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After Amba
Amba is a fashion and travel writer. As a 'New Woman' she flouts the mores, climbs the barriers and pushes the boundaries. Amba also makes some questionable choices.
Against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age - the music, dance, fashion and art of those heady times - Amba looks back on her life, especially on her love affair with Ida. Then she dies in a mid-air collision.
Frasey is a young research librarian. Seventy years after Amba's death she is hired by Amba's brother Andrew, to bring order to Amba's archive. Frasey becomes captivated and her life takes an extraordinary turn. Frasey takes over the narrative, as Amba takes over her life.
After Amba is a turbulent tale and true page turner. From lesbian love in the Roaring Twenties to a significant age gap relationship, along with a calamitous hen party in contemporary times, and a fine full-circle finale, this novel is surprising and captivating readers.
This is a joyous, dark, challenging and thought- provoking novel. Board the aircraft with Amba and your own boundaries may well be stretched.
Against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age - the music, dance, fashion and art of those heady times - Amba looks back on her life, especially on her love affair with Ida. Then she dies in a mid-air collision.
Frasey is a young research librarian. Seventy years after Amba's death she is hired by Amba's brother Andrew, to bring order to Amba's archive. Frasey becomes captivated and her life takes an extraordinary turn. Frasey takes over the narrative, as Amba takes over her life.
After Amba is a turbulent tale and true page turner. From lesbian love in the Roaring Twenties to a significant age gap relationship, along with a calamitous hen party in contemporary times, and a fine full-circle finale, this novel is surprising and captivating readers.
This is a joyous, dark, challenging and thought- provoking novel. Board the aircraft with Amba and your own boundaries may well be stretched.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Stephanie Shields
4 books4 followersThe past presses on the present in the writings of Stephanie Shields. She injects magical realism into her intriguing plots. She is praised for her skill in developing character through dialogue, her adeptness at presenting pacey and unpredictable plotlines and her dark humour.
After Amba is Stephanie’s second novel. Amba’s short life story spans the late Edwardian Era, the Great War, the Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age, and the Second World War. The contemporary part of the novel begins in 2018, covers the Covid years and beyond. From lesbian love in the Roaring Twenties to a significant age gap relationship, and a calamitous hen party in contemporary times, and a fine full-circle finale, this novel will surprise and captivate readers.
Stephanie’s first novel, The Strange Woman, is a fusion of feminism, farming and the fantastical. It is based on a Yorkshire witch trial in held 1622. The Strange Woman has been very successful, is held in high regard by readers and is well reviewed on Goodreads and Amazon. It was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021.
Stephanie’s first book, a short story collection called Swan Landings was published in 2017. Her short story, The Watershed, was selected by Sarah Waters for the Jane Austen Bi-centenary collection, entitled Dancing with Mr Darcy published in 2009 by Honno Press and Chawton House in the UK and later by Harper Collins in the USA. Her short stories have been broadcast on local radio and, along with her poems, have been included in literary magazines and anthologies Her flash fiction and poetry have been well-received both in national and international competitions.
After Amba is Stephanie’s second novel. Amba’s short life story spans the late Edwardian Era, the Great War, the Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age, and the Second World War. The contemporary part of the novel begins in 2018, covers the Covid years and beyond. From lesbian love in the Roaring Twenties to a significant age gap relationship, and a calamitous hen party in contemporary times, and a fine full-circle finale, this novel will surprise and captivate readers.
Stephanie’s first novel, The Strange Woman, is a fusion of feminism, farming and the fantastical. It is based on a Yorkshire witch trial in held 1622. The Strange Woman has been very successful, is held in high regard by readers and is well reviewed on Goodreads and Amazon. It was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021.
Stephanie’s first book, a short story collection called Swan Landings was published in 2017. Her short story, The Watershed, was selected by Sarah Waters for the Jane Austen Bi-centenary collection, entitled Dancing with Mr Darcy published in 2009 by Honno Press and Chawton House in the UK and later by Harper Collins in the USA. Her short stories have been broadcast on local radio and, along with her poems, have been included in literary magazines and anthologies Her flash fiction and poetry have been well-received both in national and international competitions.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 18, 2025
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
14th August 2025
TITLE: After Amba
AUTHOR: Stephanie Shields
Star Rating: 5
“A smartly plotted drama with a wonderfully unpredictable plot and a memorable cast of characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
What a delightful novel this is. The author is a well-accomplished writer capable of balancing character development with an unpredictable, family drama. It’s mostly (the first half anyway) the story of Amba, a ‘go-getting’ sort of girl who’s determined to have it all. But when she’s killed in a plane crash, her brother, Andrew, in an attempt to better know his sister, gets help from a woman, Frasey. Despite the age gap, this soon turns into romance.
There’s a lot going for this smartly plotted novel. Firstly, I liked Amba in many ways – although most readers (I was) will be shocked by the ‘reveal’ at the end of the first half. In many ways, Amba is a good example of a woman born in the wrong century; she’s what I’d call a ‘trail blazer’, and I suspect most readers will enjoy getting to know her – and possibly want to be more like her. Secondly, there’s a lot of drama in the story; to be honest, there’s never a dull moment, the author offering the readers an insight into many aspects of life back in the day including WW2, the war effort, and a ‘worm’ story that’s particularly funny/disgusting! And thirdly, I loved the last chapter – simply LOVED it. It’s so very ‘full circle’, ending the story on a melancholy, but fitting, note.
So, if you happen to enjoy character-led dramas, then this book is very much for you. I think most readers will enjoy the ups and downs of Amba’s life, and they’ll be hoping her brother, Andrew, finds the love he so badly needs. All in all, a gripping, and highly unpredictable novel.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
14th August 2025
TITLE: After Amba
AUTHOR: Stephanie Shields
Star Rating: 5
“A smartly plotted drama with a wonderfully unpredictable plot and a memorable cast of characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
What a delightful novel this is. The author is a well-accomplished writer capable of balancing character development with an unpredictable, family drama. It’s mostly (the first half anyway) the story of Amba, a ‘go-getting’ sort of girl who’s determined to have it all. But when she’s killed in a plane crash, her brother, Andrew, in an attempt to better know his sister, gets help from a woman, Frasey. Despite the age gap, this soon turns into romance.
There’s a lot going for this smartly plotted novel. Firstly, I liked Amba in many ways – although most readers (I was) will be shocked by the ‘reveal’ at the end of the first half. In many ways, Amba is a good example of a woman born in the wrong century; she’s what I’d call a ‘trail blazer’, and I suspect most readers will enjoy getting to know her – and possibly want to be more like her. Secondly, there’s a lot of drama in the story; to be honest, there’s never a dull moment, the author offering the readers an insight into many aspects of life back in the day including WW2, the war effort, and a ‘worm’ story that’s particularly funny/disgusting! And thirdly, I loved the last chapter – simply LOVED it. It’s so very ‘full circle’, ending the story on a melancholy, but fitting, note.
So, if you happen to enjoy character-led dramas, then this book is very much for you. I think most readers will enjoy the ups and downs of Amba’s life, and they’ll be hoping her brother, Andrew, finds the love he so badly needs. All in all, a gripping, and highly unpredictable novel.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
October 3, 2025
Highly Unusual and Utterly Compelling
My Headline for this review begins with "Highly Unusual". I have never read a book quite like this one. It is totally outside my comfort zone as a sci-fi and horror fan who dabbles in crime fiction (thanks to Stephen King's recent escapades). This book is more of a historical memoir and love story that spans a period from the early 20th century right up to present date and beyond (well, currently beyond - give it a few years and it will all be the past I guess). It is also a novel that deals with social taboos in the early 20th century parts. All of this is addressed in a compelling, beautiful and sensitive way.
So - I was way outside my comfort zone, but I found myself gripped from start to finish.
The novel takes the format of a historical memoir for the first half and then deals with the current day aftermath of part 1 in the second. I'm not going to say much about the story as I don't want to give spoilers, but the whole thing is gripping and certainly one to be savoured. It is so different from "The Strange Woman” but is also eerily familiar to someone who has read the earlier novel. The writing is subtle - even at points where there is shock or controversy in the narrative. The characters are so real - some you will love and others not so much (just like real life I guess). The main thing, though, is that it is just so believable. I felt I was reading a factual account of people who lived and breathed.
I hope that there will be a third novel from the author in the future. If there is then I will be first in queue.
My Headline for this review begins with "Highly Unusual". I have never read a book quite like this one. It is totally outside my comfort zone as a sci-fi and horror fan who dabbles in crime fiction (thanks to Stephen King's recent escapades). This book is more of a historical memoir and love story that spans a period from the early 20th century right up to present date and beyond (well, currently beyond - give it a few years and it will all be the past I guess). It is also a novel that deals with social taboos in the early 20th century parts. All of this is addressed in a compelling, beautiful and sensitive way.
So - I was way outside my comfort zone, but I found myself gripped from start to finish.
The novel takes the format of a historical memoir for the first half and then deals with the current day aftermath of part 1 in the second. I'm not going to say much about the story as I don't want to give spoilers, but the whole thing is gripping and certainly one to be savoured. It is so different from "The Strange Woman” but is also eerily familiar to someone who has read the earlier novel. The writing is subtle - even at points where there is shock or controversy in the narrative. The characters are so real - some you will love and others not so much (just like real life I guess). The main thing, though, is that it is just so believable. I felt I was reading a factual account of people who lived and breathed.
I hope that there will be a third novel from the author in the future. If there is then I will be first in queue.
October 19, 2025
A much looked forward to second novel from the author of "The Strange Woman".
The author is an true wordsmith and excellent storyteller. Her ability to develop believable characters and to recreate so vividly a past era in this case the 1920s allows us to understand and empathise with the characters and through them the position of women in their society. The second half of the book is set in contemporary times and builds on the earlier story with the introduction of new and convincing characters.
The plot is engaging and the twists and turns make compelling reading. The end, though unexpected is thoroughly satisfying.
I would highly recommend it.
The author is an true wordsmith and excellent storyteller. Her ability to develop believable characters and to recreate so vividly a past era in this case the 1920s allows us to understand and empathise with the characters and through them the position of women in their society. The second half of the book is set in contemporary times and builds on the earlier story with the introduction of new and convincing characters.
The plot is engaging and the twists and turns make compelling reading. The end, though unexpected is thoroughly satisfying.
I would highly recommend it.
October 10, 2025
This book is a riveting read that you won't want to end! It is well written, full of interesting characters, and many a surprising turn.
It's set in both modern day, and the 'roaring twenties' of the early 20th century Jazz age, and has a strong cast of feisty female characters, who we follow through their lives and loves.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is drawn to modern, historical, or contemporary fiction.
It's set in both modern day, and the 'roaring twenties' of the early 20th century Jazz age, and has a strong cast of feisty female characters, who we follow through their lives and loves.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is drawn to modern, historical, or contemporary fiction.
October 21, 2025
A novel full of humour, wit, jokes, excoriating portraits of unpleasant (and even pleasant) people. It's light and dark, profound and profane. I admire Amba's strength, courage and creativity whilst at the same time recoiling from her manipulation of others. A deeply unusual and challenging novel.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews