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White Witch
His hatred was as strong as her love
Laurel wanted to keep her nephew, Peter, after the death of her sister and her sister's husband, Pedro de las Aguilas. For Peter's sake, however, she felt compelled to take him to his father's family in Spain.
The family's hostility over Pedro's marriage was understandable. Unexpected was the bitter enmity that the arrogant Luis de l as Aguilas directed at Laurel personally.
It was inevitable that their passions would flare out of control.
Laurel wanted to keep her nephew, Peter, after the death of her sister and her sister's husband, Pedro de las Aguilas. For Peter's sake, however, she felt compelled to take him to his father's family in Spain.
The family's hostility over Pedro's marriage was understandable. Unexpected was the bitter enmity that the arrogant Luis de l as Aguilas directed at Laurel personally.
It was inevitable that their passions would flare out of control.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1982
17 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Ashton
102 books18 followersElizabeth Ashton was a British writer of romance novels to Mills & Boon from 1969 to 1990.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 11, 2018
Wow, there was some MEGA slut-shaming going on there, by pretty much everyone in the family. Also, the H was engaged or next to engaged, the whole time. Finally, while the H was trying to get over the h, he went to a flamenco dancer to be consoled, causing the h to joke (I think) that as a good Spanish wife, she should get used to turning a blind eye. He said he couldn't go through with it because he only wanted the h, and there would only ever be anyone but the h. I can only say that it's good that she has such low expectations in terms of his treatment of her, because he will live up to them.
I feel like my hair should have turned white after reading this horror of a book.
I feel like my hair should have turned white after reading this horror of a book.
December 6, 2020
3 ½ Stars ~ This is my third romance by Ms. Ashton; the first published in 1974, the second in 1977 and now this one in 1982. This romance is more polished and compelling compared to her earlier books. While reading these classic Harlequins, one must remember when these were written. In this case, the story is set in 1980's Spain, when women were just beginning to exert themselves and divorce was starting to be acceptable.
Laurel and her sister, Joanne, were abandoned at an orphanage where they remained until they were old enough to leave. Laurel had always looked out for her younger sister, so when Joanne appeared on her doorstep, having run away from her Spanish husband, and with a baby in her arms, Laurel could not turn her away. Young Peter was just four when his mother died, and Laurel's battle to hold a job, care for her terminal sister, and raise a toddler, took it's toll. Worried that she was unable to give Peter all that he needed and deserved, Laurel reached out to the boy's father. She's shocked at the reply she receives, as Peter's father, Pedro, too had died; in a horrible car accident. But Pedro's mother wants her grandson, and asks Laurel to bring the boy to her to raise. And so Laurel's adventure begins.
Luis is determined to discover the truth regarding the boy who is declared his brother's son. Joanne had been a deceitful and manipulative woman, and his family wondered if her sister was as devious. When he meets Laurel and Peter at the airport, he's taken by surprise. While she resembles her sister, there is an air of deep character and honesty about her. And when he takes her hand in introduction, he knows that she too felt the electricity.
This is one of those romances that pulls you in and won't let you go until the last word written. Ms. Ashton has woven a passionate romance blending the beautiful Spanish landscape with well developed characters. It was easy for me to become emotionally involved with Laurel and how deeply hurt she became when she learnt how Luis had judged her as like her sister. Luis does redeem himself and there is a lovely reunion and HEA. I'm sure I'll be reading this one again.
Laurel and her sister, Joanne, were abandoned at an orphanage where they remained until they were old enough to leave. Laurel had always looked out for her younger sister, so when Joanne appeared on her doorstep, having run away from her Spanish husband, and with a baby in her arms, Laurel could not turn her away. Young Peter was just four when his mother died, and Laurel's battle to hold a job, care for her terminal sister, and raise a toddler, took it's toll. Worried that she was unable to give Peter all that he needed and deserved, Laurel reached out to the boy's father. She's shocked at the reply she receives, as Peter's father, Pedro, too had died; in a horrible car accident. But Pedro's mother wants her grandson, and asks Laurel to bring the boy to her to raise. And so Laurel's adventure begins.
Luis is determined to discover the truth regarding the boy who is declared his brother's son. Joanne had been a deceitful and manipulative woman, and his family wondered if her sister was as devious. When he meets Laurel and Peter at the airport, he's taken by surprise. While she resembles her sister, there is an air of deep character and honesty about her. And when he takes her hand in introduction, he knows that she too felt the electricity.
This is one of those romances that pulls you in and won't let you go until the last word written. Ms. Ashton has woven a passionate romance blending the beautiful Spanish landscape with well developed characters. It was easy for me to become emotionally involved with Laurel and how deeply hurt she became when she learnt how Luis had judged her as like her sister. Luis does redeem himself and there is a lovely reunion and HEA. I'm sure I'll be reading this one again.
March 1, 2020
His hatred was as strong as her love
Laurel wanted to keep her nephew, Peter, after the death of her sister and her sister's husband, Pedro de las Aguilas. For Peter's sake, however, she felt compelled to take him to his father's family in Spain.
The family's hostility over Pedro's marriage was understandable. Unexpected was the bitter enmity that the arrogant Luis de l as Aguilas directed at Laurel personally.
It was inevitable that their passions would flare out of control. (less)
Laurel wanted to keep her nephew, Peter, after the death of her sister and her sister's husband, Pedro de las Aguilas. For Peter's sake, however, she felt compelled to take him to his father's family in Spain.
The family's hostility over Pedro's marriage was understandable. Unexpected was the bitter enmity that the arrogant Luis de l as Aguilas directed at Laurel personally.
It was inevitable that their passions would flare out of control. (less)
March 14, 2022
Loathsome sex-crazed male protagonist thinks an orphanage waif is only good for bedding. The female protagonist clames to be self-assured and independent but it takes one touch...
The female protagonist takes care of her late sister's son and makes the decision to bring him to his late father's family in Spain.
The female protagonist takes care of her late sister's son and makes the decision to bring him to his late father's family in Spain.
May 30, 2025
Heroine Laurel Lester is the sole guardian of her 5-year-old nephew, Peter. Peter is the result of a whirlwind marriage between Laurel's sister and Pedro de las Aguilas, a member of a wealthy family of Spanish hoteliers - however, Laurel's sister abruptly absconded from Spain with baby Peter and did not keep in contact with the de las Aguilas family. Now that her sister has died, Laurel decides to return Peter to his Spanish relatives, and plans to stay with him for a few months while he gets settled. Their host in Spain is Peter's uncle Luis, the patriarch of the family. Sparks immediately fly between Luis and Laurel, but they must overcome the hurdle of their class differences, as well as the mystery surrounding Laurel's sister's marriage and escape from Spain.
...
I really enjoyed this one! I thought that the Spanish setting was excellent, and the love story was pretty good as well. I'm not proud to admit it, but I just love to read about rich people from the 1980s, and this book scratched that itch.
The book's blurb implies that there is a lot of antagonism between Luis and Laurel, but I found that not really to be the case in this story. I read a few reviews where other readers thought that Luis was a huge jerk, but I thought he was actually quite kind and romantic purely by 1980s romance hero standards (but keep in mind I read a lot of trashy romances, so my opinion is likely skewed). My only real criticism of this book is that I found Laurel to be too passive and bland, but I'm starting to feel like that's kind of standard for Harlequin Romances.
...
I really enjoyed this one! I thought that the Spanish setting was excellent, and the love story was pretty good as well. I'm not proud to admit it, but I just love to read about rich people from the 1980s, and this book scratched that itch.
The book's blurb implies that there is a lot of antagonism between Luis and Laurel, but I found that not really to be the case in this story. I read a few reviews where other readers thought that Luis was a huge jerk, but I thought he was actually quite kind and romantic purely by 1980s romance hero standards (but keep in mind I read a lot of trashy romances, so my opinion is likely skewed). My only real criticism of this book is that I found Laurel to be too passive and bland, but I'm starting to feel like that's kind of standard for Harlequin Romances.
October 2, 2022
The Spanish family were horrid, but the so-called hero was loathsome. Plays around with the heroine’s affections while making it clear he plans to marry a nasty Spanish witch, accuses the heroine of trying to pass off her nephew as her own illegitimate child - and not only refuses to apologize, but has the temerity to gaslight her. She’s a naive virgin doormat with Treacherous Body Syndrome who doesn’t even demand the apology. Awful book; I’m sorry I read it. (I only kept going to the end because I was expecting some major grovelling!)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews