Guest Review: Kismet by Monica Burns

Raised in a brothel, Allegra Synnford learned at a young age that survival meant taking charge of her destiny. Now a renowed courtesan skilled in the pleasures of the flesh, she chooses her loves carefully—vowing never to be vulnerable to any one man. Until a mesmerizing Sheikh strips that control from her . . .

Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh has been hiding from his past for a long time, but not long enough to forget how another courtesan made him abandon his life as the Viscount Newcastle. That is why the yearnings this dangerous temptress ignites within him are so troubling. Worse, thoughts of Allegra pervade his every fantasy, threatening to undermine his cover. With old enemies circling, experience tells him he must resist her charms at any cost. In fact, he’s betting on it; however, that’s a risky wager when it comes to a woman of pleasure. Especially since Allegra has her own reasons for playing games . . . with a man who can’t afford to lose. What happens between them is Kismet . . .

Kismet is not a concept most 21st century individuals think of as being an important ingredient in either their past or futures. The whole issue of one’s destiny, however, was taken very seriously in 19th century Morocco, in spite of the “modern” influences of French and English. Allegra Synnford was only there to be Maid of Honor for her best friend who was marrying an English diplomatic officer. But her initial encounter with Sheikh Shaheen was troubling, even though he was responsible for saving her life. She knew immediately that he was one man she didn’t need or want in her life. In spite of her determination to stay out of his way and to make sure he stays out of hers, she is thrown into social circumstances that almost force them into contact. All the people in her friend’s social gatherings know that she is a famous courtesan in London, and while men are drawn to her like a moth to a flame, she does not flaunt herself but seeks to be only a true friend and support to the lady who is being married. A number of high ranking Moroccan sheikhs are present at a special dinner given by the Sultan, the ranking bedoin/berber in Morocco, and it is here that her troubles begin. Shortly after her friend’s wedding, Allegra accepts a “temporary” tatoo on her hand which shows her as a “fire woman”. Curiously and unbeknownst to her, Sheikh Shaheen had been told by a woman known as a seer that his life would be marked by a “fire woman” who would change his life and cause his past and his future to come together.

Sheikh Shaheen knows he is totally “in lust” with Allegra since that initial encounter on the docks of Marakesh. But another man has determined to have her and stages a kidnapping in the public marketplace. Sheikh Nassar who is known for his cruelty and sadism destroys everything he ever touches including the people he claims as his “playthings.” Beaten and starved, hated by Nassar’s women and abused by them, Allegra is rescued by Shaheen and kept in his own bedoin village to keep her from revealing his English citizenship and aristocratic identity as Viscount Newcastle—all in the name of protecting the treaties he has been able to forge as Sheikh Shaheen. Truth be told, he wants to keep her there for himself, but he will not force her—he wants her to choose him as she has chosen all her lovers. Yet he is haunted by the duplicity and evil of a former mistress whose enjoyment of pitting one person against another resulted in his brother’s suicide. He struggles not to superimpose his disillusionment with that former mistress on to Allegra. Oh my, what a snarl!

But is that not the way in historical romances? Yet Monica Burns handles this plot very well, bringing in just enough Moroccan politics to spice up the story, telling this tale in the context of the hurt that is a part of Allega’s past as well as the Sheikh’s pain on being on being rejected by his father, not only because his mother died giving birth to him, but also being blamed erroneously for his brother’s suicide. Burns has crafted a sensual tale set in the mysterious deserts of Morocco, populating the story with characters that are authentic to their culture and demonstrating that a love that brings out the best in people can still flower amid the cruelty of the slave markets and the low esteem in which women were held in that time. It is a story where hero and heroine had to make tough choices to protect those they love and show heroic willingness to sacrifice their own happiness, even their own lives, to protect those who are important to them.

I really, really liked this book! I have not read any Monica Burns’ books before, but she is a very good writer, with a balanced plot, managed conflict, colorful characters, and a historical context that is detailed in such a way that the words draw marvelous pictures in the mind of the reader. This may be a different kind of book for many—a clear departure from some flighty books that use the romance of the mysterious Middle East without doing the hard work of research that brings authenticity to the story.

I give this book a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

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This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.