Publication Date: December 16, 2024
“A warmth had settled into my being, ignited by that kiss and something had begun that could never be undone. A pledge unspoken and yet no less consequential in its silence. A promise of hearts and The Essence of Bliss.”
Isabel Bliss is a devoted reception class teacher with a remarkable sensitivity to the emotions of the people around her. She experiences other people’s emotions as if they were her own, sometimes to an unsettling or even crippling degree. Her gift can be both a blessing and a curse.
When a boy in her class experiences unspeakable suffering, she alone must find a way to rescue him from his torment. Meanwhile, when a new affluent family moves to town, Isabel has instant and profound reactions to the two sons; recoiling from one and being inexorably drawn to the other.
Propelled into a tangled web of love, passion and power underpinned by secrets, deceit and betrayal, Isabel is set on an emotional journey of self-discovery, challenging the very concepts of chance, choice and destiny.
Working with children all day means Isabel Bliss deals with a wide range of emotions, whether it’s laughter or frustration.
However, she has a unique ability that makes her more susceptible to the feelings of other people. Author Emily Astillberry uses this as the foundation for The Essence of Bliss, which offers a dual storyline.
The author leverages Isabel’s gift in a troubling encounter with one of her young students. Isabel must convince school authorities to take action without any real proof. It’s a gut-wrenching situation.
Isabel’s forbidden connection to a wealthy stranger throws her for a loop, especially since he seems to know more about her ability than anyone else. As she gets closer to Scott, she stumbles on disturbing information.
The dialogue between Isabel and her young students is charming, which helps to offset the aftermath of the horrific experience. Full of emotion, Isabel faces continued challenges that pull her away from a safe routine.
From a reader’s perspective, the cliffhanger left me shocked because it stopped at a pivotal point. I can only hope there will be a sequel.
The Essence of Bliss serves up a romantasy with an unexpected twist.
Emily Astillberry is an author and RSPCA Inspector from Norfolk, England. She has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics from York University and has been investigating animal cruelty and neglect and rescuing sick and injured animals for 20 years. In her day job, Emily deals with very difficult and often emotional situations and meets all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Her career provides some of the inspiration for themes and characters that can be found in her fictional work.
At home, in a very old cottage in the country, Emily has a husband, 5 children, a dog, a cat, an axolotl, 2 giant African land snails and a varying number of rescue hens, so finding time to write can be a challenge. She is happiest outdoors, growing fruit and vegetables in the garden, walking the dog and family holidays usually involve walking up mountains in summer, skiing down them in winter and sleeping in a tent whenever possible.
Emily loves spending time with her large, noisy, chaotic family, cooking meals for friends and playing board games. She always has at least one book on the go and has always dreamed of writing her own novel. She now dreams of writing more.
The Essence of Bliss is her latest book.
