Wayward Winds

Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall #2

by Michael R. Phillips

Estranged from her family, twenty-year-old Amanda Rutherford leaves Heathersleigh Hall for London, amid the dangers and excitement of the suffragette movement and an impending world war

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: there is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Phillips has been writing in the Christian marketplace for 30 years. All told, he has written, co-written, and edited some 110 books. Phillips and his wife live in the U.S., and make their second home in Scotland.

Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Rutherfords continues amidst the chaos leading to the Great War. Spies, assassination, friendship, loyalty, prayer, romance, mystery, betrayal...a little of everything.
I highlighted passages in this book....something I rarely do in a work of fiction. In fact, I almost forgot that it is a fiction book. And I found myself downloading books that were mentioned in the book so that I can read them later...well...after I finish this series! And I'm already looking forward to reading the series again!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wayward Winds is the second in the series and could not be considered a stand alone book. It follows with the complicated family relationships, surrounding faith and authority. A few surprises in that some relationships are left in tatters, and continue to be completely fractured. What is especially rich is the state of the world during World War I. Knowing Winston Churchill even in small measure (as direct quotes are used) really brings that era alive. And seeing how much easier secrets are kept, and spies are hidden among the regular people makes it a page turner. Some twists and turns that are attention grabbers..so book 3, I'm ready to absorb!

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, this was a little bit of a letdown for me. Amanda's whole arch of her rebelling againt her parents ws so sad to me. I get that she wasnted to try to find her own way in life, but, the way she went about it was wrong.

I was really glad that Charles and Jocelyn were praying for Amanda, even after she wrote to them and told them not pray for her, they still did.

Even though Amanda did visit her family at one point in the book, i wish she would have stayed and not returned to England.

Can't wait till i find the last 2 books in this series!

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Rutherford is the focus of this story. She leaves home, first to get involved with and then become disillusioned by the famous suffragettes, the Parkhursts. From there, she lands in a group of political subversives, at which point the writer proves he CAN write suspense. I found it quite interesting as the characters discussed in detail the political issues of the day.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how wonderful the second book in the series was! The Lord is quietly working on the daughter while the rest of the family still grows and bonds. Their close friend meets eternity in this book. I have ordered #3 in anticipation of a great progression! Then #4 after that! Michael Phillips writes sweetly and informatively...I wouldn't have know it was a man writing...

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was far better than the first book of the series, and it ends with a cliffhanger, which makes you not want to wait to read book. 3 which I have ordered from the library. There are 4 in the series.

[Allie Slocum]

Much better than the 1st - glad I stuck with the series

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in a series, and should definitely not be read as a stand alone book. The struggle of parenting a prodigal is an overarching theme in the series, and especially in this book. While placed in the middle of a series, no closure is achieved yet, but the stage is set for the rest of the story to come.

There is a lot of European history revolving around the first World War. Some people might find this more interesting than others. Some might just find it getting in the way of the story.

I enjoyed the references to George MacDonald as the Scotsman author and the numerous references to other books and authors of that era and genre.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to the other two in the series.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series exploring family, religion, evolution, WWI, espionage, suffragettes, and more.

[Lisa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first one! Now on to #3...

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #2 of the Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall Series.

[Kw · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much better than the first book, but you need to read them all and in sequence. Which is why I prefer stand-alone books! But don't miss these . . .

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

This Book is typical for the writings of Michael Phillips. I am so happy I have discovered this excellent author.

[Laurie Sacrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Jonathan Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping!

Another excellent book by Michael Phillips. I love the clear way he presents historical facts and presents the Gospel. Can't wait to read the next book!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book of the Series: The Secrets of Heathersleigh is full of adventure and danger. The focus is on seventeen year old Amanda Rutherford daughter of Sir Charles of Devonshire. As a female prodigal Amanda leaves home with an inheritance in her pocket. She heads for London hoping to make a difference in the world by joining the Suffragettes. Evidently Amanda sees the emptiness of the Sister Suffragettes, as well as the life of the high society. Running out of money she is embraced by a group of clandestine Communist where her life is in danger.
At every turn Amanda is prayerfully covered by her broken-hearted family and friends in Devonshire and London. In Vienna at the beginning of WWI the light dawns and Amanda runs for home while being chased by former friends. This story is TBC in the next book.
The historical background of this book leads up to WWI and into the fall of 1914. It is complicated affair but the author does a stellar job making sense of it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book much better than the first in the series. This book centers on Amanda and the coming of the first World War. It provides very good history while steeped in mystery of what the Fountain of Light organization is doing and how a variety of people in her life are connected. I would almost say that if you are not into the theological dissertations of the first book in the series, you could start with this one and thoroughly enjoy it. You would miss Amanda's family background, but that doesn't affect much of the suspense of this book. The ending few chapters will also keep you glued to your seat. A very good read.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda, the daughter of Charles and Jocelyn Rutherford has left home, determined to take her own way, and breaking her parents hearts. She doesn't know what she is getting herself into. All she knows is that she wants to make a difference in the world and to flaunt her parents teachings. She gets involved with the suffrage movement but that eventually disillusioned her. High society lost its appeal and then there was secret society that caught her interest. With the start of World War One she suddenly finds her in more danger then she bargains for. Will she be able to safely return home?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series. I have fallen in love with the Rutherford family. What a wonderful and realistic glimpse of the beginning of WWII and the politics involved. You will need to read this series in order if you want to get the most out of it. Intrigue, faith, family relationships, forgiveness, danger, politics, parenting, kidnapping, and salvation are all part of this novel.

[Tab · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Escape

To coin the phrase, God works in mysterious ways, is the theme throughout this book. Mr. Phillips has a God given talent & skill in the detailed events he places in his series. This is another great series he has successfully put out there to see just how God works in mysterious ways!!

[Suey Nordberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm halfway through the series now and still really engaged. It is heartbreaking to think of a prodigal child and the patience to pray and wait while that child grows and changes. Will it take two more novels for Amanda to return to the love of her family? It's clear there is more brewing, so I look forward to the twists and turns the rest of the series will take.

[Kim Ligon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this second book in this series. As a historymajor I love all the details leading up to WWI and the role of Winston Churchill in the story. This book is much easier to read than book one was with a strong dose of faith and prayer but without being preachy. Amanda's journey becomes dangerous and people are not what they pretend to be. An exciting finish to lead you to book three.

[Angela Colson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I got so caught up in the characters. Excellent read. I wish I had started with the 1st book. I’ve got it on order as well as books 3 and 4.

[Harvey DeFries · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good series. new twists keeps you reading

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of the first world war. Amanda is where?

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not resist the intriguing story! Take away the parents' preaching, it is about a rebellious young child. There seems to be one sibling in most families that is so cantankerous, "parenting a prodigal."
Amanda breaks free.

Her journey is interesting mostly because it tells the story of English suffragettes, the Parkhursts; pre-WWII Britain; [background about Churchill in WWI]; spies... all of the political issues. There is much adventure, danger, betrayal, clandestine communists that lead her to Vienna just before the war. She is sorely betrayed, of course naive to the greatest degree. But, she escapes....adventure!

Cliff hanger at the end....on to book 3!

[Debi Helgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to digest

I really enjoyed reading book 2 of this series. Lots of intrigue and twists and turns. I'm moving on to the next book now.

[Carol Perry]

It wasn't as good as the first book in the series.