Seven Days There

There, Back & Beyond #1

by Ruth Hay

When friends reunite after years apart, what secrets will be revealed?
Valerie Westwood never expected to outlive her husband.
David had been so full of life, such a commanding presence as a father and partner, that even after his cancer diagnosis, she could not imagine he would fail to beat this challenge, as he had all others.
His final years had been much harder on her than she could believe.
Now she was alone with decisions to make. Their grown sons had families and lives of their own.
It was time for Valerie to start again but, first, she needed the consolation and comfort of her old friends.
She would find a way to bring the women together in a place so special that it would unlock the past and give all of them a glimpse of a new future.

Book One in the new There, Back & Beyond series from Ruth Hay! Books Two and Three now available!

Also available by Ruth Hay...

The Prime Time Series: www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00TQU2IT6/
Seafarers Series: www.amazon.com/dp/B00UAZZQHW/

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Ebooks, Womens Fiction

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

About the author

Who is Ruth Hay?
I am a retired teacher-librarian who loves books, reading, writing and storytelling.
After a lifetime of writing for education purposes, I can now create the kind of family-friendly stories I have always loved to read.
I have been lucky enough to travel and those adventures feature in my Prime Time novel series.
Visit Scotland, England, Greece, Italy and Egypt with my heroine Anna Mason.
Have you ever known a family that didn't have some kind of mystery to solve? Anna Mason's family is no different. The thing that most surprises, and shocks, Anna, is how much was hidden from her.
How does she uncover the answers? That involves time, travels, a concealed journal and a new home in Scotland that gradually gives up its secrets. Not until the sixth, book, are the most unexpected developments revealed.
In 2016 I added a new chapter to Anna's life story. Read it in Return to Oban. Will there be more? I can't wait to find out!
Also in 2016 the Seven Days Series was completed. What a busy writing year! This series introduces four women who reunite in a luxurious holiday in the English Lake District. Of course, they have a wonderful time together but no one could have expected the surprising events that set off changes lasting far longer than just one week. There are six novels with the last having two sections. Lots of heartfelt reading for you. Which of the women will be your favourite; Zoe, Valerie, Corinne or Sandra?
In 2017 I am working on a new series. Sign up for my monthly Newsletter www.ruthhay.com to get updates.
Thank you for being one of Ruth's Readers.

Reviews

[Doina Condrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. Different from what I usually read.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I found the main character bossy and the writing full of excess commas. The story had potential but I’m glad it was a free download.

[Caroline Venables · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't my usual kind of read, but I enjoyed this book.

The book follows a group of old friends who reunite after many years. Their life stories and experiences help each other through their own personal dilemmas.

I found all the characters relatable to, and well thought out, and it was very clear that the author had detailed knowledge of the area that the book is set in.

My only criticism is that the decisions made by the individual characters seemed rushed. Some of these decisions are life changing and I found it slightly unbelievable that in the course of a week, that they would be made. Hence only a four star review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book to read

[B J Galaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspend beliefs

This is the second book by Ms Hay I've recently read and both rather struck me in the same way. Each have the characters making life-changing decisions in relatively short time frames. Now that said, it doesn't mean it can't happen and I prefer to just read and accept the way the author lays out her stories. It moves the story more quickly and some may find that objectionable. For me, I enjoy her treatment of stories involving older characters as I am now in that category and few stories focus on the fact that even older people can learn new tricks. I will continue to look for her books in the future.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the trilogy, book 1 being “There,” book 2 being “Back,” and book 3 being “Beyond.” The characters and their adventures were unusual and somewhat interesting and about 70% believable. The writing style was “tell, tell, tell,” and virtually no”show.” The narrative point of view was third person—God-like—and occasionally dual third person—wherein two or more characters discuss one or more other characters. Finally the English was a combination of British, Canadian, and occasionally Scottish. I’m not sad or regretful about reading these books, but having done so, I would not read others by this author. I don’t know what else to say.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was a little too cozy for me. Took me awhile to read, but I was otherwise occupied with projects which kept me away. I usually like a book about the relationships between women/friends, and this qualifies. I feel like my Aunt Judy might like it for the scenery/locations in England. I didn't feel too connected to the women, but now that it's over, I'm thinking of them! So someday I may look into book #2 to find out what they're up to, but for now I need to find something to get the heart racing!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a 2.5. I enjoyed the idea of these women renewing their friendship and trying to face how they arrived at the point in their lives. But the writing wasn't great and there was so much meaningless filler (and in a short book!) describing their surroundings, introducing a mother and daughter who had no part in the story. . . There were some insights about how our lives get side-tracked and how to get them back on track again. This was the second book by Ruth Hay that I have read and my opinion of her writing did not improve.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. Warm and instructive without being “preachy.” The four women in the story had come to a juncture in their lives and had to decide whether to continue in their dames unrewarding mindsets that had been guiding their lives, or to make changes both inside and outside. These changes in their lives, of course, would cause unknown repercussions, not only in each lady’s life, but in the lives of those around her.

[dawn olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

Great story and dear to me as my husband had a long illness and then death. Reading about them working through life changes was helpful to me. Friends that stood together in the story. So true that we part for awhile as our lives evolve. We all go through many life changes and some are very unexpected as noted in the story. Well written story.

[Maree Rexroad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not interesting at all

I agree with other reviewers - just plain and boring. I kept wondering when the story was going to start and then discovered that I was 30% through the book. That’s all of my life that I’m willing to give. There are good books out there waiting to be read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very rarely do I not finish a book, but I just could not devote any more time to this one. The dialogue was so formal; nobody talks to their friends like that. The writing style focused on so many details about nonessential topics I could skip multiple pages at a time and still know what was going on, not that I cared by that point. I can’t believe this is the first in a series.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea sounded good but the execution was so boring. I gave up the ghost and skimmed through it. I just could not believe all the great reviews. I sometimes wonder if I am reading the same book. I just found the writing long winded, soporific and tedious.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly fluffy read, but good nonetheless.
Four long-time friends reunite in The Lake District for seven days.
Big focus was on living you life now and not losing those close and necessary friendships.

[Deanna Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it was okayish book that I just finished this book…

Not really much drama to be honest, only when it’s from the friendships along their own personal issues so need a little bit drama in it…

I definitely will read another book series soonish…

[Ro · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could rate it less that a 1 star, I would. Do not recommend this book....struggled to get through it.

[Jean Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle 3 Stars

[Martha McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put down!

Wonderful book. Great storyline! I related to it and got a lot back. Made me think back over my life.

[Kathy Rademacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching

A great story about 4 women who meet at the right times in their lives. Can’t wait to read the next book Seven Days Back.

[Dictionary101 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story line about love, loss, and the friends who share. The descriptions make me want to visit the story's locations.

This is my second Ruth Hay book. It won't be my last.

[June Kinsella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story- liked the relationship between friends

[Vivienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but the conversational prose is quite formal and stilted.

[Barb Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

memories do it all

I loved that the storyline didn’t revolve around men. I would have liked more description of the things they bought😍

[Lisa Denn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of sisterhood amongst friends.....

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven Days There: There, Back, & Beyond series Book One is by Ruth Hay. This book deals with friendship and love.
Valerie Westwood is lost. Her husband, David, who had been the leading force in her marriage had died after a long fight with cancer. Valerie had to start over and didn’t know where to start. Her children were living their own lives and didn’t have room in their homes for her and her home was too big. Before making the decision about whether to sell her house or not, she decided to call three friends to meet in the Lakes area of Great Britain for a week’s reunion.
She invited her friend from college, Sandy; the lady who helped her husband and her when he was in her hospital for cancer treatment, Corrine; and the daughter of a professor she and Sandy had in college, Zoe. She was also Zoe’s Godmother. Would these three come and meet her in The Lakes? What would the outcome of the visit be?
This is a complex book about the friendship women have. That friendship can go years without seeing each other and then when you meet, it is like you were together yesterday. Zoe has difficulty leaving her business to visit with these strangers who knew her Mother better than she did. Can this conflict be resolved?

[Kathleen J Kunkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friendship endures

The story is about friendship between four women and the paths their lives have taken before they all spend a week together after years apart. Slow moving at first setting the stage of their lives before the holiday but after they are together the story keeps you engaged. Looking forward to the next book.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valerie has been in a deep funk after the death of her husband, David. She has decided that she needs to sell her home and move to erase some of the horrible memories of dealing with his illness. After months, she decides she must listen to his advice about doing something special. She decides to rent a place in the Lake District of England and invite two long time friends plus the daughter of a close friend who had passed away to come with her. She eagerly plans the trip and excursions that they might take to have fun while they are together.

As the women are talking, they discover things in their lives that haunt them or they feel guilty about and they learn that they can support each other to make changes in their lives when they return to their "real" lives after the vacation. It is the theme of friendship and strong women which is a powerful topic.

I enjoyed this partly because the Lake District was one of my favorites when I went to England. I had one of those aha moments there while riding a tour bus. I realized that if I took off the sheep from the hillside and replaced them with cows, it would look the same as where I lived in Upstate NY! The story itself was okay but not brilliant.

[Joan]

This author is not for me. I had high hopes when I read the blurb, but the writing is ponderous with every minute detail listed and some of the most stilted and ludicrous dialogue I have read. At one point I thought I was reading a Regency novel. ;)

'Where are you staying in Ambleside?'
'I am renting a large apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a wrap around balcony. I haven't seen it yet, but I move in tomorrow.'
'Is this apartment on a steep hillside overlooking the town with spectacular mountain views, by any chance?'
'I believe so, but I am judging from the Lakeland's website photos, of course. Why? Do you know the place?'

And the part were someone mentions that the 'prints on the walls are famous and must be worth thousands' had me in stitches. Prints worth thousands?


DNF at 66% Not rating at this moment in time

[Janet C-B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable women's fiction book about 3 mature friends spending a week together in the Lakes District of England. This novel was straightforward and easy to read.

I enjoyed reading a story set in such a nice "get-away" place and also a place in England that I have not visited. The lives of the friends had diverged a lot over the past 2-3 decades. Each character was well developed, with each character being a different crossroad in life. The characters were likeable, yet imperfect, which is important to me.

If you are looking for suspense or action /adventure reading, this is not the book for you. If you would be happy to go on a leisurely-paced 7 day vacation with friends who you haven't seen for years, this might just the right book.

I would rate this book 3.5, but because I could relate so easily to these women characters, I will round it up to 4 stars.

[Misfits farm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four women get together for a week’s holiday. Three are old friends separated by time and distance and lives. The fourth is the daughter of a now deceased friend that they have known since birth.
Val having lost her husband wants to reignite kindred spirits and the group rediscover each other’s lives and their tragedies along the way. Seeing each other’s pain in new surroundings makes them reflect on the “should-have, could-have” of their lives and opens their eyes to the rest of their days and how they look at the world.
An uplifting book which will strike a note for everyone from the workaholics to the couch potatoes. One life- live it!