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A beautiful empress, a handsome horseman, and a bluestocking heiress form a passionate love triangle in New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin’s new historical novel, THE FORTUNE HUNTER, which was last week’s Maximum Shelf Awareness feature.
Empress Elizabeth of Austria, known as “Sisi,” is the Princess Diana of nineteenth-century Europe. Famously beautiful, as captured in a portrait with diamond stars in her hair, she is unfulfilled in her marriage to the older Emperor Franz Joseph. Sisi has spent years evading the stifling formality of royal life on her private train or yacht or, whenever she can, on the back of a horse.
Captain Bay Middleton is dashing, young, and the finest horseman in England. He is also impoverished, with no hope of buying the horse needed to win the Grand National until he meets Charlotte Baird. A clever, plainspoken heiress whose money gives her a choice among suitors, Charlotte falls in love with Bay, the first man to really notice her, for his vulnerability as well as his glamour. When Sisi joins the legendary hunt organized by Earl Spencer in England, Bay is asked to guide her on the treacherous course. Their shared passion for riding leads to an infatuation that threatens the growing bond between Bay and Charlotte, and all of their futures.
“In THE FORTUNE HUNTER, Goodwin vividly evokes the atmosphere of the era while illuminating the universal sentiments of love, desire, purpose and ambition. Swiftly plotted, peopled with interesting, sympathetic characters and laced with humor and clever dialogue, this lively novel is historical fiction at its entertaining best.” Shelf Awareness
See the full summary, review and interview with Daisy Goodwin on Shelf-Awareness.com.
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Available for download on Edelweiss. (Don’t see the green button? Get whitelisted.)
Praise for THE FORTUNE HUNTER:
“Goodwin uses finely drawn characters and intriguing plot lines to create numerous memorable scenes such as when the empress, accompanied by Bay, visits and exchanges polite but pointed barbs with Queen Victoria. Although readers who enjoyed THE AMERICAN HEIRESS will be first in line to savor Goodwin’s new novel, they will be followed quickly by others who appreciate engaging and thoughtful historical fiction.” Library Journal, starred review
“Goodwin’s second novel is a luxurious indulgence for romantically inclined readers. Mingling historical fact with imaginative fiction, Goodwin writes with effortless grace, and her dialogue’s subtle wit is delightful. Each of her three protagonists commands attention and sympathy, which heightens the story’s poignancy.”
Booklist
“An enchanting, beautifully written page-turner.” Publishers Weekly
“With its witty dialogue, intriguing research and cameo appearances by Queen Victoria and other royals, Goodwin’s latest is a pleasurable excursion into Downton-land complete with high-society weddings, lavish balls and an exciting, all-or-nothing horse-racing finale.” Kirkus Reviews
THE FORTUNE HUNTER will be available from St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio on July 29.
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