Leah Mercer's books are a safe bet...plus a book giveaway

It's always a treat to have Leah Mercer visit us. Her novels are always heartfelt and thought-provoking. Today she is here to talk about her latest novel, Safe from Harm. She has TWO print copies to share with some lucky readers!

Leah Mercer was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. Her first ambition was to be a journalist, but after completing a master’s in journalism, she soon realized she preferred anything other than reporting the news. After trying her hand at public relations, teaching and recruitment in various countries around the world, she finally settled in London and returned to writing… fiction, this time. Her first two novels, Who We Were Before and The Man I Thought You Were, were shortlisted at the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards. Leah loves books, running, and visiting historic houses with her husband and their son.

Visit Leah online:

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Synopsis:
When Ali retreats to her seaside cottage, all she wants is to be alone. To reconnect with a place that has always felt like home until her baby is born.

But then her life collides with the people living in the house next door, Michael and Meg, and she is immediately welcomed into their perfect life with their beautiful baby Jem. As they help her prepare for her own arrival, Ali knows she has made the right choice for her baby in returning to Seashine Cottage.

When Michael leaves suddenly for a work trip, and Meg impulsively invites Ali to move in, it becomes clear things aren’t as perfect as they first seemed.

Meg is holding on to a dark secret. And as her behaviour becomes ever more erratic – leaning on Ali for increasing amounts of help – while Michael shows no signs of returning, Ali begins to worry.

Does she need to protect herself and her unborn child from the new friend she thought would help keep her safe? And what about her own devastating secret… the one she’s been running from?

From the bestselling author of Who We Were Before comes an unputdownable and heartbreaking read about how far we will go to protect those we love the most. Perfect for fans of The Silent Daughter, Diane Chamberlain and Kerry Lonsdale. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is something you learned from writing your previous novels that you applied when writing Safe from Harm?
I love writing from different points of view – you can see this in almost all of my novels. The interplay between the different characters and generations (a grandmother and granddaughter, in Safe from Harm) has always fascinated me. I try to link the different narratives so that one mirrors or reflects the other in some way. It’s difficult sometimes, but so satisfying when it works!

Who are you more similar to in Safe from Harm, Ali or Meg? 
That’s such a good question! Although the two women are very different, they both have the ultimate goal of protecting their child above all else – something I think any parent can relate to. There’s an element of me in both of them: like Meg, I love losing myself in my work. And like Ali, sometimes I just want to be alone!

If Safe from Harm were made into a movie, what are some songs that would be on the soundtrack?
I love the song ‘All We Do’ by Oh Wonder. It’s the title track for a popular TV show in the UK, Unforgotten, and I think the haunting tune reflects the mood of my novel so well. ‘Breathe Me’ by Sia is another song that I can picture weaving through the film. The words are so emotive and evocative. Both songs speak to the need for safety, friendship and protection, central themes in my novel.

Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
I’ve run out of shows! I’m currently re-watching Motherland. I absolutely adore its acerbic wit and can relate to many of the struggles. I’ve also recently finished re-watching My Brilliant Friend, the TV adaptation of the novels by Elena Ferrante.

What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I’m a former teacher, so I should have found home-schooling easy, right? I’ve discovered it’s much easier to teach other people’s children than your own!

What is your go-to breakfast item?
Instant oats with a splash of maple syrup every time! Along with a cup of VERY strong coffee, of course.

Thanks to Leah for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends June 27th at midnight EST.

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