Showing posts with label Carol Warburton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carol Warburton. Show all posts

Monday, June 22, 2020

Review & Giveaway: The Whispered Dance of Bees by Carol Warburton


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Had fate and nature not conspired, Alyce Redgrave would have been a child of wealth and privilege. But the night of her birth was shadowed by an eerie Devils Moon and her christening day marred by a fierce hailstorm—ill omens that led the superstitious peasants to seek Alyce's life. Desperate to save her infant daughter, Alyce's mother flees with her baby, finding shelter and goodwill at the isolated farm of strangers . . .

There, Alyce's life is filled with secrets, unanswered questions, and a sense of foreboding. Her worst fears are realized when she narrowly escapes the clutches of a murderer by fleeing into the forest. Fate steps in once more to change the course of her life when Alyce is found and taken in by Elspeth, a wise woman with the uncanny ability to commune with nature. Trained by Elspeth in the art of healing, Alyce remains haunted by the puzzle of her past until she discovers her mother's lost pendant. With the help of this object and the aid of the enchanting William Pascoe, Alyce finally holds the key to who she once was and who she will become.

My Review

The title of this book had me intrigued and I found the story and writing to be just as intriguing. It's a unique story that takes place in an earlier era than I'm used to reading- early 1700's England, and the ambiance was steeped in mystery and mystical beliefs, while still being grounded in a realistic environment. There is a strong theme of motherhood and the family we choose to have as we draw close to certain people in our lives. The pace begins slowly but is steady as we journey with Alyce through the events that take her life on unexpected paths and the women who help her develop as a person. I enjoyed the sweet romance between Alyce and William, and would have loved more between them. Overall this was a standout book that delved into a culture and period that I find fascinating and I'm glad I read it. Recommend to fans of historical fiction and women's fiction that is lighter on the romance.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Friday, January 27, 2017

Review & Giveaway: Petticoat Spy by Carol Warburton


Heidi Reads... Petticoat Spy by Carol Warburton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Colonial Massachusetts, 1775

Abigail Stowell is a rarity for her time. The comely young woman is educated, outspoken, and attuned to the charged political climate around her. She is a staunch Patriot. In short, she is a rebel. So when Gideon Whitlock, an avowed Tory, rides into her village, Abby is not only put off by his politics and arrogance but is also annoyed by her undeniable attraction to him.

When she observes a clandestine meeting between her Patriot father and Gideon, Abby soon realizes that in a world divided by loyalties, not everything is as it seems. Soon she is drawn deeper into political intrigue than she ever dreamed possible. And just as feelings begin to heat up between Abby and Gideon, the shot heard round the world ignites the beginning of war between the colonists and the British redcoats. There is no time for hesitation, and Abby finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue, treachery, and terror. Lives hang in the balance, and Abby will stop at nothing to support the Patriot movement—but will her allegiance to the cause mean losing the man she loves?


My Review

Whenever I read a good book set in Colonial times it makes me feel patriotic and humbled by the men and women who lived during such a turbulent and important era, participating in the formation of our country and fighting for liberty. Petticoat Spy has a strong heroine who is passionate for the cause, and learning to balance speaking out for her convictions with maintaining a ladylike demeanor and schooling her mind to bring honor to her family name. Although Abby has an impetuous nature, she is intelligent and grows throughout the story from her experiences. I liked Gideon from the start and how he admires Abby even when she is at odds with him. There is a suspenseful tension as the danger increases, yet the author weaves in a sweet romance between the two patriots, however inopportune the circumstances. I really loved the historical details that enhanced the setting and gave me a feeling of being there with the characters. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and those who enjoyed the books of Amber Lynn Perry and Ann Rinaldi!