The Woodcarver's Secret Complement to the Bestselling Samantha Sweet Mystery Series

It's 12th century Ireland. For John Carver, a simple Celtic wood worker, life is a struggle to feed his family. Then one summer day, as he walks past a near-dead alder tree, lightning strikes. With the shattered tree lying all around him, Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it—he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens—shortly after handling one of them, John’s touch brings his young son back from the brink of death.When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the boxes and their mystical powers. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are taken by three very different buyers—a common Englishman, a worldly merchant and a bishop—John feels a foreboding about the future.As the centuries pass, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and confrontation between the two factions.The Woodcarver’s Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton’s best-selling Samantha Sweet paranormal mystery series. The Midwest Book Review says: “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes. On a summer day in 13th century Ireland, a simple Celtic woodworker takes a walk past a half-dead alder tree. Lightning strikes, nearly killing him. With the shattered tree lying all around, John Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it—he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens—shortly after handling one of them, John's touch brings his young son back from the brink of death. When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the events. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are each taken by very different buyers—a common Englishman, a worldly merchant, and a bishop—John feels a foreboding about the future. Through the centuries, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and a deadly confrontation between the two factions. The Woodcarver's Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton's Samantha Sweet paranormal cozy mystery series (USA Today bestselling author). The Midwest Book Review says: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." Praise for Connie's previous books: "... delightfully complex mystery." —Romantic Times "... always a good read..." —Southwest Book Views "The characters themselves are amazingly real. Bits of history are woven throughout the book. I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as the Samantha Sweet series, but to my mind it is even better. It transcends the series and becomes a remarkable book in its own right." –MossRose, 5 star review "I'm addicted to this series!" —Mollie W. 5 star review "Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more." —Paula K. 5 stars "If you enjoy well-crafted, well researched and well written historical fiction, 'The Woodcarver's Secret' will capture your imagination." –Skywriter, 5 star online review "... the more I read, the more eager I was to finish the book and learn as much as I could about Samantha's box. The book adds depth to the mystery of the box and its healing powers throughout the series. Each person who handled the box seemed to be a real person in the past. The intensity of the book left me slightly stunned—as though I witnessed all that happened first hand. Ms Shelton has out done herself with this book. I can only recommend that you read it for yourself and be swept away in this creative history lesson."—Illinois reader, 5 stars, online review * * * About the Author: Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, including two international bestselling mystery series. She has also written several award-winning essays and was a contributor to Chicken Soup For the Writer's Soul. She and her husband live in New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at connieshelton.com Connie Shelton's bestselling Samantha Sweet mystery series begins when Samantha is given an ancient carved wooden box from a woman reputed to be a bruja, a witch. Immersed in the series, readers have wondered: Where did the box come from? When did it become magical? How does Samantha receive its powers?The history of the box begins on a summer day in 13th century Ireland when a simple Celtic woodworker takes a walk past a near-dead alder tree. Lightning strikes. With the shattered tree lying all around him, John Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it?he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens?shortly after handling one of them, John's touch brings his young son back from the brink of death.When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the boxes and their mystical powers. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are taken by three very different buyers?a common Englishman, a worldly merchant and a bishop?John feels a foreboding about the future.From the 13th century, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and confrontation between the two factions.The Woodcarver's Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton's Samantha Sweet paranormal cozy mystery series. The Midwest Book Review says: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."Praise for Connie's previous books:"... delightfully complex mystery." ?Romantic Times"... always a good read..." ?Southwest Book Views"...transcends the series and becomes a remarkable book in its own right." ?MossRose, 5 star review"I'm addicted to this series!" ?Mollie W. 5 star review"Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more." ?Paula K. 5 stars* * *About the Author:Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, including two international bestselling mystery series. She has also written several award-winning essays and was a contributor to Chicken Soup For the Writer's Soul. She and her husband live in New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at connieshelton.com Connie Shelton's bestselling Samantha Sweet mystery series begins when Samantha is given an ancient carved wooden box from a woman reputed to be a bruja, a witch. Immersed in the series, readers have wondered: Where did the box come from? When did it become magical? How does Samantha receive its powers? The history of the box begins on a summer day in 13th century Ireland when a simple Celtic woodworker takes a walk past a near-dead alder tree. Lightning strikes. With the shattered tree lying all around him, John Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it—he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens—shortly after handling one of them, John's touch brings his young son back from the brink of death. When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the boxes and their mystical powers. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are taken by three very different buyers—a common Englishman, a worldly merchant and a bishop—John feels a foreboding about the future. From the 13th century, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and confrontation between the two factions. The Woodcarver's Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton's Samantha Sweet paranormal cozy mystery series. The Midwest Book Review says: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." Praise for Connie's previous books: "... delightfully complex mystery." —Romantic Times "... always a good read..." —Southwest Book Views "...transcends the series and becomes a remarkable book in its own right." –MossRose, 5 star review "I'm addicted to this series!" —Mollie W. 5 star review "Great series. Holds your interest and leaves you wanting more." —Paula K. 5 stars * * * Connie Shelton is the author of more than 25 novels, including two international bestselling mystery series. She has also written several award-winning essays and was a contributor to Chicken Soup For the Writer's Soul. She and her husband live in New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at connieshelton.com For John Carver, a simple Celtic wood worker, life is a struggle to feed his family. Then one summer day, as he walks past a near-dead alder tree, lightning strikes. With the shattered tree lying all around him, Carver pulls himself up and decides to make the best of it0́4he takes the usable pieces to his workshop. From the shards of that dead tree John creates three boxes. Then the unexplained happens0́4shortly after handling one of them, John's touch brings his young son back from the brink of death.When the second box demonstrates an opposite tendency, toward the dark side, Carver is terrified that witch-hunters will learn of the boxes and their mystical powers. Eager to rid himself of the artifacts and desperate for money, he sells the three boxes. As they are taken by three very different buyers0́4a common Englishman, a worldly merchant and a bishop0́4John feels a foreboding about the future.From the 13th century, the boxes travel the world, eventually drawing the attention of two rival organizations, each with very different motives and methods for gaining what they want. Reminiscent of The Red Violin in scope, this historical novel follows the three boxes to the 21st century and confrontation between the two factions.The Woodcarver's Secret is the prequel and companion novel to Connie Shelton's Samantha Sweet paranormal mystery series. The Midwest Book Review says: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."