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A Heart Possessed
Freed after two years in a mental institution to which she had been wrongly committed, Ariel Rushdon plots her revenge against her former lover, Lord Nicholas Wyndham, the man who had stolen her innocence, left her pregnant, and then abandoned her.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
3 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Sutcliffe
42 books75 followersKatherine Sutcliffe was born an only child in East Texas. After working for a time at an oil company and as a headhunter for a computer personnel company, Sutcliffe decided in 1982 to quit her job and attempt to write a novel. Three years later she sold her first book, Desire and Surrender to Avon Books. She works eight hours a day, five to seven months a year. Sutcliffe also attempts to find a single CD that will provide inspiration during the writing of each book. In the past, she has used the soundtrack to Somewhere in Time and Kitarō's Silk Road.
In 1995 and 1996, Sutcliffe worked as the Consultant Head Writer for the soap operas As The World Turns and Another World. Sutcliffe was offered the job after Bill Graham, who searched for writers for Proctor and Gamble, mentioned to his wife that they wanted to refocus the soap opera stories on romance. His wife, who loved Sutcliffe's book, insisted that he contact her. During her time as a soap opera writer, she concentrated on developing the six-month story lines, which the breakdown writers would then develop into dialogue and individual scenes for the show. During this time frame, Sutcliffe also made a guest appearance on Another World, playing herself. She resigned from her position after the networks began to insist that she move to New York City to be more accessible.
Her historical romance, Notorious, sold out its first printing in a mere four days.
Sutcliffe lives near Dallas, Texas. She met her husband, an English geologist, while they worked for the same oil company. They have three children, Bryan, Rachel, and Lauren. Sutcliffe also raises and shows Arabian horses.
In 1995 and 1996, Sutcliffe worked as the Consultant Head Writer for the soap operas As The World Turns and Another World. Sutcliffe was offered the job after Bill Graham, who searched for writers for Proctor and Gamble, mentioned to his wife that they wanted to refocus the soap opera stories on romance. His wife, who loved Sutcliffe's book, insisted that he contact her. During her time as a soap opera writer, she concentrated on developing the six-month story lines, which the breakdown writers would then develop into dialogue and individual scenes for the show. During this time frame, Sutcliffe also made a guest appearance on Another World, playing herself. She resigned from her position after the networks began to insist that she move to New York City to be more accessible.
Her historical romance, Notorious, sold out its first printing in a mere four days.
Sutcliffe lives near Dallas, Texas. She met her husband, an English geologist, while they worked for the same oil company. They have three children, Bryan, Rachel, and Lauren. Sutcliffe also raises and shows Arabian horses.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 23, 2025
Read: 1/22/25
2.5 stars
1st person POV
This was a disappointing read. Very little romance and a predictable plot. I was hoping for some good old-fashioned angst, but I didn't even get that.
Plot:
Maggie is out to destroy her ex lover. 2 years ago, Lord Nicholas swore his undying love and that he was going to end his arranged betrothal and marry her instead. That was the last she saw of him. He married, and she was sent a mental institution because of her unwed pregnancy. Now that she's out, she wants revenge and her son. The problem is that Nicholas remembers nothing. He fell in a cold river and has amnesia. He doesn't remember Maggie. She applies for a job under the name Ariel, but I doubt it would have mattered. Slowly, her anger lessens after she learns he was going to end his betrothal. She still loves him and wants to protect him instead. Everyone believes that he killed his wife and is crazy. His family wants to send him to Bethlem. Is he really crazy or is someone trying to destroy him?
The mystery was easy to solve. It was very predictable. The romance was not very satisfying either. Maggie claims she loves Nicholas and wants to protect him, and then she would flip flop that he did murder his wife. She is clever enough to figure out that someone has been poisoning Nicholas, but she doesn't really investigate it. It wouldn't have been hard to discover the motive. Did she really care?
Conclusion: KS is a better writer than this! I would recommend skipping this book.
2.5 stars
1st person POV
This was a disappointing read. Very little romance and a predictable plot. I was hoping for some good old-fashioned angst, but I didn't even get that.
Plot:
Maggie is out to destroy her ex lover. 2 years ago, Lord Nicholas swore his undying love and that he was going to end his arranged betrothal and marry her instead. That was the last she saw of him. He married, and she was sent a mental institution because of her unwed pregnancy. Now that she's out, she wants revenge and her son. The problem is that Nicholas remembers nothing. He fell in a cold river and has amnesia. He doesn't remember Maggie. She applies for a job under the name Ariel, but I doubt it would have mattered. Slowly, her anger lessens after she learns he was going to end his betrothal. She still loves him and wants to protect him instead. Everyone believes that he killed his wife and is crazy. His family wants to send him to Bethlem. Is he really crazy or is someone trying to destroy him?
The mystery was easy to solve. It was very predictable. The romance was not very satisfying either. Maggie claims she loves Nicholas and wants to protect him, and then she would flip flop that he did murder his wife. She is clever enough to figure out that someone has been poisoning Nicholas, but she doesn't really investigate it. It wouldn't have been hard to discover the motive. Did she really care?
Conclusion: KS is a better writer than this! I would recommend skipping this book.
January 16, 2011
This book started out beautifully written. I haven't read this author in a few years although I've enjoyed almost every one of Sutcliffe's books, and I have read many. This is one of her earliest.
The plot has a dark, gothic feel to it. The way the plot unravels gradually in the 1st half of the book had me hooked. IMO the writing was some of the best I've read, particularly in that first love scene. (Sigh) It is written so beautifully and tenderly, I know I'll hang on to it to re-read again just for this scene.
It takes place in Malham on the Moor, Yorkshire, England in the year 1800. I could feel the freezing wind that blew off the Moor around the heroines cloak as "the dawn crept in on misty feet". The writing put me right there in that dreary place as she stood.
After the first half, the plot moved into the twisted tangled drama of a family filled with madness, secrets, murder, mahem, hauntings, a ghost, and then some.
I would have given it 5 stars, but the heroines indecisive mindf_ck of loving the Hero unwavering one minute, then doubting him the next, got a bit tiresome. I kept thinking, I don't doubt the Hero nor have I lost my loyalty to him in spite of all the crap and finger pointing, so how could she flip back and forth. It certainly wasn't convincing or added any credibility to her character. That itself brought the book down a notch for me because of the loss of integrity. It wasn't necessary except for words to fill more pages.
The plot has a dark, gothic feel to it. The way the plot unravels gradually in the 1st half of the book had me hooked. IMO the writing was some of the best I've read, particularly in that first love scene. (Sigh) It is written so beautifully and tenderly, I know I'll hang on to it to re-read again just for this scene.
It takes place in Malham on the Moor, Yorkshire, England in the year 1800. I could feel the freezing wind that blew off the Moor around the heroines cloak as "the dawn crept in on misty feet". The writing put me right there in that dreary place as she stood.
After the first half, the plot moved into the twisted tangled drama of a family filled with madness, secrets, murder, mahem, hauntings, a ghost, and then some.
I would have given it 5 stars, but the heroines indecisive mindf_ck of loving the Hero unwavering one minute, then doubting him the next, got a bit tiresome. I kept thinking, I don't doubt the Hero nor have I lost my loyalty to him in spite of all the crap and finger pointing, so how could she flip back and forth. It certainly wasn't convincing or added any credibility to her character. That itself brought the book down a notch for me because of the loss of integrity. It wasn't necessary except for words to fill more pages.
July 8, 2010
3.5*
This is an older Katherine Sutcliffe. It still doesn't live up to my favorite KS which is A Fire in the Heart. The 1st person point of view kind of got to me but I suppose it was necessary in this book due to the nature of the story. Since the hero, Nicholas, is supposed to be "mad" it makes sense we wouldn't know his thoughts except for what the author shows us.
The book was pretty predictable but still an enjoyable read. One of the reasons it didn't get a 4* from me is the doubts the heroine had in Nicholas. Through most of the book she would support him and then when she really should've trusted him she had her doubts. I kind of wanted to smack her. However, it didn't take too much away from the story.
There was an epilogue of sorts but I wished it was a bit longer and there was one part of the epilogue I didn't buy. I won't reveal it since it would give away some of the story but after things that happened in the book I doubt the one character would quickly change due to one big reveal, especially since that character acted like a crazy person.
All in all this is a good read and is perfect for killing a few hours by the pool (which is where I read my copy). :-)
This is an older Katherine Sutcliffe. It still doesn't live up to my favorite KS which is A Fire in the Heart. The 1st person point of view kind of got to me but I suppose it was necessary in this book due to the nature of the story. Since the hero, Nicholas, is supposed to be "mad" it makes sense we wouldn't know his thoughts except for what the author shows us.
The book was pretty predictable but still an enjoyable read. One of the reasons it didn't get a 4* from me is the doubts the heroine had in Nicholas. Through most of the book she would support him and then when she really should've trusted him she had her doubts. I kind of wanted to smack her. However, it didn't take too much away from the story.
There was an epilogue of sorts but I wished it was a bit longer and there was one part of the epilogue I didn't buy. I won't reveal it since it would give away some of the story but after things that happened in the book I doubt the one character would quickly change due to one big reveal, especially since that character acted like a crazy person.
All in all this is a good read and is perfect for killing a few hours by the pool (which is where I read my copy). :-)
March 4, 2020
Това е една мрачна приказка за силата на любовта. Напомни ми зловещите истории на Дафни дю Морие и по специално на атмосферата в романа й "Ребека". Авторката пише много интересно и изразните средства, които използва, извайват пред нас свят на лудост и странност в едно зловещо имение.
Ариел се завръща в Молъм, където е преживяла кошмарна случка, а любимият я е зарязал, за да се ожени за друга. Само че заварва Ник, лорд Молъм в състояние на лудост. Постепенно тя разбира, че все още го обича, но на кого да вярва. Убил ли е Ник предишната си съпруга? Наистина ли е луд? Каква е тази призрачна фигура из замъка и какви са тези шумове и зловещ смях, които се разнасят вечер из празните коридори? Накрая любовта побеждава всичко, но през цялото време си на тръни какво се случва всъщност зад дебелите стени и необитаемите стаи.
Ариел се завръща в Молъм, където е преживяла кошмарна случка, а любимият я е зарязал, за да се ожени за друга. Само че заварва Ник, лорд Молъм в състояние на лудост. Постепенно тя разбира, че все още го обича, но на кого да вярва. Убил ли е Ник предишната си съпруга? Наистина ли е луд? Каква е тази призрачна фигура из замъка и какви са тези шумове и зловещ смях, които се разнасят вечер из празните коридори? Накрая любовта побеждава всичко, но през цялото време си на тръни какво се случва всъщност зад дебелите стени и необитаемите стаи.
January 23, 2025
3.5 Good read but too gothic for me. Castles, asylums, madness, opium addiction, ghosts, over the top villains and their evil plots are not my thing.
September 21, 2013
Great story - 1st person.
Read
November 14, 2022Absolutely bananas but so damn good.
Very progressive in the ways of addiction and PTSD for a book published in 1988.
Very progressive in the ways of addiction and PTSD for a book published in 1988.
December 16, 2015
C'était vraiment une très belle histoire et j'apprécie de plus en plus l'écriture de Katherine Sutcliffe qui arrive très bien à planter une ambiance, dans laquelle planent les secrets, les non-dits et les menaces, et où l'on suit avec grand intérêt les héros. Je crois que c'est une de mes histoires favorites dans toutes celles que j'ai eu l'occasion de lire rédigées par l'auteur.
On assiste à la réunion de deux amants qui ont énormément souffert pour diverses raisons: Ariel, l'héroïne, a enfin réussi à s'enfuir de l'hôpital psychiatrique dans lequel elle a été enfermée contre sa volonté après avoir eu le malheur d'aimer un homme au-dessus de sa condition, Lord Nicholas Wyndham, qui lui, à la suite de la mort de sa femme dont la rumeur l'accuse d'être le meurtrier, est devenu amnésique, voire fou selon certains. Décidée à redresser les torts dont elle a soufferts et à faire la lumière sur la mort de la femme de Lord Nicholas, elle se fait engagée auprès de l'homme qu'elle a éperdument aimer et qui ne la reconnait plus.
On assiste à la réunion de deux amants qui ont énormément souffert pour diverses raisons: Ariel, l'héroïne, a enfin réussi à s'enfuir de l'hôpital psychiatrique dans lequel elle a été enfermée contre sa volonté après avoir eu le malheur d'aimer un homme au-dessus de sa condition, Lord Nicholas Wyndham, qui lui, à la suite de la mort de sa femme dont la rumeur l'accuse d'être le meurtrier, est devenu amnésique, voire fou selon certains. Décidée à redresser les torts dont elle a soufferts et à faire la lumière sur la mort de la femme de Lord Nicholas, elle se fait engagée auprès de l'homme qu'elle a éperdument aimer et qui ne la reconnait plus.
June 15, 2019
This book is a wonderfully atmospheric Gothic novel; most of the book takes place on the British estate of Walthamstow at the beginning of the 1800 century. Ariel Margaret Rushdon wants to punish her former lover, Nicholas Wyndham.
Through no actions of her own, Ariel was committed to an asylum for two years. During that time, her newborn was taken from her by the Wyndham family. Ariel wants her baby back and she wants Nicholas to be punished for his shabby treatment.
Hired on as a model for Nicholas' artistic efforts, Ariel quickly realizes that Nicholas is a physical and emotional wreck. His memory is scattered and he paints at the oddest times. Through her anger of Nicholas marrying the woman he promised her he would reject, Ariel finds herself falling under his spell again.
The plot revolves on a convenient set of coincidences but the mystery is engaging.
Through no actions of her own, Ariel was committed to an asylum for two years. During that time, her newborn was taken from her by the Wyndham family. Ariel wants her baby back and she wants Nicholas to be punished for his shabby treatment.
Hired on as a model for Nicholas' artistic efforts, Ariel quickly realizes that Nicholas is a physical and emotional wreck. His memory is scattered and he paints at the oddest times. Through her anger of Nicholas marrying the woman he promised her he would reject, Ariel finds herself falling under his spell again.
The plot revolves on a convenient set of coincidences but the mystery is engaging.
February 17, 2009
The entire book is from the perspective of the heroine. I prefer to be able to read both perspectives of the hero and heroine. But, it's not a total loss in my opinion, but I feel that I've read better.
October 11, 2022
** spoiler alert ** This is a Gothic novel, written in the first person, and includes madness, mystery and murder.
Ariel Maggie Rushdon is released from an insane asylum after being interned there by her now dead uncle because of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. When her uncle dies, her ill childhood friend comes to her rescue and gets her released. Believing Nicholas, the father, has betrayed her, she applies for a job at his estate to get revenge on him by stealing her son back (even though she has no way to support him). Meanwhile, Nick has lost his memory due to an accident and is rumoured to be insane. Their son was brought to him by the childhood friend, days after its birth and removal from its mother.
I found Ariel/Maggie to be incredibly annoying. First she believes in our hero, Nicholas, then not in a continuous cycle. But she loves him so what does it matter? Right.
Ariel finally realizes that Nick is suffering from opium poisoning. She recognizes the symptoms because whe was allowed to assist doctors in the insane asylum. (If she was a patient, why would they let her help out?) She has Nick detoxing but never tells him that he's been given opium by someone in the house. Why the h*ll not? So he doesn't understand what's going on and distrusts her for locking him away from his family.
She also never tells him she is Maggie, even after she finds out he's always loved her and didn't betray her. He already wonders if he's crazy. She makes him moreso by keeping him wondering why she's plaguing his subconscious.
Bea, the nanny and Jane's former maid (Jane is Nick's "dead" wife), is horrid to Nick, constantly accusing him of murdering Jane, and neglectful of Nick's son, but Nick doesn't fire her. The reason is never explained.
I found myself frustrated with these inconsistencies.
Ariel Maggie Rushdon is released from an insane asylum after being interned there by her now dead uncle because of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. When her uncle dies, her ill childhood friend comes to her rescue and gets her released. Believing Nicholas, the father, has betrayed her, she applies for a job at his estate to get revenge on him by stealing her son back (even though she has no way to support him). Meanwhile, Nick has lost his memory due to an accident and is rumoured to be insane. Their son was brought to him by the childhood friend, days after its birth and removal from its mother.
I found Ariel/Maggie to be incredibly annoying. First she believes in our hero, Nicholas, then not in a continuous cycle. But she loves him so what does it matter? Right.
Ariel finally realizes that Nick is suffering from opium poisoning. She recognizes the symptoms because whe was allowed to assist doctors in the insane asylum. (If she was a patient, why would they let her help out?) She has Nick detoxing but never tells him that he's been given opium by someone in the house. Why the h*ll not? So he doesn't understand what's going on and distrusts her for locking him away from his family.
She also never tells him she is Maggie, even after she finds out he's always loved her and didn't betray her. He already wonders if he's crazy. She makes him moreso by keeping him wondering why she's plaguing his subconscious.
Bea, the nanny and Jane's former maid (Jane is Nick's "dead" wife), is horrid to Nick, constantly accusing him of murdering Jane, and neglectful of Nick's son, but Nick doesn't fire her. The reason is never explained.
I found myself frustrated with these inconsistencies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2022
This is a Gothic novel, written in the first person, and includes madness, mystery and murder.
Ariel Maggie Rushdon is released from an insane asylum after being interned there by her now dead uncle because of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. When her uncle dies, her ill childhood friend comes to her rescue and gets her released. Believing Nicholas, the father, has betrayed her, she applies for a job at his estate to get revenge on him by stealing her son back (even though she has no way to support him). Meanwhile, Nick has lost his memory due to an accident and is rumoured to be insane. Their son was brought to him by the childhood friend, days after its birth and removal from its mother.
I found Ariel/Maggie to be incredibly annoying. First she believes in our hero, Nicholas, then not in a continuous cycle. But she loves him so what does it matter? Right.
Ariel finally realizes that Nick is suffering from opium poisoning. She recognizes the symptoms because whe was allowed to assist doctors in the insane asylum. (If she was a patient, why would they let her help out?) She has Nick detoxing but never tells him that he's been given opium by someone in the house. Why the h*ll not? So he doesn't understand what's going on and distrusts her for locking him away from his family.
She also never tells him she is Maggie, even after she finds out he's always loved her and didn't betray her. He already wonders if he's crazy. She makes him moreso by keeping him wondering why she's plaguing his subconscious.
Bea, the nanny and Jane's former maid (Jane is Nick's "dead" wife), is horrid to Nick, constantly accusing him of murdering Jane, and neglectful of Nick's son, but Nick doesn't fire her. The reason is never explained.
I found myself frustrated with these inconsistencies.
Ariel Maggie Rushdon is released from an insane asylum after being interned there by her now dead uncle because of her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. When her uncle dies, her ill childhood friend comes to her rescue and gets her released. Believing Nicholas, the father, has betrayed her, she applies for a job at his estate to get revenge on him by stealing her son back (even though she has no way to support him). Meanwhile, Nick has lost his memory due to an accident and is rumoured to be insane. Their son was brought to him by the childhood friend, days after its birth and removal from its mother.
I found Ariel/Maggie to be incredibly annoying. First she believes in our hero, Nicholas, then not in a continuous cycle. But she loves him so what does it matter? Right.
Ariel finally realizes that Nick is suffering from opium poisoning. She recognizes the symptoms because whe was allowed to assist doctors in the insane asylum. (If she was a patient, why would they let her help out?) She has Nick detoxing but never tells him that he's been given opium by someone in the house. Why the h*ll not? So he doesn't understand what's going on and distrusts her for locking him away from his family.
She also never tells him she is Maggie, even after she finds out he's always loved her and didn't betray her. He already wonders if he's crazy. She makes him moreso by keeping him wondering why she's plaguing his subconscious.
Bea, the nanny and Jane's former maid (Jane is Nick's "dead" wife), is horrid to Nick, constantly accusing him of murdering Jane, and neglectful of Nick's son, but Nick doesn't fire her. The reason is never explained.
I found myself frustrated with these inconsistencies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 31, 2019Very much a gothic romance from the 1980's.
January 21, 2021
this bookis beautiful:)
December 21, 2024
Gothic masterpiece 💌
January 25, 2026
Maggie is clever enough to figure out that someone has been poisoning Nicholas, but she doesn't care enough to investigate.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews