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The Graham Saga #2
Like Chaff in the Wind
Matthew Graham committed the mistake of his life when he cut off his brother's nose. In revenge, Luke Graham has Matthew abducted and transported to the colony of Virginia to be sold as indentured labour. Matthew arrives in Virginia in May 1661 and any hope he had of finding someone willing to listen to his story of unlawful abduction is quickly extinguished. If anything, Matthew's insistence that he is an innocent man leads him to being singled out for the heaviest tasks. Insufficient food, gruelling days and the humid heat combine to wear him down. With a sinking feeling, he realises no one has ever survived their seven years of service on the plantation Suffolk Rose. Fortunately for Matthew, he has a remarkable wife. Alex Graham has no intention of letting her husband suffer and die. So she sets off from Scotland on a perilous journey to bring her husband home. Alex is plagued by nightmares in which Matthew is reduced to a wheezing wreck by his tormentors. Sailing to Virginia, she prays for a miracle to carry her swiftly to his side. But fate has other plans, and what should have been a two month crossing turns into a year long adventure - from one side of the Atlantic to the other. Will Alex find Matthew in time? Will she be able to pay the price of setting him free? Like Chaff in the Wind continues on from The Rip in the Veil, taking Alex and Matthew's love story to a new continent.
392 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2012
220 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Anna Belfrage
37 books286 followersAnna was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result she's multilingual and most of her reading is historical- both non-fiction and fiction. Possessed of a lively imagination, she has drawers full of potential stories, all of them set in the past. She was always going to be a writer - or a historian, preferably both. Ideally, Anna aspired to becoming a pioneer time traveller, but science has as yet not advanced to the point of making that possible. Instead she ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for her most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career Anna raised her four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive…
For years she combined a challenging career with four children and the odd snatched moment of writing. Nowadays Anna spends most of her spare time at her writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and she slips away into her imaginary world, with her imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in her life pops his head in to ensure she's still there.
For additional information regarding Anna, her characters, extra scenes, and teasers for her next books, have a look at Anna's website at: www.annabelfrage.com
For years she combined a challenging career with four children and the odd snatched moment of writing. Nowadays Anna spends most of her spare time at her writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and she slips away into her imaginary world, with her imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in her life pops his head in to ensure she's still there.
For additional information regarding Anna, her characters, extra scenes, and teasers for her next books, have a look at Anna's website at: www.annabelfrage.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 1, 2019
In 1661, Matthew is kidnapped and shipped to Virginia as an indentured servant, leaving behind his young son and his wife Alex, a time-traveler from 2005, who journeys from Scotland to the New World in search of her husband.
This book is the second in a series, and I haven't read the first one. I don't think that reading the prequel is absolutely necessary, but I can see that it would have helped in some areas. The author expects us to be aware of Alex's time traveling, and doesn't outright state this fact until a bit later. Personally, I was pretty shocked, as I hadn't known that this was a time travel story until that point. After figuring this out, I found very little back story about how everything had come about. The book simply plunges in, with little character introduction, either.
Well, I have a particular disliking for time travel books. But I would have certainly set this preference aside for a short time if the book had been good enough. However, it was not to be.
The plot was pretty clumsy, and I was annoyed by characters tossing the word "aye" into any sentence that didn't already sound historical enough. For seemingly no reason, Alex tells a man she has only known for a few days about her time traveling, when she has kept this a secret from even her most trusted servants - and he believes her without hesitation. Characters are conveniently killed off when their time to exit the story comes up. Matthew tells us, in one chapter, that it has been three years since he has seen his wife, but a few chapters later she tells us that she hasn't seen him for one year.
I couldn't warm up to any of the characters, either. Alex seemed like the typical modern girl thrown into a historical setting. She has the excuse of being from the future, but that didn't make her any less irritating. And she abandons not one but two of her children in the course of the book.
The justification? When she is considering leaving her son and setting out to save her husband, she thinks about taking the boy with her. But then she reasons "But if he died, the estate would go to his greedy uncle, and Matthew wouldn't want that."
Um, what about not wanting your son to die, maybe?
Much about this book reminded me of Outlander, and I don't mean that in a good way.
Like the cartoonishly 'good' hero of that story, Matthew also accepts punishment by flogging for someone else, though he himself is innocent.
Alright, nothing wrong with that.
Time travel and the setting of Scotland - again, fine.
Lots of wince-inducing, exasperating, bad sex - not so good.
And finally, the same things that so disturbed me about Outlander were present here, too.
The author's promotion or take on sex seemed skewed at best, and deeply unsettling at worst. My first hint that she, like Gabaldon, was leaning in this direction came when Alex was on board her ship. She meets a Spanish man who seems some sort of reincarnation of a man she knew in the future. Because this man looks exactly like him, Alex introduces herself, and they proceed to share a flirtatious friendship. But a bit later, she tells us that the man he seems a body double for was her rapist! So she sees her rapist in another time period and immediately heads straight toward him to flirt? What is this?
Belfrage also puts Alex in a situation where she is forced to allow herself to be raped (it's either that or her husband's life).
And later on, unforgivably, Matthew rapes Alex. There is no mistaking it for the couple enjoying themselves. It is rape, and Belfrage makes this very clear. Thus, I was shocked when a few moments afterward, the two are cozily cuddling in bed, making jokes and laughing together. My shock quickly turned to disgust and outrage as the story moved on, and the incident is never brought up again.
In another scene not so long afterward, the two get into an argument. Alex angrily attempts to walk out, but Matthew violently grabs her, throws her down on the bed, and rapes her. Again, no mistaking this. Alex repeatedly, clearly says "NO." She resists. But everything is glossed over with the idea of "Sure, she said no at first, but that was before she started enjoying it!" Because eventually, Alex stops resisting, as if watering the assault down like this makes it all alright. Afterward, Alex assures the reader that she loves Matthew, and again, the incident never comes up again.
This flippant view of rape, blurring it with consensual sex, is just not right. Does Belfrage believe that rape within a marriage cannot occur? That rape isn't that big of a deal? That most of the time women are overreacting? That rape is okay if a woman only minds at first?
This was a huge issue for me, and though I think it should be for everyone, it is sadly the sort of thing that I see in many books these days. Many readers will most likely react to these scenes with the same nonchalance that the author writes into them, or perhaps hardly even notice anything other than another sex scene.
I certainly will not be looking for the other book in this series. Disappointing.
Thanks nevertheless to Troubador Publishing / Matador and NetGalley.com for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.
This book is the second in a series, and I haven't read the first one. I don't think that reading the prequel is absolutely necessary, but I can see that it would have helped in some areas. The author expects us to be aware of Alex's time traveling, and doesn't outright state this fact until a bit later. Personally, I was pretty shocked, as I hadn't known that this was a time travel story until that point. After figuring this out, I found very little back story about how everything had come about. The book simply plunges in, with little character introduction, either.
Well, I have a particular disliking for time travel books. But I would have certainly set this preference aside for a short time if the book had been good enough. However, it was not to be.
The plot was pretty clumsy, and I was annoyed by characters tossing the word "aye" into any sentence that didn't already sound historical enough. For seemingly no reason, Alex tells a man she has only known for a few days about her time traveling, when she has kept this a secret from even her most trusted servants - and he believes her without hesitation. Characters are conveniently killed off when their time to exit the story comes up. Matthew tells us, in one chapter, that it has been three years since he has seen his wife, but a few chapters later she tells us that she hasn't seen him for one year.
I couldn't warm up to any of the characters, either. Alex seemed like the typical modern girl thrown into a historical setting. She has the excuse of being from the future, but that didn't make her any less irritating. And she abandons not one but two of her children in the course of the book.
The justification? When she is considering leaving her son and setting out to save her husband, she thinks about taking the boy with her. But then she reasons "But if he died, the estate would go to his greedy uncle, and Matthew wouldn't want that."
Um, what about not wanting your son to die, maybe?
Much about this book reminded me of Outlander, and I don't mean that in a good way.
Like the cartoonishly 'good' hero of that story, Matthew also accepts punishment by flogging for someone else, though he himself is innocent.
Alright, nothing wrong with that.
Time travel and the setting of Scotland - again, fine.
Lots of wince-inducing, exasperating, bad sex - not so good.
And finally, the same things that so disturbed me about Outlander were present here, too.
The author's promotion or take on sex seemed skewed at best, and deeply unsettling at worst. My first hint that she, like Gabaldon, was leaning in this direction came when Alex was on board her ship. She meets a Spanish man who seems some sort of reincarnation of a man she knew in the future. Because this man looks exactly like him, Alex introduces herself, and they proceed to share a flirtatious friendship. But a bit later, she tells us that the man he seems a body double for was her rapist! So she sees her rapist in another time period and immediately heads straight toward him to flirt? What is this?
Belfrage also puts Alex in a situation where she is forced to allow herself to be raped (it's either that or her husband's life).
And later on, unforgivably, Matthew rapes Alex. There is no mistaking it for the couple enjoying themselves. It is rape, and Belfrage makes this very clear. Thus, I was shocked when a few moments afterward, the two are cozily cuddling in bed, making jokes and laughing together. My shock quickly turned to disgust and outrage as the story moved on, and the incident is never brought up again.
In another scene not so long afterward, the two get into an argument. Alex angrily attempts to walk out, but Matthew violently grabs her, throws her down on the bed, and rapes her. Again, no mistaking this. Alex repeatedly, clearly says "NO." She resists. But everything is glossed over with the idea of "Sure, she said no at first, but that was before she started enjoying it!" Because eventually, Alex stops resisting, as if watering the assault down like this makes it all alright. Afterward, Alex assures the reader that she loves Matthew, and again, the incident never comes up again.
This flippant view of rape, blurring it with consensual sex, is just not right. Does Belfrage believe that rape within a marriage cannot occur? That rape isn't that big of a deal? That most of the time women are overreacting? That rape is okay if a woman only minds at first?
This was a huge issue for me, and though I think it should be for everyone, it is sadly the sort of thing that I see in many books these days. Many readers will most likely react to these scenes with the same nonchalance that the author writes into them, or perhaps hardly even notice anything other than another sex scene.
I certainly will not be looking for the other book in this series. Disappointing.
Thanks nevertheless to Troubador Publishing / Matador and NetGalley.com for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.
August 16, 2014
3.5/5.0
This story starts out with a bang, then twists and turns it’s way through to the very last page!
Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This story starts out with a bang, then twists and turns it’s way through to the very last page!
Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 20, 2019
“This was the work of his hell-spawn of a brother and now, oh dearest Lord, now there was no one there to protect his wife and son...”
Matthew Graham took his brother’s nose. He should have taken his life. Luke will not stop until Matthew is dead, and all that belongs to Matthew is his. Once again, Matthew finds himself in chains because of his brother, only this time it was going to be worse for his destination was Virginia. His brother had known, by God, he had known, that no one survived seven years of indentured servitude at the Suffolk Rose Plantation, but what Luke had not countered on was that Matthew had a reason to live. Matthew would be damned if he died in a foreign country away from all of those he loved.
But even the most courageous of hearts can be broken — just as a body can be broken. With a crushed spirit, Matthew’s only hope is that his hot-headed wife will try to rescue him. Unfortunately, Alexandra is back in Scotland and has no idea what has happened to him.
Alexandra (Alex) Graham had not travelled through time and sacrificed everything familiar, including her son, to become a widow. She will find her beloved Matthew. All he has to do is stay alive.
From a dreary icy January in Edinburgh to the relentless heat of a Virginia summer, Like Chaff in the Wind (The Graham Saga Book #2) by Anna Belfrage is the compelling adventure of one woman’s fight to free her man and bring him home.
Like Chaff in the Wind had me gripped from the opening sentence to the very last full stop. Belfrage writes not only with tremendous verse but also with a keen eye for what is entertaining. There was not a dull moment in this book. The action kept on coming, and this kept those pages turning long into the night.
Belfrage deserves the highest of praise for her mesmerising narrative and her authentic historical detailing. Belfrage tackles the somewhat controversial issue of what it was like to be an indentured servant in the 17th century. Often overshadowed by the horrors of the African Slave Trade, an indentured servant was often involuntarily forced to provide free labour for a fixed amount of time. However, for most indentured servants, it was a life sentence. If they survive the crossing, they then had to acclimatise to a very foreign climate. They also had to contend with tropical diseases, and on top of all of this, they had to perform back-breaking work on very little nourishment. The colour of their skin did not make them exempt from cruel floggings. Belfrage has painted a harrowing picture of what life was like for an indentured servant in the 17th century. The authenticity of Matthew’s plight was so real it was almost tangible. Belfrage has obviously spent long hours researching the conditions that the indentured servants were forced to live in as well as what was expected of them. The plantation owners thought nothing of working them to death. Belfrage demonstrated this total lack of humanity through Matthew’s situation. As a reader, I wept for him.
Alexandra is in a time that is so very different from the era she was born in. The 17th century is a difficult place to navigate for a very modern woman. Nevertheless, Alex does whatever it takes to find her man and bring him home. Belfrage has given us a very strong and incredibly brave heroine in Alex. Alex’s tenacity and her sharp wit made this story totally irresistible and next to impossible to put down. There were times when Alex’s recklessness and total disregard for the time she was in made for some cliff-hanging, fingernail biting tension, but this all added to the appeal of this book.
Belfrage balances the two very different time frames — the 17th century and 21st century — with a great deal of skill and diligence. By showing what Alex’s family was experiencing in the 21st century gave this story not only depth but brilliance. Alex has left a seven-year-old son behind, and it was his story that really pulled at my heartstrings.
Like Chaff in the Wind is a real treat for lovers of time-travel fiction. I cannot wait to get my hands on book #3 of this fabulously enthralling series.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
March 9, 2020
2.5* at best for this in installment. There should be a warning for sensitive readers - lots of triggers
It is a shame that such a great concept for a sweeping historical story is completely marred by a terribly defective hero and heroine. I don't mind MCs with character flaws or who make poor choices along the way. But these two chuckle-heads just keep hypocritically stumbling from one stupid scenario to another. Alex is entirely unbelievable ... she's been living in rural 17th century Scotland, by choice for years at this point, and she still keeps spouting expletives, taking the lord's name and karate chopping people whenever she gets the chance. An absolute farce! Matthew isn't much better, alternating between a principled decent guy in love with his wife to an oversexed, henpecked caveman making googly-eyes at his ex. Uggghhh! Only the background story, secondary characters and the well researched historical period hold this together. Prepare for some serious eye-rolling along the way.
Greg Patmore's Audible narration is the same ... all good until we get to Alex's voice. It is is completely incongruous with her alleged background.
It is a shame that such a great concept for a sweeping historical story is completely marred by a terribly defective hero and heroine. I don't mind MCs with character flaws or who make poor choices along the way. But these two chuckle-heads just keep hypocritically stumbling from one stupid scenario to another. Alex is entirely unbelievable ... she's been living in rural 17th century Scotland, by choice for years at this point, and she still keeps spouting expletives, taking the lord's name and karate chopping people whenever she gets the chance. An absolute farce! Matthew isn't much better, alternating between a principled decent guy in love with his wife to an oversexed, henpecked caveman making googly-eyes at his ex. Uggghhh! Only the background story, secondary characters and the well researched historical period hold this together. Prepare for some serious eye-rolling along the way.
Greg Patmore's Audible narration is the same ... all good until we get to Alex's voice. It is is completely incongruous with her alleged background.
January 15, 2020
So, I've been "borrowing" these books from Kindle Unlimited as part of my free trial (until March). Overall, this series (so far) is easy reading, with a good pace of the plot and decent character development and historical details. In this book, my favorite character was Mrs. Parsons and, of course, Malcom.
Once again, this series feels a bit too much like Outlander fan fiction, although admittedly there are differences (in methods of time travel, in perspectives of the characters - in this case we have a covenanter (or a puritan / roundhead), and to be honest, that POV NEVER resonates with this reader. Much prefer the Royalist and Catholic view... but to be fair, we need all points of view covered for a good wholistic understanding of the time. Once of the best things about these books (over Gabaldon) it is the lack of long-winded bits of historical detail and medical procedures (but the endless sex is similar).
If you like these type of books, I highly recommend.
Once again, this series feels a bit too much like Outlander fan fiction, although admittedly there are differences (in methods of time travel, in perspectives of the characters - in this case we have a covenanter (or a puritan / roundhead), and to be honest, that POV NEVER resonates with this reader. Much prefer the Royalist and Catholic view... but to be fair, we need all points of view covered for a good wholistic understanding of the time. Once of the best things about these books (over Gabaldon) it is the lack of long-winded bits of historical detail and medical procedures (but the endless sex is similar).
If you like these type of books, I highly recommend.
December 28, 2020
Think that the Timeslip motif works well, with some unexpected results . Without giving too much away, the next installment in the feud between Matthew and Luke Graham gets even more intense, with Luke ensuring that Mathew is 'framed' for a crime and transported to Virginia as a bonded servant. Alex manages to follow and finds him over the ocean. The plight of the bonded servants, and the wretchedness of their condition are evoked well . There are some quite brutal scenes.
Matthew and Alex' relationship is passionate to the point of being melodramatic,almost to the point of being an opera at times. The author is skilled enough to carry this off, and can write convincing sex scenes , whereas a less talented writer might flounder.
Found the overall plot lively and engaging. When I reached the end , had to immediately add the next one to my kindle.
Matthew and Alex' relationship is passionate to the point of being melodramatic,almost to the point of being an opera at times. The author is skilled enough to carry this off, and can write convincing sex scenes , whereas a less talented writer might flounder.
Found the overall plot lively and engaging. When I reached the end , had to immediately add the next one to my kindle.
October 31, 2020
This book is just okay. I’m only about half way through and feel as though I have to keep reading simply because I’m committed. The main male character Mathew has a bizarre personality. Wavering between genuine love for his wife and being a narcissistic ass. The main female character it’s portrayed as a strong modern female but allows her husband to hit her, control her and rape her? The two just don’t go together. I get that this is based in history and men “own” their wives but I don’t enjoy the way it’s being portrayed in this novel. Idk for sure not my favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2018
Matthew is sold into slavery by his brother Luke. He is shipped over to Virginia where he is sold to a tobacco farmer to pay off 7 years bondage. A farm with cruel masters, and not many men make it out alive. However is wife Alex is not about to sit at home and allow him to suffer for seven years. She leaves her young son at home and sets off on a long, harried journey across the ocean in search of her man. Book two is another fast moving and very enjoyable story.
July 24, 2024
Yes, they are blown like chaff in wind. Having an aggrieved brother out for blood, he will do anything to get rid of Matthew and if need be, Alex will be killed too.
From one side of the world to the other, her man has been taken from her, and yet, she will go after him, all the time fearing what they were doing to him, whether she would find him already killed.
From one side of the world to the other, her man has been taken from her, and yet, she will go after him, all the time fearing what they were doing to him, whether she would find him already killed.
January 1, 2018
Gut wrenching
I was in constant gut shredding agony the first half of this book for which I will never forgive the author. Still a smoldering ball of jealousy and rage burns in my chest at the thought of it.
Superbly written but utterly, utterly, heartbreaking.
I was in constant gut shredding agony the first half of this book for which I will never forgive the author. Still a smoldering ball of jealousy and rage burns in my chest at the thought of it.
Superbly written but utterly, utterly, heartbreaking.
July 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this book the history detail is very good yes she did have to make a few minor changes but she explained why at the end. I had a hard time putting this book down compared to the first book.
April 17, 2020
Much better than the first book. In this one, Matthew is abducted and sold as an indentured servant to the colonies where he was no more than a tortured slave. Alex, his wife, goes after him. I like the history that is beginning to be a real part of the story.
December 18, 2021
Like Chaff in the Wind
Poor Matthew was abducted by his brother and sold into slavery. He was treated badly and almost died a few times. His wife set out to retrieve him and took a very long time. Two years later they returned home but the brothers are enemies.
Poor Matthew was abducted by his brother and sold into slavery. He was treated badly and almost died a few times. His wife set out to retrieve him and took a very long time. Two years later they returned home but the brothers are enemies.
December 19, 2021
3.5
By the way, if you dislike time travel series maybe you shouldn't leave a review. How could possibly like / rate a book if it's about something you don't like. Seems a bit unfair to the author. Next time just bow out.
By the way, if you dislike time travel series maybe you shouldn't leave a review. How could possibly like / rate a book if it's about something you don't like. Seems a bit unfair to the author. Next time just bow out.
January 1, 2019
Love the series
The story continues, well written, great history and vivid descriptions. You know a story has captured you when you can t out if down.
The story continues, well written, great history and vivid descriptions. You know a story has captured you when you can t out if down.
October 1, 2019
love this time travel series
October 5, 2020
Yeah I am hooked.
Still a lot of simiarities with outlander but like it for its lack of historical reference and splashy relationship drama.
Still a lot of simiarities with outlander but like it for its lack of historical reference and splashy relationship drama.
July 3, 2024
Listened to it while quilting. It’s a time travel book.
September 12, 2024
This second book was like reading another book from the outlander series. I found myself struggling to finish.
March 22, 2013
I was hooked on Like Chaff in the Wind by Anna Belfrage from the moment I opened its pages! Usually it takes me some time to warm up to a new book, but this one caught me from the start and had me hooked. It wasn’t due to action-packed suspense scenes though, as most people might generalize with that type of statement. It did move smoothly, and there was action, but more so it was her style of writing that kept me reading. It was quick and emotional, with characters as quick-witted as the movement of her words, and was detailed in just the right measure!
For instance, one of my favorite characters was the housekeeper, Mrs. Gordon, who partners with Alex on her adventure across the sea to find her husband Matthew. She was hilarious, just like a 1600-era Mrs. Doubtfire! Who doesn’t love jovial, tell-it-like-it-is English housekeepers, right? Belfrage had some really well-developed characters.
Alex, her protagonist of the series, had the determination of the strong women characters I’ve grown to admire. To give up something most dear in order to take to such a perilous journey is commendable. Sailing across the sea to the New World in the 17th century was not an easy task to endure, but she did it for love. What a romantic undertaking! It made my heart sing.
I was surprised when the element of time shifting appeared at the beginning, but I also got very excited as I love books with this element. I had to go read more on A Rip in the Veil (I hadn’t read the first book in the series) and I was then throughly hooked. I realized as I read on that Belfrage was juxtapositioning between present day characters in Alex’s life and her current saga with Matthew. It led to an air of mystery as the parallel world continued to move alongside the past.
In this book there was just the right amount of turmoil, without dwelling on it; challenges, without weighing the book down. There were struggles, but each time she pulled it back around to focus the characters in their journey in a calm manner that really set the book’s tone and made me want to enjoy more of the book. Times were hard, and as a history lover, I know that. But the book certainly presented it in way that was also enjoyable for me to read.
I love the sweeping romance in this epic travel series so far, with Alex time shifting to meet her soul mate, then traveling across the seas to find him again in Like Chaff in the Wind, all while continually finding her true self along the way too. Belfrage’s cast of characters is delightful!
This is the second novel in her The Graham Saga series, the first novel being A Rip in the Veil. I didn’t have the chance to read A Rip in the Veil and I am sure there is more great background to the characters I didn’t know. The book started out quickly, probably due to there being a previous book, but I wasn’t missing anything except for another great read!! It just made me want to go back and read the first novel due to my love of the characters in Like Chaff in the Wind, especially when I find out that Alex actually appeared in 1658 after landing back in time from her real time in 2002. I love time travel back through history!
If you haven’t read A Rip in the Veil, I urge you to also buy and read that book too for the full story. Here is some info on A Rip in the Veil: http://www.annabelfrage.com/My-Books-...
I do like this section on Belfrage’s website that explains overall The Graham Saga: http://www.annabelfrage.com/My-Books-.... She says there will be several more books in the future, all with GORGEOUS covers I see, that continue the tale of Alex and Matthew. I can’t wait to read them all!
See more on my site at www.hookofabook.wordpress.com.
For instance, one of my favorite characters was the housekeeper, Mrs. Gordon, who partners with Alex on her adventure across the sea to find her husband Matthew. She was hilarious, just like a 1600-era Mrs. Doubtfire! Who doesn’t love jovial, tell-it-like-it-is English housekeepers, right? Belfrage had some really well-developed characters.
Alex, her protagonist of the series, had the determination of the strong women characters I’ve grown to admire. To give up something most dear in order to take to such a perilous journey is commendable. Sailing across the sea to the New World in the 17th century was not an easy task to endure, but she did it for love. What a romantic undertaking! It made my heart sing.
I was surprised when the element of time shifting appeared at the beginning, but I also got very excited as I love books with this element. I had to go read more on A Rip in the Veil (I hadn’t read the first book in the series) and I was then throughly hooked. I realized as I read on that Belfrage was juxtapositioning between present day characters in Alex’s life and her current saga with Matthew. It led to an air of mystery as the parallel world continued to move alongside the past.
In this book there was just the right amount of turmoil, without dwelling on it; challenges, without weighing the book down. There were struggles, but each time she pulled it back around to focus the characters in their journey in a calm manner that really set the book’s tone and made me want to enjoy more of the book. Times were hard, and as a history lover, I know that. But the book certainly presented it in way that was also enjoyable for me to read.
I love the sweeping romance in this epic travel series so far, with Alex time shifting to meet her soul mate, then traveling across the seas to find him again in Like Chaff in the Wind, all while continually finding her true self along the way too. Belfrage’s cast of characters is delightful!
This is the second novel in her The Graham Saga series, the first novel being A Rip in the Veil. I didn’t have the chance to read A Rip in the Veil and I am sure there is more great background to the characters I didn’t know. The book started out quickly, probably due to there being a previous book, but I wasn’t missing anything except for another great read!! It just made me want to go back and read the first novel due to my love of the characters in Like Chaff in the Wind, especially when I find out that Alex actually appeared in 1658 after landing back in time from her real time in 2002. I love time travel back through history!
If you haven’t read A Rip in the Veil, I urge you to also buy and read that book too for the full story. Here is some info on A Rip in the Veil: http://www.annabelfrage.com/My-Books-...
I do like this section on Belfrage’s website that explains overall The Graham Saga: http://www.annabelfrage.com/My-Books-.... She says there will be several more books in the future, all with GORGEOUS covers I see, that continue the tale of Alex and Matthew. I can’t wait to read them all!
See more on my site at www.hookofabook.wordpress.com.
March 20, 2013
When I first started reading Like Chaff in the Wind, I was worried it would be a little too much like the much loved Outlander series given that both center on a woman from the future who time travels and falls in love with a Scottish man from the past and both face many trials and tribulations together. I am happy to say that despite the very loose connections in the stories, Like Chaff in the Wind is a wholly unique story and Alex and Matthew Graham are fascinating characters in their own right as well. The story starts as Matthew Graham is kidnapped at the behest of his estranged brother in revenge for slicing off his nose. Apparently there is no love lost between the Graham brothers. Matthew is transported to Suffolk Rose plantation in Virginia where he is treated in the most cruel manner possible as an indentured servant. The scenes between Matthew and unscrupulous and barbarous overseer Jones had me cringing at times and completely appalled at the harsh treatment of the indentured servants. Unwilling to lose the love of her life forever Alex vows she will find her husband and bring him back to Scotland at any cost.
I really liked the dynamic between Alex and Matthew as they seem to have a connection that completely transcends normal boundaries-they can even feel each others presence even though they are separated by long distances. I enjoyed the character of Alex immensely as being born in 1979 she is a feisty woman whose forward feminist leaning views are completely out of sync with the social conventions of 1661-the year she and Matthew live in. I liked the shifting viewpoints between Alex, Matthew, and Alex's father Magnus in the future and thought they flowed together very well. This was an interesting tale that kept my attention the entire time. While I did like following Alex on her sea adventure, I wish there was a bit more action to be had during this time. With the exception of one harrowing encounter later in the journey there didn't seem to be much out of the ordinary for a sea journey (despite the extremely long length of this particular one). Also, this is the second Alex and Matthew Graham novel and despite brief explanations and references back to the first novel to explain what was occurring in this one, I felt I would have connected with this story more had I read the first book and then this one. I kept thinking there were things occurring that I would have understood much better had I read the first book-particularly in regards to the time travel and Alex's mother. As I have mentioned before I am a bit of a prude when it comes to sex scenes so the reader should be forewarned that while not too graphic, there are more than a few sex scenes in the pages of this book.
Despite those few minor things, I really liked this story and will be picking up the first book- A Rip in the Veil- so I can satisfy my curiosity about how this couple's love story got started. I really grew to like Alex and Matthew as the story progressed and will be interested to see what happens to them in the future.
*review copy for tour*
I really liked the dynamic between Alex and Matthew as they seem to have a connection that completely transcends normal boundaries-they can even feel each others presence even though they are separated by long distances. I enjoyed the character of Alex immensely as being born in 1979 she is a feisty woman whose forward feminist leaning views are completely out of sync with the social conventions of 1661-the year she and Matthew live in. I liked the shifting viewpoints between Alex, Matthew, and Alex's father Magnus in the future and thought they flowed together very well. This was an interesting tale that kept my attention the entire time. While I did like following Alex on her sea adventure, I wish there was a bit more action to be had during this time. With the exception of one harrowing encounter later in the journey there didn't seem to be much out of the ordinary for a sea journey (despite the extremely long length of this particular one). Also, this is the second Alex and Matthew Graham novel and despite brief explanations and references back to the first novel to explain what was occurring in this one, I felt I would have connected with this story more had I read the first book and then this one. I kept thinking there were things occurring that I would have understood much better had I read the first book-particularly in regards to the time travel and Alex's mother. As I have mentioned before I am a bit of a prude when it comes to sex scenes so the reader should be forewarned that while not too graphic, there are more than a few sex scenes in the pages of this book.
Despite those few minor things, I really liked this story and will be picking up the first book- A Rip in the Veil- so I can satisfy my curiosity about how this couple's love story got started. I really grew to like Alex and Matthew as the story progressed and will be interested to see what happens to them in the future.
*review copy for tour*
December 27, 2013
First, a note: I have not yet read book 1 in this series, The Rip in the Veil, so I can’t comment on how the second book builds from the first. I can, however, tell you that you probably should read the books in order. That being said, if for some reason you decide to read them out of order, say for a tour and ran out of time to read the first, you won’t be totally lost. The author includes enough information so that you can piece together the major events that have occurred, however it isn’t necessarily right at the start of the book – so there were periods of confusion until I got those tidbits.
The majority of the novel takes place on ships headed to the American Colonies and in Jamestown, Virginia. A shorter amount of time is spent in Scotland. Jamestown was a refreshing setting in that not many stories take place here – but it wasn’t the Jamestown that I expected or experienced upon visiting the historical site. When the book opens we are in 1661, so approximately 50 years after the Jamestown most of us think about with the starving settlers, Pocahontas and John Smith, and various interactions with the natives. It was nice to see this growing Jamestown – even if it was still a somewhat lawless land.
The time travel element was strong, but not so much in terms of people time traveling throughout the book. Alex, our heroine, previously traveled to this time and place from the present. So while she isn’t currently traveling you still have her dealing with outcomes, mindset, and trying to fit in with the ways of women in the 17th century. I think that the time travel element was probably more present in the first book.
While I struggled a little bit with the beginning – mostly due to not having read the first book – it was a quick read and quite enjoyable. The characters were entertaining, the plot moved right along, and I felt like the characters grew quite a bit throughout it. The main focus of the book really is the relationship between the characters.
This review was previously posted @ The Maiden's Court. Was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The majority of the novel takes place on ships headed to the American Colonies and in Jamestown, Virginia. A shorter amount of time is spent in Scotland. Jamestown was a refreshing setting in that not many stories take place here – but it wasn’t the Jamestown that I expected or experienced upon visiting the historical site. When the book opens we are in 1661, so approximately 50 years after the Jamestown most of us think about with the starving settlers, Pocahontas and John Smith, and various interactions with the natives. It was nice to see this growing Jamestown – even if it was still a somewhat lawless land.
The time travel element was strong, but not so much in terms of people time traveling throughout the book. Alex, our heroine, previously traveled to this time and place from the present. So while she isn’t currently traveling you still have her dealing with outcomes, mindset, and trying to fit in with the ways of women in the 17th century. I think that the time travel element was probably more present in the first book.
While I struggled a little bit with the beginning – mostly due to not having read the first book – it was a quick read and quite enjoyable. The characters were entertaining, the plot moved right along, and I felt like the characters grew quite a bit throughout it. The main focus of the book really is the relationship between the characters.
This review was previously posted @ The Maiden's Court. Was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2013
When I accepted this book for review I had no idea it was a time travel novel. I happen to love time travel novels so it didn't bother me in the least - in fact it added a bit for me but for someone who doesn't care for them it might have come as a bit of a shock. I knew this was a second book in a series and I'd not had the opportunity to read the first so I went in a bit blind. All that being said, Like Chaff in the Wind read like a stand alone book for me. I did not feel any great loss at not having read the first book in the series. I do however, very much want to read the next volume - The Prodigal Son. I have the first, A Rip in the Veil on my Nexus and will hopefully find some of the spare time people are always talking about and get around to
reading it.
Matthew and Alex are happily married but there is one major problem in their life - Matthew's brother, Luke hates him with a blinding passion. Luke has Matthew kidnapped and sent to America as an indentured servant. Alex sets off to rescue him but runs into a series of delays so that she doesn't get to him for over a year. He is on death's door when she finally negotiates his "purchase" from his current bondholder with a payment she is loathe to make.
As they try to make their way back to Scotland the hatred of Matthew's former owner and overseer as well as the continued threats from his brother get in the way of their quick return. Alex left their son in the hands of Matthew's best friend and they are both anxious to see him again.
I really liked the characters in this book - well the likable ones anyway. The bad guys were really bad. Over the top bad to tell the truth and I didn't understand the motivation for that level of hate. How many times is this brother going to keep at this? Perhaps this is why I need to read the first book...
That being written I did thoroughly enjoy the novel. With any time travel book a reader has to completely suspend any level of belief and just go with the story. This was basically a good story to be along with for a truly engaging ride.
reading it.
Matthew and Alex are happily married but there is one major problem in their life - Matthew's brother, Luke hates him with a blinding passion. Luke has Matthew kidnapped and sent to America as an indentured servant. Alex sets off to rescue him but runs into a series of delays so that she doesn't get to him for over a year. He is on death's door when she finally negotiates his "purchase" from his current bondholder with a payment she is loathe to make.
As they try to make their way back to Scotland the hatred of Matthew's former owner and overseer as well as the continued threats from his brother get in the way of their quick return. Alex left their son in the hands of Matthew's best friend and they are both anxious to see him again.
I really liked the characters in this book - well the likable ones anyway. The bad guys were really bad. Over the top bad to tell the truth and I didn't understand the motivation for that level of hate. How many times is this brother going to keep at this? Perhaps this is why I need to read the first book...
That being written I did thoroughly enjoy the novel. With any time travel book a reader has to completely suspend any level of belief and just go with the story. This was basically a good story to be along with for a truly engaging ride.
January 9, 2020
Matthew Graham committed the mistake of his life when he cut off his brother's nose. In revenge, Luke Graham has Matthew abducted and transported to the colony of Virginia to be sold as indentured labour. Matthew arrives in Virginia in May 1661 and any hope he had of finding someone willing to listen to his story of unlawful abduction is quickly extinguished. If anything, Matthew's insistence that he is an innocent man leads him to being singled out for the heaviest tasks. Insufficient food, gruelling days and the humid heat combine to wear him down. With a sinking feeling, he realises no one has ever survived their seven years of service on the plantation Suffolk Rose. Fortunately for Matthew, he has a remarkable wife. Alex Graham has no intention of letting her husband suffer and die. So she sets off from Scotland on a perilous journey to bring her husband home. Alex is plagued by nightmares in which Matthew is reduced to a wheezing wreck by his tormentors. Sailing to Virginia, she prays for a miracle to carry her swiftly to his side. But fate has other plans, and what should have been a two month crossing turns into a year long adventure - from one side of the Atlantic to the other. Will Alex find Matthew in time? Will she be able to pay the price of setting him free? Like Chaff in the Wind continues on from The Rip in the Veil, taking Alex and Matthew's love story to a new continent.
September 30, 2013
3,5 stars
Alex Graham is settling in into the 17th century life with her husband Matthew. Their lives are shattered when Matthew is abducted by the orders of Mathew’s brother and sent to Virginia. Alex is determined to find her husband but it proves to be more difficult than she expected.
It was nice to see how well Alex has settled in into the 17th century and how she reacted to some situations with modern time mind. But I thought it was kind of weird that the people didn’t react more strongly when she acted “unwomanly” and had too modern view of things. Also, she tells Matthew quite freely about things that will happen in the future which I find weird.
Both Alex and Matthew are still likeable and while it was interesting to see them apart and how determined Alex was to save him, I like when they’re together more. And I hope we’ll see Mrs. Gordon again! She was a great character and I liked the relationship that grew between her and Alex. I don’t know how to feel about Alex’s feelings towards Isaac though. I get that he was result from a rape but I still feel it overly harsh that she doesn’t feel anything for the child itself.
It was great to see more about the people Alex left behind in the future and especially her father Magnus. But I wonder if we will see Mercedes at some point? Because if I remember correctly she’s not dead.
Alex Graham is settling in into the 17th century life with her husband Matthew. Their lives are shattered when Matthew is abducted by the orders of Mathew’s brother and sent to Virginia. Alex is determined to find her husband but it proves to be more difficult than she expected.
It was nice to see how well Alex has settled in into the 17th century and how she reacted to some situations with modern time mind. But I thought it was kind of weird that the people didn’t react more strongly when she acted “unwomanly” and had too modern view of things. Also, she tells Matthew quite freely about things that will happen in the future which I find weird.
Both Alex and Matthew are still likeable and while it was interesting to see them apart and how determined Alex was to save him, I like when they’re together more. And I hope we’ll see Mrs. Gordon again! She was a great character and I liked the relationship that grew between her and Alex. I don’t know how to feel about Alex’s feelings towards Isaac though. I get that he was result from a rape but I still feel it overly harsh that she doesn’t feel anything for the child itself.
It was great to see more about the people Alex left behind in the future and especially her father Magnus. But I wonder if we will see Mercedes at some point? Because if I remember correctly she’s not dead.
February 20, 2013
The life of an indentured servant, in 1661, was horrific, with men being worked to death because they were considered replaceable. This is a novel that goes back and forth in time, and I was at a bit of a disadvantage not having read the first one in this series. Wasn't familiar with the back stories of Matthew and Alex. This was a well written period piece, a romance and adventure story with some historical fiction thrown in. The book moved quickly, there was always some action going on, my only concern is at times there was almost too much happening, which strained this readers credulity. Will go back and read the first in the series to see what I was missing in this one.
May 30, 2013
Like Chaff in the Wind ..
.. was not what I expected – it turned out to be even better! The more or less unbelievable adventures of Matthew and Alex takes places in a completely different environment this time. But the story and the complexity of the human relationships is nothing but pure excitement -and nothing is predictable!
Once you start to read, it is impossible to stop!
After reading the first book in the Graham Saga, Rip in The Veil, I could not wait until I had this one in my hands! Now, I am just longing for The Prodigal Son and to see where the story will bring me then!
.. was not what I expected – it turned out to be even better! The more or less unbelievable adventures of Matthew and Alex takes places in a completely different environment this time. But the story and the complexity of the human relationships is nothing but pure excitement -and nothing is predictable!
Once you start to read, it is impossible to stop!
After reading the first book in the Graham Saga, Rip in The Veil, I could not wait until I had this one in my hands! Now, I am just longing for The Prodigal Son and to see where the story will bring me then!
January 10, 2014
I love Alex and Matthew and can't wait to start the next book and see where their story takes them next. In this episode, you'll hold your breath as Alex tries to get to Matthew before his almost-certain death. It's a race against the clock, and these poor kids are in a constant uphill struggle, and slow travel back in colonial days doesn't help a bit. Matthew's brother needs to die a slow, agonizing death.
August 3, 2014
The second book in The Graham Saga..........Like Chaff in the Wind by Anna Belfrage is a wonderful continuation of the story of Alexandra, Matthew and their family. Anna Belfrage writes with such great description that you feel you are right there watching the scenes unfold. The ships that takes them to America are so lifelike and Matthew and Alex's struggles are so well depicted.
I look forward now to book 3 of the saga and I can't wait to see what is ahead for all of them.
I look forward now to book 3 of the saga and I can't wait to see what is ahead for all of them.
September 14, 2013
I'm sticking with the series and I do think it's getting better as the characters round out a little bit. It's still Diana Gabaldon-lite tho - so many scenes and circumstances which are very similar, without the depth.
Basically - go read Outlander instead unless you just want a very light read in the same vein.
Basically - go read Outlander instead unless you just want a very light read in the same vein.
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