Review: Listen to the Wind by Susanne Dunlap


Listen to the Wind by Susanne Dunlap

Publication Date: April 22, 2019
Bellastoria Press
eBook & Paperback; 388 Pages

Series: The Orphans of Tolosa, Book 1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Medieval


Sent away from their families for their own protection when they were very young, Azemar and Azalaïs become separated when they are forced to flee from the band of outlaws who served as their supposed protectors. Armed only with scraps of memories and the wits and intelligence that have helped them survive brutal conditions, they struggle to find each other again and discover the mysterious past that links them across distance and time. Who are they? And do they hold the secret of the legendary Cathar treasure? All they know is that knights and monks spell danger, and they must find a way to survive at all costs if they are to fulfill their destiny—and preserve their vanishing culture.

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I stayed up way too late last night and Susanne Dunlap is entirely to blame! It was just to hard to put down Listen to the Wind and I have no will power but I sure slept soundly after finishing this incredible novel.

Listen to the Wind features Azalais and Azemar who are living in an Orphanage in Tolosa at the beginning of the novel. The two friends spent their days playing fantasy games of knights and damsels, until one day their Orphanage gets raided. A recent illness in the town is being blamed on the Orphanage so they run away and soon get separated, with plans to meet up later.

As Azalais and Azemar embark on their own path they meet people who help them along the way. It actually reminded me a bit about Game of Thrones. It could be because I binged the whole series for the past month! Ha! But really, the way we follow Azemar and Azalais and see who they meet and how they learn from everyone along the way, right to the fateful moment with the two friends finally meet again years later (great scene!) reminded me of Arya's storyline, which was my absolute favorite.

So, take the two amazing main characters, add in a third and equally fascinating character, throw in some knights, a few battles, secret identities, court intrigue, and you have one hell of a read!

Susanne's writing really brought this book to life. She has an amazing way with words. It's a book that will grab you from the start and keep you hooked til the end. I loved it and will be counting the days until the next book in the trilogy, The Spirit of Fire, releases!

Highly recommended!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Kobo

About the Author

Susanne Dunlap is the author of six works of historical fiction. Two are for adults (Emilie's Voice and Liszt's Kiss, both published by Touchstone books of Simon & Schuster). Four are for young adults (The Musician's Daughter, Anastasia's Secret, In the Shadow of the Lamp, and The Academie, published by Bloomsbury). A graduate of Smith College with a PhD in Music History from Yale University, Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, Brooklyn and Northampton, MA. She now lives in Northampton with her long-time partner, Charles, has two grown daughters, three granddaughters, a grandson, a stepson and a stepdaughter, four step-grandsons and one step-granddaughter—that's a total of four children and nine grandchildren!

In her spare time she cycles in the beautiful Pioneer Valley.

For more information, please visit The Orphans of Tolosa website. You can follow author Susanne Dunlap on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Pinterest, and BookBub.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, May 13
Review at Bibliophile Reviews

Tuesday, May 14
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Wednesday, May 15
Interview at Passages to the Past

Thursday, May 16
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Friday, May 17
Review at Bookish Sarah
Review at Comet Readings
Feature at What Is That Book About

Monday, May 20
Review & Guest Post at Clarissa Reads it All
Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Tuesday, May 21
Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Wednesday, May 22
Feature at Just One More Chapter

Thursday, May 23
Interview at Donna's Book Blog

Friday, May 24
Review at Passages to the Past

Monday, May 27
Review at Macsbooks
Feature at The Lit Bitch

Tuesday, May 28
Review at Coffee and Ink
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews
Review & Guest Post at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we will be giving away one copy of Listen to the Wind by Susanne Dunlap! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Listen to the Wind


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