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Cathrine Swift takes readers on a moving journey through the streets of London in her latest contemporary romance novel, Words & Music.
Spruce Grove author publishes new contemporary romance novel
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This is the Spruce Grove freelance writer’s second publication following her debut novel, let it reign in 2021.
“It feels so good. Coming out of a book is kind of like that feeling after your wedding where you exhale all that relief,” Swift said.
Set in contemporary London, UK, the 419-page novel centers on the protagonist, Thur Brixton, lead singer of Blue Light Days, a British indie rock band on the verge of greatness. He yearns to write music as well as he plays it, but the words keep slipping away no matter how hard he tries. Desperate to prove he’s a true rock god – but terrified he’ll never do it – Brixton finds the perfect escape in Laila O’Conner, a young Canadian woman ready to live life to the fullest on her summer trip. in London.
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Wanting to get away from it all after graduating from college, a vacation to London with her best friend is just what O’Conner needs. On the verge of giving up on her childhood dreams of opening a bakery and accepting what fate – and her parents – have in store for her, she’s ready to say yes to whatever opportunities summer has to offer. Brixton and its tempting, wild world are the perfect distraction, but loving someone temporarily is tricky – just like the glitz, glamor and grunge of the music industry.
The book was inspired by Swift’s love for music. She wrote the first draft in 2014 when she was in her early twenties, but came to the conclusion that she was not yet mature enough to tell the story she wanted. In 2015, she made the decision to step away from the novel altogether. Over the years, she married, had children, and came to terms with personal demons from her past. In October 2021, Swift finally felt ready to give Words & Music the justice she knew she deserved.
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“I came back to it with new eyes and life experiences. It went from being a cute romance book to a gripping journey about the main character battling his addiction and recovering from what the world had done to him” , Swift said.
In addition to changing the overall theme of the novel, Swift added a more diverse cast of characters, including people of color and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Similar to let it reignit was important for Swift to have Words & Music to be representative of today’s world and not as she saw it in her early twenties.
One of the most important themes of the novel is the notion of “found family”. Throughout the book, Brixton leans on a club owner for advice because he has no one else to turn to. Swift said it’s important to remember that you’re never really alone because there’s always someone to turn to, even if it’s not your birth family.
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“The message is to lean on the people in your life who will be there for you and have your best interests at heart,” Swift said.
Currently, Words & Music is exclusively available through amazon.ca and barnesandnoble.com. However, next month, Swift said she expects the book to be in stock at all Chapters stores. Additionally, readers will be able to purchase copies in person at the 2022 Public Authors Fair at the Spruce Grove Public Library on November 5.
To learn more about Swift and her work, visit authorcathrineswift.com.
“It’s weird to have had these characters in my head for so long and then say goodbye, but it’s also exciting to move on,” Swift said.
rhowell@postmedia.com
