Title: Days of Beltane
Author: Sean Aramesh
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 1796058041
Pages: 48
Genre: Romance
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Pacific Book Review
Winter is a wizard that spends his time idling within the Enchanted Forest that he calls home. A place where he can spend his days doing whatever he wants no matter if it’s taking a magical bath or chilling by the river. Winter’s dream of forming a band may come true when a trip into town brings him face to face with musicians that could be exactly what he’s looking for. He meets a lovely witch who captivates him and soon finds himself falling in love. When he and his band receive an amazing opportunity of a record deal, he has a choice to make which could take him away from the Enchanted Forest which he calls home.
The story explores a poignant and soulful connection with music right from the beginning through Winter’s desire to start a band. Art and music are themes explored throughout which are rooted in what drives the peacefulness of the tone. The location of the forest is idealistic with fertile soil that can grow a watermelon seed by the next day and with birds singing that make it feel like paradise. Winter’s spiritual connection with his surroundings is seen through the magical elements the forest offers, including how he bathes with herbs, magic, and crystals. The descriptions are lovely and successfully bring the magic of nature to life by drawing the art and magic out of the forest. Author Sean Aramesh delivers nice visuals of enchantment with lovely details such as smooth and loving mushrooms and the sweet tasting air.
The story weaves between the quiet stillness of the forest and the community he finds within the town, as Winter goes from being primarily isolated to finding a new kind of harmony with the band. The introduction of Lucinda provides the story with a romantic aspect with the two striking a balance between them as she’s a witch and he’s a wizard. The romance is a sweet part of Winter’s journey as he explores what he wants in life; which finds him drawn between the music he loves and his home in the forest.
The story is rooted in magic and nature with the days of Beltane at the center of it all with everything around him reinforcing the bond he has with magic and nature through the liberation he finds with the band and the freedom of the music. The forest gives him the freedom to be one with magic and do whatever he wants while music gives him the freedom to explore his dreams and become more than a wizard living forever. The band is called Summer Solstice and encompasses him fully with the magic and feel of the music which allows him to live out his dream. This leads him to have decided between this grand opportunity at a recording studio and the peaceful existence he has in the enchanted forest.
Aramesh strikes a balance within the story through the forest and music which is seen through the name of the band Summer Solstice and even through his name of Winter. The story is a peaceful read that allows you to meditate on the concepts of art, music, and nature which are brought to life through the easy-going personality of Winter. Days of Beltane is a peaceful and cozy tale with themes of romance, music, and art that will inspire and soothe readers.
