The Secrets Between Us

Charton Minster #2

by Margaret James

Please note this book was previously titled The Long Way Home and The Golden Chain

1931.

Daisy Denham has always chased the spotlight — until a buried secret threatens to take it away.

Daisy Denham once lived a life of luxury in India. But when a scandal forces her family back to Dorset, she finds herself trapped in a world of dwindling fortunes and stifling expectations.

Then she meets Ewan Fraser, a charismatic Scotsman staying at Easton Hall. She’s charmed by his confidence and ambition — he shares her dreams of being on the stage.

Romance blossoms between them. And when Daisy unearths a shocking family secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew, it’s Ewan who offers her a chance to escape.

Daisy and Ewan flee to the dazzling world of theatre where passion, applause and the promise of a fresh start await. Life looks bright and enticing.

But when a handsome actor joins the theatre company and is clearly smitten with Daisy, she discovers promises aren’t always easy to keep and that perhaps she hasn’t escaped her past, after all.

Glittering with romance, deception, and the thrill of the stage. The Secrets Between Us is the gripping second novel in the Denham Family saga.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Ebooks, Fiction

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Margaret James


Margaret James has been a member of the RNA for 22 years. She has written thirteen published novels, many short stories, and she also teaches creative writing for the London School of Journalism. Margaret's first novel was A Touch of Earth, a family saga set in Herefordshire where she was born and grew up, and her most recent is The Penny Bangle, set in Dorset and published by Robert Hale. But her personal favourite among her novels is Elegy for a Queen, published by Solidus, a small independent which has a varied and fascinating list. Margaret now lives in Devon, which she loves.

AKA Pamela Bennetts

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just listened to The Silver Locket which was book one in the series I then listened to book two The Golden Chain.
I certainly was in for a treat as it was just as enjoyable and a pleasure to catch up with the characters that where in the first book.
I am ready to start on the next audiobook tonight and I just can't wait to find out what happens next.
The two books I have listened to have been brilliant and if you should chance to read these books I hope you will enjoy them too. Recommended.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved listening to this for the second time and it didn't matter that I knew what was going to happen.

I really enjoyed this second book in the Charton Trilogy, a lovely audiobook narrated superbly by Julie Teal. I can't wait to listen to the final book in the series.

[Ruth Harwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little tale, and worth a read if you're interested in this era and the dramas that unfold! The story is a good one, with plenty of interesting characters and great writing. It's not my usual era, when reading historical I go way further back to the Romans or the first millenium and the upheaval of those times where, if taken there, we'd be completely bewildered!! I don't feel, after reading this, that I would feel at sea in the pages of this book, and I enjoyed the breath of fresh air it brought! x

[Zofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lmao, when I didn’t like either of the love interests, the main character was bland and the historic setting I liked last time ? You could barely tell it was set in the 1920’s. and they reused a similar plot as last time.

[Ruth Courtright · Rating 5 out of 5]

More please

Love the story line. Very much looking to more books in the future. Love to know what the brats future becomes.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thoughts:

This is a stand alone novel, but it also is a continuation of The Silver Locket, in that book Rose and Alex fell in love and later adopted a child, Daisy. Fast forward and she is 15, going on 16, and she falls in love for the first time. You can read it without having read the other one; you will just get more surprises. This is a good thing too.


Daisy was young, but she was also ready to try new things, and to make mistakes. She was pretty headstrong and found out that she wants to pursue acting with Ewan, who she has fallen for. So they leave because her parents also know they can't stop her. They can just try to keep her safe, and that is sure why I liked her parents. Because if not then Daisy would surely have left without a word. Sure she makes mistakes later when she falls for a scoundrel (yes I still love that word). But she is growing up and finding herself. And for being so young she has a good head on her shoulders.


Ewan then, well he will make mistakes too. But as I said these two are young, and the love is there, and you all know I wouldn't be leading you down the wrong path. There will be a HEA.


While her previous book was about war this one is about the stage, and the trouble of finding a job. Following your dreams, and finding yourself. And there is some drama too, love trouble, and a certain "evil" Sir Michael who does not like the Denham family.


Conclusion:

A pretty sweet book and you always knew when they were down on their luck that things would get better, or at least I hoped so. You always need hope in dark times. The setting was interesting, and the romance was always there in the background, but it was more important what they were doing. Which I liked. A nice balance between historical fiction and historical romance.


Rating:

Sweet

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret is another of my fellow Choc Lit authors, but I've loved her books long before we both joined this publisher. The Golden Chain is is an absolutely gripping tale of 1930s England, which is vividly brought to life through the eyes of two charismatic young characters. It’s the story of Daisy, a sixteen-year old girl, whose world is turned upside down when she finds out she isn’t quite who she thought she was. But Daisy has courage, meets life head on and isn’t afraid to take chances, such as going on the stage. Sometimes these pay off, sometimes not, but throughout the novel we root for her and I was on the edge of my seat, hoping nothing bad would happen to her. She is a bit naïve to begin with (understandably, as she’s so young), but she matures quickly and she’s lucky enough to have people looking out for her. As for the hero, charismatic Scotsman Ewan, he stole my heart right from the beginning. Any boy who is actively looking for a girl to be his leading lady is special, and when he’s handsome and Scottish at the same time, that makes him pretty much perfect IMO! This novel is a must-read - I would recommend you buy a very big box of chocolates and make sure you have a whole day or evening free. You won’t want to put this one down!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Silver Locket, although it could just as easily be read as a stand-alone novel, if you haven't read the first book. I was happy to find out what happens to Alex and Rose from The Silver Locket while also following the story of their adopted daughter, Daisy, as she makes her way in the world and falls in love for the first time. The change in family circumstances and her life on the road as part of a touring theatre company is fascinating and I really felt for Daisy as she faced each new challenge, especially those where she finally meets her biological parents. The men in Choc Lit books are just as important as their female counterparts and I enjoyed watching Ewan Fraser take the first steps towards realising his dream of becoming an actor every bit as much as that of sympathising with Daisy's itch to act. Margaret James isn't afraid to put her characters through the ringer a bit but, despite the blows, her characters come out as strong and likeable people you wouldn't mind meeting and having as friends. I was sorry to have to leave them when I closed the book.

[Maureen Vincent-Northam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Chain is the second book in Margaret James's trilogy and follows on from The Silver Locket - though you don't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one as, although we re-visit some of the characters, this is a stand-alone story.

Daisy Denham is 15 and she and her family move back to Dorset from India where she meets and falls for Ewan Fraser who is staying with the family who have much against the Denhams. Daisy and Ewan join a theatre company but she also falls for the handsome rougue, Jesse Trent. When the company's season is over, Jesse takes Daisy with him to London while Ewan joins another band of actors in Scotland.

Things don't go exactly as planned for either of them and a great deal happens to the family left behind in Dorset too.

Daisy is a wonderfully-written character and some of the others we meet are fun and larger-than-life, with the couple who run the touring theatre company reminding me of something out of Dickens. A very enjoyable read.

[Liz Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fascinating read from Margaret between World War 1 and 2. Very sweet not as gritty as her first (The Silver Locket) but still a really good read. Recommended. This is the second in Margaret's trilogy - the final novel The Penny Bangle. All three follow the lives of a Dorset family the Denhams.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fluid follow up from the first book.
Was hoping for a little more.

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

yawn. this book was a little boring for me.