The Shadow Sister (The Seven Sisters #3)

by Lucinda Riley

as all the unspoken words and feelings locked inside me seemed to pour out in a torrent.

‘anything of lasting value takes time to come to fruition. And once it does, you will be glad you persevered.’

I’d smiled as I washed my hands. And wondered if human beings ever really grew up, or whether life was simply a playground forever.

I was a feminist in the truest sense of the word – I believed in equality with neither sex dominant. And it was fair to say that I loathed being addressed as ‘sweetheart’. Either by a man or a woman.

I’m sure there are millions of us who have a natural ability at something, but unless we harness that ability and dedicate ourselves to it, we can never reach our full potential.’

I’m of the belief that good literature should be shared.

Having spent so long plucking up the courage to actually go in, I knew I wouldn’t find any more of it today.

He wasn’t afraid to be exactly who he was, and I knew only too well how much strength of character that took.

I felt a little bubble of happiness and expectation. I hummed as I cooked supper, and mulled over whether to tell CeCe about my extraordinary day.

‘You feel your own insignificance.

she mounted the huge pile of rocks then let her go as she spread out her arms and looked up to the blue of the sky. ‘I feel on top of the world!’

‘You mean an independent woman of means who has been able to choose her own destiny?’

optimistic, open nature that people were drawn to. He trusts in humanity . . .

We were both afraid of the cruel world outside our comfortable nest.

And above all, be true to yourself.

Forgive me for saying so, but tucked up here in front of our well-fed fires, it is very easy to become dislocated from what is happening beyond us.

Now, I had to find my voice. And also the courage to speak out with it.

I looked out of the window at the river, flowing unstoppably forward, its progress unchecked.

I liked nothing better than carrying my home on my back and the excitement of not knowing where I’d end up sleeping that night. Being free.

The world is sadly still not a perfect place and I doubt it ever will be, because there will always be a new challenge ahead. Yet I truly believe that humans – especially women – thrive on this challenge. We are, after all, the goddesses of multi-tasking! And every day – with one hand holding a child and the other a manuscript – I celebrate the fact that my freedom to be who I am was won by thousands of generations of remarkable women, perhaps leading right back to the Seven Sisters themselves . . .

from Lucinda Riley's Author's Note

Often, everyday quiet courage, kindness and inner strength go unacknowledged.

from Lucinda Riley's Author's Note