A Historical Romantic Adventure: Read an Extract from The Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh

A  Historical Romantic Adventure: Read an Extract from The Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh

‘Where’ve you been?’ Mary Fairweather asked her daughter, Grace, lips stretching themselves into a line of dismay.

Grace busied herself with retying her apron, catching her breath. ‘I’ve just had to work my way around another riot in the Domain. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of people there.’

Her father, Hugh, handed out change and thanked a customer before strolling up. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Grace is saying there’s more of that socialist rioting going on in the city.’

‘They were burning a red flag when I was passing,’ she added.

‘Well, Grace, you’re safe, that’s what matters,’ he replied, straightening his own apron. ‘And you’ve always got Norm to protect you.’ The bell over the door tinkled twice in rapid succes­sion as new customers walked in. ‘It’s like Clapham Junction in here,’ he admitted.

Grace didn’t know where Clapham Junction was, but it sounded busy. Probably a place in the old country, which her father and his own often became nostalgic about. ‘I imagine Norm’s in the thick of it,’ she remarked to her mother, who predictably gave an indulgent smile. Grace knew how much her mother approved of Norman Jenkins, who’d risen from the ranks of the Ragged School at The Rocks to make something of himself. He was now a senior sergeant in the local police, working around Circular Quay.

‘I thought I’d make some toffee apples.’ She looked between her parents as her mother drifted off to serve the customers. ‘We could sell them for a penny each as the weather is cooling. Also, Dad,’ she said, before realising her father was busy sorting tins on shelves, engrossed in his task. ‘Dad, listen to me,’ she pleaded softly.

Continue reading the extract here….

Buy a copy of The Sugar Palace here.

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                      Publisher details

                      The Sugar Palace
                      Author
                      Fiona McIntosh
                      Publisher
                      Penguin
                      Genre
                      Fiction
                      Released
                      16 April, 2024
                      ISBN
                      9781761047022

                      Synopsis

                      The gripping historical romantic adventure from the bestselling author of The Pearl Thief.

                      One woman’s ambition

                      Sydney, 1925: When Grace Fairweather meets the irresistible Londoner Alfie Sweeting, dreams of selling her homemade confectionery are spun into reality.

                      A criminal past

                      When the truth about Alfie’s roguish past is revealed, Grace and Alfie’s fairytale sweetshop – and their lives – comes under threat.

                      An impossible decision

                      Up against razorgangs, brothel madams and cocaine dealers, Grace will be forced to make the most difficult decision of all. Who can she trust to save the Sugar Palace?

                      Fiona McIntosh
                      About the author

                      Fiona McIntosh

                      Fiona McIntosh is an internationally bestselling author of novels for adults and children. She co-founded an award-winning travel magazine with her husband, which they ran for fifteen years while raising their twin sons before she became a full-time author. Fiona roams the world researching and drawing inspiration for her novels, and runs a series of highly respected fiction masterclasses. She calls South Australia home.

                      Books by Fiona McIntosh

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