title: Monsoon Summer: A Novel
author:  Julia Gregson 
description: &ldquo;Readers looking beyond American and British borders will relish the flavors of Gregson&rsquo;s post-war India as they enjoy the story of a young woman coming to grips with a new marriage, a new life and a new land. [Gregson] completely understands the beauty and harshness of India, its land, culture and history. She fearlessly takes on the prejudices that existed during this era to paint an accurate portrait: an intimate glimpse into the British and Indian psyche.&rdquo; (<i>RT Reviews</i>)<br /><br /><b>Praise for <I>Jasmine Nights</I>:<BR> <BR> </b>&#8220;Julia Gregson's <i>Jasmine Nights</i> has all the makings of the perfect beach read: adventure, danger, international locale, historical sweep, steamy romance&#8230;utterly delicious.&#8221; (<i>Cleveland Plain Dealer</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;Gregson, the author of <i>East of the Sun</i> and <i>Band of Angels</i>, brings a wealth of detail to this unconventional love story, ranging from World War II history to rich cultural lore to the pop-music standards of the era. With numerous and well-drawn characters, evocative prose and a commanding story, the former journalist and foreign correspondent again proves that she is also a master of historical fiction. And smoke might not be the only thing that gets in your eyes in this moving novel.&#8221; (<i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;Gregson shines in her descriptions of the life of the rich, poor and combatant in Cairo and Alexandria, the sights of Giza and the Bosphorus, and the chaotic World War II milieu where women no longer tolerated 'boys making all the rules.' Saba and Dom love, face perils, triumph and intermittently reunite. The story flows at a stately pace to a conclusion both satisfying and open-ended. Fans will want a sequel.&#8221; (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;An exciting, richly presented novel of mystery and romance&#8230;Historically accurate, beautifully written, <i>Jasmine Nights</i> is a terrific story with unforgettable characters set in a dangerous, but exciting time.&#8221; (<i>Romance Reviews Today</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;For a history lesson on WWII, watch Ken Burns&#8217; <i>The War</i>. For romance and intrigue, with the conflict providing the perfect excuse to set a story in exotic locales like Cairo, Gregson delivers in spades&#8230;. Credit is due Gregson&#8230;for crafting a story about a much-chronicled war that feels thoroughly original.&#8221; (<i>Booklist</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;This steamy, sweeping historical draws readers into the seductive world of WWII Egypt&#8230;.Gregson&#8217;s latest displays the author&#8217;s command of wartime fiction. Saba is a modern woman struggling with old-fashioned ideas and Dom is a surprisingly complex hero. Seen through their eyes, the wartime Middle East is a heady, intoxicating place and readers will be swept away by the lush prose.&#8221; (<i>Publishers Weekly</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;A wonderful romance and adventure story about two passionate young people determined to live life to the fullest, knowing they may not live to see tomorrow&#8230;. The contrast of the glamorous, exotic setting with the gritty reality of life in a war zone was compelling and made for a great read. Not to be missed.&#8221; (<i>Historical Novel Society</i>)<br /><br /><b>Praise for <i>East of the Sun</i>:</b><BR> &#8220;Julia Gregson expertly weaves their stories together in this vivid tale.&#8221; (<i>USA Today</i>)<br /><br />&#8220;An absorbing international period drama . . . Gregson's rich imagery, strong characters and gripping plot make this a resonant page-turner.&#8221; (<i>Publishers Weekly</i>)
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  DEMELZA
  
  A Novel of Cornwall
  
  by Winston Graham
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  BOOK ONE
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  THERE COULD HAVE been prophecy in the storm that blew up at the time of
  Julia's birth.
  
  May month was not a time for heavy gales, but the climate of Cornwall is
  capricious as any child ever born. It had been a kindly enough spring, as
  kindly as the summer and winter that had gone before it; mild, soft,
  comfortable weather; and the land was already heavy with green things. Then
  May broke rainy and gusty, and the blossom suffered here and there and the hay
  leaned about looking for support.
  
  On the night of the fifteenth Demelza felt her first pains. Even then for a
  while she gripped the bedpost and thought the matter all round before she said
  anything. All along she had viewed the coming ordeal with a calm and
  philosophical mind and had never troubled Ross with false alarms. She did not
  want to begin so late. Last evening she had been out in her beloved garden,
  digging round the young plants;