Why a Booktrail?
1865: Ever wondered how Christmas cards came to be and who was behind them?
The Christmas Card
What you need to know before your trail
When her father dies leaving Alice and her ailing mother with only his debts, the two grieving women are forced to rely on the begrudging charity of cruel Aunt Jane. Determined to rid herself of an expensive responsibility, Jane tries forcing Alice into a monstrous marriage. And when Alice refuses, she is sent to work in a grand house to earn her keep.
Finding herself in sole charge of the untameable and spoilt young miss of the house, Alice’s only ally is handsome Uncle Rory, who discovers that Alice has talents beyond those of a mere servant. But when someone sets out to destroy her reputation, Alice can only pray for a little of that Christmas spirit to save her from ruin .
Travel Guide
Dilly Court’s London
The buildings and areas of London change as do the fortunes of the characters:
Doughty Street
This is where Alice was born and raised. “It was a mansion, but there were two reasonable sized rooms on each of its three floors, plus the basement and scullery. It was a desirable residence with a pleasant view of Mecklenburgh Square at the front”
She is upset to have to leave here and even more so when Aunt Jane takes them in only to control them and even goes so far as to arrange a marriage for her.
Queen Square
They walk here as miser Aunt Jane offers them only the bare comforts and not even that. The rules and regulations here are strict. Alice soon starts work at Berkeley Square at the large mansion there and this is where her life really takes off. Jane’s home is somewhat of a prison and Alice is soon forced into the worst of places – a shabby, unsafe room in Half Moon Passage which is the roughest part of town at the time.
From London to Hatfield
The school where Flora attends is called Hazelwood House in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. This is ficitonal of course and just as well when you read about it, but the action soon returns to London, its cobbled streets and dark shadows.
Booktrailer Review
Susan:@thebooktrailer
How much do I love Dilly Court’s novels? This is a brilliant story about the origins of how Christmas cards came to be and the characters are some of the best I’ve read about in fiction in a while. The writing just flows and I always feel in the comfort of friends when I read one of Dilly’s books. I get so involved between wanting to slap Flora at one point to slamming the door in Aunt Jane’s face to going round to Rory’s house and telling him the obvious I was as invested with these people and now feel really sad they’re gone. But I can still see them all clearly and even hear their voices which goes to show what a great story this is.
The level of detail and the attention to how life for women back in 1865 was and how poverty was rife never is briliantly done. The struggle her characters go through and what they face is a real insight into the times and struggles of women in particular. There are always so many layers to Dilly’s stories and this one is particularly lovely with the Christmas card story and for being a Christmas read that is not overly sentimental or romantic. Love it!
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: The Christmas Card
Author/Guide: Dilly Court Destination: London Departure Time: 1862 onwards
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