Secrets of the Lighthouse: A Novel

Brief Description: "Ellen Trawton is running away from it all - quite literally. She is engaged to marry an aristocratic man she doesn't love, she hates her job, and her mother...well, her mother is not a woman to be crossed. So Ellen escapes to the one place she knows her mother won't follow her - to her aunt's cottage on Ireland's dramatic Connemara coast. Once there, she is embraced by a family of aunts, uncles and cousins her mother never mentioned. Her imagination is captured by the picturesque ruins of a lighthouse where, five years earlier, a young mother died in a fire. Locals say she may have been murdered by her husband, Conor Macausland, who abandoned the his castle after his wife's death. Cutting all her ties chic London society, and therefore not knowing about the search for her that has begun, Ellen gives in to Ireland's charm, warmth, and romance, thinking her future may lie where so much of her past has been hidden. Meanwhile, Caitlin Macausland is mourning the future she can never have. After dying in the lighhouse fire, she is unable to move on. She watches her children and her husband, hoping they might see her, that she might feel their love once more. When Caitlin notices Ellen's arrival, she senses her world is about to change. Can she prevent it? Or can she find a way to freedom and happiness, the happiness she sees in the spirit of a little girl who, for some reason, also can't move on? The rugged coastline, tightknit communities, and ancient landmarks of western Ireland provide the backdrop for this story of two women seeking peace and the love they desparately need. For each of them, the key can be found in the secrets of the past, illuminated by the lighthouse"--Review Quotes: "Nobody does epic romance like Santa Montefiore. Everything she writes, she writes from the heart."--Jojo Moyes, author of The Girl You Left BehindMarc Notes: Ellen Trawton is running away from it all - quite literally. She is engaged to marry an aristocratic man she doesn't love, she hates her job, and her mother...well, her mother is not a woman to be crossed. So Ellen escapes to the one place she knows her mother won't follow her - to her aunt's cottage on Ireland's dramatic Connemara coast. Once there, she is embraced by a family of aunts, uncles and cousins her mother never mentioned. Her imagination is captured by the picturesque ruins of a lighthouse where, five years earlier, a young mother died in a fire. Locals say she may have been murdered by her husband, Conor Macausland, who abandoned the his castle after his wife's death. Cutting all her ties chic London society, and therefore not knowing about the search for her that has begun, Ellen gives in to Ireland's charm, warmth, and romance, thinking her future may lie where so much of her past has been hidden. Meanwhile, Caitlin Macausland is mourning the future she can never have. After dying in the lighhouse fire, she is unable to move on. She watches her children and her husband, hoping they might see her, that she might feel their love once more. When Caitlin notices Ellen's arrival, she senses her world is about to change. Can she prevent it? Or can she find a way to freedom and happiness, the happiness she sees in the spirit of a little girl who, for some reason, also can't move on? The rugged coastline, tightknit communities, and ancient landmarks of western Ireland provide the backdrop for this story of two women seeking peace and the love they desparately need. For each of them, the key can be found in the secrets of the past, illuminated by the lighthouse--; Provided by publisher. Publisher Marketing: Set in Ireland on the wild coast of Connemara, this hauntingly romantic novel tells the story of a young woman who goes in search of her family's past and ends up discovering her future. Ellen Trawton is running away from it all. She hates her job, she doesn't love the aristocratic man to whom she is engaged, and her relationship with her controlling mother is becoming increasingly strained. So Ellen leaves London, fleeing to the one place she knows her mother won't find her, her aunt's cottage in Connemara. Cutting all her ties with chic London society, Ellen gives in to Ireland's charm and warmth, thinking her future may lie where so much of her past has been hidden. Her imagination is soon captured by the compelling ruins of a lighthouse where, five years earlier, a young mother died in a fire. The ghost of the young wife, Caitlin, haunts the nearby castle, mourning the future she can never have there. Unable to move on, she watches her husband and children, hoping they might see her and feel her love once more. But she doesn't anticipate her husband falling in love again. Can she prevent it? Or can she let go and find a way to freedom and happiness? The ruggedly beautiful Connemara coastline with its tightknit community of unforgettable characters provides the backdrop for this poignant story of two women seeking the peace and love they desperately need. For each, the key will be found in the secrets of the past, illuminated by the lighthouse. Review Citations:

Booklist 09/01/2014 pg. 46 (EAN 9781476735399, Open Ebook)

Library Journal Prepub Alert 03/15/2014 pg. 96 (EAN 9781476735375, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 06/09/2014 (EAN 9781476735375, Hardcover)

Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2014 (EAN 9781476735375, Hardcover)

People Weekly 08/25/2014 pg. 43 (EAN 9781476735375, Hardcover)

Booklist 09/01/2014 pg. 46 (EAN 9781476735375, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Montefiore, Santa Born in England in 1970, Santa Montefiore grew up in Hampshire. She is married to historian Simon Sebag Montefiore. They live with their two children, Lily and Sasha, in London. Visit her at www.santamontefiore.co.uk.