Book Review: The Wind in the Wheat Fields

Howick author Helena Davis recently launched her first novel entitled “The Wind in the Wheat Fields” at a well attended function in Howick. She was recently invited, as an author guest speaker, to the Ramsgate Book and Art Festival, where she gave a talk on her novel.

ALSO READ: PICS: Ramsgate Book and Art Festival was simply fabulous

It is a historical romance in the Jane Austen tradition, about “deep emotions and misunderstandings”. The heroine, a spirited red-haired beauty called Charlotte Worthington, returns to her home farm in Surrey to attend to her dying father. Whilst there, she meets his rugged farm manager, Hamish Oakford…

But the course of true love never does run smooth, and the young couple face many seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The book is sheer escapism, and a welcome respite from the harsh realities of everyday life. What’s not to like about gallantry and romance set against a backdrop of pastoral England?

As Helena says, “everyone can do with a good dose of romance… it makes one feel better after a hard day!”

It is an easy read, which flows well and quickly draws one in. I devoured it eagerly over the course of a weekend.

Helena is also something of a poet, as a stanza of poetry introduces each chapter, hinting at what is to come.

I found the characters believable and endearing. They also grow and develop during the course of the tale. Their dialogue flows well, and the author has also managed to capture the manners and etiquette of the period in their speech, which is no mean feat.

Helena paints a captivating picture of pastoral England in the 1800s, and the tale is fleshed out with well-researched details about agriculture, politics, fashion and social classes.

The book is now going to the second print run, and is distributed by the prestigious Porcupine Press.

Copies are available at Ramsgate Stationers (039 315 0213) and Exclusive Books.

Learn more about the author at www.helenadavisauthor.com