- Sara Sheridan

Secret of the Sands

By Sara Sheridan
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She was a slave. He was her master. Both of them long to be free…

1833 – The British Navy are conducting a survey of the Arabian Peninsula where slavery is as rife as ever despite being abolition. Zena, a headstrong and determined young Abyssinian beauty has been torn from her remote village, subjected to a tortuous journey and is now being offered for sale in the market of Muscat.
Lieutenant James Wellstead is determined that his time aboard HMS Palinurus will be the conduit to fame and fortune. However, all his plans are thrown into disarray when two of his fellow officers go missing while gathering intelligence in the desert.
By an unexpected twist of fate – Zena finds herself the property of Wellstead, now on a daring rescue mission into forbidding territory. Master and slave are drawn ever closer, but as danger faces them at every turn, they must endure heartache and uncertainty – neither of them knowing what fortune awaits them as they make their hazardous way through the shifting sands.
A rich and epic novel that will appeal to fans of The Pirate’s Daughter and East of the Sun.

Author: Sara Sheridan
Format: Paperback
Release Date: 03 Feb 2011
Pages: 448
ISBN: 978-1-84756-199-2
Sara Sheridan is an historical novelist who writes two different kinds of books. One is a series of cosy crime noir mysteries set in Brighton in the 1950s – Brighton Belle – and the other is a set of novels based on the real-life stories of late Georgian and early Victorian explorers and adventurers (1820 – 1845) – The Secret Mandarin and Secret of the Sands. Tipped in Company and GQ magazines, she has been nominated for a Young Achiever Award. She received a Scottish Library Award for Truth or Dare, her first novel, and was shortlisted for the Saltire Book Prize. An occasional journalist and blogger, Sara appears on BBC Radio 4\'s From Our Own Correspondent and blogs for the Guardian and the London Review of Books. She is a twitter evangelist and a self-confessed swot. Sara sits on the Committee of the Society of Authors in Scotland where she lives and also on the board of the UK-wide writers\' collective \'26\' and took part in the acclaimed 26 Treasures project in 2010 at the V&A, in 2011 at NationalMuseum of Scotland and in 2012 at the Children\'s Museum, Bethnal Green.She is a member of the Historical Writers Association and the Crime WritersAssociation. Sara also mentors for the Scottish Book Trust.

Praise for Secrets of the Sands: -

“Sheridan uses historical figures interacting with fictional ones to create an exciting and often thought-provoking read” Historical Novels Review -

”'Sheridan’s last novel, The Secret Mandarin, was our top historical romance of 2009. Meticulously researched, and rich in period detail, Secret of the Sands is on course to be the favourite of 2011.” - Daily Record

”'…distinguished from similar genre offerings by the care paid to historical detail. It’s extraordinary to discover, in the author’s note, how much of this improbable tale is drawn from the archives of John Murray and the Royal Geographical Society.” - Financial Times

”'This well-paced story brings the perfumes and landscape of Arabia shimmeringly to life.” - The Daily Mail

‘A thoroughly enjoyable read. Recommended.’bookbag.co.uk -

Praise for The Secret Mandarin: -

‘A truly sumptuous, action-packed Oriental adventure that might just be our favourite historical romance of the year.’Daily Record -

‘An enchanting story that draws you in… perfect for whiling away the hours on a rainy day.’Closer -

‘If you like mystery, history, love and adventure then this book is for you!’Scottish Home & Country -

‘A very enjoyable voyage to the Far East.’Weekly News -