Wildwood Creek

GIVEAWAY

WINGATE, LISA
WILDWOOD CREEK

With love and loss tangled together, how was she to know where her life would lead?
Allie Kirkland has always heard the call of her father's unfinished destiny. When she's offered a production assistant's job on a docudrama filming in the hills near Moses Lake, Texas, the dream of following in her director-father's footsteps suddenly seems within reach. The reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step into the film industry. A summer on set in the wilderness is a small price to pay for a dream.

But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delavan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the region's folk songs. Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.

When filming begins, strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, and everyone in Wildwood--including Blake Fulton, Allie's handsome neighbor on the film set--seems to be hiding secrets. Allie doesn't know whom she can trust. If she can't find the answers in time, history may repeat itself...with the most unthinkable results.

My Review:

What an intriguing book! So intriguing I didn't know whether to categorize it as women's fiction or contemporary romance with a dollop of suspense thrown in!

Wildwood is told from two first person points of view - Allie in present day and Bonnie Rose in 1861. I really liked the contrast between their two voices which I don't think could have been achieved if it had been written in third person POV. Allie is a hip and snappy and ultra 21st century 20-something while Bonnie Rose's Irish heritage slips into her ever so proper 19th century journaling. Very distinct and really adds to the allure of the story.

I have to say that I don't think I've ever read a book that kept me guessing more than this one...and guessing about a lot of things! From how Blake actually fits into the scenario to what actually happened to Bonnie Rose, not to mention trying to figure out the end game of a few other mysterious characters. I was on tenterhooks the whole read, madly creating possible scenarios and just as quickly scrapping them in favour of something else. Wildwood really kept this reader on her toes.

And this is a story of substance -- well two stories that finally merge into one incredibly fulfilling conclusion. Again, the contrast between what both heroines are struggling with really highlight the different centuries. I loved how Allie developed a connection with Bonnie Rose and how searching out the truth behind her disappearance helps her find a longed for balance in her own life.

An incredibly well-crafted story that gobsmacked me! :-)

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Wildwood Creek please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 23 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".