Title: Awakening
Author: Lee Savino
First published March 15, 2015
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.11
Overview
When a devastating fire destroys their ancestral mansion, the wealthy and arrogant Farrow family are forced to move into a modest rented house in the small town of Pine Cone, Alabama. But their arrival brings with it a series of strange and terrifying events.
As the body count rises, the townspeople begin to suspect that the Farrows are cursed. When the matriarch of the family, the imperious Olivia Farrow, gives a mysterious amulet to the man she believes is responsible for the curse, the killings become even more gruesome.
Only the young and determined Dora Farrow realizes the true nature of the amulet and the danger it poses. But can she convince her family and the skeptical townspeople before it’s too late?
Michael McDowell’s chilling tale will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Would you like a free book? Head over to www.leesavino.com to sign up and claim your copy! Also, don’t miss out on all the fun in the Goddess Group on Facebook.
Follow the link to join in on the excitement: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeeSa…
Editoral Review
Awakening by Lee Savino is a gripping and passionate romance novel set in the Scottish Highlands. Published on March 15, 2015, the novel centers around the story of Elsie, a sheltered young woman from London, who is sent to live with her estranged father in the rugged Highlands.
There, she meets and falls in love with the commanding laird of Clan Mackenzie, Magnus. However, as their relationship grows deeper, Elsie must confront the cultural differences and societal norms that threaten to tear them apart.
Author Lee Savino excels at creating vivid and captivating characters who are both complex and relatable. Along with Elsie and Magnus, the supporting cast of characters, including Magnus’s brothers and the villagers of the Highland town, are just as well-crafted and integral to the story.
The lush and immersive descriptions of the natural beauty and harsh challenges of the Scottish Highlands add a dynamic depth to the setting and atmosphere of the novel. Savino excels at weaving together themes of identity, family, and societal expectations with the passionate and intense romance between Elsie and Magnus.
The novel’s pacing is expertly crafted, with the tension and stakes increasing at a steady and thrilling pace. The plot structure is well-balanced, with numerous twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
One of the standout elements of Awakening is the way in which Savino handles sensitive themes and conflicts, particularly those related to gender and power dynamics. The novel tackles these topics with nuance and authenticity, never shying away from the uncomfortable realities of the time period, while also providing a hopeful and empowering message for modern readers.
While the prose itself can at times become slightly melodramatic, this is easily overlooked in light of the novel’s many strengths. Additionally, some readers may find the depiction of the Scottish Highlands and its people to be excessively romanticized, but this can be viewed as a matter of personal preference.
Overall, Awakening is a well-written and engrossing romance novel that will appeal to fans of the genre and those interested in historical fiction. The book is also notable for its well-rounded and empowering portrayal of female characters in a male-dominated society.
I highly recommend this book with a four-star rating.
