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The Gentle Wind's Caress

by Anne Brear (Goodreads Author)

3.72 of 5 stars 3.72 · rating details · 25 ratings · 12 reviews

Halifax, 1876. On the death of her mother and sister, Isabelle Gibson is left to fend for herself and her brother in a privately-run workhouse. After the matron's son attempts to rape her, Isabelle decides to escape him and a life of drudgery by agreeing to marry a moorland farmer she has never met. But this man, Farrell, is a drunkard and a bully in constant feud with his...more

Paperback, 354 pages

Published June 12th 2012 by Knox Robinson Publishing Ltd (first published February 28th 2007)

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Feb 09, 2013 Tara Hall rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an epic book, not just in its length, but also in its sheer scope of the tragedies and horrors heroine Isabelle has to endure. Her spirit was enduring, indomitable and undeniable, everything a heroine should be. I dearly wanted her to catch a break, though, as she had one thing after another happen to her that was terrible with only a few bright times sprinkled in.
Ethan was a dashing hero and his love and loyalty to Isabelle was very romantic. I also enjoyed all the rest of the supportin...more This is an epic book, not just in its length, but also in its sheer scope of the tragedies and horrors heroine Isabelle has to endure. Her spirit was enduring, indomitable and undeniable, everything a heroine should be. I dearly wanted her to catch a break, though, as she had one thing after another happen to her that was terrible with only a few bright times sprinkled in.
Ethan was a dashing hero and his love and loyalty to Isabelle was very romantic. I also enjoyed all the rest of the supporting cast like Hugie and Bertie. Farell, her husband, was a complete and I wished him dead as soon as he started beating on Isabelle. Why she didn’t kill him, I don’t understand.
The story arc of a rich man saving a woman whose husband abandoned her by making her his mistress has been much used in romance novels. But there was enough extras in Isabelle’s relationship with her returning father, her adventures learning how to be a farmwife and cook, her solid partnership with her brothers, and finding her own destiny that I really enjoyed this novel.
Now to the bad points:
Only a complete idiot would stay in a house to be beaten regularly—especially if she was in a delicate condition—or subject her family to those same beatings when she had a legitimate offer/way to get away. That Isabelle stayed not just once but multiple times greatly diminished my respect for her. That Ethan knew of these beatings and just told Farell not ever to do it again (then left and didn’t return for weeks) also felt contrived. That neither of her brothers sneaked out to go to Ethan when Farrell left for his nightly drinking felt contrived. For a woman who had all kinds of plans and whipped a derelict farm back into working profitable order in record time, Isabelle seems to lose all her senses once she gets preggers. Instead of plotting to run away or to kill Farrell, she is busy secretly making baby clothes?
The book also tends to be a bit overwritten in the love scenes, not in graphic depictions, but in the flowery talk of undying love. Ethan seems to love Isabelle straight off, and she him, even though they don’t spend much time together. If he loves her so much, why is he leaving her with such a brute of a husband?

Here are some examples:

He had no idea who Mrs. Peacock was or anything about her establishment, but the depth of her unhappiness made him want to hold her to him and promise her the world, anything she desired just to take away the pain from her eyes.

He stared into her eyes, captivated by the shadow of her soul he saw there.

How she had suffered! ‘I’m so sorry you have endured this.’
‘I had no choice but to.’ She kissed him and he held her tight. ‘I would bear anything for you.’
He stood and drew her up and against him. He kissed her with a deep longing that he could no longer control. Her lips parted eagerly, wanting him, accepting him. She was so soft, so passionate. His tongue explored her mouth, familiarising his mind to her delights once more.
Raising his head, he smiled down at her. ‘I love you and we will never be apart again.’

And of course, what happens next? Isabelle convinces Ethan to leave without her, but not before he spills the beans about a rather big secret which leads to the tragedy mentioned in the summary.

I did not personally like the ending to this book, though it was believable, and there was still a HFN which tied things up in a nice fashion

Overall opinion: I’m glad to have read this tale of love and triumph over suffering. I just wish there had been a little less domestic abuse.
(less)

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Jun 09, 2012 Ellie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a very well written novel of love, pain and suffering.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the account of Isabelle’s life, her love for the dashing Ethan and above all her relationship with her younger brother Hughie as he slowly becomes a man. I also liked reading the change in relationship with Elizabeth, Ethan's mother.
Anne Brear is gifted with a very fluid style and the novel flows. Despite the trial and tribulations that poor Isabelle is forced to face, the novel does not lack positive mom...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Itsjustme-wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved loved loved this book!!!!! What a power strong story this is. I fell in love with this book, I think on the 2nd or 3rd page and I didn't want to stop reading till I got to the end. But I forced myself to go slow and read and enjoy every word. This story almost had a fairytale quality about it, it was fun, sad, exciting, and had you rooting for the woman! Not only is this a great Historical romance - it has such a powerful message to women, about not giving up, staying strong and standing u...more Loved loved loved this book!!!!! What a power strong story this is. I fell in love with this book, I think on the 2nd or 3rd page and I didn't want to stop reading till I got to the end. But I forced myself to go slow and read and enjoy every word. This story almost had a fairytale quality about it, it was fun, sad, exciting, and had you rooting for the woman! Not only is this a great Historical romance - it has such a powerful message to women, about not giving up, staying strong and standing up for themselves!
OH JOY!!! I have a new favorite character! A new favorite heroine! I loved Isabelle "Belle" right from the beginning. I knew she would be a strong character. Now here is a woman that your would want you daughters to model themselves after. She stayed strong even in the darkest of times, in the face of danger. She stood up to others and fought for her and her brother's lives. She endured pain for their future.

"He inclined his head in acknowledgment of her words. 'I just don't want you to be hurt'
"You don't want me to be hurt? She mocked him with a humorless laugh. 'You mean hurt like when you walked out on us? Hurt when Grandfather dies? Hurt when we were forced to enter a private workhouse? When mother stopped eating and died of a broken heart? Hurt when Sally no longer cared enough to fight a common cold and allowed it to weaken her lungs? Is that what you mean?"
"Belle..."
"Don't call me that!' she yelled. "You have no right!" Pain and disappointment ate at her."

Belle reminded me of another favorite character I had - Jenny of "Jenny's Mountain" by Elaine Long - one of my all-time favorite books!
There were so many great qualities about this book - great descriptions, interesting storyline, on the edge of your seat writing, but I think for me what really sold me was the great character development! I really love stories with strong female characters and this certainly had that!

This was the first book by Anne Brear that I have read, infact I have to admit I had never even heard of her. Well I am not stopping here... I will be looking forward to reading more by her. What a wonderful new Author for me.(less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Literary rated it 4 of 5 stars

First of all, I must say this ...

THE COVER IS GORGEOUS!!!

I love the colors, the picture, the sentiment it portrays ... I just adore it.

Now that I got that out of my system, let's get down to the nitty gritty: The book opens with Isabelle and Hughie standing at their sister's open grave as she has just died. Their father left them a few years before and their mother died soon after that. Now that it's just the two of them, Isabelle is determined to get them out of the workhouse they've been in si...more First of all, I must say this ...

THE COVER IS GORGEOUS!!!

I love the colors, the picture, the sentiment it portrays ... I just adore it.

Now that I got that out of my system, let's get down to the nitty gritty: The book opens with Isabelle and Hughie standing at their sister's open grave as she has just died. Their father left them a few years before and their mother died soon after that. Now that it's just the two of them, Isabelle is determined to get them out of the workhouse they've been in since their father left. The matron's dislike for Isabelle and the matron's son's continuous (unwanted) attempted advances are more than enough to spurn Isabelle into deciding that a marriage is the best way out of their situation.

Thanks to the matron's deceitfulness, Isabelle is married to a drunkard and an abuser. She determines to make the best of her situation and stays with him. It takes a year or so for Isabelle to realize the mistake she's made as she looks at her brother and realizes he has become sullen and pessimistic thanks to living with Farrell, Isabelle's husband.

Enter the brave knight on a white horse: Ethan Harrington. He actually owns the land Farrell lives on. As these stories go, Ethan and Isabelle fall in love. There's just one ... okay, maybe two ... problem(s). They're both married ... to separate people. Both of their marriages, though, seem to be a marriage of convenience. Ethan and Isabelle decide that divorces are needed as soon as possible so they can be together.

Will their separate divorces be granted? Do Ethan and Isabelle get their rose-colored future they dream about?

There is a lot of action in this story. I read this whole book through in one day. I didn't want to put it down. The plot twists kept my interest as I continued reading to find out what happened next.

My only issue with the book (other than some slight editing issues here and there) is that, like most romantic fictions, every male wanted the main female character. I can understand one, two, maybe even three at the most, but there were four male characters that wanted Isabelle. All for slightly different reasons, but still ... it becomes a little redundant after awhile. I mean, come on, is she really that intriguing and sexy? Is she really so different from all the other females of Halifax?

Despite my one issue, I am curious to know if there is a sequel in the works. Isabelle's story doesn't feel finished to me and I'd like to see how she ends up. I would highly recommend this novel to all fiction lovers out there, especially those who enjoy romantic, historical, English novels.(less)

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Jun 07, 2012 Tina Petriella rated it 5 of 5 stars

Anne Brear has such a writing technique that just captures her readers and takes them on a wonderful journey of life. In “The Gentle Wind’s Caress” we are able to see life through Isabelle Gibson’s eyes. It pulls you in as soon as you read that first paragraph and continues to put you on the edge of your seat up to the very last word. It is an amazing book that I just couldn’t put down the whole time.
Isabelle Gibson is a proud, young woman that has the will power and strength that every woman w...more

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May 22, 2011 Bec rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 08, 2012 Shellie (Layers of Thought) marked it as to-read

Shelves: genre-historical-fiction, genre-womens-chic-lit-romance, time-victorian-or-regency

Free on Kindle from Friday August 10th through Saturday August 11th:

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Aug 27, 2012 Carolina Cordeiro rated it 2 of 5 stars

It was an OK read. Didn't particularly like the fact that Isabelle was so "weak" when she refused her lover's suggestions. Don't get me wrong, I understand why, but I didn't like the fact there were so many "No". In the end, I believe she did get the right guy! :).

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Mar 02, 2013 Vesta Moon rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was alright.. An immature young woman making hasty decisions that turn out all wrong.. Not till the end of the book does she stop and decide to take the time to consider before taking the leap..

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Nov 04, 2012 Shelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

This was free on my kindle. Pretty cover. I found the story interesting. It certainly isn't a bed of roses, but all reads shouldn't be. I didn't agree with all of the heroine's choices and that made for a good read.

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Sep 06, 2012 Dixie rated it 1 of 5 stars

I loved the book until I got to the ending. Was super disappointed in the outcome. Wish now I had never read it. Felt like I wasted my time.

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Oct 14, 2012 Betty Ann Baer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

This story is about a lady that is living as a servant. Her mom and sister die, so she decides to leave. She takes the first man that offers to marry her. Life goes downhill from there. The book kept me reading, but it was a love story with a sex scene and not my type of book. Oh well, what do you expect from a free kindle book?

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May 23, 2013 Jessica marked it as tbr-pile · review of another edition

May 21, 2013 Catherine marked it as to-read

May 02, 2013 Catherine Bras rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 01, 2013 Shannon marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle

Mar 24, 2013 Elainesjac marked it as to-read

Shelves: freebie, own

Mar 21, 2013 Dev marked it as to-read

Mar 21, 2013 Cecilia Fontenelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mar 20, 2013 Linda Hilton marked it as to-read

Feb 18, 2013 Julene added it

Jan 20, 2013 Angel marked it as to-read

Jan 20, 2013 Annette marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle-books

Jan 16, 2013 Kathleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Jan 10, 2013 Amanda Tague marked it as to-read

Jan 04, 2013 Helena marked it as to-read

Jan 02, 2013 Elizabeth Bollmeyer marked it as to-read

Shelves: on-ereader

Dec 28, 2012 Marie marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle

Dec 25, 2012 Loosheesh marked it as unread

Shelves: calibred-n-own

Dec 21, 2012 Amara marked it as to-read-owned · review of another edition

Shelves: own-kindle

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About Anne Brear

Anne Brear is an author of historical women's fiction and several short stories.
For more about Anne and her books visit her website - http://annebrear.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/annebrearauthor...
Published novels:
Writing as Anne Brear:
To Take Her Pride
The House of Women
A Noble Place
The Gentle Wind's Caress
The Day Embroidered
Writing as Anne Whitfield:
To Gain What's Lost.
New Beginnings...more

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