Book excerpt: An Ali McNamara novel is the perfect escape. Welcome to Bluebell Wood where the sun shines, the locals are kind and there's something more than a little bit magical about the place. Ava loves city life but when something happens to make her feel unsafe, she retreats to the calm and quiet of Bluebell Wood. The once high-flying Ava now locks herself away in her fairy-tale cottage, only leaving to explore the trails of the nearby woods or to potter in the garden with her dog, Merlin. When Ava begins to feed the wild birds that flock to her bird table, they start leaving her trinkets of appreciation in return. The gifts seem innocent at first, but they soon seem to take on a deeper meaning. It isn't until Ava meets Callum, the handsome parish priest, that she can't help but wonder if the birds might have been trying to get her out of the house all along. But will their curious behaviour help to heal Ava, and transform her and Callum into the lovebirds they clearly long to be? Praise for Ali McNamara: An enchanting escape. Pure magic!' Heidi Swain 'A perfect, sparkling, summer read.' Cathy Bramley 'Fun and endearing' Katie Fforde 'Perfect easy reading' Sun An irresistible, feel-good story infused with infectious humour' Miranda Dickinson 'Funny and light-hearted' Heat