Beautifully written books with vivid settings. The reader is taken to the Ribble Valley, South West France and northern Spain with the pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago.
Walking Apart Holding On Letting Go Walking Alone Moving Pictures
Contemporary novels with beautiful settings
Select a good book and it will transport you to faraway places, gorgeous beaches, mountains remote and mysterious. But how about a book set on your own doorstep where the characters live in the shadow of Pendle Hill, hike the Cumbrian fells and shop in Manchester and Clitheroe? If you prefer to escape to foreign fields, travel long haul to Melbourne, Australia, experience a hot summer in southern France or walk the dusty tracks of the Camino de Santiago.
Catherine Finch
During my 30 years in teaching, I loved to write stories, plays and musicals for children. My audience was enthusiastic and unfailingly appreciative. Unfortunately, as a headteacher, I was also required to write long, tedious documents for school inspectors. I don’t remember quite the same enthusiasm or thanks when I produced these works of fiction. Although reluctant to leave the village school where I was headteacher for 11 years, I was delighted to find space in my life for some real writing. I share my time between Lancashire and South West France, taking inspiration from both of these beautiful areas. Long walks give me the space to reflect, to absorb a new setting and to chat with my characters – yes, they talk to me and sometimes dispute what I have in store for them! I am pleased to have been shortlisted and placed in a number of competitions, including Flash 500, TSS and the Bath Short Story Award 2017. A collection of short stories is awaiting publication in December 2020. https://www.mixcloud.com/ribblefm/local-author-catherine-finch-joined-hughie-on-brunch/ Read More
Three novels and a story collection
Walking Apart
Sensitively written, exploring the relationship dynamics of a long-married couple. The narrative flows as you are taken into the world within the book with its gorgeous Ribble Valley backdrop.
Walking Alone
For readers who enjoyed Walking Apart the story of David and Helen continues as they negotiate the twists and turns of their relationship. The fascinating backdrop of the Camino de Santiago, affords a depth of singular beauty to the narrative
Holding On Letting Go
Wonderfully and sympathetically told from the human angle, and when settled into SW France the plot is alive and peppered with inspired descriptions at unexpected moments.
Moving Pictures
A collection of 17 short stories, taking the reader from Lancashire and the Lake District to France, Lisbon and the Holy Land.
This absorbing selection explores life, love and the strengths and weaknesses of human relationships.
Moving Pictures
Try this collection of short stories and flash fiction pieces published in January 2021
Liesl explores the historic city of Lisbon and meets Alex. Can she help him with a life-changing decision?
Will colouring in help Anna find stability in her life when work and child rearing and youth are behind her?
In a French village, an old man wonders if he may find peace following a devastating mistake made in childhood
And where were you in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their first steps on the moon?
Intrigued? Find out more in the short story collection, Moving Pictures, now available from the book shop page. Also available as a Kindle download and in paperback from Amazon.
Buy the book
The two book set of Walking Apart and Walking Alone is now available for £20
Two book set
Book orders can be gift wrapped with a personalised tag and sent to any UK address. Please e-mail with details if you would like to take advantage of this service.
Catherine is available to talk to groups who would be interested in hearing about her novels, life in France, writing in general and walking the Camino de Santiago, which is the setting for her third novel, Walking Alone. Since the Covid19 outbreak, Catherine has enjoyed speaking with book clubs through social media. Please contact her using the e-mail link if you would like to arrange such a meeting and Chaffinch Books will do their best to find you a date and time for this. ‘Many thanks to all who came to Villefranche de Rouergue on Friday May 31st at 18.00 in the Salle de Travail at Les Fleurines. It was a delight to meet new readers and share the stage with fellow author, Vanessa Couchman. You can discover more about Vanessa Couchman’s novels by visiting her website https://vanessacouchmanwriter.com
