The Faerie Tree by Jane Cable BLOG TOUR @JaneCable @rararesources #TheFaerieTree #Giveaway #Win #Competition

How can a memory so vivid be wrong? 

In the summer of 1986 Robin and Izzie hold hands under The Faerie Tree and wish for a future together. Within hours tragedy rips their dreams apart. In the winter of 2006, each carrying their own burden of grief, they stumble back into each other's lives and try to create a second chance. But why are their memories of 1986 so different? And which one of them is right? 

With strong themes of paganism, love and grief, The Faerie Tree is a novel as gripping and unputdownable as Jane Cable's first book, The Cheesemaker's House, which won the Suspense & Crime category of The Alan Titchmarsh Show's People's Novelist competition. It is a story that will resonate with fans of romance, suspense, and folklore.

Today I'm delighted to be part of the Blog Tour for The Faerie Tree by Jane Cable, thanks to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources who invited me to take part.

I'm happy to be sharing an extract from the book, and there's also a chance to win a copy for yourself. Entry is simple, just fill out the competition widget on the blog post.  Good Luck!

Extract from The Faerie Tree 

In the summer of 1986 Izzie and Robin hold hands under the Faerie Tree and wish for a future together. Hours later tragedy rips their dreams apart.In the winter of 2006 Izzie spots a down-and-out on the streets of Winchester – a man who looks very familiar…
     My face meets the softness of an anorak. It is the smell of it which makes me recoil. I look up to see a bearded face framed by straggly hair.
     “Sorry” the man mumbles.
     “No – no it’s my fault – I wasn’t looking.”
He melts into the crowd and Claire is tugging at my arm. But I know him; I’m sure I do. Then I’m sure I don’t. How could I?
     Claire sits me down at the nearest table while she queues for our drinks. She’ll be gone a while. I unbutton my coat and spread it over the back and arms of the low leather chair, sliding into its lining. I close my eyes but I can still hear Christmas; instrumental carols through the chatter. A face drifts across my memory; a pair of intense hazel eyes. No. It was twenty years ago.
 
Claire has two mugs of latte in one hand and a plate of banoffee pie in the other.
     “They’ve run out of trays.”
     “I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so busy in here.”
     She hands me a fork and plunges the other one into the pie. “Sugar. We need it.” She savours a mouthful. “Mmmm – it’s delish. Dig in.”
     “I’m OK, Claire. Really.”
     She nods, but she doesn’t believe me. Come on, Isobel – get a grip. I clear my throat.  “I’m fine, honestly. I was just... wondering... I think I know that tramp I bumped into.”
     Claire frowns. “How do you know a tramp?”
     “He wasn’t a tramp then. It was a very long time ago. I’d only just finished college – if I’m right, of course.”
     “So what make you think it was him?” She sounds cautiously curious.
     “Two things really – his height and his eyes. You have to admit he was exceptionally tall.”
     “You only came up to his chin.”
     Her words stir a warm memory and I pick up my fork.
     “So who do you think is he, Mum?”
     “Someone I knew before I started my teacher training. I was filling in time selling stationery and he was the office manager at one of the big firms of solicitors.”
     “Office manager? Wow – I wonder what happened?”
     I shrug. “People’s lives change. The last time I saw him he was wearing a suit.” But that’s a lie and I know it; Robin was naked – his face buried in a pillow, our duvet twisted around his legs. I ask Claire what classes she has today.
     The clock ticks past eleven and Claire has to go. The crowds outside are even thicker, but through the shifting shapes of bags and coats I spy a bearded man in a grubby blue anorak sitting on the bottom step of the Buttercross  – right opposite the café door.  Claire’s eagle eyes don’t miss him either.
     She nudges me. “Mum – it’s your tramp.”
     I nod. “I know. I think I’ll get another coffee.”
     “You’ll be alright?”
     “Of course I will. Now you run along and I’ll pick you up from the station later.”
     I do buy another coffee, but it isn’t for me. I ask for a takeaway and balance some sugar and a stirrer on the lid before fighting the short distance across the street. I put the cup on the step next to the man but he doesn’t look up. I am unsure now; unsure of everything and I don’t know what to say, but as I turn away I hear him mumble “Thanks, Izzie.” I have only moved a few feet but I keep on walking.
 The Faerie Tree pieces together Robin’s and Izzie’s stories as they try to create a second chance. But why are their memories of their brief affair so very different, and which one of them is right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Jane Cable writes romantic fiction with the over-riding theme that the past is never dead. She published her first two books independently (the multi award winning The Cheesemaker’s House and The Faerie Tree) and is now signed by Sapere Books. Two years ago she moved to Cornwall to concentrate on her writing full time, but struggles a little in such a beautiful location. Luckily she’s discovered the joys of the plot walk.

Twitter: @JaneCable

Facebook: Jane Cable, Author (https://www.facebook.com/romanticsuspensenovels/ )