Gibsons author Blair McDowell travels the Romantic Road through Europe’s cities and countryside in her fourth novel, published by Wild Rose Press.
In Romantic Road, her character, Lacy Telchev of New York, is mourning the death of her older and beloved husband, Igor, even though he had distanced himself from her and turned secretive and morose in the last year of his life. It seems he had something to hide, a manuscript that would expose powerful people. His death propels Lacy to take a journey that starts in a Quebec cabin where she visits her husband’s colleagues then moves to Germany where she follows clues that will lead her to the missing document.
But someone else wants to find that manuscript first, and if Lacy gets in the way, she will be killed. Fortunately she has a guardian in the handsome Max. But is he trustworthy? He has his own secrets, and it’s not wise for Lacy to fall in love with him.
Trust is a theme that is explored greatly in this novel. Why was there so much mistrust in Lacy’s marriage? Who can she trust now? Max? Her lawyer? Her husband’s colleagues?
McDowell writes romantic suspense and loves it. It wasn’t always so – she is a retired music professor who has written numerous books and academic papers under her real name of Lois Choksy. But when she submitted her first suspense novel to her long-time publisher, they weren’t the least interested in her fiction. Choksy studied the genre, changed to her pen name and placed her first novel, The Memory of Roses, with the U.S. publisher Wild Rose. She hasn’t looked back.
The author’s inspiration often comes from the vividly described settings – as an avid traveller she’s been inspired by Greece, by a Caribbean island and by picturesque Vancouver. This latest book is set in Europe along the Romantische Strasse, or so-called Romantic Road through Germany. Lacy takes a detour to Max’s home in Austria, but eventually arrives in Hungary where an emotional surprise awaits her. The book comes alive in Hungary; it’s obvious Choksy has a love for the country, speaks its language, understands its people and enjoys its cuisine.
McDowell/Choksy will be reading from Romantic Road this Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. The writer expects to have some time for conversation with the audience as well. All are welcome and books will be available for sale. To find out more about her previous novels, see www.blairmcdowell.com
