Sandra Byrd
Author of Let Them Eat Cake
About the Author
Series
Works by Sandra Byrd
Chatting with Girls Like You: 61 More Real-Life Questions with Answers from the Bible (2004) 8 copies
The Inside-out beauty book 3 copies
99 Days of Utterly Fabulous BFF Fun! 2 copies
The White Pony 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Byrd, Sandra
- Gender
- female
- Short biography
- Best-selling author Sandra Byrd has published more than three dozen books in the Christian fiction and non-fiction market, including her latest series for adults, French Twist, which opens with the Christy finalist Let Them Eat Cake (2007) and its sequels, Bon Appétit (2008) and Piece de Resistance (2009). Her newest series for young adults, London Confidential, debuted in April, 2010 with titles Asking For Trouble and Through Thick and Thin. Book Three, Don't Kiss Him Goodbye, and Four, Flirting With Disaster, will follow in September, 2010. Sandra's next series for adults, Ladies in Waiting, will release in August, 2011. Sandra also has a number of nonfiction titles available for women and tweens/teens.
Several of Sandra's shorter works appear in periodical markets such as Today's Christian Woman(Kyria), Relevant, Clubhouse, Pockets, Decision, Susie, and Guideposts. For nearly a decade Sandra has shared her secrets with the many students she mentors through the Christian Writers Guild. Before turning to full-time writing, Sandra was an acquisitions editor in the ABA market. She lives in the Seattle, Washington area with her husband and two children. You can learn more at www.sandrabyrd.com - Places of residence
- Seattle area, Washington, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Washington, USA
Members
Reviews
Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd does not follow the usual formula for dual-time stories. Readers aren’t switching between timelines every other chapter. Instead, Byrd gives readers a few chapters in each timeline (1950s and present day), which really lets you immerse yourself in that era. It works really well for this book.
There is a lot packed into these pages—prejudice, widowhood, friendship, family, food, gardening, flowers, romance, and even a small mystery. I tend to gravitate more toward show more the modern storylines in dual time reads, but that was not the case with this book. It was the friendship that quickly forms between Helen and Eunhee that struck deepest in my heart. Helen is so open and welcoming of Eunhee from the beginning and the two women learn from and support each other in such a way that their friendship is planted deep and blooms throughout their lives.
My favorite part of the modern-day plot was Cassidy’s quick and easy acceptance of working with differently abled people. She is not only willing to hire them, she also understands them and does her best to put her at ease.
Once in a while the pace slowed throughout the book, but those lags were short and before long, I was drawn into the story again. Heirlooms has a little bit of something for all readers to enjoy and has strong messages (yes, multiple ones) throughout that all of us should aspire to embrace.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own. show less
There is a lot packed into these pages—prejudice, widowhood, friendship, family, food, gardening, flowers, romance, and even a small mystery. I tend to gravitate more toward show more the modern storylines in dual time reads, but that was not the case with this book. It was the friendship that quickly forms between Helen and Eunhee that struck deepest in my heart. Helen is so open and welcoming of Eunhee from the beginning and the two women learn from and support each other in such a way that their friendship is planted deep and blooms throughout their lives.
My favorite part of the modern-day plot was Cassidy’s quick and easy acceptance of working with differently abled people. She is not only willing to hire them, she also understands them and does her best to put her at ease.
Once in a while the pace slowed throughout the book, but those lags were short and before long, I was drawn into the story again. Heirlooms has a little bit of something for all readers to enjoy and has strong messages (yes, multiple ones) throughout that all of us should aspire to embrace.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own. show less
Gothically delicious! Yes it’s a thing — when it involves an historical novel by Sandra Byrd. I found the audibook of Bride of A Distant Isle to be unturnoffable! This novel has it all — a determined heroine who rises above her circumstances and faces danger steadily, a mysterious and exotic love interest, appearing and disappearing personal items, and some very dastardly villains and creepy lechers. I was soon swept up in the plight of Annabel Ashton as she seeks to uncover the truth show more about her mother, while dodging marriage arrangements. The setting is all Victorian England with some nods to Malta. I promise you will be caught up in the narrative wondering how a happily-ever-after can ever be pulled off. Kudos to Byrd for a wonderful story!
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I borrowed the audiobook from Libby through my local library. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I borrowed the audiobook from Libby through my local library. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less
Paradise lost ...
A mysterious romance with a touch of the Gothic. Rebecca Ravenshaw left England as a child 20 years ago, bound for India with her well to do missionary parents. She is one of a handful who survived the Indian Mutiny. After harrowing months and harrowing dreams, with her family dead, her life destroyed, she returns to England to her family home, to take up her life and claim her Hampshire estate, her inheritance and her place in society. Her arrival elicits consternation and show more disbelief. A young woman claiming to be her had convinced the family solicitors that she, the imposter, was Rebecca. The young woman has since died under suspicious and terrible circumstances. For Rebecca, the shock of having her identity stolen, of being left in limbo with an uncertain future, feed into and highlight her tragic past. Having suffered terribly, Rebecca finds herself cast into a society that withholds itself. Here she is, without support or true evidence of who she is with people who disinclined to believe her. Not only that, but a distant cousin has been named heir and has taken over her holdings, Captain Luke Whitfield, a troubled man who has his own set of secrets. Whom can she trust? Rebecca must wait for evidence of who she is to come from India, bide her time and try to solve the mystery of who the young woman is who impersonated her.
Nicely written, the biblical quotes highlight Rebecca's inner fear, discussions and reasonings. I do like Mrs Ross, her chaperone. Clear headed and empathetic her role is not to be dismissed.
A NetGalley ARC show less
A mysterious romance with a touch of the Gothic. Rebecca Ravenshaw left England as a child 20 years ago, bound for India with her well to do missionary parents. She is one of a handful who survived the Indian Mutiny. After harrowing months and harrowing dreams, with her family dead, her life destroyed, she returns to England to her family home, to take up her life and claim her Hampshire estate, her inheritance and her place in society. Her arrival elicits consternation and show more disbelief. A young woman claiming to be her had convinced the family solicitors that she, the imposter, was Rebecca. The young woman has since died under suspicious and terrible circumstances. For Rebecca, the shock of having her identity stolen, of being left in limbo with an uncertain future, feed into and highlight her tragic past. Having suffered terribly, Rebecca finds herself cast into a society that withholds itself. Here she is, without support or true evidence of who she is with people who disinclined to believe her. Not only that, but a distant cousin has been named heir and has taken over her holdings, Captain Luke Whitfield, a troubled man who has his own set of secrets. Whom can she trust? Rebecca must wait for evidence of who she is to come from India, bide her time and try to solve the mystery of who the young woman is who impersonated her.
Nicely written, the biblical quotes highlight Rebecca's inner fear, discussions and reasonings. I do like Mrs Ross, her chaperone. Clear headed and empathetic her role is not to be dismissed.
A NetGalley ARC show less
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) — this verse kept running through my mind as I read the newest historical romance/mystery by Sandra Byrd. As I have come to expect from this talented author, Lady of A Thousand Treasures, is outstanding! Set in the Victorian-era, this novel uses as its premise the collecting-fever of the monied men and women of the time. The historic details whisk you back to the resplendent drawing rooms displaying the artifacts of show more ancient civilizations and priceless art, while also exposing the downtrodden poor that the rich sought to ignore. I loved this complexly crafted work and highly recommend it.
Eleanor Sheffield struggles to keep her late father’s valuating business afloat despite the dwindling commissions of patrons and the infirmity of her uncle. Her entire life has been dedicated to examining and valuing treasures — Roman coins, glassware, pottery, etc. — but a woman of her time is expected to take second place to father or husband. Given a challenging task by her childhood friend’s deceased father, she endeavors to act in a just manner, but there are many foes known and unknown that are acting against her.
Lady of A Thousand Treasures has an air of mystery from the outset. Indeed, there are a number of puzzling circumstances that Eleanor encounters. She is doggedly determined to meet every challenge, a trait that is both admirable and foolish. Her pride in her strength and self-sufficiency leads her to trouble time and time again. The novel is told in the first person, and the reader gets a genuine look into Eleanor’s motives and thoughts. She holds nothing back. Her take on those around her is not always accurate, but enough is shared for the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. I found myself questioning all who Eleanor encounters. Even her lifelong friend (and true love) is open to doubt. Attention to historic detail gives this book a great deal of authenticity. The scenes involving life in prison are particularly eye-opening. Eleanor’s faith is tested throughout the novel, and she sometimes wavers in her trust in God’s goodness and provision. I found that made Eleanor even more real and relatable. Her feeling of being un-treasured touched my heart. Her assertion that “I am no one’s treasure” truly struck a chord.
Lady of A Thousand Treasures is a treasure of its own. A beautifully written book, it will keep you enthralled until the very last page is turned. I was sorry to have to leave Eleanor’s world. I know this story will stay with me for quite a long time.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Just Read Tours and Tyndale for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less
Eleanor Sheffield struggles to keep her late father’s valuating business afloat despite the dwindling commissions of patrons and the infirmity of her uncle. Her entire life has been dedicated to examining and valuing treasures — Roman coins, glassware, pottery, etc. — but a woman of her time is expected to take second place to father or husband. Given a challenging task by her childhood friend’s deceased father, she endeavors to act in a just manner, but there are many foes known and unknown that are acting against her.
Lady of A Thousand Treasures has an air of mystery from the outset. Indeed, there are a number of puzzling circumstances that Eleanor encounters. She is doggedly determined to meet every challenge, a trait that is both admirable and foolish. Her pride in her strength and self-sufficiency leads her to trouble time and time again. The novel is told in the first person, and the reader gets a genuine look into Eleanor’s motives and thoughts. She holds nothing back. Her take on those around her is not always accurate, but enough is shared for the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. I found myself questioning all who Eleanor encounters. Even her lifelong friend (and true love) is open to doubt. Attention to historic detail gives this book a great deal of authenticity. The scenes involving life in prison are particularly eye-opening. Eleanor’s faith is tested throughout the novel, and she sometimes wavers in her trust in God’s goodness and provision. I found that made Eleanor even more real and relatable. Her feeling of being un-treasured touched my heart. Her assertion that “I am no one’s treasure” truly struck a chord.
Lady of A Thousand Treasures is a treasure of its own. A beautifully written book, it will keep you enthralled until the very last page is turned. I was sorry to have to leave Eleanor’s world. I know this story will stay with me for quite a long time.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Just Read Tours and Tyndale for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less
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