“I want to tell you what a gem Lighting the Stars is, and a perfect name for the title. The book ends with hope for all of us, which of course we can all use. I'm in awe of the amount of research and imagination you have given of yourself to produce such a magnificent book. Reading a good book is like spending time with a great friend and you don't want it to end. The folks I gifted your books to are Over the Moon.
On another note, with the challenges currently being faced with COVID-19, I go back to the Spanish Flu that you so vividly described in Elusive Dawn, and expect you think this is all so familiar. Thank you for your talent, efforts, and bringing joy to so many readers.” – Trudy Davis ********************** “I purchased your latest novel Lighting the Stars when it came out last year. As usual, I was not able to put it down. Because it has been so long since I read the last one, I thought I would go back and reread the entire Muskoka Novels series. I enjoyed them even more on the second reading. I just finished A Place to Call Home for the second time, and like the Muskoka series, I was riveted. It made me Google the history of Lindsay to see what was based on fact. Thank you for all your Novels. Hopefully there will be more.” – Phylis Karstulovich ******************** "Yours are the only novels in my library as I seldom read fiction.... I just had to let you know how much joy it was (is) reading your incredibly well-researched and yet exciting books. I am an avid reader and in my 74 years I have not been as enthralled by fiction as I am with these historical novels.... You’re an amazing story-teller!" - Pat Hutchinson |
“Bravo, you have written a masterpiece. You write so passionately about your characters and infuse them with incredible empathy. A Bronte reborn, you recount stories with a distinct Victorian flavour. The relationships between the characters are artfully established and realistic. The air battles are real and the air manoeuvres are exciting. Your knowledge of history and the inclusion of many historical characters, Bishop, Massey, etc., make this both realistic and informative.
I love the character of your women. They are courageous, intelligent, super capable, and strong. And I did not know that they were flying planes and helping the way they did. The air raid sirens, the sudden bombings are so dramatic and real. You describe them so well and with such urgency. [Lighting the Stars] is a great title because it represents light over darkness, hope over despair. Once again, Gabriele, “Tusen takk” for your work. You are a brilliant researcher and writer and deserve more acclaim.” – Ken Hills, author ******************* “I MISS THEM ALREADY! I love your characters SO much and of course, love the setting. I'm just in awe of how you weave the story, characters and actual history. I find that I become a character who is quite invested in the story lines of one and all like they are my family and friends. I just can't even put words (though I try) to how much I love your writing. I'm a super slow reader ON PURPOSE so I can savor, but I just couldn't...and I tried. I tried to give it a day or two in between, which wasn't hard with the busy life pre-Christmas, but I just couldn't put it down when I had time. THANK YOU! It was just wonderful.” – Laura Langevin, Echoes in the Attic ******************** “Best book yet! Lighting The Stars shares Canadian WW II stories with world events and the glorious lifestyle of that era in Muskoka. Gabriele Wills has seamlessly woven very accurate historical information into an enticing love story. Her many interesting plots make for an exciting book with a superb ending. As a reader of historical fiction, a person who studies Muskoka history, and one who just loves a good story, I was entertained, and highly recommend this fantastic novel.” - Mary Storey, volunteer archivist, Muskoka Discovery Centre, Gravenhurst, ON ********************* “Just finished reading your current novel Lighting the Stars, and had to let you know that I totally enjoyed reading every page. Although there were many characters included in the book, I found they were very easy to keep track of, some from your previous Muskoka Novels so it was wonderful to see where it had taken them in their lives. Your research was amazing, to put out so much detailed information of the roles some characters had during war time. Very pleased with the ending, which left me in a satisfied mood with a grin on my face.” – Arleen Kurahashi ********************* “Many times I have meant to sit down at my computer to send you a message and relay how much I enjoy your books and what a wonderful thrill it has been to read them (over and over) and share them with friends and family who love Muskoka as much as I do. Not only do I adore reading about my beloved Muskoka, described with such love and beauty, but I have also very much appreciated the detailed history that you have painstakingly included in your stories. It is such a great pleasure to immerse myself in your novels and be transported back in time. I hope there are more stories on the horizon... I can't wait to see what comes next!” – Jen Dennis ******************** |
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