Nancy Kilgore

I love historical fiction as anyone who reads my reviews can surely figure out. But when it comes to time periods there are certain eras that interest me more than others and Bitter Magic hits one of my favorites. This period in English and Scottish history is rife with conflict and the worst of it was the way women were treated who were a little bit different or who were knowledgeable about herbs. The women who stood in for doctors and could treat the ills of the townspeople. When something didn’t go right or blame needed to be assigned it was easy to point the finger and call witch at these women.

Bitter Magic is the story of one such “witch”, Isobel Gowdie and a young girl , Margaret, who goes to her looking for help. Margaret’s friend has been kidnapped by a rival clan and she believes Isobel can help to bring her back.

What follows is an eminently readable book that kept me interested from the first page to the last. The characters are fascinating and tying in Isobel’s “truth” makes for a thoroughly engaging read. I found myself fully involved in the story. The only issues were some jarring uses of vernacular that sometimes just didn’t ring true but it didn’t do enough to ruin the story for me.… (meer)

A deep immersion in ancient Scottish culture, this book paints a vivid historical adventure. The times are fraught with conflict between religious factions, nationalities, clans and social classes. Nancy Kilgore brings it all to life within an exciting living narrative derived from her research and actual trips to Scotland. The story of Isobel Gowdie reads like a cinematic epic in a rich language filled with Scottish lore. There is real magic in the writing. Here's Isobel describing an out-of-body experience:

“Come,” beckoned William, fast astride his black stallion.
And now I saw that my own white steed awaited. I sprang upon the horse calling, “Horse and hattock, ho! Ho and away!” And now I was aloft, and my body alive, every part, with the flight and the thrill and the speed. I was no longer hungry, and pain was unheard of, unknown, unimagined. My body was light—light as air. And now I was large, so great that I was part of everything, and everything a part of me. “Horse and hattock, ho!” I called again, and we flew through the night, over farmtown and field, over dunes and machair and mountains.

Margaret, a rebellious, highborn teenager must overcome the restrictions of a conservative Covenanter family to pursue knowledge, experience, and the friendship of a village commoner who is also the most powerful cunning woman, otherwise known as a witch in the realm. When Margaret's friend Henrietta is kidnapped, she risks all to come to her aid and that means conspiring with Isobel Gowdie.

I am savoring every moment spent reading Bitter Magic. It is also typographically beautiful, typeset in a manner the befits the era it evokes.… (meer)

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Wild Mountain is story that naturally moves at a slow pace, but does find its general rhythm after the first few chapters. Which is a typical characteristic character driven novels. The story is set in a somewhat rural/isolated small town called Wild Mountain and follows the life of its townspeople and the events that surround them.

There are many people mentioned in the story, but the plot’s main focus is on the two lead characters, Mona and Frank. Mona is an independent store owner who is very involved in the community as her store acts as a meeting place for many of the townspeople. She strives to live a peaceful life , but things get shaken up when town politics get heated and her abusive ex-husband makes a reappearance. She feels a strong connection to the covered bridge located near her store and it feels like home. Frank is also a very independent person. He’s very adventurous and likes to travel a lot; most of his life has been spent outside of the town and he’s viewed slightly as an outsider. After reconnecting with Mona he slowly develops feelings for her.

The book is mostly slice of life story full of small town politics, a freedom to marry bill, figuring out how pay for a bridge that’s an essential part of the town, relationships (and familial love), and it’s a tale of self-discovery. Though the ages of the characters vary everyone is in the midst of trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do (goals) in their life. I liked the way Frank and Mona evolved over the story; their individual selves and their blooming relationship. Both are seeking a solid relationship as they both come from failed marriages, they’ve known each other for a while and see the potential and decide to act on their feelings. They also grow over the course of the story.

Kilgore’s writing is incredibly descriptive, from the people to the landscapes. The cover art truly catches the essence of the story and give readers a visual of the landscape. From the flowing river, woodsy hiking trails, and mountainous terrain, the writing places the reader right in the story. This story also catches the essence of human emotions, POVs are also detailed and you can feel what the characters are going through and relate to some of their struggles.

The book ended on a good note, closure for the overall story and its characters. This was definitely a book outside of my genre that I typically read but it was a nice break from the usual picks. I’m glad I gave this book a chance since I really enjoyed it.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
… (meer)

This book is at its heart, all about love. The good kind of love that develops between a man and a woman. Then there is the kind of emotion that simmers in a man who has mental health issues. A location can engender very strong feelings of love. Our friends and family fall under the umbrella of love and we will collectively fight for and support a cause we strongly believe in – this is yet another type of love. This book pulls all of these types of love into a delightful tale of small town Vermont.

The story circles around Mona who owns the local country store. She wants to think she is aloof from all that goes on around her but she is far more involved than she realizes. As she faces the changes in her personal and professional life as well as the larger issues swirling around she learns that many people lean on her. And that she needs her friends and neighbors far more than she realizes.

I readily admit this is not the type of book I usually read but I was intrigued by the setting and so I took a chance. Oftentimes such serendipity is rewarded and in this case it was. I found myself quite involved in the lives of the people in and around Wild Mountain. Ms. Kilgore has a very poetic way of writing that turns words into vignettes that played as little movies in my head as I read the story. I almost shivered as the ice broke on the river, I felt the breeze blow across the fields and the spring sun warmed my face. I, unlike the author do not have a magical way with words but trust me when I say you will be rewarded by reading this book.… (meer)