Tuesday, 9 May 2017
The Other Side by Kaylor Ward
Release Date: 14th May 2017
Publisher: Parker Press Publishing
Publisher: Parker Press Publishing
Genres: Contemporary Fiction
Lauren is
locked in a cell. She knows she shouldn’t be there.
When Lauren
and Rick are left an allotment they embark on a lifestyle change that is
supposed to bring their step-family closer together. They embrace the chance
for a slice of the good life, fresh air and family times together. Lauren and
Rick are in love and happy but sometimes their past issues surface. For Lauren
it’s the affair that her first husband had before he left her. For Rick it’s
the children he was alienated from and forced to leave behind seven years ago.
One day a
new family move into a cottage behind the allotment. That day changes
everything. That day they start falling apart.
Praise for The Other Side
‘A
wonderful new voice in cross-genre women's fiction that will keep you
spellbound’ Best-selling author, Catrin Collier
'A thoroughly enjoyable, bittersweet
read' Helen Carey
EXTRACT
Prologue
The door shut with a cold, hard slam
sending harsh metallic echoes around her. Her eyes shot warily from left to
right as she raked her fingers through her hair and tried to make sense of her
situation. She was in a cell. She had asked them not to lock her in, but they
hadn’t paid her any attention. Where there had been a face a few seconds ago,
there was now a slammed metal door with peeling grey paint showing the cracking
blue paint beneath. She hated confined spaces. They told her there was a buzzer
if she needed anything. Needed anything?
Panic welled in her chest, her throat and
her brain as the grey walls and the naked single white light closed around her.
Breathe...breathe...slow...down... This was not the place for a panic attack.
Not here, not today. She was alone. She had to get through this.
Focus...focus... Think yourself somewhere else.
She thought of her daughters, their smiles
and their joy. She lay on the hard thin plastic mattress on the concrete bed,
and pulled a thin blue blanket over her head to block out the light, to block
out the room, and to block out now.
Rick and Lauren appear to have the perfect marriage. Having both been married before they seemed to have settled into a trusting and loving second marriage with Rick feeling more and more part of Lauren and her children's lives. The couple can't seem to get enough of one another and Lauren's two girls have accepted Rick into their lives. And, while this pleases Rick, he can't help but start to feel regret over his own children who he no longer sees. Then, one day they are left an allotment and soon their dreams of creating a little bit of heaven out in the country soon turns into a nightmare and the allotment changes their lives in so many ways. Rick's behaviour becomes erratic and he spends all his time there. Lauren suspects the worst and sets about trying to uncover the truth. Only its far worse than anyone could ever have suspected.
Well, I actually read this book in one sitting. I was totally engrossed. A really interesting mix of characters, each with their own problems that poor Lauren always seemed to find herself in the middle of. Trying to support her sister and her best friend through difficult times despite Lauren's own life falling apart, Lauren feels the pressure of her suspicious mind bearing down on her. She becomes totally driven to find out what the secret is that Rick is hiding from her. Despite his reassurances that all is ok within their marriage, Lauren isn't so sure and she feels that history is repeating itself and her new husband is having an affair. His behaviour becomes more and more erratic and Lauren fears the worst. And, in the background is friendly bar owner Jack, always ready to offer a shoulder to cry on.
The Other Side explores what its like to have secrets in a marriage and the devastation those secrets can lead to. Suspicion and mistrust can erode even the strongest of couples. However, the secret that Rick is keeping is definitely not what Lauren suspects. And, Lauren herself finds that such mistrust of someone she loves may lead her down a path that she herself shouldn't take. The sting in the tail at the very end of this story is both unexpected, shocking and very sad and Lauren wasn't the only one surprised! I did have an open mouthed moment! Kaylor Ward has written an absolutely brilliant book and its a highly recommended read from me.
GIVEAWAY!!
Kindle Fire!
Lolita Wine Glass from Jack’s wine bar
Bottle of vino from Jack’s
Scarf from Puffin Island
JUST FOLLOW THE LINK TO ENTER THE COMP!
AND,
AS IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH………….There’s a free 6 week novel writing course for
everyone run by Kaylor Ward herself! Here’s the link to access it!
ABOUT KAYLOR WARD
Kaylor Ward,
originally from London, now lives in South Wales. She worked for many years as
a management consultant and trainer, writing part-time until her first book was
published under the name, Michaela Weaver (Manic Mondays). She has studied
creative writing at Masters level, and in addition to her writing she is a
qualified Writing Coach. Michaela is a member of the Romantic Novelists'
Association, and a reader for their New Writers' Scheme. Michaela writes cross
genre contemporary fiction with psychological twists often about the darker
side of family and domestic life.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kaylorward
Twitter:
@kaylorward
Goodreads
Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16812960.Kaylor_Ward?from_search=true
Website:
www.kaylorward.com
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