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The Shadow on the Bridge by Claire Marchant #Review

  Today we have a dual timeline historical novel by Clare Marchant . The Shadow on the Bridge is published today by Boldwood Books .  ‘You must forever watch your back,’ I spoke the words clearly, though he could not hear me. ‘Come what may, I shall avenge my brother’s death.’’ Now: When Sarah’s summoned by her godmother to remote Norfolk, she doesn’t want to go. Crossing the bridges where the two rivers meet, said to be haunted by the ghost of a little boy, a large Tudor house looms in front of her. And Sarah’s instantly reminded her of the summer when she last visited. The summer she would like to forget. Which left her unable to ever move forward… Can a person ever recover from the loss of a sibling? 1571: Anne Howard, newly-made countess of Arundel, has also lost a sibling. And been dragged from the relative safety of her home in remote Norfolk to London, by her overbearing, manipulative, new father-in-law Thomas Howard; the very person she suspects of killing her ...

A Summer to Remember by Victoria Cooke #Review #Giveaway #HQDigital



 I am so happy to be taking part in this one day blitz to celebrate the paperback publication of Victoria Cooke's novel, A Summer to Remember. There is also a great Giveaway for you to enter. Details on how to enter at the foot of this post.  

Sam lives by the mantra that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. 



After the tragic loss of her husband, Sam built a new life around friends, her cat Coco and a career she loves. Fending off frequent set-ups and well-meaning advice to ‘move on’, Sam is resolutely happy being single.



But when Sam gets seconded to her firm’s Boston office for the summer, it is more than her career that is in for a shake-up. A spur of the moment decision to visit the idyllic beaches of Cape Cod could end up changing her life forever.


My Thoughts

What sets this book apart is the central character of Sam who has so many complications. She has withdrawn from nearly everyone she knows in the eight years since her husband's sudden death. As she begins to take a small step towards looking to the future, you are willing her to take the biggest leap of faith and just go for it. Of course, Sam has other ideas.

    Working for the summer in the US, Sam has quite a time adjusting to the different surroundings and has to dig deep to believe in her own abilities. There are some great characters who befriend her and bring her out of her shell. However, this always feels like a 'two steps forward, one step back' journey. A Summer to Remember turned out to be the sort of book I didn't want to put down. I loved the setting and the plotting. There are also some genuinely touching episodes and in contrast, some amusing interludes. 

In short: Escape to Cape Cod before Winter sets in. 
 
About the Author


Victoria Cooke grew up in the city of Manchester before crossing the Pennines in pursuit of a career in education. She now lives in Huddersfield with her husband and two young daughters and when she’s not at home writing by the fire with a cup of coffee in hand, she loves working out in the gym and travelling. Victoria was first published at the tender age of eight by her classroom teacher who saw potential in a six-page story about an invisible man. Since then she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, undertaking several writers’ courses before completing her first novel, 'The Secret to Falling in Love,' in 2016.
  
Her third novel, Who Needs Men Anyway? became a digital bestseller in 2018.
 
Her third novel, Who Needs Men Anyway? became a digital bestseller in 2018.

 You can follow Victoria here: Facebook   |  Twitter   |  Instagram



Book link: Amazon UK 



Thanks to Victoria Cooke and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the event. 


Giveaway (UK only)


 
To win A Summer to Remember by Victoria Cooke and Chocolates (UK Only) just follow the link below and good luck!


*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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