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One Beat of a Heart
One Beat of a Heart is all it takes to change a life forever. A story of forgiveness and second chances.
London 1902
Experience the elegance and charm of Edwardian London with a kaleidoscope of colourful characters artfully woven into the strands of a gripping saga. Lose yourself in the engrossing tale of two different worlds, two different families and two very different fortunes.
When Clara Fitzroy, spoiled and entitled, refuses to conform to convention her reckless behaviour has devastating consequences. An ill-judged liaison threatens to destroy everything she’s hoped for and ruin her family’s reputation.
Daisy Carter, the hotel housekeeper, has problems of her own. A family relationship brings grief and heartache, and a well-meaning action ends in disaster. Can Daisy weather the storm and keep her family together?
When tragedy strikes at The Fitzroy Hotel on the day of King Edward VII’s Coronation their lives are thrown into turmoil. As the drama unfolds, stretching out like ripples in a pond, no one escapes the consequences.
A life-changing moment, a heartbreaking choice. Can Clara find the courage to follow her heart and find the happiness she craves? Can Daisy keep her family together when fate is pulling them apart? Clara and Daisy are bonded by the secrets they keep. Can they rely on each other when their futures depend on it?
Follow the fortunes of Clara and Daisy’s in the first of The Fitzroy Hotel Stories from the bestselling author of The Hope Series. Historical fiction at its best.
Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.
London 1902
Experience the elegance and charm of Edwardian London with a kaleidoscope of colourful characters artfully woven into the strands of a gripping saga. Lose yourself in the engrossing tale of two different worlds, two different families and two very different fortunes.
When Clara Fitzroy, spoiled and entitled, refuses to conform to convention her reckless behaviour has devastating consequences. An ill-judged liaison threatens to destroy everything she’s hoped for and ruin her family’s reputation.
Daisy Carter, the hotel housekeeper, has problems of her own. A family relationship brings grief and heartache, and a well-meaning action ends in disaster. Can Daisy weather the storm and keep her family together?
When tragedy strikes at The Fitzroy Hotel on the day of King Edward VII’s Coronation their lives are thrown into turmoil. As the drama unfolds, stretching out like ripples in a pond, no one escapes the consequences.
A life-changing moment, a heartbreaking choice. Can Clara find the courage to follow her heart and find the happiness she craves? Can Daisy keep her family together when fate is pulling them apart? Clara and Daisy are bonded by the secrets they keep. Can they rely on each other when their futures depend on it?
Follow the fortunes of Clara and Daisy’s in the first of The Fitzroy Hotel Stories from the bestselling author of The Hope Series. Historical fiction at its best.
Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 10, 2022
53 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Kay Seeley
28 books22 followersKay Seeley is a talented storyteller and bestselling author. Her short stories have been published in women’s magazines and short-listed in competitions. Her novels had been finalists in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She lives in London and loves its history. Her stories are well researched, beautifully written with compelling characters where love triumphs over adversity. Kay writes stories that will capture your heart and leave you wanting more. Often heart-wrenching but always satisfyingly uplifting, her books are perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs, Lesley Pearse and Josephine Cox. All her novels are available for Kindle, in paperback, audio and in Large Print.s.
She is a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors and The Society of Women Writers and Journalists.
Visit her website www.kayseeleyauthor.com
She is a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors and The Society of Women Writers and Journalists.
Visit her website www.kayseeleyauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2022
One Beat of a Heart is the story of Clara Fitzroy and Daisy Carter. Clara works at the family hotel. One year after the death of Queen Victoria, and the impending coronation, they are hoping for many guests to fill the hotel in order for the family business to prosper after hard times. Clara Fitzroy, unfortunately gets into a little bit of trouble. She will ask Daisy, one of the employees at the Fitzroy Hotel, to help her. Daisy, with hardships of her own, does her best to help Clara, and her own family.
Clara will be forced to make a decision that will alter her life, but will she make the right one. As a result Clara will ask Daisy to do a favor for her, but will she be able to see it through.
This is a wonderful story of second chances. I really liked this story. It was a quick afternoon read. I liked all the characters and as was quickly caught up in this page turning drama.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Clara will be forced to make a decision that will alter her life, but will she make the right one. As a result Clara will ask Daisy to do a favor for her, but will she be able to see it through.
This is a wonderful story of second chances. I really liked this story. It was a quick afternoon read. I liked all the characters and as was quickly caught up in this page turning drama.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
March 18, 2022
Brilliant Book. A must read.
April 28, 2022
Edwardian London 1902
Clara Fitzroy, spoiled and entitled, refuses to conform to convention. Her reckless behaviour has devastating consequences and an ill-judged liaison threatens to destroy everything she’s hoped for.Daisy Carter, the hotel housekeeper, has problems of her own. A family relationship brings grief and heartache and a well meaning action ends in disaster. When tragedy strikes at The Fitzroy Hotel on the day of Edward VII’s Coronation their lives are thrown into turmoil. As the drama unfolds, stretching out like ripples in a pond, no one escapes the consequences..
A life-changing moment, a heartbreaking choice. Can Clara find the courage to follow her heart and find the happiness she craves? Can Daisy keep her family together when fate is pulling them apart? Clara and Daisy are bonded by the secrets they keep. Can they rely on each other when their futures depend on it?
Follow the fortunes of Clara and Daisy in One Beat of a Heart from the bestselling author of The Hope Series.
A powerfully written saga from a master storyteller. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.
This is more a mystery than a romantic story.
It all depends on who is the killer. Clara discovers it is easier to give up her baby but she just can't do it.
A coronation, a murder, and a life changing day of passion makes the difference.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Clara Fitzroy, spoiled and entitled, refuses to conform to convention. Her reckless behaviour has devastating consequences and an ill-judged liaison threatens to destroy everything she’s hoped for.Daisy Carter, the hotel housekeeper, has problems of her own. A family relationship brings grief and heartache and a well meaning action ends in disaster. When tragedy strikes at The Fitzroy Hotel on the day of Edward VII’s Coronation their lives are thrown into turmoil. As the drama unfolds, stretching out like ripples in a pond, no one escapes the consequences..
A life-changing moment, a heartbreaking choice. Can Clara find the courage to follow her heart and find the happiness she craves? Can Daisy keep her family together when fate is pulling them apart? Clara and Daisy are bonded by the secrets they keep. Can they rely on each other when their futures depend on it?
Follow the fortunes of Clara and Daisy in One Beat of a Heart from the bestselling author of The Hope Series.
A powerfully written saga from a master storyteller. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.
This is more a mystery than a romantic story.
It all depends on who is the killer. Clara discovers it is easier to give up her baby but she just can't do it.
A coronation, a murder, and a life changing day of passion makes the difference.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
April 5, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest feedback.
This historical-mystery novel is set in London in 1902 and centres around the Fitzroy hotel - a family business in trouble - and two main characters: Clara Fitzroy, the eighteen-year-old daughter of the owner, and Daisy Carter, the hotel housekeeper. On the day of Edward VII’s Coronation, not only Clara behaves recklessly (regretting it just a minute later), but also the hotel turns into a crime scene, thus complicating the lives of the Fitzroy family and those of their employees.
This is a lovely novel, with a nice setting, a captivating plot and interesting characters. I enjoyed reading it, and though at the beginning I wasn't sure I liked it, it slowly grew on me, and at the end I was glad I had the chance to read it. I liked the way the author described how a crime committed by an unknown person can directly or indirectly affect the lives of many other people, and I enjoyed playing the detective. I particularly liked the Jeremy character, I liked how he loved his sister, respected everybody and wasn't judgmental.
To sum up, I am not sure I would buy the book if I saw it in a bookshop, for although it was a nice reading it didn't capture my heart as others have done, but nevertheless it is a good novel.
This historical-mystery novel is set in London in 1902 and centres around the Fitzroy hotel - a family business in trouble - and two main characters: Clara Fitzroy, the eighteen-year-old daughter of the owner, and Daisy Carter, the hotel housekeeper. On the day of Edward VII’s Coronation, not only Clara behaves recklessly (regretting it just a minute later), but also the hotel turns into a crime scene, thus complicating the lives of the Fitzroy family and those of their employees.
This is a lovely novel, with a nice setting, a captivating plot and interesting characters. I enjoyed reading it, and though at the beginning I wasn't sure I liked it, it slowly grew on me, and at the end I was glad I had the chance to read it. I liked the way the author described how a crime committed by an unknown person can directly or indirectly affect the lives of many other people, and I enjoyed playing the detective. I particularly liked the Jeremy character, I liked how he loved his sister, respected everybody and wasn't judgmental.
To sum up, I am not sure I would buy the book if I saw it in a bookshop, for although it was a nice reading it didn't capture my heart as others have done, but nevertheless it is a good novel.
March 19, 2022
A lovely well written entertaining read, as you can always rely on from Kay Seeley. A five star read for me. The characters all come alive in the story. Hopefully there will be another story of The Fitzroy Hotel. Hotel
April 21, 2022
Thanks to Net Galley for granting this book - really enjoyed the style of writing - felt absorbed in the storyline from page one - great characters and a very enjoyable read. would recommend and will definitely read other books by this author.
August 2, 2022
A satisfying read, combining romance and a murder mystery in a historical London hotel setting. With both upstairs and downstairs heroines and by using the two points of view the author gets to the heart of the early 20th century class system and daily life for both servants and masters.
September 15, 2024
happy ever after
I was reluctant to carry on reading this book at the start, as it appeared slow and uneventful, however I’ve felt this way many times when starting a new book, but I’m pleased to say I persevered and was glad that I did. The story told about the lower classes and the gentry and how their lives can become entwined and as how one can’t live without the other. A very good read after a slow start.
I was reluctant to carry on reading this book at the start, as it appeared slow and uneventful, however I’ve felt this way many times when starting a new book, but I’m pleased to say I persevered and was glad that I did. The story told about the lower classes and the gentry and how their lives can become entwined and as how one can’t live without the other. A very good read after a slow start.
August 29, 2022
The hotel is the setting of this book. Good story, good characters and an interesting hotel. I liked the book.
May 6, 2024
My first time read by this author and certainly not my last! Loved the book all the way through ! Lots happening and never a dull moment . It’s a must for all Downtown Abbey fans !
December 20, 2022
"One Beat of a Heart" is 40% romance and 60% mystery. Clara Fitzroy is a young lady living in Edwardian London, at her family's hotel. She starts out as somewhat self-absorbed and spoiled, but experiences something that completely alters her life. Daisy is an employee in the Fitzroy hotel, and she comes from a more working-class background. Her life becomes intertwined with Clara's in ways neither expected. Tossed into the mix is the murder of a young woman staying at the hotel, and the impact it has on the hotel's reputation. The mark of a good book is its ability to elicit emotion from the reader. This book certainly does that. I had several moments where I wanted to knock some sense into some of the characters, particularly Clara's mother. Then there were moments where I felt sorry for some of the characters and choices they had to make that often seemed to complicate rather than help their situations. But in one major way this book made me angry. Kay Seeley is a talented writer, as evidenced from the list of her other works. But her handling of what happened to Clara and the way she wraps it up so neatly at the end, as if it is perfectly natural to fall in love with one's attacker, was a deal breaker for me. For that reason alone, this is not a book I would read again.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews