Publisher: Heywood Press
Page Length: 365 pages
Series: The Colonials
Genre: Historical Romance Synopsis Darjeeling, 1930 After eleven years in school in England, Charlotte Lawrence returns to Sundar, the tea plantation owned by her family, and finds an empty house. She learns that her beloved father died a couple of days earlier and that he left her his estate. She learns also that it was his wish that she marry Andrew McAllister, the good-looking younger son from a neighbouring plantation. Unwilling to commit to a wedding for which she doesn’t feel ready, Charlotte pleads with Dan Fitzgerald, the assistant manager of Sundar, to teach her how to run the plantation while she gets to know Andrew. Although reluctant as he knew that a woman would never be accepted as manager by the local merchants and workers, Dan agrees. Charlotte’s chaperone on the journey from England, Ada Eastman, who during the long voyage, has become a friend, has journeyed to Darjeeling to marry Harry Banning, the owner of a neighbouring tea garden. When Ada marries Harry, she’s determined to be a loyal and faithful wife. And to be a good friend to Charlotte. And nothing, but nothing, was going to stand in the way of that. My Thoughts Eighteen-year-old Charlotte Lawrence returns home to India after an absence of eleven years to find that her father has died. She inherits the family's tea plantation, Sundar, and learns of her father's plans for her future. He wanted her to marry the son of a neighbouring tea plantation owner, thus merging the two plantations and ensuring a male runs Sundar. So that she can return to England, her mother is eager for Charlotte to marry Andrew McAllister immediately, but Charlotte would like to get to know Andrew first. Determined to run Sundar by herself should her marriage to Andrew not go ahead, she asks Dan Fitzgerald, Sundar's manager, to teach her the tea business. After pointing out the many reasons why a woman tea planter would never be accepted, he agrees. Charlotte's training begins on the terraces, where the camellias are grown, and follows the process through to the factory operations. Meanwhile, Ada Eastman, who chaperoned Charlotte on the voyage out to India, marries Harry Banning, another successful plantation owner. With Harry away all day attending to business, she is lonely and craves excitement. Unbeknown to Charlotte, her attention turns to Andrew, who is reputed to be a gambler and a philanderer, but even he is unprepared for the lengths to which Ada will go to get what she wants. Darjeeling Inheritance is an entertaining story. The characters are varied and well-developed. Described so vividly, Darjeeling and the surrounding tea plantations provide a colourful backdrop to Charlotte's dilemma. Her determination to run Sundar is commendable, given that the tea business was a male province. Learning about it with her was very interesting. Darjeeling Inheritance will appeal to those who like historical romances set in exotic locations. Where to Purchase Amazon AU • Amazon CA • Amazon UK • Amazon US Meet the Author
Many thanks for hosting this leg of the book tour for Darjeeling Inheritance, Yvonne, and for your lovely review of the novel. Liz x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz.
DeleteI do love a book set in colonial India!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great setting!
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