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Gothic Spring
Victorine Ellsworth knows something about the death of the vicar's wife...but what? Is she the killer? Or the next victim? GOTHIC SPRING is a journey into a mind that is unraveling. Victorine is a young woman poised at the edge of sexual awakening and cursed with more talent and imagination than society will tolerate. The conflict between her desire and the restrictions that rule her life lead to tragic circumstances. "GOTHIC SPRING'S vivid and intimate prose skillfully ushers you into another time, place and soul, only to trap you there until the very last word." - S. L. Stoner, author, Sage Adair Historical Mysteries
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Miller
4 books8 followersMiller served a term as an original councilor with METRO, Portland's regional government. She later served two consecutive four-year terms (the maximum permitted) as a member of the Multnomah County Commission, leaving office in 1988. During her political tenure in public life, Miller was a strong advocate of the need for government and individuals to cooperate in providing educational and community services. She also headed the Portland Federation of Teachers and won Oregon’s Labor Hall of Fame.
She holds a B.A. and M.A.T. degree from Reed College and an M.A. in Literature from Northern Arizona University where she graduated with honors.
Since leaving the political arena Miller been heavily involved with writing. She has published four novels: Ballet Noir in 2016, Trompe l'Oeil in 2011, Gothic Spring and Heart Land in 2009. Her short stories have been published in Children's Digest and Grit and Tales of the Talisman, and her short story, Under the Bridge and Beneath the Moon, were dramatized for radio in Oregon and Washington.
She holds a B.A. and M.A.T. degree from Reed College and an M.A. in Literature from Northern Arizona University where she graduated with honors.
Since leaving the political arena Miller been heavily involved with writing. She has published four novels: Ballet Noir in 2016, Trompe l'Oeil in 2011, Gothic Spring and Heart Land in 2009. Her short stories have been published in Children's Digest and Grit and Tales of the Talisman, and her short story, Under the Bridge and Beneath the Moon, were dramatized for radio in Oregon and Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 10, 2012
A maiden aunt, a new Vicar with a book and secrets, and a curious, precocious young lady. Gothic Spring will grab you from page one....the setting, the time period, the charming, small town, and the storyline are very alluring. The storyline was focused on Victorine and her relationship and fascination with the Vicar and a secret she just knows he has and secrets they both will eventually share.
Victorine, the main character, has an air about her that makes her likable for her intelligence and her persistence. You will dislike her for her insistence, her false innocence, her trouble making, her desire to hurt people, her cunning ways, and her way of risking anything to get what she wants....nothing short of deceit. Despite her negative traits, I was thoroughly taken by her as was everyone in the small, gossip-laden town of Braxton, and I wanted to see what she would do next to get what she wanted. She always did get what she wanted while she also ruined lives.
Each character in the book is fascinating and very well developed so that you can perfectly visualize their clothing, their feelings, and their facial expressions. The characters were profound, and they all had great depth especially Victorine and the Vicar's wife. She and Victorine definitely were at odds and both prodded and prodded until they found the information they were looking for even though Victorine always came out the victor with her sly nature and way of turning things around for her benefit. Every character seemed to have something hidden and churning under their politeness.
Once I began reading, I didn't want to stop. Once you are nearing the end, you will just want more and more. Ms. Miller is a powerful, eloquent writer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an evil heroine, an English setting, and an unforgettable, splendid ending. My rating is a 5/5....oh did I enjoy this book. :)
Victorine, the main character, has an air about her that makes her likable for her intelligence and her persistence. You will dislike her for her insistence, her false innocence, her trouble making, her desire to hurt people, her cunning ways, and her way of risking anything to get what she wants....nothing short of deceit. Despite her negative traits, I was thoroughly taken by her as was everyone in the small, gossip-laden town of Braxton, and I wanted to see what she would do next to get what she wanted. She always did get what she wanted while she also ruined lives.
Each character in the book is fascinating and very well developed so that you can perfectly visualize their clothing, their feelings, and their facial expressions. The characters were profound, and they all had great depth especially Victorine and the Vicar's wife. She and Victorine definitely were at odds and both prodded and prodded until they found the information they were looking for even though Victorine always came out the victor with her sly nature and way of turning things around for her benefit. Every character seemed to have something hidden and churning under their politeness.
Once I began reading, I didn't want to stop. Once you are nearing the end, you will just want more and more. Ms. Miller is a powerful, eloquent writer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an evil heroine, an English setting, and an unforgettable, splendid ending. My rating is a 5/5....oh did I enjoy this book. :)
May 5, 2012
Description:
The vicar's wife, Eva, is dead. Was it an accident? Or was it foul play? Who knows more than they are willing to admit? The shady vicar Flemming, Jeremy - the grocer's son, or Victorine - a young woman suffering from bouts of epilepsy? Will this small bucolic English village find the truth before another victim's life is taken?
Review:
It has definitely been awhile since I have read a modern book reminiscently styled like those of Emily Bronte and Jane Austen. I am a sucker for Jane Eyre and Northanger Abbey - the language, the time period, and the remarkably detailed landscapes - so I knew I was going to be interested in Gothic Spring as soon as I read the back cover blurb. Caroline Miller has a way with words, her characters and dialogue are sophisticatedly simple, yet highly effective. Victorine and Jeremy's personalities are well-developed, leading the reader into the darkness of their inner convictions and desires. The story is eloquently haunting, full of lurking shadows and fateful twists that irrevocably bind the characters. I cannot go into the plot-line or I will spoil it, but it reminded me of classic Gothic era literature with undertones of a darker shade. I am eager for more books by this author! Love the new cover art! Recommended for historical fiction/ Gothic era literature lovers.
Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)
* I received this book from the author () in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
The vicar's wife, Eva, is dead. Was it an accident? Or was it foul play? Who knows more than they are willing to admit? The shady vicar Flemming, Jeremy - the grocer's son, or Victorine - a young woman suffering from bouts of epilepsy? Will this small bucolic English village find the truth before another victim's life is taken?
Review:
It has definitely been awhile since I have read a modern book reminiscently styled like those of Emily Bronte and Jane Austen. I am a sucker for Jane Eyre and Northanger Abbey - the language, the time period, and the remarkably detailed landscapes - so I knew I was going to be interested in Gothic Spring as soon as I read the back cover blurb. Caroline Miller has a way with words, her characters and dialogue are sophisticatedly simple, yet highly effective. Victorine and Jeremy's personalities are well-developed, leading the reader into the darkness of their inner convictions and desires. The story is eloquently haunting, full of lurking shadows and fateful twists that irrevocably bind the characters. I cannot go into the plot-line or I will spoil it, but it reminded me of classic Gothic era literature with undertones of a darker shade. I am eager for more books by this author! Love the new cover art! Recommended for historical fiction/ Gothic era literature lovers.
Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)
* I received this book from the author () in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 26, 2012
“Gothic Spring” is set in a country village on the moors in a similar setting to the “At Home in Mitford” books. They also concern a local vicar, but that is where the similarities end. “Gothic Spring” is a dark coming of age story about a girl who is born in the wrong era and with a temperament or personality that is not able to be managed typically due to her poor health. As a result she lives in her head and books. This literary and solitary life gives way to ideas that are not suitable to her position or life. In another era or in a different life where work or duty kept her mind and body busy things might have turned out differently. However, as a result of her imagination, situation, and being taken advantage of by someone who should have been protecting her, she is led or pushed down a road to madness.
Those who love her see do not see it coming until it is too late as her circumstances conspire to keep her secrets. Unfortunately one straw too many pushes her past the brink.
This story subtly draws you in until you find yourself totally under its spell. The madness is woven in so finely that it is with surprise that you realize how far it has gone and it is too late for redemption. The rich imagery allows the reader to “see” the village, the people, and the slow fateful end.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
Those who love her see do not see it coming until it is too late as her circumstances conspire to keep her secrets. Unfortunately one straw too many pushes her past the brink.
This story subtly draws you in until you find yourself totally under its spell. The madness is woven in so finely that it is with surprise that you realize how far it has gone and it is too late for redemption. The rich imagery allows the reader to “see” the village, the people, and the slow fateful end.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
June 19, 2012
My review:
Gothic Spring by Caroline Miller is a historical Gothic novel. Gothic spring is excellently written and Caroline Miller is exceptionally good of describing the surroundings and characters she has created. I am not a very big fan of Gothic novels, but I really enjoyed Caroline Miller's work! Definitely a book for lovers of historical and Gothic novels!
Regarding the plot and characters:
It is true, that Gothic Spring takes you into a mind that is disturbing and captivating. The heroine of the book, Victorine is a young woman who seems very innocent, but that is only what you see in the surface. She also likes to see people hurt, she is plotting and annoyed by the limits of her time.
I really liked Victorine and her persistence and intelligence, but there are much darker sides of her which keep surprising you throughout the whole story.
You meet other characters, which are controversial, the vicar, whose death is nothing what it seems and a young man Jeremy, who also have things to hide.
Generally:
Gothic spring by Caroline Miller gives you very good settings and pictures of the era. The dialogue is minuscule, but right to the point. The characters seem real with both good and evil in them, so the proportions are very nicely balanced. Great book!
Gothic Spring by Caroline Miller is a historical Gothic novel. Gothic spring is excellently written and Caroline Miller is exceptionally good of describing the surroundings and characters she has created. I am not a very big fan of Gothic novels, but I really enjoyed Caroline Miller's work! Definitely a book for lovers of historical and Gothic novels!
Regarding the plot and characters:
It is true, that Gothic Spring takes you into a mind that is disturbing and captivating. The heroine of the book, Victorine is a young woman who seems very innocent, but that is only what you see in the surface. She also likes to see people hurt, she is plotting and annoyed by the limits of her time.
I really liked Victorine and her persistence and intelligence, but there are much darker sides of her which keep surprising you throughout the whole story.
You meet other characters, which are controversial, the vicar, whose death is nothing what it seems and a young man Jeremy, who also have things to hide.
Generally:
Gothic spring by Caroline Miller gives you very good settings and pictures of the era. The dialogue is minuscule, but right to the point. The characters seem real with both good and evil in them, so the proportions are very nicely balanced. Great book!
May 11, 2012
GOTHIC SPRING by Caroline Miller is a gothic historical romance. It is written with vivid descriptions of the era,place,and with characters who will capture your heart and soul. A dark look into a self-aborbed,adultery,violence,and a gothic tale of betrayal and love with tragic consequences. “Gothic Spring” is a young women’s journey into sexual awakening,her imagination,and the conflict that follows her,a vicar,his wife,and young Jeremy. A fast paced story that shows the dark side to life and love.A haunting Gothic story. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction and gothic romance will enjoy “Gothic Spring”. Received for an honest review from the author/publisher.Details can be found at Koho Pono,LLC, the author’s website,and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4
HEAT: Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT: Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
January 17, 2012
Brief overview: Gothic Spring is a journey into a mind that is unraveling. Victorine is a young woman poised at the edge of sexual awakening, and cursed with more talent and imagination than society will tolerate. The conflict between her desire and the restrictions that rule her life lead to tragic circumstances.
My review: I found this to be a very well written novel. This was one of those books that I was able to totally absorb myself into and feel all of the emotions that each of the characters felt. Just when I thought that I knew the characters, the author would bring out an unexpected side to each of them. I could totally relate to the love/hate relationships. There were so many twists and turns in this story that I could have never predicted, and the ending definitely threw me off guard! Although there are forbidden and complicated romantic ties involved, this isn't your typical mushy romance. The relationships are a necessary part of setting the stage for the reader to expect the unexpected. I would recommend this book to most readers, especially those who are looking for something different.
My review: I found this to be a very well written novel. This was one of those books that I was able to totally absorb myself into and feel all of the emotions that each of the characters felt. Just when I thought that I knew the characters, the author would bring out an unexpected side to each of them. I could totally relate to the love/hate relationships. There were so many twists and turns in this story that I could have never predicted, and the ending definitely threw me off guard! Although there are forbidden and complicated romantic ties involved, this isn't your typical mushy romance. The relationships are a necessary part of setting the stage for the reader to expect the unexpected. I would recommend this book to most readers, especially those who are looking for something different.
September 22, 2018
I've read Gothic Spring three times in the past four months and each time come away with something new, an idea or reflection I might have missed during an earlier read, perhaps part of a theological discussion or the slightest glance, or touch, that may have hinted at a deeper feeling shared, or details I might have raced through breathlessly in an attempt to discover an outcome. Ms. Miller's writing style is captivating and enriching. I admit, though, I read her novels with a dictionary close at hand, and I love knowing that I am coming away from her story feeling elevated to a heightened level of understanding after discovering words I never even knew existed. What Caroline Miller can do with rain falling against a window pane is simply magical.
July 8, 2016
Also really enjoyed this book by Caroline Miller
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews