The Midnight Rose

Spanning four generations, The Midnight Rose sweeps from the glittering palaces of the great maharajas of India to the majestic stately homes of England, following the extraordinary life of a remarkable girl, Anahita Chaval, from 1911 to the present day . . . In the heyday of the British Raj, eleven-year-old Anahita, from a noble but impoverished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of Indian royalty. As the princesss official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of WorldWar I. There, she meets young Donald Astburyreluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estateand his scheming mother. Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet. But when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, shes relieved that her latest role, playing a 1920s debutante, will take her away from the glare of publicity to a distant corner of the English countryside. Shortly after filming begins at the now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahitas great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly, on a quest for his familys past. What he and Rebecca discover begins to unravel the dark secrets that haunt the Astbury dynasty . . . A multilayered, heartbreaking tale filled with unforgettable characters caught in the sweep of history, The Midnight Rose is Lucinda Riley at her most captivating and unforgettable. Shortlisted For The Epic Novel Award In The Romantic Novelists Association Books Awards. Spanning Four Generations, The Midnight Rose By Lucinda Riley Sweeps From The Glittering Palaces Of The Great Maharajas Of India To The Majestic Stately Homes Of England, Following The Extraordinary Life Of A Girl, Anahita Chavan, From 1911 To The Present Day . . . A Lifelong Passion. An Endless Search. In The Heyday Of The British Raj, Eleven-year-old Anahita, From A Noble But Impoverished Family, Forms A Lifelong Friendship With The Headstrong Princess Indira, The Privileged Daughter Of Rich Indian Royalty. Becoming The Princess's Official Companion, Anahita Accompanies Her Friend To England Just Before The Outbreak Of The Great War. There, She Meets The Young Donald Astbury – Reluctant Heir To The Magnificent, Remote Astbury Estate – And His Scheming Mother. Eighty Years Later, Rebecca Bradley, A Young American Film Star, Has The World At Her Feet. But When Her Turbulent Relationship With Her Equally Famous Boyfriend Takes An Unexpected Turn, She's Relieved That Her Latest Role, Playing A 1920s Debutante, Will Take Her Away From The Glare Of Publicity To The Wilds Of Dartmoor In England. Shortly After Filming Begins At The Now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahita's Great-grandson, Arrives Unexpectedly, On A Quest For His Family's Past. What He And Rebecca Discover Begins To Unravel The Dark Secrets That Haunt The Astbury Dynasty . . . 'a Captivating Read From Lucinda Riley. Ideal For A Book Club' - Daily Mail/femail The Midnight Rose is a spellbinding tale of family secrets, sacrifice, and the everlasting power of love, from Lucinda Riley, international bestselling author of the Seven Sisters series. India, 1911. Anahita Chavan, from a noble but impoverished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of Indian royalty. Becoming the princess's official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of the Great War. There, she meets Donald Astbury, reluctant heir to the magnificent Astbury Estate - and his scheming mother. Eighty years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet. But when her turbulent relationship takes an unexpected turn, she's relieved that her latest role, playing a 1920s debutante, will take her away from the glare of publicity to the wilds of Dartmoor in England. Shortly after filming begins at the now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahita's great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly, on a quest to uncover his family's past. As Rebecca and Ari begin to unravel the dark secrets that haunt the Astbury dynasty, what they discover will change everything . . .