Footpaths on the Sea

Book excerpt: Footpaths on the Sea Annie Luscombe, 16, works as a “Bal Maiden” in a 19th century tin mine. A fine singer, she secretly dreams of going on the stage, but Josiah Marston, a “hell fire” preacher, has his own plans for her future, and finds her work at the local mine manager’s house. There she meets Tansy the young orphan, and Brendan the groom. Brendan is in love with the reclusive Kate, recently come from Ireland on a mysterious mission of her own, but Brendan learns that she has unscrupulous enemies who will stop at nothing to prevent her carrying out her task. Despite a terrifying ordeal during one of her rituals, Brendan vows to be her champion. At the local fair, Annie meets George the handsome young travelling actor, and their mutual attraction makes it seem that Annie’s dreams may come true at last. But a powerful, shadowy figure understands that their plans will wreck his own, and none of them: Annie, Tansy, Kate nor Brendan realise the terrible danger they are in until it is almost too late... “…an extraordinary blend of the natural and the supernatural; of ultra-vivid descriptions of the ever-changing landscape of West Cornwall, combined with stunning accounts of psychic and spiritual experiences of many kinds. Imagine a unique blend of Thomas Hardy, Victoria Holt, Mary Webb and James Herbert!” Jane Sand BA Eng. Lit