Paperback, 250 pages
Publication: March 14th 2017 by Mirror Press
“This woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures of this world; and she did now throughout her whole trial discover herself to be such a one. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief plea was that she had led a most virtuous and holy life.” —Reverend Cotton Mather, 1692
USA Today Bestselling author Heather B. Moore brings the life of her 10th great-grandmother to center stage. Susannah North Martin, accused of witchcraft in 1692, joins five women in the Salem Jail, all sentenced to death for their crimes. Amidst tragedy, Susannah finds hope and compassion as she remembers a well-loved life, and readers discover that love reaches far beyond the grave as Susannah faces the magistrates in Salem.
USA Today Bestselling author Heather B. Moore brings the life of her 10th great-grandmother to center stage. Susannah North Martin, accused of witchcraft in 1692, joins five women in the Salem Jail, all sentenced to death for their crimes. Amidst tragedy, Susannah finds hope and compassion as she remembers a well-loved life, and readers discover that love reaches far beyond the grave as Susannah faces the magistrates in Salem.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My Review: 5 Stars
Some stories beg to be told and this is one of those. Based on the true story of the author's ancestor, Condemn Me Not delves into the Salem Witch Trials. My first exposure to the Trials was when I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond when I was nine or ten years old. Throughout my history classes in school, I learned basic details, but I hadn't ever stopped to think about what actually happened during this time in history. And what I learned horrified, appalled, fascinated, and engaged me. I closed the book with one huge question--WHY?? Why would people (especially those silly girls) accuse those they didn't like and sentence them to death?
I typically read Happily Ever After stories, and surprisingly, this one did have a shimmer of joy, but for all the sadness, this story captured my soul and wouldn't let go. I love the way the author tells the tale--a volley between Susannah's past and how she fell madly in love with her husband and her present, where tragedy has grasped her in its clutches.
I felt it was very well researched and presented in a way that draws a reluctant non-fiction reader like me completely in. It's real; it's raw; it's a sorrowful tale. The life lessons that emerge from the ashes of a devastating part of history are powerful and will stick with me for a long time.
Content: conditions of neglect and some violence (not too graphic/gruesome); romance (innuendo, passionate kissing, two instances of non-graphic intimate touching; fade to black between a married couple); some religious elements, as these characters live Puritan lifestyles, but definitely nothing preachy.
*I received a complimentary copy, which didn't affect my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
March 20: Heidi Reads / Min Reads and Reviews
March 21: Katie's Clean Book Collection / Mel's Shelves
March 22: Peggy Urry / Lisa is a Bookworm
March 23: Literary Time Out / Why Not? Because I Said So
March 24: My Book a Day / Empower Moms
I loved this book. I read in a couple of days (nights really) because I couldn't stop reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's horrifying that the words of a few silly girls (men, too, I guess) could result in so much misery.
DeleteI love reading stories about this. And that it's based on a true story is even more fascinating. I always wonder what I might find in my family tree if I really took a good look at it.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder that too!! I have ancestors who came from France to Massachusetts close to this time and I wonder if they were involved on one side or the other in any of this.
Delete