Karen Robards’ FORBIDDEN LOVE – Masterful Storytelling Will Keep You Reading Late Into the Night!

Seduced by her guardian, Justin, Earl of Weston, at his estate in Ireland when she was 17, Megan Kindead is made to pay the price. And oh, how she pays. Though Justin was very aware his behavior was despicable, he “couldn’t help himself” and ruined her just the same. In return, the young innocent fell in love. Of course, he forgot to tell her one thing: he could not marry her as he was already married. Finding she is pregnant, Megan knows to give her child a name, she must wed and soon.

Megan is a high-spirited young woman with courage and convictions. I loved her. Justin was an otherwise honorable nobleman who was obsessed with his ward. He would have her no matter the consequences, even making her his whore when he could not make her his wife.

It’s a bodice ripper, oh yes, it is, and a very good one. Originally published in 1983 (the original cover which has so much more emotion), it is just as good today. The emotions are at times subtle, at times violent, but in all, believable. And the tension is non-stop. Robards is simply a master of this sort of romance and I count myself among her many fans. She always tells a great story.

 

This book grabbed my attention and would not let me go. Though no date is given it seemed to be roughly set in the Regency era, and while there were some errors in forms of address and clothing color choices (a mauve “coming out” gown when it would have been white, and reference to a white wedding gown when it would have been a color), the story still gets full marks from me because these errors did not distract from what was a well-written, captivating story.

 

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.