War is frightening, but so is the man who would possess her. HONG KONG - 1941 One sultry evening at the Victoria Hospital for Women, Dr Rowena Rossiter is off-duty and in search of fun. That night, with the world on the brink of war, she meets two men, Connor O'Connor, a rough Irish soldier and Kim Peloung, an opium baron, who will fight for her heart for the next four years. Captured and imprisoned, Rowena must navigate the brutal extremities of a prisoner of war camp. To her surprise and envy of others she falls under the personal 'care' of Kim Peloung, a criminal and collaborator with the Japanese. It is while she is captive that she gives birth to her daughter, who due the circumstances surrounding her conception, Rowena struggles to bons with. . Kim uses the child as a bargaining chip and Rowena fears for their safety, until Kim's jealous mistress helps them escape. When the war finally ends Rowena sets up a home for abandoned orphans and to her great joy is reunited with Connor O'Connor. They are both scarred by war, Connor mourning the loss of friends, and Rowena wondering if she can ever learn to love the child born of war and violence. A sweeping, gripping historical saga set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. Perfect for fans of Dinah Jefferies. Previously Publoished as Summer of the Three Pagodas by Jean Moran
