Monday 30 July 2018

#PublicationDayPush The Haunting of Hattie Hastings - Part Three by Audrey Davis


Happy Publication Day! The Haunting of Hattie Hastings - Part Three by Audrey Davis. The conclusion to this trilogy is finally available!

About the Author
Audrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.

Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, fewer farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: 'There's been a murrrrder!'

After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancĂ©. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for 'artistic' use of naked men's bottoms.

Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between them, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn't bode well …

Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it's packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we'll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.

It wasn't until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an online Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Part Two is published on 21 March 2018, with the conclusion following in July. After which she might have a wee lie down …

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About the book
Nothing lasts forever … Gary’s time on earth seems to be coming to an end. His visits are less frequent and his visibility is fading fast. But he still has a mission to accomplish, which involves Hattie and her ability to pass on a heart-rending message.

Best friend Cat’s ex-husband is determined to prove that he deserves another chance, but do leopards really change their spots?

Times are tough for Hattie’s mother Rachel, but where there’s life, there’s hope …
Meanwhile, is there someone already in Hattie’s life who can help her move on when it’s finally time to say goodbye?

Get your tissues at the ready – both for laughter and tears – with the final instalment of a trilogy that has been hailed ‘brilliant’, ‘hilarious’, and ‘a great feel-good read’.

Review
The is the final part of The Haunting of Hattie Hastings trilogy. In the first part Hattie suffers the tragic loss of her husband Gary only for him to return as a ghost. His ghostly apparition becomes a permanent fixture in her life, and that of her friends. It soon becomes apparent that there is something he has to resolve before he can move on.

In the second part Gary finds he isn't the only one stuck in-between the world of the living and that of ghosts. He also discovers why he can't move on. It is of utmost importance that he help his little friend Marty contact his parents and help Hattie to deal with his death.

In the conclusion to the trilogy Gary uses Hattie to pass on his messages, which is even more important now Gary has started to fade away. His time is limited, and he is desperate to make sure Hattie finds someone who cares about her the way he does.

This is a romantic comedy with a hint of ghost and a large helping of love and kindness. Davis presents the topic of grief in a playful and funny way. The tender and close relationship between Hattie and Gary only becomes apparent after the death of Gary, which I suppose is the whole point the author is trying to get across. How we don't value what we have until we no longer have it.

It is also about hope and not giving up when your life is struck by the greatest tragedy imaginable. It's an amusing and pleasant read, perfect for readers looking for an uncomplicated read.

Buy The Haunting of Hattie Hastings - Part Three or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Buy The Haunting of Hattie Hastings - Part Two
Buy The Haunting of Hattie Hastings - Part One

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