Eloise Kelly, 21st-century PhD candidate, sets about to reveal the true identity of Pink Carnation. Through dogged determination, she gains access to a treasure trove of letters and diaries, and pieces together the truth. Narrator Kate Reading slips seamlessly between the diction of present and past, in this intriguing take on the Napoleonic Era.
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PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
Eloise Kelly, 21st-century PhD candidate, sets about to reveal the true identity of Pink Carnation. Through dogged determination, she gains access to a treasure trove of letters and diaries, and pieces together the truth. Narrator Kate Reading slips seamlessly between the diction of present and past, in this intriguing take on the Napoleonic Era.
Description
Intrigue, mystery and adventure interweave in this sensual historical romance. While history has unmasked the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian, mystery still surrounds another lesser-known hero, the Pink Carnation. In this refreshing historical romp - strong on history and romance - Eloise Kelly, 21st-century PhD candidate, sets about to reveal the true identity of that romantic figure. Through dogged determination, Eloise gains access to a treasure trove of letters and diaries, and slowly pieces together the truth. Narrator Kate Reading slips seamlessly between the diction of present and past. Her accomplished voicing, particularly in the novel-within-a-novel, wonderfully evokes both the streets of 1890s Paris rank with unimaginable muck and beautiful salons glittering with wealth. Reading handles secret assignations, gambling halls, gentlemen's clubs, passionate encounters, torture chambers and slimy villains with her usual expertise, adding lustre to author Lauren Willig's imaginative and intriguing take on the Napoleonic Era.
Critic Reviews
“"Lauren Willig balances her knowledge of English history with a veritable passion for English spies, turning out a deftly hilarious, sexy novel." -- Eloisa James , author of Kiss Me, Annabel "In her swashbuckling debut...Willig reimagines France under Napoleon besieged by a whole bouquet of spying floral foes...Bad news for the Bonapartes but barrels of good-natured fun for the rest of us." -- Library Journal "A juicy mystery...Chick-lit never had it so good!" -- Complete Woman "[A] breezy historical romance... The sparks fly." -- Publishers Weekly "[A] playful romp…effervescent prose... A sexy [and] determined-to-charm historical-romance debut." -- Kirkus Reviews”
"Chock-full of romance, sexual tension, espionage, adventure and humour." - Library Journal "A deftly hilarious, sexy novel. A delicious caper...a seductive, fascinating story that surprises as it delights." - Eloisa James "Romance, mystery and adventure. Pure fun!" - Meg Cabot "Never a dull moment...a fun read." - Mary Balogh "Sexy and determined to charm." - Kirkus Reviews"
About the Author
Lauren Willig is a law student at Harvard University. She is also the author of The Masque of the Black Tulip. She lives in Cambrideg, Massachusetts.
Even a modern girl could use a hero. Eloise Kelly, a smart but slightly fumbling Jimmy Choo-clad American, has had her nose in the books, but she's about to uncover The Secret History of the Pink Carnation--a tale of espionage, adventure, and romance. And she just might find a hero of her own along the way.
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