Victoria Howard was born in Liverpool, England, at a time when the Beatles (Twist and Shout!) were becoming popular.  Her family moved to the Wirral on the “posh” side of the river Mersey when she was eleven.  She attended the local girls’ grammar school, going on to college where she graduated with a Medical Secretarial Diploma. 

She worked as a medical secretary to an ophthalmic surgeon before going on to work as a legal secretary.  In 1980 she moved to Scotland with her husband.  She spent the next twenty years living in a croft on the outskirts of a village in the Highlands, and while there, managed a company involved in the offshore oil industry.  She feels Scotland is her spiritual home, which is probably the reason why she used it for the setting of her second novel.

In October 2000, Victoria moved to South Yorkshire to be with her new partner, Stephen, and until recently, she worked for Britain’s National Health Service. 

An avid reader, Victoria has always enjoyed writing and recounting stories– mainly in the form of letters to friends.  She recently completed an Open University course in writing fiction, and has attended a number of writers’ conferences. 

Victoria is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association.  A frequent traveler to the United States and Europe, Victoria also enjoys walking her border collie, Rosie, gardening, listening to music, and designing knitwear. 

May 13, 2009 - The House on the Shore awarded as Finalist in the Annual Joan Hessayon Awards of the Romance Novelist's Association, at their Annual Summer gathering!

The House on the Shore

By Victoria Howard

This visually magical tale takes the reader on a journey from the remote shores of Loch Hourn in the Scottish Highlands to the singular beauty of Cape Cod. 

When Anna MacDonald leaves Edinburgh to find peace in the Scottish Highlands, she gets a twofold surprise:  a lost sailor teaches her to love again…while a mysterious stranger has plans to kill her. 

Passed over for promotion by her boss—and boyfriend, Anna walks off the job in anger.  But being reactionary has its price.  Now she can no longer afford the rent on her Edinburgh apartment.  So she retreats to the only place she has ever felt happy – her grandmother's croft on the edge of a Highland loch.  With no phone or neighbours, and only two border collies for company, Anna sets out to finally achieve her lifelong dream; to write—and sell—the novel that has burned within her for years. 

Luke Tallantyre, a renowned Cape Cod artist, has sailed across the Atlantic to escape an artistic dry spell, and come to terms with his dangerous past.  When his yacht develops a problem he drops anchor in Loch Hourn.  He rows ashore, and knocking on the door of the croft, asks to use the telephone, but the reception he receives is less than welcoming – in fact it's downright frosty. 

Anna resents the cranky American’s intrusion to her seemingly idyllic life.  Luke thinks she’s an ill-mannered hermit.  But an unseen assassin is after one of them.  So they unwillingly join forces and embark on an adventure neither ever imagined, including a chance at true love.

 

Reviews for The House on the Shore

The House on the Shore is an enjoyable read. In it, Victoria Howard presents a well-crafted page turner that unfolds at just the right pace, ensuring that the reader’s attention is held captive with each new mysterious development.

Howard also does a commendable job of infusing her characters with vivid, palpable personality, framing their inclinations and reactions in the three-dimensional, thus making it easy for readers to relate to them in very real, practical terms.

A quick but compelling read, The House on the Shore is a can’t miss suspense thriller with a surprisingly potent punch, and one that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.

Renee Washburn
Apex Reviews – 4 Stars

To read the entire review and Victoria's interview with Apex...CLICK HERE

The House on the Shore is a sensually suspenseful story filled with non-stop action, romance, and mystery. The facts of Scotland are told with brilliant description that bring the land to life and leave you feeling as if you have stepped out of your world and into the pages. Ms. Howard uses such passion and emotion when telling her story, making the tale flow right along until the last page is turned. With many different characters that will keep you guessing, this novel is the perfect example of how a suspenseful story should be told. …Thrilling until the very end, this book has a who-done-it attitude with such an aching tone of sensuality and love, it will keep you up all night just so you can finish this fantastic tale.

Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More – 4 Cups

4 Stars, Reviewed by Wanda





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The House on the Shore
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