SILVER RAIN
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| 2013 |
Fiction which does not fall neatly into a pigeon-hole has always been the most difficult to define. In the old days such books wouldn’t be allowed shelf space if they didn’t slot immediately into a commercial list.
Book Blurb
Al is the black sheep of his family, Kate, the good shepherd of hers.
Can black and white become silver, or just a dark and dangerous grey?
Alastair Black has revealed a secret to his wife in a last ditch attempt to save his marriage. A return to his childhood family home at Chathill Farm is his only respite, although he is far from welcomed back by brother George.
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©Jan Ruth
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Kate, recently widowed and increasingly put upon by daughter, sister and mother, feels her life is over at fifty. Until she meets Alastair. He’s everything she isn’t, but he’s a troubled soul, a sad clown of a man with a shady past. When his famous mother leaves an unexpected inheritance, Kate is caught up in the unravelling of his life as Al comes to terms with who he really is.
Is Alastair Black her true soulmate, or should Sleeping Beauty lie?
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©Jan Ruth
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As an author I have been described as a combination of literary-contemporary-romantic-comedy-rural-realism-family-saga; oh, and with an occasional criminal twist and a lot of the time, written from the male viewpoint.
So, what is Silver Rain about?
It’s primarily a novel about love and family. About the need to know who we are, and where we've come from. No question Silver Rain is Contemporary and Rural. I live in the midst of Snowdonia, a mountainous area of North Wales and this landscape is a strong theme throughout all of my novels, and in the case of Silver Rain, New Zealand too.
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| Conwy North Wales |
Family and Realism; these two must surely go hand-in-hand, yes? So, although you’ll discover plenty of escapism in Silver Rain, I hope you’ll also be able to relate to the complications of family relationships and how our choices affect those around us.
I hesitate to use the word romance. It’s a misunderstood and mistreated word in the world of fiction and despite the huge part it plays in the market, attracts an element of disdain. If romance says young, fluffy and something to avoid, maybe Kate and Al will change your mind? Al is fifty and something of an anti-hero, a clown of a man with a disturbing past. And Kate, well, she’s full of misplaced guilt following the death of her husband and suffocating with the demands of Mother, sister and daughter. As for comedy, I feel this is another misplaced word. Al can be witty, or amusing in an exasperating way but if he fails to raise a smile, I hope you’ll at least come to understand him!
What other people have to say about Silver Rain:
Romance Reviews Magazine: ‘Silver Rain is another entertaining read from Jan Ruth’s stable of Welsh based novels. There are plenty of giggle moments and sad reflections in Silver Rain, in which fiction can seem almost too real.’
awomanswisdom.wordpress: ‘This is a modern and strong family saga with clever twists and turns beautifully synced together making it one of my favourite books this year. It has everything; strong women, human flaws, challenging family relationships, romance and skeletons in the cupboard all flowing together at a good pace.’
The Book Mavern: 'This was a love story with a lot of twists. I really enjoyed the characters of Al and Kate. It was definitely a story where you could see the influence each character had on the other. The twists added a wonderful element with the development of their love story. The story was strong and the love natural. You will definitely love Al and Kate.’
Bookmuse Magazine: 'It’s a clichéd love story in many ways … but without any of the clichés. Instead there are lots of secrets, intrigues, twists and turns along the way - guided by what feels a very competent author’s hand. It’s impossible not to bond with both of the lead characters. Even the side characters - Fran, Jo, George and Maisie in particular - all leap from the page fully-formed and crystal clear.
Avoid if you don’t like: Tangled family secrets and mid-life passions.
Ideal accompaniments: A cold, crisp Sauvingnon Blanc and a slice of bara brith.’
Short-listed for the 2014 Wishing Shelf Award.
About the Author
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