The Orchid House

Brief Description: Originally published: The hothouse flower. London: Penguin Books, 2011. Brief Description: "For fans of The House at Riverton and Rebecca--a debut spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from a magnificent estate in war-torn England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist, Julia, and the prominent Crawford family whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences for generations to come. As a child Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the great house where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to the tranquility of the estate. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation. When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed Wharton Park. Their search takes them back to the 1930s when a former heir to Wharton Park married his young society bride on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt on generations to come. Lucinda Riley skillfully sweeps her readers between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II with irresistible and atmospheric storytelling. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a romantic, poignant novel that became an instant bestseller in the UK and Germany"--Biographical Note: Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland. She lives in rural England with her husband and four children. "The Orchid House" is her U. S. debut novel, and since its publication in the UK, it has gone on to become an international bestseller with 1,000,000 copies sold to date. Marc Notes: Spannng from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences. Publisher Marketing: From beloved "New York Times" bestselling author Lucinda Riley, a "sweeping, poignant saga that will enthrall fans of "The House at Riverton, Rebecca, "and "Downton Abbey"" ("Shelf Awareness)." Spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton Park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences. As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate reminiscent of Downton Abbey where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation. When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come. This atmospheric story alternates between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, "The Orchid House" is a beautiful, romantic, and poignant novel. Review Citations:

Library Journal 10/01/2011 pg. 56 (EAN 9781451655780, Paperback)

Romantic Times 03/01/2012 pg. 44 (EAN 9781451655780, Paperback)

Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2012 (EAN 9781451655780, Paperback)

Shelf Awareness 02/24/2012 (EAN 9781451655780, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Riley, Lucinda Lucinda Riley is the #1 internationally bestselling author of "The Orchid House", "The Girl on the Cliff", "The Lavender Garden", and" The Midnight Rose". She lives in London and the English countryside with her husband and four children. Visit her online at LucindaRiley.com.