Betrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence’s only clue, the war an immovable barrier – and time is running out… Completely swept me away to another place and time. Dinah is the queen of sumptuous settings, transporting the reader effortlessly from chocolate-box Devonshire to the cabaret clubs of 1920s Paris and war-torn Malta. A marvellous, multi-layered story, populated with characters to really care for”—HAZEL GAYNOR This novel focused on Florence rather than all three of the sisters, as did Book One, Daughters of War. And in spite of the fact that I LOVED Book One, The Hidden Palace is even better. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer's job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.

The Hidden Palace: the most spellbinding escapist historical The Hidden Palace: the most spellbinding escapist historical

I will say that I missed the 3 sisters being together and had hoped that the story would continue in that vein from Book 1. But the new adventures were certainly interesting as well. In Sapphire Widow, we meet Louisa Reeve, who had married her husband, Elliot, for over a decade. The only problems the two ever experienced in their lives were miscarriages and a stillbirth she had eight years ago. Elliot was always absent from their marriage and home, being busy with work-related meetings in Colombo and working at a nearby cinnamon plantation where he had some shares. But Louisa always missed her husband, and even though she tried not to worry about it, she was deeply worried about a reoccurrence of their problems a few months before. Dinah Jefferies created a unique yet captivating drama of deception, jealousy, guilt, and a fateful decision that will impact the lives of Gwendolyn and her husband and everyone around them. Additionally, all the characters in the story are well drawn, especially the heroine, who matures fast and finds her inner strength. The book explores some serious themes of British colonialism, racism, and the working conditions of the time. Dinah is a resident of Gloucestershire with her husband and their overweight Norfolk terrier. When not writing, you will find her making dinosaurs and tiaras with her grandchildren.Dinah Jefferies wields her storytelling magic on the island of Malta . . . It’s engrossing and sensual, full of the heat of the Mediterranean sun”—GILL PAUL The story tells us in great detail what a dangerous place Malta was in the 1920s, when criminals ran prostitute rings of young women brought in from other countries. Rosalie, or Riva as she now called herself, made friends with some important people but she wasn’t afraid to fight for the rights of the young women. Her romance with a member of the British aristocracy seems doomed to failure but he introduces her to the stunning palace his uncle owned in Mdina. The plot is more complex—enjoyably so, with Florence trying to figure out what her new life will be and trying to find her aunt. Daughters of War (which I also loved) has many more characters, drama, mystery, and tension, whereas this book is more character driven. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer’s job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.

The Hidden Palace: the most spellbinding escapist historical

Dinah Jefferies is a gifted writer who allows the reader to suspend disbelief and feel that they are part of the story—at least that is what happened to me. The latest book in the Lincoln Lawyer series comes out this month. This will be the 7th book in that series, and the 41st book in the Bosch Universe. Harry Bosch also plays a big part in this book. Completely swept me away to another place and time. Dinah is the queen of sumptuous settings, transporting the reader effortlessly from chocolate-box Devonshire to the cabaret clubs of 1920s Paris and war-torn Malta. A marvellous, multi-layered story, populated with characters to really care for”―HAZEL GAYNORIn her 2015 novel, The Tea Planters Wife, Dinah Jefferies introduces us to her main character, Gwendolyn Hooper. At the age of 19, Gwendolyn was happy but young to leave home and venture into a new country worldwide. But her recent engagement to Laurence meant leaving her home in London and joining her husband in Ceylon where he owned a fertile plantation. The voyage by the sea was long and tiresome, but the excitement she experienced was real. Her arrival was filled with worry and concern when her husband never showed up. Instead, a young man of color named Savi Ravasinghe came to her aid and took her to the hotel, and Gwendolyn never thought that the man would feature again in her future life. Dinah Jefferies is a Malaysian historical and romance author known for her 2021 book series, Daughters of War. She was born in Malacca in 1948, but her parents moved to England when she was nine years. The death of her 14-year-old son in 1985 profoundly influenced her writing as she drew on that experience as a mother and some of her childhood memories in Malacca in the 1950s. From the two memories, she published her debut novel, The Separation. What I enjoyed about this story is the interesting setting that is probably very different than what I've read before in a WW2 Historical Fiction novel.

The Hidden Palace (The Daughters of War, Book 2) - Kindle

While Louisa’s husband’s sudden and unexpected death took her by surprise and took her to deep holes of grief she had never experienced before, the discoveries that she would later make about her husband’s life would tear her to the very last bit. Did Louisa ever know her husband at all? She visits Cinnamon Hill to learn more about her husband’s shares, which becomes an eye-opener for her. Will she be able to unravel Elliot’s complexity and betrayals? Will she withstand all the answers she’s about to get? Dinah Jefferies wields her storytelling magic on the island of Malta . . . It's engrossing and sensual, full of the heat of the Mediterranean sun' GILL PAUL Completely swept me away to another place and time. Dinah is the queen of sumptuous settings, transporting the reader effortlessly from chocolate-box Devonshire to the cabaret clubs of 1920s Paris and war-torn Malta. A marvellous, multi-layered story, populated with characters to really care for' HAZEL GAYNOR I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!Betrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence’s only clue, the war an immovable barrier – and time is running out… Praise for The Hidden Palace