Lynne Cantwell

One of the most frustrating things about reading a new author is realising you’ve stumbled across a very good writer and wondering why the heck you haven't read any of his or her books before! However, in this case, the frustration is very short-lived because Ms Cantwell is now on my 'favourite authors' list!

This book hinted at fantasy, which is a genre I approach with a bit of apprehension, as I'm not overly fond of hard-core fantasy. Seasons teeters on the edge. The reader is led along a path of reality for the most part, but just takes a left turn into a magical world from time to time.

A failed marriage, a failed subsequent relationship and a call to testify against her fraudulent husband pushes Julia to flee to her deceased grandmother’s house in an idyllic lakeside location. It’s an escape hole that holds many memories and is where her former teenage sweetheart, Dave, also lives. He’s riding his own rollercoaster of a marriage. It’s loveless and his children hate their mother. Julia and Dave’s old feelings for each other resurface. But there are many obstacles in their way. Thea and Elsie down the road, however, might well have the answers. Their labyrinth is the key.

I was sucked into this story from the get-go. Julia and Dave have different journeys and different decisions to make, although they want the same thing. Julia requires courage and strategy. Dave needs…more distressingly…to do the right thing for the sake of his children. What we have here is a pot of romance, crime, suspense, peppered with magic and quirkiness (in the form of the rather adorable Thea and Elsie). It’s an excellent story, masterfully written.

Highly recommended.… (lisätietoja)

*I received this ARC from the author via The Finishing Fairies in exchange for an Honest Review*

I think by now many of us know who Lynne Cantwell is. Most of us have either heard of, own, and/or have read The Pipe Woman Chronicles. While I own all five books of the Pipe Woman Chronicles, this first book in this new series (which takes place ten years after PWC), is my first experience reading this author.
I'll begin my review by pointing out that my copy of this book is an Advanced Reader Copy. Because it is an ARC, I will speak of no errors I may have or may have not found in this work.
With the second coming having come and gone ten years prior, the gods saw fit to show themselves to their peoples, Jesus included since well it's the Second Coming and all. Tess and Sue, two very different women, who have somehow managed to hold onto some failing sense of friendship for years are roommates who need another to help with rent, Enter Darrell, the hot Navy Seal, who also happens to be a Potawatomi Medicine Man; oh and Nanabush you can't forget that trickster bunny eared god.
I found this an easy to get lost in read. It only took me a few short hours to read the book, Honestly, as I right this it's at least fours past my bedtime but I couldn't put the book down!
The story is quite engaging with the main characters all being linked to gods of different faiths and regions. I found the dialogue between the gods to be amusing. Gaia and Morrigan definitely have their hands full with Nanabush. The story was quite believable in account, and it's obvious a lot of research went into every aspect of each faith's ways, from Pagan circle casting and chants, to the Potawatomi chants. The story line doesn't stray, and there's just enough going on in each scene to keep the reader turning pages.
I look forward to the next book of this series, and can't wait to have the time to go to the series that tells the story that proceeds this one.
I give this book 5 of 5 paws… (lisätietoja)