Heartwarming and heartbreaking collide in this novel about the expectations and the realities of relationships.
They seem to have it all. They’re in good health and are financially secure. They live in a pleasant and comfortable town. But as their lives intertwine, cracks emerge and restlessness grows.
For Clive, is retirement the beginning of the end? Can fun-loving Saskia break free from her adulterous husband? Will Andy marry his childhood sweetheart? Is Jamie prepared to change his dishonest ways? Might Ellie’s happy marriage be shattered by temptation?
Targeted Age Group:: 18+
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
The idea for 'The bench by Cromer beach' came from seeing a line of benches on the promenade in this sleepy English holiday resort. I was drawn to one man peering down and imagined a situation where what he thought he was observing was far removed from the reality.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
I needed five main characters with contrasting personalities, ages, gender and backgrounds. Initially strangers, towards the end of the novel they have to meet. This was the challenge – what would the common factors be to make this flow well?
Book Sample
‘Do I give up everything?’ Saskia called out.
There was no one to answer her question; no one even to hear it; no one to see her apart from a scattering of distant dog walkers across the beach. She looked back towards the town that she loathed. Such a trivial place. Today everyone would be in their sad little cottages, sipping that awful English tea with added milk, watching some wannabe celebrity show. Or maybe huddled together staring out to sea like the old couple she could see on the clifftop. At least they had the spirit to be outdoors.
Links to Purchase Print Books
Link to Buy The bench by Cromer beach Print Edition at Amazon
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Link To Buy The bench by Cromer beach On Amazon
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Author Bio:
R J Gould lives in Cambridge, England. He is the author of five novels – A Street Café Named Desire, The Engagement Party, Jack and Jill Went Downhill, Mid-life follies, and The bench by Cromer beach. He has been published by Headline Accent and Lume Books. His writing provides a male take on Romance, using humour and poignancy to describe his characters' tragi-comic journeys in search of love. He is a member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors. In addition to writing he plays tennis and has a mild addiction to dried mango slices.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and, being a Norfolk gal, could relate to Cromer and the surrounding area. I like Richard’s style of writing and the way he captures the characters, all of whom I’m sure I’ve met at various times in my life! 😁