So! Um, first review ever in goodreads and I don't think there can be a better book than this one to review since I liked it so damned much! I have had my share of bodice rippers and most of them have either left me utterly annoyed or laughing, but this one (I won't say it's flawless)still is better. 1st of all, one likes books where people are made of substance. I love how the author really did not get into describing heroine's wonderful godly hair, she does it in a very matter-of-fact way and that way, it is easy to digest! The heroine is awesome, a little psychologically twisted, a little nymphomania maybe. But she is awesome, I have a weakness for Titian-haired so I might oversee her faults but then again, I couldn't really find much! She is not an idiot, knows what she has to do and does it. Has quick brains and a great heart. And, she is no Goddess who fights with swords! She misses her rifle targets, gets irritated when people cut into her words or don't listen to her but she is still a strong woman. And she is saucy and witty, who ever hated those characteristics?2nd of all, the plot- a little dragged, a little huge but well-defined. It's more of an adventure I suppose! 3rd, the people in it- (view spoiler)[ Derek Hawke- the silent planter who bought her. Loved him due to his black hair, loved him more afterwards due to his I don't know, maybe the thing Marietta loved him for! They make quite a couple, a great one but weird, and they go on loving each other till the end. Some of their scenes together are so funny! And they have got real romance in their story, touching romance. Not the kind one reads after the hero has saved the heroine from her plight! Jeff Rawlins, a wonderful guy, better than Derek! Loved Marietta so much and even faced a duel for it and ultimately died but he never had Marietta love him. As a bedmate he sure had her but Marietta herself confessed she could never love Jeff as she loved Derek (the idiot, hot-tempered guy who sold her off but loved her too!) and she looked at Jeff as a son or a friend. Twisted? There's more to come. Helmut Schnieder, gets introduced as not one of much importance but damn, ends up marrying our heroine because she needs the money and he needs a wife. For pleasure? Think again! He is soo twisted, that he even beats Marietta at it! And a perfect villain, but all good prevails. (hide spoiler)]
I have to say I did not love this book. Yes, it was full of angst (something I normally do love) but it was one thing after another. I did not get Marietta and Derek. He was the biggest (insert foul name here) I have ever read about. Marietta was likeable just for the fact for MOST of the book she wasn't a simpering idiot making bad decisions. !Spoilerish Talk! Blackmailing her employer in the beginning and going back to Derek off and on, not withstanding. The book was VERY descriptive. We had to read about every dress and every hairstyle Marietta wore and all about the landscapes travelled and on and on. I did skim over alot of it. Overall, I mildy enjoyed it and glad I read it just because it is one of the ultimate bodice-rippers.
What do You think about Love's Tender Fury (1976)?
All you adults can take your Fifty Shades of Grey and shove it! If I'm going to read smut, it has to be historical smut, like the stuff I was reading when I was in junior high! I'm on vacation this week and the resort office has an excellent selection of reading material--Nora Roberts, Clive Cussler, John Rutherford, and classic 70s romance like the one I selected. Marietta is just a good girl trying to make it in the world as a governess. When she is framed by the Lord of the House because she
—Sarah
A box of books was given to me and this one was among them. I was hesitant to read it because it was so old (copyright 1974 I believe) but the preview on the back had me curious so I gave it a whirl and ended up LOVING it. It's not one of those hot and steamy or even sexually graphic (considering it contained rape) but the storyline made up for the lack of passion that wasn't conveyed. The storyline drew me in, it was intense, dramatic, suspensful, and full of drama. Very captivating. I also enjoyed the story being written in first person. It made it all seem more personal as you were reading....So as not to spoil anything for those intending to give this book I try I won't give my opinion on any characters or circumstances. All I will say however is in a way it drove me crazy that she never once ended up pregnant after all those years of unprotected sex (or at least I assumed was unprotected as no forms of preventative measures were ever mentioned). I really expected her too, kept waiting but no she never did. I really think that could have put a whole new and interesting twist on a few parts in that book.
—Alicia
That's very true. The sequel was my fav. Some thought it too brutal. It was but I was turning every page, and the ending had me bawling in a GWTW sort of way.
—Hollyann Dodd
