Whispers in the Alders


Fiction - Literary
312 Pages
Reviewed on 08/11/2017
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

H. A. Callum is a poet and writer hailing from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The rolling hills, weathered stone walls, and meandering woodland streams interspersed with quaint farm-lots serve as inspiration to his writing and to his eye as a naturalist and wildlife proponent.

Having crossed the United States several times over, and after calling the American West home for several years, Mr. Callum’s understanding of America serves as his eyepiece to a culture that is constantly changing, like the landscape defining the continent. The ever-evolving definition of what it means to be American can be reflected in his writing and love of the written word.

When not writing, Mr. Callum can be found with his wife and two daughters – his greatest sources of inspiration.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Whispers in the Alders by H.A. Callum is a lyrical story that combines an eclectic set of literary elements to introduce readers to great characters, the story of an impossible love in a setting that is harsh and unforgiving, a coming of age, a romance that embraces drama; it is one of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing this year. Tommy and Audrey are two young people who happen to live in Alder Ferry. Tommy’s childhood hasn’t been the best, but he has braved it, taking refuge in his book collection. Then Audrey comes into his life and everything changes. The two “castaways” develop a friendship that soon transforms into a love as pure and strong like nothing anyone in Alder Ferry has ever known. But their love doesn’t seem to get the approval of most of the inhabitants of this forlorn place. Can they face the storms, the occasional headaches and heartaches, and the obstacles stacked against them, and move into their adult life still keeping the bond of love?

H.A. Callum’s novel redefines the concept of love and friendship and gives a fresh meaning to hospitality. The book is character-driven and readers will love the key characters in the story. The setting is captured in vivid descriptions and readers are able to visualize the alders and many important objects that form part of this story. Whispers in the Alders is told in an engrossing first person narrative, the plot is swift, and the pacing is excellent. I couldn’t put this one down. It was both exciting and entertaining and the characters are going to stick with me for some time. This book is a great success indeed.