardent loves scenes may find themselves blushing at a few intervals in the novel. I would have appreciate a lot more depth to the characters overall, but I was totally entertained by the novel and that's all I would ask for in this type of read. This was a very enjoyable adventure that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to history lovers, romance readers and even those who like a little trip to the past via ghosts. The story was written so well with the links of the past to the present complete with the genealogy chart that had me wishing that the story was true.
A COTTAGE BY THE SEA[return]by Ciji Ware[return]Sourcebooks Landmark[return]9781402222702[return]June 2010[return]$15.99US/$18.99CAN[return]544 pages[return][return][return][return]Blythe Barton, desperate and mortified following her highly publicized Hollywood divorce from the flamboyant director Christopher Stowe, flees to England, the land of her ancestors for solitude and rest. Even the millions that become hers in the settlement will not assuage the humiliation she suffered when she discovered the steamy affair between her husband and sister. To add salt to the festering wound, upon leaving court she learns with added embarrassment that the two have wed. [return][return]Arriving at Barton Hall in Cornwall, she meets the owner, her landlord Lucas Teague. He informs her that her attorney Lisa, has extended her lease by three months. When she calls Lisa she is told that the media is in a frenzy after the announcement that her sister is pregnant and it would be best for her to stay put. [return][return]Resigned to her fate she begins to build a new life, with hope of erasing her past. She settles into Painter s Cottage by the sea surrounded by lush plantings and incredible views of the sea. Lucas, she admits When she meets her landlord and the owner of Barton Hall she notes how attractive and British he is and her curiosity rises, but with reserved caution she maintains her distance. Lucas shares his recent financial troubles with Blythe and she uses her skills as a production designer to generate a business plan that she hopes will make Barton Hall solvent. [return][return]She falls in love with Lucas, but his inability to share his life with his son disturbs her. Through some anomaly in the Barton genealogy chart, she discovers the linkage between her present and ancestral past life. She has vivid visions that uncover the buried history of her namesake leaving her confused with many unanswered questions. Then an unwelcome surprise visit by her ex-husband infuriates her as she is forced to deal with her psychologically unbalanced sister and a life changing plea from her remorseful ex. [return][return]With a mystical allure, the story slowly teases the reader as the present, past and future are plaited together. Through the lives of Blythe Barton and her forbears who lived in the 18th century, the history of Barton Hall emerges with a surprising twist. Blythe and Lucas are sensually hot, passionate lovers who were destined for each other. Each character is so compellingly real and touchable the story breathes believability. Once again, Ciji Ware has written an absorbing romance of historical fiction. Cottage by the Sea is a scintillating summer read offering pure enchantment.
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When I finished with A Cottage By the Sea, I realized that I had just finished my first time-travel book. The time traveling was interesting, here. Blythe would put her finger on a name on a genealogy tree and say the name and... BOOM! She was back in time, 200 years ago, seeing things from that person's perspective.Let me tell you how Blythe got to this genealogy tree. First of all, her scumbag husband cheated on her, with her own sister! The present day story opens with Blythe divorcing her husband and then heading across the Atlantic to Cornwall. She rents a cottage on the land of Barton Hall. Blythe heads here because she has heard for years from her grandmother that she (Blythe) was descended from these Cornish Bartons. The owner of Barton Hall is Lucas Teague, a descendent of the cousin of the Bartons, who inherited it 200 years before.The original Blythe Barton of the 18th century literally vanished off the face of the earth 200 years ago. A question mark sits by her name on the genealogy tree. Her husband, Christoper 'Kit' Trevelyan, who inherited the Hall upon his marriage died that same year and with his brother Ennis dying the year before, the Hall went to a cousin – Garrett Teague. 20th century Blythe, through the spiffy time traveling and being hypnotized by a local doctor, witnesses this 18th century soap opera with all the characters I just named. She uncovers centuries old mysteries all why trying to realize what her feelings are for her landlord Lucas.A Cottage By the Sea was a enjoyable, solid story that kept me entertained. Not surprisingly, I loved the chapters taking place in the 18th century more and wished that we spent more time there. Nonetheless, this novel wickedly blended past and present.
—Christy B
From My Blog....[return][return]A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware is an intriguing, enticing, complex and romantic novel that will keep readers up long into the night. Blythe Barton Stowe grew up in Wyoming, married and became famous in California and is facing a humiliating divorce and scandal in Hollywood. Blythe decides it is time to get away from the media circus and heads to Cornwell for some peace and quiet and to research some of her ancestors who are from Cornwall. She manages to rent a cottage on the lands of Barton Hall, owned by Lucas Teague who is trying to keep his estate in the black and his spirits lifted. As expected, a spark ignites between Blythe and Lucas, however in an extraordinarily unlikely manner. I was concerned about the time travel aspect, and yet Ware managed to write the scenes into her novel in a delightful and seamless manner. The scenery both present and past is described expertly well and the reader will have no trouble envisioning the scenes. The characters are realistic and enchanting, while the plot, a deceptively simple romance, turns into a much more complex romance in an intriguing and brilliant way. This is the second novel I have read by Ciji Ware and A Cottage by the Sea did not disappoint me. I would without reservation recommend A Cottage by the Sea to any reader looking for a wonderful romance novel with a twist.
—Jennifer
Why I wanted to read it: I have several reasons......My awesome blogging friend Jen @ Jenny Loves to Read, sent me a copy a LONG time ago because I expressed interest in the book after she reviewed it.I am drawn to all things Cornwall...I swear one of my ancestors is from this area!Kaye@Pudgy Penguin listed this as one of her favorite reads for 2010 and I made up a challenge for myself to read some of my favorite bloggers favorite books!It was C in my 52 Weeks 52 Books Alphabetical challenge! Source: I read this one on my Kindle and the paperback (from Jen)As I stated above I love all things Cornwall and this book really set the tone and atmosphere for me. I will be visiting this lovely place before I die..which, I hope isn't until I'm like 98 or something!I really enjoyed Blythe and understood her need to get away from all things Hollywood and to get back to what was real and good in life.The whole time travel aspect is something I'm a sucker for...I love this type of book. I was really digging the way Blythe was able to see the past events...very very cool! I can't tell you how...I think that is a spoiler of sorts. The love story...was absolutely captivating. I cheered for this couple and wanted their relationship to be real and meaningful.Reading about Blythe reading all of Daphne du Maurier's (who lived in Cornwall) books had me wanting to read all of her titles too! So, that is exactly what I'm going to do! I will be starting with Rebecca, then My Cousin Rachel, because I own both of those titles. Then I will be adding the others as I can get my hands on them. Did you know, not one of her titles is available as an e-book? My husband is lucky because I would have bought every single one right after I finished The Cottage!!!I want to thank Jen and Kaye for recommending this book so highly. I absolutely loved the story and I'm glad that I bought it for my Kindle when it was free...now, I can go back and re-read it anytime I want!
—Staci
