Book Review: The Garden of Promises and Lies by Paula Brackston

 Book Review

The Garden of Promises and Lies

(Found Things Book 3)

 Paula Brackston

 

Book Description:

The third installment of a bewitching series "brimming with charm and charisma" that will make "fans of Outlander rejoice!" (Woman's World Magazine).

New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston's second novel in the Found Things series, Secrets of the Chocolate House, was called a "time-swapping romance [that] will please fans of Alice Hoffman" (Publishers Weekly). Now, Brackston returns to the Found Things series with a third book, The Garden of Promises and Lies.

As the bustle of the winter holidays in the Little Shop of Found Things gives way to spring, Xanthe is left to reflect on the strange events of the past year. While she's tried to keep her time-traveling talents a secret from those close to her, she is forced to take responsibility for having inadvertently transported the dangerous Benedict Fairfax to her own time. Xanthe comes to see that she must use her skills as a Spinner if she and Flora are ever to be safe, and turns to the Spinners book for help.

It is then that a beautiful antique wedding dress sings to her. Realizing the dress and her adversary are connected in some way, she answers the call. She finds herself in Bradford-on-Avon in 1815, as if she has stepped into a Jane Austen story.

Now in Xanthe's time, Fairfax is threatening Xanthe into helping him with his evil doings, and demonstrates all too clearly how much damage he is capable of causing. With Fairfax growing ever more powerful, Xanthe enlists the help of her boyfriend Liam, taking him back in time with her. It is a decision that might just ensure she prevails over her foe, but only by putting her life—and his—on the line.

 

Release Date: December 15, 2020

Buy at:

Amazon Kindle or Hardcover

 

My 5-Star Review:

We return to the Little Shop of Found Things in the third novel of the Found Things series. Xanthe is upset over having unintentionally transported the evil Benedict Fairfax to modern times and is scared of what his presence might mean to her and her mother. This leads her to try to find a way to not only get him to leave their time period, but possibly destroy him once and for all. When an antique wedding dress calls for her, Xanthe realizes it might be the very item to take her back in time to where she can have a final showdown with the crafty Fairfax. But doing so might be her undoing.

The Garden of Promises and Lies is another brilliantly written novel by the ever-talented Paula Brackston. As I always say in my reviews of her books, I love how she writes. Her style is so beautiful and descriptive, but she also weaves an interesting story that keeps you turning the pages. I highly recommend this series and this novel to anyone who enjoys historical and time-travel novels.

 

 

About the Author:

Paula Brackston lives in the historic city of Hereford on the Welsh border. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and has been a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, a script reader, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

In 2007 Paula was shortlisted in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was shortlisted for the Mind Book Award. The following year she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme. 'The Witch's Daughter' became a New York Times bestseller. Her books are translated into five languages and sold around the world.