Under A Cerulean Sky

by Jane Coverdale

When high society sisters Isobel and Violet find themselves down on their luck, an unexpected inheritance sends them on an unforgettable voyage of discovery to face a wild destiny, deep in the jungles of India. With only their widowed Aunt Bea to guide them, the sisters will have to bond together through sickness and health if they have any hope of surviving this strange new world. But with Violet determined to marry well and return to England as soon as possible, Isobel faces an uncertain future. And yet, as the mystery of this unknown and lavish landscape and its people pulls Isobel under its spell, their past life fades to a distant memory and a strength and courage born of her experiences and surroundings sets her on a path few well-bred ladies have ever trod – one of independence and freedom… ‘ Pure escapism …it has drama, secrets and history galore’ Tracy ‘A very atmospheric book… one of my favourite reads of the year ’ Karen ‘The setting in this novel was just stunning , it really brought to life the colours, sounds and sights…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ Kathleen ‘ Oh what a wonderful story , I couldn't put the book down’ Audrey

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, India, Book Club, Fiction

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2022

About the author

Jane Coverdale has worked as a mural painter, then as a scenic artist, graphic artist and art director in theatre, television, commercials, films and music videos. She has written several film scripts, one of which is currently in development with an Australian producer.

Jane has travelled widely while working on film projects, but it was India and the people there that inspired her to write her first historical romance novel, The Jasmine Wife.

She divides her life between the beautiful hill town of Leura in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney, and Italy, where she is currently researching her second novel set largely in Venice.

Reviews

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edwardian Society, 1911. Two women Isobel and younger sister Violet are pretty much down on their luck. Their father has dies and left them with nothing, their other having died some years prior. They have sold everything there is to keep a roof over their heads but time is fast running out

All Violet wants is to marry, but for that she needs a dowry.

All Isobel wants is to leave a free life without the obvious constraints put in her way because she is a woman.

Until an unexpected inheritance means that the two young women may get what the want. But they have to travel to India and then on to Goa to find the answer. With only a Aunt to guide them it seems that they have little choice but to make this journey.

Along the way they experience a different life, a different culture and meet different people. All the time Violet is looking to return to England to marry, Isobel though is trying to find her place in the world and at the same time make her sister happy. It seems that for neither of them this journey is going to be easy.

However it is full of rich descriptive landscapes, friendly and unfriendly locals, flora and fauna and wildlife right on your doorstep along with some romance if the sisters and even the Aunt open their hearts to it all.

This was a wonderful novel which sweeps you away to another place, and puts the struggles that women face forefront of the story. Packed full of history as well as aspects from different cultures it reminded me why I love reading historical fiction so much.

Rich storytelling for anyone that wants to be whisked away to another land and another time.

[Julia Justiss]

I’ve always been fascinated by India, so jumped at the chance to read an ARC of a novel set mostly there (thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins.) As the story begins, sisters Isobel and Violet, with their status and circumstances drastically reduced, are no longer prime candidates to make advantageous London marriages. Against the wishes of Violet, who hopes her beau will remain faithful despite her loss of dowry, forthright Isobel decides to travel to see an unexpected bequest--a tea plantation in India. Accompanied by their Aunt Bea, they journey to their new home. While Violet just wants to return to England as soon as possible, Isobel is beguiled and fascinated by everything about her, even as she is intrigued by her brooding neighbor, a widower who alternately pursues and ignores her. As Isobel gradually gets to know the workers and learns how to manage her inheritance, she becomes increasingly certain that India is her future. Stunning descriptions that make you feel you are walking in step with the characters enhance this tale of love, passion, and a woman finding her independence and her calling.

[AnneMarie Brear · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turning story!

I really enjoyed this story, and the second book I’ve read from Jane Coverdale. The author wrote of such great characters and the descriptions within the story are wonderful. It was a story I read happily in a few days.

[Katalin Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable

Most enjoyable style of writing. You see the characters and the landscape exactly and even smell the flowers. Excellent way of describing the lives of people.
Strong and interesting family complexities, which the author makes easy to follow in spite of the twists and turns of lives and events.
The book claims to be a 'historical' romance. I don't feel there is much, if any, 'history' in the book. Compared to others in this genre, this shouldn't really claim 'historical' except that it takes place in the past millenia. I missed true historical facts or backdrop.
But it is a very enjoyable read, very cleverly written.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read and a bit predictable but a great setting and lovely cover.

[Paul Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duped! This book was recommended by a reader known for his interest in fantasy and science fiction. This book proved to be neither: It’s a friggin romance novel! But a good one.
A bit mushy at times, but the culture of European colonialism in India kept the story interesting. Plenty of quirky characters, including Monty, the family dog (who I envisioned as a Jack Russell terrier. Anyone else?).
Can recommend

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story took place on a plantation in India which was an interesting setting and well described by the author. You could imagine the surroundings. The characters and their emotions seemed very real, set in the time frame of the early 1900's. Two sisters, Isobel and Violet, traveled to India, to explore what the future held for them. The plot revolved around the sisters finding suitable marriages amid tangled relationships, due to past and present events. Their sisterly bonds were ofter strained due the struggles they faced.

[Kathleen Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1911, two English roses embark on an adventure under the Indian sun that will test their every limit

When high society sisters Isobel and Violet find themselves down on their luck, an unexpected inheritance sends them on an unforgettable voyage of discovery to face a wild destiny, deep in the jungles of India. With only their widowed Aunt Bea to guide them, the sisters will have to bond together through sickness and health if they have any hope of surviving this strange new world.

But with Violet determined to marry well and return to England as soon as possible, Isobel faces an uncertain future. And yet, as the mystery of this unknown and lavish landscape and its people pulls Isobel under its spell, their past life fades to a distant memory and a strength and courage born of her experiences and surroundings sets her on a path few well-bred ladies have ever trod – one of independence and freedom.

The setting in this novel was just stunning, it really brought to life the colours, sounds and sights. The plot was good and flowed seamlessly, although a little slow in places, and the characters were just wonderful!

A really good read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about two upper-class English women, who suddenly find themselves with nothing. When they are informed that they have inherited a coffee/spice plantation in India, they set off to see it and to decide what to do with it. Isobel is a very outspoken, independent and somewhat controlling woman while her sister Violet just wants to marry well and settle in England. Their Aunt Bea is widow and unwelcoming. When she joins the sisters, she begins to find herself and to be the aunt the girls need. The book had great imagery of India and the people. It showed how people can be taxed to the point of giving up and, yet, still find inner strength. Other than Aunt Bea, I really didn't enjoy the other characters. Isobel was strong-willed and independent at a time where that was very difficult for women. That was admirable although she took it to a height at which it became unattractive. Violet was immature and selfish. Aunt Bea, on the other hand, showed how to grow and flourish under difficult conditions. There was no profanity. There was no explicit sex but there were some discussions that went a bit far and sex outside of marriage was accepted.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me this is more a romance than historical fiction. Set in the early 20th century, two heiress, Violet and Isobel, along with their Aunt Bes and with two lady's maids set out for India- Isobel to investigate property they have inherited, Violet looking for a "good match" and Aunt Bes as their chaperone. Along the way they each grow, broaden their horizons, meet suitable and unsuitable suitors and in the end marry. India at times seems like just a background to a story that could have been set elsewhere.

It is not surprising that the author is also an artist. She writes about the jungles with vivid descriptions betraying the colors and scents of the jungle in great detail. The leopards add a delightful side story.

Overall, this was good summer reading.

[Nina L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of two women in reduced circumstances who go to India to claim their inheritance with their strong-willed aunt. The two characters follow a familiar pattern where one sister grows in confidence and resourcefulness and the other is a weak, emotional damsel looking for a rich husband. The story relates the control the Portuguese had in India at that time, but there is little connection with Indian people and little description of the local life. I agree with others that the lack of description of India, its people, and customs was very disappointed. The story could have taken place elsewhere and it would still have worked. In the end, it was really a romance novel.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very atmospheric book, portraying the lives of three women who go on a journey of a lifetime, at a time when women were supposed to stay at home. Isobel, Aunt Bea and Violet all bloomed in their own ways on their long and eventful passage to Goa from England.. The descriptions of silver mist and the surrounding jungle made you feel that you were there, one of my favourite reads of the year.

[Cheryl Twissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

True romance

A place to let yourself escape to and enjoy the scenery and events of distant countries. The characters come to life although I must admit Isobel seems to turn from rather churlish and unattractive to some beauty which could have been described in the beginning but nonetheless a good read.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful descriptive characters, particularly Aunt Bea. All the characters are easy to ‘know’. The scenery of both English landscapes and India are detailed and there is an easily understood description of the lives and times of colonial India. The strength and determination of Isobel and her defiance of the accepted norms for women is excellent.

[Donna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and fabulous!

I was transported to another place and time all the while I was reading this astonishing book! Epic it certainly was and I loved every minute of it. Ms. Coverdale's storytelling flowed through my senses like warm honey at times and at other times with the horrible truth of horrible despots. Bravo!

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, but not very well written. Really long, convoluted sentences that needed editing. Quite melodramatic in style and some of the behaviour, particularly of the male characters, was quite unrealistic. Felt rushed towards the end.

Surprised this book was published in this form - really needed a good edit.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful historical fiction, set in India mostly. I enjoyed the two strong female characters, Isobel and Bea. The secrets of the past come out in the end, and it adds up to a most interesting and entertaining story.

[Jamila Cassim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling Read

Well written. The storytelling is compelling and the rich culture of India, the natural beauty of the place and it's people of that time is bought alive through the pages. A very satisfying read!

[Margaretstone3aol.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had greater expectations of the book than it delivered sadly

Not as good as the location and character delivered. It remained tightly within the confines of aristocratic England and Spain and excluded India and it's magnificence .Dissappointed

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read that is well written with lovely descriptions of the settings in India. Two sisters inherit an estate in southern India and travel there to find new lives and romances. I found the story line a little predictable, but I enjoyed it.

[Alda Delicado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story in a different setting.

[Ruth 'N · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I call a beach read….predictable and does not require any concentration.

[Denise Kopcha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, light, predictable but I loved the descriptions of life in rural India.

[Janet Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and interesting places and times to imagine from a descriptive writer. I liked the story too.

[Mom (Melanie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This kept my interest but was more of a romance genre than I normally enjoy. I like stories set in places around the world, and would have enjoyed more of the local culture and customs included.

[Muff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun historical that takes place in India. Good light reading.

[Jkmoore100 · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Not my cup of tea.

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written very dramatically but that suits the time period.

[Sue Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute and included some progressive thoughts on colonialism and trophy hunting which I appreciated. Nice, easy read.

[Mary]

see private notes