THE TOUCHSTONE

Author: Pamela Kavanagh ISBN: 9780709084679 5/2008 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: ROBERT HALE

Catrin Jenkins has landed a job at a newly-restored previously burnt-out woollen mill, a tourist attraction near her home in West Wales. Although engaged to long-term boyfriend Will, she is attracted to Ewan, the architect in charge of revamping the mill. Then, when Rissa Birch arrives on one of Catrin's weaving courses, a sequence of events is set in motion. Both girls become party to dreams revealing the history of the mill and how it came to go on fire. A link between themselves and the past unfurls, culminating in family rifts, broken relationships and secrets exposed. Ewan has his own problems but helps Catrin, before leaving for a fresh start in New Zealand. Catrin wants him back, but is it too late?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Pamela Kavanagh's THE TOUCHSTONE is a fast, fun read that is as informative as it is entertaining. A story set in Wales, there are many details that are unique to the setting that add an air of authenticity to the action.

Catrin is trying to revive a restored business after it has been closed for over a hundred years. The woolen mill, with quaint touches and lovingly replaced architectural details, should be a big tourist draw which is what all concerned is hoping for. Catrin is engaged to one man, drawn to another, and when Rissa arrives there is just a bit more entanglement to the whole love triangle. This is the strongest part of this story, the way the love stories are set up against the mystery of the woolen mill. I enjoyed watching Catrin try and balance her heart with her work and family commitments. I particularly enjoyed the bits about the weaving and the mill.

The only point that gave me a minor setback is some of the dialogue. This is a contemporary story, yet some of the terms seem pretty old-fashioned. I suppose that could be put down to the setting so I didn't pay much attention to it, but it did draw my focus away from the story itself now and again.

While the outcome was fairly predictable, the story itself was entertaining. A very good way to spend a long evening!

Kay James