The Handfasting – Book Review
When I first began reading The Handfasting by David Burnett – the story of two students who meet, fall in love, and pledge themselves to one another in a Celtic handfasting ceremony – I anticipated that this would be an incredibly romantic or an incredibly heart-breaking love story.
After all, the promises that Stephen makes to Katherine in the ruins of the old church abbey are the stuff that fairy tales are made of.
“I’ll find you,” he had said. “In ten years, when we have finished school, when we are able to marry, I’ll find you. Until then, whenever you see a yellow rose, remember me. Remember I love you.”
Incredibly romantic… incredibly heart-breaking… it turns out that The Handfasting is a little of both.
Ten years later, Stephen does find Katherine – and re-ignites their romance by sending her a vase filled with a dozen yellow roses to symbolize their love.
But, Stephen isn’t the only one interested in Katherine’s hand. Bill Wilson – a “friend” Katherine has known since high school – has turned into a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Now, Bill wants Katherine as his wife, and he intends to have her – no matter what the cost.
The Handfasting is a captivating story that will evoke strong emotions as you read it. At times, I found the book difficult to read due to triggering content. In other moments, I found myself rooting for the protagonists and thinking unholy thoughts about the villains. The attitudes expressed by all of the characters rang true to the era and setting. The ending was extremely satisfying.
If you’d like to read an unusual love story that interweaves serious social issues into its storyline – The Handfasting by David Burnett is your book!
The Handfasting – Book Trailer
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The Handfasting – Book Synopsis
Ten years had passed since they had joined hands in the ruins of the old abbey church. Standing before the high altar, they were handfasted in the Celtic custom, engaged to be married.
A rose bush had bloomed beside the ruined altar. Stephen had reached out to caress one of the flowers.
“I’ll find you,” he had said. “In ten years, when we have finished school, when we are able to marry, I’ll find you. Until then, whenever you see a yellow rose, remember me. Remember I love you.”
In those ten years, Katherine had finished college, completed med school, and become a doctor. In those ten years they had not seen each other, had not spoken, and had not written.
It was what they had agreed.
For a decade, she had been waiting, hoping, praying.
Today ─ her birthday─ she finds a vase of yellow roses when she reaches home.
Stephen, though, is not Katherine’s only suitor. Bill Wilson has known her since they were in high school. He has long planned to wed her, and he finally decides to stake his claim.
Although the action occurs primarily in New York City, psychologically, the story is set in a small town in Virginia. Change came slowly to the rural South in the nineteen-seventies, and attitudes toward women were most resistant to change. Women were expected to be subservient to men, to have children, to keep house. A woman was to be above reproach, and any hint of scandal was met with censure, with ostracism, with shame. These attitudes threaten to destroy Katherine and the life of which she dreams.
The Handfasting is a story of love renewed, a suitor spurned, a vicious attack, a struggle for healing. It is a story of love that survives.
About David Burnett
David lives in Columbia South Carolina, with his wife and their blue-eyed cat, Bonnie. The Reunion, his first novel, is set in nearby Charleston. The Handfasting, his second book will be published this month.
He enjoys traveling, photography, baking bread, and the Carolina beaches.
David has photographed subjects as varied as prehistoric ruins on the islands of Scotland, star trails, sea gulls, and a Native American powwow. He and his wife have traveled widely in the United States and the United Kingdom. During one trip to Scotland, they visited Crathes Castle, the ancestral home of the Burnett family near Aberdeen. In The Reunion, Michael’s journey through England and Scotland allows him to sketch many places they have visited.
David spent years in school and has graduate degrees in psychology and education. He and his wife have two daughters.
For More Information:
- Visit David’s Website.
- Visit The Handfasting Blog Tour Page.
- Connect with David on Facebook, Twitter and GoodReads.
- Visit Amazon.
For more great books, visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews.
The Handfasting – Book Tour
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The Handfasting – Giveaway
Two lucky winners will each receive a $10 Amazon Giftcard to spend!
This giveaway is brought to you by author of The Handfasting, David Burnett.
Open Worldwide
Giveaway Ends on Sunday 22nd September at 11.59 pm EST
Enter Below and Good Luck!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Beck Valley Books Book Tours for review purposes. I was not compensated or required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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I loved almost every moment of this book. The romance between Katherine and Stephen was beautiful to read I totally agree. When the twist came I was honestly horrified, the author has done a great job with this book. Just Love It !!
Books – naturally.
Twitter: mmbear5
says:
I would save it for when I need it for a blog hop giveaway or to pay for a book
I’d buy books, of course. Not quite sure which ones, though :).
Twitter: georgiabeckman1
says:
I would buy this book with my gift card. I tried to win it in another giveaway & would love to read it.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Well, best of luck to you Georgia! Great answer! 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful read.
I would save it for christmas for my daughter…she is an Amazon a holic .