Enchantée - Gita Trelease 

I love books that make you forget everything when you're reading them and this is definitely one of them. I just fell headlong into this one, reading it felt is as if I was in France with the characters. 

Feeling like she is out of choices, Camille decides to find out what is in the burned chest her mother left. Warned not to touch it, she and her sister Sophie have ignored it all these years. Inside they find a tattered dress, make-up and a brooch. The make up transforms her face into perfection, but she finds that to make all the magic work, it needs more than just her sorrow, it needs blood. With her disguise in place, Camille enters Versailles as Cecile, Baroness de la Fontaine. Using magic she wins the money she desperately needs to look after herself and her sister. But the more she visits the palace, the harder it is to give up the money, the new friends and the feeling of power.

Wonderfully written, this book really makes you believe in the magic of Versailles. Lovely descriptions of the riches and finery. Camille is a great character but most of the other characters, including Sophie, are not very well developed which is a shame. The dress is almost like a character itself. It seems sinister at first but becomes Camille's armour, which she draws strength from, protecting and supporting her. 

Enchantée releases on 21st February so get out there and pre-order!

While reading about the glittering world that Camille is drawn to, you can drink The Palace of Versailles cocktail. Stir the following ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. 3 basil leaves, 1 & 1/2 shots cognac, 1/2 shot Creme de Mure, 2/3 shot sauvignon blanc. Garnish with a blackberry and basil leaf.