Synopses & Reviews
Along with his pirate crew, captain Tomaj Balashazy rules the Madagascar coast from his tropical plantation—a fortress built to defend against the enemies hes made cruising the Indian Ocean. But when the American naturalist Dagny Ravenhurst falls into Balashazys lagoon during an expedition seeking a dreaded and mystical species of lemur, it spells the end of the temporary peace on the island. Ravenhurst is beholden to the French industrialist Paul Boneaux—who enjoys a monopoly over the island's manufacturing and commerce—and needs his patronage to survive. When the two adversaries, Balashazy and Boneaux, are pitted against each other, the island boils with blood, and only one will emerge triumphant.
Review
"With the most lavish of language, Karen Mercury has written an unusual but well researched historical romance." Fresh Fiction
Review
"A gripping historical tale that takes you on a roller-coaster ride." Historical Romance Club
Synopsis
It is 1828, AND LIFE IS GOOD FOR THE PIRATES OF MADAGASCAR...Their Captain is the Hungarian Count Tomaj Balashazy, a refugee from the United States Navy. Count Balashazy rules the coast from his tropical plantation, a fortress built against enemies he's made cruising the Indian Ocean. Tomaj feels guilt at the loss of his family in New Orleans, and he wallows in clouds of opium, soothed by courtesans. When the American naturalist Dagny Ravenhurst, seeking the dreaded and mystical aye-aye lemur, falls into Tomaj's lagoon, it's the beginning of the end of arcadian bliss on the island. In the central highlands, the French industrialist Paul Boneaux commands his empire of factories. As the special pet of psychotic Malagasy Queen Ranavalona, Boneaux enjoys a monopoly over all manufacturing, commerce, and his mistress. Beholden to Boneaux, Dagny and her two brothers need his patronage to survive. Dagny's joyless scientific heart melts for the Count's poetic nature, pitting the two adv
About the Author
Karen Mercury is a writer who has traveled extensively throughout Africa. She is the author of
The Four Quarters of the World and
The Hinterlands. She lives in Vallejo, California.