Gilded Splendour

By Rosalind Laker

Book Overview

In the summer of 1737, a young apprentice carpenter at Nostell Priory in Yorkshire lovingly creates an invalid chair for a convalescent visitor. But although the tender love born between the humble carpenter, Thomas Chippendale, and the young noblewoman, Isabella Woodleigh, can never be openly declared, their lives are destined to remain intricately and intimately linked. Thomas's career will be remarkable, his destiny to be the most renowned of English cabinet-makers. From a background of poverty, with low prospects, he works tirelessly to perfect his craft and his life is transformed. Yet the memory of Isabella, her absence and what might have been, continues to haunt him. Isabella, romantic and gentle, will suffer a crueller fate in her search for love and fulfilment. Great misfortune comes her way when she is forced to make amends for the actions of her cruel sister Sarah and their ruthless mother. When Sarah learns she is to be married to a wealthy older man, undesirable in every aspect apart from his money, she pursues a flirtation with Thomas to ensure the marriage is called off. Deeply wounded and desperate to ensure the safety of her family, Isabella resorts to drastic measures. The life that awaits her becomes a nightmare and it is only until her new home is visited by death that she escapes. Despite their wildly different courses in life, the unbreakable bond forged that summer between Isabella and Thomas will always hold them close... Gilded Splendour is a powerful story of love, loyalty and destiny, from best-selling romantic novelist Rosalind Laker. Rosalind Laker is a best-selling novelist that has been published all over the world, with her works translated into twenty languages. The author of over forty historical novels, her first work was published in 1970; Warwyck's Wife is the first of her acclaimed Easthampton trilogy and is followed by Claudine's Daughter and The Warwycks of Easthampton. She is also the author of Banners of Silk, Tree of Gold, The Silver Touch and To Dance With Kings . She lives with her Norwegian husband in Sussex. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1535166959
• ISBN13: 9781535166959
• Release Date: July 2016
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great novel, compelling

I read this through in one day & one night, it was that good. I have to disagree with the reviewer who thought Isabella's romance with Owen was a sudden occurance with no development. Although I wished she could have ended up with Thomas, Owen made a worthy substitute and there was a bit of foreshadowing in his appearance as her lover. I thought there was adequate development of their romance and I liked the emphasis on Isabella's "new beginning". I recommend this book HIGHLY. I thought the writing was superb.

Teeth Gnashing and Heart Stopping

Gilded Splendour by Rosalind Laker is a romantic novel based on the life of the famous cabinet-maker, Thomas Chippendale. In the Author's Note, Ms Laker writes, "Although letters, bills, and receipts authenticate Chippendale's masterpieces as well as the simple household items he supplied, from servants' beds to tea-trays, comparatively little is known of his personal life." From those few details, Laker weaves a magnificent and compelling story about one of the world's most talented furniture designers and makers.The events which occur in Gilded Splendour center around Chippendale's life, even though he is not always the focus of the story. A fictional character, Isabella Woodleigh, who finds herself linked to Chippendale, also helps to carry the plot. The two separate stories, like individual threads forming a quilt, are slowly woven together until one believes Isabella Woodleigh and Thomas Chippendale were actually involved.The characters are so well defined you might discover you are gritting your teeth at the thankless and cruel Sarah Woodleigh, sister of the heroine and one of the villain's in this novel. You might find yourself crying out in pain at the lost opportunities of love between a few of the characters. The simple twists of fate that keep certain characters from living happily ever after together will have you gnashing your teeth in exquisite frustration.The only negative comment I have to make about this novel is sudden appearance of one major character, Owen Marwell. The relationship between him and Isabella Woodleigh, the heroine, develops rapidly with little attention given to their courtship or the flourishing of tender love. Isabella, healing from a loveless marriage and the sudden death of her repulsive marriage, seems to fall into bed with Marwell, and this does a serious disservice to her character, which had been sketched as a woman of straight-laced morals.Laker, a master at descriptive literature, splendidly details Chippendale's pieces without boring the reader. Chapter by chapter, she painstakingly describes the efforts that went into Chippendale's work and his impressive abilities at marquetery, veneering and gilding.After reading her novel, I could clearly picture a secretaire and silver looking glass with candelabra. I was delighted to then visit Thomas Chippendale at Harewood House and look at the pieces she described. I could pick them out easily from her descriptions.

Great book!

The story of the famous furniture maker and his rise from apprentice to artist. I love the way Ms. Laker brings the characters to life and makes you feel as if you are right there beside them, really seeing them. She has a gift for writing that enthralls you and makes it hard to put the book down!