Shanna 
asked by maxmill on November 26, 2006 8:26 PM
Behind the foreboding walls of Newgate Prison, a pact is sealed in secret—as a dashing and doomed criminal consents to wed a beautiful heiress . . . in return for one night of unparalleled pleasure.
In the fading echoes of hollow wedding vows, a promise is broken—as a sensuous free-spirit flees to a lush Caribbean paradise, abandoning the handsome stranger she married to the gallows. But Ruark Beauchamp's destiny is now eternally intertwined with his exquisite, tempestuous Shanna's. And no iron ever forged can imprison his magnificent passion . . . and no hangman's noose will deny him the ecstasy that is rightfully his.
Reviews
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This is One of the best I've read in along time! Characterization was great. Storyline was fantastic. A real page turner. I don't know what else I can say about it. If you miss this one you've missed a great adventure!
reviewed by radar on November 28, 2006 4:17 AM
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"Family Circle's" review of this novel, certainly hits the mark...it definitely is "Lush, Sensual and Romantic."
I originally read this book in 1977. A somewhat housebound mother of two children under the age of two-and-a-half, I picked up this book because I'd enjoyed others by Kathleen Woodiwiss.
And...am I ever happy I did. Since that Spring of 1977, I've read this novel numerous times...more than I'd like to admit! Call me crazy...but it just seemed to be so much better written than any other novels I read over the years.
Now...almost 30 years later...I just read it again. This time, I had to buy it online, used. I was delighted, when I opened the package...it was the original cover I remember from all those years ago.
Okay, I know what many of you are thinking...brutal, abusive, submissive, rape...all these words can be used, when discussing this book. But...it was written early in the women's movement...and about a time when women were objects, chattel, and treasured only as bearers of dynasties.
To be honest...this story could have been told just as well with much fewer than 666 pages, and Shanna's refusal to face the fact that she loves Ruark is a bit long in coming. But, in the end love conquers all. And...in this day and age, with today's problems...don't we all wish, every once in a while, that life were so simple?
I originally read this book in 1977. A somewhat housebound mother of two children under the age of two-and-a-half, I picked up this book because I'd enjoyed others by Kathleen Woodiwiss.
And...am I ever happy I did. Since that Spring of 1977, I've read this novel numerous times...more than I'd like to admit! Call me crazy...but it just seemed to be so much better written than any other novels I read over the years.
Now...almost 30 years later...I just read it again. This time, I had to buy it online, used. I was delighted, when I opened the package...it was the original cover I remember from all those years ago.
Okay, I know what many of you are thinking...brutal, abusive, submissive, rape...all these words can be used, when discussing this book. But...it was written early in the women's movement...and about a time when women were objects, chattel, and treasured only as bearers of dynasties.
To be honest...this story could have been told just as well with much fewer than 666 pages, and Shanna's refusal to face the fact that she loves Ruark is a bit long in coming. But, in the end love conquers all. And...in this day and age, with today's problems...don't we all wish, every once in a while, that life were so simple?
reviewed by hooked on November 29, 2006 3:25 PM
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I have read this book at least 20 times over a 20 year period, and everytime I read it, I fall in love w/ it . Ruark and Shanna are a timeless pair, they almost seem like old friends.
reviewed by crafty1 on November 29, 2006 3:44 PM
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This is the best book I have ever read. It is a book to treasure and read over and over and over again. I have bought it 4 times, because each time I have loaned it out, I have never gotten it back. Kathleen Woodiwiss puts you there with her descriptions and you become part of the story. Enchantingly beautiful story.
reviewed by shagdag on November 29, 2006 4:30 PM