From the shores of The Great Lakes to the slums of Bombay and a tiny island in between, this love story takes the reader on an intimate journey to unravel a family secret that’s lain hidden for generations.
To satisfy her wandering feet, eighteen-year old Gillian McAllister is sent from Ireland to Canada in the summer of 1932. She arrives with her Irish ways in tact, determined not to let the wiles of crop duster Christian Hunter woo her into submission. Yet as the summer unfolds and the sweet taste of love grows, Gillian’s appeal lures more than she anticipates. Fourteen years, a Great Depression, and a World War later, Christian sets out to discover why Gillian was ripped from his life. What he discovers on the Isle of Man will change them both forever. Not even a thatched cottage by the sea, a spritely Gillian, or memories sprinkled on a page can mask the secret that has been buried for too long. But it isn’t until a set of poems is given to Gillian’s granddaughter that the real mystery––Gillian’s true secret––is freed. So who is Pugsley?
With a narrative that captures the nostalgia of loss and secrecy, Susan Örnbratt’s The Particular Appeal of Gillian Pugsley is sure to bring back stirring memories of first loves and arguably simpler times.
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Debut Novel by Susan Örnbratt “She could feel her chest rise suddenly, unsure of the moments to follow. Knowing she wanted to be kissed but knowing it was madness to fall for a man from her past, the one man she could never erase from her heart… the same conflict she’d fought under the Georgian Bay moon.” |
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Reviews for The Particular Appeal of Gillian Pugsley
“exuberantly readable… with a delicious twist at the end. Gillian herself is so charismatic and likable that she easily carries the whole novel. – recommended” – Historical Novel Society
“Gillian’s character is memorable––feisty, unexpected and a lover of language” – Kirkus Reviews
“written with stunning imagery and poetic prose, for a mesmerizing timeless work of art.” – Judy Collins /Goodreads and JC Must Read Books
“one of those rare stories that wraps around you and stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it.” – Goodreads
“reminiscent of Kate Morton and Susanna Kearsley, I highly recommend.” – Just One More Chapter /Goodreads
“Örnbratt is one writer who knows how to hold her reader within the throes of her narrative by evoking such a centre-focus on the ‘living now’ of her characters. – Jorie Loves A Story
“A vivacious heroine you can’t resist.” — Summer Kinard, Can’t Buy Me Love
“A lush tale of love and loss, more sweet than bitter, more triumphant than tragic.” — Deborah Hining, A Sinner in Paradise
“Timeless” — Elizabeth Hein, How to Climb the Eiffel Tower
“A vivid, evocative tale of how love transforms the course of a life. The writing is so vivid, too! It’s the book version of gorgeous arty films like Water or Chocolat, but better.” — Summer Kinard, Can’t Buy Me Love
Author Interview
Guest Post Feature
News
Awards
- The CHATELAINE Awards for Romantic Fiction 2015 First Place Category Winner in Historical Romance
- The CHAUCER Awards for Historical Fiction 2015 Finalist
- The IBPA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Book Awards – finalist and silver winner in Fiction Romance
- Foreword Reviews’ 2015 INDIEFAB BOOK OF THE YEAR Award finalist
Bestseller Lists
iBooks’ “Historical Bestseller” list for May, 2015.
Kobo’s “Historical Bestseller” list for August and September, 2015.
BookBub’s Beach Read Pick 2015
JDC Top Books of 2015
Best of 2015 on Just One More Chapter
Book Launch
May 7, 2015 – Galleri Scandinavia, Gothenburg, Sweden – For photos and post on the launch: An evening to remember
Events
Read Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Banquet 2016
April 29-May 1, 2016
Bellingham Bay, Washington, USA
The 28th Annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Ceremony
April 8, 2016
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Go to my Light Messages Author Page
Read an excerpt from The Particular Appeal of Gillian Pugsley
Copyright © 2014 Susan Örnbratt
Susan Örnbratt 
Congrats Susan
Looking forward to reading your book in April
Deb
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Thank you, Debbie! I’m so pleased you want to read it. All the best /Susan
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