Reviews for Prairie Girls are coming soon!
Wind on the Sounds: A Novel Set in the Yacht Race Around Vancouver Island Canada
"A woman braves the ocean—and her past—in a daring yacht race around Vancouver Island in Wyatt’s novel.
The novel vacillates between quiet, personal moments, such as sailors lamenting their lack of dance skills, and big, adrenaline-fueled scenes, as when Rebecca falls overboard into frigid waters...the narrative’s blend of personal transformation and physical challenges makes for an inspiring read.
A sweet and sentimental tale of finding your inner strength when and where you least expect it, with a rousing nautical
twist."
The novel vacillates between quiet, personal moments, such as sailors lamenting their lack of dance skills, and big, adrenaline-fueled scenes, as when Rebecca falls overboard into frigid waters...the narrative’s blend of personal transformation and physical challenges makes for an inspiring read.
A sweet and sentimental tale of finding your inner strength when and where you least expect it, with a rousing nautical
twist."
─Kirkus Reviews
"A history professor heeds the call to adventure and discovers her strength and resilience in this spirited sailing novel from Wyatt (author of Prairie Girls). Teaching her course on homesteaders of northwest Canada, Rebecca meets a student, Brac, who participates in the Van Isle 360, a two-week yacht race around Vancouver Island.
So, with certification from one Basic Sailing Course, Rebecca takes part in one of the great international sailing challenges, facing all the danger, thrills, glory, camaraderie, and hard work, all of which Wyatt describes with crisp clarity, convincing accuracy, and a teacher’s zeal for explanation. Simple sketches clarify the route, nautical maneuverings, and finer points of sails and jibs. Not all of the team approves of Rebecca, and Wyatt pairs the journey of the Gallivant with Rebecca’s own route toward confidence and healing. Nobody is as hard on Rebecca as she is on herself, in the form of hectoring inner voices that, ever since her childhood in the foster system, have told her she will fail.
“The romance and adventure” are real, Rebecca muses after much hard work, “but they came with sore muscles and wet hair.” They also come with real danger, which Wyatt dramatizes with precision and power, capturing Rebecca’s breath-by-breath confrontation with possible death. The novel, though, is a pleasant breeze, attentive to history, wildlife, and everything an attentive novice would feel and discover on the voyage of a lifetime."
So, with certification from one Basic Sailing Course, Rebecca takes part in one of the great international sailing challenges, facing all the danger, thrills, glory, camaraderie, and hard work, all of which Wyatt describes with crisp clarity, convincing accuracy, and a teacher’s zeal for explanation. Simple sketches clarify the route, nautical maneuverings, and finer points of sails and jibs. Not all of the team approves of Rebecca, and Wyatt pairs the journey of the Gallivant with Rebecca’s own route toward confidence and healing. Nobody is as hard on Rebecca as she is on herself, in the form of hectoring inner voices that, ever since her childhood in the foster system, have told her she will fail.
“The romance and adventure” are real, Rebecca muses after much hard work, “but they came with sore muscles and wet hair.” They also come with real danger, which Wyatt dramatizes with precision and power, capturing Rebecca’s breath-by-breath confrontation with possible death. The novel, though, is a pleasant breeze, attentive to history, wildlife, and everything an attentive novice would feel and discover on the voyage of a lifetime."
─Book Life Reviews
"As an Australian, only a weekend sailor within the Sydney Harbour and other internal stretches of water, I was fascinated by the duality of factual diagrams explaining in detail the mechanisms of the physical boats, the winds, the techniques of sailing, combined with an interesting fictional story running through which displayed incredible character analysis and an interesting plot. The combination of both reality and fiction, really worked in this book!
“Wind OnThe Sound” by Barbara Wyatt is a fascinating book for anyone interested in adventure, sailing and just a “ good read”.
I highly recommend this book."
“Wind OnThe Sound” by Barbara Wyatt is a fascinating book for anyone interested in adventure, sailing and just a “ good read”.
I highly recommend this book."
─Vicki, Amazon Book Reviewer ★★★★★
"This has been one of my favorite books to read this year. One of my favorite parts about the book were the visuals and the authors clear, simple descriptions of some of the boats inner workings. I feel like an expert!"
─Sunshine, Amazon Book Reviewer ★★★★★
"What a great read! Fantastic story and plot. Couldn't put it down. Hope to see more from this wonderful author!"
─Hunter, Amazon Book Reviewer ★★★★★