The
year is 1896. In the vast network of the Niger Delta waterways,
where palm oil and blood flow from the hinterlands, the
ancient Kingdom of Benin is under siege. Legendary trader
and leopard hunter Brendan Donivan battles to protect his
adopted homeland’s sacred civilization from the colonial
expansion of the British, while balancing his commerce with
the whiteman’s world. Life is not exactly easy. And
it’s about to get worse.
Enter Elle
Bowie, New York anthropologist. She says she’s
come to study clitoridectomy. She claims the crazy Texan traveling
with her, the one whose jungle attire consists wholly of a
Stetson, boots, and a gun, is her husband.
But Brendan suspects there’s a lot more to the lovely
lady’s story than she’s letting on.
Brendan, of course,
is right. Elle has a lot more on her private agenda than
the sexual surgical practices of the Benin
women. And she’s about to get herself into a bigger
adventure than she’d planned on.
Because Mateus, descendant of Portuguese soldiers, who's
supposed to be her guide, is a traitorous gnome. The majestic
and brutal General Ologboshere, in command of thousands of
warriors, has taken an unhealthy shine to her. A passel of
bumbling British consular appointees are screwing things up
for everybody. There's a war in the wings . . . you get the
picture. But the worst, the absolute worst, is that super-feminist
Elle is falling in love. With a guy who wears a skirt, no
less.
And although he dwells in Benin, land of ritualistic human
sacrifice and juju religion, a land about to run red with
blood . . . although the lives and loves of many hang in the
balance in The Hinterlands . . . Brendan's grinning.
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"THE
HINTERLANDS is a wonderful historical tale, which is amazingly
told by author Karen Mercury. THE
HINTERLANDS is the first book I've read from Karen Mercury,
but it certainly won't be the last."
~ Romance Junkies
"This is an
intense book that captures the historical significance of
this chapter in African and British history.
This is a well-developed novel that shouldn't be missed by
history buffs who like a good adventure story."
~The Romance Reader's Connection
"Fantastic
Historical Tale! THE HINTERLANDS is a fantastic historical
tale that brings to life the Kingdom of Benin at
the point when Britain begins efforts to colonize the nation
using brute force. The romance between the lead couple is
deftly handled, but takes a back seat to the astute intense
look at the late nineteenth century Guinea Coast. Karen Mercury
provides genre fans with a triumphant tale that will send
the audience seeking more such reflective works."
~ H. Klausner, Independent Reviewer
"Ms. Mercury has penned a very sensual and descriptive
read that fans of historic fiction will not want to miss.
This story really brought to my mind the movie "African
Queen". As a fan of historical fiction I enjoy visiting
locations that are new and different. This read surely fit
the bill. I highly recommend Ms. Mercury. She is truly author
that bears watching in the future."
~ K. Ahlers, www.romancedesigns.com
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