Tracy Rees, Karen Swan

a delightful afternoon with two leading authors of romantic fiction, one historical and one contemporary.

Tracy Rees’ latest novel, Florence Grace, centres on impoverished Cornish orphan Florrie Buckley, whose life changes overnight when she discovers she is related to a wealthy and notorious London family, the Graces.

Cut off from everyone she has ever known, Florrie struggles to learn the rules of this strange new world. And then she must try to fathom her destructive pull towards the enigmatic Turlington Grace, a man with many dark secrets of his own.

The Paris Secret is Karen Swan’s tenth novel. Down a cobbled street in Paris is discovered a long forgotten apartment full of priceless artworks that have been hidden away for decades. When high-flying art expert Flora Sykes is called in to assess the collection she is thrown into the heart of the glamorous Vermeil family – and into the path of the tense and brooding Xavier.

Shying away from the instant attraction between them, Flora focuses on tracing the history of the paintings. But as she moves between London and Paris, Vienna and Antibes, she finds herself with more questions than answers. Just what is Xavier hiding, and will uncovering the truth heal the past - or destroy her future?

Tracy and Karen will be discussing their work with local resident Laura Kemp, herself the author of two published novels and a bestselling e-book.

Tracy Rees was born in South Wales and graduated from Cambridge. She had a successful career in publishing before moving on to practise and teach humanistic counselling. Her debut novel Amy Snow was the winner of the Richard and Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ competition and the LoveStories ‘Best Historical Read’ award.

Karen Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and an ADHD puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her books include Christmas at Tiffany’s, Summer at Tiffany’s, The Perfect Present and Christmas on Primrose Hill.

The ticket price includes tea and delicious romance-themed cupcakes, and every attendee will be given a rose to take home!