On Starlit Seas!

Chocolate. Smuggling. Secrets and Lies. Brazil and London 1824. Charged with a mission by the Empress of Brazil, celebrated writer and the toast of Georgian London, Maria Graham sets off for England with the Brazilian civil war at its height. Newly widowed and a woman travelling alone, the stakes are high and when she accepts roguish smuggler Captain James Henderson's offer of passage on his ship, she gets more than she bargains for...Henderson is on a journey of his own, back to his childhood home in Covent Garden. Onboard Maria discovers both a dangerous secret concealed in a chocolate bar and an irresistible attraction to the mysterious captain. But falling in love with a smuggler is almost unthinkable for a woman of Maria's social standing. Though Henderson tries his utmost to abandon his life of crime and forge a new identity as a London gentleman, he is caught in a dangerous tangle with a deadly aristocratic smuggling ring. The only chance he has to save himself and prove worthy of Maria is to unmask the gang and break free from their clutches, but will it be enough?On Starlit Seas is a breathless tale of adventure, love and chocolate set at the height of the British Empire.

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My review

~I was sent a free copy from the publishers-all opinions are my own~

I give it - 4/5

Review - What a wonderful and interesting story! First things first-the cover is absolutely beautiful! Really gives you a feel of the story. When I first got the book it had three words on the cover 'Intrigue, passion, chocolate' and that had me really intrigued to see what this book was about and what these three words had to do with it.

Who knew chocolate could be dangerous? 

In this book we follow Maria who is on a voyage to London with the Brazilian War happening. She can't find a good ship to take her to London and then meets Captain James. Maria has very high standards and her feelings towards the Captain are just unacceptable to her. James decides to make something of his life but once they arrive in London can he change? Or will he fall to the bad side?

I love that this story is based on a real explorer which made this book all that more interesting. Maria is a wonderful character and I really enjoyed reading about her journey and it has made me look into her history as well, to find out more about her! 

This book is filled with passion, lies, smuggling, chocolate and a lot more! I really think everyone would enjoy this book. It is slow at times but once it picks up you won't be able to put it down. I enjoyed every second of this book.

Author

Sara Sheridan was born in Edinburgh and studied at Trinity College, Dublin. She works in a wide range of media and genres. Tipped in Company and GQ magazines, she has been nominated for a Young Achiever Award. She has also received a Scottish Library Award and was shortlisted for the Saltire Book Prize. She sits on the committee for the Society of Authors in Scotland (where she lives) and on the board of ’26’ the campaign for the importance of words. She’s taken part in 3 ’26 Treasures’ exhibitions at the V&A, London, The National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
She occasionally blogs on the Guardian site about her writing life and puts her hand up to being a ‘twitter evangelist’. From time to time she appears on radio, most recently reporting for BBC Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent. Sara is a member of the Historical Writers Association and the Crime Writers Association. A self-confessed ‘word nerd’ her favourite book is ‘Water Music’ by TC Boyle.
Sara Sheridan writes the popular Mirabelle Bevan Murder Mysteries set in 1950s as well as historical novels set in 1820-1845. Fascinated particularly by female history she is a cultural commentator who appears regularly on television and radio. In 2014 she was named one of the Saltire Society’s 365 Most Influential Scottish Women, past and present.
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