Part of Series
Viola Brookfield has not a care in the world until the awful day when her parents are tragically killed in a road accident, leaving her all alone in the world.So when her Aunt Mary, Lady Wakefield, writes to invite her to come and live with her in India, Viola decides to accept.But when she arrives, she finds a country fraught with unexpected dangers and that her uncle, Lord Wakefield, behaves as if she is not welcome. Viola's life is further complicated when she meets the handsome but enigmatic Earl of Devonport. Amidst a backdrop of unrest and the threat of Russian invasion, Viola soon discovers that she is not the only one in Mandavi to admire the Earl and that life in India is more complex than she had thought. And when she chances upon evidence of Russian spies close to home, she puts her very life in danger.Will the Earl come to her rescue in time and just what is the family secret that hangs like a cloud over her aunt and uncle? Can Viola find love in such a mysterious and exotic land? Read what happens next in this exciting, romantic tale, by BARBARA CARTLAND If you like Downton Abbey you will love Barbara Cartland .
Author
Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland was a English writer, during her long career, she wrote over 700 books, making her one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century. She sold over 1,000 million copies throughout the world, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The world's most famous romantic novelist, she also wrote autobiographies, biographies, health and cookery books, and stage plays and recorded an album of love songs. She was often billed as the Queen of Romance, and became one of the United Kingdom's most popular media personalities, appearing often at public events and on television, dressed in her trademark pink and discoursing on love, health and social issues. She started her writing career as a gossip columnist for the Daily Express. She published her first novel, Jigsaw, a society thriller, in 1923. It was a bestseller. She went on to write myriad novels and earn legions of fans, she also wrote under her married name Barbara McCorquodale. Some of her books were made into films. Ever the romantic, during WWII, she served as the Chief Lady Welfare Officer in Bedfordshire. She gathered as many wedding dresses as she could so that service brides would have a white gown to wear on their wedding day. She also campaigns for the rights of Gypsies, midwives and nurses. Barbara Cartland McCorquodale passed away on 21 May 2000, with 160 still unpublished manuscripts, that are being published posthumously.
