In June 2019 Jo published A Cornish Affair with Choc Lit. Later that year, a major health scare saw her writing put on hold for a while, but in the summer of 2020, the first of a new series of romantic suspense novels was published. Shadows on the Water, set on the south coast of Cornwall, became the first of three stories set in the fictitious town of Kingswater, inspired by the towns of Dartmouth and Fowey).
Her latest novel A Kingswater Summer, which has just been published, is the second in the series. Both books can be read as standalone stories. She is now working on the third and final part of the series.
As Jake comes to a difficult decision and sets off for London to sort things out with Rachel, a heart broken Kiera is left to watch helplessly as Chantal puts in place a plan to secure Tom’s inheritance. One that will change Stella’s life for ever.
About the Author
There’s lots going on in the plot of A Kingswater Summer which demands your attention. Just to touch upon a few things, there’s a fight against developers whose plans would change the character of the town, a retired Oscar winning actress having her memorabilia catalogued and the star of a TV show who has split from girlfriend, trying to get her back. I found Kiera a bit stroppy initially but I warmed to her. Jake was also rather irritating to begin with and really took against Kiera. Every time they met there were arguments and misunderstandings.
My thanks to the author for sending me an e-copy of the book for review. A Kingswater Summer is available now in paperback and for e-readers. You can order a copy online here: A Kingswater Summer
JAKE
Jake Paterson is currently staying with Stella after filming the final series of his popular TV drama. He is trying to work out how to get his co-star and long-term girlfriend Rachel Tyler back after she walked out on him. But Jake soon finds himself drawn to Kiera, developing feelings for her that have no place in his life. He realises painful choices will eventually have to be made. And someone is going to get hurt.
It’s intriguing wondering just how everything is going to fit together and what part each character will play. Quite a few secrets are being kept too, adding to the intrigue. This isn’t just a will-they-won’t-they romance. There’s a dark edge of danger posing a threat to some of the characters throughout the book. There’s at least one manipulative character who is a really nasty piece of work. A real love-to-hate-you character right from the start!
TOM
Stella’s godson, hapless Tom Armytage is also staying at Penmarra along with girlfriend Chantal. He dreams of becoming a successful property developer and hopes Chantal’s dynamic presence will boost his ambitions. To impress her he boasts that he is heir to all of Stella’s wealth.
Jo Lambert: Links
My thoughts
Jo Lambert lives on the eastern edge of the city of Bath. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. She has been writing since 2008. Her first five books, a set of linked romantic sagas following the lives of several families in rural West Somerset, were followed in 2015 by Summer Moved On, a contemporary romance set in South Devon. A sequel, Watercolours in the Rain was published 2017.
Set on the south coast of Cornwall, A Kingswater Summer is a story of love, deception, and family secrets…
When she isn’t writing she reads and reviews. She also has an active blog. Jo loves travel, red wine and music from the sixties and beyond. And sometimes she takes the odd photograph…
About the bookA Kingswater Summer is the second of Jo Lambert’s Cornish Coastal Romance trilogy but is easily read as a standalone novel. I read the first book, Shadows on the Water, last year so did recognise some of the characters and it was good to see how life had moved on for them. However, this book firmly focuses on Kiera and Jake. Let’s find out more about them and the rest of the main players.CHANTAL
Chantal Porter is a woman used to getting her own way. Tom is her ideal partner; weak and easily manipulated. Listening to him talk about his inheritance, she likes the idea of being Penmarra’s next mistress. But Stella and Jake’s close relationship gives her cause for concern. Who is he? And could he be a threat to her future ambitions?
Website and blog: https://jolambertauthor.website
Twitter: @jolambertwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jolambert185
Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jo-lambert-6 4644530
Instagram: jolambertwriter185
KIERA
Newly returned from backpacking around Europe, Kiera Merrick has landed a dream job – working for actress Stella Wynter, helping set up a memory room at Penmarra, her beautiful riverside home just outside Kingswater.
A Kingswater Summer is quite a tense read with a strong sense of place and well drawn characters. I have to say that I particularly enjoyed the second part of the book as the drama and sense of danger ramped up. Jo Lambert has blended romance and suspense very well throughout the book resulting in and engaging read. I am looking forward to reading the final part of the trilogy in due course.
