Ten years had passed since they had joined hands in the ruins of the old abbey church. Standing before the high altar, they were handfasted in the Celtic custom, engaged to be married.
A rose bush had bloomed beside the ruined altar. Stephen had reached out to caress one of the flowers.
“I’ll find you,” he had said. “In ten years, when we have finished school, when we are able to marry, I’ll find you. Until then, whenever you see a yellow rose, remember me. Remember I love you.”
In those ten years, Katherine had finished college, completed med school, and become a doctor. In those ten years they had not seen each other, had not spoken, and had not written.
It was what they had agreed.
For a decade, she had been waiting, hoping, praying.
Today ─ her birthday─ she finds a vase of yellow roses when she reaches home.
Stephen, though, is not Katherine’s only suitor. Bill Wilson has known her since they were in high school. He has long planned to wed her, and he finally decides to stake his claim.
Although the action occurs primarily in New York City, psychologically, the story is set in a small town in Virginia. Change came slowly to the rural South in the nineteen-seventies, and attitudes toward women were most resistant to change. Women were expected to be subservient to men, to have children, to keep house. A woman was to be above reproach, and any hint of scandal was met with censure, with ostracism, with shame. These attitudes threaten to destroy Katherine and the life of which she dreams.
The Handfasting is a story of love renewed, a suitor spurned, a vicious attack, a struggle for healing. It is a story of love that survives.
The Handfasting by David Burnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First of all, do not judge the book by the title. I was not looking forward to this book when I started it this morning (that’s right–I read it one day). I expected it to be really strange because I couldn’t remember the synopsis. All I can say is that if you like clean romances, I think I may have found a book that you will adore! Yes, I feel quite confident in calling this a clean romance. Why? The profanity is incredibly minimal–almost not even profanity. No misuse of God’s name and nothing hardcore. There are also no bedroom scenes. In fact, the main characters don’t sleep together before marriage! Wow! I was completely dumbfounded that this book has the most incredible romance formula, and this will be an author I would read any time! In fact, I believe I would set aside everything I am currently reading and give priority to his books.
Secondly, I want to say that when men write an outstanding romance novel, I am always blown away. I realize that sounds really sexist, but permit me this leeway. When I consider romance novels, I always think of women. I tend to associate men with thrillers, mystery, and often an inordinate amount of profanity. David Burnett writes a romance story with dynamic characters and a storyline that will keep you guessing. The story was never sappy, and it was one of the easiest books I have read in a while. I never lost interest in the story, and I struggled to put the book down. I was so immersed in the story that I genuinely cared about what happened to the characters. I love it when an author can get me so emotionally invested in the characters so that it will be truly memorable to me. This will be a book I can highly recommend, and I will not forget it any time soon.
One note of warning–this does deal with the issue of rape, and it is a wonderful treatment of the topic. I appreciate the honesty and truth the author brought to this topic.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
David lives in Columbia South Carolina, with his wife and their blue-eyed cat, Bonnie. The Reunion, his first novel, is set in nearby Charleston. The Handfasting, his second book will be published this month.He enjoys traveling, photography, baking bread, and the Carolina beaches.
David has photographed subjects as varied as prehistoric ruins on the islands of Scotland, star trails, sea gulls, and a Native American powwow. He and his wife have traveled widely in the United States and the United Kingdom. During one trip to Scotland, they visited Crathes Castle, the ancestral home of the Burnett family near Aberdeen. In The Reunion, Michael’s journey through England and Scotland allows him to sketch many places they have visited.
David spent years in school(!), and he has graduate degrees in psychology and education. He and his wife have two daughters.
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printed book ebook
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
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I felt exactly the same way Ruth, totally loved this book and yes it was a very quick read !!!
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