But by 1947, when she is twenty-two and the Indian Subcontinent is at last achieving political independence, the older ruler has turned his throne over to his oldest son, the greedy and amoral Maharaja Ashok, who craves both the Peacock and its true owner and is determined never to release either.

Duncan MacGavin, brilliant engineer and ruthless businessman from Scotland, meets Dina when he is summoned by the new Maharaja Ashok, and mistakenly kidnapped by Indian terrorists under Ashok's control and beaten. Dina is asked to tend to his wounds since her university studies included nursing training. At first sight, the two are immediately enamoured; both are lovely specimens of their gender, and each possesses such character as to appear larger than life. Duncan has a reputation for acquiring whatever he wants, and now Dina is in his purview. In a land where kismet=fate and destiny-is so acknowledged, Dina knows that the meeting with Duncan was meant to occur at this time.

Romona Hilliger sweeps her readers right into the story, pacing it well from the very beginning, and capturing the readers' heartfelt emotions. Examining a critical turning point in history for both the Indian Subcontinent and the British Empire, Ms. Hilliger writes in a manner that makes the history understandable and compelling, even for readers who previously had no knowledge of nor interest in that time period. Her characters are excellently developed, and the reader will find much to love, admire, and appreciate here, not only in the protagonists but in the secondary characters as well. Lure of the Emerald Peacock is an excellent story with wide-ranging appeal for many readers.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Annie
February 8, 2007