Book Description:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an epic saga of intrigue and mystique set in Edwardian England.

Cavendon Hall is home to two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them. Charles Ingham, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, lives there with his wife Felicity and their six children. Walter Swann, the premier male of the Swann family, is valet to the earl. His wife Alice, a clever seamstress who is in charge of the countess’s wardrobe, also makes clothes for the four daughters.

For centuries, these two families have lived side-by-side, beneath the backdrop of the imposing Yorkshire manor. Lady Daphne, the most beautiful of the Earl’s daughters, is about to be presented at court when a devastating event changes her life and threatens the Ingham name.

With World War I looming, both families will find themselves tested in ways they never thought possible. Loyalties will be challenged and betrayals will be set into motion. In this time of uncertainty, one thing is sure: these two families will never be the same again. Cavendon Hall is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her very best, and its sweeping story of secrets, love, honor, and betrayal will have readers riveted up to the very last page.

My Thoughts:

I have never read any of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s books before this.  I admit that I have always pegged her as a fluff writer of women’s fiction who appealed mostly to women my mom’s age.  However, I accepted a review copy because this book sounded like just the thing to fill the void I have waiting for the next season of ‘Downton Abby’.  In that regard, it met my expectations, to a degree.

Their are two families that live at Cavendon Hall, the aristocratic owners, the Inghams and those that serve them, the Swanns.  This has been so for centuries. The eldest daughter of the Inghams, has a terrible secret that the reader gets to experience with her and their are many other secrets revealed.

The Inghams and Swanns are very close and show affection for each other.  When each Swann is old enough, they take an oath to protect the Inghams, at all costs.  Such is the case with Cecily Swann.

“”You know the motto? The oath?”
“You will take it now, for the first time. And you will honor it all of your life.”
“Yes, ” I will.”  Cecily stretched out her arm and made a fist. “Loyalty binds me,” she said.
Charlotte stiffened her arm, clenched her fist, and put her hand on top of Cecily’s. “Loyalty binds me,” she repeated.  Alice followed suit.
“It’s done,” Charlotte said.  “you are sworn to protect the Inghams.  You must never fail.  No Swann ever has.””

So, I know what your thinking, “kind of unbelievable”, right?  Yes, my thought while I read the above passage myself.  In fact, I found myself having to suspend disbelief quite a bit while reading this book.  Despite that and the cotton candy, fluff contained between the covers, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.

Barbara Taylor Bradford captured the historical aspects well, especially that of World War I and the landscape. Though not totally believable, I did like the cast of characters, as well.  If you can overlook the fluff, etc.., I do recommend you read Cavendon Hall.  It is a fun trip into Edwardian England.

About Barbara Taylor Bradford:

Barbara Taylor Bradford, OBE is one of the world’s best loved storytellers. Her 1979 debut novel, A Woman of Substance, ranks as one of the top-ten bestselling books of all-time, with more than 30 million copies in print. All 25 of her novels to date have been major worldwide bestsellers. Her 26th book, Playing The Game, will be published on October 12th by St. Martin’s Press.

Bradford was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire (UK) as the only child of Freda and Winston Taylor. She grew up in the Leeds suburb of Armley and after Town Street Church of England School worked in the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post before going into journalism. By the age of twenty she was the fashion editor of Woman’s Own Magazine and an editor and columnist on Fleet Street for the London Evening News.

Bradford’s books have sold more than eighty-two (82) million copies worldwide in more than ninety (90) countries and forty (40) languages. Ten (10) of her books have been made into miniseries and television movies, making her one of the best-selling authors over the last 30 years.

In April of 2003, Mrs. Bradford was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America alongside Mark Twain, Langston Hughes and Dr. Seuss. She was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen’s 2007 Birthday Honours list for her contributions to literature. Her original manuscripts are archived at the Brotherton Library at Leeds University, alongside the works of the Bronte sisters. In 2009, Barbara’s publishers began a worldwide 30th anniversary celebration of A Woman of Substance. The first annual Woman of Substance Awards took place on September 10th 2009 at the Dorchester Hotel in London. She lives in New York City with her husband, of 43 years, television producer Robert Bradford.

Her official website is: http://www.barbarataylorbradford.com/

Thanks to Ann-Marie Nieves of Get Red PR, I am giving away one print copy of Cavendon Hall. This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on August 8, 2014.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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