| Anne Whitfield |
| Gossamer Wings |
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| My Victorian historical mainstream novel, Gossamer Wings is set in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England 1870. I truly enjoyed writing Gossamer Wings. It's many engaging characters and the twists and turns this novel took as it evolved had me gripped from page one. I wrote the first draft in five months because most chapters just flowed really well, which is very rewarding for the writer when that happens! But then, who couldn't have fun with seven daughters, a tyrannical father, a selfish mother, a lost love, a handsome butler and a quiet, enigmatic coal miner? I hope readers enjoy it too. Blurb Grace Woodruff, the backbone of her troubled family, finds that its disintegration and the return of a lost love strains her emotional stability and sends her on a journey to discover a new path that, along the way, makes her re-evaluate exactly what it is she wants and how she can achieve it, but what will it cost her? Purchase from Borders, Waldenbooks and Hastings bookstores. America Barnes & Noble Amazon.com USA Target Blackwell Canada United Kingdom Amazon.ca Amazon UK Waterstones Tesco Or order at you local bookstore or library. Details Title: Gossamer Wings ISBN 097853686X |
| Review Rating: 5 Cups
Grace Elizabeth Woodruff is one of seven daughters who witness her family crumble before her. Montgomery Woodruff, the father of the household, does not love his wife and hates being saddled with seven daughters. Diana, the mother, neglects the household duties leaving everything to Grace. William Ross holds a part of Grace’s heart. It has been six years since she has seen him. William Doyle, the new butler admires Grace. George Henry Walters is shift foreman and a union man who fights for the rights in the mines. He is smitten with Grace. Grace wishes for joy and pleasure just once in her life. She has always been the strength of the family and now the pressures are rising into one giant boiling pot about to explode. Her father pawns his daughters into marriages that tighten his money belt. The daughters see it as escape from an abusive, selfish father. Grace tries to keep peace while taking care of ailing sisters and wishing for her own flight. When an old love returns, a new butler is hired and a shift foreman enters her life, Grace wonders is this her chance to leave a family that has needed her many years. Gossamer Wings is a saga about a family full of betrayal, hate, lies, infidelity, disappointments and often love. Grace is a strong character that strives to keep things intact while facing many frustrations. Her deep felt emotions interweave within the pages. Ms. Whitfield paints a remarkable novel with well-developed secondary characters that bring out the good and the bad in the worse of families. She instills believability with all her characters. She pens a story that will touch the heart, often irritate and sometimes make the reader cheer. This is a most rare gripping read. Cherokee Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books After finishing GOSSAMER WINGS by newer author Anne Whitfield I applaud this author for this immensely satisfying and fine example of a riveting Victorian historical. I can promise that once started you will not put it down until the final page is turned. In Leeds, England 1870, Grace Woodruff, eldest of seven daughters is mired in responsibility. Grace runs the household and serves as a buttress between her sisters and the father who sees all his daughters as nothing but worthless commodities to be wed in order to forge business ties, gain wealth and ingratiate himself with the nobility. But fate is about to deal the entire Woodruff family some devastating blows and losses that will send this dysfunctional family spiraling out of control leaving Grace to stand alone in forging a new way of life in trying to manage both household and her heart. *** What an amazing story from this newer author that chronicles a strong and resilient young woman's journey as she put aside her own broken heart in order to battle and stem the tide of the downward disintegration of her family from the result of their father's perfidious ways. Grace was a terrifically strong and resilient heroine whose loving heart and loyalty to her siblings was unwavering and constant in a life turned upside down. Coming on the heels of the authors fabulous debut of KITTY MCKENZIE this sticks to a common theme of featuring a well to do family that must learn how to live in reduced circumstances while surmounting real problems that people face even today. Whitfield excels with a deft hand in creating superb depictions of her characters with amazing depth. Frankly, if you've ever been a fan of Catherine Cookson, you are going to love Anne Whitfield. This was a remarkable, deeply moving and powerful read I hated to see end and one in which I highly recommend. Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization *** Nobody wants to help Grace Woodruff deal with the running of the household or managing the problems of her mother and many sisters. It would, by all rights, be enough to drive anyone crazy, but Grace rises to each and every challenge that comes her way. Placed in a time period where women had very little power, Grace proves again and again what strong women are capable of achieving. Anne Whitfield has created a truly remarkable heroine, along with a cast of characters that will keep you guessing until the end. "Gossamer Wings" is full of twists and turns that are sure to entertain. Ms. Whitfield's character development has certainly impressed me. Kudos to the author. - Diane Wylie - author *** Anne Whitfield has penned a wonderful historical novel addressing hurtful family issues as well as triumphs. Gossamer Wings is set in 1870 Leeds, England, in a time when women had few choices. Despite the abuse of her father, the emotional abandonment of her mother, and the unpredictability of her six sisters, stalwart Grace Woodruff keeps the family together through thick and thin. But all she really wants is her own family. Gossamer Wings is a story of serious family issues, of love lost and love gained, of financial strife and crossing class lines. Ms. Whitfield brings amazing strength of character to Grace as well as depth of emotion to all characters--characters you're sad to leave at the end. I would recommend Gossamer Wings to anyone. - Jacquie Rogers author. |
| Excerpt (c) 2008 Anne Whitfield Before dawn, Grace woke with a shiver. No fire glowed in the grate. It had burnt itself out hours ago when she cried herself to sleep long before the evening meal. Her memory of the day before was hazy, but her pain was sharp. She could not recall the drive home in the hired cab, though she clearly remembered asking Verity if it was true. Was William to marry? The affirmative answer barely registered before Grace rushed to her room and locked the door. With a shuddering sigh, Grace nimbly got out of bed reaching for her dressing gown and slippers. Thirst made her throat dry. She went to the water jug but found it empty. She’d have to go down to the kitchen. The house was in long shadows and the soft tick-tock of the tall mahogany grandfather clock in the entrance hall greeted her as she stepped down the staircase. The tip tap of her slippers sounded loud in the quiet stillness of the darkened house. In the kitchen, embers gleamed like shy faeries in the range and she hurriedly added kindling to bring it back to life. When the fire was once again cheerful, she swung the large blackened kettle onto the hot plate to boil. From the larder Grace collected tea, sugar and milk, from the sideboard, a cup and saucer. Busy with her task, she jumped in alarm as movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. “I’m sorry!” William reached out a hand to calm her. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” “Well you did!” Grace barked. “What do you want?” The sight of him made her shake. The tender hurt in her heart woke to ravage her again and she closed her eyes in weariness. “I’m sorry.” Grace thought she heard more than those simple words implied and turned from him back to the kettle as the tears rose. “May I sit with you?” William’s tone was gentle. He walked to the sideboard to collect another teacup and saucer. Grace ignored him and poured the boiling water from the large kettle into a smaller china teapot. She refused to look at him as she brought the teapot over to the table. “Can we talk, Grace?” When she lifted her tear filled gaze to him, William groaned. “I had no idea you owned such strong feelings for me.” “It is nothing,” Grace whispered. “I was being silly; holding onto something that was a memory. It’s time I faced it. One cannot live by girlish dreams alone.” “If I’d known...” Grace gave a small tremulous smile. “It no longer matters.” “I want to explain.” “There is no need.” “I must.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I was left with very little choice in regards to my future. My Father’s debts overwhelmed me and I needed to make drastic decisions to safeguard the estate’s future. Marrying Felicity is one of them, not that it’s a bad thing. She is a good woman.” “Do you have to marry her?” “Yes. Her father is helping me with the rest of the estate debts, plus other things and marrying Felicity is part of the agreement.” “Isn’t there any other way? Can you not take out a mortgage?” “I already have. No, there is no other way. I’ve tried to do it alone for years. I need the money he is offering and his contacts to make more, but I must marry his daughter to access his money. I have no other choice. Felicity is a better prospect than other offers I’ve had.” Grace nodded. She understood his needs, but that didn’t take away her pain. “I would marry you even if you lived in a cave,” she whispered. William stared at her, obviously surprised by her frankness. “I’m honored, Grace, really I am. If things were different I would ask you to be my wife, but I cannot go back on my word.” “You never thought of me.” Emotion clogged her throat. She sniffed unladylike, wishing she had a handkerchief. "I did in the months after we returned to Scarborough.” William admitted. “You should have thought of me recently. My father has money.” William looked away. “He doesn’t have enough. I’ve heard he’s in the market for wealthy young men to marry his daughters. He claims to support any man who has political ambitions.” Grace dashed away a tear. “I for one will never marry now.” “Oh come, Grace, someone as lovely as you will never be an old maid.” This hurt, coming from him. “I’ll not marry to further my father’s ambitions.” He shrugged. “He is determined. I’ve heard he is ploughing more of his money into making his name known in the business world.” “At this moment what my father does concerns me little.” What was the matter with him? She didn’t want to discuss her father. She wanted to curl up in a cupboard and die. He sat there talking about money and business when the entire time her heart was breaking. Her tears fell faster. He reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. Please don’t cry. Your tears shimmer like diamonds set in gold.” A lone, hot tear slipped down her cheek and she turned her head away. “Huh! What nonsense you talk.” “You have beautiful eyes, all golden-” She jerked to her feet. “I must go.” William stood also. He reached for her when she went to walk away and pulled her into his arms. “I know this is wrong and you may despise me after, but I have the urge to kiss you until you can no longer stand.” Grace had no time to reply as his mouth descended on hers and swept away all reason. She was glad he held her tightly for her legs went weak and breathing was impossible. A rapid fluttering in the pit of her stomach grew as his kiss deepened. His tongue darted between her lips, forcing her mouth to open. Grace arched into him desperate to feel his entire length against her. She now understood the needs of the flesh for her own body was ablaze. Only, this new awakening was bittersweet as William abruptly put her away from him. He groaned deep within his chest. Blinking rapidly to clear her mind, Grace realized he wasn’t completely in control of his emotions either. The physical connection between them was alive like a wildfire and she felt a sudden surge of power as William struggled to regain his composure. Her damaged pride refused to be ignored. It hurt and angered her that he was willing to throw away their future for money. Pain and rejection ate away at her insides like a demon feasting on an angel. “I am pleased to see you are not immune to me.” “No, I am not immune to you,” his reply was strained. Grace tilted her chin and contempt flared in her eyes. “Think of me when you are with your new wife, William.” She walked closer to him, watching as his eyes widened in anticipation. “Will she leave you breathless, I wonder?” With a strength she didn’t know she possessed, Grace walked out of the kitchen and away from her love. |
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