#smokeonthewind

Smoke on the Wind: A Novel by Kelli Estes

Pub date - 6/24/25

*Scottish setting

*dual timeline

*mothers love

*mother son relationships

*very descriptive

Beautifully and masterfully written, this is raw, emotional, and poignant in its descriptions of the love a mother holds for their child and the impossible choices mothers can face in trying and frightening times.

I didn’t find this the easiest read but it was incredible and is a novel that will stick with me.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

It wasn’t often these days when Chevali would sit and allow the music in her soul to come out. Usually, she would lock it away. But this eve she was allowing it out. Her lute was out as she played along with the song she sang. A story about a woman who begged the moon to be wed for the price of her first son who the moon loved.

Her moved with the song as she sang, not a care in the world before she felt a feather upon her nose. Her golden eyes opened as she silenced the song and lute.

                                                                                                                           Starter Call, Accepting

@smokeonthewind 

After the end of the war, there had been a new law passed. To war the castle immediately of any new dimension intrusions. For the most part, there hadn’t been any sightings, save for a few who had thought they’d seen something. But this, the opening of the gate now, she had witnessed. Hand falling to her blade as she approached the new figure. To her, they remained back lit and nothing more of a silhouette.