LoveReading Says
A wonderful love story set against the backdrop of the First World War. Rose finds herself rebelling against her upper class family's wishes to marry someone approved by them who she doesn't love and instead goes off to the Front as a nurse. While there she falls for a soldier with a past, a man that her family would disapprove of completely. Worst of all he is married. The grim reality of war is brilliantly intertwined and vividly portrayed within the story of these two main protagonists which in turn gives a sense of realism and indeed closeness for the reader to the characters and to both time and the place. Read it to find out if love conquers all for Rose. It's well worth it.
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The Silver Locket Synopsis
If life is cheap, how much is love worth? It's 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice - or play her part in the war effort? The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He's the last man in the world she'd get involved with - especially now he's married. But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex's marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he's ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she's left behind. What value will she put on his love?
About This Edition
Margaret James Press Reviews
“As you can probably guess from their name, Choc Lit - publishers of romantic women’s fiction - draw a direct parallel between indulging in chocolate and reading one of their novels. It’s an analogy that could easily be cloying; but Margaret James’s The Silver Locket, with its surprisingly graphic scenes set in the trenches and hospital wards of World War I, cuts through some of the potential saccharine sweetness. More of a coffee-flavoured dark chocolate truffle, perhaps?” Amber Pearson, The Daily Mail
“It was three years ago when I first encountered Choc Lit Publishing and since then I've been consistently impressed by the standard of the books they publish”.
The Bookbag
About Margaret James
Margaret James was born and brought up in Hereford. She studied English at London University, and has written many short stories, articles and serials for magazines. She is the author of fifteen published novels. This is Margaret’s third Choc Lit novel. Her first The Silver Locket, received a glowing review from the Daily Mail and reached the Top 20 Small Publishers Fiction List in November 2010.
It was also selected as a Valentine pick at Lovereading in February 2011 and a Reviewers’ Choice Award for 2010 at Single Titles. The Golden Chain also hit the Top 20 Small Publishers Fiction List in May 2011.
Margaret is a long standing contributor to Writing Magazine for which she writes the Fiction Focus column and an author interview for each issue. She's also a creative writing tutor for the London School of Journalism.
An active member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, she contributed to the 50th anniversary anthology Loves Me, Loves Me Not. Margaret's short story is The Service of My Lady.
Below is a Q&A with this author.
Who’s your favourite author?
Jane Austen – nobody does it like Jane.
Who is your favourite literary character?
Catherine Morland, the heroine of Northanger Abbey. She’s intensely romantic and imaginative. She’s just as naïve as I was at her age, but she’s also funny, brave and charming. The hero Henry Tilney is a very lucky man.
What’s the first book you remember reading?
Winnie the Pooh.
How would you describe your novel?
It’s a contemporary romantic comedy starring a feisty Cinderella, a gorgeous Prince Charming and a terrifying Fairy Godmother who seriously frightened me.
What gave you the inspiration for the story?
I saw a competition to win a fabulous dream wedding and thought - what would you do if you won the competition, but you didn’t have anyone to marry?
Where and how do you write?
At home straight on to screen, but also on public transport. I did a lot of travelling while I was writing The Wedding Diary. I wrote most of the first draft in notebooks and on my laptop while I was on trains.
Who do you base your characters on?
They’re all inventions. They walk into my head and say write about me. I don’t know where they come from and I find this quite spooky.
What would you rescue from your house if it was on fire?
I’m not very attached to material things, and I hate clutter, so I don’t think I would be worried about losing any objects. As long as the living, breathing inhabitants got out, I’d be happy.
What three things would you take if you were to be stranded on a desert island?
Frying pan, box of matches, hammock!
Did you always want to be an author- if not, what did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be an archaeologist and I studied Anglo-Saxon Archaeology at university, but I’ve always enjoyed telling stories. As an only child for some years (my sister didn’t come along until I was seven) I had many imaginary friends. As a novelist, I guess I still do!
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