Garlands of Gold

Book excerpt: “Filled with rich period detail, this historical romance will appeal to readers who enjoy learning about other cultures and times.” —Booklist In seventeenth-century Rotterdam, young Saskia is lady’s maid to wealthy English merchant’s wife. But her talent for manufacturing beautifying face balms far exceeds her lowly status. When the Gibbons family returns to England, Saskia goes with them and sets up in business selling the beauty products which have earned her a devoted clientele. But as she finds success in this new pursuit, she secretly dreams of winning the heart of her employer’s son, the woodcarver Grinling Gibbons, who is destined for great things . . . Based on real historical characters, this is a tale of passion, ambition, and an enterprising young woman ahead of her time.