‘A Secret at the Cottage by the Loch’ by Kennedy Kerr | @bookouture | #booksontour #extract

A little something different on the blog today as I join the blog tour for ‘A Secret at the Cottage by the Loch‘ by Kennedy Kerr. I have an extract to share for your reading pleasure but first, here at the all-important bookish bits.

Author : Kennedy Kerr
Title : A Secret at the Cottage by the Loch
Series : Loch Cameron #2
Pages : 325
Publisher : Bookouture
Publication date : April 24, 2023

| ABOUT THE BOOK |

When thirty-seven-year-old Liz Parsons first sets eyes on the cosy, whitewashed cottage perched on the edge of the loch, she feels the knot in her chest begin to unwind. After a terrible tragedy and sudden break-up, she’s looking forward to putting the past behind her and focusing on her new job running the tiny Loch Cameron Whisky Distillery, nestled between the highland hills.

With the villagers welcoming her with open arms, she meets ruggedly handsome distillery owner Ben Douglas and feels inspired by his passion for the history of the local area. Although Liz and Ben have very different ideas for the future of the business, their hectic days spill over into long walks exploring the wild landscape, and Liz feels lighter for the first time in months.

When Ben confesses he is considering selling his family’s legacy, Liz is desperate to change his mind. The small community relies on the distillery for jobs and tourism, and she can’t let her newfound friends lose their livelihoods.

But just as she hears whispers in town that there’s more to Ben’s story, she receives a letter at the cottage that could change her future. The thick paper and faded postmark are a heart-wrenching reminder of the life she left behind.

Can she trust Ben with the shocking truth about her past? Or will she be forced to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and run away from Loch Cameron forever?

| EXTRACT |

PROLOGUE

I just don’t want a baby this much, Paul had said to her. I want you, Liz. But I can’t do this anymore. 

What? She hadn’t believed it, at first. But, as she looked in his eyes, she could see he was speaking from the heart. 

But I thought you wanted a baby, she’d said, not believing what was happening. I did. I do. But not like this. The arguments. The silences. I constantly feel like I’ve… failed. Because I can’t give you what you want, he’d answered, dully. 

She had tried to wrap his arms around her, the way she used to. But he’d pulled away. Don’t. I can’t.

It’s the hormones, she’d said, starting to cry. I’m not myself. I know I’ve put on weight, and… The tears started rolling down her face. Please. Please don’t leave me. And, it’s not you. It’s me. I’m the infertile one.

Yeah, but it’s both of us that are in this. And it’s nothing to do with your weight, Paul had said with a sigh. I love you whatever size you are. And I love you when you’re moody and snappy and when you cry. But I can’t live with seeing what this is doing to you anymore. You’re suffering too much, and I just don’t think it’s worth it. And… and I can’t take it anymore. If we knew for sure it would work this time… He trailed off.

But we can’t know that, Liz finished his sentence, and he nodded. 

Yeah.

She and Paul had been about to start a fourth round of IVF, and Liz’s doctor had put the decision in their hands. Many people conceived in the first two or three rounds, she had said, but there was still a good chance that you could have a baby on your sixth or seventh round. That had been the day before. She and Paul had signed the paperwork in the doctor’s office: as far as Liz knew, Paul was as committed as she was to another round. 

Until today.

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Well … way to kick off your Monday morning, eh? Tissues anyone?

However, I’m told this is an “uplifting story of hope and healing”, so if you’d like to find out more you can do so by clicking this nifty link right HERE.

| ABOUT THE AUTHOR |