Sir Alexander Bradshaw needs a wife, a sensible woman to manage his unruly sons and sullen daughter. No suitable candidates appear, however, and Alec resigns himself to spend another long, dark Orkney winter companionless. When an acquaintance suggests a music teacher might occupy his daughter, he embraces the idea.Ann Dunwood travels to Orkney for the opportunity to play the Kirkwall organ. For … organ. For the beauty of the instrument, Ann endures the conservative choir members who wish to perform the most banal of hymns; she’s done it before. She knows how to fade into the shadows and keep to her place.
When he happens upon Ann in the cathedral, Alec is enchanted by the woman at the keyboard, who fills the room with a Bach fugue. Yet, when the music ends, the object of his fascination turns into a demure mouse. Alec determines to reignite the passion he glimpsed in her and fill his home with music.
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Music on the Waters
The Marriage Maker Series #34
Caroline Warfield
https://www.facebook.com/carolinewarfield7
Release Date 05/07/2020
Publisher Scarsdale Publishing
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086SGRWSG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdb_FGQCWSYGQMT8PDNSC0NZ
Sir Alexander Bradshaw needs a wife, a sensible woman to manage his unruly sons and sullen daughter. No suitable candidates appear, however, and Alec resigns himself to spend another long, dark Orkney winter companionless. When an acquaintance suggests a music teacher might occupy his daughter, he embraces the idea.
Ann Dunwood travels to Orkney for the opportunity to play the Kirkwall organ. For the beauty of the instrument, Ann endures the conservative choir members who wish to perform the most banal of hymns; she’s done it before. She knows how to fade into the shadows and keep to her place.
When he happens upon Ann in the cathedral, Alec is enchanted by the woman at the keyboard, who fills the room with a Bach fugue. Yet, when the music ends, the object of his fascination turns into a demure mouse. Alec determines to reignite the passion he glimpsed in her and fill his home with music.
Will she find the strength to go out of her usual way …
While I browsed this multi-authors series, I saw this author’s name pop up, I recently discovered her work and loved so far what I have read.
One thing is sure, she does not the easy way. Her characters are not always the most lovable and their personality and attitudes make me often cringe.
Alec is effortlessly likable, he might have his flaws, he is straightforward the man you see. So it understandable he does not want to repeat the errors of his past, if a new wife he chooses, she will stand her ground and not be a pale replica of his biddable demure late wife.
And Ann at first glance is everything he should despise. She retreats into herself at the first sight of a drama, she slouches her true self inside the shell she has created to become an invisible dull creature. It had been ingrained she does not have to have opinion, she has to obey. So not easy to undo years of obedience.
Yet with the right push, will she find a way out of her shell to become her true self.
I wants to pluck my hair out each time Ann retreated into herself, yet difficult to reverse years of bending down. Why I cheered even more when one step forward even if there were two backwards, she ascertained her opinion.
A lovely tale of finding one’s voice.
4.5 stars
onscreen sweet lovemaking scenes.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/900141173908388/?d=n
Sir Stirling James is weaving his matchmaking magic in this wonderful story by one of my very favorite authors.
Quickly the storyline established itself and took a delightful journey of two people brought together by music. Or at least after Sir Stirling set the pieces in place.. Or was it fate?
Sir Alex knew he needed a wife to help with his three children, but he just could not face another meek, biddable with with no fire, as his first wife had been. He felt he may not have tried hard enough with her. When a thought is put into his mind about the new music teacher coming to the church in Orkney, and that she might help his daughter, he thinks it’s excellent idea.
Ann Dunwood has taken the position of music teacher and organist in the church. The organ is the famous Kirkwall organ and she cannot wait to play it, but she wonders if Orkney will be the same as where she left. Playing the same uninspired music and never protesting or trying for more.
Alex meets Ann and thinks she seems a little meek but when he hears her playing her heart out when she thinks she is alone, it breaks into a place in his heart at the beauty and passion she displays.
Have I gotten your interest up? I want to just tell you the entire story because it is so melodious! Do not miss one note of this sonata of the heart that will leave your breathless at the finale
What a magnificent story about letting your passion drive your life forward. Ann & Alec have both done what was expected. Ann entrances Alec and us when she plays her music with such passion. But she has been told her entire life that she should not be so demonstrative. Ann’s awakening leads Alec to an awakening of his own regarding his dead wife. When they let go of others expectations and express their passions they become the people they were meant to be. This is a lovely novella that gives truth to the proverb about not hiding one’s light under a bushel.
This was a very enjoyable read with a refreshingly different setting in Kirkwall, Orkney. The widower Sir Alec is drawn to the musical passion of Miss Anne Dunwood, but then he is confused by her often submissiveness, a trait he would avoid if he chose to remarry. He contrives a way to spend more time with her. There are some misunderstandings through incorrect assumptions until the pair find their happy ending.
A delightful read.
What a nice surprise to have Music on the Waters hit my Kindle without having to wait for an October release. I gladly moved this novella to the top of my to be read pile and proceeded to enjoy each and every word. Caroline Warfield has done it again with a delightful story that can easily be read in one sitting. Alec and Ann were perfect for one another and the children as secondary characters were just as charming. Music on the Waters will sing to your heart as you envision this budding romance bloom before your very eyes. Well done and highly recommended.