2492 ( )

This novel was not at all what I was expecting based on the title, but it was a pleasant surprise. Anticipating black magic and cauldrons, I instead got a love story of accidental loss and perseverance despite recurring tragedies.

Barrie Anne was raised by her aunt after her parents die in an accident when she is a young girl. Just as she was reaching adulthood, World War II begins and she puts college on hold to marry her sweetheart before he heads to war. However, her handsome husband has a dark side and a hidden past, disappears soon after he ships off in the Navy, and Barrie Anne, left with more questions than answers, continues on with her life at home with her Aunt Charlotte. One day her husband mysteriously reappears with little explanation and buys an old farmhouse off the beaten path near the Hood Canal in Washington State. They attempt to start over as farmers but soon her husband's reconciliatory attitude turns sour and she leaves him to stay with her aunt once more. This time, though, she's pregnant with his child. When the Navy shows up at her aunt's door looking for her husband, she shows them to her house where he is no longer staying and instead of letting them take her back, she decides to stay in her farmhouse and make it on her own.

Filled with grit and determination, maternal instinct and a little something else, Barrie Anne is an inspirational character and The Witch's Kind is a story that will leave you feeling warm all over. ( )

I am, in a word, disappointed.

The book's description and title led me to believe this is a story about witches. Reasonable assumption, right? This is not at all a story about witches.

This is a story about a young woman and her aunt, living a secluded life right after WWII. These two women have occasional premonitions, which is their only "power." There is absolutely no witchcraft. We do have a lot of drama, a strange baby, hints at alien life, and government conspiracies.

The pacing is slow. We're given long passages from the past, meant to explain and lead into the present situation. At the one-third point, so little had happened that I was bored and skimming. By the halfway point, I was too bored to bother and I gave up.

If the title and description had better reflected the content, I probably wouldn't have read this book. At the very least, I'd have been prepared for a totally different type of story.

*I received a review copy from the publisher, via Amazon Vine.* ( )

This was a wonderful inspiring book that has strong female characters. I really enjoyed how it wove a sisterhood during a time when gender was a big issue, and the hard choices that is faced when trying to protect the people you love. It had just enough mystery and suspense to keep me going all the way to the end. ( )

Oh, my Goddess this was a good book! The story had me entranced from the fist words, and the characterizations were so strong that I think these people are people I actually see every day in my day to day life.
It has women in love, a war or two, a mysterious visitor from the seas or maybe from the stars, and yes even a dog. Oh, and lots of conflict. Because what story by this author would *not* have us biting our nails hoping it all turns out OK with yet one more tragedy along the way. ( )