A Necessary Blessing

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Pub Date 19 Nov 2020 | Archive Date 4 Jan 2021

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Description

Ruth Turner has a unique ability. She can walk through time, seeing the village, religious community and inhabitants as they used to be. Abandoned by her philandering husband, she makes new friends amongst village leaders, Greg Iles, the village blacksmith, Granny Compson, a retired farmer’s wife and Lord Peter Brazington, the prickly Earl of Haverliegh, owner of Roelswick Estate.  

As Ruth learns more about village history, she uncovers many secrets, which change her life and affect her closest friends, putting her at the centre of ghostly retribution. Can she use her new knowledge to unravel the cause of all the trouble before her community is torn apart again?  

A Necessary Blessing is the first book in the Roeslwick Chronicles by Sarah Head. Set deep in the heart of the Cotswolds, it charts the story of a rural village where modern and ancient practice work side by side. 

Where past beliefs inform present customs, promoting future action, we understand how water is a necessary blessing to us all.

Ruth Turner has a unique ability. She can walk through time, seeing the village, religious community and inhabitants as they used to be. Abandoned by her philandering husband, she makes new friends...


Advance Praise

"""A novel of family secrets, ancient magic and healing - perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine and Christina Courtenay.""

""Thank you for sharing such a gem of a book. Well rounded, memorable characters make this book come to life, put together with a fast changing plot, the past and the present meet with an outcome well worth the read.

A five star ⭐ read."" "

"""A novel of family secrets, ancient magic and healing - perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine and Christina Courtenay.""

""Thank you for sharing such a gem of a book. Well rounded, memorable...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781909237025
PRICE US$3.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 29 members


Featured Reviews

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this copy of the book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was.... AMAZING. I absolutely loved it! I love time travel stories, but this was unique and I’d never read anything like it before.

The characters were easy to get into. I really enjoyed some of them.

The cover art is beautiful, that’s always a plus!

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Ruth Turner lives alone in a picturesque village, but she actually doesn't know anybody or sees the beauty around her as she works from home and her husband and son live and work abroad. Suddenly she finds herself unemployed, with cheating husband and empty house.

With the help from villagers Ruth recognizes that she gave a trust to someone who didn' deserve it and that she was alone for far too long and now it's time to make some changes. She slowly starts to reconnect with herself and her inner abilities and also her past. Her transformation is quick and magical.

And magic is all around her. The villagers highly respect the nature and maintain the ancient beliefs alive. Ruth is more than welcome in their community.

The novel is simply stunning, well written, with suspense, twists and turns, but also with great message - to reconnect with nature and accept that we are just a part of wholeness that surround us.

Amazing read!

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Sarah Head writes magic .. This book is mystery , intrigue and magic at its best , wonderfully descriptive .present day easily flips to past times , a small town so full of secrets a few ghosts and a ton of magic ... beautifully written ... enjoy

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** 4.5 stars. **

Before I begin, let me say that this book took me by surprise. It was not at all what I expected, in a good way. When it began, I suppose I expected it to develop into a mystery/romance - it didn't!!

It takes place in a part of England that has a past rife with religious history and a community that follows the ways of the past passed down to them through family. It is here that Ruth felt drawn to an apple orchard thinking, she and her husband would find a sense of community but all it has been is a lonely existence as her husband left soon after for 'important city life'. So she waits alone until it comes crashing down.

This is not a romance book. Though Ruth is finding herself after the betrayal of her cheating husband, she is not looking to find that 'rebound romance'. She is looking to find herself. The self that her husband almost extinguished in their marriage. The book shows the community coming together for Ruth in her time of need, bringing her into the fold. The importance of being a part of something.

This book is a wonderful blend of the journey of her insecurities, self-doubts, triumphs, finding that sense of belonging she always wanted, and being comfortable with being herself. It is a book full of intrigue and mystery; secrets and lies as Ruth struggles to come to terms with who she is. When she realizes that a part of her sees echos from the past and that she can she ghosts. Ruth quickly learns that some ghosts are there to guide her and help while others mean her harm. She decides takes a leap of faith and tell her new friends not knowing their reactions. Will they except her?

I read (listened really) this book in one day. I was engrossed in the story, in knowing what was going to happen. There where times when I felt like the book lagged a little due to inconsequential things, but overall the story was a delight to read. From the growth of Ruth's character to the mystery of Isaac's ghost, even the echos of the monks, the storyline was woven together so well that I really hope that there will be another one to come

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this was a great start to a series, I loved the horror and historical elements. The characters were great and it left me wanting more in the series.

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#' A Necessary Blessing' by author # Sarah Head is #1 in the Roeslwick Chronicles.This debut novel has family secrets, ancient magic and healing. This is a ghost story full of surprise's.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, # Sarah Head, and # BooksGoSocial for the advanced copy

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A Necessary Blessing by Sarah Head is an interesting story about a woman who has become very secluded from the world. Her world revolves around her husband, her work, and a long-distance relationship with a son. In one day her whole world is turned upside down. She finds herself in the midst of a major mid-life crisis. All that she had lived for... has escaped her grasp.

The story is quite interesting... I thought it was going to be more of a time-travel story... but, it's more of about a woman who can see past events. And, finds herself under the protection of "ghost dogs" who protect her whenever she's in danger. A rather fascinating story that is difficult to explain without spoilers. I'd highly recommend reading the story if you are in your mid-fifties and finding that you have lost contact with most of your family and friends from your childhood. The book will awaken within you that change is needed. And, it's needed NOW. Make that change now... before fate steps in and does it for you.

Every person has a purpose... sometimes we grow up knowing and learning what our purpose is for ourselves. Some, have it thrust upon them. I really enjoyed the intricate mysteries of the village and the inhabitants. My favorite character by far was "Granny"!! She is a formidable force and can make the world right... just from years of experience and a definite inner strength that others can only hope to find within themselves.

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A Necessary Blessing is the story of a woman named Ruth who can walk through time,. She can see people from the past alongside the present. Once she figures out how to use her abilities, it really helps her and the town. The story is wrapped in magic and a bit of mystery. The main group of characters are very well written. Ruth really grows as a character which was wonderful. The townsfolk like Anvil, Granny, and Peter, were great. I loved the history and witchcraft aspects. By the ending, I can tell there will be a sequel. I can't wait!

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Normally the supernatural, the paranormal and unexplained happenings are not my scene. I've just realized that with the pandemic and enforced isolation, I am picking up lots of books which are uncommon, intriguing and opening my eyes to another universe.

Ruth is a strange bird. She can walk through time, see people from generations past, hear what they have to say, even understand a language which she does not know. Abandoned by a horrible controlling husband Ruth has not learnt to stand up for herself. She has to now learn to do this on her own and realize her self worth for what it is. Befriended by the villagers in this small hamlet she comes across an alternative lifestyle governed by the agricultural community she now belongs to and to the time and seasons which govern a farmers life.

All this was well and good but then came the actual evil part of the supernatural in the form of a former rector of the village - Isaac Graves who has not passed over, who is not willing to go unless he takes revenge for what he thinks is past humiliation and wrongs done to him. Ruth has to maneuvre happenings both violent and strange for the benefit of the entire community at all, not just herself.

A very different read which was unputdownable!

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Ruth Turner has a unique ability. She can walk through time, seeing the village, religious community and inhabitants as they used to be. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. I absolutely loved reading this book. I highly recommend reading it.

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I enjoyed this. The book ties together elements of folklore, witchcraft and religion in a small village setting, in a way that feels natural. An original and intriguing story of growth, heritage, and community. I did initially feel the main character was a little too flighty, but she had her reasons and finds strength as the story progresses.

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I got the book as an ARC through NetGalley.

The story is set in a small rural town in England, centering on Ruth. Her husband just left her, and she realizes she can see through time (see ghosts etc).
I have read quite a lot of fantasy and thought Sarah did an interesting job of marrying a devout Christian rural town with so much spirituality.
A former ghost haunts and taunts the town and Ruth while naturally a loner, comes into the fold of the town.
In the back of the back of the book there is a glossary of all the characters, which would have been handy to have throughout (I did not scour the chapter names). Between alive people, animals (with human names), ghost animals and people it was hard to keep track of all the names. And sometimes if she was with the alive or dead people. Nevertheless you get sucked into the story very quickly.
I did enjoy the book, although as a city-person I had to look up a lot of the rural vocab.
Would def be interested to read the next parts of this series.

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What a magical book this was. A Necessary Blessing follows Ruth Turner an introverted and lonely woman whose entire world falls apart, but she finds that she has more than she thought she did in the people in her village. I loved the folklore and ghostly portions of the book. This was such a feel good book about a woman finding herself and not needing a man to do it. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick and magical read to take you out of yourself for a few hours.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sarah Head and the Publisher for the chance to read and review this book.

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I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Always been a fan of romantic fiction. And this book delivers without disappointing. Dive into this amazing book for an exciting story.

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This was a wonderful read, i like to go back in time and how she did it was remarkable. The here and now and the past become one towards the end. I am an historical fiction fan and this came into my genre, it did not disappoint... All i am going to say with this book is "read it" five stars from me .

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After reading The Midlife Magical series by KF Breeke, I knew I had to pick this one up as well. I so enjoyed the storyline and the characters involved, most of all Ruth.
With a similar situation of working from home I related to this on more than one level and found it to be truly engaging and delightful.

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I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. What an interesting story. I highly recommend for people who like time travel type of book.

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