Your Subtitle text
The House On The Shore - Victoria Howard
The House On The Shore
Victoria Howard
ISBN: 9781935407249
Vanilla Heart Publishing
Reviewed By Renee Washburn
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
Anna MacDonald is looking to start over. She’s just been passed over for a promotion that she’s eagerly awaited – and, to make matters worse, her own boyfriend is the supervisor that snubbed her. To top it all off, the lucky recipient of her desired position just happens to be – of all things – his new lover…ouch…
So, in an effort to wipe the slate clean, she retreats to the Scottish shore, establishing her new residence in an old, yet sturdy house owned by her grandparents. Her only plans? Soak up the splendor of her rustic surroundings and fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Joined by her trusty Border collies, Ensay and Rhona, Anna couldn’t ask for a more opportune chance to start fresh while mending the broken pieces of her still-aching heart.
Little does she know, though, she won’t have the chance to enjoy her solitude for long. Shortly after her arrival, she makes the acquaintance of the handsome, charming Luke, a successful artist from across the pond, and the chemistry between the two of them can’t be denied for long. Soon caught up in the throes of a passionate love affair, Anna appears to be on the cusp of lasting happiness – but, alas, she eventually learns that bliss and trouble are often flip sides of the same coin, and when an unseen stranger begins escalating his efforts to end her life, she’s suddenly thrust in the midst of a sinister mystery that leaves her wondering just who wants her dead – and why…
The House On The Shore is an enjoyable read. In it, Victoria Howard presents a well-crafted page turner that unfolds at just the right pace, ensuring that the reader’s attention is held captive with each new mysterious development. Howard also does a commendable job of infusing her characters with vivid, palpable personality, framing their inclinations and reactions in the three-dimensional, thus making it easy for readers to relate to them in very real, practical terms.
A quick but compelling read, The House On The Shore is a can’t miss suspense thriller with a surprisingly potent punch, and one that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Victoria Howard (The House On The Shore)
Apex Reviews: Victoria, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Victoria Howard: Thank you so much for asking me to join you.
AR: In the book, you go into great detail when describing the Scottish topography where the story takes place. What about Scotland inspired you to base the tale there?
VH: I spent twenty years of my life living in Scotland, and, during that time, travelled the length and breadth of the country. It’s a country of contrasts. On the one hand, you have the stunningly beautiful scenery, and on the other you have cities seeped in history and tradition.
I knew I wanted to set my second novel there, but I needed an idea on which to base my novel. I had firsthand knowledge of the offshore oil industry and decided to use that as the basis of my plot.
In the late 1970s, early 1980s, there was a great deal of oil and gas exploration taking place in the North Sea, and construction yards were being built all over the country. One such yard was built on the shore of Loch Kishorn, a deep water sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. I tried to imagine how the occupants of the three small settlements on the shore, known collectively as Kishorn, must have felt when the Highland Council granted permission for Howard Doris to use the loch as a construction facility for offshore oil platforms. And, thus, the premise for The House on the Shore was born.
AR: Our reviewer mentioned just how vivid and palpable your characters' personalities are. Was it difficult for you to craft them in such a way?
VH: A strong plot is nothing without equally strong characters, so I work hard on making my characters three-dimensional. By that I mean I give them a background. To do this I ask myself questions. How would I react in such a situation? What does he/she want most in life? What’s stopping him/her achieving that goal? What motivates them? I also give them strengths and vulnerabilities; in other words, I know what makes them tick.
I would recommend that any first time author reads Debra Dixon’s book, ‘Goal, Motivation and Conflict.’ It’s a great tool for creating strong, believable characters.
AR: Please explain for our readers what "Dha Shealladh" is.
VH: ‘Dha Shealladh’ is the Gaelic term for a ‘seer’ or someone who possesses the ‘second sight’, the ability to foresee events. Highlanders are famous for the gift and believe strongly in its existence. To some it is a burden, to others a gift. It is usually passed down from generation to generation, but there are instances where it is not inherited.
The most famous seer of all, The Brahan Seer, is said to have predicted, among other things, the building of the Caledonia Canal that runs between Loch Ness and the town of Inverness.
AR: Also, for those who don't know, please expound on the historical event known as "the Clearances."
VH: The Highland Clearances are an infamous period in Scottish History. It’s the cruel story of how the Highland people were driven from their homes by unscrupulous landlords. The Clearances largely took place between the 1770s and 1850s. The Highland way of life ended with the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the battle of Culloden, when the British Government acted to break the resistance of the Gaelic Society. Highlanders could no longer wear tartan, meet in public, speak Gaelic - even playing the bagpipes was against the law. Much of the clan land was seized and placed in the hands of absentee landlords who wanted to replace the old system of crofts with more profitable ventures, such as sheep farming. People were driven from their homes; some chose to settle on the poorer land at the coast, others emigrated to America and Canada.
AR: Is Luke genuinely as good a guy as he seems?
VH: Yes. He has a strong sense of what is right and wrong and hates to see anyone being bullied. He’s also a very caring person and loves deeply. He’s the sort of person you want around in a crisis because he’d be calm and put other’s safety above his own.
AR: Given all that she goes through, it can definitely be said that - if nothing else - Anna is a fighter. Where does she get her indomitable spirit from?
VH: Anna’s grandparents had, perhaps, the biggest influence on her life. It takes determination and a strong will to live in a remote glen, even in this day and age. You have to learn to be self-sufficient and to plan ahead. You can’t just pop out to the shops when you run out of sugar - not when the nearest supermarket is 50 miles away! I also think being sent to boarding school made Anna independent from an early age.
AR: What kinds of reactions have you gotten to the book thus far?
VH: Beta-reader response has been very positive, and I’ve received some good reviews. Readers adore the setting and like the strong characters.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing.
VH: My experience with Vanilla Heart has been wonderful, and it’s a pleasure to work with them. A small press based in Everett, Washington, they take great care of their authors. Not only does VHP have a strong web presence, but they also put a great deal of thought and energy into promoting their authors.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
VH: I’m currently working on a third novel, Ring of Lies, set in the steamy heat of Florida. I also have a short story in the “Arm’s Wide Open” Anthology, due to be released under the Vanilla Heart Label in March this year.
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you?
VH: Yes, I do: www.victoriahoward.co.uk. I also have a blog: www.wordpress.com/victoriahoward, and an author’s page on the Vanilla Heart website: www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Victoria_Howard.html
AR: Also, please share your contact information, in case they'd like to reach you directly.
VH: Readers can contact me via the form on my website or by emailing me at enquiries@victoriahoward.co.uk
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
VH: I’d like to thank Apex Reviews for asking me to do this interview. I hope that I’ve piqued your readers’ curiosity sufficiently to make them visit my website and buy the book! And for those writer’s reading this: never give up on your dream.
AR: Thanks again, Victoria, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Victoria Howard
ISBN: 9781935407249
Vanilla Heart Publishing
Reviewed By Renee Washburn
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
Anna MacDonald is looking to start over. She’s just been passed over for a promotion that she’s eagerly awaited – and, to make matters worse, her own boyfriend is the supervisor that snubbed her. To top it all off, the lucky recipient of her desired position just happens to be – of all things – his new lover…ouch…
So, in an effort to wipe the slate clean, she retreats to the Scottish shore, establishing her new residence in an old, yet sturdy house owned by her grandparents. Her only plans? Soak up the splendor of her rustic surroundings and fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Joined by her trusty Border collies, Ensay and Rhona, Anna couldn’t ask for a more opportune chance to start fresh while mending the broken pieces of her still-aching heart.
Little does she know, though, she won’t have the chance to enjoy her solitude for long. Shortly after her arrival, she makes the acquaintance of the handsome, charming Luke, a successful artist from across the pond, and the chemistry between the two of them can’t be denied for long. Soon caught up in the throes of a passionate love affair, Anna appears to be on the cusp of lasting happiness – but, alas, she eventually learns that bliss and trouble are often flip sides of the same coin, and when an unseen stranger begins escalating his efforts to end her life, she’s suddenly thrust in the midst of a sinister mystery that leaves her wondering just who wants her dead – and why…
The House On The Shore is an enjoyable read. In it, Victoria Howard presents a well-crafted page turner that unfolds at just the right pace, ensuring that the reader’s attention is held captive with each new mysterious development. Howard also does a commendable job of infusing her characters with vivid, palpable personality, framing their inclinations and reactions in the three-dimensional, thus making it easy for readers to relate to them in very real, practical terms.
A quick but compelling read, The House On The Shore is a can’t miss suspense thriller with a surprisingly potent punch, and one that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Victoria Howard (The House On The Shore)
Apex Reviews: Victoria, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Victoria Howard: Thank you so much for asking me to join you.
AR: In the book, you go into great detail when describing the Scottish topography where the story takes place. What about Scotland inspired you to base the tale there?
VH: I spent twenty years of my life living in Scotland, and, during that time, travelled the length and breadth of the country. It’s a country of contrasts. On the one hand, you have the stunningly beautiful scenery, and on the other you have cities seeped in history and tradition.
I knew I wanted to set my second novel there, but I needed an idea on which to base my novel. I had firsthand knowledge of the offshore oil industry and decided to use that as the basis of my plot.
In the late 1970s, early 1980s, there was a great deal of oil and gas exploration taking place in the North Sea, and construction yards were being built all over the country. One such yard was built on the shore of Loch Kishorn, a deep water sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. I tried to imagine how the occupants of the three small settlements on the shore, known collectively as Kishorn, must have felt when the Highland Council granted permission for Howard Doris to use the loch as a construction facility for offshore oil platforms. And, thus, the premise for The House on the Shore was born.
AR: Our reviewer mentioned just how vivid and palpable your characters' personalities are. Was it difficult for you to craft them in such a way?
VH: A strong plot is nothing without equally strong characters, so I work hard on making my characters three-dimensional. By that I mean I give them a background. To do this I ask myself questions. How would I react in such a situation? What does he/she want most in life? What’s stopping him/her achieving that goal? What motivates them? I also give them strengths and vulnerabilities; in other words, I know what makes them tick.
I would recommend that any first time author reads Debra Dixon’s book, ‘Goal, Motivation and Conflict.’ It’s a great tool for creating strong, believable characters.
AR: Please explain for our readers what "Dha Shealladh" is.
VH: ‘Dha Shealladh’ is the Gaelic term for a ‘seer’ or someone who possesses the ‘second sight’, the ability to foresee events. Highlanders are famous for the gift and believe strongly in its existence. To some it is a burden, to others a gift. It is usually passed down from generation to generation, but there are instances where it is not inherited.
The most famous seer of all, The Brahan Seer, is said to have predicted, among other things, the building of the Caledonia Canal that runs between Loch Ness and the town of Inverness.
AR: Also, for those who don't know, please expound on the historical event known as "the Clearances."
VH: The Highland Clearances are an infamous period in Scottish History. It’s the cruel story of how the Highland people were driven from their homes by unscrupulous landlords. The Clearances largely took place between the 1770s and 1850s. The Highland way of life ended with the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the battle of Culloden, when the British Government acted to break the resistance of the Gaelic Society. Highlanders could no longer wear tartan, meet in public, speak Gaelic - even playing the bagpipes was against the law. Much of the clan land was seized and placed in the hands of absentee landlords who wanted to replace the old system of crofts with more profitable ventures, such as sheep farming. People were driven from their homes; some chose to settle on the poorer land at the coast, others emigrated to America and Canada.
AR: Is Luke genuinely as good a guy as he seems?
VH: Yes. He has a strong sense of what is right and wrong and hates to see anyone being bullied. He’s also a very caring person and loves deeply. He’s the sort of person you want around in a crisis because he’d be calm and put other’s safety above his own.
AR: Given all that she goes through, it can definitely be said that - if nothing else - Anna is a fighter. Where does she get her indomitable spirit from?
VH: Anna’s grandparents had, perhaps, the biggest influence on her life. It takes determination and a strong will to live in a remote glen, even in this day and age. You have to learn to be self-sufficient and to plan ahead. You can’t just pop out to the shops when you run out of sugar - not when the nearest supermarket is 50 miles away! I also think being sent to boarding school made Anna independent from an early age.
AR: What kinds of reactions have you gotten to the book thus far?
VH: Beta-reader response has been very positive, and I’ve received some good reviews. Readers adore the setting and like the strong characters.
AR: Please share more with our readers about your publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing.
VH: My experience with Vanilla Heart has been wonderful, and it’s a pleasure to work with them. A small press based in Everett, Washington, they take great care of their authors. Not only does VHP have a strong web presence, but they also put a great deal of thought and energy into promoting their authors.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
VH: I’m currently working on a third novel, Ring of Lies, set in the steamy heat of Florida. I also have a short story in the “Arm’s Wide Open” Anthology, due to be released under the Vanilla Heart Label in March this year.
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you?
VH: Yes, I do: www.victoriahoward.co.uk. I also have a blog: www.wordpress.com/victoriahoward, and an author’s page on the Vanilla Heart website: www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/Victoria_Howard.html
AR: Also, please share your contact information, in case they'd like to reach you directly.
VH: Readers can contact me via the form on my website or by emailing me at enquiries@victoriahoward.co.uk
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
VH: I’d like to thank Apex Reviews for asking me to do this interview. I hope that I’ve piqued your readers’ curiosity sufficiently to make them visit my website and buy the book! And for those writer’s reading this: never give up on your dream.
AR: Thanks again, Victoria, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!