Clay’s Cottage

**Clay’s Cottage** is the first novel in *The Cottage Series* by **Tricia Joy**. It is a time-travelling historical romance novel set in both the 21st and 19th centuries in Tasmania, Australia.

## Clay's Cottage

### Publisher

Independently Published

The story of Tilly and Nicholas continues with the sequel **Footprints At Dawn**.

## Synopsis

*Seeking inspiration for her next historical romance novel, Tilly Fletcher visits a mysterious 19th century Tasmanian cottage, abandoned suddenly over a century ago by a sad and lonely recluse.*

*As Tilly steps through the still and silent house, untouched and fully furnished after all these years, the impossible happens to her. Dazed and confused, she struggles to comprehend that she is no longer in 2019, but suddenly standing inside the cottage in 1869 - and is caught by the aforementioned recluse, Nicholas Clay.*

*While Tilly faces the obstacles preventing her from going back home, she also has to adjust to the sudden change of living in the 19th century. But it’s not long before Tilly starts to enjoy the new life she’s started for herself, and has doubts about returning to the life she’s known for twenty-eight years - especially if it means leaving behind the man she is unexpectedly falling for.*

## Main Characters

* **Matilda ‘Tilly’ Fletcher**: The story's protagonist. Tilly is a writer who lives in Tasmania in the 21st century. Looking for inspiration for her next novel, Tilly visits an abandoned 19th century cottage (Clay's Cottage) where she finds herself suddenly swept back in time to 1869.
* **Nicholas Clay**: Lives in Tasmania in the 19th century. Inherited Clay's Cottage after his parents passed away. Is struggling with the death of his parents and
* **Anna Martin**: Matilda Fletcher's best friend in the 21st century. A real estate agent in Hobart, Tasmania, Anna was the one who told Tilly about Clay's Cottage in the first place.
* **Constable Edward Doyle**: The local police Constable in the 19th century.
* **Henry Valentine**: A family friend of the Clays.
* **Isabella Caroline Shore**: Daughter of Henry Valentine. Wife of the late William Shore. Becomes a close friend of Tilly's in the 19th century.

## Supporting Characters

### 21st Century

* **Bradley**: Anna Martin's boyfriend.
* **Henrietta 'Hettie' Hogg**: Runs a Bed and Breakfast not far from Clay's Cottage.

### 19th Century

* **Elizabeth Valentine**: Wife of Henry Valentine.
* **Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Shore**: Eldest daughter of Isabella Caroline and William Shore.
* **Susanna ‘Annie’ Shore**: Daughter of Isabella Caroline and William Shore.
* **William ‘Willie’ Shore**: Youngest son of Isabella Caroline and William Shore.
* **Robert ‘Robbie’ Smith**: Stable Boy at the Valentine house.
* **Mary McCulloch**: Housemaid at the Valentine house.
* **Grace**: The children's nanny.
* **Reverend Henry Valentine Jr**: Henry Valentine's eldest son and local reverend.
* **Mabel**: A dressmaker from Hobart Town who makes Isabella and Tilly's gowns for the annual charity ball.
* **Lilliana**: Isabella Caroline Shore's older sister.
* **Desmond**: Lilliana's husband.
* **Dudley Clarke**: A wealthy and powerful solicitor in Hobart Town.
* **Samuel**: Lantern boy.

### Animals

* **Ace**: Nicholas Clay's horse.
* **Buttons**: Henrietta Hogg's pet Chihuahua.
* **Ruby**: One of Henry Valentine's horses.