Something to Think About…

A Romantic Suspense for Every Day of the Week.

Thursday's Child chases the whole...

Broken...with bits missing. That's how Niamh, senior prosecutor for the CPS, feels when she wakes in hospital severely injured with no knowledge what’s happened--for the past ten years. A tall man in a firefighters uniform claims he's her husband. While he's everything she's ever dreamed of, she doesn't know him. And if he was so important why can't she remember? Was there something so terrible in her marriage that her mind has suppressed it? 

My Review...

Niamh (pronounced Neeve, it's an Irish thing) has been getting death threats, but being a criminal lawyer, it's all part of her job. They don't have the impact they used to have on her. In fact, nothing does, anymore. For a long time, now, she's simply been throwing herself into work in such a way that there is little room left in a day to think about other things. She's in survival mode. The "I don't care, anymore," "just make it through another day," kind. 

Then--in a moment--her life is over. By the grace of God, she survives a major accident, but all the disaster, turmoil, and memories of the past eight years of her life are gone. Erased. And, blissfully, she can only remember who she was before those horrible times. But is this a blessing or a curse?

The thing I like most about a Clare Revell novel is the subtle yet gripping way she deals with issues we all end up having to face at sometime in our own lives. In Thursday's Child it's what happens when one is suddenly faced by the fact that they don't really like who they've become. Where do you go from there? It's a question we could all ask ourselves. 

Just watching the way Niamh and her family move through this scenario, makes one think a bit about themselves, and what they might do in such a situation. Maybe even shift a bit of perspective to feel better about our own lives because nothing quite so drastic has ever happened to us. 

Yes, that's what I like best about Thursday's Child, and this entire series. Or any other Clare Revell novel, for that matter. They not only give me a story that keeps me turning pages to see what happens, next… they make me think.

And I like that.

A bit of a visit with Clare...

Clare is my English author friend, and in case you haven't noticed, I very much enjoy the food and traditional aspects of each of her books. This time, she caught my interest with the mention of a couple of the more common English dishes that I didn't know anything about. So, hello, Clare, it's wonderful to see you, again.

Thank you, Lilly, it's good to be here.

OK. First up, BEANS ON TOAST. Now, that's an interesting combination. What kind of beans? Is it cold or hot, and is this a common breakfast item in England?

Tinned Baked beans on hot toast. Usually part of a full English breakfast but can be served alone. Very popular over here, and not just for breakfast. They make a quick substantial meal any time.

I'll have to try it. Although when I googled for a picture, someone commented that there was nothing quite so good as English sliced bread, and it was hard to get anywhere else. 

Well, I suppose some things can't be improved upon.

No doubt. Next up: What are cheese and onion pasties? Are they something you buy already made and are quick for dinner?

Pasties can be home made or shop bought. Shortcrust pastry filled with grated cheese and chopped onion and then oven baked. I often serve them for lunch or dinner with chips ( fries) or jacket spuds. 

Mmm. I imagine they'd work well for traveling (I think about that a lot, these days).

Very good for traveling. In fact, the Cornish miners used to take them down into the mines for lunch so often that when they immigrated to other countries, they became famous.

The miners or the pasties?

Both. But probably for different reasons. 

I see. One could definitely get a story out of that bit of information.

Go ahead if you'd like. I'm booked for the next couple of years just writing about people from Headley Cross.

And that's another thing, Clare. I love Headley Cross, and I really enjoyed seeing characters from some of your earlier books pop up in this one. It was a nice touch. Which makes me wonder where it is, exactly.

Headley Cross is about thirty miles southeast of London. It's in Berkshire on the edge of the Chiltern Downs. Weather is typically English. Lots of rain, some really hot days. Snow in winter. Fog in spring and autumn. Cold in winter. It's a small town about seven square miles with a population of 27,000. Readers can find out more by visiting the website I created for it, too.

Well, I definitely enjoyed my visit there, this time. And with you, too, Clare. Thanks so much for coming back, again. Here's wishing you all the best with Thursday's Child, and you can bet I'll be looking forward to Friday's Child, when it comes out in September.

Thank you, Lilly, and thanks for the visit, too.

Clare Revell

Clare Revell lives in a small town in England with her husband, whom she married in 1992, and her three children. Writing from a early childhood and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories through fanfiction to using her own original characters. Now, she enjoys writing an eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children's stories. When she's not writing, reading, sewing or keeping house or doing the many piles of laundry her children manage to make, she goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of three registrars. You can find out more about her at her website.