Samantha Tonge's Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage was released as an e-book on 15th April and will be published in paperback on 8th July. Take your pick!
A new start can come from the most unexpected places...
It's been years since Lizzie Lockhart spoke to her parents.
But she was safe in the knowledge she knew everything about them. Once upon a
time, they were as close as could be. Until they weren't.
After receiving the earth-shattering news of their passing,
Lizzie decides it's time to unearth some family secrets and find out just who
her parents really were... starting with Streamside Cottage. A cottage Lizzie
never knew existed, in a place she's never heard of: the beautiful English
village of Leafton.
Leaving behind London, and the tattoo parlour she called
home, Lizzie finds herself moving to the countryside. Faced with a tight-lipped
community, who have secrets of their own, Lizzie is at a loss for what to do,
until her rather handsome neighbour, Ben, steps in to help.
As Lizzie finally begins to piece together the puzzle of her
family history she realises she has to confront the truth of the past in order
to face her future.
My Thoughts
The central character of Lizzie Lockhart is a quirky, individual who
certainly takes you with her through the story, as she unravels the
mystery at the heart of Streamside Cottage. The outcome is a surprise
but I enjoyed testing out a few theories along the way. Lizzie's
childhood set her apart from many her own age and her parents'
protective instincts seem to have gone into over-drive. Lizzie comes to
understand some of their feelings. In fact. family is at the heart of the novel.
The cottage itself seems to be a character in its own right but Lizzie
feels a link to it from the start. As she begins to rescue it from its
neglect, she realises that there is a profound mystery hidden within its
walls. Lizzie is such a warm character, who has forged for herself her
own path, apart from others' expectations. I certainly found out quite a
lot about the art of tattooing from the novel, which is an intrinsic
part of Lizzie's life. There are some entertaining characters who you
meet along the way, especially the rather furtive villagers who brave
the cottage in search of her talent. With a gentle romance and a
hopeful, starting over plot, this is an entertaining read, as expected
from this talented writer.
In short: Secrets from the past have surprising results.
About the Author
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and studied German and
French at university. She has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland
Paris, and has travelled widely.
She has sold many dozens of short stories to women's
magazines.
In 2014 her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was
shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction Best Ebook Award.
In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK
Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.
In 2019 she was shortlisted for the RNA’s Romantic Comedy
Award.
In 2020 she won the RNA’s Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller
Award with her novel Knowing You, from publisher Canelo.
Thanks to Samantha Tonge, and Victoria Joss of Head of Zeus for a copy of the book and a place on the event.
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