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The Wishing House
Just one wish…. Behind an old dilapidated cottage in a peaceful Shropshire village, is an ancient wishing well. Surrounded by superstition and folklore dating back to the civil war, the well and the house have been left untouched by the locals. When a stranger to the village buys the house, the well is disturbed…. Present Day - Unexpected circumstances lead Milly Lyle to move to The Wishing House, a quintessential country cottage recently restored and renovated by her lover. With its chocolate box looks, quaint location and the pretty well outside, it seems the perfect place for a fresh start. Then she hears of the legend of the Wishing Well Witch and the noises, dreams and strange events begin. 1642 – the turn of the civil war. Constance Yorke, the troubled wife of the parish Clergyman, finds herself turning to the wishing well behind her house for answers to her prayers. Plagued with visions portending a country torn in two by a bloody war waged by the King, it seems that Constance may have dabbled with things that she shouldn’t. Growing more isolated from her distant husband and the other villagers, she is left with nothing but her wishing well and the curious white dog that keeps appearing. When Prince Rupert and his Cavaliers ride through Sleepers Brook after a skirmish at Powick Bridge, it seems that Constance Yorke’s visions are coming true and that perhaps, she really is falling foul of witchcraft. As times collide, one woman’s quest for retribution becomes another’s peril in a chilling story of love, jealousy, betrayal and revenge.
- GenresHorror
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2015
179 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 9, 2015
A haunting tale of both the dark and light sides of love. Drawing on history and superstition, the story transitions seamlessly between two time frames, and the author evokes the imagery, ambience and emotions of each perfectly. Thoroughly enjoyable!
April 10, 2020
Excellent
I am a keen reader of dual time novels and I am always happy with things somewhat paranormal....when done well. This is the second book by the author that I have read and both have been very enjoyable reads.
Well crafted characters built around a nugget of history, well developed dual plots...what more could a reader want! I now plan to read the last of her available books and I hope that she is working on another soon-to-be-published book because I want to read it!
I am a keen reader of dual time novels and I am always happy with things somewhat paranormal....when done well. This is the second book by the author that I have read and both have been very enjoyable reads.
Well crafted characters built around a nugget of history, well developed dual plots...what more could a reader want! I now plan to read the last of her available books and I hope that she is working on another soon-to-be-published book because I want to read it!
June 29, 2020
A spooky read
Loved the book from the beginning, reading it as you got further in, one had to look over your shoulder, seemingly all too real. The superstitions, or not, of the early times in our history, the cruel treatment of women whose only aim was to heal, fascinating and very creepy.
Loved the book from the beginning, reading it as you got further in, one had to look over your shoulder, seemingly all too real. The superstitions, or not, of the early times in our history, the cruel treatment of women whose only aim was to heal, fascinating and very creepy.
July 19, 2024
Wish I could give it 6 stars!! Definitely dragged a bit(for me) in the middle but was absolutely compelling enough to keep my attention. POV’s were balanced well, so it didn’t seem like we were spending too much time with one character at any given time. Just wow!
It’s almost 10pm and the last hour of reading had me feeling like something was going to jump out of the silence of my room and scare me. Once the parallels and connections between the past and present start manifesting, the story just got better and better and that ending!! I loved this book!
It’s almost 10pm and the last hour of reading had me feeling like something was going to jump out of the silence of my room and scare me. Once the parallels and connections between the past and present start manifesting, the story just got better and better and that ending!! I loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
A slow paced story, but worth the reading
The time slips in this story were seamless as the characters on both sides were interwoven. Usually I can guess a story's ending, but this one evaded me.
The plot revolves around a centuries old ruined cottage in a small village, brought back to life as it is bought and renovated. The deep well through the gap in the hedge did not need this touch.
This author is new to me, but I will definitely read more of her books.
The time slips in this story were seamless as the characters on both sides were interwoven. Usually I can guess a story's ending, but this one evaded me.
The plot revolves around a centuries old ruined cottage in a small village, brought back to life as it is bought and renovated. The deep well through the gap in the hedge did not need this touch.
This author is new to me, but I will definitely read more of her books.
June 8, 2020
Enjoyable read
I couldnt put this book down. Well written story with a twist at the ending. Only disappointment was the kindle version had some words written wrong. Not properly proof read but still a good read
I couldnt put this book down. Well written story with a twist at the ending. Only disappointment was the kindle version had some words written wrong. Not properly proof read but still a good read
November 24, 2020
Wow! What a story! The excitement was kept up to the very end. I could just see this as a film, the special effects would be amazing!
One part of the end of the story left me wondering if there is a follow up book to this story explaining what really happened to one of the historical characters?
One part of the end of the story left me wondering if there is a follow up book to this story explaining what really happened to one of the historical characters?
January 2, 2021
This book
Normally I would not have thought to read this type of ghost story but I am so glad I did.
This book was totally gripping ,perhaps a little bit of middle could have been shortened, and a fantastic ending
Normally I would not have thought to read this type of ghost story but I am so glad I did.
This book was totally gripping ,perhaps a little bit of middle could have been shortened, and a fantastic ending
May 5, 2019
A good read moving from present to past
November 7, 2019
Brilliant read
Couldn't put this book down .
The mixture of history and horror what more could you ask for .
Enjoyed it so much just purchased the other two books by the auther .
Couldn't put this book down .
The mixture of history and horror what more could you ask for .
Enjoyed it so much just purchased the other two books by the auther .
April 5, 2020
Very difficult to put down
This book grabs your attention from the start . Drawn in to an exceptionally well written story. Unforgettable excellent read
This book grabs your attention from the start . Drawn in to an exceptionally well written story. Unforgettable excellent read
February 24, 2021
Well that was very different enjoyed it. Like how this author draws you into the story, well written
July 24, 2021
Mind benignly sinister! Just a shame one thing was never explained the grave ! I won’t say what as it would be a spoiler !
January 17, 2022
I enjoyed this interesting story!
March 2, 2023
Fantasic
Had a hard time putting down. Very well written. Loved the characters and the story. Liked how different the story was.
Had a hard time putting down. Very well written. Loved the characters and the story. Liked how different the story was.
April 19, 2023
Great Book.
First time reading from this author. But it wont be the last. Loved the story. The story grabs you from the first chapter.
First time reading from this author. But it wont be the last. Loved the story. The story grabs you from the first chapter.
December 31, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It was not predictable like so many are if you read a lot of paranormal books.
May 29, 2016
The story drags you in.
I love the way that the writer mirrors the past and the present in this book, and how we flit between the two times so easily. The characters are very easy to empathise with and before you realise it you are there with them, with every creak of the stair or shadows sudden movement, your arms prickling as theirs do, the hair on the back of your neck rising as theirs does.
At times I did feel that the story was rushing ahead of me, racing past an event while I would rather have lingered there a while longer. This did not detract at all from the story as it envelopes you and takes you straight there. I did, on occasion, have to check back to see what had previously been written, as I felt I must have misread something. For example, Milly has to check the time and looks at her phone but it is flat so she has no idea of how much time has passed. A few moments later she is glancing at her watch to check the time. For me these two statements seemed to derail each other but it is possibly just my mismatched logic. Despite these two very small gripes the book was a brilliantly spooky read that I can wholeheartedly recommended and I hope to see much more of this very promising author.
I love the way that the writer mirrors the past and the present in this book, and how we flit between the two times so easily. The characters are very easy to empathise with and before you realise it you are there with them, with every creak of the stair or shadows sudden movement, your arms prickling as theirs do, the hair on the back of your neck rising as theirs does.
At times I did feel that the story was rushing ahead of me, racing past an event while I would rather have lingered there a while longer. This did not detract at all from the story as it envelopes you and takes you straight there. I did, on occasion, have to check back to see what had previously been written, as I felt I must have misread something. For example, Milly has to check the time and looks at her phone but it is flat so she has no idea of how much time has passed. A few moments later she is glancing at her watch to check the time. For me these two statements seemed to derail each other but it is possibly just my mismatched logic. Despite these two very small gripes the book was a brilliantly spooky read that I can wholeheartedly recommended and I hope to see much more of this very promising author.
October 31, 2015
This book was a bit confusing at times. It was like it would be telling one story in one paragraph and then the next was a different story. I guess it lacked good transition. Even with this issue I was deeply enthralled by this story. It was a ghost story to me and everyone loves a good read about ghosts and haunted houses. It follows a young woman who after suffering great pain finds herself left a house, a house that is known to be haunted. A story of sadness and of a woman trying to start again. It also tells another story of a young woman from long ago. A woman known to most as a witch.
Overall the book was a good read. It was written well for the most part. It had a lot of historical aspects as well as mystical and to me that is always a great combination. I have to say that the ending is really good and I wasn't expecting it....Stormi
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Overall the book was a good read. It was written well for the most part. It had a lot of historical aspects as well as mystical and to me that is always a great combination. I have to say that the ending is really good and I wasn't expecting it....Stormi
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https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
June 2, 2024
I though this was a brilliant debut novel. The characters are well developed and I was really drawn into the historical element and Constance Yorke's story. I liked how the two parts of the book entwined and I think the author did this really well.
The only part I didn't like was the ending. To me it was a bit far fetched and I feel it could have been tied up less dramatically but that's just my opinion and I liked the rest so much I would definitely recommend this to people and look forward to the author's next book.
The only part I didn't like was the ending. To me it was a bit far fetched and I feel it could have been tied up less dramatically but that's just my opinion and I liked the rest so much I would definitely recommend this to people and look forward to the author's next book.
March 31, 2016
A big book
This has two stories intertwined with hundreds of years between them. This historical paranormal story was interesting to read and kept me hooked. The ending was good and definitely not predictable. 52 chapters makes this a meaty book. Well written and edited. Part of Kindle Unlimited.
This has two stories intertwined with hundreds of years between them. This historical paranormal story was interesting to read and kept me hooked. The ending was good and definitely not predictable. 52 chapters makes this a meaty book. Well written and edited. Part of Kindle Unlimited.
December 28, 2015
I loved this book, just the right amount of past, present and spooky. I will definitely read future novels by this author.
February 15, 2016
Chilling story
Hugely enjoyable story with just the right amount of suspense and horror without being gruesome. I will definitely look out for more books from this author
Hugely enjoyable story with just the right amount of suspense and horror without being gruesome. I will definitely look out for more books from this author
August 28, 2016
Must read
If you love ghost stories then this book is for you!! It has every thing !! Mystery, bumps in the night and good old witches too
If you love ghost stories then this book is for you!! It has every thing !! Mystery, bumps in the night and good old witches too
December 8, 2016
Milly moves into a centuries-old, renovated cottage in a tiny village only to encounter a vengeful spirit. A well-written blend of history and supernatural.
February 7, 2016
Took a bit to get into, lots of back n forth and dragged at the end.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews