Description
Story Origins:
My wife asked me, why do I write, and I suppose the most genuine answer I could give is, I simply enjoy writing.
There are all sorts of reasons why people write stories. A letter, a newspaper article, a story that becomes a book. “I couldn’t stop thinking about an idea.” “I wanted to remember someone.” “I had something to say.” These are all good reasons given by notable authors.
But what happens when all you have in your head is a title?
The Woman Who Loves began like that.
Of course, having come up with a title, the next question is either, what does that mean, or, what will I do with it? And that’s when the fun starts for me.
If you read all my books, you will note my liking for setting at least a part of each story in Dorset, England. You have Hilda Smith to thank for that. I am an urbanite from Kent. I grew up with the idea that I could travel the thirty-two miles from my grandfather’s house to London without going outside of a town. The idea of living in the countryside was alien to my way of thinking, until I went to where Hilda wanted to live and fell in love with it.
I still live in a city, but I can get to Dorset easily and have a look around. It is a county that has no motorway to carve it up or major railway line running through it. It has one major road, and many smaller roads that lead to ancient and quaint non-industrialised country villages. I found Hilda’s village of Okeford Fitzpaine on one such road, and just a few miles further on, in Fontmell Magna, I had my first thoughts of Lily Blackwood: The Woman Who Loves.
An orphan, Irish-born, living with her grandmother. I didn’t know what had happened to her mother. Nor her father. I didn’t know she would one day travel ‘home’ or that Hazel Williams would become such an important part of her life. All I knew was that sitting in the Dorset summer sunshine, watching village life drift past, she stepped into my imagination.
Everything else grew from that moment.
Keith Salter Ford –
Guneet Chawla review of The Woman Who Loves, part 1
📖 K.S. Ford’s novel is a gripping literary thriller that beautifully blends family secrets, emotional depth, and suspense into a compelling and unforgettable story.
At the heart of the novel is Lily Blackwood Doyle, a young woman determined to uncover the truth about her mother’s mysterious past. What begins as a search for answers soon pulls her into a dangerous world of betrayal, hidden histories, and long-standing criminal rivalries. As secrets buried for decades begin to surface, Lily finds herself confronting not only her family’s legacy but also her own strength and resilience.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the way the story balances mystery with emotion. While the suspense keeps you invested in uncovering the truth, the real strength of the novel lies in its characters and relationships. Lily’s journey feels authentic and deeply personal, making it easy to connect with her as she navigates loss, uncertainty, and difficult choices. ❤️
The atmospheric setting adds another layer to the story. The transition from Dorset to Ireland creates a sense of intrigue from the very beginning, and the rich backdrop of family history and hidden secrets makes the narrative even more immersive. K.S. Ford takes time to build the tension gradually, allowing each revelation to have a meaningful impact before leading the reader toward a dramatic and satisfying climax. 🌿✨
Beyond the thriller elements, the novel explores themes of identity, inheritance, courage, love, and the lasting impact of the past. I especially appreciated how the emotional stakes remained just as important as the external conflicts, giving the story depth beyond its mystery plot.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
💭 My Thoughts: The Woman Who Loves is an atmospheric, emotionally rich, and suspenseful read that offers much more than just twists and secrets. With a strong protagonist, layered family dynamics, and a compelling mystery at its core, it’s a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven thrillers with heart. I’m excited to see how Lily’s journey continues in the next instalment.