Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn Also by this author: Silent In The Grave, Silent In The Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor, Dark Road to Darjeeling, City of Jasmine, Night of a Thousand Stars, A Curious Beginning, A Perilous Undertaking, A Treacherous Curse, A Spear of Summer Grass, A Murderous Relation, An Unexpected Peril
Published by MIRA on 2014-09-30
Genres: 20th Century, Fiction, Historical, Romance
Pages: 368
Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn returns with a Jazz Age tale of grand adventure On the verge of a stilted life as an aristocrat's wife, Poppy Hammond does the only sensible thing—she flees the chapel in her wedding gown. Assisted by the handsome curate who calls himself Sebastian Cantrip, she spirits away to her estranged father's quiet country village, pursued by the family she left in uproar. But when the dust of her broken engagement settles and Sebastian disappears under mysterious circumstances, Poppy discovers there is more to her hero than it seems. With only her feisty lady's maid for company, Poppy secures employment and travels incognita—east across the seas, chasing a hunch and the whisper of clues. Danger abounds beneath the canopies of the silken city, and Poppy finds herself in the perilous sights of those who will stop at nothing to recover a fabled ancient treasure. Torn between allegiance to her kindly employer and a dashing, shadowy figure, Poppy will risk it all as she attempts to unravel a much larger plan—one that stretches to the very heart of the British government, and one that could endanger everything, and everyone, that she holds dear.
I am so pleased to welcome one of my favorite authors EVER to Good Books And Good Wine today, Deanna Raybourn, author of Night Of A Thousand Stars and the Lady Julia mysteries.
Huge thanks to Good Books and Good Wine for giving me a chance to geek out over one of my favorite things to talk about!
A question I’m asked VERY frequently is how I choose which historical periods to use as settings. Aside from one brief foray into 1860s Transylvania, my settings have been the 1880s or the 1920s—two decades which don’t seem to have a lot in common on the surface. But you might be surprised…
In the 1880s, the world was changing at an alarming pace. This is the decade that introduced Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes to the world. It was the height of the Second Industrial Revolution, when railroads and steamships spanned the world, stitching the far-flung edges of the British Empire into a patchwork of cultures, histories, and traditions. Scientists were experimenting with solar cells, prototype aircraft, and submarines. The 1920s were just as intoxicating in terms of change. The world might have been reeling from the horrors of the Great War, but society moved forward. Women, given the chance for employment in record numbers during the war, pushed rigorously for the vote and greater autonomy. For the first time, family planning became viable, and women took charge of their lives with the same vigor they took charge of their hemlines. Both of these decades saw tremendous change, with traditional roles being challenged. Empires were shattered—and so were the narrow confines of women’s lives.
And yet each of these times was also steeped in glamour. In spite of the challenges, both decades boasted some pretty fabulous clothes. (You had to know I’d get there eventually!) The 1880s were velvet bustles and Worth passementerie, the creak of embroidered corsets and the strict lines of exquisite tailoring; they were the glimpse of a wrist beneath a lace cuff, the flash of an ankle under foaming white petticoats. (That last image is courtesy of Hercule Poirot who had fond and admiring memories of the mysteries of feminine dress of his youth.) The 1920s were bugle beads and bare knees, the sheen of silk stockings and the sweep of fringe; glamour then was a whisper of chiffon and the glitter of bangle bracelets stacked up a naked arm. In Victoria’s day, glamour and sex appeal came from what you covered up; in her grandson’s reign, it came from what you flaunted. If the 1880s were a velvety Burgundy, 1920s was a spill of champagne, bubbling over with youthful exuberance. Both delectable, and both worth a trip back in time.
About the Author
A sixth-generation native Texan, Deanna Raybourn grew up in San Antonio, where she met her college sweetheart. She married him on her graduation day and went on to teach high school English and history. During summer vacation at the age of twenty-three, she wrote her first novel. After three years as a teacher, Deanna left education to have a baby and pursue writing full-time.
Deanna Raybourn is the author of the bestselling and award-winning Lady Julia series, as well as, The Dead Travel Fast, A Spear of Summer Grass, and City of Jasmine.
For more information please visit Deanna Raybourn’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Thanks to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, I have ONE paperback copy of Night Of A Thousand Stars to give to one lucky reader. US addresses only. Must be 13 or older. I won’t sell your information. Use the rafflecopter.
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I like to read about the Regency & Victorian Eras.
I love books set in the regency period. Georgette Heyer is one of my favorite authors.
I like books set in the regency era. Georgette Heyer is one of my favorite authors.
I really don’t have one. Any time that is convincingly depicted by an author.
I don’t have a favorite. I go where the author takes me 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think I have a specific favorite. I like exotic locations and anything to do with the outdoors. Probably the corporate boardroom would be my least favorite. Thanks.
I love anything to do with historical fiction mostly the early Edwardian era but anything really. I also love a good ancient Egypt or roman setting. Anything with kings and queens and rebellion really works for me 🙂
I like many settings including contemporary, modern. Historical though is another one! Thanks for the chance 🙂