The Secret of Creek Cottage

The Secret of Creek Cottage is a tale that follows the lives of two families, almost a century apart.

1916: While the Great War rages through Europe, in the small coastal village of Trunrowan, Cornwall, life for Loveday Nance could not be more different. With her husband Will away fighting, the reality of having a longed-for child of her own seems to be slipping away with each day that passes.

Present-day: Kitty and Ben Gridley decide to leave their busy lives in Bristol hoping for a quieter way of life in the pretty village of Trunrowan, Cornwall. Little do they realise the impact that moving into Creek Cottage will have on them. When Kitty begins to experience strange things happening at the cottage, she is certain there is a secret harboured within its stone walls.

Available to order now

Book Club Questions

Please use the contact form if you would like a free copy of the authors Book Club Questions for your group.

Men An Tol – Nr Madron, West Cornwall

Men An Tol – Holed Stone – Nr Madron, West Cornwall

I recently revisited the Men An Tol, but this time with a slightly different perspective. It is still otherworldly, with an atmosphere that quietly slips under your skin and at times takes your breath away with its energy. You can feel it under your feet, smell it in the sweet smelling gorse, see it in the weather beaten trees and the low growing heather. At this visit I was visualising it through the eyes of Loveday having now published my book, The Secret of Creek Cottage. What was spookily eerily was that the hedgerows were scattered with spider webs, just as Loveday had seen in Chapter XXVII – ‘The sun was low but bright, searching out all the cobwebs in the hedges that had been spun overnight, highlighting dewdrops which glistened as though left by the spiders to entice flies into their lairs. Nature was a wonderful thing’.

As I walked the same stony path that Gribble Gummo & Loveday had walked in Chapter XXV, stepping over the granite stone, cattle style stile (theres a mouthful!) and into the field where the standing stones waited, the mist was low and tangible, wetting everything that it touched. I could not have picked a more perfect day for atmosphere! If you are ever down in West Cornwall, I highly recommend a visit.

The stones are thought to be from the Neolithic or early Bronze Age era, making them approximately 3,500 years old. It is highly probable that they were at some point part of a stone circle. Grid reference SW 426349

Words Alive

Sunday 30th August 2020

As the sun began to slip behind Shepherd Delight clouds, 266ft above sea level, a small group gathered upon an Iron Age hillfort in North Somerset to share poetry, prose and the love of a good story. Organised by Michael Loader – 4 Communities, 3 Trees, 1 Hill Green Arts Wellbeing and funded by the Arts Council Emergency Fund, we listened to an eclectic mix of readings from Dylan Thomas to poems written by a participants eight year old (she’s now 24!). As well as sharing one of my own poems, I read an excerpt of chapter VII from my debut novel, The Secret of Creek Cottage, where I introduced one of the main characters from 1916, Loveday Nance, as well as the Cornish Droll Teller (Story Teller), Gribble Gummo. It was a magical evening and we were guided down the hillfort at dark by the almost full Harvest Moon.

Lovedays’ Cornish Nettle Tea

Urtica Dioica

Loveday’s Cornish Nettle Tea

Stinging Nettle/Common nettle/Leaf nettle

Urtica Dioica

As you will know if you have read the book, Loveday was partial to a good old cuppa of nettle tea. An acquired taste you may think, but coastal and country folk would make do with their surrounding flora in many ways, from medicinal cures to food and drink. The Cornish also make a delicious Yarg cheese that is coated with nettle leaves and is very yummy!

Nettles are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are high in Vitamins A & C, as well as Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Potassium. They are earthy in taste and similar to spinach and best eaten when tender from early to mid-spring.

Make sure you wear thick gloves when picking and pinch the tips of the young leaves.

Lay on a tray to wilt or wash in hot water (once wilted they lose their sting).

They must always be cooked (never use them fresh in salads).

Crush leaves, add water then steep for 5-20 minutes depending on personal taste.

Add a squeeze of lemon or/and sugar if required.

A sprinkle of magic.

Drink no more than 4 cups per day.

Check with a Doctor or Herbalist if taking medication to ensure there are no interactions.

Side effects can and sometimes do happen. Always test a small amount first. Be sure to only pick what you need from nature and also that you are sure you know what you are picking.

Loveday Nance

Trunrowan

Cornwall

Reviews

The Secret of Creek Cottage

‘Definitely one of my top reads this year. I loved the storylines, the setting and the characters.’ https://bbalm.blogspot.com/2020/07/blog-tour-secret-of-creek-cottage-by.html

‘I absolutely adore the way Edwards has pulled together some of my favourite things; a good mystery, nature, history and a bit of magic. For a first novel, this is absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see what else she brings us in the future.’ https://curledupwithagoodbook.co.uk/the-secret-of-creek-cottage-tina-m-edwards/

‘I absolutely ADORE this book! I love EVERYTHING about it. A really well thought out interesting and good paced plot, amazing characters, happiness and heartbreak, a book which touches so many of your emotions. Easily a 5* from me.’ https://thebookreviewingmum.wordpress.com/2020/07/08/blog-tour-review-the-secret-of-creek-cottage-by-tina-m-edwards-bumbleandmoss-silverwoodbooks-randomttours-blogtour-bookreview/

‘Loved this book! Would highly recommend. Kept me hooked throughout, full of happy moments, sad moments, and lots of suspense. Brilliantly written with likeable and relatable characters.’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R13YGI9YIPWIOF/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B08BPCB821

‘This is a book that benefits greatly from lyrical and beautiful writing. It is a very good read and I recommend it as a vivid and lovely book.‘ https://northernreader.wordpress.com/2020/07/20/the-secret-of-creek-cottage-by-tina-m-edwards-the-links-between-times-in-a-cornish-cottage/

‘Brilliantly written with likeable and relatable characters.’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R13YGI9YIPWIOF/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B08D4VPVWG

‘I LOVED IT – Made me cry. Beautiful Writing, great story.’

‘Such a delightful read. Recommended.’

‘Just finished your amazing book. Really enjoyed it, you are very talented.’

More reviews can be found on Goodreads HERE

About

Tina M Edwards has loved reading and words in all forms from an early age (a love encouraged by her late grandfather who was also a writer and poet). She eventually began writing seriously, many moons after the year of her birth. Her poetry, flash fiction and short stories are now published in the U.K. and America.

She currently lives in the South West and spends as much time as possible by the sea. She is editor at The Beach Hut, an online platform for therapeutic writing which celebrates the benefits of nature, the coast and all the inspiration it brings, acknowledging the positive effects it can have on our wellbeing.

https://writingatthebeachhut.org

Twitter @TheBeachHut7

Tina enjoys writing ekphrastic poetry and flash fiction and her debut novel, The Secret of Creek Cottage, is available from July 10th 2020, published by SilverWood Books (you can order direct from the Shop page). Unsurprisingly, the time-slip novel is set in Cornwall, one of her favourite places, and follows the story of Loveday & Will Nance during 1916 and Kitty & Ben Gridley in the present day. It is steeped in folklore, tragedy and hope, but what is the secret of Creek Cottage…?

You can read more about her published works here ~ Published work.