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Distant Whispers: A Novel of Reincarnation and Destiny
Rachel is a powerful healer and for her the veil that separates the living and the dead does not exist. She has experienced extraordinary challenges in her many lifetimes and faces each with unwavering courage, and the determination to fulfill the destiny that awaits her.
In the year 1665, Rachel escapes the cruelty of King Louis XIV of France and seeks sanctuary in a village in England. She is here for a reason but realizes it is not for Edward, even though she loved him from that first moment. She sees the doubt in his eyes when she is accused of witchcraft, but it matters not, for as she flees to London, where a devastating plague is spreading rapidly across the city, she knows they will meet again.
Centuries later, Rachel encounters both friends and enemies from her past lives.
In the year 1665, Rachel escapes the cruelty of King Louis XIV of France and seeks sanctuary in a village in England. She is here for a reason but realizes it is not for Edward, even though she loved him from that first moment. She sees the doubt in his eyes when she is accused of witchcraft, but it matters not, for as she flees to London, where a devastating plague is spreading rapidly across the city, she knows they will meet again.
Centuries later, Rachel encounters both friends and enemies from her past lives.
- GenresFiction
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Cathy M. Donnelly
3 books40 followersI am originally from Scotland and now live in Australia.
I have been a lover of historical fiction since I was young. I also enjoy reading about the Knights Templar, secret societies and witches.
I write historical fiction with a supernatural twist. I have published three books.
DISTANT WHISPERS is a reincarnation novel and THERE IS A PLACE, a Scottish historical novel.
My third book MEMORIES OF THE NIGHT SKY was published in July 2021. It is a reincarnation/historical fiction novel set in Scotland in the 8th and 14 centuries, and the present day..
I have been a lover of historical fiction since I was young. I also enjoy reading about the Knights Templar, secret societies and witches.
I write historical fiction with a supernatural twist. I have published three books.
DISTANT WHISPERS is a reincarnation novel and THERE IS A PLACE, a Scottish historical novel.
My third book MEMORIES OF THE NIGHT SKY was published in July 2021. It is a reincarnation/historical fiction novel set in Scotland in the 8th and 14 centuries, and the present day..
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 29, 2018
Distant Whispers: A Novel of Reincarnation and Destiny was filled with suspense.
Rachel was a powerful healer and was mistaken for a witch.
However, she had a secret.
The book captures life in the seventeenth century.
Cathy Donnelly is a talented writer and knows how to keep a reader turning the pages.
Rachel was a powerful healer and was mistaken for a witch.
However, she had a secret.
The book captures life in the seventeenth century.
Cathy Donnelly is a talented writer and knows how to keep a reader turning the pages.
June 8, 2015
This is very much a told story but the style suits what is a part historical novel, part supernatural/reincarnation account, part meditation on finding one's true purpose but never confusing it with being true to oneself.
I could give comparisons with Diana Gabaldon or Barbara Erskine but in the end this book is very much 'itself' and comparisons won't really give you a flavour for what it's like. I have read books with all the elements of this one but never combined in quite such a way. I really enjoyed it. The characters, notably Rachel and Edward/ David are engaging and easy to root for. Rachel is intelligent, compassionate and fey, managing to stay just on the right side of preachy so that we believe in her as someone spiritually enlightened. Edward by contrast is honest and upright, good natured and kind. The overall feel of the novel was of partners meeting and parting as though they were part of a great dance that spanned centuries, which could not be interrupted or hindered by more than the briefest of moments by human machinations. There is something comforting in the inevitability as well as heart wrenching in the moments of parting.
My only real criticism is that the change of time periods was ever so slightly jarring - though this may have struck me because I wanted to follow Rachel's further adventures in that first time period.
A good, entertaining historical read that spills over into today and examines the nature and endurance of love both of the personal and the humanitarian kind. Highly recommend.
I could give comparisons with Diana Gabaldon or Barbara Erskine but in the end this book is very much 'itself' and comparisons won't really give you a flavour for what it's like. I have read books with all the elements of this one but never combined in quite such a way. I really enjoyed it. The characters, notably Rachel and Edward/ David are engaging and easy to root for. Rachel is intelligent, compassionate and fey, managing to stay just on the right side of preachy so that we believe in her as someone spiritually enlightened. Edward by contrast is honest and upright, good natured and kind. The overall feel of the novel was of partners meeting and parting as though they were part of a great dance that spanned centuries, which could not be interrupted or hindered by more than the briefest of moments by human machinations. There is something comforting in the inevitability as well as heart wrenching in the moments of parting.
My only real criticism is that the change of time periods was ever so slightly jarring - though this may have struck me because I wanted to follow Rachel's further adventures in that first time period.
A good, entertaining historical read that spills over into today and examines the nature and endurance of love both of the personal and the humanitarian kind. Highly recommend.
January 11, 2016
I started this book in December so I can truthfully say it was my best read of 2015 and I read a lot of books with my kindle subscription.
There is so much going on in Distant Whispers, every page will hold any reader's interest. It is written to a very high standard and the lack of contractions used for the early centuries is testament to this. The writing style changes for each period and it was a pleasure to see the story unfold.
Characterisation is well drawn and developed. The main character, Rachel is an interesting one but her tenacity to do right by others no matter what happens never wavers from one period to the next. It isn't an original aspect - reincarnation in novels - but Cathy Donnelly's story is original and narrated in such a way you will be reluctant to put the book down. The author also shows the reader the discourse of witchcraft and the misogyny that was around in the 17th century, she pulls this of brilliantly with the character Dr Brown.
Donnelly has a natural ability with the rule 'show' 'don't tell' which in turn makes the whole novel a treat to read. I felt spiritually uplifted once I had finished Distant Whispers, definitely not a book to be missed.
There is so much going on in Distant Whispers, every page will hold any reader's interest. It is written to a very high standard and the lack of contractions used for the early centuries is testament to this. The writing style changes for each period and it was a pleasure to see the story unfold.
Characterisation is well drawn and developed. The main character, Rachel is an interesting one but her tenacity to do right by others no matter what happens never wavers from one period to the next. It isn't an original aspect - reincarnation in novels - but Cathy Donnelly's story is original and narrated in such a way you will be reluctant to put the book down. The author also shows the reader the discourse of witchcraft and the misogyny that was around in the 17th century, she pulls this of brilliantly with the character Dr Brown.
Donnelly has a natural ability with the rule 'show' 'don't tell' which in turn makes the whole novel a treat to read. I felt spiritually uplifted once I had finished Distant Whispers, definitely not a book to be missed.
February 22, 2020
If you’re looking for reading entertainment and are prepared to be absorbed by the plot and characters then it doesn’t matter if you believe in reincarnation—this is a well-told tale. The author creates an alternative to the ‘live, die … and it’s all over’ train of thought.
I admit I’m not a fan of the paranormal in any of the directions it’s taken in fact or fiction, but I do like to leave reality behind occasionally and be whisked off on a journey. If the trip includes some travel back in time to briefly meet those who existed in the past then so much the better. Ms Donnelly involves historical figures in snippets of conversation and hints at personality traits. Rather than simply being a reference point, the person becomes an integral part of the story. I also like that the author includes a short bio of the historical characters at the end.
Rachel is omnipresent, so if she’s not in a scene, you get the feeling she isn’t far away and this is portrayed well throughout. An enjoyable read. I also enjoyed ‘There is a Place’ by the same author.
I admit I’m not a fan of the paranormal in any of the directions it’s taken in fact or fiction, but I do like to leave reality behind occasionally and be whisked off on a journey. If the trip includes some travel back in time to briefly meet those who existed in the past then so much the better. Ms Donnelly involves historical figures in snippets of conversation and hints at personality traits. Rather than simply being a reference point, the person becomes an integral part of the story. I also like that the author includes a short bio of the historical characters at the end.
Rachel is omnipresent, so if she’s not in a scene, you get the feeling she isn’t far away and this is portrayed well throughout. An enjoyable read. I also enjoyed ‘There is a Place’ by the same author.
September 4, 2018
Having the spirit of a character from the past re-embodied in a contemporary protagonist has certainly been done before. Cathy Donnelly has brought a unique perspective to the concept.
Rachel witnesses several well known episodes from world history. Whether ancient Greece, the legendary Scottish expedition to North America or plague ridden medieval Britain, Rachel is there with her healing powers, variously viewed as an angel or a witch by her contemporaries in each location.
She is able to communicate with a 'mentor' from the spirit world and leaves behind a number of men who love her during her brief sojourn in each place and time. As readers we are left to speculate about her real status and purpose until all is revealed in the final episode which is set in modern day Australia.
This is a well written, carefully plotted novel with totally believable characters that also conveys some important messages about the nature and origin of good and evil.
Rachel witnesses several well known episodes from world history. Whether ancient Greece, the legendary Scottish expedition to North America or plague ridden medieval Britain, Rachel is there with her healing powers, variously viewed as an angel or a witch by her contemporaries in each location.
She is able to communicate with a 'mentor' from the spirit world and leaves behind a number of men who love her during her brief sojourn in each place and time. As readers we are left to speculate about her real status and purpose until all is revealed in the final episode which is set in modern day Australia.
This is a well written, carefully plotted novel with totally believable characters that also conveys some important messages about the nature and origin of good and evil.
March 15, 2023
Distant Whispers opens just after the Puritan rule of Oliver Cromwell ended, but Edward instinctively distrusts Mr Newman, the new magistrate. When Rachel appears with her gifts of healing and talking to animals and the dead, I feared for her along with Edward.
This is truly Rachel’s story. It jumps backwards and forwards in time, and from place to place, but the writing is so good I was never confused – just utterly fascinated.
What is Rachel guarding. Who is she, this beautiful young woman so carefully guarded? Who is her sworn enemy? Cathy M. Donnelly reveals all, but not until the culmination of an intriguing journey to “the end”.
This is truly Rachel’s story. It jumps backwards and forwards in time, and from place to place, but the writing is so good I was never confused – just utterly fascinated.
What is Rachel guarding. Who is she, this beautiful young woman so carefully guarded? Who is her sworn enemy? Cathy M. Donnelly reveals all, but not until the culmination of an intriguing journey to “the end”.
April 9, 2023
Round up to 4.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews