THE GIRL WITHOUT A NAME

Nearly 70 years ago, on August 15, 1952, a devastating flash flood nearly destroyed the village of Lynmouth on the coast of North Devon. Among the dead was a young woman, who was never identified.

That was the starting point for my new novel, which publishes on November 5. Who was she? What had led to her being there? What had happened to her before that terrible night? Recreating the life of this unnamed girl led me back to WW2 and made me question the impact that dreadful events can have on a person’s ability to develop and sustain lasting relationships. Can all scars heal or do deep wounds continue to fester?

I hope I have done justice to the real life story, honoured those who suffered at that time and stimulated thoughts about how people can recover from disaster.

THE GIRL WITH THE SCARLET RIBBON

She’s been out in the big wide world a week. And now she’s a best seller. Very excited to see her fly.

THE GIRL WITH THE SCARLET RIBBON

Fabulous publication day flowers, including roses, which Gabriella falls in love with in the Rose Garden in Florence, just before a terrible confrontation with the horrors of the war.

THE GIRL WITH THE SCARLET RIBBON

Such an exciting week! First red roses, then the arrival of my new book. Always such a thrill to hold the printed copy in my hands.

THE GIRL WITH THE SCARLET RIBBON

Back when the world was free to travel, I went to Florence to find a story….and here it is…I had an adventure discovering this beautiful city and another adventure writing this during the UK lockdown in the spring of 2021. I hope readers will enjoy travelling back to an invaded city with a past.

MY NAME IS EVA

Is it time for another bookcase? The international editions of MY NAME IS EVA are stacking up! So far, Russian, German, Italian, Romanian, plus the US and UK paperbacks. So exciting to see different versions of my first book with Bookouture.

THE SHUT AWAY SISTERS

I’m thrilled to read the following words in a very sympathetic review written by Fiona Alison for the Historical Novel Society:’Although Kate’s contemporary work-life sections are drawn-out at times, her delicate care over what fragments of her aunts’ lives to preserve, and her interactions with long-time neighbours about the reclusive siblings, is heartfelt. There is an ordinary everydayness to the author’s story, which is very moving, and the fate of the many spinsters left behind by the Great War resounds through the book’s poignant title.’

THE SHUT AWAY SISTERS

It is so encouraging to read reviews from the blog tour for this book, confirming that readers are understanding why this story had to be told. I’m very grateful to all the reviewers, like Fireflies and Freekicks Fiction Reviews who said:

‘This is probably the longest review I have written. I have so much more to say about this book, because each time I think about it, I find some other parallel, or something else that struck me.

I guess that’s the sign of a really good book – it continues to make you think long after the last page has been read. This definitely qualifies.’

THE SHUT-AWAY SISTERS

Publication day is tomorrow, June 29, but early reviews are appearing and make me feel the hard work has all been worthwhile. So encouraging to read comments such as:

‘My first Suzanne Goldring novel and I hope it’s not my last! I loved this story, I cried in places and was so hopeful in others. A wonderful read.’ Karen Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

MY NAME IS EVA

The beautiful German edition arrived this week with an even longer title that the original had – typical Germans! It translates as The Three Lives of the Honourable Mrs Evelyn Taylor-Clarke.

THE SHUT AWAY SISTERS

I’m excited by the cover makeover for The Shut Away Sisters, out on June 29. I’ve been longing to tell this story, grounded in family history I heard as a child.