War Can Ruin a Man, but Love Heals All Wounds After Win returns from a German POW camp during the Great War, Josephine is shocked by how much he has changed. The joy they once shared together soon turns to loss and heartache. Josephine is crushed at the toll the war took on him-and their life together.

When she learns that she is expecting a child, she begins to overcome the sadness she has endured. The little girl she has always prayed for is born in February of 1921, and Josephine names her Estelle.

The household adores the precious child and life is once again filled with happiness until a frightening change overcomes Estelle, which no one is able to understand. From the time she is four years old until age eleven, Estelle creates havoc at Winthrop Manor.

In desperation, she is sent to a boarding school named The Sanford Institute for Troubled Young Ladies, staffed by traditional instructors combined with experts in the new field of Psychology. Josephine is amazed at the change which overcomes her daughter, especially when she learns the truth about unthinkable incidents Estelle suffered as a child.

This novel has a bit of everything-grief, loss, sorrow, an inordinate amount of abuse, family disarray and, at long last, love. Throughout the twists and turns of this engaging tale, fear about the beginning of World War II also faces Winthrop Manor.

Dark Days at Winthrop Manor is a continuation of Mary Christian Payne’s recently released historical romance novel, Winthrop Manor. The reader will recognize many of the people who appear in the first novel, but new characters are also introduced.

Readers of historical romance and war romance novels will enjoy this book.