Party in Peking

The Boxer Rebellion is nearing fullcry at the start of this fast-paced historical romance. Headstrong Olivia Harland, privileged young niece and ward of a British diplomat, is determined to singlehandedly defend Peking from the sword-wielding Boxers. The formidably handsome Dr. Lewis Sinclair arrives, however, to save her from each white-robed rebel she confronts, as well as from the feckless junior diplomat to whom she is betrothed. Despite the one-dimensionality of hero and heroine, they are a fearless pair whose eventual romance is preordained. The backbone of this novel, however, is Carlisle's obvious affection for and knowledge of Imperial China. Notwithstanding a few loose ends and some predictable prose, this is an engaging glimpse of Peking under siegean easy-to-read history lesson tempered by an appealing love story. (July 20)