The Wild Rose Inn Series by Jennifer Armstrong
For quite some time now I have been going through books on my shelf I have never read. It does not matter the age group. I am reading them to see if they are a book I want to keep or donate. A lot I am enjoying, but still deciding to donate in the end. The first three books of the Wild Rose Inn series I am definitely keeping.
The
Wild Rose Inn series is a set of books all involving a Massachusetts inn
called the Wild Rose Inn. Each book is set in a different period of time,
decades apart. All have their own set of characters and events. While each book
could technically stand alone, I have enjoyed reading them together. Plus, it
makes the occasional reference to a past character all the more understandable.
 |
| Bridie of the Wild Rose Inn Photo of book cover taken by Kate Dorsey |
Bridie of the Wild Rose Inn is the first book in the series. Set in 1695, Bridie MacKenzie is excited to be joining her parents in the Massachusetts Bay colony. They left Scotland a decade before, leaving Bridie in the care of her grandfather. With her grandfather recently deceased, Bridie’s parents have decided it is finally time to send for her. It will be an exciting but frightening trip across the ocean for Bridie. She is leaving all she has ever known behind.
When
Bridie arrives in Massachusetts, she learns there is even more she is expected
to leave behind than she thought. Where she lives, Bridie is no longer able to
practice her Catholic religion. Her practice of healing with plants is looked
upon skeptically. It is seen as not something to do.
Bridie
tries to put these things behind her, even though they are a large part of who
she is. Then someone frames her for witchcraft. At this point, Bridie must make
a hard decision. Be true to herself, or become who everyone else wants her to
be?
Ann of the Wild Rose Inn
Photo of book cover taken by Kate Dorsey
Book two of the series is Ann of the Wild Rose Inn. Tensions are mounting between the colonists and the British in 1774. Ann MacKenzie’s twin brother, John, wants to do his part to help the colonists. He becomes involved in smuggling. An act Ann repeatedly tells him to stop doing.
John
does not listen to Ann. He not only gets shot, but is also being hunted by a
British captain. A British sailor who has befriended Ann helps save John by
keeping him out of the captain’s clutches.
Ann
did not know the sailor was British when they met. When she finds out, she
becomes confused about her feelings. The sailor seems like a good man. He is
kind. He is helping John. But he’s for the enemy. With all Ann has grown up
hearing about the British, how could she fall in love with the enemy?
Emily of the Wild Rose Inn
Photo of book cover taken by Kate Dorsey
At the
same time the bounty hunter arrives, so does the Stockwell family. They bring
with them a slave, Moses, who they treat very badly. This upsets Emily’s
adopted sister Lucy, a Black young woman who was born free.
The
treatment of Moses does not sit well with Emily either. Yet, it does not
keep her from befriending the Stockwell’s son. This causes a rift between Emily
and Lucy, especially after Emily refuses to help Moses escape. For the first
time, Emily must open her eyes to what is happening around her, and figure out
where she stands.
A Rose in Bloom
Artwork by Kate Dorsey
None
of these books are long. Each is below two hundred pages. Short and concise,
these books are good. Written for probably the middle grade to young adult age
groups, they make a nice, light read for an adult.
There
are three more books in the series. The problem is, I highly suspect they are
out of print, making them difficult to find. I am hoping one day I will be able
to find the books. Then I will finally be able to finish the series.
 |
| Survey created by Kate Dorsey with Microsoft Paint 3D |
Comments