What do you think?
Rate this book
Egypt Trilogy #1
Arabian Winds
As World War I breaks upon the deserts of Arabia in 1914, Allison Wescott, a young nurse, arrives in British Cairo, torn between her love for a handsome officer and her feelings for a minister working in Oswald Chambers's Zeitoun camp.
454 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
34 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lee Chaikin
47 books229 followersLinda Chaikin is a Christian fiction author with a focus on historical fiction. She sometimes publishes using the name L.L. Chaikin.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Linda was the youngest of 10 children and her father died shortly after she was born. She wrote her first full-length novel with pen and paper at the age of 14 - this novel was later rewritten as Wednesday's Child, part of the Day to Remember series.
She met her husband, Steve, in a Bible study, and they were married 6 months later. They both went to Multnomah School for the Bible, now known as Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 14, 2015
4.5 Stars
I have a long, fond history with this book. About 10 years ago I was but an innocent Christian teenager in search for Christian fiction - preferably the romantic kind - that could match up to all the non-Christian YA I so adored. I had tried many Christian fiction romances and they just...ugh. No. I think anyone who has waded through the murky waters of Christian fiction will know what I'm on about here. I am not trying to disparage Christian romance or fiction at all, even though I am no longer quite so innocent or quite so Christian. It's pretty much a fact that good Christian romances are few and far between. They're often either too ridiculously unbelievable or too unbearably preachy. It reminds me of my days of Fanfiction addiction. Everyone who has trawled through that cesspit will know that the majority of what's on there is rubbish, but occasionally you'll find gold. Arabian Winds is pure gold.
I imagine there are two types of potential readers for this book - Christians and non-Christians - and I will attempt to address both audiences in this review because having been on both sides of the coin and having read the book in both stages of life, I believe I am in a somewhat unique position to do so.
Plot
The plot really is one of the best things about Arabian Winds. It is a murder mystery with generous helpings of espionage and romance in the mix. Those looking for a good mystery will find it here. The romance does not detract from the plot whatsoever - it merely enhances it. Those looking for a good romance will find that here. It is exciting and full of tension between two really excellent characters (especially Bret...oh, Bret *swoon*). When I first read this book I was in it for the romance and was entirely satisfied with it. Okay, satisfied is not strong enough a term. I swooned my darn socks off! It was just a bonus that the plot was captivating as well. Now I am older and (sort of) wiser, I appreciate the perfect balance between both, and how they (the mystery and the romance) help each other along.
As for that mystery, even reading the book again knowing who did what, I still found myself thinking "There is really no way I could have known who did this the first time round." Not to give too much away, but Chaikin did a great job with her murder mystery here! There are multiple players on both sides and Allison often doesn't know who to trust - and neither do you, as the reader! I am not a lover of mystery but I think lovers of mystery will be happy with this one.
Setting
I don't usually mention the setting of books in my reviews of them, but this one deserves a special mention, because Arabian Winds is single-handedly responsible for my love of Egyptian and Arabian ancient history. I adored the setting of this book. As the title suggests, it is set in Arabia...but that's not all. It's focused around archaeological dig sites and, even better, at the cusp of The Great War, which is only rumor and speculation at that point. What our heroine Allison finds herself caught up in is directly connected to international intrigue between international enemies and the stakes are high indeed. That the intrigue was rooted in history made the premise even more enjoyable. Chaikin includes historical notes at the back of the book indicating what facts are historically sound. Some of the figures mentioned existed, all of the places, and the information everyone is searching for - which is the basis of the intrigue - could very well have existed. This gives the book a sense of reality about it, as though all this could have really happened. It made me care more, about what happened and to whom, which brings me to...
Characters
I can't go any further without getting something off my chest. It may not be pleasant for some to read, and it is quite humiliating indeed, but my 14-year-old self (okay, and 24-year-old self) demands it of me. I LOVE YOU BRET HOLDEN! FOREVER AND EVER! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIENDS! I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU! And it's true. I haven' forgotten him for 10 years. He's practically the reason I picked this book up again after so long. So, who is Bret Holden, love of my life? Think James Bond but without the noxious womanizing. Sure, he has women after him as any handsome, charming, debonair, self-respecting British agent would, but he doesn't use them up like dear Mr Bond does so callously. He never uses Allison, merely tries to warn her away from him because he doubts his own ability to keep her at arm's length, where he thinks her safest. And that, dear reader, is what makes him utterly irresistible.
Allison, our heroine, accuses Bret of being all sorts of things - arrogant, callous, cynical, conceited, horrid, heartless, mysterious, etc. - and he is all of those things at different points. However, he is also - as Allison comes to realize throughout the course of the book - brave, noble, kind, caring, tender, heroic, virtuous and good. If he is callous and arrogant, he has reasons to be so, and they are proper reasons - mostly due to the dangerous nature of his work - and not the vapid ones you see in a lot of romances these days, like he is an orphan and had a rough childhood and thus he is entitled to act like a jerk. Sometimes Bret seems like a jerk, because we see him through Allison's eyes and he may have just done or said something that has hurt or angered her, but we as the reader are situated just outside Allison's head and we are able to see the motive behind his actions and words and the purpose they achieve. Usually Allison is being naive or stubborn or both and what he says and does gets her to focus, to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. He doesn't say or do anything with the intention of hurting her, it's with the intention of getting the job done and getting her to safety. God, he is perfect. He is the charming, handsome, intelligent James-Bond-like spy but he is also brave, noble and kind. Literally perfect. Is it really any wonder I have loved him for 10 years? I think not.
But now I must write of Allison Wescott, our heroine. If anyone would have a problem with this book, I think it would only be because of her. It's not that she's not likable. She is. I like her and I'm super fussy when it comes to liking heroines. But then, as previously mentioned, I have experienced two sides of the coin. Yep, the Christian/non-Christian coin. You may have noticed that I have no yet mentioned the Christian element to Arabian Winds, even though I have labelled it Christian fiction. Well, Arabian Winds isn't really what I personally consider Christian because the only thing Christian about this book are the characters. Some are, some aren't, but whatever the characters believe is not the main focus of the book. It comes into it occasionally - for example, Allison's Jewish Zionist friend David - but this is not a book about being Christian or becoming one. However, Allison is a Christian and her belief is very much an integral part of her being. And that is why I think some readers will find her trying.
Allison is almost a Mary Sue, but she stops just short of the mark. A Mary Sue is heroine who is too good to be true, a special snowflake to whom everything comes easy and with whom every man falls in love and who never does anything wrong, at least in her mind. Allison is a better person than most people I know, but she is very self aware and openly recognizes when she makes mistakes (the few times she does). She is honest and humble. She has three open admirers in this book, but she is aware of them and does not pretend to not know she's attractive and does not lead on the ones she is not interested in. She is also intelligent and brave. Sounds perfectly fine so far, yes? Well, add her Christianity to the mix and some might get put off.
God is very much part of her thoughts and she will often head off on a (thankfully brief) tangent about some facet of the Bible or her belief. Like I said, it is very much a part of her and so it pops up often. I found it pretty easy to skip the paragraphs that were either prayers or Scripture quotes. It's not that I hate Christianity or anything (I still consider myself somewhat a Christian), I just didn't want the distraction, however brief, from the action, whether that be the romance or suspense. I think, at times, those tangents were unnecessary and sometimes a little preachy. It's not that the author is outright on a mission to get all her readers to convert, but sometimes those tangents did not seem organic to the situation Allison was in. Sometimes it fit perfectly, like when she is scared and remembers a particularly uplifting Scripture. If the main character and third-person narrator is a particularly devout Christian then of course I expect her thoughts to often turn towards God and Scripture, but only if it feels right for the story.
On the other hand, I admired that Allison had her beliefs, convictions and boundaries and stood by them firmly. Nothing worse than a wishy-washy, hypocritical main character...or Christian. To some non-Christian readers Allison may not feel like a believable character and I understand that. Unfortunately most people have not come across a genuine Christian, who is sincere and true in their belief in every way. In my time both actively involved in church/Christian life and outside it I have come across far too many of the insincere, blind, hypocritical kind - you know, the kind that gives the rest of the Christians a bad name because they seem to be an unfortunate majority. However, I have also known - and still know - the sincere kind, the kind like Allison and so she was real to me in a way I think she may not be to non-Christian readers. However, that said, I don't think this should deter non-Christian readers from picking this one up because it really is a marvelous book. It is an adventure. It stays with you.
And it has Bret Holden, handsome British agent extraordinaire, love of my life for 10 years, second only to the incomparable Jericho Barrons of my beloved Fever series.
Really, that should be all you need to convince you to give this a go! Trust me on that.
I have a long, fond history with this book. About 10 years ago I was but an innocent Christian teenager in search for Christian fiction - preferably the romantic kind - that could match up to all the non-Christian YA I so adored. I had tried many Christian fiction romances and they just...ugh. No. I think anyone who has waded through the murky waters of Christian fiction will know what I'm on about here. I am not trying to disparage Christian romance or fiction at all, even though I am no longer quite so innocent or quite so Christian. It's pretty much a fact that good Christian romances are few and far between. They're often either too ridiculously unbelievable or too unbearably preachy. It reminds me of my days of Fanfiction addiction. Everyone who has trawled through that cesspit will know that the majority of what's on there is rubbish, but occasionally you'll find gold. Arabian Winds is pure gold.
I imagine there are two types of potential readers for this book - Christians and non-Christians - and I will attempt to address both audiences in this review because having been on both sides of the coin and having read the book in both stages of life, I believe I am in a somewhat unique position to do so.
Plot
The plot really is one of the best things about Arabian Winds. It is a murder mystery with generous helpings of espionage and romance in the mix. Those looking for a good mystery will find it here. The romance does not detract from the plot whatsoever - it merely enhances it. Those looking for a good romance will find that here. It is exciting and full of tension between two really excellent characters (especially Bret...oh, Bret *swoon*). When I first read this book I was in it for the romance and was entirely satisfied with it. Okay, satisfied is not strong enough a term. I swooned my darn socks off! It was just a bonus that the plot was captivating as well. Now I am older and (sort of) wiser, I appreciate the perfect balance between both, and how they (the mystery and the romance) help each other along.
As for that mystery, even reading the book again knowing who did what, I still found myself thinking "There is really no way I could have known who did this the first time round." Not to give too much away, but Chaikin did a great job with her murder mystery here! There are multiple players on both sides and Allison often doesn't know who to trust - and neither do you, as the reader! I am not a lover of mystery but I think lovers of mystery will be happy with this one.
Setting
I don't usually mention the setting of books in my reviews of them, but this one deserves a special mention, because Arabian Winds is single-handedly responsible for my love of Egyptian and Arabian ancient history. I adored the setting of this book. As the title suggests, it is set in Arabia...but that's not all. It's focused around archaeological dig sites and, even better, at the cusp of The Great War, which is only rumor and speculation at that point. What our heroine Allison finds herself caught up in is directly connected to international intrigue between international enemies and the stakes are high indeed. That the intrigue was rooted in history made the premise even more enjoyable. Chaikin includes historical notes at the back of the book indicating what facts are historically sound. Some of the figures mentioned existed, all of the places, and the information everyone is searching for - which is the basis of the intrigue - could very well have existed. This gives the book a sense of reality about it, as though all this could have really happened. It made me care more, about what happened and to whom, which brings me to...
Characters
I can't go any further without getting something off my chest. It may not be pleasant for some to read, and it is quite humiliating indeed, but my 14-year-old self (okay, and 24-year-old self) demands it of me. I LOVE YOU BRET HOLDEN! FOREVER AND EVER! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIENDS! I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU! And it's true. I haven' forgotten him for 10 years. He's practically the reason I picked this book up again after so long. So, who is Bret Holden, love of my life? Think James Bond but without the noxious womanizing. Sure, he has women after him as any handsome, charming, debonair, self-respecting British agent would, but he doesn't use them up like dear Mr Bond does so callously. He never uses Allison, merely tries to warn her away from him because he doubts his own ability to keep her at arm's length, where he thinks her safest. And that, dear reader, is what makes him utterly irresistible.
Allison, our heroine, accuses Bret of being all sorts of things - arrogant, callous, cynical, conceited, horrid, heartless, mysterious, etc. - and he is all of those things at different points. However, he is also - as Allison comes to realize throughout the course of the book - brave, noble, kind, caring, tender, heroic, virtuous and good. If he is callous and arrogant, he has reasons to be so, and they are proper reasons - mostly due to the dangerous nature of his work - and not the vapid ones you see in a lot of romances these days, like he is an orphan and had a rough childhood and thus he is entitled to act like a jerk. Sometimes Bret seems like a jerk, because we see him through Allison's eyes and he may have just done or said something that has hurt or angered her, but we as the reader are situated just outside Allison's head and we are able to see the motive behind his actions and words and the purpose they achieve. Usually Allison is being naive or stubborn or both and what he says and does gets her to focus, to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. He doesn't say or do anything with the intention of hurting her, it's with the intention of getting the job done and getting her to safety. God, he is perfect. He is the charming, handsome, intelligent James-Bond-like spy but he is also brave, noble and kind. Literally perfect. Is it really any wonder I have loved him for 10 years? I think not.
But now I must write of Allison Wescott, our heroine. If anyone would have a problem with this book, I think it would only be because of her. It's not that she's not likable. She is. I like her and I'm super fussy when it comes to liking heroines. But then, as previously mentioned, I have experienced two sides of the coin. Yep, the Christian/non-Christian coin. You may have noticed that I have no yet mentioned the Christian element to Arabian Winds, even though I have labelled it Christian fiction. Well, Arabian Winds isn't really what I personally consider Christian because the only thing Christian about this book are the characters. Some are, some aren't, but whatever the characters believe is not the main focus of the book. It comes into it occasionally - for example, Allison's Jewish Zionist friend David - but this is not a book about being Christian or becoming one. However, Allison is a Christian and her belief is very much an integral part of her being. And that is why I think some readers will find her trying.
Allison is almost a Mary Sue, but she stops just short of the mark. A Mary Sue is heroine who is too good to be true, a special snowflake to whom everything comes easy and with whom every man falls in love and who never does anything wrong, at least in her mind. Allison is a better person than most people I know, but she is very self aware and openly recognizes when she makes mistakes (the few times she does). She is honest and humble. She has three open admirers in this book, but she is aware of them and does not pretend to not know she's attractive and does not lead on the ones she is not interested in. She is also intelligent and brave. Sounds perfectly fine so far, yes? Well, add her Christianity to the mix and some might get put off.
God is very much part of her thoughts and she will often head off on a (thankfully brief) tangent about some facet of the Bible or her belief. Like I said, it is very much a part of her and so it pops up often. I found it pretty easy to skip the paragraphs that were either prayers or Scripture quotes. It's not that I hate Christianity or anything (I still consider myself somewhat a Christian), I just didn't want the distraction, however brief, from the action, whether that be the romance or suspense. I think, at times, those tangents were unnecessary and sometimes a little preachy. It's not that the author is outright on a mission to get all her readers to convert, but sometimes those tangents did not seem organic to the situation Allison was in. Sometimes it fit perfectly, like when she is scared and remembers a particularly uplifting Scripture. If the main character and third-person narrator is a particularly devout Christian then of course I expect her thoughts to often turn towards God and Scripture, but only if it feels right for the story.
On the other hand, I admired that Allison had her beliefs, convictions and boundaries and stood by them firmly. Nothing worse than a wishy-washy, hypocritical main character...or Christian. To some non-Christian readers Allison may not feel like a believable character and I understand that. Unfortunately most people have not come across a genuine Christian, who is sincere and true in their belief in every way. In my time both actively involved in church/Christian life and outside it I have come across far too many of the insincere, blind, hypocritical kind - you know, the kind that gives the rest of the Christians a bad name because they seem to be an unfortunate majority. However, I have also known - and still know - the sincere kind, the kind like Allison and so she was real to me in a way I think she may not be to non-Christian readers. However, that said, I don't think this should deter non-Christian readers from picking this one up because it really is a marvelous book. It is an adventure. It stays with you.
And it has Bret Holden, handsome British agent extraordinaire, love of my life for 10 years, second only to the incomparable Jericho Barrons of my beloved Fever series.
Really, that should be all you need to convince you to give this a go! Trust me on that.
June 4, 2025
Spice: Literally zero
Plot: 5/5
I wasn’t gunna review these books because they’re a re-read, but I honestly think that it would be a disservice to this series to not have it on my grid. Again, this is very much not going to be for everyone, but if this is a niche that you’re into, send me a message cuz I’d love to chat with you about it!
So this series starts in 1914 Arabia, right before the start of WW1, and follows the story of nurse Allison Wescott as she navigates the intense world of espionage and intrigue that she accidentally stumbles into. Then we have Major, Bret Holden and cue the swooning because he is everything you imagine when you think of old Hollywood romance. Classy and sophisticated while being an absolute rake. Think Captain Von Trapp or Humphrey Boggart kind of style.
The way these books are written, with the language the author uses and the attention to detail is really quite remarkable. It’s such a stark contrast to how things are written these days that it definitely took me a minute to adjust to it, and I honestly believe that I’ve gotten dumber by reading too much smut the last couple of years lol. In 2021 when I finally got back into reading, I somehow read, back-to-back, almost every single book that Linda had written; 36/39 to be exact lol. And now, there’s not a chance I could do that. These books are not only historical fiction but they’re ACCURATE to the time period and the amount of research that has gone into each series is absolutely insane. Never in another book have I felt as immersed in the world as I do in these. And while I do believe that is an immeasurably good thing, it’s also a lot of work for your brain to keep up with lol.
If you’ve never studied or read about Arabia (not what Arabia is now lol), or what the world looked like post Byzantine Empire but just before the First World War, it’s so fascinating. Then you get into WW1 and that in itself is intense, but add in the beginning of the Zionist movement and how that played into everything. Meanwhile most of the storyline is taking place in Egypt because Britain used that was a staging ground for their campaign against the Ottoman Empire and it’s just so much information in such a short period of time. Honestly, my brain was getting more exercise than it’s had in a long fucking time lol. But, I absolutely love it.
The romance in this is very much closed door and heavy on the Christian side of things, but it’s so classic and such a beautiful story. It’s very much plot and character heavy, but because there’s no spice the intimate moments that we are shown are so much more impactful.
I absolutely adore these kinds of books and I will definitely keep coming back to them again and again. If you’re like me and historical, closed door romance is something you enjoy, you absolutely need to read these!
Jackie, thank you so much for this buddy read! I’m really excited to keep moving through the series!
Xo
- J
Plot: 5/5
I wasn’t gunna review these books because they’re a re-read, but I honestly think that it would be a disservice to this series to not have it on my grid. Again, this is very much not going to be for everyone, but if this is a niche that you’re into, send me a message cuz I’d love to chat with you about it!
So this series starts in 1914 Arabia, right before the start of WW1, and follows the story of nurse Allison Wescott as she navigates the intense world of espionage and intrigue that she accidentally stumbles into. Then we have Major, Bret Holden and cue the swooning because he is everything you imagine when you think of old Hollywood romance. Classy and sophisticated while being an absolute rake. Think Captain Von Trapp or Humphrey Boggart kind of style.
The way these books are written, with the language the author uses and the attention to detail is really quite remarkable. It’s such a stark contrast to how things are written these days that it definitely took me a minute to adjust to it, and I honestly believe that I’ve gotten dumber by reading too much smut the last couple of years lol. In 2021 when I finally got back into reading, I somehow read, back-to-back, almost every single book that Linda had written; 36/39 to be exact lol. And now, there’s not a chance I could do that. These books are not only historical fiction but they’re ACCURATE to the time period and the amount of research that has gone into each series is absolutely insane. Never in another book have I felt as immersed in the world as I do in these. And while I do believe that is an immeasurably good thing, it’s also a lot of work for your brain to keep up with lol.
If you’ve never studied or read about Arabia (not what Arabia is now lol), or what the world looked like post Byzantine Empire but just before the First World War, it’s so fascinating. Then you get into WW1 and that in itself is intense, but add in the beginning of the Zionist movement and how that played into everything. Meanwhile most of the storyline is taking place in Egypt because Britain used that was a staging ground for their campaign against the Ottoman Empire and it’s just so much information in such a short period of time. Honestly, my brain was getting more exercise than it’s had in a long fucking time lol. But, I absolutely love it.
The romance in this is very much closed door and heavy on the Christian side of things, but it’s so classic and such a beautiful story. It’s very much plot and character heavy, but because there’s no spice the intimate moments that we are shown are so much more impactful.
I absolutely adore these kinds of books and I will definitely keep coming back to them again and again. If you’re like me and historical, closed door romance is something you enjoy, you absolutely need to read these!
Jackie, thank you so much for this buddy read! I’m really excited to keep moving through the series!
Xo
- J
November 1, 2019
2019 update: I re-read the ebook version which, much to my horror, was quite different from my paperback copy at home. So that was disappointing. I will always love this story though!
2014 review:
My favourite Linda Chaikin trilogy! Egypt, WW1, murders, mysteries, espionage, and the incomparable Bret Holden!!! ❤️
2014 review:
My favourite Linda Chaikin trilogy! Egypt, WW1, murders, mysteries, espionage, and the incomparable Bret Holden!!! ❤️
February 21, 2022
Setting: 1914, the Arabian Desert, and more specifically Cairo, Jerablus, Aleppo, Baghdad, and surrounding areas, just before the outbreak of World War I. The archeological site of the Carchemish Digs are a major setting, but I often got lost when the characters moved about, not knowing when they moved, when they stayed, and why Allison did or did not want to go somewhere. The international intrigue that includes Turkey, England, and India just serves to make it more confusing to me. A reread of the book would likely help get my geography straight. The pre-WWI setting, though obviously a central point of the book and well represented in terms of the nations, is less prominent when it comes to personal descriptions of clothing, typical enjoyments, dialogue, etc. This is likely due to the setting, of course, when archeology and foreign nationals are the focuses. No normal life here! Military, medical, and professional lives are really the only people represented, and having a "normal life" is almost diminished as "less-than."
Characters: After reading Chaikin's Buccaneers series, I can see the similarities between her characters, but Arabian Winds' characters are sadly just a shadow of those in the Buccaneers. Well developed, certainly, appropriately mysterious, and all with their own personalities. But Bret is almost too mysterious, as I really couldn't get a grasp on his personality. Allison grated on me more than once. Most of the other characters I was unable to fully like, as they all have Agatha Christie-levels of suspicion attached to them. Fascinating for lovers of Agatha Christie murder mysteries, but not the type of book to endear the reader to Allison's acquaintances. Also, Allison is a staunch, patriotic Brit, which is somehow the one nationality that does not attract me to a character. German? Sure. Jewish? Absolutely. (Although David is annoying) Arab? Interesting. But British? Sorry, keep your patriotism to yourself.
Plot: Very complicated and confusing in most aspects, but it boils down to a simple enough murder mystery. Once the confusing settings and cities and locations are relegated to the distant context, I could focus on the mystery and what climax the story pointed to. The romance has a nice, not overbearing role in the story, but at the same time quite definitive. Now, why Bret likes Allison, it's hard to discern.
Faith Content: Allison has a strong faith, which jibes with her medical work with Aunt Lydia on the Mercy. She occasionally muses about the spiritual nature of the middle East, the importance of saving souls, the requirements for a romantic relationship, etc. Her beliefs don't have an obvious source--her parents don't seem to be the strongest Christians--other than perhaps Aunt Lydia's influence, although nothing is developed deeply.
The Zionist movement is also shown, along with some common mantras that go along with it. The 1910s are obviously very early in the rebirth of Israel process, but the fervor is portrayed as the same. I liked how the Zionist representative in the book is portrayed.
Recommended for lovers of international mystery and intrigue, and particularly for readers who enjoy Bodie and Brock Thoene.
Characters: After reading Chaikin's Buccaneers series, I can see the similarities between her characters, but Arabian Winds' characters are sadly just a shadow of those in the Buccaneers. Well developed, certainly, appropriately mysterious, and all with their own personalities. But Bret is almost too mysterious, as I really couldn't get a grasp on his personality. Allison grated on me more than once. Most of the other characters I was unable to fully like, as they all have Agatha Christie-levels of suspicion attached to them. Fascinating for lovers of Agatha Christie murder mysteries, but not the type of book to endear the reader to Allison's acquaintances. Also, Allison is a staunch, patriotic Brit, which is somehow the one nationality that does not attract me to a character. German? Sure. Jewish? Absolutely. (Although David is annoying) Arab? Interesting. But British? Sorry, keep your patriotism to yourself.
Plot: Very complicated and confusing in most aspects, but it boils down to a simple enough murder mystery. Once the confusing settings and cities and locations are relegated to the distant context, I could focus on the mystery and what climax the story pointed to. The romance has a nice, not overbearing role in the story, but at the same time quite definitive. Now, why Bret likes Allison, it's hard to discern.
Faith Content: Allison has a strong faith, which jibes with her medical work with Aunt Lydia on the Mercy. She occasionally muses about the spiritual nature of the middle East, the importance of saving souls, the requirements for a romantic relationship, etc. Her beliefs don't have an obvious source--her parents don't seem to be the strongest Christians--other than perhaps Aunt Lydia's influence, although nothing is developed deeply.
The Zionist movement is also shown, along with some common mantras that go along with it. The 1910s are obviously very early in the rebirth of Israel process, but the fervor is portrayed as the same. I liked how the Zionist representative in the book is portrayed.
Recommended for lovers of international mystery and intrigue, and particularly for readers who enjoy Bodie and Brock Thoene.
January 31, 2016
I loved this book. While there were some discrepancies, it was highly enjoyable Christian adventure novel. It reminded me a lot of the Amelia Peabody series, which was myfavorite series when I was in middle school. I think I would have loved this book even more then. I loved the character of Bret Holden. I particularly love that his character description was basically that of Harrison Ford. I think that alone was enough to win me.
Warning: if you download the kindle version to your iPad be be prepared for some formatting problems. I had an annoying green box around the text and some random or missing punctuation. At one point even a couple of repeated paragraphs. I don't know if any one else was having this problem on their iPads
Warning: if you download the kindle version to your iPad be be prepared for some formatting problems. I had an annoying green box around the text and some random or missing punctuation. At one point even a couple of repeated paragraphs. I don't know if any one else was having this problem on their iPads
May 16, 2013
Arabian Winds is the first book in my favorite series. I've read other series by this author, but this one is my absolute favorite. Arabian Winds is very heavy in espionage and a little lighter in the romance area. However, through each of the three books in the series the couple who are falling in love become closer and closer. I usually don't care much for mysteries, but this series is the exception. Chaikin is very talented at weaving the plot, giving it depth, and taking it all the way through to the end.
May 1, 2018
3.5 stars.
This was nonstop suspense and action from the first page to the last. A missionary nurse in Egypt finds herself caught up in an investigation and espionage in the months leading up to World War 1. And it was intense. I was definitely caught up in the plot, the mystery, the whole time. And the plot twist at the end? Yep, never saw that coming.
I also loved the setting. Not only the interesting time period, but the locations. Cairo, Damascus, Jerusalem. The characters spent a little time in each of these places, and it was fascinating. I could feel the heart the main character, Allison, had for the Jewish and Muslim people she interacted with. My favorite quote from the book- "The gospel is not cultural, nor does truth destroy what is good in any culture."
It was a good book, but not a great one. There were enough editing errors to be a distraction for me. And I didn't get as invested in the characters as much as I wanted. I hope that changes as I read book 2, Lions of the Desert.
This was nonstop suspense and action from the first page to the last. A missionary nurse in Egypt finds herself caught up in an investigation and espionage in the months leading up to World War 1. And it was intense. I was definitely caught up in the plot, the mystery, the whole time. And the plot twist at the end? Yep, never saw that coming.
I also loved the setting. Not only the interesting time period, but the locations. Cairo, Damascus, Jerusalem. The characters spent a little time in each of these places, and it was fascinating. I could feel the heart the main character, Allison, had for the Jewish and Muslim people she interacted with. My favorite quote from the book- "The gospel is not cultural, nor does truth destroy what is good in any culture."
It was a good book, but not a great one. There were enough editing errors to be a distraction for me. And I didn't get as invested in the characters as much as I wanted. I hope that changes as I read book 2, Lions of the Desert.
September 2, 2021
A decent book, with a decent plot and a twist I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed the first part, but after a while the repetition started to bore me and the naivety of Allison just got annoying. By the time I came to the middle point I just wanted the story to be over with so I could say goodbye to her character. After the big reveal it took like half a page for it all to be over which was somewhat of a shame, though also a relief as I now finally reached the end. All in all, a decent book that can make for a good beach read (especially for sappy (unsurprising) love romances)
July 15, 2019
Brave and God-fearing Allison Wescott never suspected she would be involved in mystery, murder, and romance as she traveled with the archeology club to Arabia.
After the death of a club member, in the dim moonlight Allison sees someone lurking next to the victim’s hut, and it looks like her cousin, Leah . . .
Allison meets a handsome young man . . . but is he a sinister German soldier or a friendly British agent?
After the death of a club member, in the dim moonlight Allison sees someone lurking next to the victim’s hut, and it looks like her cousin, Leah . . .
Allison meets a handsome young man . . . but is he a sinister German soldier or a friendly British agent?
November 20, 2019
Because I love historical fiction, I was hoping for a bit more depth into the Egyptian Archeological digs, pyramids, etc. Truly would have loved more facts regarding Egypt. I did enjoy the pre-WWII portions. Chaikin did a great job with her characters and weaving them into a mystery. I loved her surprise ending. Great read!
August 24, 2021
This is my favourite series by Linda Chaikin, second only to her Buccaneers trilogy. There are books, that when you think about them, conjur a time and place and image. This series does that for me. You can read the blurb, but in this trilogy, the author has truly given her best.
Evocative, emotional, faith-filled, and truly stunning.
I'm due to read it again :)
Evocative, emotional, faith-filled, and truly stunning.
I'm due to read it again :)
December 2, 2022
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! most of the time I’m not really into time period books so I put it off. But once I started reading I couldn’t stop!! It has mystery, murder, romance, and it’s about a christen woman!!! Most time faith fantasy/mystery books aren’t my thing but this, need I repeat, LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Please read it!!!
August 25, 2020
I read this years ago, as a young teenager and LOVED IT. But maybe it's me and my older worldview, but I find Allison incredibly annoying and Bret too perfect. The mystery is good, but it doesn't make for a good re-read.
I wanted to like Allison, but honestly I found her annoying and petulant.
I wanted to like Allison, but honestly I found her annoying and petulant.
February 12, 2022
This is the first book in a trilogy, set in the Middle East just before the start of World Wat I. It is full of: Exotic locations; Thrilling adventure; Murder, theft, espionage, deceit, double-dealing, treachery, betrayal; and Romance.
** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
July 9, 2023
I enjoyed it! Linda Chaikin's books are not literature, but they tend to be fun, interesting, and suspenseful.
December 12, 2017
Absolutely loved this book! The historical aspect is what initially draws you in but then you get further hooked by the characters and their story! Couldnt recommend this series more.
March 26, 2019
Too much death and violence, but I guess that can be part of espionage.
June 8, 2021
This book was very interesting. I never saw the ending coming and it always seemed to keep me on my toes! I can't wait to start book 2 in the series
May 2, 2022
I am a shameless romantic… this is a shameless romance.
It’s not dirty or smutty.
It just fluffy and cheesy to that hilarious level that is perfect.
It’s not dirty or smutty.
It just fluffy and cheesy to that hilarious level that is perfect.
May 27, 2025
a little disappointing
I love this author but had trouble following the plot on this one. Was about to ‘get it’ when. It ended.
I love this author but had trouble following the plot on this one. Was about to ‘get it’ when. It ended.
February 12, 2025
📖 5stars cause it was the starting point of my favorite series as a teenager!
It’s definitely dated and could probably have used some editing. But a great intro to a cozy murder mystery and WW1. Will I continue to reread it? yes! #comfortreads Even though I’m closer to Allison’s moms age than Allison 🤦♀️🥴😅
It’s definitely dated and could probably have used some editing. But a great intro to a cozy murder mystery and WW1. Will I continue to reread it? yes! #comfortreads Even though I’m closer to Allison’s moms age than Allison 🤦♀️🥴😅
August 4, 2024
2024: Heb ik dit boek niet gelezen sinds 2018? Kan ik me bijna niet voorstellen.
Ik wist inmiddels precies wie 't gedaan heeft, en toch kreeg ik de kriebels van de spanning en moest ik 't boek even wegleggen.
Tijd voor deel 2. Die heb ik helaas nog niet op de Boekenmarkt gevonden, dus tijd voor een Kindle-aankoop.
2018:
2015: Okay this is probably at least the third time, but I still love the mixture of espionage, (events leading up to) WO1, Britishness, archeology, faith, and yes, some romance as well :)
Ik wist inmiddels precies wie 't gedaan heeft, en toch kreeg ik de kriebels van de spanning en moest ik 't boek even wegleggen.
Tijd voor deel 2. Die heb ik helaas nog niet op de Boekenmarkt gevonden, dus tijd voor een Kindle-aankoop.
2018:
2015: Okay this is probably at least the third time, but I still love the mixture of espionage, (events leading up to) WO1, Britishness, archeology, faith, and yes, some romance as well :)
January 4, 2009
Brave and God-fearing Allison Wescott never suspected she would be involved in mystery, murder, and romance as she traveled with the archeology club to Arabia.
After the death of a club member, in the dim moonlight Allison sees someone lurking next to the victim’s hut, and it looks like her cousin, Leah . . .
Allison meets a handsome young man . . . but is he a sinister German soldier or a friendly British agent?
After the death of a club member, in the dim moonlight Allison sees someone lurking next to the victim’s hut, and it looks like her cousin, Leah . . .
Allison meets a handsome young man . . . but is he a sinister German soldier or a friendly British agent?
October 4, 2011
It was a decent book with a decent plot line. I thought the idea of the book as well as the historical backdrop was great, and it definitely kept me guessing and even surprised me at the end. However, I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and for me, that is the most important part of the book.
May 27, 2012
I really enjoy Linda Chaikin's books. She always introduces me to far-away lands and interesting times in history. I love the hero in this book, Bret Holden, although the heroine, Allison sometimes struck me as a bit preachy. Not uncommon in an Christian novel, but a little out of place with the rest of the book. That said, I look forward to reading the next book in the series. :)
December 6, 2025
I don’t know how many times I have read this book. I have lost count. I first read it in high school and have reread it so many times. I don’t know if I love it because it’s like a warm old quilt that I wrap up in and it brings back memories or if it’s just that good. I don’t care which, I sometimes just enjoy rereading old favorites for the fun of it.
July 24, 2014
I believe the description is inaccurate - the year was 1914
This is part 1 of the Egypt series and it is just fantastic! The intrigue around finding King Tuts tomb was superbly surrounded by a dashing British officer and a noble nurse
This is part 1 of the Egypt series and it is just fantastic! The intrigue around finding King Tuts tomb was superbly surrounded by a dashing British officer and a noble nurse
October 1, 2007
i know im so deep. another triology i love.
linds, i have the books at my house if you want
to borrow!
linds, i have the books at my house if you want
to borrow!
October 1, 2007
probably one of the most complex, brilliant reads. something to live into....haha! actually, it really should be something to live into--i mean, desert, love, danger...ridiculous
April 1, 2008
Yet another great romance. But not all mushy romance. There is a lot of action and adventure in it. If you like romance but don't like it too mushy, this is a good series for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews