Friday, April 29, 2011

Yay! Wedding and Giveaway

Second last day of the A to Z! And it's a big day here in London. To celebrate, I'll be giving away two copies of the wonderful novel, The Golden Prince.

First, though, a big thanks to everyone who commented yesterday and offered their help for my blog situation. You can see I'm still here, and I've no idea how long -- if ever -- my 'rightful' blog will be returned back to me. I'll keep everyone posted. I realise losing a blog isn't the end of the world, but I must admit I had a few tearful moments yesterday along with several bouts of rage! I've worked so hard to connect with people and maintain those connections, and then to have it all pulled away without any warning... or chance to direct people elsewhere... well, you can only imagine how I'm feeling. I'll write another post on the whole thing at a later date, but for now, can you please just keep your fingers crossed that Blogger/ Google give me back my blog?

Anyway! On to better things: The Golden Prince.

Edward VIII became notorious for abandoning the throne for Mrs Simpson, but in the summer of 1911 he was a prince straight from the pages of a fairy-tale. Raised by the harsh disciplinarian King George V and his unfeeling Queen Mary, the prince longed for the warmth that had been deprived of him.The high society Houghton girls' lives however, were full of fun, both at their magnificent family seat Snowberry, and at the whirlwind of glamorous parties which punctuated their lives. When a moment of serendipity brings Edward and Lily Houghton together, the pressures of a stuffy court are replaced with the lightness that Edward has dreamt of.

But a future monarch could not choose his own Queen, and even an enduring love might falter under the furious gaze of a King. Could the devotion of Edward and Lily triumph against him and the impending doom of World War I? Or would they bow to the inevitable and set in train events that could bring down the Crown, and change the course of history forever?

I'm not usually one for historical romances and such, but I really enjoyed this insight into the restrictive life of the monarchy and the oh-so-romantic love story. Mixing fact with fiction, the novel weaves history into the different characters' lives, and the effect is a cracking good tale.

Thanks to Harper, I have two copies to give away, anywhere in the world! Just leave a comment below.

And over at Chick Lit Love, my Top Tip Number Three is up. Pop over if you get a chance.

I'll see you tomorrow -- probably still here, sigh -- for the end of the A to Z!

37 comments:

Ellen Brickley said...

Ooh, I'm a fan of royal history si I'll throw my name in the ring!

Jessica Bell said...

Oh princess *cough*. No thanks. :o) hahaha. Can't deal with royalty! Is it just me who feels all creeepy crawled out over the Monarchy?

Talli Roland said...

Ellen, you're in the draw!

Jess, haha! You're an Aussie; you have to be a republican, no? :) I'm not a massive fan but I've been caught up in the hoopla. I'm watching it right now!

Jessica Bell said...

haha, yeah I am, but Australia is actually still under the Monarchy! lol. After all these years. So weird.

Theresa Milstein said...

Don't include me in the contest. Just wanted to say I'd have shed many tears and had several bouts of rage if my blog disappeared too.

kjmckendry said...

Sounds like a great book! I love history, but I've never read a historical-romantic novel.
Keep your spirits up, hopefully Google will resolve it quickly! Happy Royal Wedding Day!

Anonymous said...

So love you for going on with the challenge against all odds!

You'll get back your other blog...sending positive thoughts your way!

Bish Denham said...

I always up for a good "hysterical novel" (as my mother called them) so here's my comment. Please put my name in that hat.

And I'm hope, hope, hoping you get you old blog back QUICK!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

This sounds like it's going to be a fascinating book.

I do hope Google find your missing blog soon, Talli.

Krisztina Clifton said...

I was wondering why all of your links had gone to Blogger's black hole! Found this new link on William's blog!

Unknown said...

Bummer about your blog!! You'll get it back, I'm sure of it. Until then, following you here :))

Happy Royal Wedding Day! I got my kidlets out of bed at 5:55 am to watch Kate arrive at Westminster Abbey. So wonderful!

((hugs))

Anonymous said...

Ok, I must admit I get teary-eyed whenever I see the Queen. And had a facination with books on Princess Anne and Elizabeth when I was a wee one. Maybe it's the "Simpson" last name? I'm sure it has been an exciting day in your world, and hope the wedding lifted your spirits. Love to win your Giveaway!

RosieC said...

Well, I'm always up for some royal love :) Since I'm in the wrong timezone and really love my sleep, I just spent the last hour watching some of the rebroadcast. Anyway, sounds like a fun giveaway. I'd love a chance to read it. Thanks, Talli!

Hart Johnson said...

Talli-I'm so sorry for all your blog trouble! It's terrifying that can all disappear so fast!

And sounds like a great book. I love those historical peeks.

Carol Kilgore said...

Your blog is back! I just came from there and saw Wednesday's Willow post big as day!

Wonderful Weekend :)

Rosalind Adam said...

How appropriate for today and how sad that members of the royal family in the past had to forgo their true loves, like Princess Margaret was forced to do. So glad that Prince William was allowed to marry his true love and not someone they chose for him and yet still be in line to the throne.

Karen Lange said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate! I love a good historical and this sounds interesting. Glad you are okay. Hope the situation gets straightened out soon!
Happy weekend,
Karen

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book!

Deniz Bevan said...

I've been up since 4.30! It was a lovely wedding. And of course, Jerusalem...

Pat Tillett said...

I'm also a fan of royal history. That is to say, I'm a fan of my history. I know! It's hard to believe, but it's true. Of course there are hundreds of thousands of people in our family tree. They've not contacted me about position or power yet, so they must not care...

I hope you get your blog back soon!

Laura said...

Hello Lovely,
I'm so glad your blog is back up!!! Thought I'd pop here to check out your posts though... ohhhh this book looks like a grand read!

Hope you had a great London wedding day
All my love
Lxxxx

PS - for some reason blogger keeps putting old comments of yours into my spam box - I keep marking them as safe though
... don't know what that's about!

Arlee Bird said...

Was it something you said?
Or something you did?

If they don't restore everything please let us know so we don't say or do anything like it. This is disturbing.

I know someone who got banned from Amazon forums and had his blog there deleted. Fortunately they did leave his reviews up and I have no doubt they would accept his money if he wanted to order from them, but he's done with Amazon.


Lee
Tossing It Out

Denise Covey said...

This sounds wonderful Talli, but first I must say I know how you feel. How? When I was working in a library, some hacker took over my blog and google took it offline because of the content whatever the hacker had done. I had to go through a lot of hoops to get it restored. (No more using WiFi in libraries.) I've heard of others getting shut down because they've used images without acknowledging sources ore even if they do if someone takes it into their head to complain. Apparently google doesn't tell you, they just shut you down.

I'm going to take your advice and back up.

I read about your new book back on your blog. Sounds lovely.

I'd love to win the book. I'm an Aussie but not a republican, ha ha. Rather partial to the royals as are over half of the Aussie population.

Denise<3

Talei said...

Ah, fabulous cover!! I WANT that gown! And I hope Blogger returns your blog, so very frustrating.

Enjoyed the watching the wedding, some very entertaining hats! And we had a street party to end all street party.

Also, it's great to reach the end of the A to Z, me thinks. It's been a real journey, now for some sleep. ;-)

kitkat said...

omg i know i said i dnt care bout the wedding but i oohed and aahed at every wedding pic lol. Their wedding was very fairytale-ish :)

Donna Shields said...

I truly hope they give your blog back. I love the monarch romantic stories. You know, the whole fairy tale thing :) I watched Will and Kate's wedding. Yes, I'm a sucker.

Li said...

Well I'll be darned!!!! I was twiddling with the "Next Blog" button and I actually ran across you! (The previous blog was a tad scary). WTH was the chance of that??? Usually I run through about 100 abandoned blogs and give up in disgust. I'll follow you here, too! :)) Lisa @Flash Fiction

Allie Towe said...

Hello!
Im new to your blog, just found it
But i loveee historical novels! So count me in for suree, if its still going of course : )

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Romances are great royal or not.
As for weddings, sometimes it feels that pompous weddings happen so we feel a little pinch inside of us because we cannot do what they can. Otherwise they can be spectacular in thier own rights. They also bring business to the town and the tourism income for the town wow!

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