Book Review: The Shadow on the Bridge by Clare Marchant
I’m so excited to be welcoming Clare Marchant back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Shadow on the Bridge.
‘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 beloved only brother. The Howards have greater secrets than this though. Secrets that will lead Anne to a tragedy that will echo down the ages…
When Sarah finds a mysterious book of poems in a hidden chamber of her godmother’s house, she is drawn into Anne’s story. Perhaps the mystery will take her mind off her own loss? But – as the flood waters begin to rise under the bridges – is Sarah laying ghosts to rest, or bringing truths to the surface that should stay beneath?
A completely haunting, gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Diane Setterfield’s Once Upon a River.
*****
It’s 1571. The 4th Duke of Norfolk has ordered Anne to marry his eldest son in order to gain land and fortune. Anne however, is focused on revenge and her new father-in-law is in the firing line.
2025, Sarah has been invited to Norfolk by her godmother. She’s not been there since a family tragedy made her estranged from her parents.
Sarah soon finds a book hidden in a secret chamber. She is also feeling a presence. Is this a connection to Anne or something else?
by 
NK Chats To… The Creator Of The Caitlin Podcast
Hello. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your audiobook series, Caitlin and what inspired it?
Caitlin celebrates contentment in solitude. The tone is meditative and philosophical with hypnotic ambient music and soundscape. Told in snapshots of normality, the everyday poignant observations become epic, revelling in specific human details, celebrating the life of a serene and detached woman with a mindful focus on her life.
Caitlin is narrated by me in the third person as free indirect discourse but the social observations of the people around her will be very familiar to all. Caitlin is late 30s, living alone, but never lonely. Her contentment is lived and breathed, not uploaded. Frozen pizzas and cross-stitch for company. Saturday evenings become a Wham sing-along before falling asleep smelling of Tiger Balm. She’s a completely self-sufficient ecosystem, but her isolation is unusual. People say “Oh poor Caitlin…it’s so sad…” But it’s far from it.
What are the challenges when writing for this format alone rather than in novel form? What made you choose audio over written prose?
I was inspired by the idea of an introspective character living at peace with a Zen mindset becoming intimate and attached to an audience through audio. The pace and tone in which she experiences the world lends itself to audio in particular. People can enjoy it on a dog walk, drifting off to sleep or escaping the stress of a commute. I began producing this idea as a writing experiment with a new character but have been overwhelmed at the positive reaction. It’s reached quite a cult following now. The solitary life of such a modern hermit seems perfect for the intimate experience audio provides. It requires the right conditions to experience it however. I loved the idea of it being an episodic journey into the everyday minute occurrences but also an existential overview into humanity as a whole.
When you began, did you have a plan for many episodes, or do you approach each one as you go along? From idea to final draft, how long does the process take you?
Every week a new episode comes to me almost as soon as I have uploaded that week’s one. It’s like a new plant emerges to replace the old. It is almost always inspired by something I have done or seen that week, or a piece of music or aspect of the news or culture I want to weave into Caitlin’s life. I don’t have an overall plan for more than a week at a time. I have always written very quickly so I tend to write a first draft of an episode (usually 1000 words) in a couple of hours and then I refine it throughout the week until I record it on a Monday morning.
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Immersed
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Immersed.
Your character falls and suddenly finds themselves in a video game. This world they find themselves in has its dangers. They have allies and enemies.
Think Dreamlight Valley, Animal Crossing or Hogwarts Legacy – that kind of game.
Write an adventure in a world you create.
by NK Chats To… Abbey Hicks
Hi Abbey, thank you so much for joining me and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me a little about your latest book, Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove and what inspired it?
Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove is a heartwarming novella, book 1 in the Cosy Cove series, set in the enchanting seaside town of Cosy Cove and its charming residents. The story centres around Beth Williams, a lively and kind-hearted local who runs an artisan candle shop, ‘Harbour Lights,’ and Jacob Lawson, a charismatic and adventurous travel journalist visiting the town to write a feature for a popular travel magazine.
The inspiration for Cosy Cove came from the beautiful coastal towns and beaches near where I live on the south coast of England. I wanted to create a ‘perfect’ seaside retreat—somewhere I’d love to visit (or even live!)—so I took little details from my favourite places and wove them together to create this idyllic, fictional town. The result? A picturesque setting filled with golden sands, a cosy café, quaint shops, and a welcoming community that I hope readers will fall in love with as much as I have.
From first draft to final, how long does the process of writing a novel take you. Also, how do you approach the research and editing processes and how do you know when you’ve done enough?
Every book I write is different. Some stories flow effortlessly, and I can plan, outline and write a 25k novella in two to three weeks, while others take many, many months to complete. It really depends on the story, the characters, and how cooperative they decide to be!
When it comes to research, my stories are completely fictitious. However, I do love adding authentic details to bring the world to life—whether that’s researching traditional seaside festivals, learning about different crafts like candle making or floristry, or even checking what flowers bloom in which season, which is surprisingly easy to get wrong! Or maybe that should be unsurprisingly since I am absolutely hopeless at gardening!
Editing is where the real magic happens, but I’ll be honest—I NEVER truly feel like I’m done! I could tweak and adjust forever, but at some point, I have to step back and trust the story.
What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?
by Book Review: The Quiet Sister by Alex Stone
It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Alex Stone back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Quiet Sister.
Keep your enemies close… your sister closer 🩸 Pulse-pounding thriller for fans of Sue Watson, Shalini Boland and Freida McFadden!
To outsiders, twins Mia and Chloe have always been close, like good sisters should be. But in private their relationship is one of jealousy, resentment and bitterness.
Popular and attractive Mia is always the centre of attention, loved by all. Quiet and reserved, Chloe is overlooked and underestimated, and has tried to build a life away from Mia and her manipulation. Finally she is happy and content.
But then Mia returns and makes it clear that she wants to be part of her sister’s life again, to have everything Chloe has…including her new fiancé Scott.
Chloe can’t allow Mia to ruin her life again. She’s done this too many times in the past – always taking things that don’t belong to her.
As old tensions, secrets and lies return, tragedy strikes. And one sister will use the opportunity to live the life she has always wanted…the life she has always deserved.
*****
Twins Chloe and Mia are outwardly identical in every way. That’s where the similarities end. Chloe is the introvert. Mia is the extrovert who has always taken everything her sister has. Now she wants Chloe’s fiancé.
It’s so lovely to be invited onto a blog tour hosted by Alex Stone. I am such a big fan of her novels, I couldn’t wait to get started on her latest release, The Quiet Sister.
Being from and living in Bournemouth, I love the fact that Alex Stone’s novels are based in this area. It allowed me to have such a clear picture of the setting. That’s not to say that this isn’t painted superbly for anyone not familiar with the seaside town.
by Book Club
