The History of Craigside
A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.
It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she’s never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.
The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people–including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle’s death, the late master’s nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.
Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate’s butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master’s brilliance as well as his property–or someone else will.
The Living Walls of Cragside: Secret doors and how they operate
If you were to find a secret passage at Cragside, the house that inspired my latest story, such a delight wouldn’t rely on mere hinges and hidden latches. Cragside pulsed with water and invention, and everything ran on impressive amounts of water pressure. Lord Armstrong’s beloved estate was a wonder of hydraulics: hydroelectric powered lifts, rotisseries, and servants’ machinery that made the house run more smoothly than any in Northumberland. That same invisible force might easily trigger a hidden door.
Imagine a carved panel concealing a brass lever connected to a small hydraulic ram—a cylinder that used the pressure of nearby water lines. A discreet pull would release the valve, sending a rush of water into the chamber. The ram would extend smoothly, lifting a bolt or sliding a counterweighted door along iron tracks built flush with the wainscoting. When released, the pressure eased, and gravity, Armstrong’s favorite tool, would draw it shut again.
Even the ventilation shafts could conceal narrow staircases, with water-powered lifts rising silently behind grates once meant for warm air. The beauty of it all lies in the endless supply of electricity—water paired with gravity.
I joined your list!
Hi- Subscribed & followed!
Happy day, all ????
Subscribed! Look forward to exploring your books! ????
Subscribed! Look forward to exploring your books! ???? The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House looks very enticing!
Hi Joanna! I am subscribed to your newsletter and am following you on Goodreads and Instagram!
Hi. I already get your newsletter. Your book sounds wonderful!
I am pre-ordering the new book – it sounds so intriguing! Thank you for offering the giveaway as well; I’ve subscribed to your email newsletter and follow you on Goodreads and Instagram.
Hi! I just signed up for your email and I now follow you on Goodreads!
Hey Joanna! I’m new to your stories and found you because of the scavenger hunt, but love Christian historical fiction. I’ve just followed you on social media so I can stay updated on your work!
I’m already a subscriber. I also am already following you on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and GoodReads.
Hi, Joanna! I am also an homeschool mom and am already an email subscriber. Thank you! I cannot wait until “Blakely House” releases!
Susan
Hi Joanna, I already subscribe to your newsletter and follow you on Goodreads.
Pam Graber
I did it. I signed up.
Hello Joanna! I am now an newsletter subscriber and follow you on both Goodreads & Instagram. Thank you for participating in the scavenger hunt and the extra giveaway!
Just signed up. Thanks.
I’m a subscriber!
Hi Joanna, I’m already a subscriber to your newsletter and I follow you on Goodreads and Instagram! I also entered your giveaway in the newsletter! I already bought two books from Baker House recently and need to wait for my next payday to preorder your Blakely House book. It sounds amazing though!!
I am a current email subscriber, follow on GoodReads, and Instagram. I’m excited for your upcoming release!
This sounds delightful! I signed up for your emails and I already follow you on fb, instagram, and goodreads.
Already subscribe!
I signed up for the emails and I follow you on Goodreads.
Hi, just subscribed!
I am an email subscriber and follow you on both Instagram and Goodreads. Thank you for being part of the scavenger hunt.
Good morning Joanna!
I am now a subscriber ????
Good morning Joanna ????
Didn’t mean to put the question marks on my first comment. Lol!
Sherry Brown
I had already pre ordered your newest book which I am so excited to get. I just signed up for your email newsletter and will follow you on insta.
Hello, Thank you for the chance. Your books sound and look like great reads.
Hello, I subscribed and followed on instagram! Very excited to read your books!
Can’t wait to read your latest! All reading a subscriber 🙂
Already a subscriber and just added the new book to my TBR list.
Hi! I really enjoyed reading about the failed inventions. I hope the inventors went on to create something more successful.
I already subscribe to your emails because I LOVE your books.
Thank you for offering the extra giveaway.
Oh, I also follow you on Goodreads and Instagram.
Just signed up for your newsletter! Love your books!
Hey Joanna! I am soo excited for your new book! I am currently subscribed to your newsletter, and I follow you on Goodreads.
I follow you on Goodreads & Instagram. Newsletter subscriber, also.
I signed up for your newsletter.
I subscribed & follow on Goodreads.
I just signed up for your newsletter. You are new to me and I look forward to trying your books!
Hello! 🙂 I just subscribed to your e-newsletter and am following you on Goodreads! Your stories sound so interesting; can’t wait to read one of them! 🙂
I am an email subscriber already, and follow on Goodreads and instagram
Check, check, check! Email subscriber, I follow you on Goodreads, Instagram, and Facebook!
I’m a subscriber.
Signed up for newsletter.
Subscribed! Thank you!
Already a subscriber to your newsletter. Thanks for the chance to win! Enjoy your books so much!
I subscribed.
I subscribed & followed on Goodreads! Nice to meet you!