Last year I picked up a book left on a seat in a shopping arcade by a bookcrossing member. It was Barbara Cartland's As Eagles Fly, published in 1975. I can't remember having read any of her novels, but I have read a couple of her non-fiction books on beauty and romance.
The story is set in the Caucasian mountains. The year is 1855 and Lord D'arcy Athelstan, an English diplomat, is on a secret mission to interview Shamyl, the Imam, who has been fighting the Russians for 20 years. Lord Athelstan is asked to escort a prisoner to Constantinople, but he refuses. The prisoner, Russian Countess Natasha Melikov, disguises herself as a man and secretly joins his entourage as they leave. During their travels they face many dangers, are drawn closer to each other and find passionate love.
(The above is a copy of what I entered at slake.)
I was a bit irritated at the age difference between Natasha, 17 years old, and D'arcy who was 35. It reminded me of author Diana Palmer who nearly always favours a great age difference between heroine and hero. Both Barbara and Diana worked as journalists.
There were a lot of interesting historical details about the war and the Caucasians braves -- the author's note explaining that she hadn't changed history to suit her story. Not sure that I'd try the tea mixed with sheep's blood, though I'm sure it would be high in iron. This phrase reminded me of current happenings, "The English were already having a great deal of trouble in Afghanistan ...", hmm history has a way of repeating itself.
The story is set in the Caucasian mountains. The year is 1855 and Lord D'arcy Athelstan, an English diplomat, is on a secret mission to interview Shamyl, the Imam, who has been fighting the Russians for 20 years. Lord Athelstan is asked to escort a prisoner to Constantinople, but he refuses. The prisoner, Russian Countess Natasha Melikov, disguises herself as a man and secretly joins his entourage as they leave. During their travels they face many dangers, are drawn closer to each other and find passionate love.
(The above is a copy of what I entered at slake.)
I was a bit irritated at the age difference between Natasha, 17 years old, and D'arcy who was 35. It reminded me of author Diana Palmer who nearly always favours a great age difference between heroine and hero. Both Barbara and Diana worked as journalists.
There were a lot of interesting historical details about the war and the Caucasians braves -- the author's note explaining that she hadn't changed history to suit her story. Not sure that I'd try the tea mixed with sheep's blood, though I'm sure it would be high in iron. This phrase reminded me of current happenings, "The English were already having a great deal of trouble in Afghanistan ...", hmm history has a way of repeating itself.







