The Castle of Wind and Whispers

Briarwood Witches #4

by Steffanie Holmes

Now she’s returned from the dead, Maeve’s mother reveals the secret of how she defeated the fae twenty-one years ago. That secret will cost Maeve more than she could ever imagine.

Briarwood is no longer safe. The castle walls have been breached, and the coven’s enemies batter at their doors. The coven have two options left – surrender, or die.

Maeve Moore doesn’t do ultimatums, not when she’s got five powerful men, an ancient witch, a prostitute with a heart of gold, a faithful sister, and the ghost of her dead mother on her side. Plus, her ancient castle still has a few tricks left to reveal.

If the fae want Briarwood, they’ll have to come and take it.

The Castle of Wind and Whispers is the fourth in a brand new steamy reverse harem romance series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes. This full-length book glitters with love, heartache, hope, grief, dark magic, fairy trickery, steamy scenes, British slang, meat pies, second chances, and the healing powers of a good cup of tea. Read on only if you believe one just isn’t enough.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Witches, Magic, Why Choose, Fantasy

288 pages, ebook

Published August 28, 2018

About the author

Steffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.

Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.

Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.

Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't hate authors because they end their books with cliffhangers. I actually quite like cliffhangers, because they make sure that I pick up the next book and don't wait weeks or months or even years before continuing a series because something else has caught my fancy. But, I have to admit that even I have my limits and I think this cliffhanger is the meanest and worst I've ever encountered! But the fact that I'm this angry about it, says everything you need to know.

During the last four books these characters have found a place in my heart and I refuse to let them go. They've all been through so much, none of them had a easy life, they were all confronted with challenges and hardship. And watching these characters find each other, heal each other and find ways to heal themselves is everything. These characters are so beautifully realistically and wonderfully human.

Yes, at times they mess up. At times they don't communicate, they don't share information, they even downright lie or make promises they can't keep. Sometimes they're hypocritical, screaming or just being unreasonable. But then they're sorry and hurting and groveling and it's easy to forgive them because Holmes makes us feel their pain, makes us realize that they are simply human, with magic, and that they make mistakes.

And damn, they made some big mistakes in this one! I can be angry all I want about the cliffhanger, but I did see it coming, I knew somehow that they were creating the circumstances so it could come true. They were doing whatever they had to do to face the fae, to defeat them, to save the earth and humanity, but they were forgetting, for a short moment, that monsters come in different shapes and forms and that a monster can easily be created.

Well, let's see how long I can wait to pick up the next book... (I don't think it will be longer than 10 days!)

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying how ridiculously trashy this series is (and I use that term in a fond way; give me all the delicious trash candy books). In this one we get Art sculptures! SECRETS! Lesbian witch covens! SISTERLY BETRAYALS! Dramatic Parenting Reveals! THE UNDERWORLD
I quite like the discussion of belief systems that threads through this series, and the art sculptures as belief-collectors is such a cool idea.

Needed about ten more orgies though. Just sayin' Also there were a few POV slip-ups where I'm pretty sure we were in the wrong head for a sentence or two and I got briefly confused.

I'm being drawn into being interested in the saving-the-world plot despite myself. Come for the relationship drama; stay for the evil faeries! (and Corbin; he's my fave)

Also, cliffhanger alert! IMMEDIATELY begin Book 5 after finishing.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hated the ending but I cannot share why but oh my gosh the angst, the emotions and the feelings inspired by this episode of Maeve and her boys.

Several things are going on first Maeve's mother has been saved from the painting and Maeve isn't sure how to feel about her Mom being alive again. Then there is Kelly Maeve still hasn't figured out how to be totally honest with her sister and a huge fight ensues. Maeve and her boys continue to grow their bonds of love.

Those are just a few of the things I can safely reveal. Ms. Holmes really mesmerized me with all of these emotions and feelings. I definitely recommend this series if you dare to be swept away by the passion of romance and adventure. Yes I voluntarily read an advance copy but that doesn't take away from the fact that this will forever be in my library as soon as I am able. Yes, my opinion was honest and nor did I receive compensation in any way.

Judge it for yourself I dare you.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother?

So many things going on in this book. It seemed to jump around a little bit. But still good story line.

[Rhiannon Chillingworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how to rate this yet because I'm too fucking furious!

So, you're a coven of powerful witches. A bunch of humans from a small minded Christian village come to break into your castle to kill you. So...what do you do?

Option number 1: USE YOUR FUCKING MAGIC!!!! You're all powerful witches! You don't have to kill them, just restrain them or knock them out!

Option number 2: CALL THE FUCKING POLICE!!!! I don't care if the only policeman in the village is in on the bloody mob, THERE ARE OTHER POLICEMAN IN THE WORLD!!! How about the nearest town? It's fucking England, there's going to be one quite nearby! People just can't go smashing down castles (!!!!! As if they would have been able to do that with the equipment they had!!!!) and killing people in mobs in fucking England.

Option 3: FUCKING ESCAPE!!! Temporarily knock them out and get in a car a drive the fuck away!

So, do you do ANY of those things! Oh no. You just let it all go to shit.

This is a pretty good, if slightly cheesy series, which I've enjoyed up until now, but the way this was just one of the stupidest thing I've read in a long time!!!! The sheer ridiculousness of it has made me rage!!!!

[Katyana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this one least of all in the series.

Maeve has become an intolerable asshole. She's shitty to Kelly, she's shitty to Aline, and I've got to be frank here: I'm sick of her scoffing at other witches and their magic/spells as if it is woo-woo bullshit when she's fucking seen all kinds of this stuff work. She's become a judgmental, stupid, bitchy, totalitarian dictator (the number of times she says something to the effect of "I'm the High Priestess and what I say goes, no arguments!" is no less than half a dozen, and probably much more). Maeve is an absolute bag of shit, and she's become TSTL.

Jane is The Worst. Kelly is The Second Worst. The two of them have suddenly flipped into raging she-beast assholes. I am honestly rooting for them - and this whole shitty village - to die.

This book is just a crazy train of them making the dumbest possible choices in every situation. I mean, literally every situation. How they handle the villagers is UNBELIEVABLY stupid, firing up the hatred like that.

Furthermore, I'm deeply unhappy with what seems to be a theme in this series: if you're a good person, you'll happily be a punching bag. It's something I had a problem with in the first book, when Dora was fucking horrible to Maeve and everyone acted like Maeve should just roll with it. It continues on with this book, with Kelly screeching and even being violent with Maeve, and everyone acting like it is Maeve's job to fix things with Kelly. And then as the kicker, in this book the villagers come to the castle to kill them (that's not an exaggeration) and they are repeatedly telling each other not to hurt the poor villagers. I'm sorry, but fuck that. Look, even if there is compulsion going on - something that is a theory, because frankly, these villagers have treated them like shit from the outset - you're not required to let people attack you and just fucking take it. I don't care what reason brought those people here, but they are here to kill you, and you get to fight back. Fuck everyone in this fucking town (and fuck Jane in particular), because they deserve to be wiped off the planet. And given that for this whole series we've seen a vision of the townspeople burning the coven at the stake, for them to be like "no no, don't hurt the poor villagers" is fucking gross.

If the next book wasn't the last book, I'd quit this series. But I'm 4 books in out of 5, so I may as well see it through to its (likely) shitty end.

Fuck. I liked this so much at the beginning.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Briarwood Witches series.

This series just grows on me from book to book.
At the end of each story, I was going for the next in the series, but thought I may have a clue where the series what heading. And as I started book 2, then book 3, I was gloriously wrong, but with Book 4, I could not be more wrong if I tried.

This book just got darker and deeper as each page was turned. And to cap it was the visions of the stakes and the bodies.

With the characters themselves, for me, the development of Rowan and Kelly was so special, especially Helly. How she developed and her strength and honesty was just huge. Then there was the strange relationship between Maive and her mother, Aline, right through to the last pages.

And as for Maive’s guys, each one comes so far in this book. The love and trust, and bravery and pain they share with us as this book just builds and builds, till a so well-crafted end that I just not ready for hit me.

Of Steffanie's books I have read so far, this one is, for me, the superstar.

There is at least another book in the series to come, and for this one I have no clue where it not only will go, but more importantly, will come from.

Now, I have not given any clue or hint at the storyline here, because when you read it, you must start with no clues or knowledge. Enjoy it as it opens up and builds, like me.

Trust Steffanie Holmes and her writing skills, because trust me, you are in for one hell of a ride here and will not be ready for this brilliant journey, and a cliffhanger that will leave you breathless and full of questions.

Enjoy
Sensational.

[Shawna Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

NO!!!!!! Freaking cliffhanger. Gosh dang it, Steffanie, you are KILLING ME HERE!!!!!

Okay, not really, because the final book is out and I can move straight into it, but I am ready to start bawling my eyes out here.

Still do not like Alina (mom) at all, as for a gal who was remembered as the most powerful spirit witch ever, she’s a waste of breath here. It’s manipulation and whining and thinking she knows what to do even if she keeps royally screwing up. At least Kelly wasn’t really in this one, because if I had to deal with her AND Alina I’d probably have screamed in frustration by now.

Sadly, everyone is falling apart here- but then, really, the coven is all kids really. It’s still frustrating that everyone seems to thinking they know what they are doing when they sneak off to do something idiotic.

As it is, Rowan’s traumas are breaking my heart and why Alina misses that lying jerk Daigh I’ll never understand. It’s all a bunch of characters proving once again that when people are downright terrified they stop thinking rationally, and that, once again you idiots, the fae can never be trusted.

Don’t mind me while I go rant and rave for a few more minutes, sob out a pound or two of tears and then queue up the final book.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a witch is dangerous, and nowhere is safe now. Not even at Briarwood.
Being on bad terms with Kelly is not the worst Maeve is going through. Imagine hateful villagers the way it was during witch hunts, a long-lost mother suddenly coming back to life not a day older and totally childish, and fast approaching apocalypse. The Fae are scheming maliciously how to break the last defenses. And the relationships are only getting more complicated.
Heart-wrenching, intense, emotional, and full-of-darkness read with plenty of mysteties, action, and adventure. Magic flies free and untamed across the pages, limitless and powerful. Maeve and her coven ruin every prejudice and make the reader see where the real values lie; the open-minded already accepting them the way they are, the rest coming to understanding. And the cliffhanger at the end makes my heart cry for more immediately. It cannot end this way..

[Linda Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maeve and her coven face threats from all sides. The one thing they can count on is their love for one another.

I highly recommend this series. It is such a ride with so much action and romance and surprises abound. You never know what will hit them next.

Each of the characters is so well written and the author really takes time to develop the relationships. You feel the bonds even after such a short time together.

This book really challenges them to try new things and has some major surprises in the end. It leaves you scared and wanting to know what is next for them all.

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Maeve's analytical mindset, I was wondering how long before her mentality would become a setback for her. It was bound to happen as from the previous books, she herself was judged and now she is on the other side. I am still rooting for her as a character and for her to come to her senses as she has many people trying to get through to her. The plot is still very much engaging and the characters can be a bit frustrating but it makes my anticipation for the next book greater for the characters to get it together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Things are really heating up at Briarwood. Maeve's mother has returned from the dead, well actually not dead but it is hard to explain. Maeve's sister has turned against her and ran off with, well I will let you find out for yourself. The Fae are preparing to take over the human realm with the help of the dead (the actual dead), and the villagers are restless. Throw in Maeve's dear old dad, the Fae king, and you have a recipe for disaster, and that is what you will get. Warning - cliffhanger ending.

I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.

[Britan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

That was a brutal cliffhanger guys. Absolutely devastating. This book was good. The deception is thick and honestly I am not surprised with what happened with the villagers. People are stupid when they get scared. Everyone made some terrible mistakes but I'm hoping for a happy ending in the next book. One thing that gets on my nerves though is kelly. She is a horrible sister and I hope she is being compelled or something because the way she acted is childish and pathetic.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness. This series keeps getting better and better. The author makes you feel as if you are part of the story. She is incredible with creating the world and a believable plot. I have all the feels when reading about the characters and what they are going through. The intensity, passion and action didn't let me put this book down. And when I was finished, I was left with this gaping sense of mistrust, fear and a a small amount of hope. I can not wait until the next book comes out to see what happens.

[Elisa Lanzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and enjoyable continuation to the Briarwood Witches series. Steffanie Holmes continues to weave a great storyline with a unique use of using spice to also explain her magic system. The character development in this series is done well and this is no exception in “The Castle of Wind and Whispers” as we finally get a full picture of all the characters pasts and there journey to find peace with themselves.

“The Castle of Wind and Whispers” also has the best cliffhanger of the series and I am both devastated with what seems to be transpiring while also ready to move into the next book and see what happens.

A solid 4th book in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps you on the edge of your seat. Maeve's biological mother is back, but she doesn't really know Maeve and she doesn't understand today's world. Worse yet Maeve doesn't trust her either. Maeve's trust in her guys doesn't waver. Can their love help save them from the fae? This story keeps twisting and turning, but this "world" kept me entranced and emotional over all of their trials and accomplishments.

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Briarwood Reverse Harem series and let me say all the threats that Maeve and her coven face from all sides just proves that love can make things better. Plenty of action, suspense and romance that akeep you pulled into the book. Each of the characters are so well written and the author really takes the time to develop the relationships. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle of wind and whispers

Oh dear goodness my head is reeling from this book! I am beyond myself so dang mad it's not even funny! This book has me in a tizzy. It was a great read but dang it now I have to wait for the next one! Fae, humans, witches all trying to one up each other. An excellent part of the series is when you have my emotions running amuck as they are now. Can't wait for the next installment!

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Castle of Wind and Whispers by Steffanie Holmes is book Four in the Briarwood Reverse Harem Series. Since this continues the story of Maeve Crawford you should read the previous books to full enjoy this one.
Maeve is in full protective mode with the village turning her mother reappearing and of course their enemy that is threatening them. This book is a exciting read with its paranormal type romance with this reverse harem theme.

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aline is the most selfish, self-involved witch ever. I would’ve locked her up in a dungeon until proven trustworthy.

Of course infusing art with magic was going to backfire. I wonder if the Soho coven knew this all along…

As for Maeve: trusting Aline and the fae. What was she thinking? The first thing learned in this magical world: fae lie.

And now the vision is going to come true… Now I have to read the next book. Immediately.

[Jacque Gostas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a sweet low stakes romance, this ain't it! The tension and drama is at an 11 on a scale of 1-10. I don't like fantasy and only began reading this series because of my absolute love for the author, but I have found the ride to be very enjoyable and I cannot wait to find out how it turns out. Fair warning - it ends on a HELL of a cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, the storyline is filled with, Magic, mayhem, an unexpected traitor and other unexpected twists in the plot make this a must read. The characters are fascinating and unique, fighting for their own survival and to protect the people of the town folk who seem to want nothing but their destruction. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unintended Consequences

Another heart pounding cliffhanger leaves the reader in anticipation for the next installment. However, this time there was an unexpected emotional twist. Maeve and her guys will have to deal with its consequences. The revelations of this book were somewhat surprising and interesting. I hope the conclusion to this series will answer any questions I felt were not revealed yet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was invested in what was going on in this universe and enjoyed the genre going on. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed from the previous three books. It was a strong entry in the Briarwood Witches series and had that writing style that I was hoping for and enjoyed the characters in this. Steffanie Holmes wrote this perfectly and glad I got to read this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon E. Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this series continuation, Maeve and her coven face threats from all sides - Hateful villagers, Runaway sister, scheming Fae. Lots of complications and growth within the relationships.

This story is full of Magic, Intrigue, Adventure, Intense Emotions, and Darkness. Warning, it ends with a heart stopping cliffhanger. If you love Paranormal Why Choose Romances, you should give this one a read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was jam packed full of some cracking plot twists and turns. Maeve's (FMC) mother returns which brings its own complications but also tensions between her and her sister escalates. Add to that the villagers are unhelpful hate filled selves and the fae still causing problems. This series certainly kept me on my toes and with that cliffhanger ending. I can't wait to get hold of book 5 now.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when science nerd, Maeve, thinks things can't get worse, her mother returns from the "dead", her sister hates her and her dad keeps popping up in the bathroom mirror. Did I mention the whole town wants to kill her? You can help but enjoy this fast paced story of love and betrayal. I'm looking forward to book 5.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve's story continues in this thrilling installment. Action packed, Maeve and her men prepare to battle the Fae. The ending is a major cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next book. So much happens in this one. I can't decide if Aline is one of the good ones or not. Overall a good read I binged in a few hours.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Ending!!!!
Briarwood isn’t safe, secrets are revealed - Maeve and her men have their work cut out for them. I think that was the worst cliffhanger I’ve ever encountered in a story series. How could you, Steffaine Holmes!!I am in love with this series - I can’t wait to see how the conclusion plays out!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! A fabulously intense and dangerous addition to this series.. Emotional and eye-opening events.. Couldn't put it down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.