I just recently reviewed this one, so I guess it's on the brain, but when I was trying to remember which cover I'd come across recently that I thought would make a great face off (and failing to come up with that answer), I somehow ended up on Cinders & Sapphires Goodreads page. Below you'll find the US and UK (where it's set, and where's it's called Secrets & Sapphires) versions of the first book of Leila Rasheed's At Somerton series, and for me at least, this one's a no-brainer. Though I like bother covers okay-enough, the US version really captures the Downton feel, and the UK version... well, it weirdly reminds me of those over the top red-covered romance novels. You know the ones. Not that it's smutty or anything, but there's just something so very stock and red about it... Anyway, which of these would you rather have sitting on your shelves?
going with the copy from the UK version on this one:
One house, two worlds, dark secrets...
The year is 1910. For the past decade, the Averley family has lived a life of luxury in India, but now they must return to Lord Averley's ancestral estate, the sprawling, majestically beautiful Somerton Court. As the household staff hastily prepare for the family's arrival, they receive shocking news: Lord Averley is bringing back a fiancée with three children of her own, and on top of that, there are rumours of a terrible scandal surrounding Lord Averley's resignation as Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.
As the family settles in, tensions arise both upstairs and downstairs. Lady Ada must choose between her honour and her heart, Sebastian must fend off ruinous threats from a former servant (and lover...) and gentle housemaid Rose will find herself at the centre of a scandal so enormous it could destroy the Averleys' reputation forever. With plenty of scheming, scandal and sauciness, SECRETS & SAPPHIRES is a thrilling period-drama perfect for fans of Jilly Cooper and DOWNTON ABBEY.
The year is 1910. For the past decade, the Averley family has lived a life of luxury in India, but now they must return to Lord Averley's ancestral estate, the sprawling, majestically beautiful Somerton Court. As the household staff hastily prepare for the family's arrival, they receive shocking news: Lord Averley is bringing back a fiancée with three children of her own, and on top of that, there are rumours of a terrible scandal surrounding Lord Averley's resignation as Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.
As the family settles in, tensions arise both upstairs and downstairs. Lady Ada must choose between her honour and her heart, Sebastian must fend off ruinous threats from a former servant (and lover...) and gentle housemaid Rose will find herself at the centre of a scandal so enormous it could destroy the Averleys' reputation forever. With plenty of scheming, scandal and sauciness, SECRETS & SAPPHIRES is a thrilling period-drama perfect for fans of Jilly Cooper and DOWNTON ABBEY.
Winner ------->
Cinders! More vintagey.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Secrets and Sapphires. The cover is much prettier in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually going to go with the US cover on this one. I like the full image vs. the block on the UK cover, and I love the gold.
ReplyDeleteSecrets. I would feel less embarrassed if I brought it out.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer the US cover for this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of either cover. I think the US one looks overly cheesy, but I'm going with it for two reasons:
ReplyDelete1) It gets the time period across better.
2) It doesn't have that stupid tag line :"When you fall in love you don't just lose your heart..." YAWN.
US cover!
ReplyDelete