Coming from a Romanian family, When Secrets Bloom very quickly burrowed its own place deep into my heart. Kate's bravery and intelligence are inspiring and the story is steeped in mystery and history that keep you wanting to come back to its candle-lit embrace.

You might think, when first reading, that the plot of When Secrets Bloom was the old story told so many times before; that of a woman acting outside the role which patriarchal society had decreed for her. Stay quiet, obey your father, marry the man of his choice, stay quiet, do his bidding, bear his children, manage his household; and Saxon Kate is one of those women doing what she’s not permitted to, so you’d be correct. Her gifts in healing and aiding births means she’s both valued and feared,...

A historical fantasy based in 15th century Transylvania, this was a mesmerizing story of cultural divides, elitism, and heroic endeavors.Kate, a healer and midwife, who was once "imprisoned" by Lord Vlad Dracula, faces challenges from being a woman, being able to heal and using her healing ability which takes coin out of the male doctors pockets.Iancu, Kate childhood love who due to being in the military has built up a wall to remain strong; although Kate still has the ability to break that wall...

“When Secrets Bloom” is a beautifully written historical fiction set in 1463 Transylvania. It follows two characters that I couldn’t help but root for, Kate the healer and Moise the printer’s apprentice. Kate is in a loveless marriage that has allowed her to keep her family home. She spends her time putting herbs together and healing the locals. The town physician isn’t happy with her results over his. Moise buries himself in books and his job until he feels responsible for what he believes to b...

**1463, Kronstadt, Transylvania—**a time steeped in shadow, where darkness reigns and flickers of light fight to endure. Amid the turmoil, healers, printers, and militia men rise, each driven by a cause greater than themselves.Kate, a gifted healer, answers the call of the suffering. Since her release from captivity under Vlad the Impaler, she’s earned a reputation in Kronstadt—but was she truly his prisoner? Or were their fates entwined by something deeper, more enigmatic?Iancu, towering and st...

WHEN SECRETS BLOOM by Patricia FurtenbergSet in Transylvania in the 1400s, this story is a lovely blend of history and mysticism. The research that went into writing this book shines throughout this fictional tale of a woman who fought by the side of Vlad Dracula while caring for the wounded. Kate Webber, now no longer fights at Vlad sides, but practices healing in Kronstadt, where the jealous and mean-spirited turn against her. Moise, a Jew apprenticing at a print shop, has encountered problems...

This was a very interesting book. It reminded me a bit of a Bronte or Austen novel, only with an added flavor of medieval medicine and feminism. And, of course, instead of the English countryside, we get a fabulous Transylvanian setting. I think there's a lot of Bronte/Austen readers who would really get into this. And since it seems to be just the first in a series of books, there's lots to look forward to.

This book is steeped in history and myth, and clearly researched meticulously, not just for accuracy, but to capture the multitudes of threads running through the history of Transylvania, which has resulted in centuries of invasion, violence and magic.At the heart of the story is Kate, who has experienced more than a young woman should of the violence men do, but whose tender healing skills brought life and comfort to those engaged in war. Unusually for the time, she was supported and guided by ...

Step back into 1400s Transylvania with “When Secrets Bloom” by Patricia Furstenberg—a poetic tale of healing, suspicion, and the timeless strength of feminine wisdom. “When Secrets Bloom” is a compelling work of historical fiction. Set in 15th-century Transylvania, it follows Kate, a skilled healer whose rare abilities command both respect and fear. The novel thoughtfully examines the tensions between patriarchal structures, traditional authority, and the enduring wisdom of women in healing arts...

This work of literary fiction is intricately crafted, a spider’s web of delicate strands that slowly intertwine as the story unfolds. In 15th-century Transylvania, superstitions abound, ethnic hierarchies create tension, war with the Ottomans is an ever-present dark cloud, and Vlad of Wallachia has yet to become Vlad the Impaler. And, naturally, there’s greed, deception, and murder.The story follows two characters, Kate and Moise, and though their tale is interconnected, they never actually meet...