Eden Hall (The Eden Hall Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Veronica Heley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2004

After 24 years, she's learning the truth that was hidden from her as a child. Now the fate of many people depends on what she will do with it. At the age of four, Araminta 'Minty' Cardale was exiled from Eden Hall on the wings of a scandal. Twenty years later, summoned by her half-sister, she has returned to see her dying father. But her hopes of a warm family welcome are shattered, and she is rejected once again. Making a place for herself in the village at the gates of Eden Hall, Minty begins to learn the truth about her father and her long-dead mother. She has yet to understand the threat she represents to family members who care only for money, power, and self-advancement, or the hope she offers to the community she is growing to love. And there are some who will do anything to prevent her finding out until it's too late. Thankfully, Minty has friends to stand by her, and, in this modern Cinderella story, she find an unlikely and unpredictable champion. At stake are the soul of her father on his deathbed---and the future of the entire village.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

After 24 years, she’s learning the truth that was hidden from her as a child. Now the fate of many people depends on what she will do with it.

At the age of four, Araminta "Minty" Cardale was exiled from Eden Hall on the wings of a scandal. Twenty years later, summoned by her half-sister, she has returned to see her dying father. But her hopes of a warm family welcome are shattered, and she is rejected once again.

Making a place for herself in the village at the gates of Eden Hall, Minty begins to learn the truth about her father and her long-dead mother. She has yet to understand the threat she represents to family members who care only for money, power, and self-advancement, or the hope she offers to the community she is growing to love. And there are some who will do anything to prevent her finding out until it’s too late.

Thankfully, Minty has friends to stand by her, and, in this modern Cinderella story, she find an unlikely and unpredictable champion. At stake are the soul of her father on his deathbed—and the future of the entire village.

About the Author

Veronica Heley (www.veronicaheley.com) has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; New title edition (April 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310249635
• ISBN-13: 978-0310249634
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,048,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Veronica Heley (www.veronicaheley.com) has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grown up Cinderella story to appeal to all ages, June 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Eden Hall (The Eden Hall Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Wonderful escapism.Unlike the fairy story, you're not always sure who are the baddies and who are the goodies. Minty's goodness, grace and Christian faith shine through as she finally finds her place in the world.

Multi-layered characters, a beautiful historic English house and a galloping plot makes Eden Hall the ideal holiday read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice beginning to the series..., January 30, 2009

By 

Valerie "ValsVicinity" (Wyoming, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eden Hall (The Eden Hall Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

I really liked "Eden Hall". It had my attention right from the beginning, and I never found the story to be slow. It was interesting to see Minty unravel the mystery of her family history as she separated the facts from the rumors. I will admit there are some British customs and terms that I didn't quite understand, but after they are used a few times you can get a fairly good idea of what they mean. And if not, just type the term into a search engine, that's what I did with a couple of them! :-) I liked how the setting of the book didn't seem extremely modern...even though it is a contemporary book, set in the present day, it almost seemed as if the story could have happened 40 or 50 years ago. (Of course every once in a while someone gets an email or a call on their cell phone, reminding you that the story *is* actually set in the present day.) I usually tend to like historical fiction better than contemporary, but I really did like this book, so I think "Eden Hall" would appeal to historical or contemporary readers!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond the typical story, May 27, 2007

By 

Charlotte in Charlotte (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eden Hall (The Eden Hall Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

This book transcends typical Cinderella re-tellings by going beyond the classical story. The plot is intriguing without being cliche, and the characters are complex and multi-faceted. Eden Hall also deals with modern social issues in a way that doesn't detract from, but enhances, the plot line. Brilliant!