Shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year 2011.

November 2010 Book of the Month.

A truly lovely story of Prince Edward pre his infatuation with Wallace Simpson and his eventual abdication.  Here he is a young man who falls for a high society girl and escapes the cold restrictions of his family but back then duty prevailed.  This is really the story of the girl he falls for, Lily Houghton, her sisters and her family.  Highly recommended.

Comparison: Julian Fellowes, Penny Vincenzi, Jojo Moyes.

Synopsis

Edward VIII became notorious for abandoning the throne for Mrs Simpson, but in the summer of 1911 he was a prince straight from the pages of a fairy-tale. Raised by the harsh disciplinarian King George V and his unfeeling Queen Mary, the prince longed for the warmth that had been deprived of him. The high society Houghton girls' lives however, were full of fun, both at their magnificent family seat Snowberry, and at the whirlwind of glamorous parties which punctuated their lives. When a moment of serendipity brings Edward and Lily Houghton together, the pressures of a stuffy court are replaced with the lightness that Edward has dreamt of. But a future monarch could not choose his own Queen, and even an enduring love might falter under the furious gaze of a King. Could the devotion of Edward and Lily triumph against him and the impending doom of World War I? Or would they bow to the inevitable and set in train events that could bring down the Crown, and change the course of history forever?

Reviews

Praise for Enemies of the Heart:

'An impressive, epic debut'
Daily Mirror
 
'Fans of Barbara Taylor Bradford will devour this epic as I did'
The Sun

'Dean beautifully captures the mood and color of the era--her descriptive passages are marvelous and complement the layered intrigue, romance and deception.'
Publishers Weekly

'If you like Philippa Gregory, you will love this book!'
Nora Roberts

About the Author

Rebecca Dean's first historical novel, Enemies of the Heart, was inspired by her own German/British family history. Intrigued by the character of Edward Vlll, who makes an appearance in Palace Circle, Rebecca is currently writing a novel based on his early court life at Windsor when, as Prince of Wales, he was the most glittering icon of his times. Happily married, Rebecca Dean has five children, two small dogs and, though a Yorkshire girl born and bred, lives in London. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation