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Sky Watcher: Empty Shadows
Every year, Charlotte faithfully performs her Samhain ritual, anxiously awaiting her visit with Jessica. But Jessica has not appeared for the past eight years. What could possibly have happened to prevent her from being there?As a stormy night sets in, Charlotte’s friends arrive entangled in a web of theft and murder. When an old adversary resurfaces with plans of their own, the situation becomes more complicated, and secrets begin to unravel.In the aftermath, Charlotte and Ben establish the “Doctor’s House”, offering comfort to the ailing. An obscure summons leads them to a stranger being held in the gaol—his presence in the schoolhouse a mystery, the turpentine and striker in his possession leading to more questions. Who is this man? What secrets does he hold? And what does he seek from Charlotte?
449 pages, Paperback
Published February 23, 2024
28 people want to read
About the author
Heather Lynn
4 books78 followersHeather Lynn, born in Toronto, Ontario, lives with her family just north of the city. Her education in biology and health sciences has supported an ongoing interest in physiology and the potential of herbal healing. In addition, she has been intrigued by the possibility and impossibility of time travel since childhood. When she's not writing, Heather enjoys family time, working in her garden, and learning more about the 'power' of stones.
After publishing Sky Watcher: A Shadow in Time, Heather went on to publish the second book in the Sky Watcher Series, Déjà-Vu, followed by Between The Shadows (#3) and Empty Shadows (#4).
Book 5, the finale of the series and yet unnamed, is expected to be released mid-2026!
After publishing Sky Watcher: A Shadow in Time, Heather went on to publish the second book in the Sky Watcher Series, Déjà-Vu, followed by Between The Shadows (#3) and Empty Shadows (#4).
Book 5, the finale of the series and yet unnamed, is expected to be released mid-2026!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 6, 2024
This may be the best book in the series. There is a lot of time covered in this book. I was very keen to read it.
When you read a series you get to know the characters a bit and you have your favourites. My favourites haven't changed since book one (they have had storylines and life has changed for them which has changed them as people but I still have the same favourites and I don't often choose the lead. This one made the cut. There were some surprises in this book concerning some of them. I was sad about one in particular.
I am fascinated by the time travel element and the apothecary parts of this series. If nothing else learning about life in the 19th century makes me appreciate the 21st. Still really enjoying the series. Well done author on what must be lengthy research and for making me care about the characters which is why I keep turning the pages.
When you read a series you get to know the characters a bit and you have your favourites. My favourites haven't changed since book one (they have had storylines and life has changed for them which has changed them as people but I still have the same favourites and I don't often choose the lead. This one made the cut. There were some surprises in this book concerning some of them. I was sad about one in particular.
I am fascinated by the time travel element and the apothecary parts of this series. If nothing else learning about life in the 19th century makes me appreciate the 21st. Still really enjoying the series. Well done author on what must be lengthy research and for making me care about the characters which is why I keep turning the pages.
March 26, 2024
Sky Watcher
Empty Shadows,
by Heather Lynn
I highly recommend, Sky Watcher, Empty Shadows - a touching family saga of love, loss and the sad realities of the times. This is another beautifully woven historical fiction from Heather Lynn in the Sky Watcher fantasy series!
Heather Lynn does an excellent job developing the characters and setting within the story of the Williams family, extended family and their friends during the 1830s and beyond. There are a lot of characters and you’ll appreciate the “glossary of main characters” at the back of the book to help keep all the characters straight (if you’re like me and struggle with names).
The main character, Charlotte has matured from the young woman in the first book, Sky Watcher, A Shadow in Time. She is now the matriarch - a wife, mother and grandmother. She still has her herbal garden. It continues to flourish and grow with added varieties (thanks to a little help from her friends) that enhance her and Ben’s ability to medically treat the people in their community with the challenges of unknown conditions and addictions. She also has Wicca to keep her grounded and stay connected to her modern day friend, Jessica, in new ways.
Life is good, but it's always changing and evolving in this book - mysteries and discoveries, love and despair, fear and hope. Empty Shadows has many shifts and promises for the future - for good or for bad - some shifts will have to remain to be seen.
Empty Shadows is not a stand-alone book. Read the first three books in the Sky Watcher series, A Shadow in Time, Déjà Vu and Between the Shadow, to understand what is happening. It’s a series of books you won’t regret starting.
I can’t wait to read what is to come next in book five!
Empty Shadows,
by Heather Lynn
I highly recommend, Sky Watcher, Empty Shadows - a touching family saga of love, loss and the sad realities of the times. This is another beautifully woven historical fiction from Heather Lynn in the Sky Watcher fantasy series!
Heather Lynn does an excellent job developing the characters and setting within the story of the Williams family, extended family and their friends during the 1830s and beyond. There are a lot of characters and you’ll appreciate the “glossary of main characters” at the back of the book to help keep all the characters straight (if you’re like me and struggle with names).
The main character, Charlotte has matured from the young woman in the first book, Sky Watcher, A Shadow in Time. She is now the matriarch - a wife, mother and grandmother. She still has her herbal garden. It continues to flourish and grow with added varieties (thanks to a little help from her friends) that enhance her and Ben’s ability to medically treat the people in their community with the challenges of unknown conditions and addictions. She also has Wicca to keep her grounded and stay connected to her modern day friend, Jessica, in new ways.
Life is good, but it's always changing and evolving in this book - mysteries and discoveries, love and despair, fear and hope. Empty Shadows has many shifts and promises for the future - for good or for bad - some shifts will have to remain to be seen.
Empty Shadows is not a stand-alone book. Read the first three books in the Sky Watcher series, A Shadow in Time, Déjà Vu and Between the Shadow, to understand what is happening. It’s a series of books you won’t regret starting.
I can’t wait to read what is to come next in book five!
February 14, 2024
Firstly this book is not a standalone but you need to read the previous books of the series. It took me a while to read it not because it was boring; on the contrary it is this amazing story about Charlotte’s voyage in time. What is so special about it? It is a confrontation between two historical times, the modern time and the one set in the nineteenth century. Each and every chapter is magical. Charlotte’s rituals are enchanting, the story shows us how she was able to build her own family, her way of adjusting herself to a time that had so many different traits from her original life is admirable. She had a way of sharing her love among the community that is very touching. This book is for those who love their family and community. I don’t want to spoil any further but I think there is another surprise coming up in the next book 🤫
February 23, 2024
I just finished the latest in the Skywatcher series and Author Lynn can't write them fast enough! This book had me all over the place with my emotions and butterflies in my stomach when I finished! I highly recommend this series!
February 27, 2024
To truly unravel the intricate tapestry of this series, delve into the preceding three books, where characters evolve, relationships intertwine, and the fantasy world created by Heather comes alive. Begin with the first installment, savor the character development and rich world-building in the second and third books, and let the suspenseful journey culminate in "Empty Shadows." Each book intricately connects, offering readers a complete and immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling. A must-read series for those who crave a blend of mystery, fantasy, and character-driven narratives.
May 22, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Heather's first four books. She has a way of building both characters and storylines that bring you into the pages as a willing observer. The Skywatcher series has fallen into my lap at just the right time, finishing a gruelling online program that left me brain weary but ready for a little time travel fantasy. This series has done just that and has left me waiting for more. I can't wait for her next book and look forward to relaxing with a glass of wine for hours on end. I'm anxiously awaiting book #5! Well done Heather Lynn
February 23, 2024
Once again Heather Lynn has drawn us into Charlotte’s world. We enjoy the ups and downs of her world and find her characters dealing with life as they know it. There is the bittersweet reality of saying good bye to old friends and the joy of meeting new characters and how they interact with the family and the greater community. I enjoyed the ‘read’ and look forward to Book 5. As the series has progressed there is increased indication of her maturation as a story teller.
July 9, 2024
"Sky Watcher: Empty Shadows" by Heather Lynn is a captivating tale filled with mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements. The story follows Charlotte, who performs a yearly Samhain ritual, hoping for a visit from Jessica, who hasn't appeared for the past eight years. As a storm rages, Charlotte's friends arrive, embroiled in a web of theft and murder, complicated further by the reappearance of an old adversary and the unraveling of secrets.
Charlotte and Ben establish the “Doctor’s House,” a sanctuary for the ailing. Their tranquility is disrupted by an obscure summons to a mysterious stranger held in the gaol. The stranger’s presence and the turpentine and striker found with him lead to more questions about his identity and intentions.
Lynn masterfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of intrigue, the supernatural, and emotional depth. "Sky Watcher: Empty Shadows" is a must-read for those who enjoy complex characters and intricate plots, promising a richly detailed and immersive experience.
Charlotte and Ben establish the “Doctor’s House,” a sanctuary for the ailing. Their tranquility is disrupted by an obscure summons to a mysterious stranger held in the gaol. The stranger’s presence and the turpentine and striker found with him lead to more questions about his identity and intentions.
Lynn masterfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of intrigue, the supernatural, and emotional depth. "Sky Watcher: Empty Shadows" is a must-read for those who enjoy complex characters and intricate plots, promising a richly detailed and immersive experience.
February 14, 2024
Once again we're transported back to 1826 celebrating magic and time traveling.
This time story begins with Charlotte waiting for her best friend Jessica after her Samhain ritual. Later she arrives altering their usual time gap changing the course of action adding more mysteries.
The conflicts between time and life is an adventure and the author carried them effortlessly. The story wrestles with emotional twists as well as testing true bonds of family relationships and friendships.
It's difficult to summarize them without giving away the story.
I loved how author added layers to Sabel's character ( Charlotte 's daughter) giving her real life problems and her own emotional journey.
Eventhough it's a bit long I was able to pick up the story the next day without losing its rhythm. The secondary characters too were well developed and cautiously depicted without pushing the primary characters into the shadows.
Author Heather did an amazing job with her writing style.
This time story begins with Charlotte waiting for her best friend Jessica after her Samhain ritual. Later she arrives altering their usual time gap changing the course of action adding more mysteries.
The conflicts between time and life is an adventure and the author carried them effortlessly. The story wrestles with emotional twists as well as testing true bonds of family relationships and friendships.
It's difficult to summarize them without giving away the story.
I loved how author added layers to Sabel's character ( Charlotte 's daughter) giving her real life problems and her own emotional journey.
Eventhough it's a bit long I was able to pick up the story the next day without losing its rhythm. The secondary characters too were well developed and cautiously depicted without pushing the primary characters into the shadows.
Author Heather did an amazing job with her writing style.
February 29, 2024
I just finished Heather Lynn’s fourth book in the Sky Watcher series, Empty Shadows, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Beginning in the 1830’s, it follows the lives of Charlotte and Ben and dear friends Jessica and Michael, Gracie and Jimmy and Gifted Hands and Keen Wolf. The relationship that they and their families share is truly special and heartwarming.
In this edition, Charlotte and Ben are getting older and their children are growing up, finding their career paths and starting families. Heather Lynn is a great story teller and once you start reading, it’s hard to put her book down. The story flows quickly as the characters navigate love, loss, mysteries and adversity in a time that is very different than our own.
If you haven’t read any books in the Sky Watcher series yet, you should. They will take you on a journey that will touch your emotions, pique your curiosity, and leave you wanting to read more. Thank you, Heather Lynn, for another great book!
In this edition, Charlotte and Ben are getting older and their children are growing up, finding their career paths and starting families. Heather Lynn is a great story teller and once you start reading, it’s hard to put her book down. The story flows quickly as the characters navigate love, loss, mysteries and adversity in a time that is very different than our own.
If you haven’t read any books in the Sky Watcher series yet, you should. They will take you on a journey that will touch your emotions, pique your curiosity, and leave you wanting to read more. Thank you, Heather Lynn, for another great book!
March 11, 2024
What I love about this series is that it always feels like coming home to a group of friends and family. So many of the characters have become dear to me by now, and it's lovely to see them grow up, change, and come into their own.
As always, the time travel stuff tied my brain into knots but was very interesting, as were all the historical facts and the amazing attention to detail.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I was SO happy to see that Sabel and Running Otter got together because from the very beginning of the series, I'd been shipping Sky Watcher and Keen Wolf and been so unlucky.
Speaking of which: OMG THAT ENDING!!! Whether there's another book or not, it's just perfect and helped me deal with the sad losses that made me teary-eyed.
As always, the time travel stuff tied my brain into knots but was very interesting, as were all the historical facts and the amazing attention to detail.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I was SO happy to see that Sabel and Running Otter got together because from the very beginning of the series, I'd been shipping Sky Watcher and Keen Wolf and been so unlucky.
Speaking of which: OMG THAT ENDING!!! Whether there's another book or not, it's just perfect and helped me deal with the sad losses that made me teary-eyed.
January 14, 2025
Empty Shadows book 4 of this awesome series was as addictive as the first 3. I've said this before but once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. Every page was captivating as Charlotte, Ben, their children, and the children of the townsfolk grow older and evolve, the story itself is evolving and you know that with every turn of the page there is going to be something happening that can bring on an wide array of emotions. Have a box of tissues nearby and be ready to laugh outload all at the same time. An absolutely wonderfully written story. Highly recommended. Can't wait to find out how it all turns out.
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February 19, 2024
I have loved the journey back and forth through time with the characters from the Sky Watcher series. It is a fun read with some good unexpected twists and connections going between past and present events with more details unfolding as the story develops, which is something I really enjoy.
It is romantic and spicy at times and the overall series has a distinctly positive and uplifting tone despite the tragic circumstances that occur there is a strong sense that life goes on. I really enjoyed it !
It is romantic and spicy at times and the overall series has a distinctly positive and uplifting tone despite the tragic circumstances that occur there is a strong sense that life goes on. I really enjoyed it !
November 18, 2024
My absolute favourite part of the series is when you pick it up, you feel like you are catching up with old friends. A lot of time is covered in this book and WOW does alot happen! I am going through the motions with Charolette of life as such incredible life changes are happening within her family. Heather Lynn makes you feel as though you are living through it yourself.
Another great read & am patiently waiting for #5!!
Another great read & am patiently waiting for #5!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews