Title: A Cold Wind Blowing
Author: Barbara Willard
Series: Mantlemass, book 5
Major Themes: England, Tudor Era, Henry VIII, Renaissance
Synopsis: Piers was happy with his life with the family at Ghylls Hatch, but the political turmoil around him changed his life forever.
As part of our very slow journey through world history, we have been reading books for the past few months about the Protestant Reformation. After spending some time with the Anabaptists in Switzerland, we moved, a few weeks ago, to England, where Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church for his own benefit. I must confess, I had never thought much before about what that move meant for the common people in his country. Well, we have a much better idea now, after reading A Cold Wind Blowing.
Publisher’s description:
When Henry VIII broke off from the Catholic Church and Pope in Rome, the monasteries and convents in England were plunged into disarray and chaos. Religious people who had dedicated their lives to God were forced to return to the families they had left behind, and beg for support.
Piers Medley’s peaceful life is abruptly altered when his uncle is murdered before his eyes, leaving in his care a strange and silent young girl with no memory, it seems, of her former life. Drawn to her against his will, Piers is soon bewitched by Isabella. But despite the great happiness their love brings, Piers knows Isabella is still haunted by her past.
My thoughts:
While we enjoyed A Cold Wind Blowing, it was rather a sad story. There was so much turmoil in the country and in society, as well as confusion. This author did a wonderful job of putting us in the place of the family at Mantlemass and Ghylls Hatch, two neighboring farms joined by marriage, and we could feel the uncertainty swirling around them. The description of the changes happening, as monasteries and convents were closed and the monks and nuns forced to change their way of living, is set within the framework of a delightful love story.
This book includes love, intrigue, bandits, mystery, tragedy, and birth. Every element of a good story is here! We finished this and immediately wanted to go on with the next book in the series. One caveat: There are several scenes that are not for young readers. I did a lot of editing on the fly as I read aloud. See warnings.
WARNING: Chapter 1: for Heaven’s sweet sake, “she make my father very comfortable the last years,” to hell with that, Lord. Chapter 3: Man not able to swear “because of his company,” Mother of God help us. Chapter 4: Man is stabbed and dies. Chapter 5: The devil take her, to hell, dear Mother of God. Chapter 6: Devil take it. Chapter 7: Girl describing man’s death. Chapter 11: Man cursed, to hell, allusions to men being burned at the stake. Chapter 13: Man wondering if someone committed suicide, girl dies.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Library Binding | Mass Market Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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