🐎🏡🔎 “The Secrets of Emberwild” (2022) 🔎 🏡🐎 – Book Review

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 320 Pages
Publisher: Revell (October 4, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0800740238
ISBN-13: 978-0800740238
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

“A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They're easier to handle, they're more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

 

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he's come to admire.”

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

This book came to me solely for a Bookstagram tour, then I ended up reading it for Revell’s Beyond the Book Facebook monthly read in October (2022 (10/9-11/1). Given /everything I went through last year, I actually FORGOT to post a review for this wonderful read for this new-to-me author.

 

It’s not that I didn’t like it – I did. I was captivated by not just the cover, but the story itself. It not only was a historical story about the situation women faced in 1905, but it had an acquaintances-friends-lovers romance, and a WONDERFUL mystery. I was drawn right in and didn’t want to put it down. Usually, books that have short chapters tend to keep me reading far longer than those with longer ones. To me, it seems to move the story along. 

 

While the author has had other works published prior to this one, I believe it is her first title with Revell. And, it was my introduction to her work. It’s also a standalone read so readers don’t have to worry about any books before or after it. Though, I did read her most recent release, The Swindler’s Daughter; that was released about three (3) months ago – (May 2^nd). And, after reading that book, I definitely look forward to more stories from her. 

 

Getting back to this book …

 

McGee introduces readers to:

 

🐎 Nora

👒 Rebecca (Nora’s mother)

💰 Hiram (Nora’s late father)

💰 Amos (Hiram’s brother)

🐎 Silas

🐎 Roger (works on the Fenton ranch)

 

As this does take place in the EARLY 1900’s, there will be certain themes that might be offensive to modern day women. These are forced/arranged marriages, the lack of respect shown to women, thoughts about what “jobs” are appropriate for women, as well as certain types of appropriate attire. This is authentic for the time period and needs to be viewed through that lens.

 

That said … 

 

Nora is trying to prove that as a woman, she’s just as capable of training horses, though her horse – Arrow – seems to be difficult, even for her. Her mother seems intent on carrying on her father’s archaic ideas about women. 

 

Then … Hiram dies. But, not before he utters something – “everything we have is built on a lie”. He starts to tell Nora a story, then dies. Nora is left wondering what it was. 

 

Silas, after burying his mother, reads a letter she left him. The bank wants their land, but Silas doesn’t care – he wants to find the man who murdered his father and wonders where a prized horse went. 

 

Nora asks her Uncle Amos about what her dying father stated. And, the name of a mare comes up – Ember. Obviously, where the ranch got it’s name. She is warned to NOT tell her mother. Nora and her mother soon learn – the property was left to Amos and under his management. 

 

That leaves Nora wondering what will happen with Arrow, worse – her. Amos insists she can remain there – until she finds a suitable husband. 

 

Silas arrives in town asking questions about his father’s death, and his horse. He then is hired on at Emberwild to train Arrow, though Nora wants to be involved.

 

At first, Amos doesn’t want Silas there, but relents. Silas sees the bond Nora has with Arrow and opts to work with her, much to Amos’ chagrin. 

 

After an “accident” with Arrow, Silas tells Nora about his father’s death. 

 

It soon becomes clear that Amos wants to marry Nora off, and there’s something about him that doesn’t sit well with Silas either. Still, the two work together in training Arrow which could solidify the future Nora wants. 

 

That isn’t all. As Silas searches for the truth about his father and the missing horse, Nora helps him because it will help her understand her father’s dying words. They find out more than they bargained for, especially when uncovering the secrets surrounding Emberwild, leads to a tragedy that almost costs them their lives.

 

But, as they work together, they also begin to have a mutual admiration and affection for each other; they also find out they have a common enemy, one who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried. 

 

McGee, despite revealing about ²/₃ of the way in who the “baddie” was, definitely made the characters work to find who it was and reveal the truth. I do have to say, I wasn’t surprised. I had a feeling from certain hints about the character. Though watching it play out was quite entertaining.

 

Silas and Nora really complimented each other despite their different backgrounds. Their strength to get through the situation was inspiring. 

 

This drew me right in and kept me reading; the short chapters and suspense kept me reading page after page. The romance is kept to a minimum, and given the suspense arc, I’d categorized this more or less as Historical Fiction. 

 

Despite being distributed by a primarily Christian publisher; there are only mild references to faith; but this is a clean and inspiring read. 

 

As stated, I’ve already read The Swindler’s Daughter, and look forward to exploring more of her work. 

 

Those who enjoy a historic fiction book with a bit of suspense and romance – won’t want to miss this read.  

 

 

 

RATING: 

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads 

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub 

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

 

 

DATES READ:  10/9-11/1(2022)

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

STEPHENIA H. McGEE is the award-winning author of many stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. When she’s not reading or sipping sweet tea on the front porch, she’s a writer, dreamer, husband spoiler, and busy mom of two rambunctious boys. Learn more at www.stepheniamcgee.com. 

She can be found on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StepheniaHMcGee/ 

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepheniahmcgee/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stepheniaHMcGee 

 

 

 

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