Reckless Choices

by Emma Batten

There was something a little reckless about Emily. Unpredictable. But never in her wildest imaginings would Cora have thought her daughter could stoop to such uninhibited behaviour as they now witnessed. There she was moving towards them at speed – skirts flowing – ankles and calves on display – perched up high on the crossbar of the bicycle!

A chance meeting on a train upsets Emily, while on the streets of Ashford someone lurks waiting to make trouble. As tensions brew within a close family, the young woman makes a rash choice.
Meanwhile, living in an unforgiving, desolate settlement on the Dungeness peninsular, a fisherman is in awe of the young woman he encounters.

A second prequel to Secrets of the Shingle.

284 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

I am a truly local author. Living in and writing about Romney Marsh means I can fully engage in the history of the area and connect with my readers. I learn about an event or custom – the great storm which changed the coastline, the body of a monk being secretly carried across the marsh, magical qualities associated with hagstones – and use these to create a whole novel. Fictional characters are put in recognisable settings as we follow the story of their lives. The eras range from the 7th to the 20th century, giving me an opportunity to explore so much of our history through writing. That local feel to my books now extends to them having distinctive covers with original artwork by artists from Greatstone and New Romney, making the books even more special for me.