Those Rosy Hours at Mazandaran by Marion Grace Woolley

A beautifully written, poetic tale of the young Afsar, the eldest daughter of the Shah as she learns about her place in the world. As the eldest daughter she is given some authority, but she will never rule. Born with a fire inside her and a desire to learn, Asfar is restricted in her life at the palace and resents her father for having so many wives.
When her father brings the circus to the palace everything changes for Afsar.
A well written and captivating tale. I would highly recommend this book.

Marion Grace Woolley is the author of three previous novels and a collection of short stories.In 2009, she was shortlisted for the Luke Bitmead Bursary for New Writers. She balances her creative impulses with a career in International Development; she has worked and travelled across Africa, Australia, Armenia, and a few other places beginning with 'A'. She is an associate member of the Society of Authors, and is currently at work on her fifth novel.