Cold Summer Wind

by Jessica Russell

The Bradshaws, who readers first met in Hot Winter Sun, are living a peaceful life in Restoration England, under the gay and clever King Charles II. A season is launched for their unusually beautiful and high-spirited daughter, Julia. However, after an unexpected visit from Philip Lambarth, a bizarre and tragic chain of events is set off, changing Julia's life forever.

Too late, Julia realizes the true nature of the man she thought she loved, and broken-hearted, impetuously enters a marriage of convenience. Julia attempts to live quietly and banish the memory of Philip's treachery, when another man captures her heart in a way she never dreamed possible.

Being unable to convince Julia to end her unsuitable marriage, he eventually leaves Cornwall for London, and Julia is left devastated and hopeless in a trap of her own making. Madness and murder then stalk this unusual heroine, until an astonishing twist of fate restores the happiness she thought was lost forever.

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2022

About the author

Jessica Russell is the pen name of Jesse Broadt (last name rhymes with "coat") a professional web content writer who specializes in travel. She is the Author of the Hot Winter Sun Series.

Passionate about history, the author is an avid reader of both historical fiction and non-fiction history books. Throughout her life, she was inspired by authors such as Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney and Belva Plain, and strives to create the same type of multi-dimensional, entertaining characters that readers can relate to, understand and ultimately enjoy. Broadt created her first novel-length work of fiction with Hot Winter Sun, and laughingly calls it the kind of book you think no one writes anymore .

A professional singer at one time, the author often refers to words as music of another kind and hopes they are felt that way by her readers. Broadt lives in the Southeastern United States with her husband and childhood sweetheart, Dan, as well as Frosty and Snoodle, her faithful, purring companions. She loves music, reading, traveling and simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, and also has a blog for travel enthusiasts, called Your Endless Holiday.

Reviews

[Meredith Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book! I cannot get over this book. I've heard it said that this particular author is not just a writer, but a storyteller, and I can't put it in a better way. You are instantly immersed in these people's lives, and you will not find a place to stop. This author excels at two things that most authors drop the ball on, and that's character development, and the pacing of the story. This author has mastered pacing. This just moves flawlessly from one scene to the next and grips you in the emotion of every single thing that happens. Don't try to predict what will occur, you will not be able to. The mystery is superb, the Romance subplot is superb, and it is just an all-around fantastic novel. Please keep writing Miss Russell!

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second book in what is apparently going to be an AMAZING series. The heroine is Catherine Bradshaw's daughter, Julia. (Catherine was the heroine in Hot Winter Sun) but unlike Catherine, Julia is wild and unpredictable, yet still somehow both a very loving and very loveable person. Just like the first book, this author takes you IMMEDIATELY into the hearts and minds of each character and there are NO cookie cutters. Each person is distinguished from the others and they are ALL unique. I LOVE how this writer threaded in our old friends from Hot Winter Sun, who are kept perfectly in character. There is no way on earth to explain the twists and turns the author does in this book. It starts out like just another novel and then all of a sudden you're going "What?? Really?!" There is just SO much that you NEVER see coming, and that makes you say FINALLY someone who thinks outside the box for a plot. Literally to the very last page it is one surprise after another. I love the characters and I love the story. Romantic suspense at it's best!! Hold on for the ride! (I want to do spoilers SO bad but I won't. LOL)

[RainLady777 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say! This author is top-notch talent. I haven't read historical fiction as good as her series in literally 30 years and I mean that! I have to add I'm also glad she's back on her own with the series even though I know most authors prefer traditional publishing to self-publishing. I think she made the right choice. Enough said on that because it's definitely not my business, but it does take courage to leave a traditional publisher and go back out on your own and I admire her for that. Now to the book:

I never thought anything would top Hot Winter Sun, which is the first book in this series. A big problem with today's authors is flat characters. You don't feel what they feel, you're not in their heads, they're not consistent, they're cookie cutters. These people are so real if they walked in the room you would know who they were. Such distinct, unique personalities and everything right down to figures of speech, what they wear, how they react. Character development is definitely this author's forte. But then again, the plot, the twists and turns, the oh so unique storyline just add up to a phenomenal five-star book once again. I finished the last page and literally became instantly impatient for the next novel, which I saw on Facebook is, "Warm Autumn Rain." This author is now officially my favorite and I hope the series goes on forever! Just when you think there's no more surprises in this book another one comes along to make you laugh, cry, or just have to stop and take a breath. I love books that bring out that much emotion and this is one of them!

[Danny Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the first book in the series, Hot Winter Sun, one of the three major thoughts I had was "how is this author going to top this?". I think I am in for the ride of my life with this book series. This is historical fiction the way nobody but nobody writes it anymore. I can't even explain what I think. You are sucked in and it refuses to let you go until the last word is read and you NEVER see ANYTHING coming. An entirely unpredictable book through and through. A unique mystery and a delightful romance, both of which are rife with accurate history. Five-star all the way!

[Robert Drews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Russell has made me a fan of historical fiction. Not typically a reader of the genre, I was drawn to her “Hot Winter Sun,” liked it a lot, and was eager to read Book Two of her Series. The story kept me reading from first page to last. “Cold Summer Wind” blended seamlessly with “Hot Winter Sun” and picked up from there with new personalities, plots, intrigues, and spirited dialogue, as in “Ah, you are a reformer, but like many reformers, you know little of what you hope to reform.” And then there’s the line, “Sylvia St. Clair had the satisfied expression worn by those fully aware of being the most attractive in the room.” After the adventures, and misadventures, of Julia, Philip, Emerson, Adam, and more, I want to see what comes next.

[Ashleigh Reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Russell has done it again! Cold Summer Wind is every bit as captivating as the first in the series. Prepare to become completely invested in these people’s lives! There were parts of this story that literally took my breath, and the clever plot line will keep you guessing throughout. More than just a love story; there is a real sense of heartbreak and despair, and an intriguing mystery woven throughout. It really makes you consider how the choices we make can impact our lives. Though this is part of a series, it will read really well as a stand alone.
Five stars! I will be looking out for the next instalment.

[K.A. Mulenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel to the epic tale Hot Winter Sun is just as good as the first one. As in part 1, it is a book that you will not want to put down. With more memorable characters and a brilliant storyline, this talented author does not disappoint!

[Kevin Paulichuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000 stars out of 5. Jessica Russell is an author like few others who can tell a story in a way that I could picture the book in my mind. It was like I was watching it. Loved both books and looking forward to her 3rd one.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to come back to the Bradshaw family! Jessica has such a nice way of describing the characters, and it feels like watching a movie that's very vivid. I can't wait to read the 3rd book!

[Marcia Claesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is set in an interesting time period and has some intriguing characters. You will be kept guessing until the end.