From a reader: … WONDERFUL STORIES WHICH MADE ME FEEL I WAS RIGHT THERE IN THE BOOKS WITH THE CHARACTERS!
KIRKUS REVIEW for Whitebeam
A young girl of mysterious but significant parentage joins Scotland’s medieval rebellion against the English in this lively YA historical novel.
At the dawn of the 14th century, fetching teen aristocrat Isobel MacDuff and dashing nobleman Rob—destined to become Scottish national hero Robert the Bruce—deposit their love child for safekeeping on the remote Isle of Arran. Little Pippa’s true identity must be kept secret, even from herself, lest she run afoul of ruthless enemies, including Isobel’s sadistic estranged husband and England’s King Edward, who would love to get his gauntlets on the rebel Bruce’s kin. Unaware of these intrigues, Pippa grows up a redheaded spitfire doted on by a foster mother, an awkward but stouthearted village lad named Tom and a parade of handsome lairds. The author ensconces Pippa in captivating, slightly magical medieval Scotland, where figures from Celtic legend—including a blind centenarian soothsayer who knows the secret of Pippa’s heritage—live and mingle. But as Pippa approaches adolescence, the grim realities of war intrude on her idyll, bringing terror and grief; she duly revolts by smuggling silver for the Scottish cause, spying on the English army and strategizing about how to rescue poor Isobel from the cage where she’s been hung for two years while peasants pelt her with manure. Loosely basing the story on real events, del Mara adroitly mines a rich historical setting for colorful material, which she enhances with rousing action scenes and a pinch of fairy-tale glamour. She crafts all this into a coming-of-age yarn with genuine substance and pathos. As Pippa gets entangled in her family’s struggle against the English, she’s appalled by the violence and misery her father sets in motion, but she also starts to understand the harsh necessity that drives him. She’s a feisty, appealing heroine, and her quest to discover her identity and capture her destiny makes for an absorbing read.
An entertaining period adventure for tweens.
A READER REVIEW for Whitebeam:
This is fantastic storytelling firmly grounded in historical fact. Del Mara has a keen sense of pacing, constantly driving the plot forward, yet not without forays into charming and idyllic description. As an adult reader, I was delighted by the way del Mara brings a bit of medieval history brilliantly to life through vivid characters and action, with humor sprinkled throughout–and it’s heartening to see such a spunky heroine! Sure to be a fun and yet sophisticated read for kids, to stretch their intellects and open new avenues of imagination.
AND ANOTHER:
I loved this historical novel! Very easily read in one or two sittings. A page turner and an easy read, this extraordinary tale will appeal to youth and adult alike.
This storyline masterfully blends historical events and true-life characters with a colourfully expressive imagination. Characters and storyline threads are perfectly introduced, laid down and developed. Plot and action are interwoven with enchanting and serene narratives and diversions.
I am eagerly awaiting a sequel or series that fosters character and storyline evolution. I am certain that author del Mara will not disappoint with successive publications.
READER REVIEWS for Willow Oak
FROM BEV REID, LAKE PLACID, NY TOWN HISTORIAN:
Wow. I just finished reading your ‘WILLOW OAK’ and Ioved it! It is definitely one of those books you love to read and do not want to end. It was my weekend enjoyment. Your descriptions are so vivid, I swear I could smell the balsam boughs….
ANOTHER REVIEWER: I have read all three books in this series and I found this to be the most beautiful, magical, and exciting yet. Del Mara’s storylines are tightly woven, and the descriptions are poetry!
AND ANOTHER: This is my favorite del Mara writing to date! So intriguing and unfathomable the trials these folks endured, and for their political views! The characters are so realistic that you feel yourself there through their difficult times thru to their joyous reunion. It left me feeling grateful for the things they endured for our sake! Very enjoyable historical reading!
TWO READER REVIEWS for Passage Oak
Set in early 19th century Cornwall, Passage Oak is a tale that encompasses the lives of a generation of immigrants in search of homeland. To some characters that need is expressed in newfound home, family and community, while others are driven to ultimate wealth and power. With a profound sense of history and geography, del Mara sets us securely in time and place to experience the struggles that beset strangers in a strange land. The mystery lies at the intersection of those lives where the drive for survival takes on epic proportions. With a tempo that accelerates to the finale, del Mara keeps the reader’s head spinning in ironic twists of fate and the chaos of lives bent on establishing a place in the world. And, at a more intimate level, in a mystery beyond the mystery, a young girl uncovers the truth she was seeking from the very beginning. An Epic Tale for all time, and a great book to come home to!
A beautifully written story that takes place in Cornwall in the early 1800’s. Del Mara brings her wonderfully developed characters to life, thoroughly researching the time period and geography and sharing their riveting stories with us.The plot has many twists and turns to ensure that the reader will want to see what the next page brings. It will be very difficult to put this book down until you have heard her last word.