Product Description

The compelling new novel from the worldwide bestselling author. Kenny's Department Store, with its handsome Edwardian facade, is the jewel in Ardagh town's crown. TV presenter Ingrid Fitzgerald has watched her husband David, Kenny's charismatic owner, pour his heart and soul into the family store, making it the epitome of boutique chic. She's juggled family life and her glittering career admirably. Now, as their children fly the nest, Ingrid discovers a secret that will shake her world to its very foundations. Natalie Flynn shares a flat with Ingrid's daughter, Molly. As love blossoms in her life, motherless Natalie starts to ask questions she has never dared to before. But will they help her make sense of her life and who she really is? Charlie Fallon is a passionate and motivated Kenny's employee who adores her husband and son, but her eccentric mother seems bent on wrecking her life. Now it's time to fight for her own happiness. Free spirit, Star Bluestone, who handcrafts fabulous tapestries for Kenny's, is the woman with the knowledge to help them all. Star knows from experience that the important things in life must be nurtured and treasured. She harbours many secrets and understands that the chance for real joy comes only once in a lifetime! Warm, captivating storytelling from the heart - treat yourself to some Cathy Kelly time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78073 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 448 pages

Review
Praise for Once in a Lifetime 'Wise, warm, compassionate, full of characters that I loved and identified with, it's like having a great gossip with your best friends. Her best book yet.' Marian Keyes 'Vintage Kelly territory - it's a book for those who believe in love' Evening Herald 'Entertaining, moving and as vivid as a screenplay - presents a picture of the lives of Irish women which, like all good fiction, brings the truth into sharp relief' Irish Independent 'Engaging reading for these recessionary times' Irish Times Some rave reviews for Cathy's previous bestellers: / 'She writes genuinely compelling stories with a sharp eye for detail and character.' Irish Mail on Sunday / 'Kelly has an uncanny knack of drawing you in to each of her characters, emotionally attaching you to their journeys !'RTE Guide / 'A must for Kelly's many fans; a warm, moving read ' Daily Mail / 'An upbeat and diverting tale skilfully told!Kelly knows what her readers want and consistently delivers.' Sunday Independent / 'An absorbing, heart-warming tale ' Company / 'Kelly explores infidelity with searing honesty!I couldn't stop reading' Louise Bagshawe, Daily Mail / 'Kelly reels you into this addictive tale' Woman & Home

From the Author
When did you start writing?
It sounds clichéd to say I’ve always written, but I have such vivid memories of being twelve and sitting up in bed writing in my notebook. I studied journalism after I left school and got a job in a newspaper, where I stayed for fourteen years. So I’ve worked as a professional writer all my grown up life. Wow! Sounds mad to say it. I dreamed of writing fiction but never really had the confidence to do it, and although I had a couple of abortive attempts to write a novel, I finally put my heart and soul into it during the mid ‘90s and wrote my first book. I’ve just started my twelfth. Yet again, sounds mad.

Where do you write?
I have a beautiful study in my house in Wicklow and from the window, I can see rolling hills and woodland. But I try to keep my eyes on the computer.

What are the pros and cons of being a writer?
I think it’s one of the best jobs in the world. I love writing – not that it isn’t tough on many occasions when the story’s not working and you think you’re a total idiot, which happens every day, basically – but I have a job I love. I am so lucky. Do you know, I can’t really think of any cons apart from the ones every person has about a job: you know, am I doing it right, will I get fired for screwing up! The negatives are what happens in my own head because I am so self-critical and let’s face it, no matter what job I had, I’d be self-critical. So I’m blessed.

What writers have inspired you?
I am a huge fan of an Irish writer, Molly Keane. I read and reread all her work. I love comedic writers too, from Douglas Adams to PG Wodehouse.

How important is a sense of place in your writing?
Very important. Mentally, I have to work out where my characters are very early on. It’s like the place is almost another character.

Do you spend a lot of time researching your novels?
I read a lot and do on-line research, but don’t do so much out-and-out research anymore. Partly because I have two small children and am very busy, but also because I find my novels are more and more about people and relationships, and that’s research into the human condition, which can be done anywhere! I love the airport. Watching people flying off, wondering where they’re going and what’s been happening to them…

Do your characters ever surprise you?
All the time. When I wanted to write first, I used to interview every novelist I could and they all said the same thing: that the story and the characters take on a life of their own. I thought they were all bonkers but it turns out, they were right. You want your character to do something by the end of the novel, and when you reach that point, they refuse to do it.

How much of your life and the people around you do you put into your books?
Who you are goes into your writing because you are the author but I honestly don’t put people I know or my own life into my novels. It wouldn’t work, in my opinion. I want to create a character and a situation and if I use an existing one - character or situation – then I’d be tied by the reality of that person or situation. I am astonished by writers who do put real people into books.

How did it feel when you saw your book in print for the first time? Incredible. Up until that point, it felt as if it was just me and something I’d worked on on my dining room table but suddenly, I had this actual book in my hand with my name on the cover.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing now?
I suppose I could still be a journalist, which was a great job but could be stressful. In my fantasy other world, I’d have retrained and by a psychologist.

What has been your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ opportunity?
Having my sons with my partner. Nothing else comes close.

You have achieved so much, what is your next goal?
I’m very involved in two charities: UNICEF Ireland - I work as one of their ambassadors – and Chernobyl Children’s Project International, of which I’m a patron. UNICEF works in more than 150 countries doing incredible work saving children’s lives. It’s an honour to be involved. With them, I’ve visted Rwanda and Mozambique to raise awareness – and funds – for their work, which includes helping children orphaned by HIV. UNICEF do so much work, I could write a thousand words here describing it. Visit their website to see what they do. CCPI is an Irish charity set up by Adi Roche in 1991 to improve the quality of life of thousands of children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. To date, they’ve delivered over 76 million euro’s worth of aid to children in the heart of the Chernobyl Zone. Currently, we’re trying to raise funds to operate on children with ‘Chernobyl Heart’, a birth defect that will kill them unless they can have surgery. 1,000 euro saves a child’s live. I want to do everything I can for these charities. No child should have to live in fear, hunger, pain. We can all help and I want to do my bit.

About the Author
Cathy Kelly is a number 1 bestselling author. She worked as a journalist before becoming a novelist, and has published eleven bestselling books. She is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland and is also a patron of Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI). She lives in Wicklow with her partner and their twin sons.

Customer Reviews

Irish Magic!
At the beginning of her authorship, Cathy Kelly's books were categorized as chick-lit, and although I have never quite agreed since I have always thought Kelly has her own unique style, her two latest books have clearly signalized a change.

With "Once in a lifetime" Cathy Kelly has taken the step from youngish, fun and bubbly to maturity and wisdom. I have always found that the Irish, in all kinds of art, have a special kind of magic, partly based on centuries of rich tradition, partly simply a trait in the Irish themselves. Whatever, it's there and it's special. And Cathy Kelly has got it in buckets.

In this book her storytelling is reaching deep into people's souls and far under the surface of life.

"Once in a Lifetime" is the story about TV presentator Ingrid, her husband David, owner of old distinguished department store Kenny's, and their two children Molly and Ethan. It's about Star Bluestone, the latest of the Bluestone women who for centuries have possessed magic abilities of various kinds. Star is perhaps the most fascinating character in the book. Living alone in the beautiful Bluestone cottage, surrounded by her dogs, orchids, interesting collections from her various travels and not the least her production of the beautiful embroidered Bluestone tapestries.There is Charlie, working at Kenny's cosmetic department and her family - and Natalie, searching desperately for knowledge about her long dead birth mother. And many, many more.

Over each chapter in the book there is a headline, a simple word of wisdom. Also, scattered about in the book are thoughtful advice and contemplations, for instance Charlie's written notes, helping her to cope and sort out her difficult relationships with her mother and sister, and helping the readers in the prosess.

My copy of the book is full of underlinings and marks. The book has not yet found its way to the bookshelf but remains lying on my night table as I need to have it close by for reference and guidance.

Is "Once in a Lifetime" a pageturner? To me, a pageturner AND a page-returner, since as much as I wanted to rush for answers, I was forced to stop on the way to ponder and think. There are so many flowers along this road which are impossible to ignore. One needs to stop and bend down to further search and admire.

Dare I say that with this book Cathy Kelly has found herself a place among the Irish classics? I think so. Old Irish myths wisely spun into modern life. The wonder of nature, love and life. And Kelly's all present trademarks, humour and warmth.

An important book by a great author, who has finally found her place.

Great Read
I have always enjoyed Cathy Kelly books and this one is no different. This story involves Ingrid and David Kenny, David Kenny being the owner of Kennys Department Store. When tragedy strikes for Ingrid, her life is altered forever and as her children fly the nest she discovers a secret that shakes her to the very core. We meet all kinds of weird and wonderful characters in this story including Star Bluestone who has a magical gift along with a link to David Kenny, Natalie who shares a flat with Ingrids daughter Molly and Charlie Fallon who works at Kenny's. The story flows easily and you feel like you are really invilved with the people and their lives. As usual a great read from Cathy Kelly and I look forward to her next book.

A disappointing effort
Once in a Lifetime

As an avid fan of Cathy Kelly, I was really looking forward to her latest book - but sadly, I felt it was mediocre at best. Her writing is as good as ever but ultimately I felt that it certainly wasn't up to her usual standard.