Heaven In A Wild Flower by John Broughton – Book Review
Heaven In A Wild Flower by John Broughton – Book Review
Heaven In A Wild Flower
Saint Cuthbert Trilogy Book One
Author – John Broughton
Pages – 246
Released – 16th July 2020
ISBN-13 – 979-8666961315
Format – ebook, paperback, hardcover
Rating – 5 Stars
I received a free copy of this book.
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Synopsis
Aella is a leatherworker living in 7th century Northumbria. After surviving the war against the Picts, the king becomes his godfather, and Aella befriends Bishop Cuthbert.
Aware of Aella’s skills, the monks of Lindisfarne commission him to make the cover of the Gospel of St. John as a gift for Cuthbert. Impressed by the masterpiece, Ecgfrith’s successor, King Aldfrith, sends Aella to Ireland to learn to read and write.
Soon, Aella befriends a fellow student, learns to illuminate manuscripts, and falls in love. But can he achieve his dreams, and wed the love of his life?
Review by Linda
Heaven In A Wild Flower is a delightful historical read, starting in 687AD with a young Aella a leatherworker, and his Friend Edwy being called up for war by Lord Berhtred to fight the Picts.
The story takes us through Aella’s life from him, meeting king Ecgfrith, being Baptised, getting to know Bishop Cuthbert and the Monks, and all the opportunities that followed.
This is a great historic story with excellent use of language and all the characters described in great depth, making it easy to visualise them. The lead character Aella is a young man who is genuine, kind, and loyal. We meet his best friend Edwy and the brother Nerian. He also becomes friends with Lugaid a son of a chieftain in Ireland and sister Sherlaith. I enjoyed hearing of the kings and monks, and I felt like I got to know these characters well.
The storyline is very interesting and it held my attention throughout and was a definite page-turner. I was actually sad when it finished, I was left wanting to know what next! It included so much, close family life in those times to heroism, historic life, friendship, and love.
This is not a genre that I normally read but this book has really changed that for me and I now want to read more within it.
Well done Author John Broughton for an excellent read, I look forward to reading more from you and to recommending this book to family and friends.
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John Broughton was born in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire, studied at the local grammar school and went on to take an honours degree in Medieval and Modern History at the University of Nottingham, where he also studied Archaeology.
John retired in January 2014 and chose the period that fascinates him most – the Anglo-Saxon period – as the setting for his first historical novel. His second novel, Wyrd of the Wolf is set in southern England in the 7th century, and is also due to be published by Endeavour Press.
I rarely read this genre either, maybe I should to reconsider it as well.
What an interesting story! I need to find out what happens next!
I must admit, this is not a time period I have read about before.
While I love historicals, I have not read too many books set in this time period.. but your 5 star review intrigues
Great job. I love historical fiction but that time period just does not appeal to me.
Glad that you enjoyed it.
Thank you. It is a great book.
Thank you. I know what you mean, not all historical time periods is for me either.
I know what you mean. Not a time period we normally read either.
There’s a first time for everything. 🙂
Glad you have been intrigued.
Not one we read often either but this is a fab book.