Thursday, January 17, 2013

Spotlight & Sneak Peek: Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed






One house, two worlds...

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton.

**************************************

I was able to get a sneak peak of Cinders & Sapphires thanks to Disney-Hyperion. It was a thirteen chapter preview, so my shot review is based on that and not the complete book.

It was a little hard to remember and keep track of the different characters introduced in the story at beginning. But once I got over that minor bit of confusion, the story was pretty easy to get into.

With the wedding between Lord Westlake and Fiona Templeton suddenly approaching soon after the Averley’s arrive home from India, things become very hectic in the household.  Changes are occurring for everyone including sister Georgiana and Ada, who now have step-siblings to contend with.

The lives of the servants like Annie, Rose, and Rose’s mother are shown as they help prepare Somerton for the Averley’s arrival and the wedding.
So far the characters seem pretty likable and the story was a fun quick paced read.
  
It’s like a cross between Gossip Girl and Downtown Abbey or Upstairs/Downstairs. If you are a fan of historical fiction filled with secrets, scandal, lies, drama, and of course romance then check out Cinder & Sapphires when it releases Tuesday, January 22, 2013!


Follow Me on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BookAddict4Life

No comments:

Post a Comment