Review: The House of the Wind by Titania Hardie

The House of the Wind by Titania Hardie

Publisher: Washington Square Press

Pages: 480 

Format: book 

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  A love story of magic and healing about two women, centuries apart, who fight to make the world of their dreams a reality. San Francisco, 2007. Madeline Moretti is grieving her fiancé’s death. Nothing brings her joy anymore, and Maddie’s grandmother, a fiery Italian, sends her to Tuscany to heal. Here, Maddie is immersed in the mystery of a ruined villa. Destroyed centuries ago in a legendary storm on the Eve of St. Agnes, it has been known ever since as the Casa al Vento—the House of the Wind. 


Tuscany, 1347. Mia hasn’t spoken since her mother’s death and lives in silence with her beloved aunt. One dark night, a couple seeks refuge in their villa. Used to welcoming passing pilgrims, Mia is entranced by the young bride’s radiance and compassion but is mystified by her reluctance to reveal even her name. Where has she come from, and why must her presence be a secret? As each searches for a way to step into her future, both Mia and Maddie will be haunted by the myth of the young woman who walked unscathed from the ruins of the House of the Wind.




Kritters Thoughts:  A unique piece of literary fiction that was so enjoyable, I may be short on words.  There are two stories running at the same time and the intersect at just the right moment.  One woman is in 2007 in San Francisco, has recently lost her fiance and is trying to deal with the grief of it all.  Another young woman is in 1347 in Tuscany and is also dealing with losing a family member.  


The parallels between these stories weren't too obvious to make the reader feel belittled, but they were subtle and sweet.  Maddie (2007) was a character I fell in love with from the beginning, I wanted to hear more about her job, her family and everything in between.  Mia (1347) was harder to get in to, maybe due to the time the story was taking place and my lack of knowledge about Tuscany and its history.  


I think the depth of this book was perfect.  I loved sinking my teeth into a good women's fiction and the satisfaction of finishing a good book.


Beware this is a chunkster at just under 500 pages!




Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.