The Garden of Promises and Lies
Earlier this year I discovered The Found Things series by Paula Brackston and fell in love. Book three in this series has me continuing my love affair with Xanthe’s world, her travels and her wonderful community.
As the bustle of the winter holidays in the Little Shop of Found Things gives way to spring, Xanthe is left to reflect on the strange events of the past year. While she's tried to keep her time-traveling talents a secret from those close to her, she is forced to take responsibility for having inadvertently transported the dangerous Benedict Fairfax to her own time. Xanthe comes to see that she must use her skills as a spinner if she and Flora are ever to be safe, and turns to the Spinners book for help.
It is then that a beautiful antique wedding dress sings to her. Realizing the dress and her adversary are connected in some way, she answers the call. She finds herself in Bradford-on-Avon in 1815, as if she has stepped into a Jane Austen story.
Now in Xanthe's time, Fairfax is threatening Xanthe into helping him with his evil doings, and demonstrates all too clearly how much damage he is capable of causing. With Fairfax growing ever more powerful, Xanthe enlists the help of her boyfriend Liam, taking him back in time with her. It is a decision that might just ensure she prevails over her foe, but only by putting her life--and his--on the line.
Paula Brackston has a way with creating the most vivid and almost cinematic worlds in her stories. She has once again brought her talent for creating a scene and its setting as Xanthe’s adventures in time travel continue in The Garden of Promises and Lies. Not only was I immersed in the setting and feeling as if I was traveling through 17th century England, I was also held hostage through the suspense and mystery of what would happen as the series continues and the evil Fairfax is still on the hunt for Xanthe and The Spinners book.
The Garden of Promises and Lies was just as entertaining, engrossing and exciting as the first book...Actually it was even more engrossing, and I found myself unable to set this book down. I loved how the characters and plot continued to develop, make deeper connections and bonds with each other as they form a tighter knit community. They really are a unique and endearing cast, and I was fully invested in all their lives.
Brackston’s writing is still as eloquent and engrossing as ever, and creates an atmosphere that is thick and palpable. Just like the first book, the storyline is intriguing, warm and suspenseful. Oh…and that cliffhanger at the end has me salivating for book four!
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
