This was a good story - it had a bit of everything: time travel, adventure, plotting villains, romance and maybe a teensy-weensy bit too much arguing between the hero and the heroine. However, that said, the main part of it took place in ancient Saudi Arabia where women were pretty much chattel, not worth a hoot, and men were pretty much in charge of everything. Our heroine, Chelsea Browne, was of this time and had a totally different idea and that idea clashed immediately with our hero, Kahlil. So, maybe the arguments were necessary parts of this tale.
The Prologue shows us that Sheik Kahlil ibn Mani al Muraidi has just been told by Yusaf, the old physician, that Kahlil's young son Muhammad's cannot be cured and the illness will soon take Muhammad's life. Stopped from taking the life of the old man, Kahlil listens to Umm Taif, his aunt, when she insists that there is a physician in a town not far away, that she saw it in a dream - but he must believe, sacrifice and be determined against the dangers. He knows she often has had visions of past and future, but doubts if he can do this in time to save his son. Umm Taif gives him a piece of parchment in a leather pouch, which has been beautifully scripted: the brown shell of the sea. And he rides off on his black war mare and taking a pack camel with him .......
So begins Chapter One.
Chelsea Browne left America after becoming a doctor and traveled to Saudi Arabia with the idea that she'd work toward helping the poverty-stricken people of that nation. While she was at work one day with her young Arab assistant Jamal a handsome man, who dressed richly but acted strangely, insisted she go to his village to heal his son Muhammad. Jamal could understand his language, but Chelsea couldn't. He was wielding a curved sword and demanding that the doctor show his cowardly face. It took a lot of convincing, but Jamal made sure Kahlil knew this woman was actually the doctor. Some threatening of lives was needed, Kahlil was sure; so he threatened, irritating the woman - but her bravery intrigued him. Questions about the condition of the boy convinced Chelsea she should at least see him since he could have an inflamed appendix or even typhoid fever, with its awful ramifications. So she and Jamal loaded up the Land Rover with what supplies she felt would be needed and drove off, following the Bedouin. The trip back in time was long, arduous and dangerous - but of course, Chelsea and Jamal didn't know that's where they were going. Along the way we are treated to both Kahlil's and Chelsea's thoughts and feelings about the ways of men and women - but also along the way, both of them find they are attracted to this infuriating specimen of humanity! Much to her amazement, Chelsea finds that if she touches the amulet Kahlil wears around his neck, they can each be understood when they speak!
In the village, Muhammad is nearly dying and his old physician can't understand any of the things this white woman doctor does, but the child improves after the female does many unbelievable things, like boiling their blankets and using see-through gloves. But Kahlil had his men bring Jamal and the supplies to the village, which helped. The many strange customs and beliefs among these people make Chelsea's behaviors suspect, often bringing her close to extreme punishment. But the magnetism of this woman won't leave Kahlil alone and eventually, at the urging of his aunt, Kahlil gave the leather talisman to Chelsea one night, allowing them to understand one another.
Some of the villains were introduced, as well as others who became good friends with Chelsea, all the time giving a picture of that land that not many of us know - and the ways of its people. She endured capture, as well as rapture. She was saved by both love and her own bravery, and always wanted to go back to her clinic, not realizing it was many centuries away. When she got her wish, she wasn't sure she wanted what she'd reached. And the ending twist was a really good one.
The author did a really good job of writing this story and it's evident that lots of research into the language and customs of that land was done. So many unfamiliar words are interspersed, but the meanings are right there; the strange customs are explained as well, even though they've changed (or, in some cases just aren't used in this country). Character development was excellent, and there were a few surprises here and there, but thoroughly explained. It deserves the rating, I believe.
Winter 09 Challenge, #2
Read a book with a cheesy cover.
4 stars.
Challenge: readers choice A-K
