The war in the Crimea is over. Delighted to be reunited with her husband, Lord Kyle, Terue thinks she will soon be home again in her beloved Scottish Highlands.
But fate is not finished with her yet.
Terue learns that her daughter is a geisha in Edo. Overjoyed at the chance to be reunited with her child again, she and her husband set out to find Kazhua, returning to where Terue’s life began in the Floating World.
But old dangers and new foes abound.
Forced to live in hiding, finding Kazhua without revealing Terue’s true identity proves more difficult than they expected. Terue is so close to finding her daughter, she can feel the red thread that binds them together pulling taught. But reaching out to Kazhua could put all their lives at risk.
With a literary journey spanning more than a dozen captivating novels set in historical Japan and a collection of evocative haikus, India Millar has embarked on a diverse career. Her professional odyssey commenced amidst the machinery of British Gas's heavy industry, eventually culminating within the hallowed halls of the British Library, where the tapestry of knowledge and storytelling merged seamlessly. Now, India finds herself in the idyllic embrace of early retirement on the enchanting Costa Blanca. As she continues to explore the realms of history and poetry, India remains deeply grateful for the winding path that has led her to this peaceful and creative haven. Each word written, each page turned, is a testament to the enduring passion for storytelling that continues to shape her life's narrative.
This World is Ours #3 - Whereas The Song introduced Junko and the world of geishas, and The Red contained much travel and adventures, This World is mainly sex. Bored, I skipped every sex scene. The beginning started well being in China and Edo, Japan, but lost the storylines in London. It is sex for pages on end, a conversation or something trivial, then sex again; not a thought of Kashua, a major storyline until now.
Finally at the 80 percent mark the story picks up again with the same vigor as before and gets interesting again. Unfortunately, the ending is so rushed, I don't feel the happiness with the discoveries. What a letdown. The first two and half books were riveting and the handling the last half utter letdown. Even some of the dialog didn't flow properly for the characters. 3*
The Song of the Wild Geese #1 - It is refreshing to read a well put together book. Well written, well edited and extremely knowledgeable of the subject matter. I had a hard time putting this book and kept feeling grateful that I had all three books of this series to chain read.
For those fortunate enough to have read the Shogun Series by James Clavell, you'll enjoy this story into the life of an 11-year-old country girl sold to a famous Geisha house in Edo. The mindset of the Japanese; the teachings and trails of becoming a Geisha; the traditions of Japanese life; and the horrors for females born into poor families come to life in this vividly descriptive, factually true and fascinating story. I already know the history of Japan and its culture, yet I'm still mesmerized by the unfolding story of the life of Junko. The characters, along with the storylines, keep the reader devouring the pages.
Even those who love Amy Tan and Pearl S. Buck (their people and culture are Chinese) will enjoy the journeys of the Japanese characters in this lovely story. I found this book on Booksprout and since have contacted the author to review her books. 5*
The Red Thread of Fate #2 - As good as The Song of the Wild Geese is, Red Thread outdoes The Song. Again, well written, well edited and knowledgeable of the subject matter, the author takes the reader through other countries and cultures as seen through the eyes and experiences of the Geisha. The pace is fast, never slowing down, and there is plenty of intrigue, suspense, romance and hardship. While her rescue in Turkey was a little unrealistic, too easy, but sometimes luck happens, there are plenty of interesting happenings faced by the characters.
This book reminded me of one I had read decades ago that followed the same pattern, but I don't think the main character was from Japan. The supporting characters are interesting and run the gamut of personalities. There's plenty of emotions, too. There is sex, which I skipped over since I find written sex boring - my imagination is better. Ms. Millar does an excellent job with her descriptions, placing the reader in the locations and the moments. While not a cliffhanger, the ending sets the third book into motion. I contacted the author to review her books and received this one through Booksprout. 5*
I felt disappointed in Tara's (Terue) character. She is portrayed as an insensitive person only thinking of herself and her delight. However, she did have 20/20 hindsight. After the fact she would always feel regret. She would come to understand others better, especially Callum. She would have compassion for people and their intentions. It was difficult to read about the ill-favored side of Tara. Perhaps I have stereotyped Tara, but I don't think so. This book takes place after the incident in Turkey and the war in Crimea. Tara and Callum end up in China visiting his parents. On the journey to Shanghai, Callum opened up Tara's naive mind about opium addiction. It ravaged the country from low to high it did not discriminate. Meeting Callum's parents turned into a warm and loving experience for Tara. She was anxious to go Edo in Japan to look for Kazhua. When in Edo many dangers surrounded them. When their lives were threatened, they escaped with the help of Christian Mountjoy. From there they ended up in London. Callum had business with his attorney about a parcel of land in Glen Kyle, his home in Scotland. During their first year there, Callum and Tara's relationship was so strained that they slept in separate quarters. Finally, things came to a head and everything on Tara's heart came bursting forth. She laid her very soul in front of Callum. He responded kindly, lovingly and honestly. He revealed all the burdens of conscience he carried and how it affected him. That was the beginning of their reconciliation. Mountjoy left Edo and ended up in London. He was not nobility and as such could not accompany Callum to many events. However, Tara and Mountjoy created their own fun and jostled about London's unsavory locations. Unfortunately for Tara, Mountjoy was a fair feathered friend and was led by the lure of money. He did the unthinkable to Tara. Callum was out of his mind for several weeks until they were reunited. Tara had two wishes and when she and Callum returned to Glen Kyle they were finally granted. This was a tough story to get through because of the way Tara was portrayed. But overall, I guess she is just as flawed as anyone else. I finished the book and found the dangerous adventure enticing and the ending quite satisfying. I think back on the previous two books and see that Tara lead a remarkable life and continues to lead a good life. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tenrue's journey continued in the world is ours. Thinking life will return her where she wants, however she jerks once again that fate can be a cruel mistress. She learns her daughter became a geisha like her, she returns ro the floating world in secrecy to find her. But will the red thread of fate allow her and Kazhua to meet? You must read to find out. Really enjoyed this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She has finally been reunited with her husband and they hear about her daughter. so they travel to find her. She needs to keep hidden or all lives could be in danger.. Will she be reunited with her daughter? Will they be able.to get away? See how they get on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book comes pretty close to 50 shades of gray. Actually it might go beyond in terms if domination. The scenes from the house of pleasure and pain were pretty scary. Good read
The end of another phenomenal series by India Millar! Terue has travelled the world since leaving Japan, but still she has not found her daughter. Will the love of her devoted second husband be enough? Or will she continue to grieve for the child she lost?
War in the Crimea is over. Lord Kyle has survived, though he now bears the mark of this war on his face. Tera looks forward to getting home to Scotland. However in news from her husband’s father, she discovers her daughter, Kazhua, is a geisha in Edo.
They set off overland through China to reach Shanghai, a bitter and grueling treck, and from there will venture on to Japan, hoping to find Kazhua. Tara has never met Lord Kyle’s parents. Will she be accepted by them, or rebuffed as she was in Virginia by her first mother in-law?
There is much danger lurking in Japan. Tara’s first husband was murdered while trying to find Kazhua years earlier. Memories are long, and Tara has no reason to believe she will be any safer. Can she travel unnoticed? Will she be reunited with her daughter at long last?
Finally, Terue is able to find the daughter that she left behind. After such heartache and pain, there is finally hope at the end of the tunnel, albeit a long and dangerous tunnel. A fitting end to an amazing trilogy