On The Wings Of A Whisper (Sonnets of the Spice Isle Book 1) - A Serialized Christian Historical Romance By Lynnette Bonner
Serene Lake Publishing, Mar. 2016
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars~
(No Spoilers!)
Serene Lake Publishing, Mar. 2016
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars~
(No Spoilers!)
Exotic Adventure!
From the beautiful white-sanded beaches of the island of Zanzibar, the gentle sound of aquamarine ocean waves lapping outside of plantation walls, and the fragrant scent of indigo and gardenias—to the darkness of the malodorous, sewer-thickened stench of the docks and surrounding sea—comes an exhilarating tale from the pen of author Lynnette Bonner, set in exotic Africa in the 1800s.
RyAnne Hunter lives with her parents and two siblings on a beautiful indigo plantation on the other side of the island of Zanzibar. Her beloved papa's health is at risk and RyAnne must stop him from traveling to the continent of Africa to start a mission station—at any cost. She attends the Harcourts' Annual Ball as it will be her last chance to talk her papa out of this ridiculous venture, and meets up with the insufferable Captain Trent Dawson. Trent, captain of The Wasp, has agreed to guide Dr. Hunter on his expedition, but only to help put an end to the slave smuggling trade. The handsome and charming Harcourt heir, Brayden, once again proposes to RyAnne at the ball and this time she might consider it...if the daring plan she concocts to keep her father home succeeds and if the exasperating Trent would simply stay out of her hair!
I have never read a serialized book before, and I was delightfully surprised at how much the author squeezed into the first installment! And just when my heart started racing and I flipped the page to see what was going to happen next...it ended! (gasp!) Thankfully the next installment came out in a few days! Due to the fact that Ms. Bonner was born and raised in Malawi, Africa, lends much authenticity to this colorful, dramatic adventure. I was hooked from the very first page with her use of descriptive imagery and the beauteous setting of Africa—with exquisite indigo plantations, the scent of fragrant foliage and the song of cicadas filling the night air, fascinating characters, and of course, the promise of a breathtaking romance! All isn't frivolity and lightheartedness, however, as the heartbreaking issue of slave trading is proficiently and compassionately intertwined throughout the storyline. Be sure to order your copies of Episode 1 and Episode 2 of Sonnets of the Spice Isle today!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
What a pleasant surprise! On the Wings of a Whisper is one of those rare books that kept me up late at night. It has everything I love in a story: a dashing hero, romance, intrigue, high-seas adventure, not to mention excellent characters and a riveting plot. Rarely have I been so caught up in a story. I can't wait for the next installment!
~MaryLu Tyndall, best-selling author of The Legacy of the King's Pirates series~ *Used With Permission*
NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON -- EPISODE TWO!!!
NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON -- EPISODE TWO!!!
GIVEAWAY: Lynnette Bonner has generously offered an ebook copy of On The Wings Of A Whisper to one blessed commenter in winner's choice of format (mobi for Kindle, Epub for Nook, iPads, or pdf!) International entrants welcome! To be eligible, please leave your email address for contact purposes written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.
Gorgeous review of Wings on a Whisper, Diana! This first episode of Sonnets of the Spice Isle by Lynnette was just exquisite and like yourself, I couldn't believe how much it held. I'm plan to go back and enjoy it all over again before I read the second installment... And I can't wait to do so!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, NOELA! I reread the end before hopping on to the next book. I didn't think I would like a serial book, but this is great in that I can read it in between other books. And the installments are close enough together that the reader won't forget the plot. Intriguing! story!
DeleteI'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed the story! This one is close to my heart and I wanted to get each episode just right. I've been working on it for so long, and it's very nice to hear people saying how much they are enjoying it! :) That's why I do what I do! To bring enjoyment to others.
DeleteSounds enticing, Diana. I'm intrigued by the serializing, too.
ReplyDeleteHi, GAIL! Like I told Noela above, I think with this novel the serializing is perfect and the installments are close enough together as to not forget what you've already read!!
DeleteThanks, Gail. All six episodes will be out by the end of the year.
DeleteWow!! Its Pool Season and I'm looking for a great read. Looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteIf you win here, JENNIFER, you can buy Book 2 at $2.99 to read along with it! Book 3 is available for pre-order on Amazon!
DeleteP.S. Jennifer, be sure to come back and leave your email address so I will know where to contact you should your name be drawn. Thanks for coming by!!
Don't you just love reading a book by the pool! My kind of past-time! :)
DeleteGreat review. This sounds soooooooo good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MDH! It really is thaaaat good! :)
DeleteThanks, Marian! I hope you'll enjoy it if you give it a try! :)
DeleteWonderful review Diana! I have not read anything by Lynnette Bonner yet, but after reading your review I am placing On The Wings Of A Whisper on my ever growing to-be-read list. Beautiful book cover.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Tina
Thank you, TINA! I have loved every book I have ever read by Lynnette Bonner! This one is exceptional.
DeleteOops, I take that back I have read a couple of her books....Rocky Mountain Oasis and High Desert Haven of the Shepherd's Heart books #1 & 2..
DeleteBlessings,Tina
Yes, those are the first ones I ever read, TINA! And her writing just keeps getting better.
DeleteThanks for checking out the book, Tina. I hope you'll enjoy it if you give it a try. My TBR stack is a (digital) toppling tower also! But what fun to have all those books to look forward to, right? ;)
DeleteLovely review! Did you say "Exotic Adventure"??!! OK, where do we go read this?!! I have to add ALL of them to my TBR list now! Between you and MaryLu's endorsement, O, this is going to be a winner!
ReplyDeletejustcommonlyATgmailDOTcom
Yes, exotic as in Africa. Lol Click on to the title under each book cover, ANNIE, and the links will take you straight to Amazon. Mind you, these are the 1st 2 installments. By the time that all six are written it will equal a fairly long full-length book.
DeleteP.S. The installments are written close together, so you won't forget the plot. :)
DeleteGlad this sounds interesting to you! You can also find each episode as they release on my website here: http://www.lynnettebonner.com/books/historical-fiction/sonnets-of-the-spice-isle/
DeleteSounds good blondie. Perhaps this guy is going to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteLuke
Thanks, detective. You need to buy Book 1 and 2 since they are both out now. Because Book 1 is definitely a cliff hanger! :P Book 3 will be out soon.
DeleteI don't like hanging from a cliff. How many books are there?
DeleteHi Luke, There will be 6 parts to this serial. :) I hope you'll enjoy it if you give it a try.
DeleteThanks for the info.
DeleteLuke
You may not enjoy the cliffs, but the sea is coming up and THAT I know you love! lol
DeleteHa! Thanks blondie. ;-)
DeleteBeautiful cover! I'm looking forward to reading RyAnne's story.
ReplyDeletelientjiehuman(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au
I absolutely love the cover. Did you design it, Lynnette?
DeleteYes. :) I spent a LONG time working on this one.
DeleteI love to travel through reading books. This sounds amazing. Love Love Love the cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan. Wishing you all the best!
DeleteThe book is as wonderful as the cover, JAN!
DeleteI rather like the idea of an "exotic adventure".
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Wishing you all the best, Mary!
DeleteCome along with us, MARY!
DeleteLove the review. Makes me want to read the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy. I hope you'll enjoy it if you find the time to read it.
DeleteThank you, JOY! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteDIANA, I loved your review. LYNNETTE, congratulations on your release. This book sounds incredible!
ReplyDeleteCARYL, you're such a sweetheart. Thank you! It surely is and I had a difficult time putting it down.
DeleteThanks, Caryl. Wishing you all the best!
DeleteSimply beautiful Diana, but I expect nothing less from you :-)
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
TRIXI, what a kind thing to say! Thank you! It's so easy and fun to write a review on a book you're really excited about! I hope you get a chance to read it soon!
DeleteWishing you all the best, Trixi. Have a good weekend.
DeleteThanks for the review, Diana, Sounds exciting! Always appreciate you guiding us to good stories. Thank you,too Lynnette for writing these books. They sound like wonderful, inspiring adventures. Definitely want to read them! lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome, LYNNE! It's one of the things I love doing the most, besides reading! lol You'll love this awesome series!
DeleteThanks, Lynne. I hope you enjoy the series.
DeleteGreat interview and I can't wait to read this novel. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck to everyone.
ReplyDeleteprincessdebbie1_2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Debbie. Enjoy and best of luck!
DeleteHi, DEBBIE! You're quite welcome!
DeleteLove the cover for book 1. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous, KIM! Lynnette Bonner designed it and she did an amazing job. Some people have so much talent!
DeleteThank you, Kim! I love your email address. 😊
DeleteForgot to leave my email:( jenniferhess75@yahoo.com Thanks for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteYay, JENNIFER! I'm so glad you came back! It hurts my heart when I'm doing the drawing and land on someone that I have no clue who they are nor how to contact them and have to pick someone else. :(
DeleteHmmmm...a serialization, huh? You make it sound fascinating so throw my name in the hat. If you hadn't, I wouldn't enter because I really don't like them. I'm the kinda gal that likes my story all neatly wrapped up when the last page is turned. I don't mind a series, like Carrie's Christy Lumber Camp or Turano's A Class of Their Own, though. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to say how much I LOVE the cover!!! Wow. It's pretty amazing.
DeleteWell, I'm glad you were fascinated then, ANNE! Lol I have always felt the same way as you about serialized books and I aways lose track after I read the first one. But these are written close enough together where you can read them without forgetting where you left off, and you find yourself being compelled to buy the next one because it's just that good! Her writing in this particular book especially, reminds me a lot of MaryLu Tyndall's and I love MaryLu's books. Regarding the cover, Lynnette Bonner designed it herself and I'm thoroughly impressed. I agree, it's gorgeous!
DeleteThank you about the cover, Anne. And I hope you'll find that each part of the serial is wrapped up neatly enough to make you feel satisfied, while at the same time wanting to continue the journey. This story just lent itself to being written as a serial because it is much too long for a regular book. Anyhow, I hope you'll enjoy it.
DeleteWhat an exciting story and unusual storyline, Diana!! I can understand why you, MaryLu, and Noela loved it so much - I'd love to read it also. The covers are beautiful - speaking of beautiful, so is your review. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is, BONNIE! Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope you get a chance to read this soon.
DeleteThanks for entering, Bonnie. Wishing you all the best.
DeleteThis sounds like a great read, Diana. That is cool about Lynette starting her life in Africa!
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful book, CARRIE! So cool...no wonder she can write about Africa so realistically well!
DeleteThanks, Carrie. It has been a great joy to write about the places I love so much!
DeleteCongrats to Mary Preston who won an ebook copy of On the Wings of a Whisper via random number.org!! Thanks to all of you who came by to encourage Lynnette Bonner and me!!
ReplyDelete