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When the Crows Fly Low
When the crows fly low…rain is coming.
At eleven-years-old, Will Lawson discovers that Hell isn’t just a place for demons. It exists on earth in an act so evil it rips away a part of his innocent soul. In its place; bitterness, hate and a vow for revenge.
Consumed by darkness, Will descends into a life of reckless living; booze and women the outlet for his guilt and despair. But meeting Sarah a beautiful young woman running from her own ghosts, changes everything. Finding his salvation in her, Will wades into the unfamiliar waters of love. Just when happiness is within his grasp, a familiar face returns to Will’s hometown of Doyle, Tennessee. A wicked twist of fate forces Will to decide between the girl he loves and his need for revenge. Is love enough to save Will from the darkness that endeavors to unravel his sanity?
In this debut romantic drama, When the Crows Fly Low weaves a story full of suspense, loss, and love. It is sure to stay with the reader long after the final page.
At eleven-years-old, Will Lawson discovers that Hell isn’t just a place for demons. It exists on earth in an act so evil it rips away a part of his innocent soul. In its place; bitterness, hate and a vow for revenge.
Consumed by darkness, Will descends into a life of reckless living; booze and women the outlet for his guilt and despair. But meeting Sarah a beautiful young woman running from her own ghosts, changes everything. Finding his salvation in her, Will wades into the unfamiliar waters of love. Just when happiness is within his grasp, a familiar face returns to Will’s hometown of Doyle, Tennessee. A wicked twist of fate forces Will to decide between the girl he loves and his need for revenge. Is love enough to save Will from the darkness that endeavors to unravel his sanity?
In this debut romantic drama, When the Crows Fly Low weaves a story full of suspense, loss, and love. It is sure to stay with the reader long after the final page.
374 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2015
22 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 13, 2015
Oh my gosh this book!!! Where do I even begin? It was beautiful and touching, heartbreaking and tragic, and everything I absolutely need and crave in a love story. When the Crows Fly Low really just snuck up on me and then blew me away completely, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. This is a beautifully written classic love story in every sense of the word yet I’ve never read a book quite like this before, its plot and delivery were so unique and this really added to my enjoyment of the novel.
When the Crows Fly Low begins in Doyle, Tennessee with Sarah, now happily married to Sam for many years receiving a letter from Will who has just died. We quickly discover that these two once shared a brief yet passionate love affair and although Sarah had the chance to move on, Will did not. In his letter to Sarah he finally discloses his life story to her, a story she asked for some 40 years ago, that at the time, he wasn’t able to give. Sarah sits down to read Will’s letter and we’re instantly transported back to a simpler time where a young, eleven year Will witnesses the death of his beloved father. This event sets Will off on a dark life full of self-hate and revenge, until the day he meets Sarah. Having just arrived in Doyle to be the new schoolteacher, Sarah left a past behind she’s not willing to return to. When she meets the local bad boy Will, she can’t help but hand her heart to him.
This is a beautiful story that takes you through every aspect of falling in love for the first time. V.J. Patterson’s writing is beautiful and the moods she sets are brilliant and haunting. Told from both Will and Sarah’s point of view I felt every emotion they went through; the beauty and joy of falling in love and then all of the gut wrenching pain and sorrow when it all crashes down. I would absolutely, 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story. Reading When the Crows Fly Low was like reading The Notebook for the very first time, it’s that same type of love story that burrows its way under your skin and into your heart, one you won’t soon forget, I know I won’t!
A tremendous thank you to author, V.J. Patterson and to CBB Book Promotions for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
When the Crows Fly Low begins in Doyle, Tennessee with Sarah, now happily married to Sam for many years receiving a letter from Will who has just died. We quickly discover that these two once shared a brief yet passionate love affair and although Sarah had the chance to move on, Will did not. In his letter to Sarah he finally discloses his life story to her, a story she asked for some 40 years ago, that at the time, he wasn’t able to give. Sarah sits down to read Will’s letter and we’re instantly transported back to a simpler time where a young, eleven year Will witnesses the death of his beloved father. This event sets Will off on a dark life full of self-hate and revenge, until the day he meets Sarah. Having just arrived in Doyle to be the new schoolteacher, Sarah left a past behind she’s not willing to return to. When she meets the local bad boy Will, she can’t help but hand her heart to him.
This is a beautiful story that takes you through every aspect of falling in love for the first time. V.J. Patterson’s writing is beautiful and the moods she sets are brilliant and haunting. Told from both Will and Sarah’s point of view I felt every emotion they went through; the beauty and joy of falling in love and then all of the gut wrenching pain and sorrow when it all crashes down. I would absolutely, 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story. Reading When the Crows Fly Low was like reading The Notebook for the very first time, it’s that same type of love story that burrows its way under your skin and into your heart, one you won’t soon forget, I know I won’t!
A tremendous thank you to author, V.J. Patterson and to CBB Book Promotions for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
August 21, 2015
When The Crow Flies Low is a true love story, as opposed to a romance. This book takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions as you follow the harrowing life-story of Will Lawson. The title is from a family omen "When the Crows Fly Low - rain is coming", and is a pivotal saying for 11 year old Will.
In 1924 Will and his friend Sam were fishing when Will realises he's late to help his father on the farm. They live in Doyle, Tennessee. Running home he sees three low flying crows and the old saying rings through his head. He arrives in the field full of guilt that his father had to mend the fences alone, but finds him arguing with a neighbour about ruined watermelons. Joe Cannon is drunk again and the argument turns into a fight, one that Will, will never forget. Distraught and blaming himself for his father's death Will's childhood ends that day.
With 8 siblings Will and his family worked hard to keep the farm, but it was finally lost in the 1929 crash. Now a young man, Will works in the local mill, but is part of an illegal bootlegging gang. He drinks hard and plays hard trying to drown out the dark side which rears its ugly head. He avoids large social events and has lost all faith in God.
It takes the arrival of the new school teacher, Sarah Williams to pull Will from the gloom. Like a moth attracted to a light Will can't get Sarah out of his mind. She brings out the good in him and he begins to thaw and open up about his dark side. However all this comes crashing down when Joe Cannon is released from jail.
This story is told through a letter sent to Sarah in 1982 and the details are filled by her own memories of events, she never stopped loving Will although her life went on and he in turn never stopped loving her. The author does a really good job of pulling the reader into the story and filling them with all the emotions of the characters, a very well written read.
In 1924 Will and his friend Sam were fishing when Will realises he's late to help his father on the farm. They live in Doyle, Tennessee. Running home he sees three low flying crows and the old saying rings through his head. He arrives in the field full of guilt that his father had to mend the fences alone, but finds him arguing with a neighbour about ruined watermelons. Joe Cannon is drunk again and the argument turns into a fight, one that Will, will never forget. Distraught and blaming himself for his father's death Will's childhood ends that day.
With 8 siblings Will and his family worked hard to keep the farm, but it was finally lost in the 1929 crash. Now a young man, Will works in the local mill, but is part of an illegal bootlegging gang. He drinks hard and plays hard trying to drown out the dark side which rears its ugly head. He avoids large social events and has lost all faith in God.
It takes the arrival of the new school teacher, Sarah Williams to pull Will from the gloom. Like a moth attracted to a light Will can't get Sarah out of his mind. She brings out the good in him and he begins to thaw and open up about his dark side. However all this comes crashing down when Joe Cannon is released from jail.
This story is told through a letter sent to Sarah in 1982 and the details are filled by her own memories of events, she never stopped loving Will although her life went on and he in turn never stopped loving her. The author does a really good job of pulling the reader into the story and filling them with all the emotions of the characters, a very well written read.
July 20, 2015
Every once in a while you read a book you just know you’re going to remember forever. ‘When The Crows Fly Low’ is such a book for me. I remember reading the book description a couple of weeks ago, and thinking that this book really sounded like a book for me. And it really was. From the very first page this book grabbed me and I just didn’t want to stop reading. I devoured this book from beginning to end.
‘When The Crows Fly Low’ is a story about Will Lawson. When Will was eleven years old he witnessed his father’s murder. That day changed Will forever. He blamed himself and became consumed with wanting to have revenge. Will never had serious relationships, woman were their but they never became more than a short distraction.
But one day Will meets Sarah, a young, beautiful and passionate woman who makes him feel things he never felt before. A magical and explosive relationship began. But Will’s past didn’t let him forget, and even though he loved Sarah more than anything his anger and quest for revenge stayed.
What I loved most about this book is the way it is written. The writing in this book is just so addicting and it makes you wonder how this book can be the debut of author V.J. Patterson. It’s just so good!
I loved how this story begins in the present, and how it takes us back in time through a letter. While reading this book I felt like I was at the front row seat of a outdoor theater watching an old love story. This book was just so beautiful, tragic, emotional and pure.
The characters in this book are well developed and the author really made sure I loved both main characters. They both have their flaws but that made the characters even more real to me.
At times this book made me think of ‘The Notebook’ by Nicolas Sparks. It’s definitely just as good and maybe even better. I really recommend this book. It’s a read you will remember forever!!
‘When The Crows Fly Low’ is a story about Will Lawson. When Will was eleven years old he witnessed his father’s murder. That day changed Will forever. He blamed himself and became consumed with wanting to have revenge. Will never had serious relationships, woman were their but they never became more than a short distraction.
But one day Will meets Sarah, a young, beautiful and passionate woman who makes him feel things he never felt before. A magical and explosive relationship began. But Will’s past didn’t let him forget, and even though he loved Sarah more than anything his anger and quest for revenge stayed.
What I loved most about this book is the way it is written. The writing in this book is just so addicting and it makes you wonder how this book can be the debut of author V.J. Patterson. It’s just so good!
I loved how this story begins in the present, and how it takes us back in time through a letter. While reading this book I felt like I was at the front row seat of a outdoor theater watching an old love story. This book was just so beautiful, tragic, emotional and pure.
The characters in this book are well developed and the author really made sure I loved both main characters. They both have their flaws but that made the characters even more real to me.
At times this book made me think of ‘The Notebook’ by Nicolas Sparks. It’s definitely just as good and maybe even better. I really recommend this book. It’s a read you will remember forever!!
July 26, 2015
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or my review in any way.
This book has the makings of a classic. The ending would have had me in tears if it wasn't for the fact that I was wearing mascara and about to start work in fifteen minutes when I finished the book! In spite of this book only being released this year, yes! I'm going to bookmark it as a classic!
The characters in this book are believable and realistic. I think this is one of the reasons the book was so emotional for me. Two people being so deeply in love, and one so broken, but they can never be together. You can't hate them. They're flawed characters, but I love them for it.
I like that later on in the book it gives us a glimpse of when Will goes to war and how it changes him. I love the character development in this part of the book. The changes to him are very subtle, but they're amazing. He's like a new man. I think it's like war changing a man, he's learning forgiveness the hard way.
The storyline was excellent. It reminds me a lot of The Notebook, Dear John and even some Jane Austen novels, maybe even Jane Eyre too. The plot is well developed and the twists are realistic and well thought out... You can feel the love that has gone into this book.
I'd highly recommend this book. I can see it becoming a best seller and in time a classic too. I'm in love with this book! If you like tragic Romeo and Juliet style romances, this is the book for you.
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog at: http://www.anovelstart.com
This book has the makings of a classic. The ending would have had me in tears if it wasn't for the fact that I was wearing mascara and about to start work in fifteen minutes when I finished the book! In spite of this book only being released this year, yes! I'm going to bookmark it as a classic!
The characters in this book are believable and realistic. I think this is one of the reasons the book was so emotional for me. Two people being so deeply in love, and one so broken, but they can never be together. You can't hate them. They're flawed characters, but I love them for it.
I like that later on in the book it gives us a glimpse of when Will goes to war and how it changes him. I love the character development in this part of the book. The changes to him are very subtle, but they're amazing. He's like a new man. I think it's like war changing a man, he's learning forgiveness the hard way.
The storyline was excellent. It reminds me a lot of The Notebook, Dear John and even some Jane Austen novels, maybe even Jane Eyre too. The plot is well developed and the twists are realistic and well thought out... You can feel the love that has gone into this book.
I'd highly recommend this book. I can see it becoming a best seller and in time a classic too. I'm in love with this book! If you like tragic Romeo and Juliet style romances, this is the book for you.
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog at: http://www.anovelstart.com
July 14, 2015
The themes of love/hate, life/death and good/evil run strong throughout this novel. Will goes through his life by feeling almost dead inside, he uses women and alcohol to dull his senses and pain. His life was shattered when he witnessed his fathers murder as a young boy and ever since the only feelings he seems to have are knowing when a storm is coming. But little does he know that the biggest storm he will face is about to come ... in the form of Sarah Doyle. There is a strange magnetism between them and it isn't long before Will realizes he is in love - for real this time. Sarah isn't like his usual conquests, they fall quick and hard. But in the end one of them has to lose. I love the way the story is told through flashbacks and although it is through letters from Will to Sarah many years after his death, her voice and POV still come through and oh the feels! This book kind of reminded me of the movie "The Bridges of Madison County" in a lot of ways, very emotional and you see the protagonist open up and start to rebuild his life. Definitely a great read with a lot of love and emotion and will also be a tearjerker for a lot of people. But somehow through these kinds of books as hard as the stories may be to read, you can find your own redemption and perhaps find some help with your own inner demons. Because these characters are all of us, each of us has something in our past we wish we regret and wish we could change, and we also all deserve that one true love that will save us. 5 stars! I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2015
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
When the Crows Fly Low is a very well-written novel that brings out the readers' emotions. Both characters' point-of-view are told which give viewers the understanding and anticipation for what comes next. This book takes you on an emotional journey full of mysteries. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
When the Crows Fly Low is a very well-written novel that brings out the readers' emotions. Both characters' point-of-view are told which give viewers the understanding and anticipation for what comes next. This book takes you on an emotional journey full of mysteries. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
June 13, 2015
What a lovely book.
This story is build with tiny, colorful fibers that created a beautiful, colorful tapestry that in the end turned out to be a bittersweet love story. It's sad, heartwarming and brutal - everything a great book should be. Ms. Patterson is wonderful writer.
This story is build with tiny, colorful fibers that created a beautiful, colorful tapestry that in the end turned out to be a bittersweet love story. It's sad, heartwarming and brutal - everything a great book should be. Ms. Patterson is wonderful writer.
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June 30, 2015
Three stars: A hauntingly beautiful story all about love and loss.
Will Lawson refuses to believe that anything good could happen to him. He is consumed with darkness, and unwillingly to accept that anyone could love him since the day witnessed the murder of his father when he was eleven. Now as an old dying man, he reaches back through time to recount to the one love of his life, his heartache and his regret over a life spent loving from a far. What happened to Will and Sarah? Why did Will lose the love of his life?
What I Liked:
*When Crows Fly Low was a different type of romance. It is a beautiful story that takes you through the highs of falling in love, and the pain of loss, but through it all, love can still shines through, and it made me pause as I reflected on the beauty of the romance, even though it was fraught with pain and sorrow, it still withstood the test of time. Yet, it ends with a bright spot, and I liked that. This is a book for those who have endured there own loss of a great love.
*The heart of the story centers around Will Lawson, who at eleven, witnessed the murder of his beloved father. Since that day, Will has been consumed with darkness and hatred, as he feels that he should have been able to save his father, thus, he believes he doesn't deserve anything good in his life. When Sarah enters the picture, Will is immediately smitten. It is a romance with instant chemistry, and it is all about healing. I loved watching Will and Sarah come together, and I especially enjoyed Will's transformation. The reader knows from the onset that the romance isn't meant to be, so it was bittersweet as I was anxiously awaiting for the moment when it would break. Still after it was all said and done, I liked that it ended on a beautiful note.
*Sarah was the highlight of the book. She is a young girl who has gumption and determination not to mention courage. She was born to wealth and privilege but never felt loved by her parents. Sarah, in an act of defiance, she sets out on her own to teach school in a small town. I loved her spirit, and I especially liked the way she always saw the good in others. She is kind and beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her.
*The ending is bittersweet, I won't go into detail, but in the end, I closed the book smile satisfied. For those of you who love achingly beautiful and haunting romances, this is a read for you.
And The Not So Much:
*I didn't like the way the story was presented. It starts out with Sarah receiving a letter from Will after his death. Sarah is supposedly reading Will's point of view of how things went down in the past, but it didn't read like that since the book was told mostly in third person narrative. There were instances in the book that were in first person when a character was thinking in their head, but other than that it was third person narrative. I think the book would have been so much better in first person. Not to mention, it never felt like a narrative from Will. That was a big fail in my opinion.
*The pacing was a bit slow. The book spends a lot of time building the romance and then the big pivotal event happens, and the pace moves into hyperdrive. I didn't like that some of the more exciting parts of the book were in the last couple of chapters and that they were so rapid fire. I would have loved more coverage with Will during the war. I also didn't like that there was no discussion of what happened to Will or how he spent his life after his last meeting with Sarah. I wanted so much more.
*I was also disappointed that there wasn't more with Sam. He is an important character in the book, yet I hardly got to know him. I really liked him, he was truly a good guy, and I wished there was more regarding him, especially his romance and so forth.
When The Crows Fly Low is a romance for those who like a bit of tragedy and heartache in their reads. Never fear, this isn't and overly sad book. It is bittersweet and haunting and beautiful. If you are in the mood for something a bit deeper and sad, give this book a try.
I received a copy of this book from the tour promoter in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Will Lawson refuses to believe that anything good could happen to him. He is consumed with darkness, and unwillingly to accept that anyone could love him since the day witnessed the murder of his father when he was eleven. Now as an old dying man, he reaches back through time to recount to the one love of his life, his heartache and his regret over a life spent loving from a far. What happened to Will and Sarah? Why did Will lose the love of his life?
What I Liked:
*When Crows Fly Low was a different type of romance. It is a beautiful story that takes you through the highs of falling in love, and the pain of loss, but through it all, love can still shines through, and it made me pause as I reflected on the beauty of the romance, even though it was fraught with pain and sorrow, it still withstood the test of time. Yet, it ends with a bright spot, and I liked that. This is a book for those who have endured there own loss of a great love.
*The heart of the story centers around Will Lawson, who at eleven, witnessed the murder of his beloved father. Since that day, Will has been consumed with darkness and hatred, as he feels that he should have been able to save his father, thus, he believes he doesn't deserve anything good in his life. When Sarah enters the picture, Will is immediately smitten. It is a romance with instant chemistry, and it is all about healing. I loved watching Will and Sarah come together, and I especially enjoyed Will's transformation. The reader knows from the onset that the romance isn't meant to be, so it was bittersweet as I was anxiously awaiting for the moment when it would break. Still after it was all said and done, I liked that it ended on a beautiful note.
*Sarah was the highlight of the book. She is a young girl who has gumption and determination not to mention courage. She was born to wealth and privilege but never felt loved by her parents. Sarah, in an act of defiance, she sets out on her own to teach school in a small town. I loved her spirit, and I especially liked the way she always saw the good in others. She is kind and beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her.
*The ending is bittersweet, I won't go into detail, but in the end, I closed the book smile satisfied. For those of you who love achingly beautiful and haunting romances, this is a read for you.
And The Not So Much:
*I didn't like the way the story was presented. It starts out with Sarah receiving a letter from Will after his death. Sarah is supposedly reading Will's point of view of how things went down in the past, but it didn't read like that since the book was told mostly in third person narrative. There were instances in the book that were in first person when a character was thinking in their head, but other than that it was third person narrative. I think the book would have been so much better in first person. Not to mention, it never felt like a narrative from Will. That was a big fail in my opinion.
*The pacing was a bit slow. The book spends a lot of time building the romance and then the big pivotal event happens, and the pace moves into hyperdrive. I didn't like that some of the more exciting parts of the book were in the last couple of chapters and that they were so rapid fire. I would have loved more coverage with Will during the war. I also didn't like that there was no discussion of what happened to Will or how he spent his life after his last meeting with Sarah. I wanted so much more.
*I was also disappointed that there wasn't more with Sam. He is an important character in the book, yet I hardly got to know him. I really liked him, he was truly a good guy, and I wished there was more regarding him, especially his romance and so forth.
When The Crows Fly Low is a romance for those who like a bit of tragedy and heartache in their reads. Never fear, this isn't and overly sad book. It is bittersweet and haunting and beautiful. If you are in the mood for something a bit deeper and sad, give this book a try.
I received a copy of this book from the tour promoter in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
February 16, 2022
I love when I make “mistakes” that push me out of my comfort zone.
I requested this ARC thinking it was a fantasy book and I’m so glad I did. Historical romance is not my favorite genre, but this is another example where good writing can make you read anything!
NOW THIS IS ONE OF MY FAV ROMANCE BOOKS!
V.J’s writing is impeccable! and… provocative, sensual, evocative and atmospheric.
V.J makes every word count toward a very rewarding emotional experience. It has an excellent structure, pace and rhythm and just the right amount of telling to frame the story.
The descriptions… exceptional but the characterization is the best element of this book!
This book has such beautiful arrange of characters! V.J. made them, mundane and rustic but still spiritual and poetic. Together they not only tell a story, but reveal another time and place’s soul and heart. I loved getting to know all the characters, peeling away all the layers of their human nature.
Even though this is the love story between Will and Sarah, the book is centered on Will. Will is sexy, tough, brave and true-to-his-nature. But I liked that Will actually had a legitimate reason to be a bad boy.
Oh well… What is it about damage heroes that is so irresistible?
Let me share some of my favorite “damage Will” quotes:
Then the plot, the premise, the story arc… Such a beautiful love story! Tissue-in-the-hand heartbreaking kind of story.
There was only one thing that wasn’t perfect for me. Toward the end there is a part of the book that takes place in WWII and, though impeccably written as the rest of the book… it threw me off a little. The “drunken good-for-nothing comes back home as a glorified war hero” to me is an overused path of redemption. I understand WWII was the fate of many men of that time, but I would have liked a more personal story for Will.
I requested this ARC thinking it was a fantasy book and I’m so glad I did. Historical romance is not my favorite genre, but this is another example where good writing can make you read anything!
NOW THIS IS ONE OF MY FAV ROMANCE BOOKS!
V.J’s writing is impeccable! and… provocative, sensual, evocative and atmospheric.
V.J makes every word count toward a very rewarding emotional experience. It has an excellent structure, pace and rhythm and just the right amount of telling to frame the story.
The descriptions… exceptional but the characterization is the best element of this book!
This book has such beautiful arrange of characters! V.J. made them, mundane and rustic but still spiritual and poetic. Together they not only tell a story, but reveal another time and place’s soul and heart. I loved getting to know all the characters, peeling away all the layers of their human nature.
Even though this is the love story between Will and Sarah, the book is centered on Will. Will is sexy, tough, brave and true-to-his-nature. But I liked that Will actually had a legitimate reason to be a bad boy.
Oh well… What is it about damage heroes that is so irresistible?
Let me share some of my favorite “damage Will” quotes:
He saw the look of pity in their eyes, which caused the monster that lived in him to rip at his insides. The “monster” was that force within him that he felt he had no control over. He saw it as the evil in him, the thing that was off about him, the scary part of him he didn’t like nor trust.
Blood from his knuckles, seeped into the varied cracks and spread making the mirror a kaleidoscope. His bloody image was now multiple images, twisted, muted versions of himself. There, he thought. That’s more like it.
Then the plot, the premise, the story arc… Such a beautiful love story! Tissue-in-the-hand heartbreaking kind of story.
…I will never forget the first time I saw you. It was like seeing the ocean for the first time. Where, you can sit and stare at if for hours trying to figure out how something so unbelievably beautiful could ever exist. Your mind tells you it can’t be real, but your soul feels connected to it, like some part of you has experienced it before. Like it was there…just waiting for you to see.
"Take you out of that dress.” He wondered if he’d really just said what came out of his mouth. In an attempt to make it better he said, “I mean, take you home and help you out of that dress. Ah shoot…I mean…I mean…”
He had heard men talk about women being so beautiful it physically hurt. He’d thought it was just a saying until now. Her smile made him feel a pain so deep it felt good.
There was only one thing that wasn’t perfect for me. Toward the end there is a part of the book that takes place in WWII and, though impeccably written as the rest of the book… it threw me off a little. The “drunken good-for-nothing comes back home as a glorified war hero” to me is an overused path of redemption. I understand WWII was the fate of many men of that time, but I would have liked a more personal story for Will.
June 27, 2015
This book and I had a serious love/hate relationship. I loved it because it has to be the most achingly beautiful love story I've read since I took a chance on The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I hated it because I knew right from the beginning that the story wasn't going to end the way I wanted it to, and that I would fall in love with two characters who would not get the happily ever after I was so desperate for them to have. I would read a few pages and then set it down, knowing the emotional roller coaster ride I was in for if I truly committed myself to the story, but I could never stay away from it for too long, and once I read past the part about Will losing his father, I simply had to accept the fact that I was fully invested in this book, and so I grabbed a box of tissues and settled in for the long haul, cursing V.J. Patterson while doing so simply because she'd already made me fall in love with Will.
The writing is absolutely astounding. The author excels in setting the mood and describing her characters' emotional state through descriptive words that allow us to visualize and feel the pain, sorrow, joy or fear each character experiences. It's heart wrenching to feel that dark side of Will, that crazed drive to end what Joe Cannon started so many years ago, especially when Will was on the brink of so much happiness.
Sarah is determined, courageous and one hundred percent committed to healing the broken places within Will's heart. I loved her for this. I loved her willingness to live her life the way she saw fit, and found her to be a different kind of beautiful tragedy, one who made lemonade from lemons and faced the heartache in her life by living it to the fullest instead of merely existing as Will chose to do.
There are a few missing words here and there, and a few times the author head jumps a bit, going from one point of view to the other within the same scene, but it wasn't enough to distract me from the message of the story or pull me from the book.
Their love story was engrossing. The way Sarah fought for Will was admirable, and in the end, even though I already knew the outcome, I still held out for that happily ever after that I'm such a sucker for. I don't normally read books like this because I like to immerse myself in everything happy and worry free. Cotton candy romances, I guess you could say, but it's important to read those love stories that represent the frailties of humans and the many messy mistakes that being in love can produce. This love story wasn't meant to be written any other way and never would have held the same message or meaning if it had. I'm so glad the author had the guts and the fortitude to write from a place of honesty and vulnerability.
Fans of The Notebook and The Fault In Our Stars will fall in love with Will and Sarah's poignant story. Just don't forget the box of tissues.
The writing is absolutely astounding. The author excels in setting the mood and describing her characters' emotional state through descriptive words that allow us to visualize and feel the pain, sorrow, joy or fear each character experiences. It's heart wrenching to feel that dark side of Will, that crazed drive to end what Joe Cannon started so many years ago, especially when Will was on the brink of so much happiness.
Sarah is determined, courageous and one hundred percent committed to healing the broken places within Will's heart. I loved her for this. I loved her willingness to live her life the way she saw fit, and found her to be a different kind of beautiful tragedy, one who made lemonade from lemons and faced the heartache in her life by living it to the fullest instead of merely existing as Will chose to do.
There are a few missing words here and there, and a few times the author head jumps a bit, going from one point of view to the other within the same scene, but it wasn't enough to distract me from the message of the story or pull me from the book.
Their love story was engrossing. The way Sarah fought for Will was admirable, and in the end, even though I already knew the outcome, I still held out for that happily ever after that I'm such a sucker for. I don't normally read books like this because I like to immerse myself in everything happy and worry free. Cotton candy romances, I guess you could say, but it's important to read those love stories that represent the frailties of humans and the many messy mistakes that being in love can produce. This love story wasn't meant to be written any other way and never would have held the same message or meaning if it had. I'm so glad the author had the guts and the fortitude to write from a place of honesty and vulnerability.
Fans of The Notebook and The Fault In Our Stars will fall in love with Will and Sarah's poignant story. Just don't forget the box of tissues.
July 16, 2015
From the beginning, you can tell you are going to get a romance which is bittersweet. You know the ending at the start so you travel back in time through a letter explaining what was felt and regrets at what could have been. You follow the story of the enigmatic Will Lawson from his most important impactful memory to his last. It is his letter to his lost love that sets the stage.
While many of you know I hate to cry, I really didn't until the end. It was an interesting journey with how decisions made in the moment reverberate throughout one's life. You don't just get Will's telling but you also get Sarah since she is the one reading and remembering. Both made decisions that they either regretted but stood by and took responsibility.
This bittersweet tale ends as expected but I have to say that my admiration for Sarah soared. Both were set with the decision to live or exist. She chose to live.
I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to those that love a bittersweet love story.
While many of you know I hate to cry, I really didn't until the end. It was an interesting journey with how decisions made in the moment reverberate throughout one's life. You don't just get Will's telling but you also get Sarah since she is the one reading and remembering. Both made decisions that they either regretted but stood by and took responsibility.
This bittersweet tale ends as expected but I have to say that my admiration for Sarah soared. Both were set with the decision to live or exist. She chose to live.
I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to those that love a bittersweet love story.
April 7, 2015
When The Crows Fly Low by VJ Patterson was a flat out pleasure to read. Her intriguing written style and decently created plots spins around the narrative of star crossed darlings, set in Tennessee in the little town of Doyle. I completely appreciated the twists and turns of secret, catastrophe, sentiment and tension these delightfully and lively characters paint.
When The Crows Fly Low is tinted with distinctive portrayals that yank at your creative ability while it seizes your consideration without you continually acknowledging it. It is an enlivening book that reminds you to remember the affection between family and somebody extraordinary.
I profoundly recommend this novel to all mystery, suspense and romance fans.
When The Crows Fly Low is tinted with distinctive portrayals that yank at your creative ability while it seizes your consideration without you continually acknowledging it. It is an enlivening book that reminds you to remember the affection between family and somebody extraordinary.
I profoundly recommend this novel to all mystery, suspense and romance fans.
August 8, 2015
When the Crow flies low is a bittersweet love story, where the ending is the beginning. But then that is the way of all love stories. This is a great stand alone novel and was a very different from the usual way to read a love story. It was a story about more then just surviving the bad times, and far more about living life regardless of what you leave behind in your past.
The haunting story of how Will witnessed his father's death and then goes on for years to come to blame himself and seek revenge was hard to read. It's a terribly sad thing when you can almost see the way a child's life will be shaped by the event, and Will's was assuredly shaped by the death of his father.
This was a great, albeit bittersweet story that you will think of long after you have put it down!
The haunting story of how Will witnessed his father's death and then goes on for years to come to blame himself and seek revenge was hard to read. It's a terribly sad thing when you can almost see the way a child's life will be shaped by the event, and Will's was assuredly shaped by the death of his father.
This was a great, albeit bittersweet story that you will think of long after you have put it down!
April 19, 2015
*I was gifted this book by the author for an honest review*
V.J. Patterson brings you star-crossed lovers in Tennesee with When the Crows Fly Low. At eleven-years-old, Will Lawson discovers that Hell isn’t just a place for demons. It exists on earth in an act so evil it rips away a part of his innocent soul. In its place; bitterness, hate and a vow for revenge.
Feel the suspense, tragedy, love, and loss in this tale that gives you a ride through the entire book. Vivid characters, palpable events, and a well-crafted plot make this a great joy to read. This a great effort for a first novel! Keep them coming. I highly recommend this book.
V.J. Patterson brings you star-crossed lovers in Tennesee with When the Crows Fly Low. At eleven-years-old, Will Lawson discovers that Hell isn’t just a place for demons. It exists on earth in an act so evil it rips away a part of his innocent soul. In its place; bitterness, hate and a vow for revenge.
Feel the suspense, tragedy, love, and loss in this tale that gives you a ride through the entire book. Vivid characters, palpable events, and a well-crafted plot make this a great joy to read. This a great effort for a first novel! Keep them coming. I highly recommend this book.
July 17, 2015
I was provided with a review copy by CBB Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not at all what I expected. In a good way. Not that I wasn't expecting to like it, because I was. But I wasn't expecting it to be as powerful as it was and as moving as it was. I just love when a book blows my expectations out of the water.
When the Crows Fly Low is a love story told from both main characters, Will and Sarah's, point of views. It is beautiful, heart-wrenching and filled with surprises.
This book definitely deserves 5 stars and I highly recommend it.
And this is the author's first published book. Rock on, V.J, Patterson.
This book was not at all what I expected. In a good way. Not that I wasn't expecting to like it, because I was. But I wasn't expecting it to be as powerful as it was and as moving as it was. I just love when a book blows my expectations out of the water.
When the Crows Fly Low is a love story told from both main characters, Will and Sarah's, point of views. It is beautiful, heart-wrenching and filled with surprises.
This book definitely deserves 5 stars and I highly recommend it.
And this is the author's first published book. Rock on, V.J, Patterson.
September 8, 2017
Good story
I love the way the author threaded the memories with the letter. Beautiful love story. It is well worth the read.
I love the way the author threaded the memories with the letter. Beautiful love story. It is well worth the read.
December 15, 2019
Good story.
July 23, 2015
http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/07/b...
When The Crows Fly Low is the first book by the author that I have read. Right from the start this book intrigued me. The title is so unique and unconventional that had it not been recommended to me, I would never have checked this book out! I mean, what can one make out of the title?
But now that I have read the book and totally fallen in love with it that I know how apt the title is!
The blurb again is good but still doesn't catch that essence of the story and if you don't have an idea of the story beforehand, the blurb is not that appealing. The cover is intriguing but still creates a picture so different than the actual story. The true importance of the cover, title and blurb is truly understood only after you have read the story.
Having said this, I absolutely one hundred percent loved this book and think that this story is one of the best that I have read this year! The plot, settings, execution of the idea, characterization and the emotions this story managed to elicit had me feeling deeply affected and left me with a deep impression even after finishing the book. I can still feel the remnants of the intense emotions I felt while I read the book, even though I finished it days ago!
The story takes place in a small town of Doyle and manages to move from the present to the past before the Second World War. The shifts in the times is so fluid that I was easily transported to those times of army marches, flying confetti and the general simple lives of the people. Even though, I have only had experience of that era through TV and books but still I felt as if I was there and could feel the energy in the air, the fear of the losses in War, the determination of people to brave all odds and amidst all this adversity, bloomed a love story that shook me with its intensity and left me feeling as if I had borne all those hardships.
The characters are so beautifully sketched that I just could not help but fall in love with them. Sarah and Will had my heart in my mouth the whole time. I sat at the edge of my seat, praying to God that they get their happily-ever-after while tears ran freely down my cheeks. Their story is one that I know will haunt me forever and which left me feeling gratitude for all that I have in my life. The other characters are also memorable people, I will always remember because of their various sacrifices and all the lessons they taught me in one story.
The settings are beautifully described. Be it the town of Doyle which is so beautiful that it made me want to go there sometime. The contrast in the town's settings with time are also very vividly described and I could feel the sadness of the heroine as she walks along the road to see so many old, Victorian houses like hers now sitting empty and abandoned. The scenarios of the war, the hardships of the farmers waiting for rain and the joy of a romantic meeting at a secret location containing waterfalls and river banks had me sighing and smiling like a hopeless romantic that I am.
I loved the author's writing style. She made me cry, laugh, feel happy, satisfied and then forever in love in this one book. A very talented author, I will be checking out her other books and keeping a lookout for her future releases.
All in all, When The Crows Fly Low is a must must read. I don't have words to explain all that I felt while reading this book but will say this, I absolutely loved this book and think this is one of the best books that I have read this year and all my life!
5 super shiny stars to it from me and strongly recommended to everyone. Go read this beautiful romance, travel to the time of the Second World War, meet the peaceful scenery in the beautiful town of Doyle and follow Will and Sarah as they weave a love tale full of magic, passion, sacrifices and above all devotion to each other.
When The Crows Fly Low is the first book by the author that I have read. Right from the start this book intrigued me. The title is so unique and unconventional that had it not been recommended to me, I would never have checked this book out! I mean, what can one make out of the title?
But now that I have read the book and totally fallen in love with it that I know how apt the title is!
The blurb again is good but still doesn't catch that essence of the story and if you don't have an idea of the story beforehand, the blurb is not that appealing. The cover is intriguing but still creates a picture so different than the actual story. The true importance of the cover, title and blurb is truly understood only after you have read the story.
Having said this, I absolutely one hundred percent loved this book and think that this story is one of the best that I have read this year! The plot, settings, execution of the idea, characterization and the emotions this story managed to elicit had me feeling deeply affected and left me with a deep impression even after finishing the book. I can still feel the remnants of the intense emotions I felt while I read the book, even though I finished it days ago!
The story takes place in a small town of Doyle and manages to move from the present to the past before the Second World War. The shifts in the times is so fluid that I was easily transported to those times of army marches, flying confetti and the general simple lives of the people. Even though, I have only had experience of that era through TV and books but still I felt as if I was there and could feel the energy in the air, the fear of the losses in War, the determination of people to brave all odds and amidst all this adversity, bloomed a love story that shook me with its intensity and left me feeling as if I had borne all those hardships.
The characters are so beautifully sketched that I just could not help but fall in love with them. Sarah and Will had my heart in my mouth the whole time. I sat at the edge of my seat, praying to God that they get their happily-ever-after while tears ran freely down my cheeks. Their story is one that I know will haunt me forever and which left me feeling gratitude for all that I have in my life. The other characters are also memorable people, I will always remember because of their various sacrifices and all the lessons they taught me in one story.
The settings are beautifully described. Be it the town of Doyle which is so beautiful that it made me want to go there sometime. The contrast in the town's settings with time are also very vividly described and I could feel the sadness of the heroine as she walks along the road to see so many old, Victorian houses like hers now sitting empty and abandoned. The scenarios of the war, the hardships of the farmers waiting for rain and the joy of a romantic meeting at a secret location containing waterfalls and river banks had me sighing and smiling like a hopeless romantic that I am.
I loved the author's writing style. She made me cry, laugh, feel happy, satisfied and then forever in love in this one book. A very talented author, I will be checking out her other books and keeping a lookout for her future releases.
All in all, When The Crows Fly Low is a must must read. I don't have words to explain all that I felt while reading this book but will say this, I absolutely loved this book and think this is one of the best books that I have read this year and all my life!
5 super shiny stars to it from me and strongly recommended to everyone. Go read this beautiful romance, travel to the time of the Second World War, meet the peaceful scenery in the beautiful town of Doyle and follow Will and Sarah as they weave a love tale full of magic, passion, sacrifices and above all devotion to each other.
May 31, 2015
Will is handsome, unschooled, and unstable, especially since he witnessed his father’s murder. Sarah, running from her demanding parents, takes a job as a teacher at the local school. While it’s love at first sight, it develops into a difficult relationship.
At first, Will feels Sarah’s love can change him into a better man. Sarah feels she’s finally found happiness. But grim forces are at work against them, including the poverty and desperation of a farming town during the Great Depression and Will’s sense of guilt that his father was murdered because Will was late to meet him. When his father’s murderer is released from prison and reappears in town, the terrible past overpowers Will.
The story is told from both Will’s and Sarah’s point of view, enriching the experience for the reader. All the characters are complex and believable, like people you might have known when you were growing up.
One of the most appealing parts of this story is its variety of expressions of love. Will and Sarah’s relationship, while brief, exerts power over them for a lifetime. However, the final scene of the book, where Sarah looks through a photo album of her life after Will elicits an entirely different kind of love – not brief and intoxicating but deep and enduring. The secondary characters in the novel show yet another kind of love: the love of friends and family. Will is surprised to find the whole town turns out for his trial, but the reader isn’t. Even if he refuses to believe it, he is deeply loved.
This book is a treat. Highly recommended!
At first, Will feels Sarah’s love can change him into a better man. Sarah feels she’s finally found happiness. But grim forces are at work against them, including the poverty and desperation of a farming town during the Great Depression and Will’s sense of guilt that his father was murdered because Will was late to meet him. When his father’s murderer is released from prison and reappears in town, the terrible past overpowers Will.
The story is told from both Will’s and Sarah’s point of view, enriching the experience for the reader. All the characters are complex and believable, like people you might have known when you were growing up.
One of the most appealing parts of this story is its variety of expressions of love. Will and Sarah’s relationship, while brief, exerts power over them for a lifetime. However, the final scene of the book, where Sarah looks through a photo album of her life after Will elicits an entirely different kind of love – not brief and intoxicating but deep and enduring. The secondary characters in the novel show yet another kind of love: the love of friends and family. Will is surprised to find the whole town turns out for his trial, but the reader isn’t. Even if he refuses to believe it, he is deeply loved.
This book is a treat. Highly recommended!
March 8, 2015
I was gifted this book by the author for an honest review.
This story of Sarah and Will is beautifully written and will stay with you long after you turn the last page. The setting is Doyle, Tennessee starting in 1926 and goes through to the present day. It's the story of two people finding each other a little too late and never giving up on each other.
Will experiences a tragedy in the murder of his father at a young age and vows revenge against the man who did this to him and his family. A piece of his heart is destroyed in that one precious moment and he is never able to heal it again.
Sarah is a young woman escaping a life mapped out for her by a step-father who sees her and her brother as ways to a better social status. She arrives at Doyle ready to be the schoolteacher and immediately loses her heart to Will, the bad boy of the town.
Together they hope for something better and for a brief moment believe they can achieve the impossible. Unfortunately, life happens and their dream comes crashing down.
The author paints wonderfully clear portraits of characters, far from perfect, and all too human. This was a very enjoyable book and well worth your time to read.
This story of Sarah and Will is beautifully written and will stay with you long after you turn the last page. The setting is Doyle, Tennessee starting in 1926 and goes through to the present day. It's the story of two people finding each other a little too late and never giving up on each other.
Will experiences a tragedy in the murder of his father at a young age and vows revenge against the man who did this to him and his family. A piece of his heart is destroyed in that one precious moment and he is never able to heal it again.
Sarah is a young woman escaping a life mapped out for her by a step-father who sees her and her brother as ways to a better social status. She arrives at Doyle ready to be the schoolteacher and immediately loses her heart to Will, the bad boy of the town.
Together they hope for something better and for a brief moment believe they can achieve the impossible. Unfortunately, life happens and their dream comes crashing down.
The author paints wonderfully clear portraits of characters, far from perfect, and all too human. This was a very enjoyable book and well worth your time to read.
May 18, 2015
This is a book that starts off in the early 1900 and works it way up over the next several decades. the book is captivating and keeps you wanting more from the start and reminds you about the important choices one must make throughout life.
The main characters Sarah and Will, although very different, meet and fall in love with one another, but must overcome obstacles along the way. The author does a great job at describing his characters so you get an exact feel for who they are. Very good writing, would highly recommend!
The main characters Sarah and Will, although very different, meet and fall in love with one another, but must overcome obstacles along the way. The author does a great job at describing his characters so you get an exact feel for who they are. Very good writing, would highly recommend!
March 9, 2015
Good read
Great story about love and family ( and the things we do thinking we are helping our families). Easy read. Looking forward to talking with the author.
Great story about love and family ( and the things we do thinking we are helping our families). Easy read. Looking forward to talking with the author.
July 5, 2016
Definitely a love story with much turmoil!
January 5, 2017
What a great read. Got right into the book
and had to see what happened. Finished the
book really quick. Will recommend.
and had to see what happened. Finished the
book really quick. Will recommend.
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