Monday, February 28, 2022

#Audible Review of The Garden of Promises and Lies by Paula Brackston

A funny thing happened to me when I downloaded my Netgalley audio copy of Paula Brackston's newest Found Things novel, City of Time and Magic, when I started listening to it I was lost and realized that I totally missed #3. So off I went to audible and downloaded a copy. Come back soon for my review of book #4 but right now sit back and see what I thought about the audible edition of , The Garden of Promises and Lies.
Enjoy!

ASIN: B08776X4TG
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: 12-15-2020
Length: 10 hours - 34 minutes
Source: Purchase Amazon/Audible
Buy It: Audible

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

The third installment of a bewitching series "brimming with charm and charisma" that will make "fans of Outlander rejoice!" (Woman's World Magazine).

New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston's second novel in the Found Things series, Secrets of the Chocolate House, was called a "time-swapping romance [that] will please fans of Alice Hoffman" (Publishers Weekly). Now, Brackston returns to the Found Things series with a third audiobook, The Garden of Promises and Lies.

As the bustle of the winter holidays in the Little Shop of Found Things gives way to spring, Xanthe is left to reflect on the strange events of the past year. While she's tried to keep her time-traveling talents a secret from those close to her, she is forced to take responsibility for having inadvertently transported the dangerous Benedict Fairfax to her own time. Xanthe comes to see that she must use her skills as a Spinner if she and Flora are ever to be safe, and turns to the Spinners book for help.

It is then that a beautiful antique wedding dress sings to her. Realizing the dress and her adversary are connected in some way, she answers the call. She finds herself in Bradford-on-Avon in 1815, as if she has stepped into a Jane Austen story.

Now in Xanthe's time, Fairfax is threatening Xanthe into helping him with his evil doings, and demonstrates all too clearly how much damage he is capable of causing. With Fairfax growing ever more powerful, Xanthe enlists the help of her boyfriend Liam, taking him back in time with her. It is a decision that might just ensure she prevails over her foe, but only by putting her life—and his—on the line.

My #Audible review:

The Garden of Promises and Lies
Found Things #3
Paula Brackston

 

Paula Brackston’s third in her Found Things series is cleverly crafted and readers/listeners will find this make-believe story very realistic starring very likeable and relatable characters (except for the villain) who are very normal people who just happen to time-travel. The time travel aspect of the story is also very creative not a machine but certain people, like Xanthe who inherently have the ability to spin time. The story is very intricately weaved with many exciting and dangerous twists and turns that will keep the audience on the edge of their seat from page one until the cliffhanger at the end that will lead them right into the very next book (which is happily already available). Fans of time-travel, magic-realism and women’s fiction with a bit of woo woo will absolutely not be able to put this down. The series should definitely be read in order.

Narration:
Marisa Calin once again does a bang up job as Xanthe and is incredible in all the other roles both male and female as well.

Xanthe Westlake is constantly learning more and more about being a spinner of time or time-traveler by studying the book of spinners that was gifted to her.  Before when she’s traveled to the past Xanthe has relied on Mistress Flyte a retired spinner who just happens to show up wherever Xanthe lands but lately the book has revealed that Mistress Flyte may not be someone Xanthe should trust. So she decides to tell her mom and her boyfriend Liam about her abilities, first they need to know, second because on her last time spinning she came face to face with Benedict Fairfax, a fiendish spinner who has found his way to the present and is making  threats to Xanthe and those she loves and third because she’s just purchased a Nineteenth Century wedding dress that’s singing to her luring her back to the early 1800s England and when investigating the dress Xanthe discovers there’s a connection between the dress and Fairfax meaning she needs help on this mission and needs Liam with her. When Xanthe and Liam arrive Mistress Flyte is not happy that Liam has come along but Xanthe has many things to worry about and Mistress Flyte is low on that list.


The Series 

      




About the author:
PAULA BRACKSTON
is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter and The Little Shop of Found Things, among others. Paula lives with her family in the historical border city of Hereford in the beautiful Wye valley. When not at her desk in her writing room, she enjoys long walks with the dog in a sublime landscape filled with the imprints of past lives and ancient times.

 

 


14 comments:

  1. Oh, it does look amazing. So great to read your review. It looks as if the characters are very unique and driven.

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    1. It is that good, the whole series!

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    2. Ellie the characters are really unique and the time travel is unique

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  2. I absolutely love this series! I have listened to it 3 times and each time I love it more! The narrator is fabulous and embodies the characters wonderfully!

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  3. I did read the first one in the series but haven't continued on. Sounds like its great on audio.

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  4. Oh, I just love this series. This is one that definitely needs to be read in order though. I bet you were a bit confused when you started book 4.

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    1. OMG I was like I know its been a year but I don't remember ANYTHING LOL. Yes definitely need to read in order

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