The Sparks Fly Upward

Few of those Philippa loves in London return her affection. Not the love of her life, who has a new bride. Not even her widowed mother, Makepeace Burke. So Philippa decides on a marriage of convenience to a prudish, if kind, man.

Across the Channel in France, the Reign of Terror is causing the beheading of thousands from the French nobility. Among those in danger is Philippa's friend, the Marquis de Condorcet. Not only has Philippa the means of rescuing him from the guillotine, she's got the courage. And as fate would have it, Philippa will find love where she least expects it-while staring death in the face.

Diana Norman (1933-2011) worked on local newspapers in Devon and the East End of London and at age of twenty became the youngest reporter in what used to be Fleet Street. Norman authored biographies as well as historical novels. In total, she wrote 11 historical novels including The Vizard Mask, The Pirate Queen, and Fitzempress' Law. She is survived by her husband, film critic Barry Norman, and their two daughters.