Cinders & Sapphires

Author:  Leila Rasheed

Series:  At Somerton, Book 1

Publication Date: January 22, 2013

Pages: 400

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads Summary:

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton.

I read the thirteen chapter Sneak Peek of this book available on Net Galley. I have to say that I was quite pleased with it. It's a slow building story and this little excerpt was just enough to whet my appetite and leave me wanting more. I liked the characters and I can just feel that Ada and Rose are either going to be the best of friends or hate each other. It had a bit of the feel of Anne of Green Gables in a different setting. I am going to try to pick this book up along the way and read the entire thing.