06 December 2022

Meriden Park | Excerpt + Giveaway

JustRead Publicity Tours

ABOUT THE BOOK


Following her childhood rescue from the gutters of Calcutta, Mary Grace’s life has been an astonishing rags-to-riches tale. The Wellings raised the half-Indian orphan with all the love and care the childless couple possessed, allowing her to grow into a beautiful and refined woman. But upon Mr. Welling’s death, it is time for Mrs. Welling to take Mary home to England―home to Meriden Park.

Despite her genial nature, Mary is received with suspicion by the villagers. For his part, however, Mr. Robert Markham is intrigued by the curious new beauty in town. Determined to make her acquaintance, he offers Mary a bargain she can’t refuse: a hot cross bun for a kiss. That seemingly innocent exchange is the first of many encounters between Robert and Mary, whose friendship blossoms into love during long walks in the privacy of Sherwood Forest. But the shadows of the forest hide a sinister secret, one Mary fears Robert might be a part of. As the mystery of the recent string of murders creeps closer and closer, Robert and Mary are drawn into a dangerous game, and unless she can unearth the truth, the couple risks losing one another forever.

Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: December 5, 2022


EXCERPT

“The Wellings are lucky to have you. You are an extraordinary woman. How long have you been with them? You seem very well adjusted to English life.”

“I have lived with Mrs. Welling for sixteen years. In all that time, she never could reconcile to the Eastern lifestyle. She insisted I be brought up as though we lived in the heart of the homeland and not the far reaches of India. I was schooled by a governess and not the usual native ayah. I was taught English and French, music, and all the basics of a well-rounded, proper British education. I did not learn Persian or Hindi or Bengali as the other children of the white people did. I don’t think I could have been raised more English had I been born here in England.”

What a pity that Mrs. Welling had put so much focus on a British education. Although Miss Grace was all that an educated and well-mannered woman should be, she had missed out on one half of her heritage.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Daines is an award-winning and best-selling author. She was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.

She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her vervain.

Connect with Julie by visiting juliedaines.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of book, $25 Amazon gift card, bookmark, stickers, and button.


Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 5, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 12, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
TOUR SCHEDULE

8 comments:

  1. This sounds so good!

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  2. Anonymous6/12/22 18:38

    The story sounds very good.
    Marion

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  3. Hallie, Thank you for sharing! Meriden Park sounds like a must read.

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  4. Thank you for sharing about the book, it sounds very good

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  5. The excerpt is interesting and informative.

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  6. Fantastic excerpt, Meriden Park sounds like a 'glued to the pages' read for me!

    Thanks for sharing it with me and have a magical holiday season!

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