It was very interesting to me to see the history of education for the deaf. I was curious about whether or not the techniques would bring the results for her. I enjoyed the book!

This is a great book of life through the eyes of children with either no sight or no hearing in this historical fiction. There are 2 stories here and both of them are great! If I had to pick a favorite, although that’s difficult because they are both great, I’d have to say I think I liked the first one more than the second. To see how things progressed in a time when new teaching methods were coming out to help with communication of the young ones was precious. The love shown by those caring for the children was felt and in the first story, the doctor and Abigail were really fun to watch and see how it all played out. A great read!!
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

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I liked the setting and the character development. The title is catchy and fun to figure out.

Whispers of the Wind by Francis Devine

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

I wanted to like this book so much! The description given by the publisher was interesting and one that I’ve not often seen used which was a nice change for reading. But I had issue with the fleshing out of the story. Given that the story is relatively short so as to allow equal space for the second story in the book (another short story by Ms. Devine), I expected it to be a bit fragmented. I did not expect it to be so jumpy so as to make the book feel both rushed and boring all at the same time. There were passages in the book, like the measles epidemic and the tornado, that were filled with action and lots of good dialogue. But others were added that dragged on the story and make it seem to never end. I loved the ideas of a good and growing school for deaf children that Ms. Devine was endeavoring to share in her story but it seems that it was written quickly and then published without good review. I also enjoyed reading of Lily, the little blind girl with the sunshine attitude. But I just couldn’t get to like the rest of the book and the main characters. Both Abigail and Trent had a lot of potential and could have been really good characters to teach lessons through, but Ms. Devine seemed to shy away from them actually learning anything. The problems they encounter are so minor and have such easy conclusions there is little that allows the reader to connect with them. Abigail and Trent further seemed to be a bit lackluster in their faith, not really looking to God for decisions to be made or any type of spiritual growth. I much prefer characters in a story to be on a journey that will take the reader along and challenge them either in their faith or just life in general. I hope Ms. Devine will return to the drawing board before she turns in another book and will develop a book that will allow her to stretch her “writer’s wings” just a bit more that she has thus far attempted. I will not be recommending this book for others to read as I found it hard to finish myself and would not wish others to have the same trouble.

I received this E-book free of charge from Barbour Publishing via Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

Whispers of the Wind/The Scent of Magnolia is heart-beating, unabashedly tender, blissfully fun, chivalrous, elegant, exhilarating, fascinating and harmonious. This is about Abigail as a new teacher at the Cecilia Quincy School for the Deaf. Now Abigail has some new ways of teaching the children there at the Deaf School and I have to say Dr. Quincy needs. Dr. Quincy may or may not have a problem with her new teaching style - plus she's not only working into the hearts of each of the students she just may possibly be working her way into the heart of Dr,. Quincy or is she just plain annoying him? The progressive teaching from this progressive teacher was sent by GOD - the live-in students felt it and so did Dr. Quincy. Would Dr. Quincy trust GOD to let HIM open his heart? These two stories keep you up turning the pages and not realizing it - because you just do not want to put this down because you have to know more - and the more you know you have to know more - yowza.

There are two stories in this book and both are by author Frances Devine.
This book is about strong women who live faith filled lives and lead by example.
These strong women are teachers at a school for blind students and some are deaf. The school is the Celeste Quincy School . The second story has a secondary character as the main focus in this one and it's just as good a story as the first. I enjoyed reading about a school for the blind and deaf in the 1800's. The historical aspect was just right and I loved how strong and faith filled the heroines are.
The men's devotion and respect towards their intended was refreshing to see.
Pub Date 01 Jul 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

A new author for me.....loved this story. Looking forward to more of Ms Devine's work.

Whispers of the Wind

Also Includes Bonus Story of The Scent of Magnolia
by Frances Devine

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books
Christian

Pub Date 01 Jul 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing Whispers of The Wind through Barbour Publishing, Inc and Netgalley:

This book takes us to 1881 Georgia where we are introduced to Abigail James, she has come to Georgia to become a teacher. She will be teaching at the Cecilia Quincy School for the Deaf. The first child she meets is a little blind girl named Lily. Most of her students are deaf, but they are able to read lips.

Abigail is surprised to learn that sign language is not taught in the school. When Abigail tries to talk to the head about teaching Sign Language but he refuses. When the owner of the school discovers the way the director spoke to her he calls him out on it, and explains that they will be teaching Sign on a trial basis. Even Lily Ann takes to learning Sign Language, but Abigail knows she would benefit from learning Braille.

Doctor Trent, the doctor for the school soon finds himself falling for Miss Abigail James.

The Scent of Magnolia's follows Whispers in The Wind once again takes us to the Cecilia Quincy School for the Deaf, in February of 1892 Helen Edwards. Molly Flannigan is her favorite Pupil,but soon a new student Margaret targets Molly as a bully and Lily Ann.

Will Helen find true love in Molly Flannigan's father?

Find out in The Scent of Magnolia's five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!

Whispers of the Wind by Frances Devine is a beautiful story of love for others and giving of oneself in unselfish ways.
Abigail James is the new teacher at the Cecilia Quincy School for the Deaf. She is a new teacher and not sure she is up to the challenge. She is from the north and living in the south is a completely new experience for her. The school is now owned by Dr. Trent Quincy who inherited the property from his father who was the son George Quincy whose widow freed all their slaves and started the school after George’s death. Several of the former slaves are now employed at the school or the home of Dr. Trent. Upon her arrival, she finds one child is blind which will be an additional challenge she is not sure she is up to. She does meet many challenges including butting heads with the school director, Mr. Carter. She soon finds the children are claiming their own spots in her heart. There are still challenges and what will happen when she meets a special man? Can she continue to teach and stay single or will she leave the children for love and a family of her own?
There is a bonus story called The Scent of Magnolia, that continues the story of Cecilia Quincy school with the focus being on another of the teachers, Helen Edwards. Molly Flannigan has been a student at the school for some time, since the death of her mother, and is making great progress. Her father is now in a better position to care for her and decides to take her home to live with him. Can Helen convince him it would not be in the child’s best interest to leave the school? There are many twists and turns as Molly, Helen and Mr. Flannigan try to come to an agreement on how best to handle the situation.
Both of these stories have a lot of action and move at a quick pace keeping the reader turning page after page. I did not want to put this book down. It is a solid 5 of 5 stars! There are issues of new teaching methods and different schools of thought on what might be best for the children and I found the discussions the characters have very interesting. I highly recommend reading this book.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Frances Devine is the author of the first story of this book and I put off reading this one because sometimes these books are a bit lacking in substance even though they are full in entertainment. This one is significant in substance and is not only an entertaining read, but is also a meaty read.

Abigail is the new teacher at the Celeste Quincy School for the Deaf and she wants to shake things up--teaching the children sign language for part of their education. She meets with opposition with the director of the school at first. When the owner of the school visits, she is able to get her idea with the sign language instituted and it works with great success.

Abigail is also assigned to teach a young girl, Lily Ann, who is blind. She is at the school because there is no place else to take her. Abigail wants to teach Lily Ann braille and Lily Ann wants to learn sign.

Much of Lily Ann's story reads like how Helen Keller was educated. Abigail forms the signs in Lily Ann's hands and explains what she's doing. Before long, Lily Ann can sign to the other students, and they sign in her hands to communicate with her.

In the second story--The Scent of Magnolia, Frances continues the story with one of Abigail's co-teachers at the center of the narrative, and a student, Molly, Both stories are five star, two thumbs up, and the sign for teacher.

Overall a good historical fiction read although at times it dragged a bit and I don't think the characters were as well developed as they could have been, Still it was a nice easy read.

This is a story of Abigail James for is hired by the Cecilia Quincy School for the Deaf to teach. When she arrives she has challenges she does not feel ready for. One is a Blind girl at the school. Another is Mr Carter who is opposed on teaching new techniques, including Braille and sign language to the students. When she meets the owner of the school Dr Trent Quincy there is a attraction between the two. Can she convince Dr Quincy on her teaching techniques? The second story in the book Scent of Magnolia is a continuing of the story. Helen is teaching and has a favorite student Molly. She feels a attraction to her father. Will they find love? Will she have to leave the school to keep her relationship?

What a wonderful book !! This is the first time that I had read a book by this author. I read this book in one day !!
Both stories where great !! I love reading these 2 stories about women who never gave up in what they believed in. I also love the secondary characters in the first story that showed up in the 2nd story as well,as the 2nd story was a continuation of the first one. I would love to read more stories about all of these charater's as well!!