Jaipur Moon by Liz Harris

 

"I agree with you there." She paused. "So we're going to be friends with them, are we?"

"Not exactly. We're going to appear to be friends with them", he told her. "We'll make a start tomorrow morning".

Jaipur Moon by Liz Harris is a gripping historical novel, set in India in 1934.

Blurb:

Jaipur Moon

Jaipur, 1934

When Philip Grainger and Frank Fletcher met late at night on the edge of an indigo plantation in Gujarat back in 1916, and one of them handed a new born baby to the other and walked away, their stated intention was never to see each other again.

In Jaipur, 1934, almost eighteen years later, Philip's daughter, Eleanor, is excited to learn that a new family has moved into the street where they live, and that the family has a daughter similar to age to herself.

When Frank Fletcher, having struggled for years to make a profit from his isolated indigo planatation, turns to exporting, he is encouraged by his exporter friend, Maxwell Anderson, to move his family to Jaipur. His daughter, Alice, hopes that at last she will make some friends.

But where there are secrets, someone invariably senses a secret, is determined to uncover it and use it to his advantage. Nothing stays hidden for ever...

The story starts dramatically with a full moon risen in the darkening sky, and a man creeping through the jungle. He meets another man in the dark, and passes a basket with a newborn baby inside it. Two men promise to end all contact between them.

"That's it then," he said. "We'll never speak of this in our family or with anyone else. And you and I will neer refer to this, should we meet again. Not that we ever will..."

Eighteen years later we walk along a sweeping crescent in Jaipur, where the members of the small British community have built houses that "felt British".

Eleanor Grainger lives with her parents in one of the most imposing houses in Victoria Crescent. One evening Eleanor arrives home with exciting news that a new British family is moving into the crescent. She is thrilled to find out that there they've got a daughter, who might become a new friend.

Alice Fletcher is also hoping to make friends. Bayana, where her father's indigo plantation was operating, was an isolated place where she didn't have any close friends. She is optimistic that Jaipur will bring opportunities to meet new people.

Harriet is Eleanor's bosom friend and confidante. They enjoy visiting the local cafes and bazaars, and gossiping to their heart's content. They believe Alice will do nicely as a new addition to their small circle of friends. 

The girls are not aware at first of the secrets and lies, threatening to dramatically unbalance their equilibrium.

We follow the daily lives of three families, who all have daughters of the same age. The daughters don't seem to have any ambitions in life except getting married. They have no dreams of travelling or doing anything different. In fact, their values appear very old-fashioned, seeing that it is 1936, and women have been working and earning their own money elsewhere, aspiring to have a profession or a vocation.

The storyline centres on the lives of the British community, their social lives, business, expectations. Jaipur serves as an exotic background, and the political tensions are hardly mentioned. 

There is a bit of a social status entitlement. Alice who has just arrived to Jaipur, scribbles down some notes, trying to keep track of what her new friends tell her about the city, and they all think she can write a guide. One barely educated young woman relies on the information given by two other not very educated women, without doing any research, and they all believe she is capable of writing a guide book.

The setting is beautifully-researched, with in-depth descriptions of the local landmarks and monuments, bazaars, streets. The colours and sounds reflect the vibrant background. 

Some plot tropes, like acquiring information via eavesdropping, make you wonder, just how careless you can be. Wouldn't you try to make sure nobody can hear you, if you discuss family/business secrets that can ruin your reputation? 

Jaipur Moon is an engaging, charming story of secrets and lies, love and betrayal, bonds of friendship and loyalty. 

This book will appeal to readers of historical fiction and fans of clean romance.

Many thanks to Liz Harris and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jaipur-Moon-secrets-princely-Colonials-ebook/dp/B0F9P6176J

https://www.amazon.com/Jaipur-Moon-secrets-princely-Colonials-ebook/dp/B0F9P6176J

Author Bio – 

Liz Harris is the author of the historical novels THE ROAD BACK (US Coffee Time & Romance Book of the Year 2012) and A BARGAIN STRUCK (shortlisted for the RoNA Historical 2013). They and THE LOST GIRL/GOLDEN TIGER and A WESTERN HEART were shortlisted for Best Historical Romance by The Festival of Romance. In addition are contemporary novels EVIE UNDERCOVER, THE ART OF DECEPTION, THE BEST FRIEND and WORD PERFECT. THE DARK HORIZON, THE FLAME WITHIN and THE LENGTHENING SHADOW, set between the wars, comprise The Linford Collection, which was followed by The Colonials : DARJEELING INHERITANCE, COCHIN FALL, HANOI SPRING and SIMLA MIST. The second edition of THE ROAD BACK appeared in August 2022, followed by IN A FAR PLACE. Second editions of A BARGAIN STRUCK and GOLDEN TIGER were published in 2023. THE LOOSE THREAD, the first in the Three Sisters trilogy, was published in February 2024, THE SILKEN KNOT, the second in September 2024 and THE WOVEN LIE in February 2025. AWESTERN HEART was published December 2024. In addition to these, Liz has had short stories published in anthologies and magazines.

Social Media Links –

Twitter Handle:  @lizharrisauthor

Bluesky handle:  @lizharris.bsky.social

Instagram Handle:  liz.harris.52206

Website:  https://lizharrisauthor.com

 

Facebook: Liz Harris

Photo diary: Project 385, week 28

American history of the XXC is one of Eddie's subjects for the next year's GCSEs. The Prohibition is one of the topics they cover. We decided to watch The Untouchables together. I've seen it many years ago. It's still good, and Kevin Costner is a poppet, he looks so young in this film.

We ordered Domino's and enjoyed the film.

I love seeing flowers in the garden and in town.

A few days earlier I had an email from Ocado that my Ocadoversary was coming soon, and I could spend a tenner on chocolates or wine. Gavi was on offer, and I got a bottle basically for a pound. I will squirrel it until our trip to Cornwall later this summer, so that we can enjoy it in "our" cottage one evening.

Another scorching week, and I have to water all potted plants every evening and top up the water baths for birds. The blackberries are still either in bloom, or green, though I have seen ripe berries on the hedges in town.

Not sure what this insect is, but it has "alien" eyes.

One of the sketches I did in the last week for Penandinkchallene, with a warm cup of coffee prompt. This is a super quick selfie with a cup of coffee. To be fair, even coffee doesn't help much in this weather. I don't sleep well, when it's so hot, and crawl around the house like a zombie.

Picked up this huge fig in the garden, it was very sweet. This is the first ripe fig of the season. I can see more on the tree, but they are still quite green.

When I see a bright flower, I say to myself "and a splash of colour" in Rabbit's voice, from Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, when he tries to decorate the stuck Pooh's backside.

In this weather we tend to eat tapas-style food, with salads, fresh fruit, cheese, olives etc. On Saturday I did make an effort and cooked a shakshuka, with aubergines, sweet pepper, olives, tomato sauce and eggs. 

Hope you're doing well, against the heat wave.

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 27

It's been a long week, as my husband was away for seven days (Thursday to Wedneday). Sasha misses him and tends to be more anxious, taking it on me. It didn't help that it was so hot as well, and in Sasha's eyes, it's all my fault, I'm responsible for the weather. 

I did a quick drawing of a Japanese boy with a floating carp balloon in my watercolour notebook. 

Filling in my notebook with some reading challenge stats. In the first half year of 2025 I read 52 books, including 7 non-fiction. Pretty pleased with that, as it's the most I've read of non-fiction books in years. Hoping to add to this number.

I also started a new reading challenge, run by our local Waterstones. You need to read nine books in nine weeks, following the prompts (Read a work of translated fiction, Read a book with a BIPOC protagonist, Read a locally-set book, etc). 

By reading 52 books, I completed my Reading Challenge on GoodReads. 

 My top favourites are:

A Life's Music by Andrei Makine;

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins;

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré;

A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal by Ben Macintyre.

The last one is non-fiction, and is very well-written. I have been reading it about 15-20 pages at a time, as there is a lot of information to absorb. Philby was the right bastard, and the secret service is a dirty business anywhere. Whatever side you belong to.

With all the hot weather I've been watering my potted plants every evening. Spotted this little butterfly on the blackberry bush, and checked out online if it's the blasted moth who nearly destroyed our boxwood hedges. It doesn't appear to be the horrible moth.

I love the scent of phloxes. It's one of my Mum's favourite flowers. 

Another butterfly in the garden.

My blood test results are back, thankfully, no action required, but the health issue is still there, so need more tests.

On Friday Eddie went to London with his school to see Noughts and Crosses at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. He studies Drama as one of his GCSEs, and this play is one of the subjects they study. He came back from his trip after midnight, rather tired but happy. 

Though it was an evening performance, Eddie managed to get sunburnt, and woke up with very puffy eyes. He did have a hat, but seeing a photo that the school posted on Facebook, looks like none of the silly sods were wearing hats.

A splash of colour in town. 

We had a relaxing day, not doing much: took Sasha out, did a bit of shopping and watched The Rain season 1 on Netflix. It's a bit slow going, and not as good as El Eternauta, though it is quite similar in genre (post-apocalyptic society, survival in the aftermath of the virus which wipes out the majority of population). There are 3 seasons. Not sure if we keep watching beyond the first one.

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Degustabox June Box

 Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in June Box Degustabox?

Tilda Mushroom Basmati Rice or Egg Fried Long Grain Rice (£1.54) is Product of the Month.

Tilda steamed rice range includes over 25 flavours. I always have a couple of pouches in my pantry for quick and easy meals. My personal favourites: Jasmine, Coconut and Sticky rice, but I'm happy with any flavour. 

These pouches are super handy. I use them as a side dish to tofu meals, grilled fish, stir fried chicken, etc. 

Tilda rice is a great ingredient for stuffed sweet peppers and tomatoes, and that's exactly what I did with both Mushroom Basmati and Egg Fried Long Grain rice. I mixed the rice with grated carrots and topped with sour cream, stuffed the peppers and roasted them in the oven. 

Rice is ready in 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes on the hob.

Nutritional information: 150kcal and 0.5g of sugar per 125g serving (Mushroom); 170kcal and 0.9g of sugar per 125g serving (Egg-fried); gluten free, free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Available in the major supermarket chains. You should receive 1 item in your box.

Cheez-It Double Cheese/Cheese & Chilli (£1 each) is a thin and crispy snack baked with 100% real cheese, with no artificial colours or flavours. 

Crunchy and well-seasoned, Cheez-It makes a great snack, whether you are feeling peckish or having a movie night. 

Nutritional information: 500kcal/501kcal and 1.5g of salt per 100g, or 200kcal and 0.6g of salt per 40g pouch. No artificial colours or flavours. Suitable for vegetarians.

Both flavours are a big hit with my guys. 

Available in the major supermarket chains.

You should receive two items in your box.

More cheese-flavoured snacks - Proper All the Cheese Lentil Chips (£2), a new lentil based snack made with four cheese seasoning.

An "homage to the fromage" that blends Cheddar, Emmental, Mozzarella and Gouda into a crispy savoury snack.

Made with real cheese, gluten free, under 95kcal per serve. Lentils are protein rich, and are a source of iron and fibre.

Lovely on their own, or with a selection of dips.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Kellogg's Oaties Original Crunch (£3.50) is a new cereal from Kellogg's.

Lightly sweet, oaty bite cereal with a lasting crunch is made with wholegrain oats and is high in fibre.

 This tasty cereal will provide breakfast for the whole family. Enjoy it on its own with a milk of your choice, or personalise with adding seeds and berries.

Nutritional values: 114kcal and 6g of sugar per 30g serving.

Available in Tesco, JS, ASDA and Morrisons.

Just Live a Little Maple & Pecan Toasted Pecan Granola (£1.50) is a tasty breakfast. Made with wholegrain oats, finest nuts, fruits and a generous dollop of nut butter.

This is a gluten free granola, high in fibre and without refined sugar. Ingredients include wholegrain oat, date juice concentrate, raisins, rapeseed oil, pecan nuts, maple syrup, almond butter, toasted coconut etc.

Nutritional values: 183kcal and 7.3g of sugar per 45g.

Available in full-sized 360g pack at £4 in selected Sainsbury's, Amazon, justlivealittle.com and selected independents.

Mission Carb Balance Wraps (£1.90) are a healthier choice for any mealtime. These soft tortilla wraps offer a fine balance of high fibre with lower carbs.

Enjoy them with a sweet or savoury filling/topping - make a burrito, tacos, fajitas or a dessert with a chocolate spread or nut spread and banana.

Nutritional information: 9g carbs, 125kcal and 0.55g of salt per wrap.

Available in Sainsbury's.

Nescafe Iced Caramel Flavour Latte Multiserve (£3) is a godsend for this hot weather. Enjoy with lots of ice cubes straight from the fridge for a long refreshing drink.

Made with carefully selected and responsibly sourced coffee and milk for an indulgent creamy coffee drink. 

Nutritional values: 92kcal and 10.6g of sugar per 250ml serve; high protein, source of calcium.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Nestle Carnation Drizzles come in three flavours: Condensed Milk, Caramel or Chocolate Fudge Flavour (£3.19). 

Great for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, ice cream, berries and other kinds of desserts.

Established in 1899, Carnation has a great heritage.

You will receive one 1 item of 3. We got Carnation Drizzle Chocolate Fudge Flavour (a sweetened condensed milk with chocolate fudge flavour).

Nutritional values: 45kcal and 8.3g of sugar per 15g serving.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Sauce Shop Original Smoky BBQ Sauce (£2.80) is the ultimate summer condiment. This is a classic sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, Kansas City style, made with tomatoes, hickory-wood smoked water, white grape vinegar and rich molasses.

Serve it with grilled meat, hot dogs, or pizza. 

Nutritional information: 140kcal and 31.9g of sugar per 100g (one bottle is 340g).

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's and www.sauceshop.co.uk.

Skittles Citrus (£1.10 each) is a zingtastic new mix of citrus flavours - orange, lemon, lime, mandarin and blood orange.

Zesty and sweet, these candies make an enjoyable treat, whether you're lounging on the beach, or having a picnic on the lawn. Very bright and summery.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

You should receive 2 items in your box.

And finally, another sweet treat - Divine Milk & White Chocolate Cappuccino bar (£1.29). An indulgent blend of creamy milk chocolate, smooth white chocolate and a hint of rich cappuccino, it's a perfect balance of flavours. Perfect for those of us who love coffee-flavoured chocolate.

Each bar is produced using Fairtrade-certified cocoa.

Available direct from Divine at www.divinechocolate.com.

If you're a PLUS member, you will receive an extra product of Doughlicious soft baked gourmet grab & go cookies NY style choc chip (£1.99).

Another smashing box from Degustabox, with lots of treats.

Photo diary: Project 365, week 26

 Wide awake until 5am, started nodding off around 6am, and then it was time to get up. You know the feeling, when you stare at the clock through the night, willing the morning to come sooner, so that you could at least get up and start the day, as you can't sleep anyway.

It's going to be a very long day, and I have too many things to do. Sigh.

Looking back at our week, there wasn't anything special happening. Since it's so hot, I water potted plants every evening.

Lavender provides a meeting point for butterflies and bees.

On Monday I tried one of the recipes from a vegetarian cook book, which I bought in the charity shop several years ago. I have picked a few recipes to try from the book - named 330 Vegetarian Recipes for Health - and asparagus ricotta flan was one of them. I used Jus-Rol shortcrust pastry. The filling is a mix of ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, yogurt and spices. It was quite nice, though I should "sink" the asparagus deeper in the filling, as the very tips got slightly dry.

On the lookout for some second hand books, I checked out a couple of charity shops. Didn't find what I was looking for, but saw these two beautiful Indian costumes. If I were younger and slimmer, I would totally buy this pale turquoise outfit, with its elegant silhouette and light shimmer.

I'm very slowly going through season 3 of Yellowstone, only watching a little bit at a time.

I had a bag of sweet cherries taking space in the freezer, and decided it was time to cook something with them. I made a sweet cherry- red currant filling, and my own sweet shortcrust pastry too (which I don't often choose to do). It was delicious, and my guys loved it. 

On Thursday I had my blood tests done (waited for almost a month), and asked Eddie to meet me at the clinic after school, as I was a bit wobbly on my feet. He accompanied me home, and on the way back we saw the lovely Mischief. He's forever lounging on the mini-bridge, and I feel like I should be paying a toll to cross the bridge.

Friday, and the much anticipated Squid Game season 3. Eddie and I watched two episodes almost as soon as he came home after school. 

We finished watching it yesterday. I wasn't happy with the ending. It's not the first time Netflix botches up the ending of the popular show, just look what they did with The Umbrella Academy (still haven't forgiven them for that). 

However, reading reviews online, many people loved it, and thought it was brilliant. Go figure.

One of the ink drawings I made last week. The Penandinkchallenge prompt was a turtle on wheels, so I decided to draw a Steampunk-style turtle. I was looking at the steam engines' photo on my phone from our visit to Arts& Metiers Museum in Paris.

Our local Waterstones is a dangerous place. I'm very easily persuaded to buy new books, especially when recommended by one of our lovely booksellers.

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 25

 Last week was all about surviving the hot weather. 

Our old house is not built for the high temperatures, and the only marginally cooler space is the ground floor. Bedrooms are basically like trying to sleep in a tepid soup. And I move around like a zombie.

It was Father's day on Sunday, and I did remind my younger one in advance so that he could sort out the present for the occasion. I was tempted not to say anything, as they all forgot about Mother's day, but decided it was too petty. Eddie got a present and a card for his Dad, and I bought a Neapolitan cake on behalf of Sasha. 

It was time to pick white currants. They are not as tangy as the red variety, but still lovely.

A tricky day, as Sasha hasn't slept a wink all night, walking up and down, moving in his room, vocalising, and only went to bed at 7am. I was totally shattered. 

On Wednesday we had a school email on the results of mock exams. Overall, Eddie did well, but could have done better. I believe he needs to re-think his priorities, and work harder next year for the actual exams.

The only photo I snapped was of Abel and Cole extra Med veg bundle.

While Sasha was out with his PAs, my husband and I checked out a new cafe in town. I had an iced chai. The menu is not bad, but won't really work for Sasha, as there is not much of what he would want to drink or eat there. That means, we can cross it out, and not suggest to PAs as a possible place to take Sasha to.

I wasn't deliberately making a silly face, I just had a gulp of a very icy drink, when my dear husband took a photo of me.

Pretty poppies in town.

I'm currently reading The Man Who Was George Smiley: The Life of John Bingham by Michael Yago. I've read someone describing it as a book for George Smiley die-hard fans, and I rather agree.

There is a lot of information, however, the style is slightly stilted. I only manage about a chapter at a time. The only chapter I truly enjoyed is The Genesis of George Smiley, about the times when David Cornwell (John le Carré) joined MI5, his relationship with Bingham, and the eventual fall-out. 

While reading this book, I realised that both Bingham's wife and daughter were writers. There is going to be a re-issue of Peers and Plebs by Madeleine Bingham later in summer, and you can pre-order it at £52.99 for a Kindle edition. Thanks, but no thanks, I'm not that invested in the family.

Curious, I checked out the publisher of the Rutlegde revivals series, and found out that some of the books in their series cost a hundred per Kindle book. That's not exactly Revivals, it's more of Let's Bury this classic series. Who is going to spend a hundred pounds for an e-copy? What am I missing?

Another book I was reading last week (and just finished yesterday) is The Emerald Shawl by Louise Douglas (out later this summer). It's a dark Gothic historical novel, set in Bristol in 1864.

The main protagonist, Nelly Brooks, is one of the first female journalists. Nelly has a tragic past, having spent ten years in an asylum, where her parents put her as a teenager. 

Nelly writes articles on fashion, interior, frilly things, suitable for the genteel reader, but secretly she wants to do investigative journalism and make a difference. 

One day a woman approaches her, saying she has an information that the wife of an aristocat who supposedly died in childbirth, was actually murdered. The next day Nelly finds out that her informant ends up dead herself. If Nelly is going to pursue the story, she is risking her own life.

And how was your week?

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Photo Diary: Project 365, week 24

 A typical English weather this week - it cannot seem to make up its mind, whether to be sunny or rain in buckets, so we often had both most days. Whenever there was a sunny break, I popped into the garden to do the weeding, and trimmed the Virginia creeper at the house front. While working, I spotted this moth.

It is likely an Eight-spotted forester, but don't take my word for it.

We were taking Sasha out, and my husband asked if we could go anywhere else but Cafe Nero, as he's a bit fed up with it. Sasha is happy with Coffee 1, as they have his favourite Coke and nice cakes and pastries. 

The pistachio craze continues, and there is a new Pistachio cream bun available in Coffee 1, which Sasha has chosen. It does look pretty good, though that's some serious amount of cream.

And if you visit Costa, they have a new pistachio chocolate cookie. I had a reward on my Costa card for a free can of iced coffee, and bought a cookie to take with me. Eddie and I shared it. Not too bad, quite chocolatey, though the pistachio flavour tastes rather artificial.

I'm happy with all the pistachio offerings, as it's one of my favourite nuts (that, and hazelnut). 

A clematis in town...

I was looking forward to the Strawberry Moon on Wednesday, but alas, the Moon was hiding from us in the clouds, and we couldn't see anything special. I ventured into the garden several times through the evening and early night, and it was dark dark dark. Did you manage to  get a glimpse of the rare Moon?

This week I've been trying to figure out what to do with the boxwood hedges in the garden. All of a sudden, some parts of it have been attacked by nasty pests. I bought some special boxwood spray to kill off the pests, but not sure what exactly the disease it. It's not the boxwood blight, or miner. I cannot see any worms or bugs, or any insects at all, but a lot of damage. In fact, one hedge looks pretty destroyed.

Any word of advice? Should I remove all the affected bushes and burn them? Or will they be able to recover after treatment?

On Thursday my friend and I arranged to meet for an hour, while Sasha was out with his PAs. We haven't seen each other for over a month, and it was lovely to catch up on the latest news. 

On the way to her house, I ran through the flood fields area. I love it there, it's just so peaceful, with birds singing, and tall grasses waving in the breeze. You can often spot a local cat there, named Mischief. I've known this cat for at least seven years, but he must be older than that. He is a mouser, and spends most of the day outdoors. He is the most chillaxed cat you can encounter, often lying in the middle of the path or bridge, without a care that someone might step on him.

Mischief is a local mini-celebrity, as people often menion seeing him on the local Facebook group.

The weather was funny again on Friday, with a mild rain, and a bit of sunshine. I picked up some of the red currants for lunch. 

I could see some of the apples too, though this year there are going to be less of them. Last year's harvest was abundunt, so this year the apple trees are having a bit of a break.

A few days ago I got a message on Insta from author Shannon Morgan, saying that I won three of her books (all horror). They arrived yesterday, with a lovely postcard. I follow the author on social media, but haven't read any of her books yet. I do enjoy horror.

What else have we been doing? Eddie and I finally started watching The Last of Us (season 1). I was waiting and waiting for it to get less pricey, but it is not happening. Only watched two episodes. 

If you haven't watched it, my unsolicited advice: don't do it before bedtime, or you might have trouble to sleep. It's pretty disturbing.

I keep reading Icelandid Noir, and just finished reading The Clues in the Fjord by Satu Rämö (currently free on Amazon Prime).

And how was your week?

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