|
"Wanted urgently, girl or woman to supervise children's correspondence lessons on remote back-country run. This position,
to compensate for isolation from social contacts, carries with it a high salary. Governess would live in as member of family.
Homestead possesses its own ski-grounds, golf-course, tennis courts, skating rink, swimming-pool and movies. Apply by phone,
immediately, to Madame Beaudonais, Dragonshill, Lake Tekapo, South Canterbury."
Moon Over The Alps was first published in 1960 by Mills and
Boon. The first North American publishing was in 1964 by Harlequin. Set in The Southern Alps at the tip of Lake Tekapo, in
South Canterbury; on the Dragonshill back-country sheep run; it is the story of Penny Smith and Charles Beaudonais-Smith.
This is the setting for some of Essie's most popular books, and is based on the high-country sheep station called Lilybank,
owned by her friends Allan and Betty Dick. Essie and her family had visited there and loved it and she wanted to set a novel
in that beautiful and remote area.
Cast Of Characters:
Penelope ( Penny ) Smith, governess
at Dragonshill
Charles ( Carl ) Beaudonais-Smith, part-owner of the Dragonshill Estate
David and Iris Smith, Penny's
brother and sister-in-law
Gwillym Richards, part-owner of Twin Peaks, Dragonshill's nearest neighbour
Arene ( Alan
) Hipatea, a shepherd at Dragonshill
Madame Charlotte Beaudonais, Charles' grandmother
Pierre, Judy, Brigid and Noel
Beaudonais-Smith, Charles' nieces and nephews
Walter, a shepherd at Dragonshill
Mrs. Llewellyn, a family friend from
Lake Tekapo
Verona Cleddislaw, Mrs. Llewellyn's niece
Hugh and Muriel Grimstead, Penny's former employer and his wife
Mr. Dreaverhill, Minister Of The Crown
Dennis Jessingford, Penny's former fiancee
Dr. Hector Middleton
Mrs. Orrman, an irritating guest at the lodge
Erinapeti, or Betty,an employee at the guest-house
Henare, or Henry, the mail-boat man
Mr. Swinton, Duncan and young Donald, the proprieter and his sons. Young Donald certainly had an
effect on Charles' and Penny's romance!
Other Important Characters:
Hilary Beaudonais Smith, Charles' sister-in-law
Francis Beaudonais-Smith, Charles' brother
Tilly, the Beaudonais-Smith family's devoted former governess
Quotes or sayings:
Penny Plain
Tide meant to be taken at the flood
Penny and Charles also make appearances in "Return
To Dragonshill" and "Summer In December", also set in the Southern Alps. There is also a reference to them in "Winter In July".
They have two children, Gregory and Charlotte.
Penny Smith slender, with
a slim waist
a figure that can't be faulted
amber-brown eyes
smooth brown hair
Charles Beaudonais Smith
tanned
craggy bulk
keen blue eyes that turn grey with anger and twinkle in laughter
broad and fair
square-cut mouth
impatient with shilly-shallying
stands no nonsense
an attractive and dependable air
a pipe and cigarette smoker
|
