When French equestrian Claire Delacroix loses her fiancé in a tragic accident, she comes to live at the Paris Opera during its 1890s heyday. Life is not easy for a woman in fin de siècle France, where her rights are determined by a male guardian. Claire, both intelligent and independent, chafes under the strictures of her time. Whilst working at the opera, she meets a mysterious, masked stranger: Erik. Is it possible that the two of them will heal the pain of each other’s past?
I’m giving away a paperback copy of this book by Sharon E. Cathcart, In The Eye Of The Beholder: A Novel of the Phantom of the Opera, which I enjoyed immensely. Sharon has also sent me an autographed card to include with the giveaway.
What They Say
Jen Knox (whose compelling true story Musical Chairs we’re giving away in another blog post): “I loved Phantom when I was younger, and although the story stuck with me, I had forgotten how much resonated for me about the tale. Sharon Cathcart resurrected this… I was genuinely impressed by this book!”
Historical Romance author Jaimey Grant: “Claire is different than your average romance heroine. She is over thirty, never married, and under the control of a man who does not have her best interests at heart. She rebels against the ‘proper’ behavior expected of her.”
My comment: “If 90% of everything is crap, then this definitely falls within the remaining 10%. If the next book I read has all the characteristics of this one, that would make me very happy. The characters captivated me. And the story dealt with an issue close to my heart, the human need to love and be loved. A theme that (whether Sharon intended it or not) strikes more deeply than the title implies: Not just that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That everyone needs some sympathy with others, in order to survive.”
How to Enter the Giveaway
Leave a comment below, on this post, in order to enter the giveaway. Be sure to enter your email address in the appropriate field below. (It won’t appear on the website, but if you don’t leave me your email, I’ll have no way to verify your entry or to contact you when you’ve won.)
On the morning of Friday, December 17, I’ll select a winner at random. (One entry per unique email address.) I’ll email the winner to find out where to send the book. And if you respond quickly, you’ll probably have it in time for Christmas!
Big Book Giveaway
Check out the other book giveaways from Big Book Giveaway 2010-2011.
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-TimK
I absolutly adore Phantom of the Opera and have since first seeing it on Broadway. I would love to read this book exspecially if it’s as good as you say.
the phantom of the opera is such a story that i would love to have a copy of this book. i also love to read so i like this site.
I have been in love with Erik since I was a silly young thing full of romantic tendencies. The poor man isn’t real and still he brings me to my knees a bout of overwhelming compassion. I picked my email address for a reason. 😉
I have always loved Phantom of the Opera. I can’t wait to read this!
The Phantom of the Opera has always been a favorite of mine. We used to do the music to it every year in my orchestra class!
I just adore the idea of a phantom of the opera. I love reading unique and interesting versions of the charachters. Especially on fanfiction.net.
Thanks
Audrey
For so long I have been touched by the beauty I have seen in Gaston Lereax’s book, The Phantom of the Opera. Only this so moving tale can lead me to love books the way I do. This tale, so passionate, so heart-wrenching, so perfect, can only be the one to drive so many people, including myself, to know what true passion and love really is. Only this story could make my head swim with songs so wonderful, that my heart dances every time I think of it. If only such a perfect bunch of characters could live in the world I see as falling to pieces.
oooo.. I have always loved phantom.. what a wonderful book!!!
Phantom of the opera is my fav book in the world.. plus my birthday is the 16th.. that would be a great b-day present!
I love the phantom of the opera
I would LOVE to have this book! I’ve never seen the musical onstage, but I consider myself a real fan of the story, the musical and everything else in between. Help me add to the section on my bookshelf devoted to published Phanfiction!!! =)
I would love to read about Claire and her Erik !
OH count me in on this! I’ve always loved the phantom from the first time I heard the music from the musical to reading the book to seeing the musical. Thanks for the chance!
Please enter me. Thank you so much!