Shortlisted for First Chapter Prize, Retreat West 2019
Meet Ruby Sixpence, born on a leap day; a spare day in which magic happens. Born in that enchanted crack in time where opportunities, and people like her, slip through. Over the centuries she has nurtured the uncommon art of bringing lovers together, a gift which comes in the same package as aging one year in four. But these gifts come with a price and make her duty bound to play cupid in the lives of reluctant lovers.
Her unorthodox methods are surprising, but she doesn’t always get it right.
In Ruby Sixpence Whistles up a Storm, Ruby is responsible for helping Katie Hope find her perfect man; except that Katie is not in the market for romance; not after the disastrous experience with her bullying ex. Katie has also been promoted into a stressful position at The Haywain in Suffolk and feels ill-equipped to deal with it. Her coping mechanism is to wall herself behind defensive barricades, which Ruby must remove if love is to have any chance.
Then Joe Lawrence strolls into Katie’s life, with a huge nudge from Ruby. As the adored only brother of a female household, Joe is laid back and charming. He is an actor and urban biker, a confirmed commitment-phobe who gets lost easily if he steps outside North London. He doesn’t understand the point of all this countryside; it just makes him sneeze.
Joe is determined not to get involved with this twee little place in the middle of nowhere. Then he meets Katie and is intrigued. Like him, she comes from Camden but is hiding out amongst the sheep and seems to be stressed by it all. She is drowning in a tsunami of paperwork, and the centre looks like it might close without funding. On the plus side, the kids are great to work with and the ‘caretaker,’ Ruby Sixpence is an extraordinary character who shares his passion for his beloved motorbike. If only he didn’t hate the countryside and hanker to get back to London, he might find this place quite fun. Katie however, seems to view him as a pointless distraction, and it would be remiss of him not to rise to the challenge.
With the stage set, Ruby stirs the pot behind the scenes and whistles up a storm.
Her unorthodox methods are surprising, but she doesn’t always get it right.
In Ruby Sixpence Whistles up a Storm, Ruby is responsible for helping Katie Hope find her perfect man; except that Katie is not in the market for romance; not after the disastrous experience with her bullying ex. Katie has also been promoted into a stressful position at The Haywain in Suffolk and feels ill-equipped to deal with it. Her coping mechanism is to wall herself behind defensive barricades, which Ruby must remove if love is to have any chance.
Then Joe Lawrence strolls into Katie’s life, with a huge nudge from Ruby. As the adored only brother of a female household, Joe is laid back and charming. He is an actor and urban biker, a confirmed commitment-phobe who gets lost easily if he steps outside North London. He doesn’t understand the point of all this countryside; it just makes him sneeze.
Joe is determined not to get involved with this twee little place in the middle of nowhere. Then he meets Katie and is intrigued. Like him, she comes from Camden but is hiding out amongst the sheep and seems to be stressed by it all. She is drowning in a tsunami of paperwork, and the centre looks like it might close without funding. On the plus side, the kids are great to work with and the ‘caretaker,’ Ruby Sixpence is an extraordinary character who shares his passion for his beloved motorbike. If only he didn’t hate the countryside and hanker to get back to London, he might find this place quite fun. Katie however, seems to view him as a pointless distraction, and it would be remiss of him not to rise to the challenge.
With the stage set, Ruby stirs the pot behind the scenes and whistles up a storm.
REVIEWS: Ruby Sixpence
‘I love this. The writing here is wonderfully accomplished. Usually starting with a dream would be a big ‘no’ but you make it fresh and intriguing, which is clear demonstration of your skill as a storyteller. An interesting fresh character and concept.’
Sarah Hornsley at The Bent Agency
I absolutely loved it! Definitely the most enjoyable book I’ve read in a long time. A wonderful story, great characters and a real page turner, I finished it in two sittings! Highly recommended.
Sarah Hornsley at The Bent Agency
I absolutely loved it! Definitely the most enjoyable book I’ve read in a long time. A wonderful story, great characters and a real page turner, I finished it in two sittings! Highly recommended.