Two lovers. Two very different lives. One future together that will change history. When debutante Wallis Simpson is growing up, she devotes her teenage daydreams to one man, the future King of England, Prince Edward. But it's Pamela Holtby, Wallis's aristocratic best friend, who mixes within the palace circle. Wallis's first marriage to a dashing young naval pilot is not what she dreamt of; he turns out to be a dominating bully of a man, who punishes her relentlessly. But her fated marriage does open a suprising door, to the world of Navy couriers -- where navy wives are being used to transport messages around the world. This interesting turn of fate takes Wallis from the exuberant social scene in Washington to a China that is just emerging from civil war. Edward in the meantime is busy fulfilling his royal duties -- and some extra-curricular ones involving married women. Until the day, just before he ascends the throne as Edward VIII, he is introduced to a very special married woman, Wallis Simpson. Was Wallis Simpson really the monster the royal family perported her to be? Or was she an extraordinary woman who led an unimaginable life?
'An immensely satisfying, sweeping saga !it is one of those engrossing tales that never seems to let up on incident as we belt through four decades full of fascinating detail, skilfully written. A book to curl up with and lose yourself in' Sarah Broadhurst
'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
Author
About Rebecca Dean
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.
