“She’s a
world-renowned, beloved, prima ballerina, currently performing with the South
Vietnamese Royal Ballet in Huế City.
The Vietnamese have a name for her, dansseur que pleure. The dancer who weeps.”
“The globe was from my father after my first performance of
Romeo and Juliet, my favorite ballet.” Tears ran down her face. “How did
you know to bring these to me? All three of these are my most treasured
belongings. Thank you so much.”
“I don’t know, something just told me they were important.” Elijah
pushed her back down, kissing the tears off her face and showering her lips
with soft kisses. “No more tears, brat."
She had come from a closed world of Dance--the Prima
Ballerina in South Vietnam, where her father was Ambassador. Her mother
had died many years ago so that she had early become being on her own, an
independent girl and then a young lady who had spent her life...studying...
It was
during the Vietnam War and talks on peace had begun... It was then that the
enemy set their sight on that prima ballerina and, suddenly, Elyse Booker's
life was in danger, unbeknownst to her... She had been forced to leave
Saigon, taking luggage with her, but sending most of her clothes in a large
trunk. Her ride was a helicopter...
Which
was being fired upon as they left South Vietnam... Elyse was in fear of her
life as the 'copter caught on fire and went out of control over the jungle...
Finally, one of the men managed to kick her out, as in seconds the entire crew
and 'copter exploded...
Elyse
Booker* had been dancing since she was very young, but she had also studied
languages, musical instruments, and was very well-read. Still, nothing had
prepared her for the bugs, snakes, jungle animals, and the North Vietnase
following her! She ran for hours, fought a monkey in the tree she climbed with
her strong legs for a banana, only to stumble and fall, hiding when she heard
the sound of men coming... When she came to a village, speaking with the elder
of the village in his language, she asked for water...and then was hidden from
the soldiers who followed her...
She
played back the last telephone conversation with her father in her mind, the
argument that ensued as he told her to notify the South Vietnamese Royal Ballet
of an emergency at home, pack all of her things as a chopper was already
on the way to pick her up from the American compound where she lived in Huế City. “Daddy,
Why? Why do I need to come home? What’s going
on?” “Elyse, please don’t argue
with me. There is no time to explain. I need you home as soon as possible.” “I have
responsibilities here. I have two performances next week.” “I’m sorry,
you need to do as I say.” “Why are you always ordering me about? I’m a grown
woman.” The call was breaking up, and soon, all she heard was the crackle of
static on the line. “You’re,” more static, “danger,” then the dial tone as the
call disconnected.
Staring
down into beautiful amethyst eyes, the Captain had to scuffle with her, holding
his hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming--the Viet Cong was very
near! Seeing the man above her, she hold quietly for quite some time, then in a
rage, she erupted--only for both of them to notice that her breasts were bare.
The Captain immediately handed her his shirt...
Thus
began the strangest rescue message ever! A radio message was sent in to camp
and they discovered that they had been hunting for her--that her helicopter had
been destroyed--and that they were to immediately return bring her back to Khe
Sahn!
Where
Captain Corrington (Cap) and his small team was to speak to the
Commandant... And was told his team was on guard duty until they could get
Elyse some place safe. Cap was NOT happy...
Elyse
soon realized that she was surrounded by marines and felt safer. But did they
have to have all dropped their mouths when they softly whistled and looked
every inch of her over, not once...but... She quickly put that to a stop!
Sorta... She had been around men all of her life and she had become friendly
and caring. Soon that small team were like brothers--except Cap...
They
started moving keeping her near the end...as they arrived at a small stream and
Elyse decided she didn't want to get wet...
Another
grueling day behind them brought them closer to their target. Athlete that she
was, Elyse struggled to keep up with the men’s fast pace. When they came across
a small, fast-moving stream, they crossed it single file. The first three men
along with the Captain had entered the stream. The water appeared to be chest
deep and fast moving.
Elyse contemplated
the stream. She didn’t want to get wet with nightfall fast approaching. It’s
not that wide. I’m a ballerina, I can make it.
Elyse
backed up and took a running, graceful, leap straight over the heads of the men
in the stream. All four looked up to see legs sailing overhead. Elyse landed on
the far bank, and with a grin on her face, turned to look at the men in the
stream.
Shock and
admiration shown on their faces. All except the Captain.
“Elyse,
don’t move, stay where you are.”
Elyse backed
up, turned, and walked into the nearby clearing and sat down on the grass. It
felt cool and refreshing. She longed to rest her cheek on it.
Elijah
saw red as he pushed his way past the men in the steam and climbed the
embankment of the stream. Marching into the clearing, he could barely contain
his anger as he strode over to her and hauled her to her feet. “You little
fool. Don’t you ever pull a stunt like that again.” He shook her like a rag
doll.
Elyse
pulled away. “What is your problem? I did not want to get wet, so I jumped the
stream. No big deal.”
“It’s not
the jump,” Elijah said. “It’s the landing. The far bank could have been booby
trapped. This clearing could have been booby trapped or worse. I told you not
to move, and you disobeyed my orders and walked in here, anyway. You will
start doing as you are told from this moment forward.”
“I don’t
take orders, Captain,” Elyse retorted.
Elijah
grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him hard. He grabbed her by the
back of her hair and forced her to look up into his eyes. “You will do as you
are told without question. I know how to deal with spoiled brats.”
“You
wouldn’t dare,” Elyse spat back at him.
“Keep
testing my patience, Elyse, and I’ll show you what I dare.”
!!!
No matter
where they moved, those who meant her harm would find her. She was under
constant guard, except when she rebelled and escaped! You see, her guard team
were under orders to not tell her she had a bounty on her head. And, in my
opinion, that allowed all of the "adventures" she got into throughout
the book... Of course, if that hadn't been the orders for the marines, the book
would not have been so much fun! Did I include that she got into a tank,
accidentally started it and wound up destroying everything in her path until
going into the swimming pool?!
The
tension between Elyse and Cap grew as each realized that their attraction to
each other was part of the conflict. Cap knew it was a bad idea to get
involved. Elyse only knew one thing--she was falling, hard, for him. On the
other hand, wherever Elyse went, she made friends with all the soldiers and
soon became known well enough that talk of her traveled from one camp to
another--and she was dancing all the way! A problem because the enemy would
hear and be able to pinpoint where she was. So Cap decided to contact other
camps to have "fake Elyse dancers" working to help detract from the
real one. Got to say, this reader was totally enjoying what was done to
protect her--especially, when she actually saw one of the "Elyses"
and realized that a nude dancer with a red wig was taking her place. Wow! Talk
about a temper!
I could
go on talking about this book! Needless to say, if you are looking for an
escape from reality, yet a fun alternative reality within the armed
forces...you've just got to check this one out. It gets a little steamy,
but anybody late teens and above can thoroughly enjoy Operation
Amethyst!
GABixlerReviews
Leesa makes her home in Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota with her husband and their two dogs Rosie and Jax.
When she isn't writing, she enjoys gardening, painting, and reading romance novels. She and her husband also enjoy movies, traveling, and entertaining their two grown children, along with their spouses, and seven beautiful grandchildren.
Leesa's favorite romance authors are Kathleen Woodwiss, Christine Feehan, and Johanna Lindsey.
The book's inspiration came one night from a dream about the characters, a song, and the story around them.
*Pic of
Elyse was selected from female models on the Internet.
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