Monday Give Away: THE SECRET LIFE OF VIOLET GRANT
Courtesy of the lovely Beatriz Williams, for today’s Monday Give Away, we have an advance copy of… The Secret Life of Violet Grant
Here’s the official blurb:
Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite: break into the Madison Avenue world of razor-stylish Metropolitan magazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family’s past, and the hushed-over crime passionnel of an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.
Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason: for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant’s magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe’s fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband’s perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel’s shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.
As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt’s past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet’s story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future––and the love––she wants most.
A new Beatriz Williams novel is always a treat, and this one, moving from 1914 Europe to 1960s New York, is particularly gripping.
So, for a chance to win an advance copy of The Secret Life of Violet Grant
— Would you rather visit World War I era Europe or 1960s New York?
Either way, the wardrobe options are quite snazzy!
The winner will be announced on Wednesday. The Secret Life of Violet Grant
Hmmm…while I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, and currently reading a book by the current Countess of Carnavon about her WWI-era predecessor, I’m going to go with 1960s NY for a very practical reason: hygiene.
Mad Men or Downton Abbey. . . . I would have to go with Mad Men, circa 1960’s NY.
1960s NY – no question!
1960s era New York, for the very practical reason that in Europe during the era of WWI, there was a war on.
Practicalities aside, no contest here. WW1 Europe.
I hope I would have been able to help by nursing or driving an ambulance. I remember the 60s as a kid and a teen. Although it wasn’t New York. It was still a tumultuous time with civil rights issues, women’s lib issues, horrible sexual discrimination, Viet Nam, and so forth. But it also had the British wave, carnaby street fashions, fun music. Actually the 60s in London would be more appealing than in New York. But, been there done that, as far as the sixties go.
WWI Europe. Definitely.
WWI Europe! I can’t get enough of this time period lately, even with all its sadness.
Both era’s meant a lot to our history, so this is a toughie. I would have to pick WWI Europe. It was such a turning point for us as humans. I would have loved to make a positive impact. As Pat D said above me, the nursing part would have been a great experience. Oh, and the clothes too! 🙂
No question in my mind – 1960’s New York.
Definitely WWI era. With a closet FILLED with Lady Mary Crawley’s clothes…
DEFINITELY WWI Europe… I could finally fulfill my dream of becoming a femme fatale spy 🙂
It’s a tough choice!!!
I think I’ll choose 1960s New York…. I’m not very courageous and I’ll choose safety instead of danger!
But I admit that WWI is a great era to study… in the comfort of one’s chair!!! 🙂
Hmmm tough call but I’ll say WWI Europe.
It must be pre World War Europe! Minus the multitudes of undergarments….
WWI Europe would be my choice!
1960s New York. World War I era Europe would be way too sad and dangerous, and I wouldn’t want to get caught in the influenza epidemic.
Mad Men! New York 1960s definitely
WW1 era Europe. I survived the 60s, and no desire whatsoever to go back! But the teens over the pond would be fascinating.
WWI Europe-a very interesting period of history.
WW1 Europe
WWI Europe
Wow, tough choice but love the war era settings, so WWI Europe.
I remember the 1960s New York. I’d much rather experience WWI-era Europe. Maisie Dobbs, Upstairs Downstairs, and Downton Abbey!
I would go with the 1960s, but it is a tough choice.
WWI-era Europe, for sure.
1960’s New York.
The dresses, coats and hats–so stylish!
Definitely 1960’s New York. I can’t wait for this book!
Definitely WW1 era Europe! The social changes are staggering to think about!
WWI era Europe for sure!
Having already been to 1960s New York (or actually spring 1970- close enough), I’d opt for WW1 Europe. : )
I would definitely choose 1960s New York. I always felt like a flower child.
Even though it would be very interesting to be in WWI Europe, I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to risk that and the 60’s have always held a certain allure for me that I couldn’t resist. So 1960’s New York it is for me!!!
Both? Ok, I’ll say Europe.
New York! The clothes!
1960s New York. Rather not have to deal with WWI.
1960s New York
Definitely WWI Europe because it was such a time of monumental change. What smart, spunky girl wouldn’t want to start challenging the traditional roles of women while her man went off to war? I hope I would!
WWI Europe – very interested in this time period. It would be just a visit, so nice to experience and come home. Have already been to 1960’s NY as a teen.
Absolutely, World War I-era in Europe. There were so many subplots, intrigues, and the entire continent was in a state of flux (no pun intended, but may have happened anyway…..I blame my husband).
WWI Europe-I’m obsessed with all books/movies/documentaries about it. It’s a fascinating time in history!
WWI Europe
World War I era Europe- hands down! I would probably pick it over any other era!
If it’s between those two, then WWI Europe. But can I add that I have to be rich? 🙂
WW1 Europe, definitely! It was very sad but also such a momentous time for the world and in particular for women.
I lived through the 60s once and that was enough. It really wasn’t as good as you see in the movies. There was the Vietnam war, violent anti, well anti-everything, protests and we all expected a nuclear bomb to drop on us at any time. Although I have to admit that it was a lot of fun when my school teacher was dragged off by the Feds! He was a subversive. He is one of the leaders of “rent a mob” now and he gets his ugly mug on TV at nearly every protest going.
If I could go back to the 80s, now that would be good. The 80s are vilified on TV these days, but they were FUN!!! A great time to be young and alive.
It’s hard to choose, these are both fantastic, but I think I’d choose 1960s era New York….it’d be like being in a fantastic, gorgeous movie like Down with Love or something, right?
WWI Europe
WW1 Europe – hands down! Not the war zone but perhaps London or …whatever. Such a time of change!
WWI Europe – I’m very interested in that era right now and reading a lot about it.
WWI. Much more dangerous, obviously. But I always go for the older era!
Tough choice – as others have said I was thinking Mad Men or Downtown Abbey? I think as I was born in 1960 so experienced only as a little child, I would like to see if it would be the same as an adult so 1960’s New York.
1960’s New York
1960’s New York
WWI Europe could kill you. It was a horrible pointless slaughter. Plus there would be very few eligible young men for me since so many of them would be killed in the war. To quote Harry Potter “Oy, there’s a war on here.”
Now in the sixties New York I’ll have to be careful not to bump into those young kids my parents….
New York 1960’s; WWI Europe seems to dangerous and i second the lack of eligible men.
New York in the 1960s!
World War I Europe, for sure!
I’m old enough to remember the 60s (not in NY, tho) so I’ll go w/ WWI Europe, however dangerous and gritty that experience would most likely be.
Despite the turmoil, World War I era Europe.