I enjoyed reading this suspenseful historical story. This is a story that has a little bit of everything in it, from romance to mystery. This is a well written story where the characters bring the story to life. They are realistic and connectable. I enjoyed how they pulled me into the story from the start. This is a fast paced, hard to put down read. It is easy to read and entertaining as well. There is great growth of the plot as well as the characters throughout. You don’t want to miss this suspenseful trial. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I highly recommend reading this book.
I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book as I hadn’t realise that, although this story was fictional, it had a basis in true facts. I thought the author did a fantastic job of capturing the era and what it would be like for the heroine. I could easily imagine the scenes been depicted and found the story to be engaging. The storyline was definitely intriguing. There was a lot going on which created a fast paced story. I loved the mix of characters in the book too. I really felt you experienced their lives and the way of life in 1912. This is a well written and interesting story that I would recommend.
Historic reads are always good, and this one is no exception. It starts off with multiple jumps, following how Lottie has met and known each character, quickly displacing what time and situation the reader has. Took a few rereads to get acquainted, but once general character introduction and world-building are established, it evens out. We are taken through one general plot, while plagued with another that quickly becomes the main drive for this story. Legal matters eventually lead us to a clerk-led POV, blackmail, all while trying to wade through flashback after flashback. This story has many points and twists to it, and if you enjoy murder mysteries or anything based on true crime, you’ll enjoy this. It includes a main character who seems to have alternate personalities, both strict conservative during the day and open bisexual liberal when the sunsets. It hints at societal issues seen today, yet deals with the placing of the early 1900s. Overall, a good read, it took me a little bit to get into it but ended up finishing with a different viewpoint. I would recommend this book as it ties in romance, historic fiction, fantasy, and the openness of the author and characters.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christenhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristen2022-10-11 14:07:322022-10-17 09:24:19Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins – Review by Christen Ware
I really enjoyed listening to this story I had a really hard time turning it off and going to work. Listening made my commute so much better. This hit me right in the feels, it was beautifully told. The narrator did a great job of making me feel like I was there. Bea is such a strong female character that has been through a lot and remained strong throughout everything. I would definitely recommend listening to this, you’re missing out if you don’t!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley Westermanhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley Westerman2022-10-11 12:29:132022-10-13 22:22:15Unveiling Beulah Audiobook by Dana Wayne – Review by Ashley Westerman
I love every book in this series. I was so excited for a Christmas story just in time for the cooler weather. I have read the other books in this series, but I don’t believe that you need to read the others to understand this book. This was an enjoyable quick read with lots of action to keep me hanging on. If you want a fun adventure this is the perfect book for you! I highly recommend this series and this book!
This book was a recommendation from a friend that knows I enjoy reading historical event books. This one did not disappoint me. And it took me to a time and place I was not familiar with reading. I also must say that I enjoyed having the flow sheet along with the character list at the end of the book. That was a nice addition that I could flip over to when I needed clarification about the facts. The story kept me on my toes and the plot twisted and turned along the way. It was interesting to learn the behind-the-scenes information into the legal system during the early 1900’s. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of true crime mysteries with a little bit of romance blended in. It really sucked me in.
This is a great historical mystery. I really enjoyed how the author told this story and the concept of the main character basically living 2 separate lives, one with her female partner which at the time was unheard of and the other of a respectable lady in a job that demands respect. This story was interesting and gripping but at times I really felt for Lottie as she struggles to keep both her lives separate, which today we wouldn’t even need to think about or consider.
Lottie works as a legal clerk and when she starts to work on a criminal case involving a police officer it becomes a job with more risks than you could even imagine. Lottie finds herself being blackmailed but who is doing it and what do they hope to gain from it? Now we have to follow Lottie as she tries to uncover who is behind the blackmail and try to save her personal life from coming out in the open and affecting her professional life. After being so careful with keeping personal and professional separate who could know about her preferences and would be willing to use it against her to get what they want? And how does it all link to the trial she is working on of Officer Charles Becker.
I really enjoyed this book and I couldn’t stop reading until I found out who was behind it all. The historical twist was nice and the insight into Lottie’s life at the time when falls for the same sex was a big no no was interesting to read but at the same time also sad that it could have such a dangerous and shameful effect if the truth were to be exposed. I throughly enjoyed this book.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and K.R. Mullins has done a fantastic job of taking the fictional life of our main character, Lottie, and weaving it into the historic Charles Becker trial. I love the way Lottie isn’t your typical female lead and yet she is in a very official position. When she starts getting blackmailed and they threaten to reveal parts of her life she’d rather leave in the dark, we see a fierce and stubborn woman who won’t back down. I really enjoyed how Mullins integrated the Becker trial into her story. I definitely researched it as I was reading (because that’s just how I am) but I think she did a great job of seamlessly weaving the details from the trial into Lottie’s story. I definitely recommend this title. It was a quick and interesting read.
This is an enjoyable and engaging historical crime mystery, set in New York City, in 1912 and the storyline is based on Police Lieutenant Charles Becker’s Conspiracy trial. The city is divided between Greenwich Village where rejected tradition is regularly flouted, and Manhattan where it is strictly upheld. The heroine of the story is Lottie Flannigan, and she manages to balance both sides of her life, embracing her bohemian lifestyle whilst working in the legal profession, clerking for conservative Justice Goff in Midtown. Lottie finds herself working on a high profile case which turns into a trial of a lifetime, involving a local Police Officer Charles Becker.
As Lottie’s professional and personal lives collide, she finds herself caught up in a blackmail scheme. With the blackmailer threatening to disclose her most intimate choices, if she doesn’t do as they say. Lottie believes it’s related to the Becker trial, but she has to find out who would benefit most from the verdict, and could her missing lover be a part of the scheme. Lottie is a great main character, likeable and relatable, and who I felt engaged with. The authors wonderful descriptive narrative brings the setting vividly to life, and the historical details made me feel as though I had been transported back to 1912. The storyline flowed well and the exciting plot had me hooked from start to finish. I definitely recommend reading this novel.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2022-10-11 08:03:112022-10-11 12:44:20Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins – Review by Jennifer Gordon
a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61074882-bycatch” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”>Bycatch by Alexander Blevens My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This one really pulled at my heart strings for so many reasons and part of me thinks it’s because where I live and my country’s history ….
People run from their homes to escape their country and it’s evil , they look for greener grass but it’s not always greener on the other side is it , you’re on a new country with it’s own rules and ways , you’re an alien for lack of a better word and people see that desperation and take advantage of it …..war is not kind , mankind is not always kind🥲
My attention was kept by the characters , their personal demons and struggles and how they deal with it , they’re human , they’re real , they’re relatable 🤗
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heidihttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeidi2022-10-11 07:59:132022-10-11 12:44:15Bycatch by Alexander Blevens – Review by Heidi Sturgess
I have been a huge fan of this author for quite some time, since I have had the pleasure of reading the author’s other series, surrounding mysteries in Chicago. Let me say, my heart leaped with joy when I realized the connection between the main heroine in this novel and the other series!
Very much enjoyed this book and the story Greatly admired Lottie. Resultant and independent. For sure fan girled out on the certain scenes that Emma from the other series, made an appearance. The book was full of intrigue over what involved Lottie. She was a lot like Emma, but as Emma knows, sometimes when you put your nose too deep you get in trouble. Lottie was blamed for something, and she had to clear her name and figure out who the real culprit was before it was too late! Personally, a big thing I admired and enjoyed was the historical take. I do not mean just the time frame, women’s suffrage was a big thing in history and the author perfectly portrayed it into the novel. Excellent writing and an intriguing novel! I truly loved it!
I could not put this book down once I began, there was so many interesting concepts that kept me wanting to read! Highly recommend this author as well as their book Both are a must read that you will enjoy!
Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins – Review by Maryn Belling
Readers familiar with Mullins’ work will be at home in the lyrical patois of her writing. Newcomers will want to know that the cast of characters for the historical elements are located at the end of the text; it’s helpful to know it’s there so you can jump to it when needed. Whether you choose to read the author’s take before or after the novel is personal preference – probably if you like true-crime podcasts and other contemporary who-done-it perspectives on past events, you’ll read it both before and after.
It’s nice to see a different city from the Notebook Mysteries. Having some historical context helps, but the writing is accessible to readers as young as junior high or as advanced as having been children in the early 20th century. Ms. Mullins follows all the “rules” of authorship that Edgar Allan Poe set before us – no extraneous characters, letting the reader’s imagination fill in the details where possible.
There are social issues omitted from this text. Readers seeking additional context would do well to consider The Personal Librarian as a companion / concurrent read for cultural context.
Divided Lives By: K.R. Mullins 5* This story is based on actual events that took place in Greenwich Village in 1912. Lottie, our main character, is definitely not one who follows or believes in societal norms. She frequents areas she shouldn’t frequent and keeps with company with people some would be desirable. Despite being considered bohemian, she also holds a very official office. She is a legal clerk for Justice Goff. She has begun working on a very important criminal trial. This trial is very polarizing as it involves a local police officer named Charles Becker. Once, Lottie begins working on this trial she begins being blackmailed. The problem is, these blackmailers are trying to expose areas of her life that she wants to keep hidden. I loved this story of Lottie and her involvement in this trial. Her struggles seemed so real and I really wanted to learn more about the actual events. I cannot say enough how good this book is! It really makes me want to research the actual case and also Greenwich during this time period! I definitely recommend it, especially to fans of mystery and true crime.
Lottie is an amazingly independent woman in a time when women are challenging the status quo. A clerk in the Judges office, she finds herself helping with several mysteries. The most important one finds her trying to find out who is setting her up to look like she killed her casual lover, Rose. Could it be the upcoming trial? Who could it be? I have to say I loved this book. Emma, from the YA series had a cameo in parts. Wonderful to see it sort of tied in. Lottie is strong. The other characters all had their own individual personalities that had their own quirks. The story is well-developed and carries itself. I loved the whole mystery throughout and the suffragettes, protest movement. The tone seemed to be how unfair women’s rights were and we saw that in how Henrietta and the others were treated. There was a little of everything to suit the tastes: humor, murder, mystery, romance, etc. A wonderful book and I hope we’ll see more of Lottie in the adult realm
1912 New York is a city divided: Greenwich Village where rejected tradition is regularly flouted, and Manhattan where it is strictly upheld. Lottie Flannigan successfully balances both sides. While embracing a bohemian lifestyle, she maintains a legal career clerking for conservative Justice Goff in Midtown. Committed and dedicated, Lotte begins work on a high-profile criminal case involving local Police Officer Charles Becker.
Suddenly her professional and personal lives collide as she finds herself caught in a blackmail scheme that seeks to disclose her most intimate choices if she doesn’t do as they say. Is this related to the Becker Trail? Who stands to gain the most from this verdict: the justice? the prosecutor? the local police officers or lurking gangsters? Maybe even her missing lover–could she be a part of the blackmail scheme?
In a fascinating look into a scandalous turn of the century trial and ever-changing Greenwich Village social norms, the book puts Lottie in the middle of Police LieutenantCharles Becker’s Conspiracy trial.
K.R. is the author, her story is based on an actual trial that occurred in 1912 NYC. She holds a BS in biology and a Masters in business. Her favorite classes were in history. She lives in Texas with her husband and son. When she is not writing she works as a Process Safety Engineer at a large chemical company. You can connect with her on her website at kimberlymullinsauthor.com, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
SUCH a beautiful book. The writing itself was so lyrical and beautiful. Hester is such a lovable character and her relationship with Aaron is everything. This is a really lovely story. It was a bit slow at first but it really picked up.
This book is Beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful. I read this while recovering from surgery and let me to you no matter how tired I was, I wanted to keep reading. The story follows Hester, and from the start we are made aware that she is different from those around her. She yearns to be a healer and seeks to do so through herbal practices. Her mother and brother do not like this snd they believe her to be a witch, and believe that forcing her to marry someone from town will help her settle and be normal. Marrying is not something that she wants, especially the person that her family has chosen for her. At some point she meets Aaron who also knows a lot about healing with herbs and teaches her some things. Including the name of the River that continues to call out to Hester since childhood. The River’s name is Sabrina and she seems to be trying to guide Hester through life towards a goal. I love that this isn’t just a happy go lucky whimsical story. The treatment of Hester during her time period is very realistic of what women went through back then. And the author did an amazing job of merging history with fantasy. 5/5 stars from me. Please grab a copy now!
I really enjoyed listening to this story. Beulah has moved to a small town in Texas after her grandmother passed away. She buys a merchantile store with the money she inherited and it is her new beginning. She moved from New York as she felt unwanted there not only by the people she thought were her friends, but her own parents. Poor Beulah grew up thinking and feeling like she was ugly due to a scar on her face received during an accident. This especially seems true to her after a broekn engagement to a man that didn’t want her just the fortune she would eventually end up with. The only person that ever showed her unconditional love and support was her grandmother. Lucian ended up in the small Texas town two years prior to Beulah. Although they didn’t know each other their families were in the same social circle. They both have a lot in common as they will soon come to find out. As their attraction grows both parties start to open up and reveal their pasts but are both afraid of getting hurt. Soon enough the people they were trying to get away from come barging back into their lives unexpectedly. Will they be able to keep budding romance alive or will their pasts be too much to overcome?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Charlisa Wahtomy-Albahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCharlisa Wahtomy-Alba2022-10-10 00:02:082022-10-11 12:32:37Unveiling Beulah Audiobook by Dana Wayne – Review by Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba
Tam Paradiso is a woman on a mission and she will stop at nothing until she sees it through to the end, there is only one complication, it involves time travel and that is something she is not familiar with, hunting monsters and aiding supernatural beings, yes, but time travel no, but hey, there is a first time for everything. Meanwhile, Christopher Marlowe is being delivered to the White Tower in London in 1593 after being summoned there from a visit to a friend, he has no idea who is behind taking him there, but he understands what he is being charged with, all he knows is that he must get word to Tam so that she doesn’t try anything reckless to help free him.
You may ask what has spurred this new challenge in Tam’s life and that is the change in the details of the death of her lover Christopher Marlowe, a fellow monster hunter and the love of her life, so with the help of friends and family, she prepares for a journey like no other to correct the timeline and stop the drastic changes it is causing. As she ties up the loose ends in her other occupation as a Detective in modern day New York to take some vacation days, she has to bring allies into the fold, only some of which know the whole story, but she cannot risk anything more than she already is by telling them where she is really going. However, as usual things do not go smoothly and Tam’s sister Isabelle plays a key role in the journey, as does her ex-lover Theo North who has to accompany her in order for the two of them not to stick out any more than they know they will.
When they arrive in Marlowe’s time, the try and work out who is behind the accusations and so start to dig into the backgrounds of any clues Marlowe has left them, but the further they dig, he more tangled a web they find and time is running out for them all, especially when they have to battle a key witness of Marlowe’s death who also happens to be a shifter, but will they solve their puzzle and get Marlowe out in time, just so he can die the death he was supposed to? This is an adventure which is full of political intrigue, time travel and the supernatural, in this race against time which will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.
Hester and her family live on a farm. Her mother is a seamstress who Hester helps sometimes. She is unlike the others in her family, she is not content with the farm life, she is called to the river. She wants to join the river nymphs. “Sabrina,” the water, calls to her. When Hester runs into a mysterious man who knows about herbal medicine, she wants to know more. She begins using plants to cure people and animals. Her dad tells her she is becoming like her grandmother. Her mom is furious she is messing with such things and demands she gets married. Will Hester do as her parents want or will she finally join the river like she always wanted?
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Mercedes Joneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMercedes Jones2022-10-09 09:55:392022-10-11 12:35:16River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Mercedes Jones
River Witch was a good and very well written book!
Hester knows that she is different but nothing will stand in the way of her destiny. You’ll see her grow and go through all of the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices that she must live with. In the end, family does matter.
I did find the book to be a slow read up until about the middle, but in all honesty, it was written very well and I would recommend.
Cheryl Burman’s River Witch is a beautiful story, written for a multitude of readers who may be interested in the romance aspect, or the history, or mythology, or fantasy, or coming-of-age aspect. The story starts with a young Hester, a farmer’s daughter, who meets Aaron, a man skilled in herbal lore. The river goddess, Sabrina, and the nymphs, call to Hester, and we follow her journey as she makes sure neither her family or people she meets along the way will stop her from following her own path and achieving her dreams. Cheryl builds a world and describes it so perfectly it feels as if you are there.
This story is written beautifully. It’s quaint, gentle, but there’s something about it that hooks you in. The author gives you enough on each page to make you want to keep reading. The pages are filled with magic, bravery, and strength. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit magic and mystery.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amber Howardhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmber Howard2022-10-07 21:53:222022-10-08 22:14:31River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Amber Howard
Nightfall in Deptford is the fourth book in the Crescent Moon Chronicles series. I grabbed this because of the blurb involving Christopher Marlowe and time traveling. Little did I know that this was part of a series. This read well, considering I had not read other books in the series, and it has left me wanting to know more of the story but past and upcoming. Tam is a Philadelphia homicide detective that finds her way to England and Christopher Marlowe. Will she be able to change history, or will he meet his ending? I enjoyed the writing and that not only is the story historical time-travel but there is a paranormal side to the story as well. The characters were interesting, and I enjoyed looking differently at the past. I am greatly intrigued by what the rest of the series holds in storytelling. I look forward to grabbing more books from this author soon.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Sheri Schraderhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngSheri Schrader2022-10-07 19:38:572022-10-08 22:11:41Nightfall in Deptford (Crescent Moon Chronicles Book 4) by L.E. Towne – Review by Sheri Schrader
Hester has heard all her life about how she’s not “ordinary people”. Most people don’t know that though. Hester has a strong desire to learn the ways of healing with medicinal herbs and poultices but it’s just not something that her momma would be proud of her for. Hester learns her great grandmother Ellen dabbled in medicinal herbs and that just fuels her even more.
Aaron is a mysterious man who is often not seen walking about. He tutors Hester. It’s when he mysteriously leaves that things start to become more difficult for Hester. Why did he have to go?
I loved this book! It was a fairly fast read and I didn’t want to put it down. The characters are very engaging and the story is quite interesting! There are a few twists and turns but ultimately, I just wanted Hester to get what she desired. I can’t wait to read more works from this new-to-me author!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2022-10-07 19:24:322022-10-11 12:27:44River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Julie Johnson
This is a fantastic story. It will grab you and pull you in until the end. Story of courage, determination, and plenty of heart. I love the strong character’s and the descriptive scenes. The book will not disappoint you.
This is a fantastic story. It will grab you and pull you in until the end. Story of courage, determination, and plenty of heart. I love the strong character’s and the descriptive scenes. The book will not disappoint you.
Hester’s story is intensely detailed. I loved the history added into the plot and all the different twists and turns that come about. The river Sabrina is mystical and very eerie and as Hester grows up she learns of its powers and how to heal others. The characters are well developed and the plot line is gripping. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be reading more by this author.
This is my first book by this author and what a starting point! River Witch is mystical, incredible, and completely engrossing from beginning to end. I love anything with witchy vibes and I’m beyond happy that I found this book.
Hester likes to talk to the river, Sabrina, and the river whispers back to her. As an 8-year-old, that doesn’t seem unnatural because kids have active imaginations. She meets Aaron, a gentleman who also talks to the river, and tells her the names and purposes of the plants around them. Hester’s mom does not approve of her daughter behaving like a witch and continues to try and mold her to a what a good wife should be. Hester refuses to accept this and looks to the river for guidance even as she grows older.
I am already looking up other books by Cheryl Burman because River Witch was marvelous and enchanting. I highly recommend picking this up and getting lost in the vivid imagery and intricately woven details that create this extraordinary story!
Young Hester spends her days tending to the animals on her family’s farm and helping with chores that need to be done. The river, Sabrina, is her happy place, and she sneaks off to visit her whenever she can. Hester loves to listen to the river speak to her as Sabrina tells her to be wise, be strong and finds delight in watching the river nymphs dance. It was on one of these trips to visit Sabrina when she was a little girl that Hester met a young man named Aaron. He too could speak to the river and knew about the healing powers of herbs and flowers.
As Hester became older, she becomes more intrigued by this young man and wants to learn about herbal remedies so that she may help heal others as her grandmother had. She convinces Aaron to train her in secret because she knows that her mother would not approve of Hester learning something that she refers to as witchcraft. Hester knows that healing others with herbal remedies is what she wants to do with her life, but it seems that nobody wants that for her. Aaron has his own issues that he is trying to work through, so he feels that stopping the lessons is in Hester’s best interests. Hester begs and pleads with him, and he reluctantly agrees to continue helping her learn.
Hester’s mother has other plans for her and decides that she must get married and have children because that will settle her down. With the townsfolk gossiping about Hester and talk of her being a witch, her mom feels that she must get married immediately and arranges a marriage for Hester to an older, local fisherman. Knowing that this marriage will not be good for her, Hester flees to the only place she feels safe. She turns to Aaron for help, but he also feels that her getting married and leading a normal life is the best thing for her.
This book is loosely based on the true story of a woman in the early 20th Century who was trained in healing and accused of being a witch. The story contained many layers and was very well written with wonderful characters throughout. Hester was a remarkable young lady who was resilient, headstrong, determined and knew what she wanted. She would stop at nothing to get it, regardless of how much hardship she had to face to get it. Aaron had issues that he needed to resolve which made his character a bit hard to understand at times. It seemed he wanted to be Hester’s teacher but perhaps longed for more. Hester’s mom was another character that was a bit perplexing. She loved Hester and wanted the best for her but tried to force Hester into an arranged marriage to a man Hester loathed. However, when you think about the period this book was written in, it makes a bit more sense that reputation was important to the common class of the early 1900’s. That helps the reader understand that Hester’s mom really did feel that was the best choice for her daughter. A fantastic and haunting read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2022-10-07 16:12:412022-10-08 22:14:24River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Hester is a farmers daughter who lives with her parents and three brothers on a farm near the town off Shiphaven, she helps out with the chores on the farm and the sewing her mother completes to earn a little extra income, they are a happy family, but they do think that Hester has her head in the clouds, what they don’t know is that Hester can hear the river speaking to her and can see the nymphs as they ride in the waves, calling for her to join them. Aaron is a gentleman who lives on his own in a little cottage in the woods, near the river, it is further away from Shiphaven than the farm and has seen better days, but he is too tired and his spirit is too lacklustre to move anywhere else at this point thanks to events in his past which still haunt his memories.
One day, Hester is walking by the river and listening to her words when she meets Aaron, he explains that the river is a goddess and her name is Sabrina, he also tells her that not everyone can hear her and that they are special, not ordinary and that they are wise, he then walks Hester back to her farm. A few years later and Hester is quickly growing into a young woman, but the siren call of Sabrina and the nymphs one day drive her to where the river meets the sea, but Aaron stops her from joining them and gives her a gift to keep her strong and give her courage, he also tells her about the flowers and plants they see as they walk together, this sparks an interest in Hester that soon grown within her.
The next time Hester and Aaron meet, she insists that he tells her more about being a wise person and herbal lore and she won’t take no for an answer, especially as it is now a driving force in her to become a wise woman and not just settle for being an ordinary woman with a husband and children. However, when Hester tells her mother about what she would like to do, her mother scorns her decision and dismisses it as old wives tales and witchcraft, saying that no good will come of it, then when Aaron says he would be better off as ordinary, she is devastated and feels betrayed.
Will Hester be able to convince Aaron to help her fulfil this need to use the lore of the forest and fields to heal those who need it, or will he let the past overshadow the bright future this young woman has and will the river help or hinder his decision when she constantly tells Hester to “Be wise and be strong”? This is a fantasy tale of one young woman and her struggles to see her dreams become reality amid a turbulent and twisting path which will keep you reading until you know whether she succeeds or fails.
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These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
