Contrary Winds: A Novel of the American Revolution

by Lea Wait

It's 1777. The fate of the American Revolution is in serious doubt, and new immigrants fourteen-year-old Rory Campbell and his sister Sarah want to be part of the excitement. But neither of them ever dream the critical roles they will play in the war after Sarah goes to live with a Royalist widow upriver in Wiscasset, where spies are everywhere and the British Navy is all too close by, and Rory runs away to join the York militia headed for Saratoga, New York, for the first critical battle of the Revolution. Rory's and Sarah's stories alternate as they see the war, and their new country, from different places...and find that their courage and bravery can make major differences to the future of their new nation.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2018

About the author

Maine author Lea Wait writes the NYT-praised 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, the latest of which is SHADWS ON A MORNING IN MAINE, and the USA Today best-selling Mainely Needlepoint series which debuted with TWISTED THREADS in January, 2015, and was followed by THREADS OF EVIDENCE in August, 2015, THREAD AND GONE, in January, 2016, DANGLING BY A THREAD in late October, 2016, and TIGHTENING THE THREADS in March, 2017. Wait also writes acclaimed historical novels for ages 8 and up set in 19th century Maine, the latest of which, UNCERTAIN GLORY, takes place in a small northern town during the first two weeks of the Civil War. Lea's LIVING AND WRITING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, about being an author and living year 'round in Maine with a husband who's an artist also includes writing tips. Lea did her undergraduate work at Chatham College (now University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her graduate work at New York University. While she was raising the four daughters she adopted as a single parent she worked as a manager for AT&T. Now she writes full time and speaks at schools and libraries. She loves rowing, visiting historical sites, and, of course, reading and writing. See her website,
www.leawait.com, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, http://www.mainecrimewriters.com, friend her on FB and Goodreads, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at leawait@roadrunner.com

Reviews

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes -- this is an author review. I wrote CONTRARY WINDS, set in 1777 and based on a real immigrant family from Scotland, because no other books (for young people or adults) deal with the realities of what the American Revolution meant to those living on the northern coasts -- the "wilderness of Massachusetts" now called Maine. Contrary Winds is fiction, but the war-related attacks and battles and spying really did happen, and in this book a brother and sister really make a difference in the revolution. When the call went out for reinforcements of the Northern Army on the Hudson, all sorts of people started heading for what became known as the Battles of Saratoga -- a turning point in the Revolution -- and their courage and determination are also part of this story. Recommended for anyone over the age of 8 who enjoys an adventure story - and wants to know what it was like to be in the middle of a revolution.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros: about Maine during the revolution
highlights interesting events
provides historical notes to explain what truth vs fiction

Cons: the dialects- are these supposed to ne Maine?
Scottish? Rural? They seem inconsistent and
strange.
conversation is stilted

If this book were in narrative style it would be fantastic. The author's research is clear and the stories interesting. The weak character development and conversation didn't work well.

[Candy Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love American History.

This was an exciting book that I found hard to put down. The story with real events and characters based on real people drew me in. Many details of life in Maine and the hardships endured made me wonder if I could have lived then. There are some graphic war scenes but a young reader needs to see the destruction and not the glory of war.Recommened for all 9 and up readers especially for reluctant readers.