I love a book set in beautiful, scenic countryside, and so when the opportunity arose to read Kennedy Kerr’s recent novel, set in the Highlands of Scotland, I couldn’t turn it down. An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is slow to begin with, but as soon as I become familiar with the characters (some of who are loveable and some who grow on you), the story picked up speed and I soon became immersed in Deb’s new challenge at Loch Cameron and invested in her story.
The author deals with several challenging issues alongside the lightheartedness of planning a party and forming new friendships, and I enjoyed the contrast between the two.
Although this is the fifth book in the Loch Cameron series, it’s the first I’ve read and I don’t think it matters that I haven’t read the others and can definitely be read as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr.
.png)
About the Book
High on the hills above the wide blue loch, Deb pulls the torn, sepia photograph out of her pocket, tracing her thumb over the girl pictured playing happily amongst the heather. Her grandmother hid this secret for decades…
After losing her sense of self recovering from a serious operation, event planner Deb Sutherland is desperate to reconnect with her family and start living again. So, when an email arrives from the Laird of Loch Cameron asking her to plan his annual Spring Fling, Deb packs her life into her car and makes for the rolling hills of the Highlands. This could be her chance to explore the Scottish roots her beloved grandmother refused to speak about. Auditioning bands and designing decorations at the Laird’s grand castle, Deb runs into property developer Kyle Abernethy on the edge of the manicured gardens. Kyle ismaddeningly arrogant, but Deb can’t deny how his icy blue eyes make her stomach flip.And as they share a bottle of wine overlooking the glittering loch, Deb finds herself laughing like she hasn’t in years. But when Deb finds an old map of tumbledown worker’s cottages in the castle archives, her heart stops. She remembers how tearful her grandmother would get when asked about her childhood. Was Loch Cameron her home before her family was tragically torn apart? Has Kyle been hiding this truth from her all along?
As the Spring Fling approaches, should Deb run from Loch Cameron for good? Or will confronting her heart-breaking family history mean she can finally move forward with Kyle by her side?
.png)
About Kennedy (in her own words)
Without daydreaming, I don't think I would ever have thought about becoming a writer. One of my most favourite things is staring at the sea or a lake - being by the water is important to me. I find it very calming, and I have a lot of ideas when I walk by the sea or stand overlooking a lake - or a loch. Perhaps that's why I've written about coastal communities so much in my books.
In fact, I really love writing about small communities, mysteries and family secrets. I grew up in a town where it felt like everyone knew your business, and I've ended up writing about those kind of places quite a lot. I live in the UK, and my family is originally from Scotland. I have a real soft spot for the Highlands, but also for the rugged coast of Cornwall in the south west of England too. Anywhere there are beaches, cliffs, legends and mystery - plus a good cake shop, of course! - I'm there.
What else can I tell you? I am the lucky owner of one very cuddly, fat cat who spends her days sleeping. I love cooking and baking all types of food, and I love eating it even more. I really look forward to the day when I can throw caution to the wind and adopt a Homer Simpson type of eating schedule and consume a box of doughnuts a day. It's the dream.
I'm also a classic "roses, chocolates and date nights" romantic. I believe in true love and happy endings. I also believe that most of us go through difficult times in our lives, and we usually need some time to heal through it and come out the other side. Love is part of that, but not just romantic love - the love we have for our children, our families, our friends and our community is so important. As is the love we can have for particular places, and for nature.
I was very proud when The House at Magpie Cove became a USA Today Bestseller - that's all thanks to you, of course, my readers! I'm so happy that you enjoyed Mara's story, and the little village of Magpie Cove that seems to have a way of helping people find their way back to happiness. I've also loved writing the Loch Cameron books and been delighted to see so many of you enjoy the series set in the sleepy (yet active) lochside village, full of local characters and highlighting the stories of ordinary women.
0 comments:
Post a Comment