Edith Fairchild's good-for-nothing husband, Benedict, deserted her when their children were babies. Now the children are almost adult, Edith and Pascal, her faithful lover of two decades, are planning to leave their beloved Spindrift artists' community and finally be together. But an explosive encounter between Benedict and Pascal forces old secrets into the light, causing rifts in the happiness and security of the community. Then an assassin's bullet fired in faraway Sarajevo sets in motion a chain of events that changes everything. Under the shadow of war, the community struggles to eke out a living. The younger generation enlist or volunteer to support the war effort, facing dangers that seemed unimaginable in the golden summer of 1914. When it's all over, will the Spindrift community survive an unexpected threat? And will Edith and Pascal ever be able to fulfil their dream? 'Romantic, engaging and hugely satisfying' Katie Fforde 'A highly-recommended novel of love, tragedy and the power of art' Beautifully written, engaging and heart-warming' 'A highly compelling, engrossing read' 'Evocative, enthralling and enjoyable' 'Poignant, compelling and extensively researched . . . I cannot wait to find out what happens next to these characters' A delightful historical saga which is so beautifully woven together that from the very start I was enchanted' 'Rich in detail, full of passion this is a delightful and fascinating read'