It is my very great pleasure to be part of the launch celebrations of ‘Echoes from Afar’ by Tamara Kinley which is published by Quercus books on 28th January 2016. ‘Echoes from Afar’ is available here in the UK, here in the US, from all good bookshops and directly from Quercus.
Not only do I have an extract from Tamara Kinley’s lovely book, but UK readers can win a copy at the bottom of this blog post.
Read an extract from the very beginning of ‘Echoes from Afar’:
PROLOGUE
Paris, 1956
Despite the passing of the years, he’d hoped that by some miracle he would see her there once more, so when she finally appeared, he wondered if it was the sheer force of his longing that had somehow conjured her up.
His breath caught and his pulse quickened as he sat forward in his wheelchair by the third-floor balcony windows, the glass of wine and cigarette forgotten as he tried to believe it was really her. Two decades had passed, and his eyes were not as reliable as they had once been. Could they be playing a cruel trick on him? Was his imagination running riot? Yet as she stood on the Pont Neuf and gazed down the swift-flowing Seine towards the distant Eiffel Tower and the rooftops of Paris, it was as if those years had been swept away and she had returned to him.
He eased further forward, confident she couldn’t see him in the rapidly darkening room, but still not trusting what his eyes were telling him. Her hair was longer than he remembered, flowing over her narrow shoulders in a tumble of silken curls, but her slender figure still retained the delicate grace that belied the fierce energy and determination she’d always possessed. And even in her relaxed state, there was an almost defiant tilt to her chin that he remembered so very well. Dressed in narrow slacks and a sweater, there were suitcases at her feet and she carried an artist’s portfolio, and a coat over her arm.
‘Belle?’ he breathed in wonder. ‘Can it really be you?’
As if she’d heard him, she turned from the river, her gaze sweeping beyond the bridge to the cobbled Quai de la Mégisserie, and the tall grey houses whose balconies and windows overlooked the Seine.
His breath caught again as her face was illuminated by a nearby street lamp, and her eyes seemed to find his momentarily before she looked away. The disappointment was sharp. It wasn’t Belle, couldn’t possibly be Belle. Too many years had passed, and this girl was younger than Belle had been on that fateful day when they’d met on the bridge. And yet there was something about her that held echoes of the past . . .
‘Are you all right, Patron?’
The light was switched on, startling him, and he blinked in its sudden glare. ‘Turn that off and come here,’ he ordered the young man as he turned once more towards the window. ‘See that girl? Go and find out who she is and where she’s come from. Now, quickly, before she leaves the bridge.’
The look was quizzical, the smile wry. ‘She’s a bit young, even for you, isn’t she, Patron?’ he drawled. His impatience made him sharp. ‘Just do as I ask, Max,’ he rasped. ‘I’ll explain later.’
As Max left the room, he turned once more towards the window. She was looking up now, her gaze drifting over the wrought-iron balconies, perhaps drawn by the sudden glare of light which had just as swiftly been extinguished. Her eyes seemed to hold him there for a second, and he could sense her unease as she broke the spell and hurriedly looked away.
He touched the glass in the window as if by doing so he could keep her there, but before Max had even reached the street, she’d picked up her cases, turned her back and was immediately lost amongst the stream of homeward-bound office workers and strolling tourists.
He slumped back into the chair, the moment lost, his pain raw. He closed his eyes to try to dispel some of his anguish, but all he could see was the young, vibrant Belle who had stood on the Pont Neuf so many years before, and the memories and deep regrets over what had happened to tear them apart now threatened to overwhelm him.
Just reading that extract and seeing the gorgeous images makes me want to dive right in!
About Tamara Kinley
Photo courtesy of Joanna Crittenden
Tamara McKinley is the author of more than eleven novels. She was born in Tasmania, but now lives in Sussex and Cornwall and writes full time. Her novels are both contemporary and historical. Tamara also writes under the name Ellie Dean.
You can follow Tamara McKinley on Twitter and on her web site.
Win a copy of ‘Echoes from Afar’ (UK entrants only) here
There is much more information about Echoes from Afar on these blogs:
What a beautiful cover, I’ve never been to Paris but I’d love to see the view from the top of The Eiffel tower.
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We went on our honeymoon to Paris and then returned for our silver wedding so it holds fond memories for us. Good luck in the giveaway Jan.
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Haven’t been to Paris in many years, but it was Sacre Coeur that made the greatest impression…
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We were there last for the final of the Tour de France and saw Chris Froome win. Seemed strange hearing the national anthem in the middle of Paris! Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’ve read so many great books set in Paris, I’d like to visit Notre Dame, the history and mystery around the building and gargoyles would be quite atmospheric. Great post, thanks for the chance on the giveaway.
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Catacombs of Paris
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Oh! Never been there. Good luck with the giveaway Paula.
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We went to Paris years ago for my husbands birthday. The food left lasting memories for me
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So much good food in Paris! Good luck in the giveaway Tracy.
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The Louvre
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Good luck in the giveaway Margaret!
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I’ve never been to Paris so I’m not sure, but I would love to go with my hubby one day!
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Have never been to Paris but would love to go one day with my hubby!
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Well I hope you make it Katherine. Good luck in the giveaway!
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Hopefully you’ll get there one day. Good luck in the giveaway!
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I’d love to float along the River Seine on a lovely boat trip..
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I’ve never been to Paris but would love to sit in a cafe by the Seine and watch the Parisians. People watching in Paris! What fun!
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A nice glass of champagne would go well with that activity! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Sounds like a plan to me! Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’d love to go and wander around Paris
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I hope you get to do that Denise. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Have been lucky enough to visit most of main sites in Paris but always enjoy a leisurely river cruise, especially on a lovely sunny day
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Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for dropping by.
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Me too Karen. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Musee D’Orsay for me!
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Great choice. Good luck in the giveaway Angi!
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I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower again.
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I hope you get to do so Claire. Good luck in the giveaway.
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The markets , churches and the river are what keeps drawing me back .
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Great choices Caryn. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’d love to climb the Eiffell Tower xx
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Might be easier to take the lift! Good luck in the giveaway Ruth.
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Would love to see the Louvre
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Oh, great choice Kim. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’ve never been to Paris but after reading A Confectioner’s Tale I’d love to sit and enjoy coffee and patisseries at a cafe along the banks of the Seine
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I hope you get there Su. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Btw, just to let you know, in the Rafflecopter giveaway it says Quescus books, as opposed to Quercus – who I follow anyway as their books are fab! I’d like to explore Montmartre, and go to the Moulin Rouge, and Le Pere Lachaise, as the last time I was there I was mostly taking the kids round Disneyland – that was 19 years ago!
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Oh! Thanks for telling me about the typo – I’ll go and sort it. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I’d love to explore Monmartre
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Oh yes. That is a lovely area. Good luck in the giveaway Sheri.
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I have been to France but never visited the Louvre so this would be where I would love to visit x
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It’s a great place to visit. Good luck in the giveaway.
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It would have to be the Louvre. I’ve been before, but time was restricted and it was all a rush. Would love to be able to spend more time appreciating some of the best art in the world.
Good luck everyone!
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I hope you make it back there with plenty of time. Good luck in the giveaway Adrian.
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I’d love to climb the Eiffel Tower and visit The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles!
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Versailles is stunning, but I think I might take the lift up the tower! Good luck in the giveaway Karen.
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I’d love to visit the Louvre 🙂
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Great choice Victoria. I hope you get there. Good luck in the giveaway
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Eiffel Tower
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Good choice. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Visited Paris years ago. The Sacre Cour and Notre Dam made big impressions on me. Would love to visit the Louvre if I went back as well as these places again.
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I hope you get to visit again soon Karen. Good luck in the giveaway.
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