About the Book

Overview:
Weaving together romance with political intrigue, this enlightening mystery immerses the reader in an entertaining lover’s quest, earning Third place for Historical Fiction (Bestsellers World 2024).

Synopsis:
A decade after the Spanish Civil War, a visitor is captivated by the country’s romantic allure. Richard falls for a Basque intern, who challenges his naïve perspective of Spain’s veiled turmoil. When Terese disappears, he desperately attempts to find her.
Years later, a discovery compels him to return. Forcing him to question their past relationship, Richard's journey takes him beyond the grip of Franco’s conflicted legacy to discover the truth behind his lover’s disappearance.

Background:
In 1949, 10 years after Franco's civil war victory, a naïve visiting academic falls for a strong-willed Basque activist who ‘disappears’ in Spain.
​Several historical romance novels are set in Franco’s post-war Spain: Ruta Sepetys’ The Fountains of Silence, CJ Sanson’s Winter in Madrid, and Victoria Heslop’s The Return. Of these, only Sepetys mentions the deafening silence surrounding Franco’s legacy.
​Return to Pamplona's lover's quest tackles this silence, using relationships, loss and introspection to examine this search for personal and historical truth.
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​Reviews

“a deeply moving narrative…the journey of Terese Burguera, a spirited Spanish Basque and her lover, Richard Samuels, an English academic…fraught with danger, political strife, and the haunting shadow of her missing uncle…The narrative highlights the personal struggles of individuals caught in socio-political upheaval. I couldn’t put this suspenseful tale down until I turned the final page. 5 Stars”
R.DZEMO, Author, ​Readers’ Favorite

"captures the beauty and atmosphere of Spain, the intensity of a love affair and impact of an authoritarian regime.”
​Patty C. Bruton
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"Return to Pamplona is a moving and transfixing novel with historical intrigue that will have its readers turning the pages into the early hours of the morning ,... an intriguing, unique historical romance novel that captivated me… a journey that is full of captivating and moving moments… Return to Pamplona captured my attention immediately thanks to the wonderful characters, and moving plot… like a present was being unwrapped before my eyes, and the more the pages turned, the more excited I got for the finale… a gripping historical romance novel that is guaranteed to keep readers entertained for hours on end. 5 stars
Aimee Ann  Red Headed Book Lover

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​“an atmospheric tale of star-crossed love and political intrigue set against the tumultuous backdrop of post-civil war Spain… a richly detailed historical tableau…a keen eye for historical detail and a knack for poetic, transportive prose…the sights, sounds, and textures of postwar Spain, conjuring a vivid sense of place and time…an impressive feat of historical research and poetic scene-setting. Where the novel shines is in its nuanced portrait of a nation grappling with its fascist past, a theme still painfully relevant in our current geopolitical moment. Fans of sweeping historical sagas will find much to admire in Meehan’s ambitious debut.”
Edward Sung  IndieReader
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“confident prose and strong dialogue ... The layers of secrecy and betrayal keep readers turning pages… a striking and realistic tale of love and culture. 5 Stars” 
K.C.FINN,  Author
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​"an intriguing blend of adult fiction, historical drama, and thriller… draws you in emotionally… Some experiences are so strong that they leave a mark that stands the test of time…a compelling image of how individual lives intertwine with broader cultural currents."
Timea BARABAS, Author

​“seamlessly blends a passionate romance, a thrilling mystery, and historical intrigue … evocative, conveying the depth and intensity of the characters' emotions …well crafted, …, making it a thoroughly immersive read for fans of historical fiction and romance. 5 Stars ​”
M. Chaturmutha    
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Roman Aquaduct in Segovia, Spain