Willows on the Windrush (Sagas of a Kindred Heart, Book 2) [Paperback]

Doris Elaine Fell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

Fiction lovers have come to expect much from Doris Elaine Fell: a compelling heroine, heady romance, and riveting intrigue, all set against the backdrop of a fabulous destination. In Willows on the Windrush, readers will experience the charm of England and the Cotswolds. This second installment of the Sagas of a Kindred Heart series unfurls a suspenseful story of one woman's encounter with the secrets and possibilities of her past.

At thirty, Sydney Barrington is a successful executive, the envy of some for her wealth and beauty, feared by others for her drive. When she learns she has inherited Broadshire Manor from a stranger, Sydney is only too glad to escape the entanglements of her latest romance. When she arrives in the Cotswolds, though, Sydney discovers a village untouched by the passage of time and villagers hesitant to welcome her. She also finds that mysteries abound at Broadshire Manor.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

At thirty, Sydney Barrington has it all-success, wealth, and beauty. But something is missing. Jarred from her routine by the unexpected inheritance of Broadshire Manor in the Cotswolds of England, Sydney soon finds herself pulled between a prosperous businessman in America and a dashing Navy lieutenant in England.

When a shadowy attorney insists she has no claim to Broadshire Manor after all, Sydney seeks to unlock the mysteries concealed behind every stately door in the mansion. She discovers orphans of war and an old man who lies ill, but what secret awaits in the secluded bedroom upstairs? And what will happen to her personal life and her family business as she unravels the truth of her past?

"A story filled with living, breathing characters who remain in your heart long after the last page is turned." -Diane Noble, author of The Blossom and the Nettle

"International intrigue, secrets from the past, and a delightful romance make Willows on the Windrush a fun read. Another wonderful book by Christy nominee Doris Elaine Fell." -Gayle Roper, author of Caught in a Bind and The Decision

"Doris spins an intriguing tale." -Robin Jones Gunn, best-selling author of the Glenbrooke series and the Christy Miller series

About the Author

Doris Elaine Fell has pursued a multifaceted career as a teacher, missionary, nurse, and author. These diverse professions have taken her from the jungles of Mexico to a Carib village in Guatemala, from the Swiss Alps to a bamboo schoolhouse in the Philippines. She has written more than fifteen novels, including Blue Mist on the Danube.

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800757327
• ISBN-13: 978-0800757328
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,176,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, not a bodice-ripper, June 8, 2007

By 

Kona (Emerald City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

The quaint village of Stow-on-the-Wold, in the heart of England's Cotswolds, is the idyllic setting for this romance novel. Sydney Barrington, a young and successful CEO from America has just learned that she has inherited a stately English manor house - from a total stranger. She comes to Stow to investigate and makes several startling discoveries: First, the manor's owner is still very much alive, the house is an ersatz orphanage, an IRA terrorist is lurking nearby, and the young lord of the manor is a drop-dead-gorgeous commander in the Royal Navy.

This story succeeds as an enticing travel guide to the beautiful Cotswolds, and to Stow in particular. Having spent time in this charming village years ago, I was anxious to revisit it in these pages. The glowing descriptions of the gently rolling hills, yellow with limestone, and the old thatched-roofed cottages made me smile, and for that alone, I can say I enjoyed the book. The plot, however is silly and the writing is amateurish. There is a huge cast of characters, each with his own overly-intricate subplot; the rather thin story is so jam-packed with information that it topples under the weight. The dialogue has no British slang or expressions. Add to that, the fact that all the characters - strangers, it would seem, initially - ultimately turn out to have had close relationships in the past seems way too contrived. The romance angle isn't fully developed and seems almost an after-thought.

It's a tepid story that fails to engage the reader, except to leave one with a burning desire - no, need - to visit the beautiful Cotswolds and stroll beside the babbling Windrush, and watch the sheep graze in bucolic splendor. Recommended only for undemanding readers.