Monday 22 April 2013

Sneak Peeks & Giveaway: Alison McQueen - Under the Jewelled Sky

Today I'm happy to kick off the blog tour for Alison McQueen's latest book, Under the Jewelled Sky, by giving you a sneak peek of the book which I will be reviewing shortly.   

A love story for India, for a lost world and a boy from a forbidden world.
 
London 1957. In a bid to erase her past, Sophie Schofield accepts a wedding proposal from ambitious British diplomat, Lucien Grainger. When he is posted to New Delhi, into the glittering circle of ex-pat society, old wounds begin to break open as Sophie is confronted with the memory of her first, forbidden love and its devastating consequences. This is not the India she fell in love with ten years before in a maharaja's palace, the India that ripped out her heart as Partition tore the country in two.

And so begins the unravelling of an ill-fated marriage, setting in motion a devastating chain of events that will bring her face to face with a past she tried so desperately to forget, and a future she must fight for. This is a tender story of love, loss of innocence, and the aftermath of a terrible decision no one knew how to avoid.


If you'd like to read an extract of the book then you're in luck as the first chapter is available on her publishers website which can be read here.

Thanks to the lovely Sophie at Orion Books I have 5, yes you've read that right, copies of Alison's previous book, The Secret Children, to give away to regular followers of the blog.  Details of the book you could win are below...

In 1920s India, where do two little girls belong? Born of two cultures, belonging to neither...

Assam, 1925. James MacDonald is one of the sons of empire who has no yearning for England. Running a tea plantation, he loves India and is reluctant to choose a British bride from the eager crowds sent over. But when he takes a beautiful young Indian woman as his courtesan, he can little imagine what he has begun.
 
So starts the story of Mary and Serafina. Born of two worlds, accepted by neither. Growing up beloved but hidden away, their childhood is one of contradiction. It is only as the shadow of war falls and the turmoil of Indian partition begins, that the girls must face the truth about their parents and begin the search for somewhere to belong.
 
It will be a journey full of forbidden questions, hidden answers, heartbreak and determination. As Serafina and Mary grow into women, they must risk everything and make choices with a legacy that will last a lifetime, and beyond.  

Does this sound like a book you'd like to read, then make sure you enter your details into the Rafflecopter form below for the chance to win1 of the 5 copies available.  Entries will close at midnight on 30th April and winners selected at random who I'll then contact for postal details to pass to Sophie to send your book to you.    
a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't forget Under the Jewelled Sky is out on Thursday, find out more here.  Visit Jackie Magpie tomorrow for the next stop on our blog tour.

8 comments:

  1. Not read anything by this author but both books sound fab and have been added to my wishlist :)

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  2. Both of these books sound fascinating! Looking forward to hearing what you think of Under The Jewelled Sky :)

    Have a lovely week Shaz,

    Megan xxxxx

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  3. Thanks for a lovely giveaway. :)

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  4. looks interesting!

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  5. Thanks so much for all the reviews.
    I have used your site frequently as a source for books to read.
    Best wishes in all you do.

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  6. I'm just about to finish Under the Jewelled Sky and it's just fantastic! I'm so glad I picked this book up. :) And thank you (and to Sophie) for the giveaway!

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  7. The covers of these books are so pretty! They both sound great, thank you for the giveaway!

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  8. I am looking forward to reading THE SECRET CHILDREN. It sounds amazing.

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