The China Bride [NOOK Book]

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Overview

Born to a Scottish father and a Chinese mother, Troth Montgomery dreamed of someday traveling to Scotland, until the death of her father condemned her to a shadowy life as an interpreter in Canton. Then Kyle Renbourne, viscount and adventurer, discovers Troth's true identity and persuades her to be his guide on a dangerous journey into the heart of the Celestial Kingdom.

A meeting of the minds flares into searing passion, an idyll that ends when Kyle is captured and condemned to death. A reckless prison cell marriage the night before his execution sends Troth to England, where she arrives at the estate of Kyle's brother. Though accepted as bride and widow, she is haunted by the memory of ...

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More About This Book

Overview

Born to a Scottish father and a Chinese mother, Troth Montgomery dreamed of someday traveling to Scotland, until the death of her father condemned her to a shadowy life as an interpreter in Canton. Then Kyle Renbourne, viscount and adventurer, discovers Troth's true identity and persuades her to be his guide on a dangerous journey into the heart of the Celestial Kingdom.

A meeting of the minds flares into searing passion, an idyll that ends when Kyle is captured and condemned to death. A reckless prison cell marriage the night before his execution sends Troth to England, where she arrives at the estate of Kyle's brother. Though accepted as bride and widow, she is haunted by the memory of her dashing husband. Then the past reaches out to Troth, bringing passion, despair, and danger. Now she must draw on her unique heritage to save all she holds dear--and become the woman she is destined to be. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Nineteenth-century China, England and Scotland are the settings for Putney's continuing saga of the Renbourne twins, Dominic and Kyle, begun in The Wild Child. There, Kyle handed over his unwanted betrothed, Meriel (a match arranged at birth), to his twin brother, Dominic, and escaped to Spain with his terminally ill mistress, Constancia. Ever since his true love's death, Kyle has been exploring the world. In 1832, he is in Macao. His father's health is failing, however, and Kyle plans to fulfill his lifelong dream of seeing the Temple of Hoshan, "an image of peace and unearthly beauty," then return to England to resume his duties as Lord Maxwell. Unfortunately, China is closed to all Fan-qui (foreigners) and Kyle must stay within the confines of the Canton Settlement, a narrow strip of warehouses serving as shipping point for all European and American trade companies. In order to sneak into the Chinese countryside, Kyle enlists the aid of Jin Kang, who he thinks is a young male Chinese interpreter. Jin is actually Troth Mei-Lian Montgomery, feisty daughter of a Scottish trader and Chinese concubine, who is forced to make her living by spying on "foreign devils." Kyle's rash escapade is predictably unsuccessful, as he is discovered and sentenced to death. He marries Troth (symbolically) and dispatches her to England to tell his family of his fate--which, of course, turns out to be different from what she imagines. In chapters alternating between Troth's experiences in England and flashbacks to her adventures with Kyle in China, Putney contrives an awkward tale, dependant for its drama on Kyle's belief that he can never love again, and on Troth's fear of rejection by Kyle's family. Though the conflict rarely grips, the sex scenes are adequately steamy, and Putney provides plenty of atmospheric details. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
Picking up the story of the "irresponsible twin" from The Wild Child (LJ 8/99), Putney's latest historical sweeps its adventure-seeking hero to the other side of the globe and into the narrow, conflicted life of Troth Mei-Lian Montgomery, an orphaned Eurasian daughter of a Scottish trader, with dangerous, passionate, and life-changing results. A master at creating unusual, sympathetic characters in compelling relational situations, Putney takes a woman caught between two worlds and a British peer who has vowed never to marry again and sends them on a forbidden journey that not only challenges their preconceptions about life and each other but eventually brings them love as well. Smoothly integrated references to the ancient practices of tai chi, feng shui, and wing chun add interest and authenticity to this highly sensual, emotionally involving romance, which also addresses a number of women's and ethnic issues still relevant today. This elegantly written work is sure to join Putney's earlier novels in most library romance collections. Putney is a best-selling RITA Award winner and lives in Baltimore. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780345494221
  • Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 5/30/2006
  • Sold by: Random House
  • Format: eBook
  • Sales rank: 52,026
  • File size: 480 KB

Meet the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney is a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in eighteenth-century literature and industrial design. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including two Romance Writers of America RITA Awards, four consecutive Golden Leaf awards for Best Historical Romance, and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance. Her books have also received frequent awards from online reader sites such as The Romance Reader, All About Romance, Romance Readers Anonymous, and Under the Covers Awards. The author of twenty-four novels, Ms. Putney lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Read an Excerpt

Macao, China
February 1832

Kyle Renbourne, tenth Viscount Maxwell, concealed his impatience as he
politely greeted dozens of members of Macao's European community who had
gathered to meet an honest-to-God lord. Then, his social duty done, he
slipped outside to the veranda so he could contemplate the last, best
adventure that would begin the next morning.

The sprawling house stood high on one of South China's steep hills. Below,
a scattering of lights defined the sweep of Macao around the eastern
harbor. An exotic little city at the southeastern corner of the Pearl River estuary, Macao had been founded by the Portuguese, theonly European power to find favor with the Chinese.

For almost three centuries the enclave had been home to merchants and
missionaries and a rare mixing of races. Kyle had enjoyed his visit. But
Macao wasn't really China, and he was eager to be on his way to Canton.

He leaned against the railing, enjoying the cool breeze on his face.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but the wind seemed scented with unknown
spices and ancient mysteries, beckoning him to the land he'd dreamed of
since he was a boy.

His host, friend, and partner, Gavin Elliott, came through the shuttered
doors. "You look like a child on Christmas Eve, ready to burst with
anticipation."

"You can afford to be casual about sailing to Canton tomorrow. You've been
doing it for fifteen years. This is my first visit." Kyle hesitated before
adding, "And probably my last."

"So you're going back to England. You'll be missed."

"It's time." Kyle thought of the years he'd spent in travel, moving ever
eastward. He'd seen the Great Mosque of Damascus and walked the hills
where Jesus had preached. He'd explored India from the brilliantly colored
south to the wild, lonely mountains of the northwest. Along the way, he'd
had his share of adventures, and survived disasters that might have left
his younger brother heir to the family earldom--and wouldn't Dominic have
hated that! He'd also lost the angry edge that had marked him when he was
younger, and about time, since he'd be thirty-five at his next birthday.
"My father's health has been failing. I don't want to risk returning too
late."
"Ah. Sorry to hear that." Gavin pulled out a cigar and struck a light.
"When Wrexham is gone, you'll be too busy as an earl to roam the far
corners of the globe."

"The world is a smaller place than it used to be. Ships are faster, and
the unknown is being mapped and explored. I've been saving China for last.
After this visit, I'll be ready to go home."

"Why is China last?"

Kyle thought back to the day he'd discovered China. "When I was fourteen,
I wandered into a curio shop in London and found a folio of Chinese
drawings and watercolors. Lord knows how it made its way there. Cost me
six months' allowance. The pictures fascinated me. It was like looking
into a different world. That was when I decided I must travel to the East."

"You're fortunate that you've been able to fulfill your dream." There was
a hint of bleakness in Gavin's voice.

Kyle wondered what the other man's dreams were, but didn't ask. Dreams
were a private affair. "The ultimate dream may be out of my reach. Have
you ever heard of the Temple of Hoshan?"

"I saw a drawing once. About a hundred miles west of Canton, I think?"

"That's the one. Is there any chance of visiting it?"

"Out of the question." Gavin drew on his cigar, the tip flaring in the
darkness. "The Chinese are dead serious about keeping Europeans
quarantined in the Settlement. You won't even be allowed within the city
walls of Canton, much less permitted to travel into the countryside."

Kyle knew about the Settlement, a narrow strip of warehouses between the
Canton waterfront and the city walls. He'd also been told about the
infamous Eight Regulations that were designed to keep foreigners in line.
Still, in his experience, men with money and determination could usually
find a way around the rules. "Maybe crossing the right palms with silver
would give me the chance to travel inland."

"You wouldn't get a mile before you were arrested. You're a Fan-qui, a
foreign devil. You'd stand out like an elephant in Edinburgh." The
Scottish burr that lingered from Gavin's childhood strengthened. "Ye'd end
up rotting in some prefect's dungeon as a spy."

"No doubt you're right." Nonetheless, Kyle intended to investigate further
during his stay in Canton. For twenty years the Temple of Hoshan had lived
in his imagination, an image of peace and unearthly beauty. If there was a
way to visit, he'd find it.

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 26 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(9)

4 Star

(10)

3 Star

(4)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(2)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 26 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 16, 2012

    Great love story!

    I loved this book. The characters were so endearing, and the adventure made me want to keep reading. This author is good at making a historical romance a little more than expected. Can't wait to read the next one.

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  • Posted June 24, 2011

    Really enjoyed this

    After reading some other reviews I wasn't sure if I should bother. I'm glad I did. It was an enjoyable tour through China and I especially found the explanations of the various religions to be simplistic enough to understand and appreciate.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 17, 2008

    It was o.k.

    It was pretty good story,however a little bit borring at times.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 21, 2002

    Read and meet historical romance's first female action heroine!

    East meets west in the love story of Troth Mei Lian Montgomery and Kyle Renbourne (Lord Maxwell). After thoroughly enjoying The Wild Child, by Mary Jo Putney, I could not wait to read the second installment in this trilogy. This is a romantic, action-packed tale entwined with Chinese ways of thinking and learning. Kyle is heir to his family¿s earldom and wealth but he is a restless, passionate man (yes, handsome, too) who longs to see the world. Troth is half Chinese and half Scottish. Up until she agrees to lead Kyle to a temple forbidden to Westerners, she has lived most of her life disguised as a man. She yearns to live life as a woman and visit her father¿s native country, Scotland. Skilled in a from of martial arts, Troth becomes historical romance¿s first female action heroine as she defeats many men while they attempt to attack and kill Kyle. She also uses these skills to entice Kyle. Both characters have a goal in mind and as the saying goes; it is not the destination, but the journey. Their journey is beautiful. So is Mary Jo Putney¿s writing! Her journey of researching and the result, the story, are magical. An added bonus is that the reader is allowed to catch up on Kyle¿s twin brother, Dominic, and his bride, Lady Meriel from The Wild Child about five years after their tale. The hero of The Bartered Bride, Gavin Eliot is also introduced. Thank you, Mary Jo! This trilogy is a cherished part of my collection.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 29, 2001

    yaddah, yaddah, yaddah

    I didn't like this book at all. I read the wild child and I really enjoyed it(although it took Merial too damn long to talk) I boght China bride because I thought MJP would be my new best Authur but needless to say she isn't. china Bride lacked pizazz althogh it was creative.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 18, 2000

    Wow!

    I was lucky enough to win an ARC of THE CHINA BRIDE and would have posted this review then, if I could have. (The only downside of winning something so fun, was knowing it would add a month to my waiting time for MJP's next book!) As soon as it arrived in the mail (after admiring the lovely cover), I sat down and started reading. I'd loved THE WILD CHILD so much, I'll confess I wondered if she could do it again. Thank goodness she did. A master storyteller, MJP wove her tangled threads well, deftly drawing me into the story--and a fascinating new world. All I can say is, I loved it and can't wait for the next one.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 30, 2000

    Do not miss

    I thought this was one of MJP's best in a while..It is worth a cry over, and a read over, so buy the book already :)

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  • Posted December 9, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    Excellent historical romance

    In December 1832, a bone frozen Troth Mei-Lian Montgomery reaches Warfield Park, England where she claims to be Lady Maxwell, but faints at the sight of Dominic Renbourne. When she awakens, she learns that Dom is the identical twin of her beloved Kyle, Lord Maxwell. Troth who is half-Chinese and half-Scottish begins her story that she says ends tragically with the death of Kyle.

    Wandering the world searching to soothe his soul, Kyle arrived in Macao, China. Though he enjoys the city and later Canton, he feels he could have been in any European city. He wants to visit the Temple of Hoshan, a place where a foreign devil is forbidden. The quite ordinary Jin Kang is assigned to assist or spy depending on your view Kyle in his stay. Through a series of incidents Kyle learns that the male Jin is actually the beautiful Mei-Lian. He persuades her to guide him to Hoshan in exchange for getting her to her father¿s relatives in Scotland. The adventures begin that lead to Mei-Lian becoming Lady Maxwell, reaching England, and she telling them Kyle died.

    THE CHINA BRIDE is a great historical romance that emphasizes nineteenth century China and a mixed-blooded person from Asia adjusting to England and Scotland. The reader obtains a taste of the Orient as well as subtle prejudices that in the name of love try to turn Troth Mei-Lian into Troth just as in China duty identified her as either Jin or Mei-Lian. Kyle is a heroic individual while Troth Mei-Lian just wants to be her complete whole self. Mary Jo Putney has accomplished an incredible feat that will be loved by historical fiction fans as much as romance readers.

    Harriet Klausner

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