Had fate and nature not conspired, Alyce Redgrave would have been a child of wealth and privilege. But the night of her birth was shadowed by an eerie Devils Moon and her christening day marred by a fierce hailstorm—ill omens that led the superstitious peasants to seek Alyce’s life. Desperate to save her infant daughter, Alyce’s mother flees with her baby, finding shelter and goodwill at the … isolated farm of strangers . . .
There, Alyce’s life is filled with secrets, unanswered questions, and a sense of foreboding. Her worst fears are realized when she narrowly escapes the clutches of a murderer by fleeing into the forest. Fate steps in once more to change the course of her life when Alyce is found and taken in by Elspeth, a wise woman with the uncanny ability to commune with nature. Trained by Elspeth in the art of healing, Alyce remains haunted by the puzzle of her past until she discovers her mother’s lost pendant. With the help of this object and the aid of the enchanting William Pascoe, Alyce finally holds the key to who she once was and who she will become.
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Wow, I was blown away with this book. I received this book as an arc reader, through a well respected publisher. As I read the description on the back cover, I hesitantly started to read the book. I thought it sounded like a fantasy, which is not one of my usual genres. But I was intrigued early on and it just kept getting better. I loved the characters; so well defined and thought out. The plot was also well planned and executed. The journey takes you through the life of Alyce, from her unique birth, and strange Christening, to her mother fleeing with her, to save her life. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Historical Christian novels. There is a lovely romance, but it is much later in the story. Not the main storyline. A book has to really make an impacted on me to receive a rating This one totally did that!
The cover model is gorgeous – but her eyes look blue. The book describes them as green. I liked how bees play an essential role in the story. I feel that the author did a fabulous job of keeping with the era.
I found the title of this book interesting. Although I’ve read a few books set in the 1700’s, this story was unlike others I’ve read. It’s told from the viewpoints of Arrabelle and her daughter Alyce. The people at this time in history are very superstitious, and they took the events surrounding Alyce’s birth and christening as bad omens. Arrabelle runs away with Alyce to save their lives and they live a very different life than the one they left behind.
This book spans decades of Arrabelle and Alyce’s lives. Some have found it slow-moving, but I enjoyed the pacing, and was never bored with the story. It’s a story with strong women who stick together and learn to do hard things. I loved the theme of family not being only blood relations, that family can be who you choose. There is a sweet romance with Alyce and William, but not until about the last third of the book, so it’s not what drives the story.
I listened to the audiobook through my Deseret Bookshelf subscription.
I completely loved Carol Warburton’s historical romance, The Whispered Dance of Bees. This book is beautiful inside and out. The story was so compelling and engaging. I hated having to sleep instead of just getting to read it! It was so interesting to think about the effects of superstition on lives in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. To see the courage and strength to survive and thrive in difficult circumstances. I loved Alyce’s character, the hardships, tragedies, and love that shaped her. Each supporting character was so unique and integral to the story. The love story that developed was so lovely, sweet, and clean. The very happy and good ending came about in a surprising, but very fitting and well-written way. I definitely recommend this book. I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
Such a beautiful story. I loved how the story began and the story was well established, to me, and then unfolds to a beautiful ending of finding oneself and one’s family and love. I just love how Carol writes her stories, so amazing.
For being listed as a historical romance, there is very little romance. The couple doesn’t meet until half way through the story and then their romance is just a tad bit too fast for my taste. Despite this, the store was entertaining and engaging. Carol Warburton created a world full of mystery and intrigue set in the early 1700s. I fully believe if you go in knowing this isn’t your typical romance you will love this novel.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It’s labeled as a historical romance. And there was some romance, but not until the end. Sometimes labels are kind of broad, I guess.
This one is told from the perspective of both Arrabelle and Alyce. Arrabelle is Alyce’s mom. And she had to go to great lengths when Alyce was a baby to save her life. The beginning of this book is what was told from Arrabelle’s perspective. Lots of crazy things happened at the beginning of Alyce’s life. That part was hard to want to put down. There was so much danger. It kept me enthralled.
As Alyce grows up, the point of view shifts to her. It was kind of interesting to read her perspective and see how things change as she grows from a child to a woman. She was a good young woman, well trained in the art of healing. She was compassionate and caring. Traits she learned from the several mothers around her.
I loved the point in the book where she had to make a decision, either to be selfish and save herself or to be courageous and caring and save someone else, when her life could be forfeit.
This was a great book! I enjoyed the bit of romance at the end. But I also enjoyed the journey to get to that point.
I was sent a copy of The Whispered Dance of Bees as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This story captivated me from the start. Reading about Alyce’s birth and all that accompanied it, her life with her mother as she grew, and then her life with Elspeth. It seemed like the challenges never stopped coming for her, yet she was able to still grow and learn so much. There was so much heartbreak in this story, but the love that was shown to Alyce by her tribe was heartwarming.
This story was very well-written, and I highly recommend it.
What an intense book! This book was really good but I had to take breaks while reading because of how emotionally invested I became. I loved how Alyce was still able to be happy even after all the horrible things that happened in her life. I also loved how different people viewed the events that happened in her life. Some saw them as a curse while other saw them as a blessing. I loved how the romance developed between Alyce and William and that even though there was an immediate attraction they still have to overcome others opinions about them being together. This book was a very well written book and had a wonderful story but it pulls at your emotions! I would recommend this book.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I really liked The Whispered Dance of Bees. This novel is labeled as “A Historical Romance” but it is so much more than that. The whole novel takes place over a period from 1698-1719. Readers follow the lives of many people, especially Arabelle and Alyce Redgrave. On the night of Alyce’s birth, both their lives change as Arabelle and Alyce are chased away from their home to live a life of mystery and secrets.
This story is beautiful as we see so many different women who make such a difference in Alyce’s life; her mother, Aunt Polly, Elspeth, and Aunt Jane. They lead her, guide her, and teach her while helping her grow into a loving, wise, and caring person. The romance is not there until the last quarter of the book, but it is nice and sweet. But, don’t hope to go into this expecting a romance through the whole book. You will find a story that moves along at a great pace, that delves into the superstitions of the time, and a little magic where one character learns the future from the bees she talks to. I really loved the feeling of such intrigue and mystical happenings that was found in this book. It was so nice to read a novel that was different from a typical romance and I enjoyed it greatly.
I was immediately drawn into this book filled with superstition, science, Christianity, and magic. When the countryside thinks Alyce to be born the “Devil’s Spawn” her mother flees to save her with the help of Roan, the Steward to Alyce’s grandparents.
The story is beautifully divided into parts going from Alyce’s mother’s perspective to hers. We watch Alyce grow and the forces that come into play that will determine her fate forever.
The beauty of this book is her mother and the other motherly influences that help Alyce along her journey, in her growth, and in her understanding of the world around her. She will slowly learn the truths surrounding her birth and background of her mother and eventually find love.
I was engrossed in this story and really couldn’t put it down. The setting is late 1600s to Early 1700s England. It definitely looked at the superstitions and beliefs of the time.
This was beautifully written and like I said it drew me in and wouldn’t let me go.
I received an ARC from the publisher and this is my review.
I liked how the author gave Alyce many opportunities to be in a safe space and not be judged. I also liked how her mother protected her until her last breath so she could return to her family’s legacy. This is a great story about discovering who you really are.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
What a charming historical romance! Arabelle Redgrave fled with her baby daughter, Alyce, in order to save her from superstitious villagers. They left behind a life of privilege and are forced to live in secrecy. This beautiful tale, told first from Arabelle’s point of view and then Alyce’s, drew me in and I could not put it down. Though the book spans several decades of Alyce’s life, the plot was well paced and kept me riveted. There were a few things that were left unresolved at the end but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.
I loved the women that help raise Alyce to be a strong and compassionate woman. The romance is so very sweet and I love that William does not always swoop in to save the day, but is there to support and help Alyce as she saves the day.
I was truly enchanted by this beautiful story of love, family, and just a hint of magic.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher but my opinions are my own.
Wow, I was blown away with this book. I received this book as an arc reader, through a well respected publisher. As I read the description on the back cover, I hesitantly started to read the book. I thought it sounded like a fantasy, which is not one of my usual genres. But I was intrigued early on and it just kept getting better. I loved the characters; so well defined and thought out. The plot was also well planned and executed. The journey takes you through the life of Alyce, from her unique birth, and strange Christening, to her mother fleeing with her, to save her life. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Historical Christian novels. There is a lovely romance, but it is much later in the story. Not the main storyline. A book has to really make an impacted on me to receive a rating This one totally did that!
While there’s less romance than I would have liked (Alyce doesn’t meet William Pascoe until about halfway through the book), the book is still enjoyable. While it’s set in the early 1700s, not a time period I’ve read much about, the details about life at the time–from the speech to the superstitions to daily life–were rich and helped me slip right into the book. The plot moved along well, and all in all, this was a satisfying read. Good choice for those who like historical fiction, particularly something in a not-so-commonly-written-about era. 4 stars. I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A fascinating tale, The Whispered Dance of Bees is an incredible work of historical fiction that kept me completely engaged in the story from start to finish. I truly enjoyed the way in which the author told the story in parts to give this all-encompassing depiction of Alyce’s life and her story that needed to be told. I felt like I was taken on a journey through time experiencing Alyce’s life and rejoicing with her in her happily ever after. I would highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans.