A thrilling novel set in NEW YORK / USA
GIVEAWAY – 3 copies of The School of Mirrors (France)
22nd May 2022
We are delighted to offer 3 copies of The School Of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak, set in 18th Century France.
OPEN CANADA / USA / UK
Eva’s prose is simply stunning: lyrical, intimate, and insightful. I … found myself completely immersed in Eva’s sweeping recreation of 18th-century France in all its glories and terrors. By the time I turned the last page, I’d felt as though I’d journeyed through that tumultuous era firsthand.
(Kris Warldherr)
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During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries.
Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors.
This is also the story of the King’s daughter by Veronique—Marie-Louise. Well-provided for in a comfortable home, Marie-Louise has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. But eventually Veronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise’s birth. But the new King—Louis XVI—is teetering on his throne and it’s a volatile time in France…and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully.
Check out here how the author researched 18th Century France for her novel and catch her on Twitter and Instagram
HOW TO ENTER
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- Much of the novel is set in a glamorous and tumultuous period of France’s history, around the wonderful Palace of Versailles. Which grand palace or stately home – anywhere in the world – would you like to visit? Please tell us in the comments below by 4th June 2022. The first three names chosen at random will be sent a copy each of the novel. REMEMBER this is open to entries from CANADA, USA and UK
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Winners
galadriel
Alycat
Sandrajoy
Palace of Versailles
Buckingham Palace to see how the other half lives
Edinburgh Castle
I’ve never been to Blenheim Palace and I’d love to see the iconic place and learn all the history.
Buckingham Palace!
I would like to visit Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
A visit to the Alhambra, Granada, Andalusia, España sounds fine to me!
I would dearly love to visit the Taq Mahal.
I have been to the Palace of Versailles and it is beautiful. I fancy a nosy around Buckingham Palace actually!
i have visited Catherine’s palace in st petersburg a number of years ago – i can only say one word about it —— WOW !
I would love to visit the Taj Mahal
Palace of Versailles, i have seen the pictures and would love for them to become reality
I’ve always want to go Scone Palace in Scotland!
Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg is high on my bucket list just hope one day we will have peace and I can get to see it.
Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing
I would love to visit Bran Castle in Romania.
Windsor Castle
I would love to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. I’ve so long wanted to visit India
I’d like to visit Schonbrunn Palace
The Taj Mahal would be a fantastic place to visit!
I’d like to visit Blenheim Palace.
I would love to visit and explore Versailles. I have been to Paris but sadly I was not there long enough to visit the palace.
If hostilities ever cease I’d love to visit the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg
Blenheim Palace!
I haven’t been to Palace of Versailles – and would love to one day
chatsworth house
I’d love to visit the Taj Mahal xx
(I’ve just finished The Clockwork Girl which is also set in Versailles in the time of Louis XV – I loved that book :))
Would love to visit Taj Mahal
got to be the Taj Mahal for me
I’m not a fan of stately homes and the like. I prefer museums and would love to go back to the Louvre and see the Egyptian artefacts.
I’d love to see the inside of Buckingham Palace!
I would love to visit The Taj Mahal
Never got round to looking round any of the Royal residences other than Sandringham, so Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace would be on my list, appropriately enough this weekend.
I’d love to visit Chatsworth
China has always been near the top of my wishlist as a place to visit and I would love to see the Forbidden City in Beijing
Versailles
I would love to visit the Grand Canyon
The castle from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
I would love to visit Alhambra Palace. It looks so beautiful and has amazing history.
Buckingham Palace would be my first choice
I have a trip planned to Romania and am looking forward to exploring the many castles!
I would, at one time, have answered any of the palaces in Russia, but that will no longer be on my to-visit list.
I would like to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany.
The Palace of Versailles is so beautiful and so enormous that my one, brief visit wasn’t long enough properly to absorb its magnificence. Very much want to return.
Also want to see the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
I find myself wondering, in awe, how these extraordinary buildings were constructed without the benefit of modern technology and machinery.
The Winter Palace is a palace in Saint Petersburg but perhaps not just at the moment
Never been in Buckenham Palace, would love to.
I’d love to see Versailles as I’ve never seen it but I hear it’s magnificent!
If it was abroad I would like to visit the Taj Mahal. If at home I would love to see all the Welsh castles and fortresses.
I’m very lucky to live near Chatsworth House in Derbys – set in beautiful grounds – it’s well worth a visit x
I would have to begin my journey in my own country, as I am ashamed to say that whilst I live in England, I have never visited Buckingham Palace.
I haven’t been to Hampton Court Palace since I was five-years-old, so probably didn’t really appreciate that either, although a family story has tell that I did rather disgrace myself on that visit!
The list is endless, so I doubt that I would need to leave the country for some considerable time! 🙂
We have some lovely palaces and stately homes here in the UK. One that I would like to visit is Hampton Court Palace.
A visit to the Taj Mahal would be incredible
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna which was the summer residence of the Habsburgs would be my dream palace to visit and is as grand and magnificent as Versailles I believe, with wonderful 17th century architecture.
I would like to visit the Palace of Versailles
I would love to visit Lake Gada, its been on my list of go to places for a while now
i Would love to visit the Taj Mahal
I would like to visit Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna as not only is it spectacular building but it has many attactions in it’s gardens to peruse.
Many thanks, sounds a very interesting read.
Well I’d like to visit Buckingham Palace – even though I live in London I’ve never been there.
I would love to visit the Malaysian National Palace, the Istana Negara
Eltham Palace because its within walking distance to my house and I am ashamed not to have ever visited!
The Taj Mahal
Have been to st petersburg in russia and see Catherine’s palace – it is amazing – so opulent and I don’t think i will ever see anything like it again no matter how many places i go to visit
I’d love to visit Mysore Palace in India, as it looks truly breathtaking.
I would like to revisit the Taj Mahal, and stay locally, so I could visit at different times of day.
I love the romance behind the Taj Mahal!