Whisper Hollow by Carol Warburton

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jun 212012
 

Whisper Hollow

Author: Carol Warburton

Published Date: October 2011

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Softcover; 222 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN# 978-1-60861-760-9

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: review copy in exchange for honest review

Goodreads Summary

Talitha Evangeline Spencer enjoys a happy life with her parents in the tiny mountain hamlet of Whisper Hollow, but the onset of the Civil War brings the simplicity of her girlhood to a sudden end. When rebel soldiers wreak havoc on her family, unraveling her mother’s already fragile state of mind, Tally must take charge of the family farm alone. The burdens of providing for the household prompt her to consider a marriage proposal from Ollie, her childhood friend, but Tally determines to hold out for love.

My Review

I don’t recall ever reading a book that takes place in the Smoky Mountains before Whisper Hollow. The author did a great job with the setting, using descriptions that brought detail to my  mind without weighing down the story. Whisper Hollow has character and personality all its own. Combine the beautiful location with interesting and memorable characters during one of the country’s most defining time periods and you get the unexpected pleasure that is Whisper Hollow.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Whisper Hollow at first. The book started a bit slow and didn’t pick up for me until page 80 or so. After that point, however, I was swept into the story and am so glad I stuck with it. I was pulled into a tale of sorrow and triumph, struggle and victory, prejudice and forgiveness, hatred and love. Not only did I enjoy the characters, location, and storyline while I read the book, it persisted with me for several days afterward.

As far as characters, there were many I really liked, a few I was ambivalent toward, and some that I simply couldn’t stand. I enjoyed the growth I witnessed in the main character. I adored her father, never really connected with her mother, and experienced fear and love right along with Tally. There were a few points in the story that I expected to go a certain way and was pleasantly surprised when they didn’t quite turn out like I thought they would. I was satisfied with the end and found myself hoping for a chance to visit Whisper Hollow again.

While I was unsure at first, I now gladly put Whisper Hollow on my bookshelf and look forward to reading it again in the future. Readers who like historical novels with depth and emotion will enjoy Whisper Hollow.

 

The Legend of Shannonderry by Carol Warburton

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Mar 302011
 

The Legend of Shannonderry

Author: Carol Warburton

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: September 2010

Softcover: 254 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-59811-902-2

FTC FYI: I borrowed from the library

I think the first thing that grabbed me about this book was the cover.  The girl is beautiful, and who doesn’t love horses?  The Legend of Shannonderry is a finalist for a 2010 Whitney award in the romance category.

Moira Donahue lives at Shannonderry.  A once beautiful estate in Ireland, famous for it’s stallions many years ago.  Shannonderry is falling apart, and is in need of a miracle.  Moira knows her daughter, Dierdre, died in childbirth and had a child.  She summons a trusted neighbor Cormac D’Arcy to go to England, find her grandchild, and see if she would like to come live with her at Shannonderry.  Cormac was worried, he didn’t want the old woman hurt.  What if she didn’t want to come?

Gwyneth Beddows was born in England in 1788.  When her mother, Dierdre, died in childbirth there was a controversy surrounding her.  As Gwyneth grows up, her father does not treat her well.  Gwyneth raised a feisty stallion, Toryn, and he is the only thing that brings her joy.  He is fast and beautiful, but will only let a few people around him.  One day when a stranger comes from Ireland with an offer to take her from Yorkshire to Shannonderry, she eagerly accepts.  There may be a catch.  They have to sneak away.  When Gwyneth arrives in Ireland she is immediately accepted by her grandmother.  Her nanny, Kate, that was sent away years ago by her father, is also there.  It is a happy reunion.  But, there is a lot more to this story. As it progresses the “legend of Shannonderry” is told and things happen that prove the difficult relationship with the English and Irish.

4 out of 5 stars.  I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the developing relationship between Gwyneth and Cormac, and with Gwyneth and her grandmother as well.

Carol Warburton has written four other books.  On a personal note… I was thrilled when I read the acknowledgments.  She is in a writing group with my dear aunt, Dorothy M. Keddington.