Far In The Wilds by Deanna Raybourn & Giveaway

New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn takes readers into Africa during the height of British colonialism, to meet a man as wild as the land he loves in this prequel novella….

Kenya, 1918 Ryder White is Canadian by birth but African by choice. He is more at home in the wilds of the savannah, shooting and sleeping his way across the continent, than amongst the hedonistic colonists of Kenyan society.

In a landscape where one false move can cost a man his life, Ryder’s skill as a guide is unparalleled, but only the rich or royal can afford his services. When a European prince hires Ryder to help him hunt an elusive jaguar Ryder thinks it’s just another well-paying job with yet another spoiled voyeur. But this perilous journey is full of dangers that may change Ryder forever…. (taken from the e-book)

Book Details:

Title: Far In The Wilds, Author: Deanna Raybourn, Publisher: Harlequin Mira, ISBN: 9781459249097, Format available: e-book, Rating: 5 Crowns A ROYAL READ

My Thoughts:

Having read and not cared for Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series, I almost passed on Far In The Wilds but then I noticed that it arrived on my Kindle (Kindle for PC, that is) so I thought that I would give it a try. I must say I am so glad that I read it.

Ryder White is much more than a tracker. He’s a man who has both a deep respect for the animals he hunts and an undeniable love for Africa.

His close—and dear—friend Jude, whose husband never returned home from the war (WW1), is suffering from a wound that only time can heal. Clinging to hope that her husband is still alive, she decided to enter into a situation that does not require her to love.

When a lion attacks a man in the middle of Nairobi and Ryder puts him down with two shots, he attracts the attention of Prince Frederick-Christian (Freddie) who wants to hunt a leopard to add to his trophies. Not wanting an innocent leopard murdered or the prince killed, Ryder agrees to be his guide only if the prince does exactly what he says.

Accompanied by Jude and Mademoiselle Liane (Freddie’s mistress) Ryder sets out to lead Freddie through the African bush. During the trek secrets are revealed, urges are acted upon, and in the end, one persons life hangs in the balance leaving people to question the way things unfolded.

Deanna Raybourn excels at imagery almost to the point where she turns the rugged African landscape into another character. Her writing was both fluid and breathtaking. On both occasions when Ryder was pursuing man-eating big cats my heart rate was accelerated as I sat on the edge of my seat as the events unfolded. From the very first paragraph, Deanna Raybourn pulled me into this novella.

Twining together adventure and heartbreak set against the backdrop of British colonial Africa, Deanna Raybourn brings us the story of Ryder White, Jude, Freddie, and Mademoiselle Liane. Set in a place where life can change on a dime and secrets can be shared without fear, Far In The Wilds left me longing for more, which is good considering that this is the prequel to Deanna’s upcoming release A Spear of Summer Grass (April 30, 2013 Harlequin Mira).

While we only get a snippet of Ryder’s life in Far In The Wilds, it was enough to get me hooked, especially since the author offered a glimpse of his past with a woman named Eliza. Plus, he quotes Whitman, who can resist a hero who quotes poetry? I am hoping in A Spear of Summer we see more of Jude and Tusker as well.

Baring shades of Denys Finch-Hatton and Karen Blixen I think that, in a sense, Far In The Wilds—although it is a fictional novella— could be hailed as the Out of Africa for a new generation.

At the moment Far In The Wilds is available FREE on Amazon

Whilst reading Far In The Wilds I found myself drinking Twinings of London’s African Rooibos Read Tea, which happens to a perfect tea pairing for this novella.

Authentic Rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) or Herbal Red Tea comes only from the Cedarberg Mountains in the remote area of central South Africa. This herbal tea, made from the leaves of the Rooibos plant, has been enjoyed for countless generations by native South Africans. The plant is harvested in summer, fermented and then dried in the sun until it reaches a deep mahogany red colour. Twinings Pure Rooibos Herbal Red Tea has a pleasantly sweet flavour. Great to drink with lunch or in the afternoon, this tea is best with a little milk or served plain.

1 lucky winner will win a years supply (12 boxes each containing 20 tea bags) of Twinings of London’s African Rooibos Red Tea.

Giveaway is International

To enter, please leave a comment with your name and a valid email address

Giveaway ends April 20, 2013

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on April 21, 2013

If you wish to earn extra entries you may do so by completing any of the following (please leave an additional comment for each activity completed)

1. Like our Facebook paged HERE

2. Answer the question: What is Tuskers real name?

3. Answer the question: What is your favorite type of tea?

4. Answer the question: Have you ever watched/read Out of Africa?

 

Best Wishes & Good Luck,