LoveReading Says
Within the first two pages the author gives us a clue that there is a mystery behind the child Daisy which lures us to read on with the story beginning in India and then shifting to England. Daisy shows early signs of acting talent, encouraged by her mother. Margaret James has an ability to transport us back into an age where life moved more slowly and moments were more savoured. Then morality was tighter and women were definitely at a disadvantage in the big wide world. The heroine grows up to become a touring actress and falls in love with two very different men, having turned away from her parents. The title takes its name from the gift of a gold chain by one of the men she falls in love with. The theme is all about choices - the different life directions that she takes as a result and the differing conclusions that follow at each cross roads of decision making. I found myself so immersed in Daisy’s dilemmas that I didn’t notice how long I had been reading; well written too and thought provoking and I would certainly recommend it for lovers of a really good tale set against a broad historical landscape.
LoveReading
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The Golden Chain Synopsis
Can first love last forever? 1931 is the year that changes everything for Daisy Denham. Her family has not long swapped life in India for Dorset, England when she uncovers an old secret. At the same time, she meets Ewan Fraser - a handsome dreamer who wants nothing more than to entertain the world and for Daisy to play his leading lady. Ewan offers love and a chance to escape with a touring theatre company. As they grow closer, he gives her a golden chain and Daisy gives him a promise - that she will always keep him in her heart. But life on tour is not as they'd hoped, Ewan is tempted away by his career and Daisy dazzled by the older, charismatic figure of Jesse Trent. She breaks Ewan's heart and sets off for a life in London with Jesse. Only time will tell whether some promises are easier to make than keep ...
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781906931643 |
| Publication date: |
1st May 2011 |
| Author: |
Margaret James |
| Publisher: |
Choc Lit |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
336 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
|
| Other Genres: |
|
Margaret James Press Reviews
Since launching back in 2009 Choc Lit has received some impressive quotes for their publishing efforts and for the authors, including:
“I've been consistently impressed by the standard of the
books they publish”.
The Bookbag
‘Impressively accomplished’ Single Titles
‘If Turning the Tide and Trade Winds are anything to go by, I can see myself going through their entire selection box’ The Nut Press
‘a good book to snuggle up inside with’ News of the World
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!
More About Margaret James
