Book Talk and Signed Book Giveaway: Exit The Actress by Priya Parmar.

Title: Exit The Actress
Author:Priya Parmer                                      
Publisher: Touchstone/Simon and Schuster
Format: Paperback Original
ISBN: 978-1439171172
Price: 16.99 Pages: 440 
Release Date: February 1, 2011

I met Priya through the world of blogging. She's a fellow blogger at The Plum Bean Project and Exit the Actress is her first novel. We began to communicate via our blogs and by email and when she learned I was going to England, she proved to be a great resource. She spends a great deal of her time between London and Hawaii. Naturally I was interested in what her book was about and anxious to get my hands on it. I simply loved the cover and couldn't wait to dig into it when she requested her publicist send me a copy. It's a historical novel that's based on real people and Priya did extensive research in England before writing the book. Let's check out the blurb on the back of the book...

While selling oranges in the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, sweet and sprightly Ellen "Nell" Gwyn impresses the theater’s proprietors with a wit and sparkle that belie her youth and poverty. She quickly earns a place in the company, narrowly avoiding the life of prostitution to which her sister has already succumbed. As her roles evolve from supporting to starring, the scope of her life broadens as well. Soon Ellen is dressed in the finest fashions, charming the theatrical, literary, and royal luminaries of Restoration England. 

Priya reading and signing at Borders, Park Ave, New York

Ellen grows up on the stage, experiencing first love and heartbreak and eventually becoming the mistress of Charles II. Despite his reputation as a libertine, Ellen wholly captures his heart—and he hers—but even the most powerful love isn’t enough to stave off the gossip and bitter court politics that accompany a royal romance. 
Telling the story through a collection of vibrant seventeenth-century voices ranging from Ellen’s diary to playbills, letters, gossip columns, and home remedies, Priya Parmar brings to life the story of an endearing and delightful heroine. 


Now, I'll be honest with you. When I looked through the book, I did have a moment of hesitation. I realized it was in much more of a literary format than I am accustomed to. I didn't think it was my type of read really, but we are pals, so I had to read it you know? Boy, am I glad I did. This was a perfect example of what can happen when you stretch yourself and open up to something new: you may find a treasure. I certainly did! This book was more than delightful. I got into it, totally! The characters are so well fleshed out. There were a number of laugh-out-loud moments and the story is completely absorbing. I found myself flying through the book to discover how Nell was going to handle her romances, particularly with that of the King.

Priya Signing Your Book!!

The novel follows Nell from the age of 12 to 20. Much of her affairs take place when she's about 16. I had to remind myself of how young she was considering all that she was experiencing in her life--and this was a real girl, who lived during the 1600's.When you read this book, you too will be impressed with the literary ability that Priya exhibited in writing this novel. Seriously, it's a writing tour de force.

Reading to the audience

Priya came to New York and did a reading and signing of her debut novel. Of course I had to be there. I had my copy signed and I secured another signed copy to giveaway to one lucky winner. If your interested in the opportunity to be that winner, just leave a comment telling me the name of the last historical romance you've read. If you haven't read any of a historical nature, tell me the name of the last romance you've read. If you haven't read any of the above, that's fine, but you have to tell me that. Don't forget your email, so you may be contacted if you win. That is all.     

Giveaway ends Friday, April 15 at midnight and is open to residents of the US and Canada.

Toodles!