REVIEW: Lady Emily’s Exotic Journey by Lillian Marek

Lady Emily’s Exotic Journey by Lillian Marek: This very unique and charming story has two romances in it, that of Emily and Lucien as well as David and Julia (so you get a two for one!).

Emily and Julia are traveling with her parents in the middle east. Her father is here for the opening of a railroad but also has an interest in the archeological digs going on in the area and unlike a more traditional English parent, he is quite happy to have his wife and daughter with him for the trip. Along for the adventure are Lucien, a french traveler with an interest in anything archaeological and David, a foreign office aide who is also half Arab. Emily and Lucien become friends, though it isn’t long before the interest between them sparks thoughts of a different kind of relationship (and ditto for David and Julia). But there is danger afoot that could cause trouble on their road to a happy every after.

This story is full of action and adventure right from the start. The setting is unique and well described, giving you the full flavour of each of the countries that they travel through, from the dry desert to the rocky moutainsides, and the cultures of each of the areas were really interesting to read about. The story is told from multiple points of view, from both of the couples involved, as well as some of the secondary characters so while it is at heart a romance, you get the viewpoints from many to enrich the story. Both of the romances are sweet and not overly sensual. David and Julia have complicated family histories that make them question whether or not someone could truly be interested in them (and worry about the fallout of getting involved with someone). In this way, they are a matched pair and discover that they can be each other’s happiness. Emily is looking for more adventure in her life and she believes she will find it with Lucien based on what she knows about him. At the same time she knows that while her parents are quite permissive in allowing her to come on this journey, they will be expecting her to marry well into society once they return home to England and being with Lucien won’t be allowed. So with their plot you’ve got the star crossed lovers ideal, as well as Lucien having to decide whether he wants to be a wanderer or if Emily is the woman to settle down with.

Once the couples are established and all the dangers and suspense plot have been set aright, the story could have ended happily there and I thought it dragged on a bit at the end. But my overall feeling was of an interesting and exciting tale, and I really enjoyed the uniqueness of it all.

Book Info:

Publication: Aug 4, 2015 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Victorian Adventures # 2

From sensible, sheltered girl…

Safe in the embrace of her loving family, Lady Emily Tremaine longs to feel more intensely alive. Surely the magic and mystery of Assyria and the fabled ruins of Nineveh will bring about the transformation she seeks.

To the woman his heart desires…

Scarred by his past and estranged from his noble grandfather, French adventurer Lucien Chambertin desires neither a home nor the chains of emotional attachment. He seeks only to explore the far reaches of the world. But he did not know the world contained the likes of Lady Emily – whose curiosity and sense of wonder match his own.