Dangerous Waters has everything – a love story, tragedy, secrets, a couple of mysteries and a beautiful, unique setting. There’s also an element of history and a ‘book within the book’ centered on old recipes.
The Book has been self-published via the the small independent English publisher Matador and is available as eBook and Paperback - 312 pages - released in April 2012.
About the Book
The novel is set on the little island of Guernsey situated between England and France. Although part of the British Channel Islands, the island has a strong French influence and this is still apparent today with lots of French names. The islands were also unique in being the only parts of Britain which were occupied during WWII and my story, in part, refers to this time.
The story revolves around Jeanne Le Page, a thirty-something, who returns to Guernsey after an absence of 15 years. She had left in a hurry after a family tragedy and went to live with an aunt in the UK. She now has to return as her grandmother has died and left her a cottage. Jeanne doesn’t plan to stay long, just sell the cottage and go. She’s feeling bereft by the end of a long-term relationship and is rather lost.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
However, she finds that the cottage holds a long-buried secret and while Jeanne unearths the details she also begins to discover what really happened to her family. She was involved in the accident but suffered traumatic amnesia and has experienced frightening flashbacks which get more intense back in Guernsey. Someone on the island does not want her to remember and she faces danger from an unexpected source while learning to live and love again.
Reviews (Excerpts)
- "[...]The plot of Dangerous Waters was incredibly in-depth. Readers will have no choice but to be impressed at the thorough research Allen has done to make this novel come to life. The various plot lines swirl together to make one hell of a story, it's incredible to see how Allen perfectly crafted them as she didn't seem to leave anything out. It's a novel that crosses the genres of mystery, cook-book, history, and romance.
Dangerous Waters is a stunning first novel that will leave readers anticipating what Allen will produce next. " - Tracy Beth
- "[...] In her debut novel `Dangerous Waters' Anne Allen has knocked it out of the ballpark. Part mystery, part romance, this cozy novel has the reader drawn in from the first paragraph until the last page, and they will be wanting more. With her writing style in the leagues of Maeve Binchey, who she incidentally mentions in the book, Anne has classed herself with the best in women's lit." - Jodi Ann Hansen
- " [...] I totally enjoyed this novel, it kept me reading long into the night. I wish Ms. Allen would write a sequel, so we could see where Jeanne and all the characters are today! I can give this novel nothing but high praise, and am very grateful for the privilege of reading it. I have recommended it to several friends, and our book club! " - Pat Fordyce
- "Just read Dangerous Waters. Very impressed. Most enjoyable with great characters, good plot and lovely descriptions of Guernsey. Will await next book with interest. [...]" - Nicole M. Middleton
- "I absolutley adored this book! It's a fantastic indulgent read, whether it's for some light summer reading or curling up on the sofa. I got totaly absorbed in the story, and read it in what felt like no time at all. There's something for everyone, although it's not a massive 'light reading' in the sense that theres nothing much to it but a story, it's packed with information of the island of Gurnsey, full of history and even traditional recipes. I knew nothing about Gurnsey before reading this, but now I feel I know a fair bit.
The book follows Jeanne through her trip back to the island, after having several tragedies in her life. She goes through heartbreak and loss, fear and worry... finally finding happiness (as with any good story.) I highly recommend this book, it's a beautiful read. " - Bakewells (Amazon)
About the Author
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| Anne Allen |
By profession Anne Allen is a psychotherapist but has long had creative ‘itches’, learning to mosaic, paint furniture, interior design and sculpt. At the back of her mind the itch to write was always present but seemed too time-consuming for a single mum with a need to earn a living. Now the nest is empty and there’s more time to write and a second novel is gestating, but novels "take a lot longer than children to be born!"
Anne Allen started to write her life story but somehow just couldn’t get in to it. Ironically her first stab at ‘real’ writing was an entry into a national competition run by Prima Magazine a few years ago. They wanted a 500 word true-life story describing a life-changing event. Her mother ‘pushed’ her into entering, thinking it was a fiction piece they wanted and thought it would encourage her to get on with her novel. Anyway, from being a reluctant entrant she emerged as the winner and collected £500 of M&S vouchers. Not bad for starters, she thought, with her eyes on the bigger picture of novel writing. She was encouraged to realize she could write and so began Anne Allen's journey as a novelist.
Links to the Author and the Book
Link to Anne Allen's Website
Connect with Anne Allen via Twitter @AnneAllen21
Link to the Book Dangerous Waters with Excerpt on Amazon (US)
Link to the Book Dangerous Waters with Excerpt on Amazon (UK)
Link to the Book Dangerous Waters on Barnes & Noble for Nook
