Today is my stop on the blog tour for Forest Dancer and my review of this lovely story is belowGenre: Romantic Suspense
Publication Date: 20 February 2018
Publisher: Crooked Cat Books
It’s a long way to go to create a new life for yourself.
Classical ballerina, Flora Gatehouse, has no choice but to take a risk. Having failed an
important ballet audition in London, she moves to a small cottage in a forest just outside
Lisbon, Portugal, her only inheritance following her father’s death.
Soon, Flora is involved in village life, where fate takes a new twist when she becomes
attracted to forest ranger, Marco. But they are off to a shaky start.
Can Flora find acceptance in a foreign land, in a magical place that harbours secrets and
heartache?
Classical ballerina, Flora Gatehouse, has no choice but to take a risk. Having failed an
important ballet audition in London, she moves to a small cottage in a forest just outside
Lisbon, Portugal, her only inheritance following her father’s death.
Soon, Flora is involved in village life, where fate takes a new twist when she becomes
attracted to forest ranger, Marco. But they are off to a shaky start.
Can Flora find acceptance in a foreign land, in a magical place that harbours secrets and
heartache?
Set in the rolling hills of Portugal the picturesque village of Aurora is the place where
Flora's father owned a cottage. But Flora receives a shock when she discovers that a
family are already living there.
This is the first of many surprises for Flora as she tries to help the family and their young
daughter who is ill. She is wary of the father Marco, who is arrogant and sullen with no sense
of humour and they don't hit it off at first due to some misunderstandings.
The style of writing is very simply told as Flora is drawn more and more into village life, there
are magical standing stones, colourful characters, a weird and annoying little pet bird, a TV
star who wants Flora for his own needs, and a captivating forest.
I really loved Flora's life in the village and this magical story.
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Flora's father owned a cottage. But Flora receives a shock when she discovers that a
family are already living there.
This is the first of many surprises for Flora as she tries to help the family and their young
daughter who is ill. She is wary of the father Marco, who is arrogant and sullen with no sense
of humour and they don't hit it off at first due to some misunderstandings.
The style of writing is very simply told as Flora is drawn more and more into village life, there
are magical standing stones, colourful characters, a weird and annoying little pet bird, a TV
star who wants Flora for his own needs, and a captivating forest.
I really loved Flora's life in the village and this magical story.
EXTRACT
Two saplings had fallen, perhaps in a recent storm, and one had caught between two
larger trees creating a perfect barre at exactly the right height. How could she resist?
Especially as she hadn’t worked out for several days and her muscles would already
be weakening.
A blackbird screeched a warning (reminding her of the Ballet Master) as she began to
warm up her neck, shoulders and arms before moving in to pliés, ensuring that her
back remained straight.
The forest was alive, a living being. The light leaking through the upper foliage was
golden, an autumnal glow that was filled with dancing seeds, gossamer webs and
tiny flies. It brought to mind the music the taxi driver had played on their way to Aurora.
The melody of The Moody Blues’ Forever Autumn once again filled her mind, and
again she imagined herself dancing in a floaty fine tunic amid falling leaves of all
shades and hues of autumn. She worked through the routine of tendus and degagés
as the music played in her head. She slowed into a final deep stretch, touching her toes.
How good it felt to exercise her muscles again.
As she straightened, ready to try the routine again, her attention was caught by a
movement, and she was in time to see a figure in the trees slide into the shadows.
“Marco?” she said, her voice low.
He came into the clearing and gave her a small nod.
“Were you watching me?”
He looked away. “Maybe.”
MEET THE AUTHOR
Susan Roebuck was born and bred in the soft south of the UK but was exported to Portugal
after meeting her husband in London. She now lives overlooking the mighty Tagus River
which is a wonderful source of inspiration.
after meeting her husband in London. She now lives overlooking the mighty Tagus River
which is a wonderful source of inspiration.
She loves being in her adopted country and believes that Portugal has a huge heart, which
the world should know more about. Portugal also doesn’t appear in many English-language
novels and Susan hopes that, now, that will change.
the world should know more about. Portugal also doesn’t appear in many English-language
novels and Susan hopes that, now, that will change.
“Forest Dancer” is her fourth novel but it is her second one set in Portugal (in the forests
near Lisbon).
near Lisbon).
“Rising Tide” was her first book (third one published) set in Portugal, in a tiny fishing village
on the beautiful, rugged Alentejo coast. One of the themes of this book is man against the sea.
on the beautiful, rugged Alentejo coast. One of the themes of this book is man against the sea.
They are both contemporary romance/suspense stories.
Her first novel was “Perfect Score”, set in 1960s USA and is a LGBT romance/suspense
covering many social issues of the time – including having to cope with dyslexia.
covering many social issues of the time – including having to cope with dyslexia.
“Hewhay Hall” is a dark fantasy which won the EPIC (Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition)
Award in 2013 in their horror category.
Award in 2013 in their horror category.
Do pop over to any of her social media sites and say hello. Susan loves to hear from readers.
Twitter: : https://twitter.com/sueroebuck
Blog and Website: http://www.susanroebuck.com
GIVEAWAY!
1st Prize: A signed paperback copy of the book
(Europe/UK only) or
(Europe/UK only) or
2nd Prize: An ecopy of the book (2 prize winners outside
UK/Europe)
UK/Europe)
3rd Prize: A £10 Amazon gift token (open internationally)
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