Chasing Shadows

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Canelo I was able to read this book before the publication date – and I really enjoyed reading this new book by T.A. Williams. This British author is not new to me. I’ve read a lot novels by him during the last months. His books always contain a bit of history. In case of „Chasing Shadows“ it’s about the pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. Another typical part of his books are two people with a more or less troubled past. On some point they fall in love with each other.

Maybe you think: „Oh, that’s boring. It’s always the same!“ But Everytime I read one of Williams‘ books it’s something new.

„Chasing Shadows“ is mainly about Amy, who has a M.A. in History, and Luke, who holds a PhD in history. They both are interested in medieval times. Due to a tragic accident five years ago Amy loses not only her eyesight but also her parents and sister. Now it is time for her to start a new life and a friend of her recommended the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. He also set Luke up to join and guide her.

While they are on their way to Spain the both get to know each other better and better. They also invent a story about two pilgrims in the Middle Ages.

The trip is not only good for Amy who starts to get happier. Also Luke feels that he has to put his own past behind him. You can guess the end, right?

All in all „Chasing Shaodws“ is a wonderful read.

The book will be published on 16th January 2017 and you can preorder it for example on Amazon.

I always enjoy Trevor's books and this is a new genre for him so I was looking forward to reading it. Time slip is one of my favourite genres and this one certainly didn't disappoint.

We follow the stories of Amy & Luke in 2016 and Aimee and Luc in 1314. Both pairs are on a Pilgrimage on the Camino and their stories interlink as the book progresses. Modern day Amy has been blinded in a dreadful accident and Luke has emotional baggage. In 1314 Aimee has been blinded in a bandit attack and Luc is a fleeing Templar Knight.

As both girls are blind, Trevor treats us to wonderful descriptions of the scenery and the food! The contrasts between the 2 journeys could not be more marked and I found myself totally involved in both plots.

A lovely read and thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second time slip romance I've read in the last couple of weeks and it's a genre I'm loving more and more. T A Williams has written many romcoms but this is his first time slip romance, with his love of history I was really excited about this release and I wasn't disappointed.

The story starts back in 1314 in the Pyrenees were a terrible crime has been committed. Back in the present day we meet Amy who was involved in a tragic accident 5 years ago which has left her blind. Amy has been trying to rebuild her life since the accident and as a Medieval History graduate she decides to take on a journey reminiscent to the pilgrims back in medieval time. The sacred journey is historical and many millions of people, pilgrims in the past and now tourist take on the challenge across tough terrains and countries to get to their goal, Santiago do Compostela and especially to pay respects to the shrine of Saint James the Great. Due to Amy's disability she has to hire a guide, her guide is another Medieval History graduate who was recommended to her by a mutual friend.

Amy and Luke decide to make their journey more interesting and to also break the ice with each other and create a story between themselves of a man and woman thrown together in unprecedented circumstances. A parallel storyline of this man and this woman taking the same journey that Amy and Luke are enduring but the major difference in the mirrored story is that this couple take their steps over 700 years in the past.

It was clever of T A Williams to talk of this parallel story, I could imagine the huge difference this same journey undertaken were quite extreme. Back in 1314 the terrain was hard going, the paths were through mountains and woods only passable on foot and if you were lucky by cart through the more habitable towns and villages. In the present day this journey can be easily done via a motor vehicle with plenty of well equipped hostels and hotels en route.

It was a voyage of discovery for both stories. A discovery of hope and strength through terrible heart breaking events. A discover of strangers pulling together, working as a team, to achieve their goals and ultimately survive. Amy and Luke have both suffered and witnessed traumatic events in the past and this journey seems to put some of these torments behind them, giving them encouragement to let go of the past and learn to listen to their heart again.

Chasing Shadows has it all. We are transported to a forgotten time which the author brings to life. It was gripping, dramatic, awe inspiring at times and heart warming. I felt quite emotional and awestruck at the end. I look forward to more time slip romances from T A Williams.

Chasing Shadows by T. A. Williams is what you would describe as being a time-slip romance throughout which the author’s passion for history shines through. I’ve never read anything by T. A. Williams before so had no idea what to expect of his writing, however I was very pleasantly surprised by Chasing Shadows. It was a book that I would most certainly recommend!

The story dramatically opens in the Pyrenees in 1314 after a terrible crime has been committed when we are then taken to 2016 where we meet Amy. After being involved in a horrific accident five years ago which left her blind, she has decided to go on a journey which many pilgrims would have completed in medieval times. With her destination being Santiago de Compostela, due to her blindness she is unable to complete the trip alone so is accompanied by a guide named Luke who also happens to be a Medieval History graduate. As they journey together and share many unforgettable experiences the question is whether they will become more than just friends?

During their trip, both Amy and Luke decided to create a story about a man and a woman who completed the same journey some 700 years earlier, which is where what we are introduced to at the start of the novel in 1314 becomes key. The way in which T. A. Williams linked both the story that took place in 2016 and that which took place in 1314 together was faultless, they blended together so effortlessly. Luke and Amy were superb characters and I have to say that I felt very connected to and hugely admired them both - they had both experienced something traumatic in their lives and as the novel progressed both confronted their demons.

One thing that became very clear to see from reading this novel is how much thorough research T. A. Williams has put into it. I found it truly fascinating to delve into a period of history that I don’t know very much about and see another side to Spain and it was also thoroughly interesting to compare and contrast the story of 2016 and that of 1314. Thanks to the author’s marvellous talent for telling a vivid story with wonderful description, both periods of time were really brought to life and I often felt like I was on a journey with the characters, experiencing all that they were.


When I first started the book I wasn’t sure if it would be the book for me, but by the fifth chapter I was well and truly hooked so I’m extremely glad I stuck with it! I can honestly say that it was an incredible reading experience, which taught me so much, stood out from the crowd and was most certainly a powerful, captivating and entertaining read. I’d encourage anyone to give this book a chance and know that I will most certainly be back to read more by T. A. Williams in the future.

Heartwarming, clever and incredibly intriguing!

In this latest novel by Williams he diverts from his usual genre of contemporary romance with a touch of history and instead gives us an historical time-slip piece full of mystery, facts, friendship, relationship dynamics, and of course a little love.

The writing is vividly described, well researched, and remarkably eloquent. The characters in both time periods are troubled, strong and endearing. And the plot is a captivating, sometimes dangerous journey from the beautiful countryside of the South of France, over the rugged mountainous Somport Pass, to the Galicia region of Spain and the tomb of St. James.

T. A. Williams wrote one of my favourite books last year, What Happens at the Beach..., and once again he has written a novel that shows his extraordinary talent as a writer and his passion for history in a tale that sweeps you away to another time and place and leaves you yearning to travel.

(My blog review link below will be live as of midnight MT on January 28, 2017 as part of the blog tour) xx

In the present day Amy has been involved in an accident in which her parents and sister were killed and she was left blind. She is left well provided for and as a scholar of medieval history she decides to follow the pilgrimage trail in the Pyrenees. Needing help she employs Luke to become her eyes and they set off on their journey.

In 1314 Aimee has been left blinded after a vicious attack by bandits. Luc is a lifelong friend and when he meets up with her while on a mission for the now disbanded Knights Templar they decide to follow the pilgrimage trail together, despite the danger they know that they are in.

The story moves between the two timeframes and you find yourself drawn into both stories and the parallels between them - I especially enjoyed it as it is an area of history that I am not very familiar with and it was definitely bought to life.

I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have read by this talented and highly entertaining author and, although a written in a totally different style, this is another total winner for me. The other stories I’ve read by him were romantic comedies but this is a timeslip story involving the main characters Luke and Amy in the present day and Luc and Aimee in 1314.

In both cases, the leading lady has lost her sight in the last few years and they are being escorted along the Camino by the male character. This gives superb opportunities for the author to have Luke and Luc describe the landscape, other people and even the food to the lady they are guiding. The author’s love and intimate knowledge of both the area and its history shines through as it is brought to life in the imagination of the reader as both couples pursue their adventures through this dramatic landscape. The couples’ stories complement each other, sometimes mirroring aspects but it is the contrasts that build up as the stories progress.

The adventures of both couples are full of twists and turns, this is another enthralling page turner that I have no hesitation in highly recommending. Whilst this is a different genre of story, the author’s skilled writing makes the two timelines work well together and I felt invested in both couples throughout the story. I was particularly impressed with how the story continued to flow even with the timeslip elements. I hope the author will do other stories in a similar vein in future – as well as more of the romcoms that I just can’t help giggling my way through, of course!

I was gifted a copy of this novel by the publishers via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to reading it.

What an astonishing book!

You'd never guess at all that's inside, from the book's cover. As beautiful as it is, I feel it doesn't do the book justice. I really never thought I'd enjoy this book nearly as much as I did.

This book was wonderfully written, I can't fault any of it. The historical aspects were a good addition, being a huge fan of studying history, this was perfectly suited for me. I'm glad I've read this book, it's one of those books that I feel I could read a couple times more. Something I rarely do.

I've always loved exploring the history of centuries ago. Yet, when I thought of the middle ages, I thought of the Black Plague, the spread of diseases and lack of education. Oh how there's so much more. This has changed my perspective of that particular period.

With the writing, I especially enjoyed the wittiness in the dialogue, how natural it was, how it was so fitting and there was a natural respect and friendship between the two main characters. It was the sort of relationship you can just picture lasting a lifetime. There was respect, trust and faith: they were very well suited for one another, the perfect travelling companions. I loved it.

Don't be put off by how this can in some ways be regarded as a historical fiction, because it's contemporary all the same: it's set in 2016, and the characters construct a story based in 1314. They do this, while getting to know one another, while going about their own adventure. Oh, and you have no idea just how much I appreciated that there was no other love interest thrown into the book. I feel as though that would have thrown it off course, ruining the story entirely.

I really, really, recommend this book. You'll meet intelligent characters, confident of themselves (which is often quite rare) and, you'll read a brilliant story set against the backdrop of the ever-intriguing Middle Ages. Fans of the English Girl by Katherine Webb, and/or the Scarlet Queen by Jacqueline Farrell, will definitely enjoy this book.

I received this book through NetGalley.

I have always thoroughly enjoyed the books that I have read by T.A. Williams, he always manages to bring his stories to life in a lovely descriptive way. So I am so happy to be able to read and bring you my review of Chasing Shadows. As soon as I read the description I was pretty sure I would enjoy the story especially with the history aspect to it.

So what did I think...

The story instantly drew me in and grabbed hold, I loved finding out all about Amy and Luke as they travelled along the Camino de Santiago. Both characters are troubled by the past which made their journey even more interesting. It's lovely how Luke and Amy slowly get to know each other and become more comfortable with each other. I really enjoyed the fact that Amy was facing her fears and doing something to move forward with her life. Luc and Aimee also brought so much to the story with danger, mystery and some tense moments following them along the way.

The descriptions of the journey the pilgrims made were brilliant and T.A. Williams has done a fantastic job of creating a detailed story but without going overboard. I felt at times as if I was right there with all of them that's how immersed in the story I became. This book was brilliant at showing me a time period I wasn't really knowledgeable in. However it was done in a way that didn't feel as if I had been bombarded with information.

I loved both parts but maybe the time-slip aspect set in 1314 slightly wins. Both stories were engaging but I guess I liked the added mystery running through the 1314 story. Both time periods flow well and the story doesn't suffer as you go from 1314 to the present day. I have to say because the story has both an historical and a modern story it really is the perfect combination for me. Everything worked perfectly from the story to the characters I was completely hooked and I have to admit I got a little emotional at the ending.

Chasing Shadows is a heart warming story with wonderful characters and a beautifully written story!

Five stars from me!

Thank you to T.A. Williams, Faye Rogers, Canelo & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

It might be different from his other books but it more than lives up to His excellent standards. Thank you for the chance to read this.

I really enjoyed this book! It was well written and the historical aspects seemed to be thoroughly researched. I have read a couple real life accounts of people walking the Camino De Santiago and was excited when I saw this novel featuring the famous pilgrimage. I think having the background information I had going in helped me get immediately caught up in the story of theses two couples making their own pilgrimage for two very different reasons AND in two different time periods.

I wasn’t sure how the two time periods was going to work. At first I had to adjust as we switched from one to the other but I was soon invested in both stories and fascinated with how both Amy & Aimee handled their adventures with the handicap of being blind. The historical setting of Luc and Aimee's Templar story was completely fascinating, exciting and had me wanting more. I actually felt the contemporary story of Luke and Amy sometimes got in the way being a little too romance oriented for my tastes. Due to this small irritation I am giving the book a 4.5 rating rather than the full 5 stars. But I would highly recommend this, especially to those who like historical fiction.

My thanks goes to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy and an opportunity to review this book.