Thank you for joining me today I'm delighted to be one of the stops on the blog tour for Fox Halt Farm by Celia Moore. I'm delighted to be sharing my review, an extract and there is also a fab giveaway to enter.
First of all though let's take a look at the description for the book...
First of all though let's take a look at the description for the book...
Genre: Romance
Release Date: 1st November 2017
FOX HALT FARM is a compelling love story set over two decades with a backdrop of atmospheric Dartmoor, Devon. Perfect for fans of ROMANCE - this is a powerful and CAPTIVATING READ.
Opening on a cliff edge, Billy finds herself alone and betrayed. She believes everyone and everything she loves is threatened.
Richard’s world is aglow with wealth, love and unswerving family loyalty but then his perfect life crosses Billy’s. He could save Billy, her beloved dairy cows and Fox Halt Farm but this young woman isn’t in the mood to be rescued.
Nothing will stay the same. Should they trust each other? Will their secrets tear their lives apart?
Fox Halt Farm is going to be hard to put down. The story cracks along and you are caught up in Celia Moore’s vivid storytelling from the start. If you love novels by Jill Mansell, Maeve Binchy and Danielle Steel you will love this too!
Billy and Richard's story will tug on your heart-strings. This novel is emotive, enthralling and so real - this is what could happen when two very different worlds collide.
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On special offer until 1st December! Only 99p!
On special offer until 1st December! Only 99p!
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first picked up Fox Halt Farm although in a way I didn't expect to feel as much as an emotional pull as I did. The story is written in a way that the reader becomes completely immersed in the characters lives and their problems. The story covers quite a few years so Celia Moore has given us plenty of time to get to know them quite well. The story follows Billy and various other characters who's lives all become entwined together due to certain events. It isn't all plain sailing for these characters especially for Billy but I guess life isn't all sunshine and roses for anyone. There are plenty of ups and downs for them and it really ends up making the story come even more from the heart. It's safe to say that the characters have their flaws but to be honest this made them feel more realistic. I didn't necessarily agree with all their decisions and had to shake my head at them a few times but life isn't straightforward and mistakes can be made.
The story itself was really engaging and I enjoyed the fact that it spans quite a long period of time, sometimes the story jumped in time ranging from days, months to years. On occasion this did catch me by surprise and I had to go back and check the date that was given within the chapter. However I also thought that this was a good tool for moving the plot along and helped to keep things fresh. The setting of the Fox Halt Farm is wonderful and even though the story isn't always entirely set there you can feel the love that Billy and her family have for the place. There are hopes and fears for it's future in an uncertain time where farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to hold onto their livelihoods. There are secrets, lies and on occasion deceit that make this story entertaining along with the mention of real life events that impact on the characters lives.
When reading Fox Halt Farm there are emotional and heartfelt moments along with plenty of drama but also love within the story too!
Four stars from me!
With thanks to Brook Cottage Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
EXTRACT
PART ONE
CHAPTER 1
RICHARD MARCFENN
(SATURDAY 12 JULY 1986)
There must be at least twenty irregular steps to negotiate before we reach our
honeymoon hotel. I can see that my petite wife is wishing that she hadn’t worn
her million dollar heels, which were never fashioned for this unforgiving terrain.
I catch something in the edge of my vision. I screw my head towards Janette,
‘Did you see that? Darling! Did you see?’
‘No. What?’ She is still focused on the steps.
‘I thought I saw something falling,’ I point at the jagged headland and I tell
her, ‘I must check it out!’
Straightaway, I abandon my wife and charge ahead to the edge of the cliff.
My eyes are scrutinising the white beach far below. Nothing…
I search harder. I feel exhausted. The journey to this remote Greek island was
so much longer than we expected and leaving straight from our wedding was
definitely a mistake.
Concentrate! My straining eyes pick up the tiniest movement, or maybe my
ears sense the faintest noise. I am aware of something, a laugh maybe?
As I make out a small indistinct shape at the bottom of the cliff, my heart pumps
my blood too fast. A vein throbs in the middle of my forehead and I mouth
horrified questions to no-one, ‘A child? Did they fall?’
I think I hear the haunting noise again, the ghost of another laugh?
*
Janette is watching me from the verandah of the hotel. She is with a tall woman,
whose white skin is shadowed by a straw hat. My wife swipes a wayward strand
of her hair away from her face, while her companion links her fingers over a
pregnant bump. As I run back, I see a young man approaching them - a native
islander with a confident swagger. I shout but they can't hear me.
When they do understand, the man straightaway nods towards a steep path
leading to the beach below, ‘I come with you,’ He barks before yelling back at
the pregnant woman, ‘Get someone with boat there!’
‘Okay.’ From the tone of her reply it is difficult to know if she is willing, or
bored?
Janette's doe eyes look frightened, she tells me, ‘Sorry Rich, that path is too
precarious. I can’t come with you. Be careful luvva.’
I kiss her, ‘I’ll be fine, please don't worry. I love you!’
Celia Moore was born in Devon, England, and grew up on a farm. Celia left the farm to have a successful career as a Chartered Surveyor working in the City district of London.
In 2000 she left the office life behind to start a new adventure of becoming an outdoor instructor and taught rock climbing, mountaineering, canoeing and even skiing, archery, rifle shooting and mountain biking. She managed an outdoor residential centre until she met her husband and now she is concentrating on gardening for a few lovely customers, running and writing.
Born fifty years ago this year, Celia has been creative ever since - from explaining why there are no chocolate biscuits left when visitors arrive, to writing glowing particulars for ugly properties; from encouraging people to have a go at a scary abseil, oil painting and writing. Celia loves it all but especially the gardening, running and the writing!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiascosmos/
GIVEAWAY
£20 / $20 AMAZON VOUCHER
I think the cover is enticing; congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteLisa - You don't know what your words 'the cover is enticing' mean to me - I have battled a long journey full of doubt and asked so many people for their opinions - I feel like I have stepped away from the norm here but I was desperate for a cover to reflect the story. THANK YOU x Celia
ReplyDeleteHello Rae - I feel so privileged that you have taken part in my blog tour and I appreciate every word of your review above. Thank you for taking the time to read my debut novel and writing about it x
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, it's a wonderful story xx
DeleteI love the cover and the beautiful warm colors!
ReplyDelete