Short Book Review-Married At Midnight

Married At Midnight
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Jo Beverly
Tanya Anne Crosby
Samantha James
Anthology
Paperback
Avon Romance
Published September 1996
400 Pages
Georgian Historical Romance

FOUR BRIDES, FOUR BEGINNINGS. . .FOUR STORIES OF ROMANCE FROM THE INCOMPARABLE KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS, and JO BEVERLEY, TANYA ANNE CROSBY, and SAMANTHA JAMES — MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by — KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS — The wedding of Jeff Birmingham of THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and his new bride Raelynn inflames the jealous ire of a determined rival. . . — MARR... more »IED AT MIDNIGHT by

JO BEVERLEY

A women abandoned on the battlefield discovers that dreams can cone true when an honorable commanding officer gallantly offers his name. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by

TANYA ANNE CROSBY

A rebellious heiress who must wed by the stroke of midnight learns that a twist of fate has fulfilled her heart_s deepest desire. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by

SAMANTHA JAMES

A young woman_s reckless scheme to defy her father_s ultimatum leads to a hasty union and unexpected passion. . .

Celebrate the glorious, magical moment of new beginnings with for uncertain couples joined by a passionate promise--and surprised by unforeseen love.FOUR BRIDES, FOUR BEGINNINGS. . .FOUR STORIES OF ROMANCE FROM THE INCOMPARABLE KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS, and JO BEVERLEY, TANYA ANNE CROSBY, and SAMANTHA JAMES

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by

KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS

The wedding of Jeff Birmingham of THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and his new bride Raelynn inflames the jealous ire of a determined rival. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by

JO BEVERLEY

A women abandoned on the battlefield discovers that dreams can cone true when an honorable commanding officer gallantly offers his name. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by

TANYA ANNE CROSBY

A rebellious heiress who must wed by the stroke of midnight learns that a twist of fate has fulfilled her heart�s deepest desire. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by

SAMANTHA JAMES

A young woman�s reckless scheme to defy her father�s ultimatum leads to a hasty union and unexpected passion. . .

Celebrate the glorious, magical moment of new beginnings with for uncertain couples joined by a passionate promise--and surprised by unforeseen love.

My Review
Married At Midnight is four short stories written by four amazingly talented authors. Each story was very unique and even though very short, were all very entertaining and witty. The Four stories were 1. Determined Bride-Jo Beverly 2. A Kiss After Midnight -Tanya Anne Crosby 3. Scandal's Bride-Samantha James 4. Beyond The Kiss-Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. All of each story were beautifully written and carried on the theme of getting married quick, and the falling in love came after they get hitched, which a bit refreshing. Even though they were all too short for my taste, and I felt like there were some things missing as far as plot and characterization....that's the way it usually goes though with anthology, you always feel as though there is something missing....its why I don't read them too often. This time I felt like I hadn't read one in a while and its always good to shake things up a bit. Overall one of the best anthology's I have ever read, especially when these stories were written by some of my favorite authors!!! A Wonderful compilation of four love stories that will leave you thirsting for more!!! Very Entertaining and Fun!!! 

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms 
 

Book Review-Petals On The River

Petals On The River
 Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
Avon Romance
Paperback
Published Sep 1998
540 Pages
Colonial Historical Romance

Synopsis
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 glorious romantic new work from the incomparable storyteller KATHLEEN E. WOODWISS

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.

My Review
Summary 
When Shemaine O Hearn finds herself engaged, and falling in love with a wonderful man she thinks nothing could go wrong, everything is going right, but she has one person that doesn't approve of the match, his grandmother. So before Shemaine knows it, she has been falsely accused of thievery and is sent to America and sold into servitude for seven years. The ride on the ship was hard enough and she doesn't know what is in her future. Then she is surprised when she is sold to a Gage Thornton, who is a shipbuilder and in need of someone to care for his son and to cool and clean....Shemaine figures it couldn't get any worse now. Shemaine is surprised by how well Gage treats her, with courtesy and respect and kindness something no one has treated her since she was taken. So even though Shemaine misses her old life, she is prepared to start a new life with Gage and his son, and in Gage's arms finds "Home".

The Hero (Gage Thornton)
Gage, recently lost his wife and is alone in raising his son. Trying to build a ship, and working at his woodshop, doesn't have time to be with his son all of the time. So he decides he is in need of someone to take care of his home and his son during the day, and when he see's Shemaine on the docks, he has found his answer. Only he was never prepared for her sweet nature and innocence, or for the tender feelings he starts to have for her....and decides he wants her for all time...

The Heroine (Shemaine O'Hearn)
 Shemaine, grew up in a loving home and there learned everything she needed when she would have to take care of a household however none of what she was taught was how to deal with being captured and sold into servitude. But when she is sold to Gage Thornton, she knew her life would never be the same. Gage treats her with such gentleness and care, she is overcome and before she realizes it she starts to fall in love with him....

My Thoughts 
Petals On The River would have to be one of my all time favorite books from this author...one that I have probably read over and over....but its been a while since I have read it, and when I saw it in the library I just wanted to read this old favorite of mine. Petals On The River is such a sweet and charming story, and both Gage and Shemaine are such endearing characters you can't help but love them. Also one thing that I love about this story is how there is much more to this story than a mere love story, it has some difficult conflicts that both Shemaine and Gage have to go through, and there some suspenseful scenes that kept the story going...and I just loved the blossoming romance that developed between these two. And I just thought Gage's little boy Andrew was just charming and adorable.....Overall a loveable story filled with a charming characters, a exciting plot, and a love story that will make you cry, written by a Legend......A Sensational Romance!!!! 

My Grade On This Book 
5 Blossoms

 
 

Book Review-The Flame and the Flower

The Flame And The Flower
Birmingham Series
Kathleen E Woodiwiss
Avon
484 Pages
Published April 1972
Nautical/Regency
ISBN: 978-0-380-0052503

Synopsis:
Fearing for her innocence, doomed to a life of unedning toil, Heather Simmons commits a shocking and desperate act. Now she must flee--and seek refuge in the arms of a virile and dangerous stranger. 

Captain Brandon Birmingham is a lusty adventurer married to the sea. Though courting scorn and peril through his actions, he abducts this beautiful fugitive from the tumultuous London Dockside. For it is destiny that has brought Heather to Brandon's side, and no power on Earth will force him to relinquish  his exquisite prize. Only she can unlock the tenderness in his heart, and Brandon vows she will be his--to love, to cherish, to desire and to carry off to uncharted realms of sensuous passion.

MY REVIEW:

Summary:
Heather Simmons once lived in London with her father, wearing nice clothes and always have plenty food to eat. But her father was deep in his grief for his late Irish wife, Heather's mother. Now two years later, after losing him and being forced to come to live with her aunt and uncle, she now is their servant. All her belongings sold, except for one nice dress she isn't allowed to wear unless her aunt deems it necessary. An aunt who has no friends and is very bitter and a shrew of a woman. But then circumstances change, and she heads to London with her aunt and her brother, whom tries to force himself on her, and so she defends herself, thinking that she has killed him, flees from the scene, and finds herself taken onto Captain Brandon Birmingham's ship.

The Hero
Brandon Birmingham was raised in America, both of his parents gone, has lived a adventurous life, and ever since a lad has had a love for the sea. But he also has a love for the land, and for the plantation that his parent left for him. Now Brandon is engaged to be married to a woman from his home, and knows that this voyage to England is his last one before he settles down. While in harbor in London, a woman is brought to him for his pleasure, one who arouses his curiosity, she is what he least expected to find in a lone woman found on the docks. a beautiful woman who then escapes him. Brandon is stunned by her beauty, and wants her for himself so he goes searching for her himself. Now together, Heather unsettles him in a way no woman has done, and knows he could never live without her.



The Heroine:
Heather Simmons, lost both of her parents, and now is left to be a servant for her uncle and aunt. Having missed her old life with nice clothes and not having to work, now wears rags for clothing, and has to slave for her shrewish aunt. But then the unthinkable happens, and a series of events occur whereby she meets the handsome Captain Brandon Birmingham, who shows her the sensual pleasures of the bedchamber.  But through a chain of events she ends up married to him, and wonders what her life will be like, who is both a hard and gentle man, will there ever be love in their marriage...


My Thoughts:
The Flame and the Flower is the first in the first in the Birmingham series. I think it was back in High School since I have read this one, so it was wonderful to read such a story such as this once again. There were many things that I had forgotten about it, and bit and pieces that left me surprised and delighted at the same time. This is a story of two people that seem complete opposite from the very beginning, however throughout the story we see how love can heal and build a trust. I truly loved both of these characters, however what I didn;t like was Brandon's character at the beginning of the book. But his edges got smoothed out throughout the rest of the book, so it was wonderful to see a change in this character. I found The Flame and the Flower to be a Sensational Romance which swept me off of my feet from beginning to end!!

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms


Other Books In The Series
The Elusive Flame
A Season Beyond A Kiss