Christine Monson’s RANGOON – A Love Story from 19th century Burma and a Wild Ride!

Set Burma in the 19^th century in the era of Queen Victoria, this story is brought to us by a master storyteller.

 

Lysistrata Herriott travels with her doctor father from Boston to the other side of the world—a place where she can escape her relatives and her past. From the very beginning, we know Lysistrata is fearless when she takes off with the locals in a strange country. She is also courageous and altruistic, becoming a nurse in the hospital where people of color are treated for cholera.

In Rangoon, Lysistrata meets the other Europeans and witnesses the racial discrimination that exists around her, for Rangoon is a place of many cultures: Burmese, Indian, Chinese and, of course, British.

 

Richard Harley (“Ram Kachwaha” to the Burmese) is an enigma, the son of an English nobleman whose mother was an Indian princess, captured by Ram’s father but never wed. Handsome and rich, Harley is accepted into the European society, but he maintains his ties to the other side and observes his boundaries. He wants Lysistrata, but knows he cannot have her in the public’s eye. And because he does not want to love her, he treats her as if he doesn’t care, that is until he captures her and takes her to his palace deep in the jungle, where he tells her she may leave only when he is dead.

 

But brave Lysistrata is intent on escape…

 

This story has an intricate plot that brings you into the exotic world of Burma—Rangoon, its other cities, the teaming jungles, its diverse culture and its wild rivers. When Harley takes Lysistrata to his palace, they encounter perilous paths, thugs and wild beasts. You’ll feel the heat, experience the monsoon season and climb treacherous mountain passes. Monson brings us great action and a courtroom drama near the end that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

Lysistrata is a very worthy heroine and Harley a mysterious figure. The dialog is brilliant and there are some wonderful one-liners. One of my favorites is uttered by Lysistrata when, in a humorous mood, she tries to discredit Harley after she has had too much to drink: “Any man who filches women is bound to cheat at cards.”

 

It is a long book (464 pages) but the story kept me turning pages. (I did want a list of characters, a map and a glossary for all the foreign terms that were not defined, but not to worry; it’s marvelous.) If you want to experience Burma in the late 19^th century, this book will take you there. Highly recommended.

 

Christine Monson’s SURRENDER THE NIGHT – Wonderful, Witty Victorian Romance with a Handsome Prince in Italy, Switzerland and Hungary!

You are lucky if you have this in paperback as it’s difficult to find. Set in 1847, beginning in Rhode Island and New York but then going to Italy, Switzerland and Hungary, this is the story of Eliza Hilliard, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Eliza is a talented artist who sees much, partly because she was left lame from a riding accident as a child and understands pain. When Princess Elizabeth (Bette) Von Schmerling comes to America seeking a wife for her nephew, Prince Miklos Sztarai of Hungary, Eliza’s mother leaps at the offer made to her daughter.

 

By proxy, Eliza is to marry a man she has never met, one she envisions as fat and blustering. She is willing to do it because the terms of the contract provide she can get out of the marriage if she wishes when she meets the prince and will get a large settlement—and the marriage can’t be consummated without mutual assent. Happy with her books and her art, Eliza jumps at the chance to be free from her controlling mother.

 

In Northern Italy, Eliza finally meets her new husband where he is staying at Lake Como. A handsome, golden-haired prince, he is also a former colonel in the Hungarian army and orders her about while holding her at arm’s distance.

 

Monson brings great humor and witticisms to the fore with Eliza’s musings about her husband. Eliza is only 16 but canny and wise. The dialog is witty, often brilliant. Neither Eliza nor Miklos wants the marriage. He is skeptical about Eliza’s reasons for entering the marriage and until he figures it out, he will not let her go, but he will not consummate the marriage either. Eliza is happy about that since she wants out.

 

Monson’s presentation of the budding respect and affection of these two prickly people is brilliant. I just loved it. And the secondary characters and historical figures are so well done, providing a rich tapestry of historical detail. I relish a romance where the author takes the time (and the pages) to slowly develop a believable relationship. The secondary characters are well drawn, including Miklos’ mistress, a great beauty who wonders at the appeal of the skinny American girl.

 

As they travel through Europe, Eliza discovers Miklos’ secrets and finally has to admit she loves him. A great read and highly recommended. Oh, and the bodice ripping aspects are mild (and they are married).

 

Christine Monson’s SURRENDER THE NIGHT – Wonderful, Witty Romance & a Handsome, Hungarian Prince in Italy, Switzerland and Hungary!

You are lucky if you have this in paperback as it’s difficult to find. Set in 1847, beginning in Rhode Island and New York but then going to Italy, Switzerland and Hungary, this is the story of Eliza Hilliard, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Eliza is a talented artist who sees much, partly because she was left lame from a riding accident as a child and understands pain. When Princess Elizabeth (Bette) Von Schmerling comes to America seeking a wife for her nephew, Prince Miklos Sztarai of Hungary, Eliza’s mother leaps at the offer made to her daughter.

By proxy, Eliza is to marry a man she has never met, one she envisions as fat and blustering. She is willing to do it because the terms of the contract provide she can get out of the marriage if she wishes when she meets the prince and will get a large settlement—and the marriage can’t be consummated without mutual assent. Happy with her books and her art, Eliza jumps at the chance to be free from her controlling mother.

In Northern Italy, Eliza finally meets her new husband where he is staying at Lake Como. A handsome, golden-haired prince, he is also a former colonel in the Hungarian army and orders her about while holding her at arm’s distance.

Monson brings great humor and witticisms to the fore with Eliza’s musings about her husband. Eliza is only 16 but canny and wise. The dialog is witty, often brilliant. Neither Eliza nor Miklos wants the marriage. He is skeptical about Eliza’s reasons for entering the marriage and until he figures it out, he will not let her go, but he will not consummate the marriage either. Eliza is happy about that since she wants out.

Monson’s presentation of the budding respect and affection of these two prickly people is brilliant. I just loved it. And the secondary characters and historical figures are so well done, providing a rich tapestry of historical detail. I relish a romance where the author takes the time (and the pages) to slowly develop a believable relationship. The secondary characters are well-drawn, including Miklos’ mistress, a great beauty who wonders at the appeal of the skinny American girl.

As they travel through Europe, Eliza discovers Miklos’ secrets and finally has to admit she loves him. A great read and highly recommended. Oh, and the bodice-ripping aspects are mild (and they are married).

Christine Monson’s THIS FIERY SPLENDOR – An Exciting Victorian Romance set in India During the Rebellion of 1857

Christine Monson always does thorough research into the historical settings of her books and then serves up a great story. Such is This Fiery Splendor.

Annalise Devon was the daughter of a missionary to China where she was raised until her mother died. Then her father took her to India. It was there in that beautiful, mysterious land that she met and fell in love with Col. Derek Clavell, a wealthy aristocrat and an officer in the East India Company army. When her father suddenly dies, 17-year-old Annalise is made Derek’s ward by her father’s wishes. Then Derek is severely wounded in a battle at the Khyber Pass and must return to England.

In England, Annalise and Derek become lovers yet she knows he will never be hers. Not only does he have a beautiful fiancé, but he has just become his father’s heir to the title. She is just the poor daughter of a missionary. So she returns to India and finds a man who loves her…

Monson gives us some very exciting scenes as Derek pursues the woman he loves and he and Annalise are caught up in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, depicting the horror of the battles where civilians were killed along with the British and Sepoys. And in the midst of it, Derek’s fiancé shows up.

All the history is here, rich in detail. Great characters, well drawn and meaningful dialog. And more angst than you could want. You'll have to find it used but it's worth it. Highly recommended.

Christine Monson’s THIS FIERY SPLENDOR – An Exciting Victorian Romance set in India During the Rebellion of 1857

Christine Monson always does thorough research into the historical settings of her books and then serves up a great story. Such is This Fiery Splendor.

Annalise Devon was the daughter of a missionary to China where she was raised until her mother died. Then her father took her to India. It was there in that beautiful, mysterious land that she met and fell in love with Col. Derek Clavell, a wealthy aristocrat and an officer in the East India Company army. When her father suddenly dies, 17-year-old Annalise is made Derek’s ward by her father’s wishes. Then Derek is severely wounded in a battle at the Khyber Pass and must return to England.

In England, Annalise and Derek become lovers yet she knows he will never be hers. Not only does he have a beautiful fiancé, but he has just become his father’s heir to the title. She is just the poor daughter of a missionary. So she returns to India and finds a man who loves her…

Monson gives us some very exciting scenes as Derek pursues the woman he loves and he and Annalise are caught up in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, depicting the horror of the battles where civilians were killed along with the British and Sepoys. And in the midst of it, Derek’s fiancé shows up.

All the history is here, rich in detail. Great characters, well drawn and meaningful dialog. And more angst than you could want.

Highly recommended.