Editorial Book Review: Solstice (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3) by Helen Steadman

 

Solstice

(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)

By Helen Steadman

Publication Date: 18th September 2023

Publisher: Bell Jar Books

Page Length: 336

Genre: Historical Fiction / Horror

England, 1673. 

Still a world of witches, witch trials and witchfinders.

When a new vicar arrives to take over the parish of Mutton Clog, the village finds itself in the grip of puritan fever, and suspicious eyes are turned on Rose Driver.

Rose’s mother, brother and grandmother were all put to death by the Scottish witchfinder, John Sharpe.

Almost quarter of a century after the Newcastle witch trials, Sharpe is no longer a threat. Rose should be safe in her quiet village, but is history about to repeat itself?

Find out in Solstice, the powerful conclusion to the trilogy, which tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world.

The Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy was inspired by the little-known 1650 witch trials, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day.

The witch finder is no more. John Sharpe may have got to Rose’s grandmother, mother, and younger brother, but she escaped. The sole survivor of John Sharpe’s tyranny, Rose Driver, is free to live out her life in relative safety, without the looming threat of the witch finder searching for her.

But then a new vicar arrives in Mutton Clog, unsettling the village, which had grown used to the kind ways of the previous vicar. This newcomer, accompanied by his two grown children, is a stranger. His puritan views unsettle Mutton Clog, especially affecting the Driver family, who haven't set foot in church for years.

“Solstice (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)” by Helen Steadman gives voice to a new character in the series, introducing Rose as she grows into adulthood and faces the same prejudiced world that her mother previously endured and struggled against.

The events that brought about Rose’s mother’s death, all those years ago, have remained an unspoken secret. Those who know the truth haven’t mentioned it, and those who don’t can only speculate. Either way, Rose has grown up unaware of what really happened the night her mother and brother both lost their lives, and those around her have worked to ensure she has the best start to life she could possibly be offered. With no fanciful notions of marriage and children, she is content to roam outside, looking after her flock of sheep and helping with the lambing. The arrival of the vicar, though, and with him, his son Earnest, brings a change to Rose’s life that she never could have expected. He pursues Rose, vying for her attention, and eventually his advances make their mark. Word gets out that Rose is with child, and with it comes the beginning of big changes in Rose’s life. Rose is presented as a character of innocence, one who lives plainly with the coming and going of the days, and finds her life fulfilled in the same simplicity of her flock, watching the rising and falling of the moon, and spending her time with her family. It does not take long for the reader to grow fond of Rose, for she exudes an air of tranquillity, her thoughts clear and concise, and her feelings for those she loves give a true representation of her good character.

As a contrast to Rose’s character, living as one with nature, and purely genuine of heart, Patience sweeps into this novel with an air of pious arrogance, walking in the protection of God’s name to further her own goals and aspirations. From her first meeting with Rose, Patience sees misdeeds and an ungodly nature to the girl, a seed of doubt instantly planting itself in her mind that Rose may not be of this world, and that her intentions may not be entirely Godly. Patience is a deeply troubled character. Moving to Mutton Clog was not something she expected or desired; her family was cast out of her father’s previous position, and living in the middle of nowhere, in a small village, where she knows no one and sees sacrilege at every turn, puts her on high alert. She has always seen her brother causing trouble, but as the golden child, the child who was wanted, it seems he can do no harm and suffers no consequences for his actions. She alone has taken on the task of holding him accountable and cleaning up the messes that follow him. Unfortunately, the baby that Rose carries falls under that accountability, and with her suspicions on the girl already, Patience takes it into her own hands to make sure that the good name of her family is upheld. Patience comes across as a harshly vindictive character, and despite attempting to pin her actions on following the word of the Lord, the path she does take shows her true colours. 

Accusations of witchcraft have been quiet for many years, but putting together Rose’s irrational reluctance to walk into a church, together with Patience’s accusations, gives breath to another round of fear, of hearing the word ‘witch’ thrown about once again. After accusations against both her mother and grandmother, Rose’s plight is real, and the reader can’t help but sympathise. Patience appears to see her own agenda and the ‘righteous’ path that she is walking, but feels little towards those she points her finger at, and she is not afraid to plant ideas into her father’s mind to further aid her ideas. As Ms Steadman has previously portrayed in the earlier novels in this series, the battle of good versus evil continues, and as before, those accused as witches continue to prevail with kindness and care in their hearts, and those working under God’s name do so in vain, using religion as a cover for their own gains. Rose can only hope that she has enough friends who would be willing to stand up for her, to attest to her good nature, and prove that she is innocent and clear of heart. With Patience and, therefore, the word of the church working against her and the baby she is carrying, she can only hope and pray that the world will be kind to her. The contrast between the soft and warm-hearted chapters of Rose’s perspective and the cold and rigorous judgment of Patience is harsh, further projecting the reader’s love and sympathy towards Rose and turning the reader disdainful against Patience. Although she has suffered through some difficult situations, there is no excuse for the dark path she takes, condemning others in the way that she does. 

“Solstice (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)” by Helen Steadman sharply draws a line between good and evil, centring on Rose’s struggle for hope amid threats of witchcraft and persecution. As the series continues, hope emerges that the accusations may finally end, offering Rose and her family a chance at peace—an explicit contrast to the darkness aiming to silence the innocent. 

Review by Ellie Yarde

Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

Pick up your copy of

Solstice

(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 3)

HERE

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Helen Steadman

Helen Steadman mostly writes biographical historical fiction (think herbs, healing, witch trials, swords, shipwrecks and lighthouses) set in the north east of England. So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the heroic lighthouse keeper’s daughter).

And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. A sequel featuring Aphrodite is planned. Probably. At some point. (Helen is a slow writer. Deadlines tend to pass her by.)

Connect with Helen Steadman:

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Editorial Book Review: Sunwise (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 2) by Helen Steadman

 

Sunwise
(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 2)
By Helen Steadman

Publication Date: 11th April 2022

Publisher: Bell Jar Books

Page Length: 252

Genre: Historical Fiction / Horror

Sunwise tells the story of one woman’s struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world.

England, 1650. When Jane’s lover, Tom, returns from the navy to find her unhappily married to his betrayer, Jane is caught in an impossible situation.

Still reeling from the loss of her mother at the hands of the Scottish witchfinder, Jane has no choice but to continue her dangerous work as a healer while keeping her young daughter safe.

But as Tom searches for a way for him and Jane to be together, the witchfinder is still at large. Filled with vengeance, John Sharpe will stop at nothing in his quest to rid Scotland and England of the scourge of witchcraft.

The Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy was inspired by a little-known English witch hunt, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day in August 1650.

Jane Driver narrowly escaped execution for witchcraft after the truth about her accuser was revealed, but her mother was not so fortunate. Grieving and pregnant, with a young child to care for, Jane simply wants a peaceful life, but then she learns that Tom, her childhood sweetheart and the father of her first child, is alive and coming home.

Humiliated and barely escaping so-called ‘justice’, John Sharpe begins to put himself back together. His methods of uncovering witches may not have been entirely truthful, but he clings to his belief that witches walked among them. His mission must continue, and he will not let Jane Driver, whom he is convinced is a witch, escape to raise her devil’s spawn children.

“Sunwise (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 2)” by Helen Steadman continues the story of Jane Driver, devoted mother and healer, and John Sharpe, her relentless pursuer. In this tense cat-and-mouse novel, the stakes remain high as the haunting story unfolds.

Trying to recover from the trauma in Newcastle—her mother’s execution and the accusations she faced as well—Jane finds a letter from Tom, revealing he did not die at sea as first thought, he is very much alive, and that he is coming home. But she is married to Andrew Driver, and he is legally Rose's father. With Tom's return, everything changes, but Jane is now carrying Andrew’s child, which complicates matters further. Jane’s suffering and longing are clear, and Andrew’s cruel treatment towards her contrasts with Tom’s kindness. The reader wishes for Jane’s happiness, but escaping Andrew is difficult. Jane’s plan to flee with Tom raises tension throughout the novel. Andrew’s violence and control endanger Jane and Rose, keeping readers anxious for their safety.

John Sharpe continues to have a twisted view of the world, and at times, it is truly terrifying to read the chapters from his point of view. To see into the mind of evil is chilling, and his thoughts and actions make for some horrifying scenes. There is a sense of bitter irony in John’s perspective, for throughout this series, his goal has always been to rid the world of evil, and he thinks himself a truly pious man, deeply religious and determined to dispel the devil from the world, while appeasing God in any way he can see possible. While doing this, though, his mind slowly becomes more and more addled, his thoughts twisted, and pure evil seems to seep into the pages as his thoughts become clearer. 

There are scenes in this novel, brought about by John’s actions, that are utterly horrifying, painting pictures in the mind of the reader that promise to stay there for a very long time. This novel’s readability allows the darkness to envelop the narrative so smoothly that you barely notice until the climax, and by then, you are totally invested in this story. Some of the scenes are, however, so spine-chilling and brutal that some care should be taken, as they have the possibility of causing severe emotional distress.

Jane’s work in the village, as the local healer after the death of her mother, provides a slightly more relaxed atmosphere to the novel. But even in these calmer moments, without the danger of the witch finder, tensions are high as people come to Jane with their young children whose lives hang in the balance, or the difficult circumstances of womanly problems. There are very few moments in this novel wherein peace is truly achieved, but in the careful descriptions of herbs and natural remedies, and Jane’s easy and instinctive way of handling them, there are a few moments that come close. But it is worth remembering throughout that some remedies can double as poison, and many poisons can lend themselves to healing. It is only a matter of dosage, circumstance, and point of view.

In a harrowing addition to the series, “Sunwise (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 2)” by Helen Steadman is a chilling but unforgettable novel. Drenched in the implications of evil and the horrifying power that men had over women during this period, this is a novel that will stay in your mind for a long time after reading, and not only because of the dark and unsettling scenes. The societal undertones of this novel lend a lot to consideration for how power can so easily be abused, and the use of religion in John’s crusade is almost sardonic in its connotations of the fight between good and evil.

Review by Ellie Yarde

Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

Pick up your copy of

Sunwise
(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 2)

HERE

Read with #KindleUnlimited

Helen Steadman

Helen Steadman mostly writes biographical historical fiction (think herbs, healing, witch trials, swords, shipwrecks and lighthouses) set in the north east of England. So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the heroic lighthouse keeper’s daughter).

And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. A sequel featuring Aphrodite is planned. Probably. At some point. (Helen is a slow writer. Deadlines tend to pass her by.)

Connect with Helen Steadman:

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Editorial Book Review: Widdershins (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 1) by Helen Steadman

 

Widdershins 

(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 1)

 By Helen Steadman 

Publication Date: 23rd April 2022

Publisher: Bell Jar Books

Page Length: 298

Genre: Historical Fiction / Horror

Step into the shadowy world of seventeenth-century England with Widdershins, a haunting historical novel that lays bare the terror of the 1650 Newcastle witch trials.

Jane Chandler is a natural healer. Her knowledge of herbal remedies leaves her vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft.

John Sharpe is a witchfinder driven by religious zeal. His crusade against witches is as personal as it is relentless.

In a Puritan society mesmerised by superstition and fear, two destinies collide.

Widdershins is a compelling work of historical witch fiction, blending meticulous research with immersive storytelling.

Bear witness to the quiet courage of the women who endured this harrowing chapter of English history.

The art of herbal healing is one that has existed for centuries, as people, women in particular, turn to nature and the earth’s offerings to find the ingredients lending themselves to tinctures and medicinal purposes. However, the act of such healing brings a dark shadow down over the women helping others with their passed-down knowledge, as the rise of accusations casts the title ‘witch’ down upon any woman determined to be acting suspiciously or in an ungodly manner. 

With religious superiority pushing him forward, John Sharpe is determined to uncover as many witches as he can to free the world from the Devil’s influence. Spurred forward by a complicated and traumatic past, and in a bid for vengeance, he makes it his personal mission to prove himself a righteous man, and carry out the work of God in the only way he can see fit – purging any impurities he may come across.

“Widdershins (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 1)” by Helen Steadman provides an intriguing glimpse into the superstitions so readily accepted during an era when simply being a woman was not considered safe, and trials could so easily be swayed to gain a desired result. 

Jane Chandler has learned everything she knows about healing and how to properly use herbs to help those in need from her mother. Such knowledge has helped her, given her a link to nature, and a respect for the natural world and everything it has to offer, but knowing such things and practising the art of healing is a difficult profession. Such women were being accused of witchcraft on a regular basis, and it didn’t take much to raise suspicions. But that is not at the forefront of Jane’s mind. As she grows and matures into a young woman, ideals of love begin to flutter in her mind, and her beloved Tom seems to share her affections. Jane is an utterly lovable character; she is kind-hearted and innocent, despite the wicked ways of the world. Her natural curiosities put her forward as a genuine person, and she comes across as very real in the telling. As different situations plight her, for it was not only superstitions, but also prejudices that swayed the minds of many during this period, she tries to keep her head held high, and her determination to remain true to herself despite harsh treatments is enough to bring a tear to the reader’s eye. With it being so easy to form an attachment to Jane’s character, to watch her go through perilous situations, not knowing whether she will make it through safely, is more than enough to bring an intense level of tension to this novel, while providing an insight into the harsh and harrowing realities of being a woman during this period in history.

The religious undertones of this novel provide a gnarly and twisted backdrop to the harsh and violent minds of men in power. John Sharpe is an antagonist so sick and twisted that the very mention of his name makes your skin crawl as you read. His twisted childhood gives cause for his altered sense of reality, but that does not make his actions any more redeemable. His distrust and hatred for witches stems from his own birth, where his mother passed, and his father blamed the passing on not only him, as a newly born baby, but also on Dora Shaw, the woman who brought him into the world. The harsh words and hands of his father brought about a conditioning, a mistrust towards Dora and women alike to her, turning John sour on the woman who raised him and looked after him in his early years of life. As the novel progresses, his treatment of his own wife is deplorable, and his reasoning behind his hard nature, that he is protecting her soul against corruption, in his own twisted sense of doing right by her, creates a monster out of a man. John is not a character to be liked, and despite his character being manipulated and crafted into one of a religious fanatic by others, it is impossible to pity him. The juxtaposition behind his thoughts and actions, compared to his way of thinking, trying to fulfil God’s wishes and protect others from evil, provides an almost laughable paradox. His character has been crafted into one of intense hatred, and to flip between his and Jane’s perspectives, from his dark hatred to her innocent light, only intensifies the very evil eating away inside of him.

The fear that settles over the pages of this novel is almost tangible. John’s character is one to be feared in itself, and his chapters provide a chilling backdrop to Jane’s as she grows into a young woman and begins to face the prejudices and superstitions of the world. To be tried as a witch was almost certainly a death sentence, and it did not take much to find such an accusation pointed in your direction. Many simple womanly things begin to fall under the title of ‘witchcraft’, and it was very rare that the women accused could speak up for themselves, nor were they listened to. This deepest prejudice against witches meant that, once the accusation was made, it was very easy to sway a trial in favour of the accuser, even if the actual accusation was false. This novel explores the injustice of these trials, bringing to light just how many innocents lost their lives to men like John Sharpe, who thought they were doing God’s work, or were lured into accusations through the promise of payment. 

Although offset by Jane’s chapters and her lighthearted descriptions of the different herbs and natural remedies she uses, the dark and cruel treatment of women during this period is described in detail during this novel, and is not for the faint of heart. Treatment was rough, heavy-handed, and in the case of many trials, included forceful examinations of the accused women’s private areas. Such scenes can be incredibly harrowing to read, for the descriptions do not leave much to the imagination. The historical detailing and careful penmanship have created a novel that is incredibly real in the telling, and one that is next to impossible to put down. Despite darkness and evil running through the pages, it is so easy to fall in love with Jane’s character that the reader finds themselves wanting to protect her as she makes her way through life, trying to keep herself from arousing suspicions from anyone.

An incredibly emotional novel of great torment and disturbing cruelty in a period of fear, superstition, and corruption, “Widdershins (The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 1)” by Helen Steadman is certainly a novel that transports you back to such a disturbing period of history, letting you live among the characters and feel the intense fear and mistrust that arose due to lies, deceit, and immorality in the name of God and right doings. 

Review by Ellie Yarde

Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

Pick up your copy of

Widdershins 

(The Newcastle Witch Trials Trilogy, Book 1)

HERE

Read with #KindleUnlimited

Helen Steadman

Helen Steadman mostly writes biographical historical fiction (think herbs, healing, witch trials, swords, shipwrecks and lighthouses) set in the north east of England. So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the heroic lighthouse keeper’s daughter).

And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. A sequel featuring Aphrodite is planned. Probably. At some point. (Helen is a slow writer. Deadlines tend to pass her by.)

Connect with Helen Steadman:

Website

Instagram

Newcastle Witch Trials Series by Helen Steadman

Newcastle Witch Trials Series
By Helen Steadman

England, 1650 to 1673. A world of witches, witchfinders and witch trials.

Based on real witch trials in the north east of England, the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy tells the story of three women's struggle for survival in a hostile and superstitious world.

Inspired by the little-known Newcastle witch trials, where fifteen women and one man were hanged for witchcraft on a single day in August 1650.

Pick up your copy of

Newcastle Witch Trials Series

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Read with #KindleUnlimited

Helen Steadman

Helen Steadman mostly writes biographical historical fiction (think herbs, healing, witch trials, swords, shipwrecks and lighthouses) set in the north east of England. So far, she’s written the Newcastle Witch Trials trilogy (Widdershins, Sunwise and Solstice), The Running Wolf (about the Shotley Bridge swordmakers) and Grace (about Grace Darling, the heroic lighthouse keeper’s daughter).

And then — because why not — there’s God of Fire set on Mount Olympus, which is absolutely nowhere near the north east of England. A sequel featuring Aphrodite is planned. Probably. At some point. (Helen is a slow writer. Deadlines tend to pass her by.)

Connect with Helen Steadman:

Website

Instagram

The Monstrous Murders: An Alewives of Colmar Mystery by Elizabeth R. Andersen

The Monstrous Murders: 
An Alewives of Colmar Mystery
By Elizabeth R. Andersen

Publication Date: 18th May 2025

Publisher: Haeddre Press

Page Length: 284

Genre: Historical Mystery

As winter draws to a close, something suspicious lurks outside the walls of Colmar.

Appel, Gritta, and Efi, the three alewives of Colmar, are enjoying a calm month of brewing and friendship after solving the deeply unsettling riddle of the severed hands. But peace is not destined to last for long. The disappearance of two novice monks in the care of Friar Wikerus spark tales of a supernatural beast on the loose, and when a lowly street sweeper is terrorized one night, fear stalks the town like a monster.

Theories of demons and beasts run wild. Could this foretell another great mortality like the one they only recently survived? Could it be an evil spirit sent to punish the wicked citizens of Colmar? The alewives would rather not involve themselves, but everything changes when a body turns up near their canal. The threat is too close to home to ignore. Once more, Appel, Gritta, and Efi must put their sleuthing skills to good use – while ensuring they don't also fall prey to the supernatural menace.

Pick up your copy of

The Monstrous Murders

HERE!

Elizabeth R. Andersen

Elizabeth R. Andersen's debut novel, The Scribe, launched in July of 2021. Although she spent many years of her life as a journalist, independent fashion designer, and overworked tech employee, there have always been two consistent loves in her life: writing and history. She finally decided to put them both together and discovered her true love.

Elizabeth lives in the Seattle area with her young son and energetic husky. On the weekends she usually hikes in the stunning Cascade mountains to hide from people and dream up new plotlines and characters.

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Outback Odyssey by Paul Rushworth-Brown

 

Outback Odyssey

By Paul Rushworth-Brown

Publication Date: June 20th, 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 342
Genre: Historical Fiction

"Outback Odyssey" tells the story of a young man from Yorkshire who emigrates to Australia in the 1950s under the Big Brother Movement scheme.

In the wake of war and dislocation, young Yorkshireman Jimmy journeys to the outback, chasing escape but finding something far more dangerous: the truth of himself and the land he now calls home.

What begins as a story of survival becomes a profound allegory of belonging, silence, and identity. As Jimmy collides with love and betrayal, he also encounters the enduring wisdom of the First Peoples — knowledge that most outsiders are too frightened to face, let alone write about.

Outback Odyssey is sweeping and cinematic, a novel of resilience threaded with unexpected twists and allegorical depth. Already under consideration for a screenplay adaptation, it peels back the myths of Australia’s past to reveal what lies beneath: the unspoken histories, the inherited traumas, and the courage it takes to walk a path that others fear.

Excerpt

The Voyage

The tang of salt and sea clung to the air, sharp and fresh after the close quarters below decks. Jimmy leaned against the rail, letting the wind sting his face. Mr Olsen stood beside him, a man of weathered leather hands and a white beard, the anchor pendant at his neck catching the light. He spoke with a strange accent — Dutch cut by an Australian drawl.

“Quite a sight, isn’t it, lad?”

Jimmy nodded. “Yes, it’s something to behold. Sounds like you’ve done this before.”

Olsen’s eyes twinkled. “Yes. Many times. Wait till you see the wonders beyond the Suez. It’s a journey you will not soon forget.”

Days later, in the ship’s saloon, Jimmy found him slouched at the bar, cheeks flushed from drink but his eyes still sharp. They shared stories over lager and margaritas, and Olsen spoke of the vastness of Australia, of treasures hidden in its earth and dangers to match. There was wisdom behind the drink, as though he carried secrets he could never quite set down.

It was near the voyage’s end when Olsen faltered. Jimmy rushed to his side, catching the old man’s hand as he struggled for breath. Olsen’s lips moved, a whisper against the roar of the sea.

“Map… mattress… Amanda…”

And then he was gone.

Jimmy knelt there, stunned, clutching the words as if they were a gift and a curse. A map in his mattress? Amanda? The riddle hung heavy. The sea kept its silence, but Jimmy knew the voyage had left him with more than a passage — it had left him with a mystery that would shape everything to come.

Pick up your copy of

Outback Odyssey

HERE

Paul Rushworth-Brown

Paul Rushworth-Brown was born in England and raised in Canada before emigrating to Australia at eighteen, where he became a citizen. By twenty, he had already travelled the world twice, hitchhiked across Australia, and worked as a navvy in outback Queensland — experiences that gave him an enduring respect for resilience, culture, and the landscapes that shape human character.

He later completed a Master’s degree at Charles Sturt University, honing the research skills that underpin his richly detailed novels. A high school teacher and former professional football coach, Paul draws on a lifetime of experience to bring authenticity and depth to his writing.

His novels are known for their cinematic sweep, allegorical undercurrents, and unexpected twists. Outback Odyssey, his fourth book, is a tale of survival and belonging set against the vast backdrop of 1950s Australia. Beneath its page-turning adventure lie questions of identity, silence, and reconciliation — themes that echo long after the final page.

Paul lives in Sydney, where he writes, teaches, and continues to explore the intersections of history and identity.

Connect with Paul Rushworth-Brown:

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Spanish House Secrets (An uplifting, heartwarming romance set in the 1920s) by Susan Gray

 

Spanish House Secrets 

(An uplifting, heartwarming romance set in the 1920s)
By Susan Gray

Publication Date: 20th February 2023

Publisher: UK Book Publishing;

Page Length: 337 Pages

Genre: Historical Romance / Dual Timeline

A sprinkle of mystery...a dash of romance...nuggets of hidden secrets combined with an unexpected inheritance and a lingering resentment, provide the ingredients for this engaging, heart warming story.

England 2019. Grace's childhood memories are stirred by the sound of a familiar melody. Her home in 1950's England was a Spanish house. An unusual house. A house with secrets. She begins to wonder...who built it and why?

England 1921. Loveable, likeable, Simon receives a letter on the eve of his twenty first birthday - a letter that will change the course of his life. News of an unexpected inheritance uncovers secrets surrounding his birth, which spark sibling jealousy. Viewing his property in Spain he is wowed by it's design and decides to build a replica in his hometown. As he embraces business life in two countries, he unwittingly becomes English Simon and Spanish Simon - spurred on by his love for two women.

Spain 1922. Elise has experienced many harsh blows in her young life. Returning to her home near Madrid she knows she must pick herself up and move on. Can she continue to live in this Spanish house? The arrival of a visitor creates a new dimension for her.

In 1920's England, dainty, demure Olivia has much to be thankful for: a beautiful house, a thriving business, a deep love...but a nagging doubt. In the last years of the Roaring Twenties this doubt is compounded by the discovery of a discarded item.

Spanning forty years, Spanish House Secrets is a tale of enduring love, painful loss and surprising secrets.

Pick up your copy of

Spanish House Secrets

HERE!

Susan Gray

'Never to old to follow your dreams' has become Susan Gray's mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England, setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by 'life' and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to 'people watch' and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel and is now joined by another standalone novel BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH. 

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