Thursday 30 June 2022

New Publication Spotlight: The Sweetheart Locket by Jen Gilroy


The Sweetheart Locket by Jen Gilroy

What if the key to your present lies in the past?

London, 1939
On the eve of the Second World War, Canadian Maggie Wyndham defies her family and stays in England to do her bit for the war effort. Torn between two countries, two men and living a life of lies working for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), Maggie's RAF sweetheart locket is part of who she is...and who she isn't.

San Francisco, 2019
Over twenty years after Maggie's death, her daughter Millie and granddaughter Willow take a DNA test that's supposed to be a bit of fun but instead yields unexpected results. Willow has always treasured her grandmother's sweetheart locket, both family heirloom and a symbol of her grandparents' love story. But now she doesn't know what to believe. She embarks on a search for the truth, one she doesn't know will reveal far more about herself...

A gripping and heart-breaking dual timeline novel about love, loss and buried secrets, The Sweetheart Locket is perfect for fans of Lorna Cook, Rachel Hore and Suzanne Kelman.

An heirloom locket and how gifted DNA throws up questions about your existence. Set in both England and California, we follow one woman’s journey to find the truth. With a dual timeline, and written from multiple points of view, this is a beautifully written story of discovery and buried family secrets.

When the results for her and her mother’s DNA tests are received, Willow is shocked to discover her heritage isn’t what she thought. The fact, her mother, Millie doesn’t want to discuss the findings makes her suspicious and spurs her to find out the truth. Therefore, she decides to use some of her time on a scheduled work trip to London, to find out more about her beloved late grandmother… with surprising results.

This evocative and absorbing novel instantly draws you in. The author has written about strong women and how they have manoeuvred around and overcome obstacles in their lives. Maggie’s story in particular is heart-wrenching, as the author tells us how this young woman defied her family and stayed in England at the beginning of World War Two, to help in the war effort. Full of poignant detail, it highlights the difficult decisions people have dealt with and the sacrifices made. It also sheds light on how these decisions shaped lives and the relationships they formed with their families… and the resulting consequences.

Full of insight, this is a truly delightful story spanning three generations. Grandmother, daughter and granddaughter; all are fascinating characters creating a truly enlightening novel.

***arc generously received courtesy of Orion Dash via NetGalley***


UniversalAmazon link

Other links (Apple, GooglePlay & Kobo) via Hachette

Jen Gilroy writes sweet contemporary romance and dual timeline historical women’s fiction—warm, feel-good stories to bring readers’ hearts home.

A Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist and shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon award, Amazon named her third book, 'Back Home at Firefly Lake,' a 'Best Book of the Month: Romance' in December 2017.

A dual British-Canadian citizen, Jen lived in England for many years and earned a doctorate (with a focus on British cultural studies and social history) from University College London. Returning to where her Irish family roots run deep, she now lives with her husband, teenage daughter and floppy-eared rescue hound in small-town Eastern Ontario, Canada.

When not writing, she enjoys reading, ice cream, ballet and paddling her purple kayak.

Visit Jen online at www.jengilroy.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JenGilroy1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenGilroyAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen.gilroyauthor/

Giveaway to Win 2 x Kindle copies of The Sweetheart Locket (Open to UK / Canada)

*Terms and Conditions –UK & Canada entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.


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