No Small Storm Review and Giveaway!

Posted by abakersp in Historical / 11 Comments

No Small Storm FB Banner copy

About the Book

 

No Small Storm

Title: No Small Storm

Author: Anne Matteer

Genre: Historical/Historical Romance

Release Date: August, 2017

 

September 1815, Providence, Rhode Island

Thirty-year-old Remembrance “Mem” Wilkins loves her solitary life running the farm and orchard she inherited from her father and has no plans to give up her independence. Especially not for the likes of Mr. Graham Lott. But when Mem is unable to harvest the apples on her own, she accepts the help of the man she despises.

Fresh off a boat from Ireland with his four-year-old son in tow, Simon Brennan secures a building in which to ply his trade as a cobbler. Still healing from the grief of his wife’s death a year earlier, he determines to focus only on providing a good life for his son. But when he intervenes in an argument on behalf of the intriguing Miss Wilkins, sister-in-law of the tavern owner who befriends him, he suddenly finds himself crossways with his landlord, Mr. Lott, and relieved of his lease and most of his money.

With no means of support, Simon takes a job helping Mem with her harvest, relieving her of the need of Lott’s help. But their growing attraction to each other makes them both uneasy. Mem gladly escapes to town when her sister begins labor, and Simon, believing it best to distance himself from Mem, takes his son and leaves.

But neither anticipates the worst gale New England has ever seen—or that the storm will threaten all they hold dear.

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

 

My Perspective

This was a great story of second chances, moving forward, and finding help when you don’t think you need it. Even though this was a novella, I didn’t feel like the storyline moved too fast, or I was missing anything. First of all, I absolutely loved the name Remembrance, shortened to Mem. It was so unique, as was the character. I have not read about an owner of an apple orchard before but found it quite interesting. In fact, it kind of made me feel at home because there are some apple orchards around me, and I have two apple trees in my yard. And while I understand that the author couldn’t have possibly known that, it’s nice when you can personally connect to a book and the characters.

 

The other thing I really liked about this story was Mr. Lott. It was so easy to dislike him, and quite frankly he made my skin scrawl. Not in a creepy kind of way, but just in a “he thinks he is entitled to everything” way. Every time he entered a scene I just wanted Mem to run away and fast. But the truth is that characters like that bring life to the story and only enhance it. I’m not going to lie, I wanted Mr. Lott to just have something bad happen to him. And while I won’t spoil anything for you, I will just say that it was fun watching the story unravel with anticipation of the defining moment for him.

 

In the last third of the story things really pick up and get a little intense. I tried to read as fast as I could during all the action. The author did a wonderful job of writing these scenes in a way that will not allow you to turn away, even for a second. Mem was a strong, yet stubborn lead. Pairing that with a considerate and hard working Simon was a great decision. But who may have stole the show a time or two was Simon’s son, Timothy. His sweetness and innocence was just the thing this story needed to add to its depth. Perhaps we can take a peek at his life years later in a future installment!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

About the Author
anne_2_web crop
Anne Mateer has loved reading and writing stories since childhood. She is the author of 4 historical novels, 1 historical novella, and a few contemporary short stories. Anne and her husband of 30 years, Jeff, love to visit their grown children and tour historical sites. They are currently living an empty nest adventure in Austin, TX.

 

 

Guest Post from Anne Mateer

 

I’m always up for a good historical story. It’s what I enjoy reading. It’s what I enjoy writing. But I find that my pleasure in any historical fiction increases exponentially when the story at hand is based on at least a kernel of historical fact. All four of my full-length novels share this trait. So it stood to reason that when turning my mind to a historical novella I would seek the same grounding in truth I’ve sought before.

 

So what historical fact inspired No Small Storm? It was a combination of them, actually. Which I think always makes for the best tales!

 

I like an overarching historical event to help frame a story. Things like war or economic crisis or natural disaster. Situations in the historical record which required courage or resilience or sacrifice from the people who lived through them. When I stumbled upon the Great Gale of 1815, which hit Providence, Rhode Island particularly hard, I knew it could provide obstacles for my characters to overcome.

 

As I began to read about this event—a hurricane before such storms were commonly called hurricanes—I happened upon some first hand accounts of that day. Fascinating remembrances about a storm arriving without much preamble, then departing and leaving bright sunny skies with which to view the destruction.

 

And destruction there was! Not only from wind and water, but also the fact that both of those things unleashed the ships moored in the harbor and sent them sailing down the main street of town! Can you imagine looking out of the second or third story window of a building which was likely flooded on the ground floor and seeing a ship coming at you?

 

That, in itself, was dramatic enough. Especially when coupled with the fact that those ships often broke apart, whether from wind and waves or from contact with the buildings and bridges they encountered on land. Then I considered the in those ships? What happened to them? Many were flung into the water, searching for purchase.

 

It was just such a circumstance that brought one man to the window of a young woman. She helped him inside. They were later married. And if finding such a story that isn’t a romance writer’s delight, I don’t know what is!

 

Finally, as I continued to read about the destruction in the area, I discovered a few lines about area orchards. The hanging fruit was found covered with a dusting of white. When tasted, it was discovered to be salt. Salt from storm surge and sea spray. Salt that saturated, even miles inland. Water and wind—and they salt they carried—ruining fruit crops ready for harvest. What could be more devastating to a farmer than that?

 

And so No Small Storm was born, with Remembrance and Simon each trying to make a good life for themselves, each trying to trust God as they work hard. Each keeping careful watch over their heart. But sometimes circumstances take things we don’t want to give. And give things we never imagined possible.

 

Historical fact and spiritual truth. Characters who are a product of their times as well as universal in their struggles and desires. It’s the kind of story I love to read. And the kind of story I’m proud to write.

 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, February 6

Carpe Diem, February 6

Reflections From My Bookshelves, February 7

Reading Is My SuperPower, February 7

The Power of Words, February 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 8

Inklings and notions, February 9

Blossoms and Blessings, February 9

Kathleen Denly, February 10

History, Mystery & Faith, February 10

Bukwurmzzz, February 11

Views From the Window Friend, February 11

By The Book, February 12

Maureen’s Musings, February 12

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, February 13

Mary Hake, February 13

proud to be an autism mom, February 14

Connie’s History Classroom, February 14

A Greater Yes, February 15

Janices book reviews, February 15

Jeanette’s Thoughts, February 16

A Baker’s Perspective, February 16

Bibliophile Reviews, February 17

Margaret Kazmierczak, February 17 (Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 18 (Guest post from Mindy)

Bigreadersite, February 18

Pink Granny’s Journey, February 19

Pursuing Stacie, February 19

Giveaway

 

1d68a794-d050-463a-adc6-a003271d72c3

To celebrate her tour, Anne is giving away a grand prize of a reader bag of goodies—including a Pride and Prejudice fleece throw, a “reading” charm necklace from Storied Jewelry, a Secret Garden litograph tote bag, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c604

11 responses to “No Small Storm Review and Giveaway!

  1. James Robert

    Congrats on the tour and thank you for the book description, your review and giveaway.

  2. Kay Garrett

    Thank you for your review on “No Small Storm” and for being part of the book tour!

    I’d love very much the chance to read this wonderful book.

  3. Perrianne Askew

    This book sounds intriguing. I love the authors description of historical fact and spiritual truth. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

  4. I love the premise of this story..it sounds like maybe some love along they journey of helping each other.thanks for a chance to enter.

  5. Debra E. Marvin

    Anne Mateer is a master writer, in my opinion. So I’d highly recommend any of her stories! I’m happy to see a new release from her!

  6. How fun that you had such a personal connection to the story through the apple orchard. I love that! And so happy to hear you enjoyed Mem and Simon’s story. Thanks for reading! 🙂

  7. Lori Smanski

    congrats on the tour. this sounds like an intriguing book. I love stories that have second chances.