Moonraker's Bride

Love reading these books with their different story lines.

... with mystery and intrigue, an absorbing plot, intelligent description, fascinating setting and history, richly written characters, and, above all, a humble, kind-hearted and utterly charming heroine to root for, then read this book. Did I oversell it? I hope not. I read this everytime I need an escape. Goes down as easy as the creamiest ice cream, and just as satisfying.

Madeleine Brent (Peter O'Donnell of Modesty Blaise fame) wrote some really good historical adventure stories pitched toward women. Why does he succeed in making his books interesting even on repeated reading, where a lot of other authors in the same genre fail? He has great respect for the intelligence and good sense of his heroines. Plucky and intelligent, Lucy struggles against great odds to support and protect her benefactor and the orphans they had taken in and cared for in a hostile turn of the century China. Meanwhile, events are conspiring to send her on an adventure to take her half way around the world.This book is a delightful read.

This book is, if not the best, then one of the best of Madeleine Brent's literary productions. The heroine, Lucy Waring,has the typical spunky, direct character and unique talents that are endowed to Brent heroines. An exotic setting,one of Madeleine Brent's trademarks, is this time a poor mission in China. The romance of the story is captivating, especially since the plot involves a marriage of convenience, which is one of the major factors I look for in my favorite romance novels (no reason in particular - I just like that kind). The mystery that is threaded throughout the book is impenetrable, puzzling, and cleverly crafted. I also enjoy how Madeleine Brent's characters all seem to be connected in some obscure way, shape or form; it allows for more guessing of what will happen. All these factors contribute to the alluring appeal of Moonraker's Bride, making it a read that I am glad I did not miss.

I read alot, and I mean alot. There are many wonderful books out there, but it's not everyday you find a book so intruiging and so splendidly suspensful that you absolutely can't put it down. I just finished reading "Monnraker's Bride," by Madeleine Brent. If it had not been for my wonderful neighbor, I would not have discovered my new favorite author. As you read, step by step the beautifully sculpted mysteryof a treasure lost in the ruins of a raging war, you will get to know Lucy, a budding, young, English-woman, growing up in ancient China. When a stranger with striking, dark eyes passes through asking about about a riddle: "Above the giant's twisted knife Where the wind-blown blossom flies Stands the temple where fortune lies. Beyond the golden world reversed Marked by the bear-club of the skies Rest the sightless tiger's eyes." Lucy is warned to be on the lookout for yet another traveler who might be coming, asking about the same riddle. Not long after, Lucy is confronted by a man bearing a odd resemblance to the man she was warned about. As a result of this unexpected loose lifestyle and is given the task of conquering the "lady" within. She agrees to take up accomodation with an upperclass family from the reputable part of England. In England, it seems everyone is screaming to uncover the mystery of the treasure, lost centeries ago in the rubble of a remote temple, somewhere in China. Meanwhile Lucy is just tyring to wear the right hat at the right time of day. But still there is another mystery not yet uncovered, it is the question of the old Moonraker's mansion up on the hill. With every turn of the page, still another surprise is undug and as the suspense builds, Madeleine Brent, slips little tid-bits of glee in through the cracks. The only problem with this book, is that you won't want to put is down!