The Fortune Teller's Daughter

by Susan Wilson

From acclaimed author Susan Wilson comes a powerful and moving story of the ties that bind families and lovers together -- and the dreams and passions that show how far those ties can reach. After years of moving around with her footloose mother, fortune teller Madame Ruby, Sabine Heartwood settles in the quiet town of Moose River Junction. But when Danforth Smith returns to his hometown, reluctantly putting his career on hold to deal with family affairs, Sabine faces the dilemma of falling in love with a man anxious to leave the only place she has ever called home. Things get more complicated when Ruby appears, finally ready to answer her daughter's lifelong questions about their mysterious past. Then Sabine "sees" a tragic event that occurred in Dan's family more than three hundred years ago, which is linked to a painful secret from which he's been unable to break free. Now, she must face the gift of "seeing" she's inherited but rejected -- for only then can she learn the truth of

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Paranormal, Contemporary

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Born in Providence, RI, raised in Middlefield (Rockfall) Connecticut. Post High School Education, Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT and Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT.
Married, two grown daughters and a granddaughter and two grandsons - plus four step grands.
Lives in Oak Bluffs, MA, on Martha's Vineyard.

Those are the stats. I am a novelist, ten published, one in progress. I frequently contribute to the on-line magazine, Stay Thirsty.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several recent Wilson novels and this one is a bit older. More recently she's written about dogs and their owners. This had an extra-sensory plot thread that I found intriguing, plus a romance. All the characters were interesting, although I was puzzled why we needed to jump so briefly into the heads of different secondary characters. All told, it was an interesting and enjoyable tale.

[Susie James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have scrutinized "The Fortune Teller's Daughter" on the shelf at my local library several times as years have passed and more recently, I could not remember if I'd ever actually a/checked it out or/b actually read it! So during the past weekend, I read the novel, which has many engaging elements of romance, mystery, humanity, and that supernatural aroma -- were it not for one of the elements in finishing off the tale to (my) satisfaction that Susan Wilson employed, I would have rated her novel a three-star one. Nah. Just know the residue of the two lovers from long ago in that cellar pit would have demanded satisfaction differently....

[Theresa Leone Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moderately interesting read; I didn't like the romance part, just not my genre (will Dan go back to NY or Hollywood with his actress girlfriend or stay here and love me???) but the supernatural angle, about a house possessed by spirits from a century ago, was pretty good.

[Laura AWVL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Kinda of a sappy love story times two. The characters were interesting, but not their story. Oh well. I picked it up because Kristin Hannah was quoted on the cover, but a bit disappointed in the direction the story took.

[Carolyn Greeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story had some fun potential, especially involving ghosts and secrets, but--for me-- this was more love story than I expected. Too much head - hopping, and somewhat inflated vocabulary also added to my low review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading my former Martha's Vineyard Hospital colleagues books!!!

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprise, and an especially good one. It was a great read, the characters came alive to me. Of course, the ending and the revelation of who REALLY started the fire that killed Dan's family was not an surprise, but the way the author got there was enjoyable. I think I will look up more of her books.

[BETH BUSS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice light read. Would have been good for the cottage or a vacation. Found it in a neighbourhood little library. Might have been a 2 if I'd had to pay for it.

Pleasant little mystery with nice bits of history tucked in.

[Mandy Crumb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish The Fortune Teller's Daughter would have focused strictly on the paranormal storyline. Unfortunately, there was a totally unnecessary romance storyline riding shotgun. Book would have been stronger without it. Not everyone needs to partner up. Sigh

[Debbie Tanguay · Rating 4 out of 5]

really cute unique gift of psychic

[Elizabeth Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough - makes me think of some of those phantasy books when the sexual events are described (albeit very seldom in this boook)

[Lola Schroeder · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting enough for me to finish the book but the content was too unreal.

[Tracei Kristof · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The author keeps your attention and the characters are great. I am definitely going to read her other books!

[Janice Workman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this on a whim - but ended up really enjoying it. I wondered if there would be a sequel.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good story! I think the main characters could've been a bit less wishy-washy and tiresome about hooking up. But otherwise, it was truly a good read.

[Jan Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of book. No voo-doo. Simply told story of love and lost.

[Bailey Knopf · Rating 3 out of 5]

weird book involving gypsies and fortune tellers but not horrible

[Sharon Bartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

a woman who can see and hear ghosts learns closely held secrets about the people she loves.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four star writing and story telling ability.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was well written and the mystery was intriguing.

However, there was one random use of very strong language and there were three different parts that I had to skip. Conveniently, you could tell when they were coming, so you were able to skip before reading anything you didn't want to read, but obviously the ideal book would not have anything you have to skip.

Those problematic issues aside, the book is about a daughter who has never lived more than six months in the same place growing up until she left her mother and went to college. After college, she decides that she wants a home and moves to a small town in Massachusetts and sets about making it her home.

The main male character is a man who is from the same small town that the main female character chose, but he has been trying to put it behind him and has lived in New York City ever since he left to go to college. He has many ties back in the small town though and can actually trace his family members back three hundred years in that town.

Another twist to the story is that the main female character is a medium, who has the ability to see ghosts and have them communicate through her.

So it was an interesting tale, but I will never read it again. There were too many problematic parts and a description of a very unpleasant incident was repeated too often.

So, I don't recommend it, but I did think it was well written.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book accidentally in the paperback aisle of the grocery store and thought it would be a nice change for me. I didn't realize how engrossed I would become in this entertaining and well-written tale!

This is the story of Sabine Heartwood, whose feelings mirrored Dorothy Gale's in the Wizard of Oz in the belief that "there's no place to home". The tricky part for Sabine, however, was that her only home growing up was on the road with her gypsy-esque, fortune-teller mother, Ruby Heartwood. It is also the story of Danford ("Dan") Smith, who was reluctantly brought back home to take care of the affairs of his dying grandmother and mentally-handicapped uncle. The story unfolds as Sabine and Dan's lives are intricately woven together in an intriguingly romantic fashion!

This book was the definition of a mystical, suspenseful and, above-all, romantic search for the true meaning of "home". A revelation of pure and destined love!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found The fortune teller’s daughter to be a thoroughly entertaining story that held my attention until the end. It contained several of the elements that I look for in a good story; the combination of romance and mystery are always a strong draw for me and this book did not disappoint. The fortune-telling element was what originally got my attention when I chose the book from the library. I haven’t given out many four-star ratings lately, but felt that this one deserved it. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Susan Wilson's Beauty, and this was an instant of wanting to read something else by this author, without really feeling attracted to the story. It's got some beautifully written lines, but it also has family secrets and mysterious happenings that aren't all that secret or mysterious. I liked it well enough, but perhaps I'm no longer the right reader for unspoken longing and characters with tragic pasts.

17/60 tbr box.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. It is not a romance novel.

It is about Sabine, a psychic who talks with ghosts. She meets and falls in love with Dan, but there is a conflict because she wants to stay in her home town and he travels most of the time due to his work.

DATA:
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: not counted, maybe two or three. Setting: 2000 Moose River Junction. Copyright: 2002. Genre: contemporary fantasy fiction.

[Boo Boo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will admit that I was a little disappointed by this book. The description made me think that it was going to be a lot better. It was very hard to focus on, and figure out the main plot to the story. All the charachters had way too much back story. It was like the author was just trying to come up with a bunch of filler. The constant back and forth of Sabine and Dan was annoying after awhile. It was a constant will he or won't he, will she or won't she scenario. Not an ejoyable one though.

[Cindy S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sabine Heartwood has spent her life wandering with her Gypsy mother. She finally finds a home in a small Berkshire town. She can see ghosts, feel their presence and have them communicate thru her. The story revolves around a long past event of death and another event in the more recent past. Each has a fire in common and loss. There is romance, of course, and mystery.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enjoyable book. Susan Wilson has created such a beautiful picture of small town life, both the good and bad. She makes you feel like you know each of the members of the community. She does a very good job with the psychic aspect, not over dramatizing it, but not calling it a sham either. You finish the book with both a tear in your eye and a smile on your face.

[Florence Primrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sabine Heartwood has moved VERY frequently with her fortune-telling mother throughout her childhood. Sabine has now settled and made a home in a small New England town when she meets Dan Smith, grandson of town leaders. But Sabine, who has paranormal sight, becomes involved in seeking ghosts who reside in a new home.

Sabine is torn between love of Dan and the need to have a permanent home.

[Teresa]

I just started this book last night it seems like something that I may like it is another small town thing where their are questions that go way back, that will ultimately lead to a painful secret.....

[Liz Deren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit biased...but I loved it.