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Jasmine Nights

3.42 of 5 stars 3.42 · rating details · 326 ratings · 86 reviews

The author of the bestselling "East of the Sun" returns with a lush novel about a young singer who is recruited by the British Secret Service during the height of World War II.At twenty-three, Saba Tarcan is a talented but naive singer who dreams of being more than just another act playing in small clubs and talent contests in Wales. So when the opportunity arises to join...more

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Published February 1st 2012 by Orion Publishing Group (first published January 1st 2012)

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May 27, 2012 June Seghni rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, world-war-ii

I thoroughly enjoyed this wartime story of a half turkish girl singer working to entertain the troops in Egypt whilst carrying out secret missions to help the war effort.Add a romance with a heroic fighter pilot and you have a perfect summer read..

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May 14, 2013 Hannah Fielding rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Three reasons why I bought this book:

1. The cover drew me in, conveying romance and an exotic setting and a bygone time – all favourites for me in novels.

2. It’s one of the Richard and Judy Book Club reads, and as I recently read another of their books and loved it (The Fever Tree – see http://www.hannahfielding.net/?p=1745), I took that to be a good recommendation for this book.

3. I read on the back-cover blurb that the book is partly set in ‘the faded glamour of Alexandria’ – my birthplace.

The...more Three reasons why I bought this book:

1. The cover drew me in, conveying romance and an exotic setting and a bygone time – all favourites for me in novels.

2. It’s one of the Richard and Judy Book Club reads, and as I recently read another of their books and loved it (The Fever Tree – see http://www.hannahfielding.net/?p=1745), I took that to be a good recommendation for this book.

3. I read on the back-cover blurb that the book is partly set in ‘the faded glamour of Alexandria’ – my birthplace.

There is much to love in this book. It has that feel of an epic romance, given the fraught time in which it is set, the journeying to foreign climes, the drama and the heroics of the armed forces and the performing arts.

The characters really jump off the page, colourful and vibrant and realistic and highly engaging. I especially loved Dom, and the fact that the author tells the story from his point of view as well as Saba’s, allowing us to see the unfolding story from both sides.

The story I found fascinating, especially the exploration of ENSA – the entertainment wing of the British armed forces that worked during World War 2 to boost the morale of troops in the field. My knowledge of this was really limited to the famous Vera Lynn before reading the book, and I was delighted to get such insight into ENSA through the novel. Very interesting indeed.

I loved the historical setting of the book, especially the references to the music of the time and the fashions (an amusing hair-dying fiasco made me smile). This is the kind of book you can imagine as a film because the sense of the era comes through so strongly. I’d have loved some more descriptions of the places featured in the book, because I so love to imagine exotic settings in my mind as I read, but I understand that this is a more story-led book than a descriptive one.

What I loved most in the book was the very last scene. Without wishing to give away the ending, suffice it to say that it got my heart racing and left me feeling light-hearted and so very glad I had read the book.
(less)

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Apr 16, 2013 Eva Bon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

5 star review by Eva Le Bon
I loved it. Enchanting,enthralling and evocative.
There’s something conventional about this unconventional story, or is it the other way
around? Full of every opposing force, love and war, opulence and poverty, it will lift
you to giddy heights of emotion and passion. Through the lens of war everything is
heightened.It is 1942 and Saba finds a way for herself singing to wounded soldiers. How
can a book convey a song: singing that fills your mind and sets your heart danc...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Eric Wright rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, romance, local-library

Gregson narrates a tale focusing on two characters during the North Africa campaign of the Second World War. It is a well-written love story with some historical background on England during the period and especially Cairo and Alexandra during the desert push by Rommel. Not usually one who reads romance, the time and setting peeked my interest.

Saba, a beautiful but headstrong singer from Wales defies her Turkish father and Welsh mother to strike out on her own. Her father, very traditional, for...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Lucinda rated it 5 of 5 stars

This Intensely absorbing novel touches your soul with its thought-provoking poignancy

I was left drained of all emotion after reading Julia Gregson’s new outstanding historical novel, which spoke of the inner workings of the heart and the unbearable pain that love can bring; as it can dramatically alter and define our lives. The authenticity and atmospheric, detailed descriptions send you back in time to a world of conflict and danger, separation between lovers and the brutality of war. You are...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Jayne Charles rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a significant step up from ‘East of the Sun’, good as that novel was. The quality of the writing and the story was consistently high throughout, and it had a good blend of adventure and romance. This is writing that’s interesting to read even when there is not much going on plot-wise, rich in detail, and even characters and events on the periphery of the plot are given an impressive depth. The section where Barney is on leave and “bored shitless, reduced to playing bridge with some briga...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Alethea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review first appeared at www.bookpleasurs.com

Jasmine Nights, by Julia Gregson, is a historical romance set during World War Two, which immerses the reader in richly crafted details of the life of a traveling ensemble who perform for British troops in North Africa.

Saba Tarcan, a young talented singer, half-Turkish/half-Welsh, leaves her home in Tiger Bay, Wales, risking estrangement from her family, to join ENSA, the entertainment arm of the British Armed Services. Gregson’s fine portrayal o...more This review first appeared at www.bookpleasurs.com

Jasmine Nights, by Julia Gregson, is a historical romance set during World War Two, which immerses the reader in richly crafted details of the life of a traveling ensemble who perform for British troops in North Africa.

Saba Tarcan, a young talented singer, half-Turkish/half-Welsh, leaves her home in Tiger Bay, Wales, risking estrangement from her family, to join ENSA, the entertainment arm of the British Armed Services. Gregson’s fine portrayal of the working class neighborhood of Tiger Bay, and Saba’s close but combative family, creates an authentic atmosphere for Saba to both cherish and want to transcend, to be able to live her own life and develop her musical gifts.

She sings at a hospital for injured RAF pilots where Dom Benson, recovering from burns and suffering from survivor’s guilt, falls in love with her. The novel expands to the war itself, following both Saba and Dom as chance interferes with their relationship and intrigue and danger mounts.

The entertainment troop Saba joins is sent to Cairo, travels to remote military stations in the Sahara, until Saba is recruited as a spy, under the cover of being a protégée of a Turkish entrepreneur, a job she naively accepts. Saba travels to Alexandria, and then Turkey, where her ability to mesmerize audiences with her voice is used in a plot against the Nazis. Dom’s love of flying, the transcendence of his experience as a pilot, his commitment, bravery, and the guilt he still feels for the death of a friend, parallels Saba’s story. Gregson’s use of historic details, both small and large, such as the hair dye used by Arleta, Saba’s best friend, the descriptions of period clothing, cacophony and scents of the streets of 1942 Cairo and Alexandria, and the boredom and tension of war, create an engrossing world for the reader.

The arc of the love story is predictable, but Saba and Dom are complex characters who keep the reader caring for the outcome. To Gregson’s credit, Saba sees her career as a performer is as important as her relationship to Dom, and there is friction over this issue.

A fairly quick read, Jasmine Nights is perfect for vacations or weekends, transporting the reader to exotic locations and a dangerous time few people alive still remember.

Julia Gregson is the author of East of the Sun and Band of Angels and is the winner of the Le Prince Maurice Prize and the Romantic Author of the Year Award. (less)

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Jun 13, 2012 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Saba Tarcan is a singer. She leaves home and auditions for ENSA aka Entertainments National Service Association. Saba becomes the newest member of ENSA. ENSA travels all over entertaining wounded soldiers with their shows. This is a big opportunity for Saba as she has never traveled the world.

Dom Benson is a fighter pilot. Dom is recovering in a hospital after being wounded in combat. It is in the hospital that Dom first meets Saba and hears her voice. She was filling in for a fellow singer. Do...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Jo at Jaffareadstoo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brought up in Tiger Bay with a domineering Turkish father, Saba Tarcan uses her exceptional skill as a singer to escape the narrow confines of home. Drafted into ENSA, the wartime entertainment troop, Saba becomes part of a group of singers sent out to the Middle East to entertain the troops stationed out there.
Dom Benson is a young fighter pilot, who suffers severe injuries in a wartime incident, he never forgets the beautiful young singer who added a touch of magic to his convalescence. Again...more

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Aug 13, 2012 CookieDemon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, librarything-early-reads

Enjoyable, but not particularly exciting- 3.5 stars

**Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel through Librarything. All opinions expressed are my own**

The third novel from award-winning author Julia Gregson is a billed as a `powerful love story' and moves from the back streets of Cardiff Bay to exotic Africa and then to dangerous, unstable Cairo during World War II. We meet twenty-three-year-old Saba Tarcan, a singer who encounters fighter pilot Dom Benson in a burns hospital whilst she...more Enjoyable, but not particularly exciting- 3.5 stars

**Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel through Librarything. All opinions expressed are my own**

The third novel from award-winning author Julia Gregson is a billed as a `powerful love story' and moves from the back streets of Cardiff Bay to exotic Africa and then to dangerous, unstable Cairo during World War II. We meet twenty-three-year-old Saba Tarcan, a singer who encounters fighter pilot Dom Benson in a burns hospital whilst she is entertaining the troops. A connection is established between the pair, but all too soon Saba is employed to entertain troops overseas and then Dom himself is called on his own mission to the Middle East. Amidst the instability and peril of war, Saba is recruited for a secret task of her own that could jeopardise not only their fledgling relationship, but also her life...

As a newcomer to Gregson's books, I genuinely didn't know what to expect when I picked this up, though I thought it was a safe bet that I would be in for an escapist, entertaining story at least. The beautiful cover promises a lot in that respect. I do have to say that if you are looking for a historical novel that really conveys a sense of place, then this is also the book for you. The smells, tastes and sounds of Cairo were so vividly drawn that I could envisage this bustling city during the 1940's and imagine myself ducking in and out of the bazaars and sipping coffees in the backstreet cafes. However I do believe this admittedly terrific scene-setting was unfortunately detrimental to the rest of the plot. A sense of place is one thing, but when as a reader you find description is the most appealing part of the story then you know something is missing.

Initially I must confess that I found myself engrossed in this novel, intrigued by both Saba and Dom's stories and the journey's that they would make, which I was eager to read about. The secondary characters they encountered were well-drawn and the plot was pacey enough to hold my attention- then all of a sudden it just went off the boil. The narrative became flat and I found myself uninterested in all of the glamorous parties that Saba entertained at, which felt very repetitive. I wanted to know more about the impact of war on the cities and their inhabitants and less about the glitz and socialites encountered along the way. I don't like to use this word too much, but generally, this book just became bland.

I did appreciate the transition of Saba as a character through this book however. When the novel begins she is portrayed as being a bit naïve and overly cowed by her domineering parents, but once she is overseas she becomes much stronger and courageous in her actions as she revels in her natural talents and finally uses them to her best advantage. She was an appealing protagonist, though I did find myself wishing to know a bit more about her upbringing than was actually divulged. That felt like something of a missed opportunity, particularly given her mixed heritage and the era in which she was raised.

Whilst I liked Dom well enough, I felt in comparison to Saba, he was somewhat one-dimensional. Also for me, the romance element between them never really ricocheted past anything other than `sweet' throughout the entire book. I expected that given the sultry heat and exotic backdrop of Cairo, not to mention the frantic sense of time slipping away from them during the war itself the romance would have cranked up a notch to at least `spicy' but it just never happened. The chemistry never sizzled and was a bit slow-paced for my tastes.

I feel this is a worthy 3.5 star read. Whilst I enjoyed it enough and it kept me turning the pages, there were some particularly weak elements that jumped out at me throughout and the rushed ending left me generally unsatisfied. Maybe my expectations were just too high when it came to this novel as the summary and gorgeous cover promised so much, but there just wasn't as much fast-paced action, espionage and romance as I had anticipated. (less)

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May 28, 2012 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-releases

Full disclosure: I've never read a Julia Gregson novel before. I know, that probably makes me a terrible historical fiction fan, but I was just never drawn to any of her books before. Then, I had the opportunity to read Gregson's newest novel, Jasmine Nights, and the concept seemed incredibly compelling -I mean, what's not to like about WWII-era female spies in Cairo with a little romance on the side? Virtually everything I've read about Gregson's other novels praised her writing skills and movi...more Full disclosure: I've never read a Julia Gregson novel before. I know, that probably makes me a terrible historical fiction fan, but I was just never drawn to any of her books before. Then, I had the opportunity to read Gregson's newest novel, Jasmine Nights, and the concept seemed incredibly compelling -I mean, what's not to like about WWII-era female spies in Cairo with a little romance on the side? Virtually everything I've read about Gregson's other novels praised her writing skills and moving character relationships, so I knew I was in for a treat with Jasmine Nights.

The young an naive Saba Tarcan has always wanted to be a singer. She inks out a living between contests and clubs in Wales, but with World War II reaching its peak, Saba's dreams are on the line. When the British Secret Service recruits Saba for an elite spy mission in North Africa and the Middle East, she jumps at the opportunity, even though it will take her away from Dom, a dashing fighter pilot recovering from his wounds. Saba's life as a singer-spy on the road takes her dangerous places where one wrong move could be the end. Through twists of fate, Saba is reunited with Dom, and the sparks fly despite the dangerous battles surrounding them.

After reading Jasmine Nights, I found myself torn. There were some truly excellent aspects of this novels, but some weaker elements that kept it from reaching its full potential. First, I love the premise behind it. Female singer WWII spy? Count me in. But it seemed to take a very long time for there to be any real sense of danger -or for Saba to really become involved with her spy duties. It was almost like Gregson was trying to find a way to rectify the spy storyline with the romance, and it ended up becoming somewhat disjointed. But once the book finally got into the danger, I was on the edge of the my seat and could not stop flipping pages.

Then, the romance storyline: it went from zero to a thousand miles in hours in (what felt like) a few pages. One minute Saba and Dom have a sweet blossoming romance and the next they have a deep, passionate relationship that's far outside of Saba's naive comfort zone. It felt like this all moved far too quickly and didn't seem natural at all.

Despite these plot and character issues, Gregson is strong writer who creates a vivid landscape of WWII Cairo that feels real. But, bottom line, Jasmine Nights could have been so much better, but the disjointed plot and uneven pacing make it difficult to become fully involved in.(less)

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Mar 07, 2013 MAP rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, wwii

I picked up this book because it explores two things often overlooked about WWII: the war on the North African continent, and the role of British entertainers (especially in their roles as spies and special agents.)

Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment. Most of the book is way too fluffy and romancy feeling for a book set in World War II. Then all of the sudden the book takes a very dark turn, which is more appropriate to the gritty reality of WWII, but is a complete tone shift for this...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Mitch rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't know how I can be disappointed with Jasmine Nights when the book delivers exactly what the summary promises, but I am. There are a couple of good moments, great scenes, but it just feels like book's too long and missing things at the same time, even though when I reread the summary it is an accurate description of what Gregson has written. Maybe my expectations were just too high.

My biggest problem's the lack of magic. I don't know how else to describe it, but between the scenes and sett...more I don't know how I can be disappointed with Jasmine Nights when the book delivers exactly what the summary promises, but I am. There are a couple of good moments, great scenes, but it just feels like book's too long and missing things at the same time, even though when I reread the summary it is an accurate description of what Gregson has written. Maybe my expectations were just too high.

My biggest problem's the lack of magic. I don't know how else to describe it, but between the scenes and settings, the best historical fictions have an almost magical feel to them. I guess from words like exotic, Cairo's bazaars, colors and sounds of the Middle East's most beautiful cities, I had certain expectations, and while Gregson does throw around visits to Cairo's bazaars and scents of jasmine, the only scene I felt had even a spark of magic was the one where Saba's singing at a party in the shadow of the Pyramids. Otherwise, the elaborate descriptions, while well researched, kind of fell flat for me, ended up being pretty boring.

Characterwise, I liked the alternating narration between Dom's and Saba's point of view. Liked how both Dom and Saba are fairly complex characters, Dom dealing with being shot down and survivor's guilt over the death of his fighter buddy Jacko, maybe even PTSD, and Saba dealing with a controlling father who doesn't really approve of her singing. Even the supporting character, Arleta in particular, I thought added a nice bit of interesting flavor to the story. I did though pick up on a couple of contradictions, like Saba's mother telling Dom she receives dozens of letters from other soldiers, and I had a hard time figuring out why no one else made an impression on her or why she'd think so much about Dom in particular, but I guess that's required for the story to work. But I didn't like how the book leaves so many plots unresolved, Dom coming to terms with Jacko's death, a huge part of his character, and he really ended up holding that in. Or Saba's conflict with her father over her joining ENSA, the wartime entertainer's association, that resolution left me entirely unsatisfied.

And the plot really slows down in the second half. The spy story felt like it was almost just tacked on, there was so much slow buildup in the first half and then what Saba actually has to do, eventually goes through, it felt like almost nothing. And Dom being shot down again and supposedly dead, that was just too weird. Can someone even walk out of the desert, even during wartime, like that and get the reaction he got? I don't know, but my gut says no. And unfortunately, even though there was this huge sense of urgency about Rommel's imminent invasion of Egypt, Saba in Istanbul and Dom shot down in the desert basically meant the book skipped over all the fighting. At least Arleta did something crazy or it would’ve been a total wash.

I guess I still like this book, it was pretty good in parts, but it's really not consistent and there's just too many problems overall, particularly towards the end. Three stars.(less)

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Aug 05, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, england

It's the height of WWII, and singer Saba Tarcan longs to break free of the restrictive world in which she lives. Her Turkish father is abroad with the shipping line and her very traditional Welsh mother doesn't want her making a spectacle of herself.

Well, Saba decides to go sing for a burn unit at the hospital, where she meets fighter pilot Dom Benson. This is the beginning of her second serious romance, and one of which her mother fully disapproves.

The disapproval worsens when Saba is offered...more

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May 06, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If I am honest, after reading the first few chapters of this book, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but as the story evolved a bit more, I became absolutely hooked! Then as the suspense started to build I couldn’t put the book down! The story set in the war years is about a singer and a fighter pilot, although it is a tale of romance and love, it is also a story about living life to the full. The adventurous spirit of the characters is evident as knowing that they may not have many days...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

I applied to review this book believing that it would be a wonderful escape to another part of the world and on that score I was not disappointed. I was whisked to a Cairo that was exquisitely described so that I was immersed in the sights and sounds of the place and time. This was the most colourful part of the story for me and the scene was perfectly set.
Saba thrived away from her stifling background although I was left slightly bemused by her upbringing as I didn’t think there was sufficient...more

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May 11, 2012 Tara Chevrestt rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, world-war-2, vine

This had a great start full of humor, drama, fear, guilt, and the introduction of some interesting characters.

Dom is a pilot who crashed and now has his buttock grafted onto his cheek. As morbid as it sounds, that's where the humor comes in, when she kisses him, and he makes a cute and funny comment about where that skin came from. I had high hopes for this book as I laughed with them.

Saba's house is full of drama. Her father is abusive and cruel and against her singing. So when she runs off to...more

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Sep 09, 2012 2sonreader rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lt-early-reviewers

This is the story of Saba Tarcan, the daughter of an English mother and a Turkish father who lives in England. Saba is a talented singer so she volunteers to entertain the troops. Along the way, she meets Dom and the story of their relationship is woven between Saba's experiences with the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). Saba is sent to Egypt where she is also asked to spy for the British Secret Service. This story is beautifully written with wonderful descriptions of the plac...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sent to me to review by newbooks magazine!

Jasmine Nights is, at its heart a love story, set against the backdrop of the Second World War.
Saba Tarcan, half Turkish and raised in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay, goes against her strict father’s wishes and enlists with ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) however, her role in the war effort is not as simple as entertaining the troops, as she is drafted as a spy.
Dom Benson, a pilot for the Desert Air Force meets Saba whilst recovering in hospital...more

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May 30, 2012 Holly P rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

3.5

Saba Tarcan wants nothing more than to see the world and knows her voice is her ticket to doing so even if it draws the ire of her strict Turkish father who thinks his daughter's performing is shameful. Saba follows her heart anyway and in one of her performances for injured soldiers she meets recovering pilot Dom Benson. After their brief encounter, Saba soon joins a troop entertaining soldiers fighting in the exotic climate of North Africa but Dom can't forget her face or voice and resolves...more 3.5

Saba Tarcan wants nothing more than to see the world and knows her voice is her ticket to doing so even if it draws the ire of her strict Turkish father who thinks his daughter's performing is shameful. Saba follows her heart anyway and in one of her performances for injured soldiers she meets recovering pilot Dom Benson. After their brief encounter, Saba soon joins a troop entertaining soldiers fighting in the exotic climate of North Africa but Dom can't forget her face or voice and resolves to do two things: find Saba again and return to the air. Once reunited the two develop a passionate love but their bond is tested as duties, misunderstandings, and tragic circumstances force them apart.

There were parts of this book I really loved-Saba's adventures touring Egypt with her fellow troupe members (especially free spirit Arletta and even whiny Janine), and glimpses of the war being fought in this setting instead of the usual focus on Europe. I also really liked seeing Saba come into her own from a young girl from Wales unsure of herself to a more confident woman willing to take risks both in the war effort and in love. I could feel the chemistry between Dom and Saba and I was hooked reading along as their unlikely romance unfolded. Unfortunately, there were also a few parts that I thought could have been fleshed out more or been written a bit more realistically. Dom and Saba's relationship fluctuates based on a series of misunderstandings and the thing that stands out to me is that many of them could have been resolved if the characters had just talked to each other or made more of an effort to search out the truth instead of letting their insecurities overtake them. Also, I wish there had been more detail concerning Saba's spying. It was never clear to me exactly what information she was supposed to be gathering or why this information was of such importance that the here one minute and gone the next Mr. Cleeve would be willing to put her in such danger. The descriptions of the parties she attends for these efforts were entertaining but it seems to me on a spy mission there would be specifics on what she was searching out instead of a general order to glean whatever information she could. It seemed a bit too broad to me.

Despite it being a bit bumpy here and there I really did enjoy this story. I loved the setting and rooted for Dom and Saba all the way through. I would recommend this if you are a fan World War 2 era historical fiction or love a good romance.(less)

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Jun 08, 2012 Patrice Hoffman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: giveaways

*I recieved this advanced readers copy through goodreads giveaway!

This is the first book I've read by Julia I'm really happy I had the oppurtunity to read this. The story is about a young singer asked to spy during the war efforts of World War II. The setting is very colorful and whimsical while trekking North Africa with Saba Tarcan. And Dom, the soldier she's smitten with is a real class act. It's easy to forget that the world was at war while reading.

There's really not much action in this bo...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Edel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 02, 2013 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: WWII fiction buffs, historical fiction fans

Recommended to Sheila by: Saw it in the library's "new" section

Shelves: 20th-century, wi-library, ww-ii, historical-fiction, fiction, england, reviewed

This is a novel of World War II as experienced by two British young people: Saba Tarcan, a half-Welsh half-Turkish singer recruited to sing for the troops, and Dominic Benson, an English RAF pilot. The two meet when Saba sings for a hospital burn ward in which Dom is recovering; the story continues when Saba defies her father to accept an invitation to audition for ENSA in London and Dom and Saba meet again. As Saba is sent to Cairo to begin her performance tour through the desert, Dom arranges...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Erin Cataldi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, library-journal-reviews

Gregson, Julia. Jasmine Nights. 13 CDs. unabridged 14 hours. Clipper Audio. ISBN 9781471200441.

Set amid the chaos of the second World War, young Saba Tarcan, an amazingly talented singer performing for the troops in Africa, embarks upon a journey of newfound freedom, first love, and Middle Eastern adventure. She falls for charming RAF pilot, Dom, and together they learn the ups and downs of war, seperation, and anxiety. Saba soon realizes that entertaining the troops and her lover won't be her o...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Jaclyn rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, armchair-travel, spies, world-war-two, did-not-finish

I really wanted to like this one, the premise sounded great - a young girl recruited to spy in Egypt with a love story thrown in! I thought I would be guaranteed to like it, but I didn't end up finishing it. It was one of the books that is put downable. The pacing was incredibly slow, I got to the halfway point and Saba was just starting to get into the spying and falling in love with the pilot, Dom (who goes to extreme lengths to track her down, I might add). I put the book down to read somethi...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Christine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book because of two things: the setting is the Middle East during World War II, and the protagonist is a young woman who is a singer. Saba, the main character, joins an entertainment troupe during the war to travel and put on shows for troops overseas. She loves singing, and the way that the author describes her feelings and emotions while singing, truly reflects those of someone who shares that passion. They are usually indescribable, but Gregson does a nice job of explaining tho...more

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May 31, 2012 Lauren Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance

Jasmine Nights is a love story that spans Europe, the Middle East and North Africa during World War II.

Saba’s captivating presence in a burns hospital strikes at Dom’s core. He is a RAF pilot recovering from an accident and when he hears Saba’s tunes, it is the first time he felt he had something to look forward to. He writes to her once he has recovered and is surprised when she responds.

Saba is estranged from her family when she accepts a position with ENSA and follows her dream of singing on...more Jasmine Nights is a love story that spans Europe, the Middle East and North Africa during World War II.

Saba’s captivating presence in a burns hospital strikes at Dom’s core. He is a RAF pilot recovering from an accident and when he hears Saba’s tunes, it is the first time he felt he had something to look forward to. He writes to her once he has recovered and is surprised when she responds.

Saba is estranged from her family when she accepts a position with ENSA and follows her dream of singing on stage and entertaining the troops. She chickens out on her deal to meet with Dom following her audition, but he tracks her down anyway and takes her out to dinner. There’s an instant attraction, she is taken by his intelligence and he is captivated by her exuberance and youthfulness. They both share a passion, her for singing and he for flying. It is this passion that brings them together and ultimately keeps them apart.

When their first date ends poorly, Dom is not disheartened. He continues to try and find her, his heart beginning to open again after so many months of despair. Although Saba tries to deny her attraction to him, she finds herself wondering about him as she is whisked across the globe to sing.

While Saba learns of the reality of the entertainment business and becomes caught up in secret agent operations abroad, Dom returns to flying and the thrill of this keeps him occupied.

I enjoyed Saba and Dom’s individual adventures as much as I enjoyed them being together and I think this was a deliberate attempt to solidify them as two individuals with very different paths who are trying to find a way for them to merge. There’s clearly chemistry, sexual tension and a meeting of minds. Their passion is executed via an intense affair at the height of their attachment and in fiery tempers and disputes when their insecurities surface. There are also plenty of misunderstandings and I was emotionally moved by Dom’s longing and heartbreak when Saba suddenly disappears and Saba’s naivety and fear in the underworld she has become caught up in.

Jasmine Nights has a slow but steady start, but once I was at the half-way point I became completely absorbed in this world and desperately wanted Saba and Dom to find each other and resolve their issues.

I really enjoyed this love story set in an era when the world was ending and where love may be the only thing that drives them to survive. Historical fiction with romantic elements, suspense and intrigue amidst a backdrop of exotic and dangerous locations- what more could you want?
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Oct 07, 2012 Vera Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Julia Gregson specializes in chick-hist-lit. I invented that to mean historical novels featuring adventurous and strong-willed female characters in romantic situations in exotic locations. And she bases their adventures on true stories. In 2009, I reviewed her best seller, East of the Sun and so I was happy to take a look at her new Jasmine Nights.

In a nutshell, the heroine Saba Tarcan, whose father is a strict old-fashioned man from Turkey, leaves her native Wales to follow her dream of singin...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a wartime love story with a twist. Saba Tarcan is a half-Turkish girl who lives in Tiger Bay with her overbearing father Remzi, a merchant sailor, her mother Joyce who is oppressed, Lou, her little sister who has been evacuated, and Tansu her Turkish grandmother. Saba feels the need to get away and do something with her life and is offered the chance to join ENSA which her father promptly bans her from doing as this would disgrace him in the eyes of the Turkish commmunity. Saba ignores t...more This is a wartime love story with a twist. Saba Tarcan is a half-Turkish girl who lives in Tiger Bay with her overbearing father Remzi, a merchant sailor, her mother Joyce who is oppressed, Lou, her little sister who has been evacuated, and Tansu her Turkish grandmother. Saba feels the need to get away and do something with her life and is offered the chance to join ENSA which her father promptly bans her from doing as this would disgrace him in the eyes of the Turkish commmunity. Saba ignores this edict, runs away to audition anyway and is accepted. She ends up being sent to Africa, to sing for the troops massing there to defeat Rommel. She has twice encountered Dom, her love interest but whom she is forced to treat carelessly. Not deterred by this, he manages to track her down in the desert. In the meantime, Saba encounters the mysterious Mr Cleeve, the even more mysterious and rich Ozan and the sleazy Severin. Despite being separated from Arleta by virtue of her various talents being (mis)used by Cleeve, at first her rival and then her friend, Arleta springs to Saba's side when she needs help after a party goes terribly wrong. Dom is also driven to despair by Saba's seemingly casual attitude towards him and finds it hard to reconcile Saba loving him with her need to perform as a singer. Dom is also struggling to overcome his own fears and the ghosts of his lost friends as he is a pilot who had been shot down once but then insisted on returning to duty only to see Saba's face wherever he goes. You can see a real battle within Saba to fulfil the various facets of her personality as she struggles to make sense of the peculiar world she now finds herself in, travelling around a war-torn country in rattletrap transport, shows put together on a shoe-string and the competing demands of Cleeve and Dom for her attention. I particularly enjoyed the ending as it would have been so easy for the author to have written something more saccharine but no. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I do hope that she doesn't create a sequel to show 'what happens next' as it's more than capable of being a stand-alone novel.(less)

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Apr 12, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another great book by this author! Another unique and well-written perspective of regular people and how their lives were altered by war. This story, set during WWII, focuses on some of the singers and other performers, working for the British Army, visiting soldiers, singing and working to cheer and rally them during the long years of the war. But nothing was as it seemed and spies and infiltrators were everywhere, especially when the focus of the war shifted to areas like Egypt and Istanbul. G...more

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About Julia Gregson

I have always wanted to be a writer, but left school very young (16) after a fairly hit and miss education, longing to travel and have adventures. I worked as a jillaroo in the Australian outback, a girl groom, a shearer’s cook, and later, back in England, as a house model for Hardy Amies in London.

In the seventies, back in Australia again, love of horses led to riding out with Mick Jagger on the...more

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Of Love & Life: East of the Sun / The Sugar Queen / A Season of Leaves

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