Title: Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft
Author: Heather B. Moore
Publisher: Mirror Press
Published: March 14, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN13: 9781941145951
Paperback/ebook: 250 pages
FTC FYI: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
{Book Summary}
“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.
{My Review}
I've always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials that took place in the late 1600's in Salem, Massachusetts. I've been looking forward to reading this story that I knew Author Heather B. Moore was writing about her 10th Great-Grandmother, Susannah North Martin. I knew that she'd been doing intensive research in order to write this story. I was amazed at how she brought this story to life from an event in history to the story of a woman who lived, loved, laughed and cried.
This book is not a cheery book, but full of true angst. You feel a deep depression and lost hope from the women and men that were jailed and accused of witchcraft. The whole book isn't totally sunk in darkness though as you read about when she first met her husband and fell in love. Susannah's story is masterfully told from different viewpoints during her life. One is when she's in jail awaiting her trial and then the story shifts to her looking back at happier times in her life. This was a wonderful way to show just how horrid the townspeople and court were to the accused, as the writing and feel of the story swings from sadness to happiness. I'll say it again, this was a brilliant way to write this story.
I really loved these quotes from the story that came from Susannah. I feel it shows how the Salem Witch trials and the hangings of innocent people were allowed to happen.
"They do not have the courage to speak the truth, but rather they'd join in with the other accusers so that they themselves, might be seen as innocent."
"Fear drives men and women to do mad things"
Condemn Me Not is a great addition to other fiction and non-fiction books about the Salem Witch Trials. If you don't like reading non-fiction books, this novel will accurately show you the details from that time in Salem, while also weaving a powerful story that will leave you in tears and your heart aching for those who lost their lives to circumstances that were out of their hands.
{Meet the Author: Heather B. Moore}
Author Links
Goodreads / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter
Purchase Links
Amazon / Barnes and Noble
{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
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