The Night Orchid

by Patricia Simpson

Harper, June 1994
ISBN #0-06-108064-0

Originally published in Pen & Mouse - the Romance Writers & Readers Exchange (RomEx) Online Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 4

What happens when a Herculean-type warrior from 285 B.C. meets up with a female Montana rancher from 1993? You get The Night Orchid, the latest novel by Patricia Simpson. In a word, this book is a winner!

Alek, a Senone warrior from Venetia in Northern Italy is ripped from his world into 20th century Seattle through an ancient Druidic ceremony performed by a scientist in search of a cure for cancer. Alek's only thought is to return to his own time and continue fighting the despised Romans.

Strong-willed Marissa Quinn wants nothing more from life than to keep her family's Montana ranch out of the hands of the power company. But when her sister Leslie writes a mysterious plea for help, Marissa heads for Seattle. Once there, she finds her sister missing.

In searching for Leslie, Marissa inadvertently finds Alek who throws her over his shoulder and carries her off into a wooded park. Marissa thinks Alek's an escaped lunatic, but eventually comes to realize that he is, indeed, what he says he is -- a proud warrior from another time.

Together, they set out to find Marissa's sister, and to find a way to send Alek back to his own time. Along the way, they also find each other and love.

Will Alek stay in the strange 20th century? Will Marissa give up her world and go back in time? I already know the answers, of course, but I can keep a secret. You'll have to buy the book and find out. You won't be sorry you did.

Home | Back to Book Reviews | Email