The first in the Angel Mountain Saga. At first I thought it slow going but by chapter 3 I was hooked and in fact could not put the book down. The book has a good rhythm throughout with amazing thought given to the moods and ups and downs of Mistress Martha. It is also very in time with the period 1797 with brilliant descriptive narrative of the house Plas Ingli and the area. The reader can easily be transported to the time and place. A very compelling read - you just have to go on to the next page - indeed the next chapter! It is a surprise that this book has been written by a man. I could not wait to read the next book in the Saga. It should come as no surprise that I read all five books in the saga in under 3 weeks!!!