Echo Beach

by Jackie Williams

The beautiful beaches of Brittany and Normandy were a focus of frantic activity throughout the Second World War. Thousands of men landed on them, died on them, and were rescued from them. For some men their escape was delayed, a terrifying time where every villager’s moves came under watchful German eyes. A few of the men had to wait a little longer for a boat to take them home…A few of them are still waiting.

Being asked to accompany her best friend on her first holiday in years is exactly what Joanna needs. Having her best friend’s incredibly handsome brother unexpectedly join them in the idyllic holiday cottage is not.

Tall, athletic and fabulously successful, sports writer and celebrity interviewer Dominic Winter is every woman’s dream man. Unfortunately to Joanna her best friend’s brother is also arrogant, antagonistic and spectacularly argumentative but much to her annoyance, he has been the highlight of her dreams ever since they were all together at school six years previously.

The tiny fishing village of Prajou holds many secrets of the past but while suspicion and whispers echo their way through the passages of time can Joanna and Dominic call a truce in their never ending battle of wills? It’s time to stop just smelling the aroma of freshly baked French bread and discover the delicious scent of romance in the air.

Echo Beach is an easy read romance suitable for young adult and above. (Contains mild bad language and some sensual passion)

Genres: Ghosts, New Adult, Adventure, Romance

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2013

About the author

I was born in Essex England during the mid sixties but I missed all the fun. Being only young I assumed that all Beatles were six legged creatures and Flower Power was something to do with the vigorous way my mother kneaded the bread dough.

My wonderful parents brought me up with a huge love of books. We read anything and everything. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. My sister and I sat wide eyed in wonder and to this day I worry about Dinah and Dorinda being pricked with pins because they grew so fat, and I never pull faces at the a waning moon (or was it a waxing one?) just in case my chops stay that way . (The Wind On The Moon)

I began reading romance while still at school. The fuel for many a teenage fantasy leapt from between the covers of wildly romantic books and my passion still lingers now for all those dark haired heroes.

My own beautiful teenage daughter persuaded me to write my first romance. She was only fourteen at the time and between books for children and adults. She couldn’t find anything that ticked all her numerous and particular boxes and so she asked me to write a book, with all the exact ingredients just for her. Though not just a book for teens, she enjoyed the resulting tale so much that she shared it with her friends and I eventually published A Perfect Summer as an ebook on amazon.

But I have discovered that writing is not easily stopped once you start. It has turned into a grand passion that I just cannot hold back. The fingertips start tapping the keys and ideas suddenly come flooding, far too many for just one book and so I began another and then another. Nine books later I am still nowhere near done. Book ten is on its way and only just the other night I woke from a wild and wonderful dream with book eleven fully formed in my head.

Romance will always be my first love but recently I was so influenced by a tiny polished plaque on a sea wall that I gave paranormal romance a try. (Echo Beach) Mixing the two genres was a real challenge for me but I was delighted with the result. Historical romance is going to be my next genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist.

All of my books are Easy Reading Romance, intended only to while away a few hours with some light entertainment.

They are not meant to teach you anything or to stay with you for years after reading. Please do not read or review them if you are expecting anything deeper or more meaningful.

I hope you enjoy all of my efforts and I look forward to your comments and reviews.

Reviews

[Vanessa Fawcett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe and Joanna are holidaying in beautiful Brittany, soaking up the Gallic atmosphere enjoying fine wines and gastronomic delights with the wonderful, handsome Phillipe. Then suddenly the surprises start - Dominic with his flashing eyes and super macho territorial behaviour sweeps you off your feet. Strange whisperings in the walls and long forgotten hidden tunnels leading you into an amazing ghostly story celebrating the heroism of the soldiers who bravely fought in WW2 and the outstanding skills of the Resistance in repatriating them to the safety of England and True Love. The story that unfolds left me speechless, I could almost taste the fruity wines and the humour running throughout had me giggling with glee and of course there's a brilliant cliff hanger.
If you've read Ms Williams Tinted Lenses you will love this, so different from Running Scarred and Forever Scarred (Scarred Series) and just as beautifully researched and written...
Comment Comment | Permalink Forever Scarred

[John Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many others I really loved the first two in the Scarred series, and will be getting the third as soon as it is out. They had the right balance of 'kick ass-ability' that some of us guys like to see, whilst at the same time reading a more sensitive style of writing. Echo Beach did follow a more romantic theme, but to me it was no less entertaining and had the right balance of romance and intrigue (with a good number of 'naughty thoughts') as the story unfolded (believe me when I say it develops on several levels, and across several generations). Once again I could picture every scene, and every character more than came to life as they were introduced and grew with the story. This author is totally up front about what you get in her books, which are put together in a way where you can escape to the beautiful landscapes, meet strong characters, picture yourself at a tiny restaurant table with fantastic food and wine, whilst at the same time being involved in her story. The hidden gem title for this review is particularly apt for one scene involving Joanna late on in the book, but you'll have to read it.

[Rebecca De · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ghosts of the past do linger in Echo Beach, making for a touching story. The strong heroine calls to me. The pain of her past is so real, that the love story lingers in your heart. Jackie Williams is one of my favorite authors, because she writes on a level that draws you in. Her prose takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. If you haven't read Ms. Williams' works, I can only say that you are missing out.

[Nabila Anjum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, lengthy and predictable. The ghost angle was a never ending maze and I was struggling at times just to differentiate between alive and dead characters.

[Megan Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so bad! I am totally confused by all the 5 star ratings given to it???