Friday, June 4, 2010

China Clipper by Bill Russell


Title: China Clipper
Author: Bill Russell
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 1-60154-660-2
Genre: Vintage Rose, twentieth century historical
Length: 263 pages
Heat Level: sweet
Reviewer: Alicia Croft
Date: 6/4/10



Reading this book is like being caught up in a fabulous ‘30’s movie—a cross between It Happened One Night and China Seas. Heiress Samantha Rockford falls ill just before she is to leave on her father’s yacht for Manila, where she is scheduled to marry an old family friend. Because she can’t travel with the rest of the family, her father arranges for her to fly on the famed China Clipper, accompanied by bodyguards. Unbeknownst to anyone, a kidnapper is also aboard.

This is a wonderful action/adventure story set in the romantic early days of transoceanic aviation. As the China Clipper island-hops across the Pacific from Hawaii to Midway to Guam, Samantha begins to question her arranged marriage as she develops feelings for her bodyguard, Brad Wilson. When they land in Manila, the kidnapper hatches his scheme, only to be foiled by Brad and a typhoon.

Everything about this story has an authentic ‘30’s feel, from the settings, to the language, to the characters’ behavior. The descriptions, particularly of the settings and the plane, are expertly drawn. It’s been a long time since a book swept me so completely into another time and place.




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