The House on the Shore

The House on the Shore

Written by: Victoria Howard

Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:08-25-14

Publisher: Jeanette Woodall 

 My Review

This was a story full of mystery, a little action, lies, starting over, betrayal, learning to trust and giving of one’s self.  Since this story takes place in Scotland I found the narration and the use of their wording made this a more believable story.  There is nothing worse than loving someone and having that someone betray you taking on another lover. In Anna’s case not only was she betrayed by her boyfriend with another woman but in her job when he gives it to his new lover. In return she leaves her job runs home to the croft to get over her pain and start a new career.  It isn’t long before a yacht shows up putting Anna on the edge with all the weird things happening this just adds to it. They do not hit if off so well from the start with Anna being a little smart mouth, she does give in and give the man a helping hand.  They are unsure of what to think of the other but it doesn’t take long for them to agree there is a strong attraction between them.

I thought the narrator did a wonderful job going back and forward from the British accent to an American with no trouble at all. She gives the listen an even flow that draws the reader in with her great character voices.  She has delightful voices for each character with wonderful strong males voices and soft simmering ones for the females. Her accent brings so much to this listen as you are pulled in from the chemistry to the mystery. Her tones are nice and even smooth all the way through with no places being louder or softer than the other. Which means you could not tell if any breaks were taken.  She is very easy to listen to with her very sweet voices. I was very impressed with her many different voices she has no trouble switching from one to the other as well as one accent to the other. You have no trouble understanding what each character is feeling from pain to laughter she does it very well. You can tell this is one narrator that really put some thought into each character voice. I thought she gave a very delightful strong performance that you can get lost in.

With things going on around Anna that just do not add up she if left guessing what in the world is going on as a stranger turn up, bullets fly by her, break-ins’ and so much more. Before this book is through lives will be held in the balance, people could die all for what? This story is about Anna, her heart, her live and her land but so many more lives are at risk. What is up with the next door neighbor wanting to get all buddy, buddy. Yes they had a friendship when they were younger but nothing more. This just doesn’t feel right something is so wrong with the world around her.

Luke stole my heart for the start he even had me laughing as he takes on the women whose door he knocks on for help. He does have a few things he is hiding which will come between these two. I loved the supporting characters from the town’s people to her friends. There is nothing like living in a small town where everyone helps everyone.  The down fall is everyone is also in everyone’s business.  I loved how the mystery of long ago played into the story. Did I see something move, was that a ghost or is someone out there really watching.  The story has the just the right amount of mystery to pull the reader in giving you a very entertaining read with a lovely romance.  You have no doubt there is a powerful pull between Luke and Anna as well as the mistrust that goes with it.  Both of these people have a hurtful past one is trying to deal with and the other is running away from. Can these two make a relationship work with both living a world apart as they work on the mystery of what is going on around them? I really enjoyed this audio as I am sure you will also. You do have to remember this is written with British slang which might throw you if you do not know what something is called. The author does a wonderful job telling you what it is as she weaves it around her story.  I thought this was well written with a wonderful plot that most will find delight in the at times humorous listen.

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Summary

When Anna MacDonald leaves Edinburgh to find peace in the Scottish Highlands, she gets a twofold surprise: a lost sailor teaches her to love again…while a mysterious stranger has plans to kill her.
Passed over for promotion by her boss—and boyfriend, Anna walks off the job in anger. But being reactionary has its price. Now she can no longer afford the rent on her Edinburgh apartment. So she retreats to the only place she has ever felt happy – her grandmother's croft on the edge of a Highland loch. With no phone or neighbours, and only two border collies for company, Anna sets out to finally achieve her lifelong dream; to write—and sell—the novel that has burned within her for years.
Luke Tallantyre, a renowned Cape Cod artist, has sailed across the Atlantic to escape an artistic dry spell—and come to terms with his dangerous past. When his yacht develops a problem he drops anchor in Loch Hourn. He rows ashore, and knocking on the door of the croft, asks to use the telephone, but the reception he receives is less than welcoming – in fact it's downright frosty.
Anna resents the cranky American’s intrusion to her seemingly idyllic life. Luke thinks she’s an ill-mannered hermit. But an unseen assassin is after one of them. So they unwillingly join forces and embark on an adventure neither ever imagined…including a chance at true love.

The House on the Shore is written in British English, using standard British spelling and grammar.