Her Mother's Secret

Book excerpt: A sweeping story of love and ambition from England to the Manhattan of the 1920s and 1940s by the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress 1918, England. Armistice Day should bring peace into Leonora's life. Rather than secretly making cosmetics in her father's chemist shop to sell to army nurses such as Joan, her adventurous Australian friend, Leo hopes to now display her wares openly. Instead, Spanish flu arrives in the village, claiming her father's life. Determined to start over, she boards a ship to New York City. On the way she meets debonair department store heir Everett Forsyth . . . In Manhattan, Leo works hard to make her cosmetics dream come true, but she's a woman alone with a small salary and a society that deems make-up scandalous. 1939, New York City. Everett's daughter, Alice, a promising ballerina, receives a mysterious letter inviting her to star in a series of advertisements for a cosmetics line. If she accepts she will be immortalized like dancers such as Zelda Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and Ginger Rogers. Why, then, are her parents so quick to forbid it? Her Mother's Secret is the story of a brave young woman chasing a dream in the face of society's disapproval. '[Lester's] engaging writing style and ability to create characters that connect with readers make her a welcome addition to the historical fiction market.' Herald Sun 'Had me at page one. This book should come with a 'Do Not Disturb' sign' VANESSA CARNEVALE 'Lester's storytelling is truly captivating; her voice an essential addition to Australian fiction' AUSROM TODAY 'utterly compelling' Good Reading 'A delightful and multi-faceted romp through the jazz era ... Her Mother's Secret is a sweeping historical saga about an inspiring woman tackling society's expectations head on, war paint and all' NATALIE SALVO Praise for A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald 'A glamorous, transporting read.' Woman's Weekly 'Loving A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald - it's wonderful!" KATE FORSYTH 'I love this book' RACHAEL JOHNS 'Stunning. Will have you captivated' LIZ BYRSKI 'If you're mad about the roaring twenties and all things Gatsby, this romance will have you enchanted' Woman's Day 'At the novel's heart is the sparkling Evie, an endearing combination of intelligence, determination and naivety' West Australian 'Wonderful. I love this author. You will not be disappointed' SALLY HEPWORTH