A stunning historical saga begins

England in the Victorian era is a country of sharp divides between rich and poor, but James Lionel Falconer is a self-made man: handsome, ambitious, charming, and brimming with self-confidence. As a boy working in his father’s market stall, he was determined to become a merchant prince. Through hard work and determination, James rises quickly through the ranks of the Malvern & Malvern Company, with a loving wife and devoted children. But when back-to-back tragedies strike the Falconer home, it seems James may never recover his former glory…until a royal summons gives him the chance to prove he is master of his fate.

This first book in an expansive historical fiction series is filled with drama, intrigue, and compelling characters.

Review Quotes

“Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the world's best at spinning yarns.”—The Guardian (UK)

“There is no one writing sagas like Bradford, and no one but the grand mistress delivers this kind of unforgettable, sweeping, dramatic read.”—RT Book Reviews

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