Petals on the River: Amazon.ca: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Laural Merlington: Books

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Product Description

From Amazon.com

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 --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

Laural Merlington does a terrific job of characterization in this classic Woodiwiss romance. Although over the past 20 years the romance genre has matured along with changing mores, Woodiwiss has not altered her style. Her prose remains lush and flowery; her characters are extremes: good/evil, beautiful/ugly, wealthy/poor. Her heroines are unrealistic even within the romance-as-fantasy concept. Shemaine O'Hearn hasn't bathed in three months, has spent the prior four days in a dark, rat-infested closet, and yet every man within sight lusts after her to the point of desperation. Women are vindictive toward her because she's beautiful. Merlington uses Irish and English accents to capture the characters' spirits with cadence and lilts, and she is able to move from demure to fiery, vulgar to innocent with barely a breath. Unfortunately, even her expert ministrations can't overcome the overall tedium of the story. Not recommended except where Woodiwiss has a very strong following.?Jodi L. Israel, Norwood, Mass.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

38 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

Average Customer Review

3.1 out of 5 stars (38 customer reviews)

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1.0 out of 5 stars zzzzzzzzzzzzzz, Jun 24 2006

By	Book Worm (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Petals On The River Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

If you're looking for a novel that will put you to sleep, look no further. I was tremendously disappointed with this book. I've heard that Kathleen Woodiwiss is supposed to be the "queen of romance" so I thought I would give her a try....big mistake. I had a hard time getting through this book, and I will never try to read any of her others. The biggest problem with this book is that I lacked feeling anything at all for the two main characters. When I read a romance novel I want the characters to touch my heart. I want to cheer them on, and laugh with them and cry with them. Shemaine and Gage certainly seem to love each other, but the book doesn't seem to really be *about* their love. Yes they fall in love, but it just deals with them dealing with other outside circumstances together...the book is not about the difficulty of finding their way into each other's heart.

Now, if you want a REAL romance I recommend anything written by Judith McNaught. There is no author who can compare to McNaught's wit and charm. If you're a historical romance fan, I recommend Almost Heaven, as that is my favourite of McNaught's historicals. Her characters will make you laugh and cry and stay up until the early hours of the morning reading. That is what a romance novel is SUPPOSED to do to you. Unfortunately Kathleen Woodiwiss just doesn't come up to par. Woodiwiss is clearly a well-educated author. She is great with words, but it takes more than that to develop a true sense of wit and charm, and unfortunately this book is found lacking in both.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Never a dull moment...but isn't that how it is with KW books, Sep 11 2003

By	janlouise (Ruston, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Petals On The River Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

I some how missed this one when I was reading KW books years ago and was in the mood for a REAL romance. I wasn't disappointed. Yes, you can tell this was written years ago. But it is still a good one. Shemaine O'Hearn has been falsely accused of thief, put in prison, and sent by ship to the colonies to remove her from her prestigious fiance's life (inwhich his family didn't think she was good enough). She is sold as an indentured servant to the highest bidder - Gage Thornton, widow and local ship builder who needs a nanny for his toddler son. Rumors have it that Gage killed his wife by pushing her off his ship during a fit of rage due to an angry temper. But Shemaine can't imagine such after seeing him handle his son with love and her with respect and kindness. Desires begin to grow between Shemaine and Gage but they work at dealing with them honorably while a few in the community try to stir rumors up about their living conditions and her past. There is one in particularly that just knew Gage would turn to her to replace his deceased wife. Jealously strikes out between her and Shemaine. Then Shemaine's family show up from Scotland in search for her, along with her English fiance - but it is too late. Shemaine and Gage couldn't ignore feelings any longer and got married. Tempers flair and - by the way - just how did Gage's first wife really die? It was true Woodiwiss style of writing with romance and suspence (that, yes, you could probably guess at but was still good). I enjoyed it and felt the love between Shemaine and Gage. Yes, I recommend it!

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5.0 out of 5 stars I gave this five stars because I love Woodiwiss' novels, April 30 2003

By	Kristal Gorman (Buffalo, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Petals On The River Mm (Mass Market Paperback)

I will admit that it was a little slow at times, but, a very good read, and I will more than likely read it again. I have read every Kathleen novel I can get my hands on and love her characters. Shemaine and Gage had awesome chemistry, and I loved their interaction with Andy. For the person who said that Shemaine was convictted of murder, did you not read the book? She was convicted of theivery!!! And for the person who found Gage an irresponsible parent, since when is it irresponsible to hire someone to watch your kid while you work. Lets get a grip!! All in all, I would read this again in a heartbeat. It is a keeper.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
This is definetly not one of her best, but I think it captures Kathleen's feel quite well. Her books are breathtaking, riveting, and fanciful, not excluding "Petals on the River"... Read more

Published on April 4 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best!!
KEW, without a doubt, has done it again! Because of her articulate descriptions of the characters, surroundings, and events, you are nearly there! Read more

Published on Jul 30 2002 by Mary L. Hoopes

5.0 out of 5 stars Great
This book was another one of my favourites from KEW. I have read allmost all of her books except for Shanna, Come Love a Stranger and Forever in Your Embrace. Read more

Published on Feb 10 2002 by Veronica Proulx

3.0 out of 5 stars OK but not one of her best
I have read this book and found it a little hard to swallow. It was okay but KEW has written much better, Flame & the Flower, Shanna etc. Read more

Published on Aug 7 2001 by Helen