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When Secrets Bloom: A gripping, enchanting Transylvanian historical fiction novel: Some secrets heal. Others kill.
Transylvania, 1463. A land of fortress cities, whispered heresies, and shadows cast by Vlad Dracula (the man, not the vampire.)
Kate Webber, a 28-year-old Saxon healer, has always lived between reverence and suspicion. Her gift with herbs and midwifery makes her indispensable - and dangerous - in Kronstadt (today Brașov) , a medieval city where fear rules and women are silenced. Her marriage to the powerful, secretive Magyar promised safety, but instead bound her voice.
One bitter Advent night, Kate breaks her husband’s command and saves a dying mother and child. Her defiance sparks awe in some, fury in others. The jealous town physician seizes his chance to destroy her. Rumors flare. A mob gathers. And Kate’s only ally is Iancu - her childhood friend turned militia captain - whose return stirs memories of freedom, laughter and forbidden longing.
Elsewhere in the city, Moise, a Jewish apprentice at the printing press, witnesses a cloaked Shaman haunting the square. When a rare manuscript vanishes, Moise discovers a dangerous a book men will kill for. His search entwines his fate with Kate’s - until both stand accused in a city hungry for scapegoats.
On the day of execution, Kate chooses defiance again. She saves a child. Moise is framed. And in the shadows of fortress walls, a legacy map begins to reveal itself - a secret hidden not in books, but in the hearts of those who guard them.
Why readers love
When Secrets Bloom is more than historical fiction - it’s an immersive journey into 15th-century Transylvania, where Saxon, Szekler, Vlach, and Jewish lives intertwine under the looming memory of Vlad the Impaler. Through Kate’s eyes, readers experience a fortress city alive with market cries, guild rivalries, quiet women’s power, whispered fears of plague, and the brutal hand of the Church.
For fans of gripping feminist historical fiction, richly atmospheric novels, and stories set in medieval Transylvania, this book delivers both suspense and heart.
If you enjoyed The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche or Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth Delozier, you will be spellbound by When Secrets Bloom.
Secrets heal. Secrets kill. Which will you uncover?
Click Read Now and step into Kronstadt’s shadows.
Kate Webber, a 28-year-old Saxon healer, has always lived between reverence and suspicion. Her gift with herbs and midwifery makes her indispensable - and dangerous - in Kronstadt (today Brașov) , a medieval city where fear rules and women are silenced. Her marriage to the powerful, secretive Magyar promised safety, but instead bound her voice.
One bitter Advent night, Kate breaks her husband’s command and saves a dying mother and child. Her defiance sparks awe in some, fury in others. The jealous town physician seizes his chance to destroy her. Rumors flare. A mob gathers. And Kate’s only ally is Iancu - her childhood friend turned militia captain - whose return stirs memories of freedom, laughter and forbidden longing.
Elsewhere in the city, Moise, a Jewish apprentice at the printing press, witnesses a cloaked Shaman haunting the square. When a rare manuscript vanishes, Moise discovers a dangerous a book men will kill for. His search entwines his fate with Kate’s - until both stand accused in a city hungry for scapegoats.
On the day of execution, Kate chooses defiance again. She saves a child. Moise is framed. And in the shadows of fortress walls, a legacy map begins to reveal itself - a secret hidden not in books, but in the hearts of those who guard them.
Why readers love
When Secrets Bloom is more than historical fiction - it’s an immersive journey into 15th-century Transylvania, where Saxon, Szekler, Vlach, and Jewish lives intertwine under the looming memory of Vlad the Impaler. Through Kate’s eyes, readers experience a fortress city alive with market cries, guild rivalries, quiet women’s power, whispered fears of plague, and the brutal hand of the Church.
For fans of gripping feminist historical fiction, richly atmospheric novels, and stories set in medieval Transylvania, this book delivers both suspense and heart.
If you enjoyed The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche or Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth Delozier, you will be spellbound by When Secrets Bloom.
Secrets heal. Secrets kill. Which will you uncover?
Click Read Now and step into Kronstadt’s shadows.
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Published July 15, 2025
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About the author
Patricia Furstenberg
57 books134 followersWriter and poet Patricia Furstenberg authored 18 books to date. Standing out are: historical bestseller Joyful Trouble, page-turner Silent Heroes, history and folklore-inspired Transylvania’s History A to Z: 100 Word Stories and Dreamland, and beloved children’s literature The Cheetah and the Dog.
The recurrent motives in her writing are unconditional love and war, while Patricia’s keen interest for history and dogs brought her writing, through a perfect loop, to her native Romania, Patricia being the creator of #Im4Ro hashtag, sharing positive stories.
Patricia grew up in Bucharest and was brought up listening to the legends and folktales of Romania’s past. She came to writing through reading, her passion for books being something she inherited from her parents. Her writing career followed a sinuous road that passed through a Medical Degree, practicing medicine, extensive traveling, and it also produced a happy marriage and two children.
Patricia blogs extensively, had her National TV debut, her work was featured in Libertatea Newspaper in a heartwarming interview by Andreea Archip, was on the radio at Expat Life, and has articles & interviews published by Romania Insider, Books by Women, Huffington Post UK, Biz Community SA, Secret Attic, and Poetry Potion.
The recurrent motives in her writing are unconditional love and war, while Patricia’s keen interest for history and dogs brought her writing, through a perfect loop, to her native Romania, Patricia being the creator of #Im4Ro hashtag, sharing positive stories.
Patricia grew up in Bucharest and was brought up listening to the legends and folktales of Romania’s past. She came to writing through reading, her passion for books being something she inherited from her parents. Her writing career followed a sinuous road that passed through a Medical Degree, practicing medicine, extensive traveling, and it also produced a happy marriage and two children.
Patricia blogs extensively, had her National TV debut, her work was featured in Libertatea Newspaper in a heartwarming interview by Andreea Archip, was on the radio at Expat Life, and has articles & interviews published by Romania Insider, Books by Women, Huffington Post UK, Biz Community SA, Secret Attic, and Poetry Potion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 9, 2025
This book is steeped in history and myth, and clearly researched meticulously, not just for accuracy, but to capture the multitudes of threads running through the history of Transylvania, which has resulted in centuries of invasion, violence and magic.
At the heart of the story is Kate, who has experienced more than a young woman should of the violence men do, but whose tender healing skills brought life and comfort to those engaged in war. Unusually for the time, she was supported and guided by one of the most feared of warriors in history, Vlad the Impaler. Seeking her own respite from this barrage of death and destruction she returns to her family home, entering into a marriage which effectively chains her to not just her husband, but the expectations and scrutiny of those around her.
But the soul of this healer cannot stand idly by and witness the plight of those poor townsfolk mistreated by life and the men in power, including the physicians and their placebos and dangerous practices. Despite knowing it would cast the evil eye upon her, she persists, little knowing she is playing into the hands of those determined to take what is hers by right.
She carries the secrets of her past and the love she once knew and lost, and as the net closes around her, she experiences the devastation of apparent betrayal from not just those close to her, but by the very people she has worked to protect. Who can she trust? Even Iancu from her past and now returned as a militia officer. Which side of the growing force against her will he take?
In a parallel story we meet Moise, who is one of the many marginalised peoples in this multi-cultural environment. He has found sanctuary at the printing press owned and operated by a matriarch, whose skill and secrets will precipitate a dangerous path for this young boy, forcing him into acknowledging his need to thwart the evil building in intensity around him. His path begins to cross that of Kate’s as more secrets are revealed and those responsible are identified.
The language of the prose is lyrical and the reader is drawn into the 15th-century by its flow and vocabulary of the time. It is descriptive and you almost feel the damp of the swirling mists and the danger lurking in the narrow dark lanes of the town, where the characters play out the drama in their lives as it unfolds. The evil exhibited by the men in power is both tangible and magnified by the mythical presence of the Shaman, whose touch can change the hearts of the most loyal of friends in a moment.
The main characters are supported by a cast of well-drawn bit players who all have an important role in the revelations of secrets and plots being hatched in secret to combat, not just the fate of Kate, but of the town and those who hold the power and the wealth. Each one deserves to be recognised for the part they play in the story.
This is a book to savour, and absorb. It is rich in history, legend, loyalty and love. We are left with a sense of hope, but also questions as to what comes next, and the author assures us the next book is on its way. I am looking forward to reading the sequel and can highly recommend you begin your journey with When Secrets Bloom.
At the heart of the story is Kate, who has experienced more than a young woman should of the violence men do, but whose tender healing skills brought life and comfort to those engaged in war. Unusually for the time, she was supported and guided by one of the most feared of warriors in history, Vlad the Impaler. Seeking her own respite from this barrage of death and destruction she returns to her family home, entering into a marriage which effectively chains her to not just her husband, but the expectations and scrutiny of those around her.
But the soul of this healer cannot stand idly by and witness the plight of those poor townsfolk mistreated by life and the men in power, including the physicians and their placebos and dangerous practices. Despite knowing it would cast the evil eye upon her, she persists, little knowing she is playing into the hands of those determined to take what is hers by right.
She carries the secrets of her past and the love she once knew and lost, and as the net closes around her, she experiences the devastation of apparent betrayal from not just those close to her, but by the very people she has worked to protect. Who can she trust? Even Iancu from her past and now returned as a militia officer. Which side of the growing force against her will he take?
In a parallel story we meet Moise, who is one of the many marginalised peoples in this multi-cultural environment. He has found sanctuary at the printing press owned and operated by a matriarch, whose skill and secrets will precipitate a dangerous path for this young boy, forcing him into acknowledging his need to thwart the evil building in intensity around him. His path begins to cross that of Kate’s as more secrets are revealed and those responsible are identified.
The language of the prose is lyrical and the reader is drawn into the 15th-century by its flow and vocabulary of the time. It is descriptive and you almost feel the damp of the swirling mists and the danger lurking in the narrow dark lanes of the town, where the characters play out the drama in their lives as it unfolds. The evil exhibited by the men in power is both tangible and magnified by the mythical presence of the Shaman, whose touch can change the hearts of the most loyal of friends in a moment.
The main characters are supported by a cast of well-drawn bit players who all have an important role in the revelations of secrets and plots being hatched in secret to combat, not just the fate of Kate, but of the town and those who hold the power and the wealth. Each one deserves to be recognised for the part they play in the story.
This is a book to savour, and absorb. It is rich in history, legend, loyalty and love. We are left with a sense of hope, but also questions as to what comes next, and the author assures us the next book is on its way. I am looking forward to reading the sequel and can highly recommend you begin your journey with When Secrets Bloom.
November 12, 2025
You might think, when first reading, that the plot of When Secrets Bloom was the old story told so many times before; that of a woman acting outside the role which patriarchal society had decreed for her. Stay quiet, obey your father, marry the man of his choice, stay quiet, do his bidding, bear his children, manage his household; and Saxon Kate is one of those women doing what she’s not permitted to, so you’d be correct. Her gifts in healing and aiding births means she’s both valued and feared, in the superstitious society of Transylvania of the mid-fifteenth century. Her success rate exceeding that of both the physician and the midwife has aroused their jealousy, which puts her in peril. Her marriage to the powerful Szekler Magyar, however, has rendered her almost untouchable by their malice, but at the cost of obeying his orders to keep indoors and cease practising healing.
We don’t get the impression that it was a love match, as when we meet Kate at the start of the story she’s engaged on a night-time mission to assist a difficult birth, in direct disobedience of Magyar’s orders—and when officer of the militia the Vlach Iancu turns up it’s clear that he and Kate have a history, and deeper feelings for each other than those of Kate for her husband. Whatever the case, Kate saves both mother and child and sets off home, escorted by Iancu, so all’s well; or is it? Inflamed by stories of witchcraft from the physician, those flames fanned by further calumny from the midwife, Kate’s arrested and taken to the pond to be put to the test for a witch—and her husband is strangely absent throughout.
At this point the story takes an unexpected turn. We’ve gathered, so far, that Kronstadt is a city with a complicated social situation. It’s a multicultural mix, of Szekler, Saxon, Vlach and Hebrew, who coexist uneasily under the shadow of the Church and the threat of Vlad the Impaler, a man who encouraged Kate’s skills, her mentor when as she trained with his forces. Moise, a Jewish printer, becomes embroiled against his wishes in a plot involving a book, shrouded in mystery, which is coveted by many, including the powerful Magistrate, Magyar and the sinister Shaman. His life in danger after he’s framed for a murder, Moise is forced to flee, aided by Iancu—as did Kate, with assistance she was unaware of from Gertrud, the Physician’s wife, working in the shadows. Their paths seem destined to cross, but for that we must wait for the next book in the series.
It's a well-constructed story, with convincing and compelling characters who interact in the present whilst influenced by their pasts, against the background of a medieval city pervaded by racial and religious tensions: a place where the impulse to trust is undercut by superstition and where it’s not safe to walk after dark for fear of a literal stab in the dark which could mean a savage and sudden end. Author Patricia Furstenberg captures the atmosphere of the place in haunting detail. We can almost see torches casting both light and shadow on the narrow streets in which death stalks the unwary wayfarer. The research is meticulous, and it’s clear the material with which the author deals is well-known to her; and as it may not be quite so familiar to the readers there’s a section of Historical Notes appended at the end, together with a bibliography of further reading for those who may wish to get better-acquainted and immerse themselves further within the richly-painted landscape of the piece. The hard work which has gone into When Secrets Bloom is clear to see, and I’m sure the volume which follows will be equally as well-executed. Recommended.
We don’t get the impression that it was a love match, as when we meet Kate at the start of the story she’s engaged on a night-time mission to assist a difficult birth, in direct disobedience of Magyar’s orders—and when officer of the militia the Vlach Iancu turns up it’s clear that he and Kate have a history, and deeper feelings for each other than those of Kate for her husband. Whatever the case, Kate saves both mother and child and sets off home, escorted by Iancu, so all’s well; or is it? Inflamed by stories of witchcraft from the physician, those flames fanned by further calumny from the midwife, Kate’s arrested and taken to the pond to be put to the test for a witch—and her husband is strangely absent throughout.
At this point the story takes an unexpected turn. We’ve gathered, so far, that Kronstadt is a city with a complicated social situation. It’s a multicultural mix, of Szekler, Saxon, Vlach and Hebrew, who coexist uneasily under the shadow of the Church and the threat of Vlad the Impaler, a man who encouraged Kate’s skills, her mentor when as she trained with his forces. Moise, a Jewish printer, becomes embroiled against his wishes in a plot involving a book, shrouded in mystery, which is coveted by many, including the powerful Magistrate, Magyar and the sinister Shaman. His life in danger after he’s framed for a murder, Moise is forced to flee, aided by Iancu—as did Kate, with assistance she was unaware of from Gertrud, the Physician’s wife, working in the shadows. Their paths seem destined to cross, but for that we must wait for the next book in the series.
It's a well-constructed story, with convincing and compelling characters who interact in the present whilst influenced by their pasts, against the background of a medieval city pervaded by racial and religious tensions: a place where the impulse to trust is undercut by superstition and where it’s not safe to walk after dark for fear of a literal stab in the dark which could mean a savage and sudden end. Author Patricia Furstenberg captures the atmosphere of the place in haunting detail. We can almost see torches casting both light and shadow on the narrow streets in which death stalks the unwary wayfarer. The research is meticulous, and it’s clear the material with which the author deals is well-known to her; and as it may not be quite so familiar to the readers there’s a section of Historical Notes appended at the end, together with a bibliography of further reading for those who may wish to get better-acquainted and immerse themselves further within the richly-painted landscape of the piece. The hard work which has gone into When Secrets Bloom is clear to see, and I’m sure the volume which follows will be equally as well-executed. Recommended.
July 29, 2025
This work of literary fiction is intricately crafted, a spider’s web of delicate strands that slowly intertwine as the story unfolds. In 15th-century Transylvania, superstitions abound, ethnic hierarchies create tension, war with the Ottomans is an ever-present dark cloud, and Vlad of Wallachia has yet to become Vlad the Impaler. And, naturally, there’s greed, deception, and murder.
The story follows two characters, Kate and Moise, and though their tale is interconnected, they never actually meet. The book starts with Kate’s story. She’s a successful healer with inherited wealth, and those qualities raise the hackles of Kronstadt’s powerful men. How better to remove her than to accuse her of witchery? Within her story are regrets about a lost love. Also, memories of working as a healer during the war at Vlad’s side, a sympathetic character for whom she feels a great deal of fondness.
Moise is a Jewish man who works in a print shop and is determined to find a stolen book, a mesmerizing tome with a hidden compartment that once held a treasure map. He’s not the only one who knows the book’s secret, and there are men who will murder to obtain it. Within Moise’s story, there is also a search for love, and shadowy memories of Vlad when he was a young soldier and visited the print shop about a secret book.
The descriptions of books in this tale are magical:
“Books, child, are not to be swallowed whole like broth on a feasting day. Lo. They are to be tasted, questioned, turned upon the tongue of the mind. When you open one, do not ask only what it says, but what it dares to mean.”
Furstenberg’s sentences flow, and her use of language is captivating. I noticed early on that this book is very light on physical descriptions, instead focusing on the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and memories. It’s one of the more “internal” reads I’ve encountered. The lack of grounding in descriptions gave the story a creepy/shadowy sense of darkness.
The story unfolds at a moderate pace, and it ends with only a few loose ends tied up. In the afterword, the author shares that there is another installment in the works. The end matter also includes historical data and a list of references for further reading. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy historical novels, tales full of secrets, and literary fiction.
The story follows two characters, Kate and Moise, and though their tale is interconnected, they never actually meet. The book starts with Kate’s story. She’s a successful healer with inherited wealth, and those qualities raise the hackles of Kronstadt’s powerful men. How better to remove her than to accuse her of witchery? Within her story are regrets about a lost love. Also, memories of working as a healer during the war at Vlad’s side, a sympathetic character for whom she feels a great deal of fondness.
Moise is a Jewish man who works in a print shop and is determined to find a stolen book, a mesmerizing tome with a hidden compartment that once held a treasure map. He’s not the only one who knows the book’s secret, and there are men who will murder to obtain it. Within Moise’s story, there is also a search for love, and shadowy memories of Vlad when he was a young soldier and visited the print shop about a secret book.
The descriptions of books in this tale are magical:
“Books, child, are not to be swallowed whole like broth on a feasting day. Lo. They are to be tasted, questioned, turned upon the tongue of the mind. When you open one, do not ask only what it says, but what it dares to mean.”
Furstenberg’s sentences flow, and her use of language is captivating. I noticed early on that this book is very light on physical descriptions, instead focusing on the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and memories. It’s one of the more “internal” reads I’ve encountered. The lack of grounding in descriptions gave the story a creepy/shadowy sense of darkness.
The story unfolds at a moderate pace, and it ends with only a few loose ends tied up. In the afterword, the author shares that there is another installment in the works. The end matter also includes historical data and a list of references for further reading. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy historical novels, tales full of secrets, and literary fiction.
September 19, 2025
“When Secrets Bloom” is a beautifully written historical fiction set in 1463 Transylvania. It follows two characters that I couldn’t help but root for, Kate the healer and Moise the printer’s apprentice. Kate is in a loveless marriage that has allowed her to keep her family home. She spends her time putting herbs together and healing the locals. The town physician isn’t happy with her results over his. Moise buries himself in books and his job until he feels responsible for what he believes to be a curse on one of his friends. Both are great characters with different paths, yet they share the same town. Poetic writing balanced the author’s attention to detail and knowledge of this history. But it was the story and the well-being of Kate and Moise that kept me reading late into the night. There were several twists, and although some things were resolved, I want to know what happens next. I look forward to the next book in the series and can easily recommend this.
October 27, 2025
A historical fantasy based in 15th century Transylvania, this was a mesmerizing story of cultural divides, elitism, and heroic endeavors.
Kate, a healer and midwife, who was once "imprisoned" by Lord Vlad Dracula, faces challenges from being a woman, being able to heal and using her healing ability which takes coin out of the male doctors pockets.
Iancu, Kate childhood love who due to being in the military has built up a wall to remain strong; although Kate still has the ability to break that wall down.
Moise, a Jewish printer, that is led to follow a prophecy and a possible treasure map.
All of these characters intertwine is the lyrically written history. I was especially fond of the character, Kate. She was strong and independent and stood for what she believed in during a time when all of her endeavors pointed her out as a "witch".
There is a book 2 coming out so there is not full closure to this story. Looking forward to the conclusion.
Kate, a healer and midwife, who was once "imprisoned" by Lord Vlad Dracula, faces challenges from being a woman, being able to heal and using her healing ability which takes coin out of the male doctors pockets.
Iancu, Kate childhood love who due to being in the military has built up a wall to remain strong; although Kate still has the ability to break that wall down.
Moise, a Jewish printer, that is led to follow a prophecy and a possible treasure map.
All of these characters intertwine is the lyrically written history. I was especially fond of the character, Kate. She was strong and independent and stood for what she believed in during a time when all of her endeavors pointed her out as a "witch".
There is a book 2 coming out so there is not full closure to this story. Looking forward to the conclusion.
August 7, 2025
Step back into 1400s Transylvania with “When Secrets Bloom” by Patricia Furstenberg—a poetic tale of healing, suspicion, and the timeless strength of feminine wisdom.
“When Secrets Bloom” is a compelling work of historical fiction. Set in 15th-century Transylvania, it follows Kate, a skilled healer whose rare abilities command both respect and fear. The novel thoughtfully examines the tensions between patriarchal structures, traditional authority, and the enduring wisdom of women in healing arts. Furstenberg’s prose is both elegant and evocative, with particularly poetic descriptions throughout.
I highly recommend this novel to any that love beautifully written historical fiction.
“When Secrets Bloom” is a compelling work of historical fiction. Set in 15th-century Transylvania, it follows Kate, a skilled healer whose rare abilities command both respect and fear. The novel thoughtfully examines the tensions between patriarchal structures, traditional authority, and the enduring wisdom of women in healing arts. Furstenberg’s prose is both elegant and evocative, with particularly poetic descriptions throughout.
I highly recommend this novel to any that love beautifully written historical fiction.
August 25, 2025
This was a very interesting book. It reminded me a bit of a Bronte or Austen novel, only with an added flavor of medieval medicine and feminism. And, of course, instead of the English countryside, we get a fabulous Transylvanian setting. I think there's a lot of Bronte/Austen readers who would really get into this. And since it seems to be just the first in a series of books, there's lots to look forward to.
August 28, 2025
WHEN SECRETS BLOOM by Patricia Furtenberg
Set in Transylvania in the 1400s, this story is a lovely blend of history and mysticism. The research that went into writing this book shines throughout this fictional tale of a woman who fought by the side of Vlad Dracula while caring for the wounded.
Kate Webber, now no longer fights at Vlad sides, but practices healing in Kronstadt, where the jealous and mean-spirited turn against her. Moise, a Jew apprenticing at a print shop, has encountered problems of his own, and now Kate and Moise both find themselves in danger.
Using a delicate, almost poetic, writing style, the author delivers a solid story. A must read for those who love medieval historical fiction and a strong female protagonist.
Set in Transylvania in the 1400s, this story is a lovely blend of history and mysticism. The research that went into writing this book shines throughout this fictional tale of a woman who fought by the side of Vlad Dracula while caring for the wounded.
Kate Webber, now no longer fights at Vlad sides, but practices healing in Kronstadt, where the jealous and mean-spirited turn against her. Moise, a Jew apprenticing at a print shop, has encountered problems of his own, and now Kate and Moise both find themselves in danger.
Using a delicate, almost poetic, writing style, the author delivers a solid story. A must read for those who love medieval historical fiction and a strong female protagonist.
September 2, 2025
**1463, Kronstadt, Transylvania—**a time steeped in shadow, where darkness reigns and flickers of light fight to endure. Amid the turmoil, healers, printers, and militia men rise, each driven by a cause greater than themselves.
Kate, a gifted healer, answers the call of the suffering. Since her release from captivity under Vlad the Impaler, she’s earned a reputation in Kronstadt—but was she truly his prisoner? Or were their fates entwined by something deeper, more enigmatic?
Iancu, towering and stoic, bears secrets as weighty as his frame. The military has carved him into stone, but not erased him. Beneath the scars and silence, the boy who once played beside Kate still lingers.
Moise, a Jewish printer in a world that barely tolerates his existence, is guided by prophecy. His mission: to reclaim what was stolen and ensure destiny unfolds as foretold.
These are but a few of the unforgettable souls awaiting you in When Secrets Bloom. Prepare to be swept into fifteenth-century Romania—a land of mysticism, peril, and passion. But tread carefully: death and devilry lurk behind every corner.
Kate, a gifted healer, answers the call of the suffering. Since her release from captivity under Vlad the Impaler, she’s earned a reputation in Kronstadt—but was she truly his prisoner? Or were their fates entwined by something deeper, more enigmatic?
Iancu, towering and stoic, bears secrets as weighty as his frame. The military has carved him into stone, but not erased him. Beneath the scars and silence, the boy who once played beside Kate still lingers.
Moise, a Jewish printer in a world that barely tolerates his existence, is guided by prophecy. His mission: to reclaim what was stolen and ensure destiny unfolds as foretold.
These are but a few of the unforgettable souls awaiting you in When Secrets Bloom. Prepare to be swept into fifteenth-century Romania—a land of mysticism, peril, and passion. But tread carefully: death and devilry lurk behind every corner.
October 9, 2025
A great book.
This was a very unique and interesting book. I enjoyed reading about the history of Transylvania, Hungary, other countries and the different races in this area. The story also told about how superstitions or false beliefs ran throughout the cultures. The story also told about the hatred and evil use of power by the higher classes against the lower classes or races. The book does need further editing of sentence structures. And I thought that too many details about the thoughts and emotions of some of the characters was given, as it became tedious reading after awhile. But, otherwise it was a great book.
This was a very unique and interesting book. I enjoyed reading about the history of Transylvania, Hungary, other countries and the different races in this area. The story also told about how superstitions or false beliefs ran throughout the cultures. The story also told about the hatred and evil use of power by the higher classes against the lower classes or races. The book does need further editing of sentence structures. And I thought that too many details about the thoughts and emotions of some of the characters was given, as it became tedious reading after awhile. But, otherwise it was a great book.
November 23, 2025
This book contains a dramatic plot embedded in the medieval history of Transylvania, a part of the world not often represented in English language fiction, apart from a misguided association with vampires. Nothing of the sort appears in this book; any horrors it describes are all too human.
In fact there are two stories that occur concurrently, although their protagonists never meet. Kate the healer is accused of witchcraft, and Moise the printer's apprentice searches for a stolen book. Their predicaments are interwoven, although the details do not emerge until close to the end.
The narrative is like a long series of snapshot-like scenes. It zooms deep into characters' minds, and then out into historical perspectives or descriptions of streets, markets, and interiors of homes and the printer's establishment. It took me a while to get used to this narrative style; some scenes are interrupted by a character's memories, creating flashbacks within flashbacks. Eventually, I grasped the crucial plot elements and became enmeshed in the characters' predicaments and their potential outcomes.
The book is outstanding for the way it weaves the fictional characters' stories with historical events and people. Reading it feels like being transported back in time to 15th century Kronstadt (present day Brașov, Romania). Dark nights with only lamps and candles for illumination, smells of smoke, beer, herbs, and books, the clatter of feet on cobbled streets, and a feeling of perpetual danger made it an intense reading experience. References to superstitions and the customs of different ethnic and religious groups enriched it as well.
Interpersonal relationships of all kinds are vividly presented in each scene. One I particularly appreciated was when Moise goes to his sister's home for solace. While being welcomed and cared for he realizes that women are expected to give endlessly of themselves at the expense of their own health. Indeed, Moise's story is in part a coming of age, specifically with regard to the differences between the lives of men and women.
Another noteworthy aspect of the book is its use of language, poetic and metaphorical. Even though it slows the pace, it produces sentences like this description of Kate the healer: "She had been hope in a bottle, strength in a poultice, God's own grace bundled in linen and smoke." This is only one example; the book overflows with such gems. That said, I could not help but notice many small grammatical errors, like little biting bugs distracting me from the story. I was also sometimes puzzled as to the time of year, because there were references to both Advent (which happens in winter) and Lent (which is in spring).
To conclude, I highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate beautifully written dramatic stories in richly imagined historical settings. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
In fact there are two stories that occur concurrently, although their protagonists never meet. Kate the healer is accused of witchcraft, and Moise the printer's apprentice searches for a stolen book. Their predicaments are interwoven, although the details do not emerge until close to the end.
The narrative is like a long series of snapshot-like scenes. It zooms deep into characters' minds, and then out into historical perspectives or descriptions of streets, markets, and interiors of homes and the printer's establishment. It took me a while to get used to this narrative style; some scenes are interrupted by a character's memories, creating flashbacks within flashbacks. Eventually, I grasped the crucial plot elements and became enmeshed in the characters' predicaments and their potential outcomes.
The book is outstanding for the way it weaves the fictional characters' stories with historical events and people. Reading it feels like being transported back in time to 15th century Kronstadt (present day Brașov, Romania). Dark nights with only lamps and candles for illumination, smells of smoke, beer, herbs, and books, the clatter of feet on cobbled streets, and a feeling of perpetual danger made it an intense reading experience. References to superstitions and the customs of different ethnic and religious groups enriched it as well.
Interpersonal relationships of all kinds are vividly presented in each scene. One I particularly appreciated was when Moise goes to his sister's home for solace. While being welcomed and cared for he realizes that women are expected to give endlessly of themselves at the expense of their own health. Indeed, Moise's story is in part a coming of age, specifically with regard to the differences between the lives of men and women.
Another noteworthy aspect of the book is its use of language, poetic and metaphorical. Even though it slows the pace, it produces sentences like this description of Kate the healer: "She had been hope in a bottle, strength in a poultice, God's own grace bundled in linen and smoke." This is only one example; the book overflows with such gems. That said, I could not help but notice many small grammatical errors, like little biting bugs distracting me from the story. I was also sometimes puzzled as to the time of year, because there were references to both Advent (which happens in winter) and Lent (which is in spring).
To conclude, I highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate beautifully written dramatic stories in richly imagined historical settings. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
November 24, 2025
A richly woven, quietly incendiary novel that treats history not as backdrop but as pressure.
Patricia Furstenberg’s When Secrets Bloom enters 1463 Transylvania with the confidence of a writer who knows the terrain—political, cultural, spiritual—and refuses to romanticize any of it. The novel’s power comes from its precision: not sweeping battles or gothic theatrics, but the daily frictions of a woman whose skill makes her valuable and whose gender makes her dangerous.
Kate Webber, a Saxon healer trained under Vlad Dracula, is the novel’s anchor. Furstenberg renders her with the kind of clarity historical fiction rarely grants its women. Kate isn’t a proto-feminist superhero; she’s a working healer navigating a city where male authority is both brittle and brutal, and where each choice she makes—professional or personal—carries consequences inside a system designed to crush outliers. Her defiance during a perilous Advent birth sets the book’s trajectory. It’s not heroism; it’s duty mixed with conscience, which in this world is subversive enough.
The novel is at its sharpest in the way it handles “the secret.” Every major character carries one—Magyar’s dealings in the shadows, Iancu’s unresolved loyalties, Moise’s pursuit of a forbidden manuscript, Kate’s double-life between her marriage and her vocation. But Furstenberg never reduces these secrets to plot twists. They are social currency, survival strategy, and often the only form of power accessible to those outside the city’s ruling councils.
Moise, the Jewish apprentice at the printing press, becomes the book’s moral accelerant. His storyline introduces the tension between knowledge and danger: manuscripts can liberate or condemn, depending on who holds them. His arc intersects with Kate’s not through forced plotting but through a shared, lived vulnerability—two people who know the cost of being watched.
The setting—Kronstadt in the shadow of Vlad’s legacy—is rendered with enviable restraint. Furstenberg avoids mythologizing him; he is memory, rumor, specter, not a character on stage. That choice gives the book a grounded unease: history’s violence still bleeds into the present, even when no one names it outright.
When the mob rises, when accusations flare, when the Church’s weight bears down, the novel reveals its true shape: a study of how fragile and ferocious a woman’s autonomy can be in a world calibrated to punish her for competence. The book’s climactic sequence—Kate choosing humanity over safety while Moise is framed for heresy he never intended—lands with the force of tragic inevitability.
Furstenberg delivers a novel that feels lived-in, researched without pedantry, and emotionally exacting. A historical tale that doesn’t prettify the past, but listens to the people trapped inside it. A dark, humane, and beautifully textured achievement.
Patricia Furstenberg’s When Secrets Bloom enters 1463 Transylvania with the confidence of a writer who knows the terrain—political, cultural, spiritual—and refuses to romanticize any of it. The novel’s power comes from its precision: not sweeping battles or gothic theatrics, but the daily frictions of a woman whose skill makes her valuable and whose gender makes her dangerous.
Kate Webber, a Saxon healer trained under Vlad Dracula, is the novel’s anchor. Furstenberg renders her with the kind of clarity historical fiction rarely grants its women. Kate isn’t a proto-feminist superhero; she’s a working healer navigating a city where male authority is both brittle and brutal, and where each choice she makes—professional or personal—carries consequences inside a system designed to crush outliers. Her defiance during a perilous Advent birth sets the book’s trajectory. It’s not heroism; it’s duty mixed with conscience, which in this world is subversive enough.
The novel is at its sharpest in the way it handles “the secret.” Every major character carries one—Magyar’s dealings in the shadows, Iancu’s unresolved loyalties, Moise’s pursuit of a forbidden manuscript, Kate’s double-life between her marriage and her vocation. But Furstenberg never reduces these secrets to plot twists. They are social currency, survival strategy, and often the only form of power accessible to those outside the city’s ruling councils.
Moise, the Jewish apprentice at the printing press, becomes the book’s moral accelerant. His storyline introduces the tension between knowledge and danger: manuscripts can liberate or condemn, depending on who holds them. His arc intersects with Kate’s not through forced plotting but through a shared, lived vulnerability—two people who know the cost of being watched.
The setting—Kronstadt in the shadow of Vlad’s legacy—is rendered with enviable restraint. Furstenberg avoids mythologizing him; he is memory, rumor, specter, not a character on stage. That choice gives the book a grounded unease: history’s violence still bleeds into the present, even when no one names it outright.
When the mob rises, when accusations flare, when the Church’s weight bears down, the novel reveals its true shape: a study of how fragile and ferocious a woman’s autonomy can be in a world calibrated to punish her for competence. The book’s climactic sequence—Kate choosing humanity over safety while Moise is framed for heresy he never intended—lands with the force of tragic inevitability.
Furstenberg delivers a novel that feels lived-in, researched without pedantry, and emotionally exacting. A historical tale that doesn’t prettify the past, but listens to the people trapped inside it. A dark, humane, and beautifully textured achievement.
August 17, 2025
“[T]he door knock found me working in the barn. My barn. Sagging, half-swallowed by thistle and snow, but mine. Inside, a familiar scent of thyme and lavender clung to the air. The rhythmic hum of mortar against stone, the soft hiss of boiling suet, the slow drip-drip of tinctures into glass — all muffled the north wind's cry. In this space, I remembered who I was. What I could do.”
Thus begins Patricia Furstenberg’s novel set in 15th-century Transylvania, a part of Europe which will – in all likelihood – forever be associated in the minds of Western readers with Dracula and other creatures of forested darkness.
What follows is a tale of adventure, duty, betrayal, superstition, shifting alliances, the lust for power and riches – and a legendary treasure map, which may or may not exist. Caught in the maw of history are Kate the healer, Moise the “vulnerable and worn” Jewish printer, and the Militia Captain Iancu “[whose] shoulders had always been a wall blocking the worst of the world’s winds”. They face a powerful alliance of pitiless patriarchy – the Physician, the Magistrate, Kate’s embittered and desperate husband Magyar, and (perhaps most dangerous) the enigmatic Shaman. The distant but breathing presence of the army commander who will in due course earn the title ‘Vlad the Impaler’ hovers over the proceedings like a spectre of ill-omen. Magic and reality mingle like mist and air:
“The stories that shaped our world are not tales, but facts. We must face them, no matter how terrifying they seem in their act. Do not fear the past, but learn from it, for it is the key to understanding present and future alike. For wisdom often lies where shadows sit.”
This is a big book and an ambitious one, deeply layered and meticulously researched (historical notes and further reading suggestions are included). It is rich in metaphor, some of which echo our own uncertain and perilous times. And there is some gorgeous prose, for instance: “Iancu… gathered the rags of silence and stitched together the truth.”
I heartily commend ‘When Secrets Bloom’ to any reader who enjoys the mixing of history and fantasy, and who appreciates an atmospheric story well-told. I feel that I should mention, however, that the various story-threads remain unresolved at the end of the book, and we will have to wait until the successor novel (already in the works) is published to see what fates befall the various players. I am confident, however, that it will be worth the wait.
Summary: a rattling good read – and you’ll learn something of the period and the various cultures and groupings of Transylvania along the way.
Thus begins Patricia Furstenberg’s novel set in 15th-century Transylvania, a part of Europe which will – in all likelihood – forever be associated in the minds of Western readers with Dracula and other creatures of forested darkness.
What follows is a tale of adventure, duty, betrayal, superstition, shifting alliances, the lust for power and riches – and a legendary treasure map, which may or may not exist. Caught in the maw of history are Kate the healer, Moise the “vulnerable and worn” Jewish printer, and the Militia Captain Iancu “[whose] shoulders had always been a wall blocking the worst of the world’s winds”. They face a powerful alliance of pitiless patriarchy – the Physician, the Magistrate, Kate’s embittered and desperate husband Magyar, and (perhaps most dangerous) the enigmatic Shaman. The distant but breathing presence of the army commander who will in due course earn the title ‘Vlad the Impaler’ hovers over the proceedings like a spectre of ill-omen. Magic and reality mingle like mist and air:
“The stories that shaped our world are not tales, but facts. We must face them, no matter how terrifying they seem in their act. Do not fear the past, but learn from it, for it is the key to understanding present and future alike. For wisdom often lies where shadows sit.”
This is a big book and an ambitious one, deeply layered and meticulously researched (historical notes and further reading suggestions are included). It is rich in metaphor, some of which echo our own uncertain and perilous times. And there is some gorgeous prose, for instance: “Iancu… gathered the rags of silence and stitched together the truth.”
I heartily commend ‘When Secrets Bloom’ to any reader who enjoys the mixing of history and fantasy, and who appreciates an atmospheric story well-told. I feel that I should mention, however, that the various story-threads remain unresolved at the end of the book, and we will have to wait until the successor novel (already in the works) is published to see what fates befall the various players. I am confident, however, that it will be worth the wait.
Summary: a rattling good read – and you’ll learn something of the period and the various cultures and groupings of Transylvania along the way.
August 29, 2025
Patricia Furstenberg uses her extensive knowledge of the tumultuous history, diverse cultures, myths, and legends of 15th century Transylvania to create a captivating tale of injustice, betrayal, elitism, cultural divisions, and heroism. Her writing style is lyrical and poetic in its crafting. It is very atmospheric. “I let those memories settle in my chest until it swelled with strange warmth. It clung to my shawl like the scent of firewood smoke in winter, comforting, a balm for the loneliness that had followed me, silent and faithful, these many years.”
There are so many layers and influences in this story… particularly with every changing leadership with each new empire’s conquest. (The endurance of the people of Romania throughout history to hang on to their cultural heritages and identity, while they accepted the integration of new ones, is testament to their steadfastness and adaptability.)
The story follows the lives of Kate Webber, a gifted Saxon healer, and Moise, a Jewish printing apprentice. Unable to claim her father’s inheritance as a single woman, Kate is forced to marry Magyar, a Szekler only looking for a better station in life at any cost. Having learned her healing craft from Lord Vlad Dracula, Kate must practice her healing of the town’s people clandestinely to avoid the ire of the patriarchal leadership. Women have no status or power, and it is dangerous to earn loyalty and unintentional influence that would undermines powerful men. “It is men who have constructed the idea of womanhood—and we, the women who live within it, have never truly resisted.” But Kate is determined to heal, and it turns disastrous for her. I loved her determination, selflessness, and perseverance. I was intrigued with her relationship with Vlad Dracula and enjoyed exploring those sides of the characters. I would love to learn more. And of course, I rooted for Lancu and hope for a return in book 2.
Moise is intelligent and compassionate but an awkward young man who craves knowledge and righteousness. The theft of an important book with hidden valuable secrets leads him to unravel dangerous plots and betrayal. All of Furstenberg’s characters are beautifully woven from the heroic and caring to the devious scoundrels and manipulators.
Furstenberg builds tension and trepidation with every scene. I can’t say enough about this eloquently written story. I highly recommend it and look forward to Book 2.
There are so many layers and influences in this story… particularly with every changing leadership with each new empire’s conquest. (The endurance of the people of Romania throughout history to hang on to their cultural heritages and identity, while they accepted the integration of new ones, is testament to their steadfastness and adaptability.)
The story follows the lives of Kate Webber, a gifted Saxon healer, and Moise, a Jewish printing apprentice. Unable to claim her father’s inheritance as a single woman, Kate is forced to marry Magyar, a Szekler only looking for a better station in life at any cost. Having learned her healing craft from Lord Vlad Dracula, Kate must practice her healing of the town’s people clandestinely to avoid the ire of the patriarchal leadership. Women have no status or power, and it is dangerous to earn loyalty and unintentional influence that would undermines powerful men. “It is men who have constructed the idea of womanhood—and we, the women who live within it, have never truly resisted.” But Kate is determined to heal, and it turns disastrous for her. I loved her determination, selflessness, and perseverance. I was intrigued with her relationship with Vlad Dracula and enjoyed exploring those sides of the characters. I would love to learn more. And of course, I rooted for Lancu and hope for a return in book 2.
Moise is intelligent and compassionate but an awkward young man who craves knowledge and righteousness. The theft of an important book with hidden valuable secrets leads him to unravel dangerous plots and betrayal. All of Furstenberg’s characters are beautifully woven from the heroic and caring to the devious scoundrels and manipulators.
Furstenberg builds tension and trepidation with every scene. I can’t say enough about this eloquently written story. I highly recommend it and look forward to Book 2.
July 11, 2025
When Secrets Bloom is a historical fiction story that takes place in the 1400s in Transylvania.
Kate is a healer, and she’s better than the physician, and her herbs and tinctures are better than the pharmacist’s. This puts Kate in danger. Women with too much knowledge and the power that comes from people trusting her services mean she rubs the officials (the physician, the church leaders, and the like) the wrong way. The story is set during a time when superstitions abound, including superstitions about women.
Moise is a Jewish man who works for the owner of the printing press. There’s a lot of power in printing. (I’m sure you can see a theme arising.) It might cause a target to be placed on his back.
The main bad guy is so terrible and craves power and prestige and money. He’s the kind of character you love to despise.
Then there’s Iancu. He is a powerful military man. He and Kate go way back. He needs to be careful whom he trusts. (Or do the other characters need to be careful trusting him? No spoilers here.)
In fact, READERS need to be careful whom they trust. Not everyone is as they appear to be at first. (I had a couple of audible gasps as I was reading when secrets were revealed.)
Speaking of secrets, who is the Shaman? He’s mysterious and kind of scary and seems to know everything about everybody. (We do find out who he is!)
Oh, and there’s a treasure with its associated missing map.
I really enjoyed Furstenberg’s writing style. There is tension in every scene, and it makes you flip those pages, but the story never seems rushed. I’m astounded at how fast the book reads for a longer book. You just get lost in the grip of the story.
Furstenberg is a first-rate historian. There are so many interesting details about the politics of the time and the different cultures struggling for identity and even physical details like the design of a jailer’s carriage and the decor of a Saxon house. Don’t miss the author’s notes at the end that explains where she got the historic details.
The ending is satisfying, but it leaves some things open where a sequel can pick up.
Five stars!
Kate is a healer, and she’s better than the physician, and her herbs and tinctures are better than the pharmacist’s. This puts Kate in danger. Women with too much knowledge and the power that comes from people trusting her services mean she rubs the officials (the physician, the church leaders, and the like) the wrong way. The story is set during a time when superstitions abound, including superstitions about women.
Moise is a Jewish man who works for the owner of the printing press. There’s a lot of power in printing. (I’m sure you can see a theme arising.) It might cause a target to be placed on his back.
The main bad guy is so terrible and craves power and prestige and money. He’s the kind of character you love to despise.
Then there’s Iancu. He is a powerful military man. He and Kate go way back. He needs to be careful whom he trusts. (Or do the other characters need to be careful trusting him? No spoilers here.)
In fact, READERS need to be careful whom they trust. Not everyone is as they appear to be at first. (I had a couple of audible gasps as I was reading when secrets were revealed.)
Speaking of secrets, who is the Shaman? He’s mysterious and kind of scary and seems to know everything about everybody. (We do find out who he is!)
Oh, and there’s a treasure with its associated missing map.
I really enjoyed Furstenberg’s writing style. There is tension in every scene, and it makes you flip those pages, but the story never seems rushed. I’m astounded at how fast the book reads for a longer book. You just get lost in the grip of the story.
Furstenberg is a first-rate historian. There are so many interesting details about the politics of the time and the different cultures struggling for identity and even physical details like the design of a jailer’s carriage and the decor of a Saxon house. Don’t miss the author’s notes at the end that explains where she got the historic details.
The ending is satisfying, but it leaves some things open where a sequel can pick up.
Five stars!
July 8, 2025
Set in medieval Transylvania, this book captivated me. Kate is a Saxon healer. Her kindness, wisdom and healing powers save lives, but her role is forbidden in the ancient patriarchal world. This magical narrative is brimming with wisdom and universal messages.
Kate represents the women in history who paved the way for women’s rights. Furstenberg gives the unseen battles of woman a voice in Kate, reminding us of the strategic roles they played through history. Kate’s silent fight is guided by her mother’s wisdom, instinct and a gift she inherited.
The unique perspective of Kate’s mentor, Vlad Dracula, is mesmerising. I enjoyed the exploration of how fear can shape a myth. Like Kate, this man was labelled as evil because he was different, but in this novel, he gave Kate knowledge and strength to battle through her challenges. She explains that her ‘knowledge became my weapon, my mind the blade, he honed.’
I was lost of the darkness of the fifteenth century, willing Kate to be safe. With Vlad Dracula as her mentor and a Szekler husband, she is branded a traitor and put on trial for witchcraft in a barbaric world where boundaries between religion and superstition merge. Shadows, secrets and whispers of betrayal lurk around every corner and ‘fear clings to the walls like damp.’
It was wonderful to escape to another time and another place that was both frightening and familiar. ‘A place of cobbled alleys and high-gabled houses where shutters close faster than lips and secrets…’ The author uses vivid, poetic language to create the dark world, and I noted so many beautiful lines.
Kate’s childhood sweetheart, Iandu, arrives in the novel. They parted with a romantic gesture of hope, but ‘hope wilts when fed on silence’. Can he forgive her marriage to another, and will he help her?
Characters are skilfully drawn with a distinct dichotomy between good and evil, creating a wonderful drama brimming with conflict and tension. A compelling novel where history, myth, superstitions and storytelling collide. A clever novel!
Kate represents the women in history who paved the way for women’s rights. Furstenberg gives the unseen battles of woman a voice in Kate, reminding us of the strategic roles they played through history. Kate’s silent fight is guided by her mother’s wisdom, instinct and a gift she inherited.
The unique perspective of Kate’s mentor, Vlad Dracula, is mesmerising. I enjoyed the exploration of how fear can shape a myth. Like Kate, this man was labelled as evil because he was different, but in this novel, he gave Kate knowledge and strength to battle through her challenges. She explains that her ‘knowledge became my weapon, my mind the blade, he honed.’
I was lost of the darkness of the fifteenth century, willing Kate to be safe. With Vlad Dracula as her mentor and a Szekler husband, she is branded a traitor and put on trial for witchcraft in a barbaric world where boundaries between religion and superstition merge. Shadows, secrets and whispers of betrayal lurk around every corner and ‘fear clings to the walls like damp.’
It was wonderful to escape to another time and another place that was both frightening and familiar. ‘A place of cobbled alleys and high-gabled houses where shutters close faster than lips and secrets…’ The author uses vivid, poetic language to create the dark world, and I noted so many beautiful lines.
Kate’s childhood sweetheart, Iandu, arrives in the novel. They parted with a romantic gesture of hope, but ‘hope wilts when fed on silence’. Can he forgive her marriage to another, and will he help her?
Characters are skilfully drawn with a distinct dichotomy between good and evil, creating a wonderful drama brimming with conflict and tension. A compelling novel where history, myth, superstitions and storytelling collide. A clever novel!
September 7, 2025
When Secrets Bloom is the first of two books about Kate, who had worked alongside Vlad (the Impaler) as a young girl using her gifts as a healer. She was courageous and strong and prepared to do whatever necessary to save the lives of the men.
At the beginning of the book she is back home, married to an unpleasant man called Magyar, and making powerful enemies as she continues to help and heal those who need her services. Transylvania is a region of schisms where lowly populations such as Jews, Saxons, Magyars, Romani and Vlach are ‘unrecognised and marginalised by the state…’each group kept to its own, bound by tradition and rules’. Kate is also at risk as a woman who ‘reaches too high’ with her healing and her confidence, and who makes an enemy of the inept but powerful physician.
The conspiracies and danger mount creating a rising tension. It soon becomes clear that there is a great deal at stake here and the multi-layered plot becomes a race against time to save the world from evil.
Running just below the surface is the relationship between Kate and Iancu. There are things in their past that remain a mystery, but this is undoubtedly a love story and beautifully handled by the author.
The writing is remarkable. The language is rich with imagery, symbolism and resonating similes. ‘the pain was tucked deeper like a paper folded too many times’; ‘war is only politics with sharper teeth’ and the physician ‘puffed with his parchments and privileges, feared me for he knew I was better. He had titles. I had results. He had theory, I had blood-stained proof. Yet what are papers without perception? Titles, without trained hands? Even truth becomes blind when it refuses to look’.
This is a gripping tale of love, hate, greed and courage. It also celebrates the impact even the most lowly can have when they determine to do what they can to take a stand against those who usurp their power.
I am already looking forward to the second book.
At the beginning of the book she is back home, married to an unpleasant man called Magyar, and making powerful enemies as she continues to help and heal those who need her services. Transylvania is a region of schisms where lowly populations such as Jews, Saxons, Magyars, Romani and Vlach are ‘unrecognised and marginalised by the state…’each group kept to its own, bound by tradition and rules’. Kate is also at risk as a woman who ‘reaches too high’ with her healing and her confidence, and who makes an enemy of the inept but powerful physician.
The conspiracies and danger mount creating a rising tension. It soon becomes clear that there is a great deal at stake here and the multi-layered plot becomes a race against time to save the world from evil.
Running just below the surface is the relationship between Kate and Iancu. There are things in their past that remain a mystery, but this is undoubtedly a love story and beautifully handled by the author.
The writing is remarkable. The language is rich with imagery, symbolism and resonating similes. ‘the pain was tucked deeper like a paper folded too many times’; ‘war is only politics with sharper teeth’ and the physician ‘puffed with his parchments and privileges, feared me for he knew I was better. He had titles. I had results. He had theory, I had blood-stained proof. Yet what are papers without perception? Titles, without trained hands? Even truth becomes blind when it refuses to look’.
This is a gripping tale of love, hate, greed and courage. It also celebrates the impact even the most lowly can have when they determine to do what they can to take a stand against those who usurp their power.
I am already looking forward to the second book.
November 15, 2025
I must start by saying that I really love this book! Set in 1463 in the Transylvanian town of Kronstadt, When Secrets Bloom is a totally captivating, beautifully written story. It revolves around the lives of citizens in this multi-cultural town who become immersed in the two main stories that unfold.
The main character in the opening section is Kate, a dedicated healer who has honed her craft under the guidance of Vlad Dracula. Now back in her childhood home of Kronstadt, she has become the healer to whom both rich and poor folk turn, trusting her skills in herbal cures and midwifery. She is also married to a powerful and influential man named Magyar.
Unfortunately, Kate’s healing skills and unwavering dedication are greatly envied by the town’s physician. This is evident from the opening scene, in which Kate is called out to a mother experiencing a difficult birthing. It is at this point that Kate’s childhood friend, Iancu, now an officer in the militia, arrives to support her, should the birth end in tragedy.
Kate’s skills save the lives of both mother and baby, but news of her success further inflames the physician’s jealousy and his belief that no ‘natural’ woman could possess such power in matters of healing. So, with other influential men in the town, including Magyar, he begins plotting to bring about Kate’s downfall. And few men would disagree with the physician’s views in such matters. Rumours circulate and an angry mob of townsfolk gathers. And once again, Kate’s only friend is Iancu.
Kate’s story runs alongside that of Moise, a young man whose work at the printing press sends him in dangerous pursuit of a rare manuscript which will reveal the whereabouts of a hidden treasure. In a town filled with strangers in pursuit of the treasure and throbbing with danger he is forced to flee.
This is a well written, engrossing, and fast-moving story and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The main character in the opening section is Kate, a dedicated healer who has honed her craft under the guidance of Vlad Dracula. Now back in her childhood home of Kronstadt, she has become the healer to whom both rich and poor folk turn, trusting her skills in herbal cures and midwifery. She is also married to a powerful and influential man named Magyar.
Unfortunately, Kate’s healing skills and unwavering dedication are greatly envied by the town’s physician. This is evident from the opening scene, in which Kate is called out to a mother experiencing a difficult birthing. It is at this point that Kate’s childhood friend, Iancu, now an officer in the militia, arrives to support her, should the birth end in tragedy.
Kate’s skills save the lives of both mother and baby, but news of her success further inflames the physician’s jealousy and his belief that no ‘natural’ woman could possess such power in matters of healing. So, with other influential men in the town, including Magyar, he begins plotting to bring about Kate’s downfall. And few men would disagree with the physician’s views in such matters. Rumours circulate and an angry mob of townsfolk gathers. And once again, Kate’s only friend is Iancu.
Kate’s story runs alongside that of Moise, a young man whose work at the printing press sends him in dangerous pursuit of a rare manuscript which will reveal the whereabouts of a hidden treasure. In a town filled with strangers in pursuit of the treasure and throbbing with danger he is forced to flee.
This is a well written, engrossing, and fast-moving story and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 8, 2025
When Secrets Bloom is medieval historical fiction that reads like a thriller. Set against the stark backdrop of Transylvanian history, it’s a reminder that some of the most dangerous battles were fought not with swords, but with secrets.
At its heart, this is medieval fiction with strong women characters. Kate, a Saxon healer, resists superstition and politics with nothing but her skill, intellect, and grit. Through her story, the book shines a spotlight on underrepresented settings: those overlooked corners of Eastern Europe where history unfolded in whispers rather than headlines. The cast is razor-sharp and diverse: Iancu, the conflicted militia captain, Moise, the Jewish printer’s apprentice whose quiet resilience grounds the narrative, as well as Magyar, the mysterious Shaman and the Physician, all three driven by ego and desperation, embodying the darker side of historical medical and mythical themes.
If you’re drawn to Eastern European stories abundant in snow, superstition, and suspense, When Secrets Bloom is a novel that will get under your skin. With its aching lyricism, precise historical lens and research, and a protagonist who refuses to be silenced this book is not just a novel, it’s an experience.
Definitely a must read!
At its heart, this is medieval fiction with strong women characters. Kate, a Saxon healer, resists superstition and politics with nothing but her skill, intellect, and grit. Through her story, the book shines a spotlight on underrepresented settings: those overlooked corners of Eastern Europe where history unfolded in whispers rather than headlines. The cast is razor-sharp and diverse: Iancu, the conflicted militia captain, Moise, the Jewish printer’s apprentice whose quiet resilience grounds the narrative, as well as Magyar, the mysterious Shaman and the Physician, all three driven by ego and desperation, embodying the darker side of historical medical and mythical themes.
If you’re drawn to Eastern European stories abundant in snow, superstition, and suspense, When Secrets Bloom is a novel that will get under your skin. With its aching lyricism, precise historical lens and research, and a protagonist who refuses to be silenced this book is not just a novel, it’s an experience.
Definitely a must read!
September 25, 2025
A fascinating trip back in time …
Patricia Furstenberg’s When Secrets Bloom pulls the reader in with her exquisite prose, captivating storytelling, and rich historical detail. The characters are strong, poignant, headstrong, and powerful in their own right.
As a reader, I’ve always been fascinated by tales of healers and the many ways in which they were misinterpreted, condemned, maligned, and so much more. Not wanting to give away any of the plot, I’ll just say that the author’s portrayal of Kate Webber (and those in her midst was magnificent.
Throughout this novel, I felt as if I had been transported to 1400s Transylvania. It is undeniable when reading that the author took immense pride in her research, painting a picture where even the smallest details come to life. But in the end, it is the author’s beautiful writing that makes this book so very special.
Patricia Furstenberg’s When Secrets Bloom pulls the reader in with her exquisite prose, captivating storytelling, and rich historical detail. The characters are strong, poignant, headstrong, and powerful in their own right.
As a reader, I’ve always been fascinated by tales of healers and the many ways in which they were misinterpreted, condemned, maligned, and so much more. Not wanting to give away any of the plot, I’ll just say that the author’s portrayal of Kate Webber (and those in her midst was magnificent.
Throughout this novel, I felt as if I had been transported to 1400s Transylvania. It is undeniable when reading that the author took immense pride in her research, painting a picture where even the smallest details come to life. But in the end, it is the author’s beautiful writing that makes this book so very special.
September 27, 2025
When Secrets Bloom gripped me from the very first page.
This is a haunting, beautifully written story set in medieval Transylvania, where secrets are as dangerous as swords. At its heart are Kate and Moise, two unforgettable characters whose courage, resilience, and quiet defiance (both go against the norms of the time) stay with you long after you turn the last page. The world of Kronstadt (a city named Brasov today) feels alive and vividly real, full of atmosphere and history. Here, every whisper could spark someone's ruin!
This novel weaves themes of survival, memory, and legacy into a deeply human story, part historical epic, part intimate character study. This is a powerful, immersive read that proves even the smallest choices can change everything. I was sad to have finished it, but now I look forward to book 2!
This is a haunting, beautifully written story set in medieval Transylvania, where secrets are as dangerous as swords. At its heart are Kate and Moise, two unforgettable characters whose courage, resilience, and quiet defiance (both go against the norms of the time) stay with you long after you turn the last page. The world of Kronstadt (a city named Brasov today) feels alive and vividly real, full of atmosphere and history. Here, every whisper could spark someone's ruin!
This novel weaves themes of survival, memory, and legacy into a deeply human story, part historical epic, part intimate character study. This is a powerful, immersive read that proves even the smallest choices can change everything. I was sad to have finished it, but now I look forward to book 2!
November 30, 2025
A powerful, honest story that pulls you right into 1463 Transylvania, without any mooimakerij.
Kate Webber, a Saxon healer once taught under Vlad Dracula, stands firm at the centre: capable, steady, and always aware that one wrong step can cost her dearly in a man-made world.
The novel turns on the quiet risks she takes and the secrets everyone carries, not for drama but for survival. Moise, the Jewish apprentice, brings a sharp tension between knowledge and danger that fits hand-in-glove with Kate’s own struggles.
Kronstadt, the location, is drawn so real you can almost smell the cold stone, with Vlad’s shadow lying over the city like an old verhaal people don’t dare say aloud. And when accusations rise, the story shows just how fragile a woman’s freedom was back then.
A dark, moving, beautifully grounded read that stays with you long after you close the book. Mooi.
Kate Webber, a Saxon healer once taught under Vlad Dracula, stands firm at the centre: capable, steady, and always aware that one wrong step can cost her dearly in a man-made world.
The novel turns on the quiet risks she takes and the secrets everyone carries, not for drama but for survival. Moise, the Jewish apprentice, brings a sharp tension between knowledge and danger that fits hand-in-glove with Kate’s own struggles.
Kronstadt, the location, is drawn so real you can almost smell the cold stone, with Vlad’s shadow lying over the city like an old verhaal people don’t dare say aloud. And when accusations rise, the story shows just how fragile a woman’s freedom was back then.
A dark, moving, beautifully grounded read that stays with you long after you close the book. Mooi.
December 3, 2025
I loved how When Secrets Bloom brings a medieval city to life through the eyes of a young woman. I thought tht Kate is a character who may be fictional but felt real. I enjoyed slipping into the textures of daily life of a Saxon-ruled fortress, the sparks of hope kept alive among Vlach and Jewish families, and the quiet power of women working behind shutters and stone walls. I liked how the novel showed the Church not as an abstract force, but as a looming presence that shapes every whisper of fear about plague or heresy. And I especially loved the shadow of Dracula that hangs over the story, not as a legend, but as something jagged and human through Kate’s cautious eyes. This is a doorway into a world both harsh and breathtaking, and I found myself walking through it without ever wanting to return. I look forward to the sequel.
November 7, 2025
The action is pretty slow, so I confess that I found it hard to focus, which left me lost at times. We start off with a woman who is ahead of her time with knowledge in healthcare, and hence to be untrusted and accused of being a witch. We then switch gears to another story that had me wondering if I missed some pages or just wasn’t paying attention. Nope. It was just another plot out of nowhere, but which would ultimately overlap with the first. The author is good at establishing the tone and setting but I felt that there was very little progression in the story. As such, I gave up at 50%. This is my honest review, and I am posting it voluntarily. Thanks to the author & publisher for the give-away opportunity that enabled me to win this book.
August 19, 2025
Set in Transylvania in the 1400s, this mesmerizing novel weaves a multilayered story of Kate, a healer caught in ancient superstitions and accusations, and Moise, who contentedly worked in a printing press but knew too much. Someone was always watching, choosing allegiances or having them imposed by tradition, lineage, religion, grievances, exclusions from power, old conflicts. Fascinating historical characters, with their eyes and ears open, wend their way through dangerous complications. A charismatic experience.
September 30, 2025
This is an intense novel that follows the fate of two people: a healer, in the first person, being accused of witchcraft, and a Jewish printer's apprentice being framed, apparently, by his enemies, in third person. Why it was done that way wasn't clear, nor was the relation between them, though they were both forced to flee the village. I was a little impatient with the language, as all the incomplete sentences like twigs made reading more disjointed. Other than that, though, it was a good book, well worth it.
October 4, 2025
I was fortunate to visit Brasov so reading this book brought back some.of its narrow streets. Apart from this the story absorbed my entire weekend and I was especially taken with how it entwines the fates of Kate and Moise, hauntingly close yet never truly meeting. She slips away like smoke through his fingers, her destiny sealed just a step before he searches for her. Wherever he goes, we see her in the distance.
The same happened with Kate and Iancu and this unfulfileld love story left me hoping for a happy reunion in book 2.
The same happened with Kate and Iancu and this unfulfileld love story left me hoping for a happy reunion in book 2.
December 3, 2025
I liked how Furstenberg creates a world that feels truly lived-in, one well researched but never weighed down by detail. I enjoyed reading a history that isn’t polished or simplified but instead listens to the people hoping and surviving inside it. And I loved learning how light and darkness can sit side by side, each making the other stronger.
This is a novel that feels real and deeply memorable.
This is a novel that feels real and deeply memorable.
July 9, 2025
intriguing! a poetically written historical fiction with some fantasy elements. the well-researched 15th century Transylvanian setting is fantastic. I love all the herbal medicine and midwife lore as well as the inclusion of Jewish and Romani characters treated respectfully. looking forward to the sequel!
September 21, 2025
WHEN SECRETS BLOOM - Although a bit wordy, this is an interesting and intriguing story. While not on the same shelf as Follett's Pillars of the Earth, this blend of fact and fiction worked well. At the end of the book, the author adds some historical notes. Good characters. Interesting story lines. Source: LibraryThing. 3*
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