As an Australian with little knowledge of America's early history, I found this fictional account of Temperance Flowerdew and her early days in Jamestown quite fascinating.

The eventual wife of two Governors of Virgina, Temperance arrived in Jamestown in May 1609 as part of the third supply mission to the new colony. The winter of 1609-10 was a particularly brutal one and the influx of new settlers put strains on the stores of food put by for the winter. Explorer and colony leader John Smith was sent back to England with a severely wounded leg just before winter and the local Indians, the Powhatan had become alarmed at the increase in the colony's population and tired of the colonists stealing the corn the tribe would need to get them through the winter. A combination of Indian raids and siege and poor management and planning would result in starvation and death of over eighty percent of the Jamestown population of five hundred.

This is the fictional account of how Temperance arrived in Jamestown and survived that winter to go on to become the wife of two Governors, give birth to three children and eventually become a very wealthy woman. It's written the form of a report by Temperance for her children, not long before she died at the age of 38. It's always interesting to see history written from a woman's perspective where the small things that make up day to day life and survival are just as important as the bigger picture. Temperance is a strong clever woman but her upbringing as a lady made her ill-prepared for the hard physical environment of the new colony. In the novel, she has fortunately made a good choice in Lily, the maid she brought out with her from England. Despite her youth, Lily is both intrepid and resourceful and together they form a strong bond that sustains them through some tough times. It's an intriguing and moving read and one I recommend if you're interested in this era of history.

This is a haunting, gritty, raw telling of what really happened to early settlers in Jamestown. This story is told thru the eyes of a smart, bookish woman who traveled to a new land seeking adventure and freedom of speech. She and the other participants get more than they bargained for, disease, food shortage, and surprising gifts of food from Chief Powhatan which helped the English survive. By late 1609 relationships between the Powhatan Indians and English had soured. As the English demanded too much food during a drought. At that point, the English were desperate and open to eating anything, various animals, leather from shoes etc. The author delves into some of this through her main characters Temperance Flowerdew, who was the wife of Virginia’s first two governors. The author also shows the real relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith not like the one Disney portrayed.

Temperance sets out to write about the good, the bad and the ugly. She hopes to give a well-rounded picture of what really happened in Jamestown. She shares from an aching heart the hardships, heartache, as she introduces, Lily, her extraordinary servant girl who took on the mission of keeping Temperance Flowerdew alive.

Lily gladly gave sacrificially to her Lady and helped Temperance navigate wildlife, even though Temperance would rather starve than catch something to eat. Here is what she says, “…”Rather than become proficient in the particulars of self-sufficiency, for which she had no aptitude, she opted to in verge her way into Jamestown governance. She had no experience, except second hand, through her exhaustive ready on such matters. She was as eager to enact her municipal plans as Lily was her domestic ones. Lily, she surmised could procure a king’s ransom for the two of them, but it would make little difference if Jamestown collapsed in mayhem.”
Lily thrives in gathering food and helping others get well and stay well. Lily finds her first love and stays loyal to Temperance. These two strong, resourceful women choose to live out their dreams. No matter how hard the task. They are hopeful in their search for freedom.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

The story although sad bring the harsh times to light and I was fascinated but really didn’t care for the execution of the story telling, Several times I found myself flipping back thinking “oh wait, who is this again” only to realize this person had not been mentioned previously and now is not front and center in this paragraph then not mentioned again for pages. I often felt I was missing pages. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review..

Temperance is the wife of one of Virginias first governors. Through this narrative she relays and account of her life during that time. She is from England and she arrived on a ship in 1609 to the infamous Jamestown. Here she befriends several strangers including that of Lily, who some might call a witch. Lily succumbs to psychic episodes and is able to tell Temperance of the harsh winter they are going to have. Between the weather, Native Americans and lack of food, it illustrates the bravery these women have during what is known as today as the Starving Time.



I will say this was kind of hard for me to get into. Whether it be the language or the time period. It is a wonderful topic however, a fascinating time period for women. How ill prepared settlers were for harsh climates, and how their interactions with Native Americans went. While all of this makes for a good story, I just couldn't get into it.



Rate: 3.5/5

Fiction

Author: Denise Heinze

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"A fiercely hopeful novel-a portrait of two intrepid women who choose to live out their dreams of a future more free than the past." A story of hope and terrible tragedy, it's incredible what these people endured - and died for - so that a colony would be established in America.

The characters were dynamic and well versed. Reading about their daily life and their moment-by-moment struggle just to survive was inspiring. I found this an interesting and very readable story.

4☆

I’m always drawn to stories set in Jamestown during its early years because of having ancestors that settled there in the 1630’s. Luckily, my ancestors arrived after the “starving time” during the early days of pioneer life.

For some reason, I had the impression that this story was going to focus on Lily’s psychic abilities, but instead her abilities were more of a backdrop against the more serious issue of starvation and the threats of Indian attacks.

I didn’t feel as if I got to know Temperance well enough, but I liked the story and how Temperance felt that Lily was important enough to have a historical account of her life on record.

There were a few things that I felt the author could have expanded upon, but overall this was a nice historical fiction debut.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Well written novel about the Jamestown settlement and a woman Temperance Flowerdew .So interesting to go back in a time in our history.We are introduced to the people who struggled for survival there’.Really interesting read the characters come alive.# netgalley#blackstone publishing

Read if you: Can;t get enough historical fiction stories set in Virginia.

The actual story of Temperance Flowerdew is fascinating and compelling. Unfortunately, this is not a particularly nuanced telling. Characters were drawn fairly superficially.


Librarians/booksellers: Purchase if you absolutely need more historical fiction stories set in Virginia.

Many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great book! Absolutely fun and easy read. Would highly recommend to anyone that is a historical fiction fan!

Heinze delivers an interesting perspective of early Jamestown settlement. Two women survive the passage to the New world and endure the harrowing Starving Time, the winter of 1609-1610. John Smith and Pocahontas make appearances and it's intriguing to read the author's interpretation of both. The dialogue was appropriate for 17th century Virginia. It's a good historical novel.

This was a really interesting story from a fresh perspective of the incredible struggles faced during the settlement and emergence of Jamestown. The best and worst of humanity can be seen during the most trying of times. I had more interest and empathy for Lily than I did for Temperence though both of their characters had strength and personality that kept me turning the page. I would read more from this author and find myself more interested in the setting of this book and might look to read more in the future.

This story - written primarily from the perspective of Temperance Flowerdew, best known as the wife of the first two governors of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia - is haunting. It starkly illustrates the violent reality of the colonial experience, taking readers across the unforgiving ocean and through the brutal starving time in the winter of 1609-1610. Those who survived endless tragedies were left to battle dreadful memories for the rest of their days. I was enthralled by the recent PBS presentation of Jamestown, and this book served as both a prequel, through flashback sequences, as well as a sequel to that fictional program. For as tragic as this tale was, there was also such hope in the loving and loyal relationship that formed between mistress and servant as they fought together to survive the harshness of their new home. This story is informative about the time and place - revealing shocking historical details I was unaware of - and also tremendously sad. Ultimately, Temperance explains her purpose for writing her report: "I wonder what goes missing when the women are nowhere to be found as actors in history. It is but half of the story."

Thank you to, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

As an early settler of Jamestown, Temperance Flowerdew endured the harshest of times in 1609-1610 as the settlement struggled to survive. She tells of her fond relationship with her maid Lily, who without she would not have survived. The aristocratic life style left behind in England ill-prepared the settlers for what they faced in the new world.

This is a historical version of Jamestown that is more intimate than most. It picks up on some of the smallest ironies that perhaps only a woman would notice. Certainly the supreme stubbornness of its leaders comes across, and are considerably to blame for how events unfolded. This is a story of the mistakes and dire hardships that almost destroyed Jamestown, but also of her determination and strength to survive against the odds.

Temperance Flowerdew and her maid Lily are on board a ship headed for a new life. A new country, Jamestown.
On the way the ships are separated due to a storm. The ship carrying her intended is lost.
At Jamestown life is precarious. There are Indians all around the settlement.
During her time there her and Lily sure all the indignities that first settlers go through. Raids from the Indians, drought, lack of water, starvation, death, illness and many more trials.
Through all of these trials Temperance remains strong.
When Writing her story she is saddened by the fact that stories of histories are only half told. The men are honored and given acclaim. The women are seldom mentioned.
This is an amazing story. Interesting and keeps you wanting to proceed through the whole book.
Excellent read!

I did not enjoy this one, the summary really grabbed my attention, the story is very honest and noble, but the writing style was very dragging and I felt unnecessary elaborations and some points it was very interesting and some points it became extremely difficult to read. I had very high hopes from the book , it did not fullfill my hopes and the storytelling failed to grab my attention and interest.

What really happened in the Jamestown settlement during those first precarious years? Temperance Flowerdew wanted to make sure the real story was told and that the role of women, especially her servant Lily, was not overlooked, Temperance took it upon herself to write the story of a woman who was a nobody but who had an impact on everybody.
In The Brief and True Report of Temperance Flowerdew by Denise Heinze, the story of the Jamestown colony unfolds -- the incompetent leadership, the relationship with the Indians, the relationship between the settlers, the starvation, and finally the rescue of the few who had survived. While the story is fictional, it is based on research and give insight into what the colonists who settled our country experienced.

I will post this to my sites closer to the time of publication.

The focus on the reading about Temperance Flowerdew felt like a time-travel. We learn through the story of an individual the whole story of early settlers of Jamestown. Everything is coherent and lightly tinted by a writing style echoing the period. this is easy to read, yet the writing makes you feel observing like an invisible spy.
The bravery and adventures of early settlers are always fascinating, but this book makes them real. A myriad of details helps you to be there, and the unfolding of tragic events contributes to help to describe how life was so difficult. I will buy and use extracts to teach. students in their 20s. They are interested by the fate and destiny of early settlers, not just the cliché. This book will be very useful and something they will remember.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. all opinions are mine.

I have searched for Historical Fiction based on Jamestown but haven't found very much that looked interesting. This came along through Net Galley so I was very happy to receive an ARC. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book and the details it gave about the "Starving Time' endured by those early inhabitants. So much of history is viewed thru the male perspective it was nice to see this from a woman's point of view. The suffering of every day life, babies, cooking, cleaning, husbands etc. was magnified by the desperate need to survive. Much was written about Temperance's education and knowledge but of course none was every really put to much use. I really didn't expect the outcome to be what it was, and wished that something good could have happened in the end - can't say much without adding spoilers. Interesting story and historical content.

Very interesting story of Jamestown and Temperance Flowerdew. A young woman from England who travels to new world and finds herself in a struggling settlement that will try her in ways she never thought possible. Amazing story of perserverance against unimaginable odds.

Temperance Flowerdew (1590-1628) was an early settler of the Jamestown Colony and its significant member. She was wife of two Governors of Virginia. However, this story is mostly concentrated on two years 1609-1610. She was one of the few survivors of the brutal winter of those two years, known as the Starving Time, which killed almost ninety percent of Jamestown’s inhabitants. This book is a dedication to such historical figures forgotten by history. “For all the women gone missing from history.”

1609, Lily, Temperance’s maid, has premonition of storm coming their ship’s way, which sails for Jamestown. Temperance is well-read and she prepared for the voyage by “consuming all the maps, books, and pamphlets about the New World…” With her knowledge and Lily’s help, she charts the path of the storm. Only to be dismissed by a narrow-minded and opinionated Master of the ship. Two of the nine ships survived the storm.

“The utopia they had nursed in their imaginations for months, even years, was little more than a stick-built village on the edge of nowhere.” Jamestown is not what they imagined. Nevertheless, Temperance sees “the elixir of opportunity. (…) With the feelings came a torrent of thoughts, ideas, plans for the future – both mine and Jamestown’s. Where others saw deprivation, I envisioned abundance.”

She meets the legendary John Smith, de facto governor of Jamestown. He favors “exploration over husbandry.” What strikes her about him right away is him being a force of nature. She hopes “to emulate this remarkable man, not antagonize him.” She knows he is the person she needs to ally herself with if she hopes “to gain leverage in the settlement.”

This engrossing story weaves strong characters with historical events of clashing with the natives, drought, and siege by Powhatan Indian over winter time, bringing the starving time.

Temperance is a remarkable character. She seems to be a force of nature herself. Someone to reckon with. She is strong woman. She is smart. She knows how to use her knowledge to her advantage. But she also recognizes her weaknesses. She is not that quick with her hands and home chores. That’s why she needs Lily. Together, they form an incredible bond, bond of friendship and reliance on each other in order to survive the uncharted territories.

This is a quick read. However, the story is so interesting and the heroine is so intriguing that I wished it took more pages to tell the rest of her story.

From the first lines of the story, you can tell that it has been crafted by a very talented writer.