The Rose of Winslow Street - Elizabeth Camden

This one was on my watch list and I was glad that it popped up for free.  I had really enjoyed The Lady of Bolton Hill, and looked forward to this one as well.

Libby is considered an illiterate spinster by those around her, mainly her father.  He has tried to force her to learn to read, but something is wrong and she just can't understand the letters.  Always feeling the lesser sibling, she uses her drawing skills to assist him by creating the schematics for his inventions.  While they are away from home, a family from Romania breaks into the house and decides that it is their house.  They have no plans on leaving.

Michael feels that he has a legitimate claim to the house.  He has the last will of the man who owned the house before Libby's father and feels his claim to be more valid than the fact that the other man has lived there over 20 years.  Michael is incredibly blunt in his speech and fierce to protect his family, especially his sister, Mirela.

Libby is intrigued by the man and his family.  She enjoys bringing jam to the children and getting to know Michael.  He has seen her artwork and truly thinks that it is amazing.  Libby wants to hide from him that she can't read, she feels that he will think less of her knowing her faults.

Regardless of what her father thinks, Libby is determined to befriend and help the family.  The townspeople are shunning them, and when the main adults in the house become sick, it is up to Libby to step in and help out.

As the court case approaches, Michael and Libby struggle to remain friends when both sides are wanting the same thing.  Libby's father can't understand what Michael could see in her, except for the house.  Libby's heart is lost, but she's not sure how the situation can turn out so that everyone is happy.

I read this book in two days because I thought it was great!  I'm going to have to make sure that I don't read today, because I read WAY too much yesterday.  The characters in the book were interesting and the story unique.  I really appreciate that this author is able to take a romance and make it into a story that is new and different.  She has another book coming out in October, Against the Tide.  Once it has an ASIN number, I'll be putting it on my track list.  Great author, Good Book!!