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Marietta Danver Trilogy #1
Love's Tender Fury
The turbulent story of an English beauty - sold at auction like a slave - who scandalized the New World by enslaving her masters.
Marietta was a woman wronged - raped by her employer, charged with theft by her jealous mistress, and shipped to the Colonies to serve fourteen years as bound servant to the man who bid highest.
But Marietta was beautiful, educated and resilient, with a provocative body meant for love, and she was determined to prevail.
Over the handsome, silent planter who bought her to be his housekeeper. Over the dashing entrepreneur who supplied girls to the New Orleans red light district. Over the wealthy sadist who used her in his madness.
She would conquer them all - if she could subdue the hot, unruly passions of her heart.
Marietta was a woman wronged - raped by her employer, charged with theft by her jealous mistress, and shipped to the Colonies to serve fourteen years as bound servant to the man who bid highest.
But Marietta was beautiful, educated and resilient, with a provocative body meant for love, and she was determined to prevail.
Over the handsome, silent planter who bought her to be his housekeeper. Over the dashing entrepreneur who supplied girls to the New Orleans red light district. Over the wealthy sadist who used her in his madness.
She would conquer them all - if she could subdue the hot, unruly passions of her heart.
557 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
92 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Wilde
45 books94 followersJennifer Wilde is a pseudonym of T. E. Huff (Thomas Elmer Huff). He also wrote under the names Edwina Marlow and Beatrice Parker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
April 12, 2022
Love’s Tender Fury is a bodice ripper set in the US. I avoid romances set in the US like the plague but I had to read this because its reputation precedes itself. Also, it was the rare bodice ripper available on Kindle so my hands were essentially tied here. However, I wouldn't recommend reading this or really at all, if you are trying to find a bodice ripper, as there are many more to enjoy from first.
I enjoyed it even though it took me a few months to get into it. At first, I found knowing the author was a man hard to forget while I was reading it. Love’s Tender Fury is narrated from Marietta’s POV and she would often comment on her beauty and acknowledge her resolve to use her beauty/body to manipulate men. I’m not used to heroines who know that they are beautiful and will use their beauty to get what they want from men. Most heroines don’t think or know they are beautiful and most heroines have low self-esteem issues. I also have an issue with that but while I liked that Marietta could be objective about how she presented herself to the world, I wasn’t so sure how I felt about the constant theming of “I am now a fallen woman so I will use my body even if men are nice to me” schtick. Something about it felt off, even though I have read romances where the women are practical, economical. But hey at least she wasn’t beating herself up for simply breathing.
I also didn’t love Hawke. He had the drama, the tension, the back story but I felt cheated out of a good grovel by him. Hawke treated Marietta pretty terribly and he never redeemed himself aside from showing up and conveniently rescuing Marietta in the end, which is great and all, but I want that grovel scene! Instead, Hawke basically admitted he tried to forget about her but he couldn’t so now he was getting her back in the most clinical and dry terms. I felt bored on his behalf while reading his confession. Personally I liked Jeff Rawlings the best after he .
Love's Tender Fury starts in a London household before moving swiftly to the South and then to New Orleans and finally Natchez, a town populated by colonials loyal to Britain and not wanting to get into politics. Surprisingly, I got into the plantation story. The author did a good job in terms of teasing out Hawke's backstory and also bringing the reader on the journey of the couple's eventual separation. I enjoyed New Orleans but Natchez was probably the most exciting part for me, from start to end. I hated the journey from the South to New Orleans.
Love’s Tender Fury is part of a trilogy that I will not be finishing. The major reason being that I did not feel any chemistry between Marietta and Hawke, and I also didn't enjoy reading a lot of it. I read it because I saw that it had a reputation so I thought, why not.
I did read an excerpt from the second book and found out more or less what happens in the rest of the books, and I’m honestly a little shooketh that
I enjoyed it even though it took me a few months to get into it. At first, I found knowing the author was a man hard to forget while I was reading it. Love’s Tender Fury is narrated from Marietta’s POV and she would often comment on her beauty and acknowledge her resolve to use her beauty/body to manipulate men. I’m not used to heroines who know that they are beautiful and will use their beauty to get what they want from men. Most heroines don’t think or know they are beautiful and most heroines have low self-esteem issues. I also have an issue with that but while I liked that Marietta could be objective about how she presented herself to the world, I wasn’t so sure how I felt about the constant theming of “I am now a fallen woman so I will use my body even if men are nice to me” schtick. Something about it felt off, even though I have read romances where the women are practical, economical. But hey at least she wasn’t beating herself up for simply breathing.
I also didn’t love Hawke. He had the drama, the tension, the back story but I felt cheated out of a good grovel by him. Hawke treated Marietta pretty terribly and he never redeemed himself aside from showing up and conveniently rescuing Marietta in the end, which is great and all, but I want that grovel scene! Instead, Hawke basically admitted he tried to forget about her but he couldn’t so now he was getting her back in the most clinical and dry terms. I felt bored on his behalf while reading his confession. Personally I liked Jeff Rawlings the best after he .
Love's Tender Fury starts in a London household before moving swiftly to the South and then to New Orleans and finally Natchez, a town populated by colonials loyal to Britain and not wanting to get into politics. Surprisingly, I got into the plantation story. The author did a good job in terms of teasing out Hawke's backstory and also bringing the reader on the journey of the couple's eventual separation. I enjoyed New Orleans but Natchez was probably the most exciting part for me, from start to end. I hated the journey from the South to New Orleans.
Love’s Tender Fury is part of a trilogy that I will not be finishing. The major reason being that I did not feel any chemistry between Marietta and Hawke, and I also didn't enjoy reading a lot of it. I read it because I saw that it had a reputation so I thought, why not.
I did read an excerpt from the second book and found out more or less what happens in the rest of the books, and I’m honestly a little shooketh that
April 23, 2015
1.5 stars. And that's being generous.
Oh man. What did I just read?
First, let me say that I LOVE bodice ripper romances. And I 'thought' that's what this was supposed to be. MAAAYYYBE by the thinnest margin could it be called a romance. I call it a man's misogynistic jab at writing romance.
Heroine is a cold bitch. Hero is a total asshole (once you finally figure out 'who' the hero is supposed to be, since the heroine isn't opposed to using sex with just about every man on the planet to get what she wants, not to mention how she has no fearful feelings toward sex after being raped/gang-raped, repeatedly). And considering that the H/h are separated for the majority of the book, there NO relationship development. At least not one worth buying into.
Ugh. I need to go scrub my brain now.
Oh man. What did I just read?
First, let me say that I LOVE bodice ripper romances. And I 'thought' that's what this was supposed to be. MAAAYYYBE by the thinnest margin could it be called a romance. I call it a man's misogynistic jab at writing romance.
Heroine is a cold bitch. Hero is a total asshole (once you finally figure out 'who' the hero is supposed to be, since the heroine isn't opposed to using sex with just about every man on the planet to get what she wants, not to mention how she has no fearful feelings toward sex after being raped/gang-raped, repeatedly). And considering that the H/h are separated for the majority of the book, there NO relationship development. At least not one worth buying into.
Ugh. I need to go scrub my brain now.
April 1, 2011
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.
November 20, 2017
I discovered this book, as a missing cover paperback in my aunt's box of old books as a teenager. I dismissed it as "70s" junk, but ended up reading it in one night when I ran out of library books. Please keep in mind, I cut my tooth on Jackie Collins' Lucky at age 12, so I know great "trashy" novels. Ms. Wilde is actually a talented author as this story expanded into a great out of print trilogy.
I'm not going to give spoilers or tell you what's wrong with the book. You just wanna know if it's worth your time, and it is. Should you have the pleasure of reading the entire series (which involves stalking thrift shops, goodwill, used book stores, and Amazon), do not deny yourself an adventure in Old World Louisiana with a down to earth heroine and the guy she loves to hate. I'd actually say it's more of an adventure/romance, rather than steamy "love" scenes.
I'm not going to give spoilers or tell you what's wrong with the book. You just wanna know if it's worth your time, and it is. Should you have the pleasure of reading the entire series (which involves stalking thrift shops, goodwill, used book stores, and Amazon), do not deny yourself an adventure in Old World Louisiana with a down to earth heroine and the guy she loves to hate. I'd actually say it's more of an adventure/romance, rather than steamy "love" scenes.
January 25, 2015
The first novel I've read by Tom Huff (Jennifer Wilde), I'm disappointed that I've never gotten the chance to discover this beautiful story in my earlier years. I am a huge fan of the 1970s-1980s historical romance/bodice ripper genre and I savor the chance whenever I can discover a precious book like this one. I realise the low reviews can make a point, however, Love's Tender Fury is almost the "epitome" of a 1970s bodice ripper. Therefore, all those unfavourable elements, which readers just couldn't stand are bound to end up in the story one way or the other. I also understand why so many readers dislike or might even hate the hero, Derek Hawke. I, however, found myself liking him! Marietta and Derek were the ultimate couple in a historical romance. The chemistry between them was not the same as it was between Marietta and the other male characters. I'm glad the novel closed with their reunion, it was the perfect ending.
March 1, 2010
Sex, and lust and slavery and sexy men and adventure. What more do you need?
January 27, 2018
When you read this 1st book in a trilogy, remember the time it written and the time is suppose to represent. Our feisty heroine is falsely accused of theft and is sentenced to 14 years of an indentured servant and shipped to the America's. The language and sexual situations are raw.
I grew up reading these types of books are they are still meaningful to me.
I grew up reading these types of books are they are still meaningful to me.
April 15, 2010
Just adored this book. A hard-to-put-downer! If you like historical fiction, you've got to read this one. I read this many years ago and I am going to order it and read it again. This one I'd like to have in my library.
February 17, 2017
This book exceeds my expectation. I bought the trilogy on a sale for a very cheap price thinking "eh, what the heck" But I was surprised, it was nicely written, has engaging plot and some insights to 18th century America's history.
I met a couple of interesting characters here although the heroine in particular can be quite irritating at times. The beautiful Marietta Danver a illegitimate daughter of a duke with a barmaid had absolutely no idea how fate will turn her life upside down the moment she worked as a governess for Lord Mallory. Her despicable employer had brutally raped her and when she bravely confronted him with her demands he framed her for theft and had her jailed and trialed and sentenced to 14 years of slavery in America.
Marietta' s journey was never idle, she survived weeks on board making use of all her wits, body and hope. She then sold to the highest bidder, the handsome, cranky cotton farmer Derek Hawke who openly despised beautiful women. Marietta fell in love with him only to face the fact that he sold her off to Jeff Rawlins and wanted nothing to do with her again. But Jeff was another charming personality, they travelled back to Jeff's home facing ordeals as deadly as gang of thugs, Indians, and tiresome tracks.
I particularly loved Jeff Rawlins's character, never once you doubt that he owns a heart of gold. He was a perfection but of course in books bad cranky boys are always the one winning the young girl's heart. Hhhh...
I met a couple of interesting characters here although the heroine in particular can be quite irritating at times. The beautiful Marietta Danver a illegitimate daughter of a duke with a barmaid had absolutely no idea how fate will turn her life upside down the moment she worked as a governess for Lord Mallory. Her despicable employer had brutally raped her and when she bravely confronted him with her demands he framed her for theft and had her jailed and trialed and sentenced to 14 years of slavery in America.
Marietta' s journey was never idle, she survived weeks on board making use of all her wits, body and hope. She then sold to the highest bidder, the handsome, cranky cotton farmer Derek Hawke who openly despised beautiful women. Marietta fell in love with him only to face the fact that he sold her off to Jeff Rawlins and wanted nothing to do with her again. But Jeff was another charming personality, they travelled back to Jeff's home facing ordeals as deadly as gang of thugs, Indians, and tiresome tracks.
I particularly loved Jeff Rawlins's character, never once you doubt that he owns a heart of gold. He was a perfection but of course in books bad cranky boys are always the one winning the young girl's heart. Hhhh...
June 15, 2010
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.
!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.
June 24, 2011
I wanted to give this book 3 1/2 maybe 4 for someparts - but the general lagging inbetween the action has drawn the score down to a 3 stars - there were aspects I enjoyed soooo much but then other parts that drove me nuts - toward the last 40 pages the action really starts - but the ending is rushed - and considering your just sat through 500+ pages - I personally wished for a little less filler and a bit more of the good stuff!!
September 16, 2012
Marietta , Marietta , Marietta * shakes head and sighs * . You would think that after being raped, hit and treated like a whore , she would know a decent man when she saw him , not Marietta . The only man that treated her good and loved her was Jeff , he also died because of her.
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December 14, 2024This was so good! A really good adventure novel if anything else. This story is so action packed and it was very entertaining.
I was a little “meh” at the beginning because this was written by a man and boy can you tell by the way some of Marietta’s descriptions of herself are. Also by the fact that she has all this unprotected sex and never gets pregnant????? That and the way that her underclothes are described, were my main complaints with this book. The author describes all of her gowns which personally I like, i hate when an author gives us no descriptors of characters, but he writes about how she would just be wearing a “petticoat” under her gowns and her petticoats had “strap”??? Which makes no sense? I’m no expert but like it’s the 1700s. Where are her stays(corset)?? Petticoats don’t have straps, they were just like extra skirts you wore under your dress or whatever to add volume. WHERE IS HER SHIFT/CHEMISE??? Lol so that’s what bugged me the most. I get it was written in the 70s so maybe the information was different back then, but I felt like the author just kind of created this imaginary underwear garment that women never actually wore. Like even poor women owned stays back them. In one scene she is described as wearing a blouse and a skirt and I was just so confused. Again, I am not an expert on 18th century clothing, but it didn’t make any sense. Also, I didn’t like Dereck Hawke as the main hero/love interest. I mean besides the fact that he was a slave owner and is a giant butthole to Marietta, he’s just boring! This is a bodice ripper, so I expected the love interest to be a dick, but if you’re going to be a dick, at least be an interesting one. There’s never a moment where we see why she falls in love with him. It’s just been a few months and then she’s like “I was in love with him”. Okay?? That’s the other maybe critique I have of the writing. While very compelling and action packed, there isn’t much beyond surface level with the characters. It’s from Marietta’s perceptive, so we don’t know what others are thinking, but still, the writing is just kind of Marietta declaring things and we just kind of go with it, not a lot of reason is given.
Some of your reviews are so victim blaming. Rape victims feeling pleasure they can’t control during a rape is something that happens, so what happen to her at the beginning with lord mcfuckface isn’t “her enjoying it” you weirdos. Also a woman finding that she can enjoy sex too when it’s not forced on her does not make her “trampy” again, you f’ing weirdos! The whole point is that Marietta learns unfortunately in a very harsh way that her beauty is the one commodity that she has, and if she is going to live she’s going to use it (Though that massively backfires towards the end of the book). I guess my main thing with the sex in the books is that she seems to recover very quickly for someone who’s first experience with sex is through violence. But that goes back to just how the writing is in this book. Marietta talks about sleeping with Jack throughout the voyage and how he showed her how sex can be good when it’s between two consenting parties, and that’s kind of it. I guess this could be chalked up to the author being a man whose never experienced sexual assault, but I don’t know. Marietta is obviously very traumatized, but she has to survive and move on quickly in order to survive, which again for a woman in her position back then, is maybe a realistic way to look at it? I don’t know. But I think morality policing this book because of it’s portrayal of sex, or worse slut-shaming Marietta for admitting that she enjoys sex and good looking men, is as backwards an attitude as those of you who shit on bodice rippers for “romanticizing rape” (which like really? At no point is the rape in this book framed as a good thing). No everything in the romance category is going to be “romantic” those words mean two different things kids! Anyway.
This a story of a well-meaning woman struggling to survive and find bodily autonomy in an era where women and BIPOC had like negative rights. Also an era where no one but white land owning men had rights. I liked Marietta, although at times she made some choices that were…maybe not the smartest? But people calling her stupid is really unfair. She helps not just one but two couples escape from their oppressors/captors in the name of romantic love, and is constantly kind and helpful to her friends and servants and others she encounters. But like, when she does encounter men who are nice to her, she doesn’t want them, which like, GIRL. Justice for Jeff Rawlins. Even when she tries to be a “cold bitch” as i saw one reviewer refer to as (which is so unfair for all the reasons i just listed) she fails miserably and tries to escape. If anything this is a story of a woman who constantly stays optimistic despite being assaulted, sold, forced to endure a prison ship, literally horrible things constantly throughout the books.
I’m excited to read the trilogy, and what other shit Marietta get’s herself into to. I hear the next one has pirates.
I was a little “meh” at the beginning because this was written by a man and boy can you tell by the way some of Marietta’s descriptions of herself are. Also by the fact that she has all this unprotected sex and never gets pregnant????? That and the way that her underclothes are described, were my main complaints with this book. The author describes all of her gowns which personally I like, i hate when an author gives us no descriptors of characters, but he writes about how she would just be wearing a “petticoat” under her gowns and her petticoats had “strap”??? Which makes no sense? I’m no expert but like it’s the 1700s. Where are her stays(corset)?? Petticoats don’t have straps, they were just like extra skirts you wore under your dress or whatever to add volume. WHERE IS HER SHIFT/CHEMISE??? Lol so that’s what bugged me the most. I get it was written in the 70s so maybe the information was different back then, but I felt like the author just kind of created this imaginary underwear garment that women never actually wore. Like even poor women owned stays back them. In one scene she is described as wearing a blouse and a skirt and I was just so confused. Again, I am not an expert on 18th century clothing, but it didn’t make any sense. Also, I didn’t like Dereck Hawke as the main hero/love interest. I mean besides the fact that he was a slave owner and is a giant butthole to Marietta, he’s just boring! This is a bodice ripper, so I expected the love interest to be a dick, but if you’re going to be a dick, at least be an interesting one. There’s never a moment where we see why she falls in love with him. It’s just been a few months and then she’s like “I was in love with him”. Okay?? That’s the other maybe critique I have of the writing. While very compelling and action packed, there isn’t much beyond surface level with the characters. It’s from Marietta’s perceptive, so we don’t know what others are thinking, but still, the writing is just kind of Marietta declaring things and we just kind of go with it, not a lot of reason is given.
Some of your reviews are so victim blaming. Rape victims feeling pleasure they can’t control during a rape is something that happens, so what happen to her at the beginning with lord mcfuckface isn’t “her enjoying it” you weirdos. Also a woman finding that she can enjoy sex too when it’s not forced on her does not make her “trampy” again, you f’ing weirdos! The whole point is that Marietta learns unfortunately in a very harsh way that her beauty is the one commodity that she has, and if she is going to live she’s going to use it (Though that massively backfires towards the end of the book). I guess my main thing with the sex in the books is that she seems to recover very quickly for someone who’s first experience with sex is through violence. But that goes back to just how the writing is in this book. Marietta talks about sleeping with Jack throughout the voyage and how he showed her how sex can be good when it’s between two consenting parties, and that’s kind of it. I guess this could be chalked up to the author being a man whose never experienced sexual assault, but I don’t know. Marietta is obviously very traumatized, but she has to survive and move on quickly in order to survive, which again for a woman in her position back then, is maybe a realistic way to look at it? I don’t know. But I think morality policing this book because of it’s portrayal of sex, or worse slut-shaming Marietta for admitting that she enjoys sex and good looking men, is as backwards an attitude as those of you who shit on bodice rippers for “romanticizing rape” (which like really? At no point is the rape in this book framed as a good thing). No everything in the romance category is going to be “romantic” those words mean two different things kids! Anyway.
This a story of a well-meaning woman struggling to survive and find bodily autonomy in an era where women and BIPOC had like negative rights. Also an era where no one but white land owning men had rights. I liked Marietta, although at times she made some choices that were…maybe not the smartest? But people calling her stupid is really unfair. She helps not just one but two couples escape from their oppressors/captors in the name of romantic love, and is constantly kind and helpful to her friends and servants and others she encounters. But like, when she does encounter men who are nice to her, she doesn’t want them, which like, GIRL. Justice for Jeff Rawlins. Even when she tries to be a “cold bitch” as i saw one reviewer refer to as (which is so unfair for all the reasons i just listed) she fails miserably and tries to escape. If anything this is a story of a woman who constantly stays optimistic despite being assaulted, sold, forced to endure a prison ship, literally horrible things constantly throughout the books.
I’m excited to read the trilogy, and what other shit Marietta get’s herself into to. I hear the next one has pirates.
August 26, 2016
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-
Marietta goes back to her guy and the story ends.
The ending sounds flat but the book is gorgeous!
She never ends up pregnant or something but I guess that's what happens when a man tries to write a bodice ripper. But, still, I have to thank the author for not involving any silly thing and all the silly norms in the world one fears to find in these books!
Over all, an enjoyable read.
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-
Marietta goes back to her guy and the story ends.
The ending sounds flat but the book is gorgeous!
She never ends up pregnant or something but I guess that's what happens when a man tries to write a bodice ripper. But, still, I have to thank the author for not involving any silly thing and all the silly norms in the world one fears to find in these books!
Over all, an enjoyable read.
September 22, 2022
I was originally recommended this book because I wanted to read a bodice ripper that a man had wrote. Though I would not consider this book a bodice ripper, it was filled with adventure none the less. Tom E. Huff never keeps his readers board as he moves onto place -to -place with our heroine. I nearly finished this book in one sitting. If you are looking for a book filled with adventure, then I would recommend "Love's Tender Fury"
September 23, 2013
One of my personal favorite love stories. The heroine in this novel doesn't let any circumstance hold her down. The passion between Marietta and Derek is what really makes this story. A book worth re-reading.
April 11, 2022
Loved this book. Filled with adventure and love. Outstanding author. My favorite book of my lifetime.
July 26, 2012
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 doesn't want him to rape her, she is sold into indentured servitude and shipped to the Carolinas. Bought by the highest bidder, Derek, she becomes a plantation mistress, but is sold quickly when she helps two slaves escape. She moves onto Natchez and New Orleans with Jeff and sets up a gambling house. She's quite the sophisticated lady in New Orleans, but when Jeff dies without marrying her, she is left with nothing but some jewels to sell. She can't make it as a seamstress in Natchez and marries the rich German who owns everything around Natchez. But he harbors secrets and he turns against Marietta when she helps her sister-in-law escape from the clutches of her evil brother. Luckily, Derek still loves Marietta though, and saves the day.
Ahhhh, romance! These are the books I was raised on and now I know why my perception of romance is completely skewed! Marietta is raped, sold, bought, used, objectified, and beaten, but I had to keep reading. This is one old romance book that is worth it--I loved the history of the West that was included.
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 doesn't want him to rape her, she is sold into indentured servitude and shipped to the Carolinas. Bought by the highest bidder, Derek, she becomes a plantation mistress, but is sold quickly when she helps two slaves escape. She moves onto Natchez and New Orleans with Jeff and sets up a gambling house. She's quite the sophisticated lady in New Orleans, but when Jeff dies without marrying her, she is left with nothing but some jewels to sell. She can't make it as a seamstress in Natchez and marries the rich German who owns everything around Natchez. But he harbors secrets and he turns against Marietta when she helps her sister-in-law escape from the clutches of her evil brother. Luckily, Derek still loves Marietta though, and saves the day.
Ahhhh, romance! These are the books I was raised on and now I know why my perception of romance is completely skewed! Marietta is raped, sold, bought, used, objectified, and beaten, but I had to keep reading. This is one old romance book that is worth it--I loved the history of the West that was included.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2012
Like it but not sure why. Too many rapes in the begin and the men except for one ( Jeff) are a little scary, overbearing and abusive, and Marietta basically was a little trampy ( she basically found any man arousing even those she didn't like and was always almost enjoying it even when she was being raped go figure). I was disgusted at time but kept on reading. Old habits die hard ( i used to be an avid reader of Rosemary Rogers and the 1970-1990 area gang. If you liked those kinda books i recommend this one!
August 27, 2016
Great description of clothes is what I remember from this book, particularly a dress made of fabric coloured like an opal. Also there a paddle-wheeler ride to Natchez. I know I loved this book as I kept it for years.
October 6, 2008
One of the best historical romance books I've read. Keeps my interest all through the book.
September 20, 2019
A New York Times bestseller, I read this when I was in High School. I don't like romance as a genre, but this book was a good read at the time. I gave it four stars for nostalgia sake.
May 25, 2016
I got everything I could have possibly wanted out of this book. It was so much fun. Great historical settings, tawdry melodrama, a heroine who randomly vacillates between being a simpering idiot and a bold, conniving "I'm an independent woman, throw your hands up at me" jezebel, a variety of male love interests that range from abusive and jerky to loving and tender, hilariously dated and cringe inducing treatment of race and gender dynamics.
This book is overstuffed with crazy plot twists and larger than life characters. The pace never flags as Marietta has her series of dark and destructive adventures.
This book is overstuffed with crazy plot twists and larger than life characters. The pace never flags as Marietta has her series of dark and destructive adventures.
November 6, 2011
Not as good as the sequel.
I read this book after reading Love Me Marietta, book #2 of the trilogy. I was disappointed, mainly because I can't stand Derek! He's such a jerk to Marietta from the very moment they meet. How a strong, confident heroine would fall for him I have no idea! But, he's only in story for brief snippets. There's a lot of other things going on that make this an enjoyable read--even if Marietta has abysmal taste in men!
I read this book after reading Love Me Marietta, book #2 of the trilogy. I was disappointed, mainly because I can't stand Derek! He's such a jerk to Marietta from the very moment they meet. How a strong, confident heroine would fall for him I have no idea! But, he's only in story for brief snippets. There's a lot of other things going on that make this an enjoyable read--even if Marietta has abysmal taste in men!
April 27, 2013
love it!
has everything a good book should have (amazing descriptions, little bit spicy, accion, goodlooking men, fav time period-regency and a strong-smart woman)
and love the fact that its a trilogy !
has everything a good book should have (amazing descriptions, little bit spicy, accion, goodlooking men, fav time period-regency and a strong-smart woman)
and love the fact that its a trilogy !
April 28, 2019
Bosoms are a’ heavin’ and passions are a’ seethin’ in boisterous, sprawling 18th century America which, given the rate long lost lovers are constantly running into (and afoul of) each other, seems to be about the size of Peyton Place’s town square.
January 28, 2011
I love this book. I first read it aroung the age of fourteen and it's still one of my all-time favorites! I love the entire trilogy.
Want to read
June 11, 2011This looks so awful I have to read it.
July 31, 2011
One of my favorite series, ever. I definitely felt connected to Marrietta. Loved it.
December 23, 2011
This book is written in first person,which I love! the narrative is excellent. it really takes you along with the heroine, it makes you feel, hate, love with her...
I really hate Derek.
I really hate Derek.
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