Bristol in 1787 is booming, a city where power beckons those who dare to take risks. Josiah Cole, a small dockside trader, is prepared to gamble everything to join the big players of the city. But he needs capital and a well-connected wife. Marriage to Frances Scott is a mutually convenient solution. Trading her social contacts for Josiah's protection, Frances finds her life and fortune dependent on the respectable trade of sugar, rum, and slaves. Into her new world comes Mehuru, once a priest in the ancient African kingdom of Yoruba, now a slave in England. From opposite ends of the earth, despite the difference in status, Mehuru and Frances confront each other and their need for love and liberty.
Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory is a British historical novelist known for her meticulously researched and vividly imagined portrayals of English history. She is best known for her acclaimed series "The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels," which includes titles such as "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The White Queen." Gregory's writing style is characterized by richly detailed settings, complex characters, and gripping plotlines that bring history to life for readers. Her contributions to literature include shedding light on lesser-known historical figures and events, while also reimagining well-known stories in a fresh and engaging way. Gregory's work has had a significant impact on the historical fiction genre, inspiring a new generation of readers and writers to explore the past through the lens of fiction.