Petals on the River
by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
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Book Summary Information
Author: Kathleen E. WoodiwissEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-09-28
ISBN: 038079828X
Number of pages: 560
Publisher: Avon
Book Reviews of Petals on the River
Book Review: A Sweet Story but not up to Her Best Romances
Summary: 3 Stars
Kathleen Woodiwiss wrote some of the finest historical romances in the genre beginning in 1972 with her first, the Flame and the Flower, that sold over 2.5 million copies, but there was a period from 1984-2002 when what she wrote fell short of her own standard of excellence. Oh the writing is still good but sometimes the stories dragged a bit and the plot was not as exciting or as intriguing as the rest. I've listed her novels below with an "*" behind those I think are her best (and you can see my separate reviews of them).
Petals on the River falls into the "dark" period. It is an American Colonial romance that takes place in mid 18th century Virginia. It's the story of beautiful Irish lass, Shemaine O'Hearn, who was born to loving wealthy parents in England and who was betrothed to the Marquess Maurice du Mercer. Though Maurice loved Shemaine and was committed to being her husband, Maurice's grandmother did not want the Irish twit in their family genepool so she plotted to have the girl falsely arrested and thrown into Newgate prison without her family's knowledge. Faced with a choice of being a bond servant in the colonies or possible rape in prison, Shemaine sets sail for Virginia with other prisoners. Once there she is "bought" by a widower, Gage Thornton, a prosperous cabinetmaker and hopeful shipbuilder who has need of a nursemaid for his young son, one who can teach the lad to read and write. He instantly sees that Shemaine is no ordinary prisoner. Soon Gage and Shemaine find they are attracted to each other and Shemaine, believing her betrothed has likely moved on and knowing she faces 7 years of servant hood, agrees to wed Gage when he asks her. And they soon fall in love. But there are those who would see her dead, either out of jealousy or because they are in league with Maurice's grandmother who still seeks the girl's end. Several attempts are made on her life. Then one day her past catches up with her and folks start arriving from England. That's basically the set up for the story.
It's a sweet romance and there are no dramatic twists and turns though there are a few altercations and narrow escapes. I thought Gage was a man of character and a droolworthy hero. Shemaine was a bit too sweet and without apparent faults. Unlike some reviewers, I did not think the characters two dimensional. As usual, Woodiwiss paints a vivid picture of the world she has created. It is a very realistic portrait of life in the colonies at the time and I found it believable. I just did not find the story compelling enough for more than 3 stars.
Here's the list of her novels so you can see where this one fits in. I've divided them into the Birmingham saga trilogy (omitting related short stories) and then in the single novels, I've drawn a line when I think the work went from 5 to 3 stars. Though I know some would disagree with me, I gave 4 and 1/2 stars to "Everlasting" as I really enjoyed it. Again, those with an "*" are her best.
Birmingham Family Saga Series
1. The Flame and the Flower, 1972*
2. A Season Beyond a Kiss, 2000
3. The Elusive Flame, 1998
Single Novels
' Wolf and the Dove, 1974*
' Shanna, 1977*
' Ashes in the Wind, 1979*
' A Rose in Winter, 1981*
' Come Love a Stranger, 1984
' So Worthy My Love, 1989
' Forever in Your Embrace, 1992
' Petals on the River, 1997
' The Reluctant Suitor, 2002
' Everlasting, 2007*
Summary of Petals on the River
A proud and spirited woman whose life was stolen from her. . .A man of secrets accused of a terrible crime. . .In a place of new beginnings their destinies are joined?in a gloriously romantic new work from the incomparable storyteller.
The fiery and outspoken adopted daughter of one of England's most formidable a women, Shemaine O'Hearn has made powerful enemies. And now her adversaries have found a way to remove the hot-blooded beauty from her life of privilege: by falsely convicting Shemaine of thievery and sending her in shackles to America, where she is to be sold in indentured servitude to the highest bidder.
In a bustling port city in the colony of Virginia, she becomes the servant of Gage Thornton?a shipbuilder with a young child in need of a nanny. And despite whispered rumors condemning the handsome widower for the untimely death of his wife, Shemaine cannot ignore her desire for this caring, generous and enigmatic stranger who silently aches with his growing need for her?even as grave peril reaches out from across a vast ocean to threaten their flowering love. The fiery and outspoken adopted daughter of one of England's most formidable women, Shemaine O'Hearn has made powerful enemies. And now her adversaries have found a way to remove the hot-blooded beauty from her life of privilege: by falsely convicting Shemaine of thievery and sending her in shackles to America, where she is to be sold in indentured servitude to the highest bidder.
In a bustling port city in the colony of Virginia, she becomes the servant of Gage Thornton-a shipbuilder with a young child in need of a nanny. And despite whispered rumors condemning the handsome widower for the untimely death of his wife, Shemaine cannot ignore her desire for this caring, generous and enigmatic stranger who silently aches with his growing need for her-even as grave peril reaches out from across a vast ocean to threaten their flowering love.
Falsely convicted of being a thief, lovely high-born Shemaine O'Hearn arrives in colonial Virginia from London on a convict ship and is sold as an indentured servant to Gage Thornton, a local shipbuilder in need of a nanny for his young son. Shemaine is relieved to have such a handsome and generous master and eagerly undertakes unfamiliar domestic tasks in Gage's rustic cabin on the edge of the American wilderness. Even persistent rumors that Gage was responsible for his wife's violent and untimely death don't trouble her for long. But as Shemaine and Gage struggle to deal honorably with their growing desire in such close quarters, they're beset by enemies, both nearby and from afar, who are determined to rob them of their newfound happiness. Woodiwiss's lush, leisurely writing and heartwarming story will fully satisfy many of her loyal fans. --Ellen Edwards
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