What do you think?
Rate this book
Pagan Adversary
"Alex is a wild man - a true pagan!"
Harriet had forgotten her dead brother-in-law's words until she stood opposite the fiercest opponent of her life - the autocratic and unyielding Alex Marcos. He had no scruples about taking her orphaned nephew, Nicky, away from her, claiming the boy was his heir.
But Harriet wouldn't let Nicky go - even if it meant abandoning herself to the savage demands of Alex's lovemaking.
For if the only weapon she had to fight Alex with was the effect her body had on his, then she'd use it, no matter what the cost!
Harriet had forgotten her dead brother-in-law's words until she stood opposite the fiercest opponent of her life - the autocratic and unyielding Alex Marcos. He had no scruples about taking her orphaned nephew, Nicky, away from her, claiming the boy was his heir.
But Harriet wouldn't let Nicky go - even if it meant abandoning herself to the savage demands of Alex's lovemaking.
For if the only weapon she had to fight Alex with was the effect her body had on his, then she'd use it, no matter what the cost!
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
5 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Sara Craven
493 books266 followersAnne Bushell was born on October 1938 in South Devon, England, just before World War II and grew up in a house crammed with books. She was always a voracious reader, some of her all-time favorites books are: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and "The Code of the Woosters" by P. G. Wodehouse.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 22, 2018
StMargarets and Naksed did a much better job than I could care to with this paint-by-the-numbers romance. I don’t know what I expected with a Sara Craven book and Pagan in the title, but I got it. Once again, an HP author throws poor Greece and its heroes to the stereotypical vengeful, proud, slut-shaming misogynistic stereotypes. I have always heard that Greeks are solicitous of guests, but I guess those are a different kind of Greek.
Heroine: treacherous body alert
Hero: slut shames, belittles, emotionally and physically distant, contemptuous. What’s not to love? Plus I am not quite sure when he fell in love.
Future MIL from hell: No words. No, that’s not right. Words. Foul woman that shuns her own grandson and then does an an end run around the hero when she kicks the heroine out of the house because she’s damaged goods and offers her the ever-loving mistress bracelet.
Future Aunt by marriage: Even worse than the MIL from hell.
Rounding out the crew is a dead-eyed Greek Mrs. Danvers, a sweet nanny, the plot moppet, an evil OW, a potential OM, and beautiful Corfu.
Yes another book that would have been better served as a suspense thriller/mystery than a romance.
Heroine needs to run like hell from the horrible life she will have with the hero's mother and the indifferent and dismissive servants.
At least we were spared the dreaded pillow friend.
Heroine: treacherous body alert
Hero: slut shames, belittles, emotionally and physically distant, contemptuous. What’s not to love? Plus I am not quite sure when he fell in love.
Future MIL from hell: No words. No, that’s not right. Words. Foul woman that shuns her own grandson and then does an an end run around the hero when she kicks the heroine out of the house because she’s damaged goods and offers her the ever-loving mistress bracelet.
Future Aunt by marriage: Even worse than the MIL from hell.
Rounding out the crew is a dead-eyed Greek Mrs. Danvers, a sweet nanny, the plot moppet, an evil OW, a potential OM, and beautiful Corfu.
Yes another book that would have been better served as a suspense thriller/mystery than a romance.
Heroine needs to run like hell from the horrible life she will have with the hero's mother and the indifferent and dismissive servants.
At least we were spared the dreaded pillow friend.
September 11, 2020
My very first book by Sara Craven (about time i read something written by her) and certainly not by far the last."Pagan Adversary" was a great pleasure as we watch the instant attraction between the Greek Tyccon Alex Marcos and the strong beautiful heroine Harriet Marsters,as they clashes about the care for their beloved nephew.(How i love tropes like these),and the intense slap-kiss goes on..and how we love it!(otherwise we wouldn`t even be reading Hp)
Great writing and story,the way Craven describes the romance between Alex and Harriett was really sexy.The scene at the end was...THAT`S MY HERO!
***
On a whisper, she said, 'You—love me?'
He said huskily, 'Almost from the first, agape mou. How could you not know?'
'How could I?" she protested. That inner radiance was spreading, glowing in her face and eyes, curving her mouth. 'Why didn't you tell me?'
'Did it need words? And at first, I admit, I tried to fight it. There had been Kostas—and it seemed there would always be too many obstacles, too many barriers between us. But you were in my heart, matia mou, almost before I knew it.'
Great writing and story,the way Craven describes the romance between Alex and Harriett was really sexy.The scene at the end was...THAT`S MY HERO!
***
On a whisper, she said, 'You—love me?'
He said huskily, 'Almost from the first, agape mou. How could you not know?'
'How could I?" she protested. That inner radiance was spreading, glowing in her face and eyes, curving her mouth. 'Why didn't you tell me?'
'Did it need words? And at first, I admit, I tried to fight it. There had been Kostas—and it seemed there would always be too many obstacles, too many barriers between us. But you were in my heart, matia mou, almost before I knew it.'
May 26, 2024
Barely made it to three stars, I must be in a better mood than usual lol. I just couldn't get into the romance of this because the family drama and future in-laws were so absolutely VILE and DISGUSTING, and the hero came off as a limp lettuce leaf when it came to his Mama and her family therefore I could never see him put the heroine first in what surely would be many conflicts to come. What saved it was a decent heroine who did not mince words, who behaved with dignity, whose love for the cute little plot moppet of the piece felt genuine and not just window dressing, and who at least made some effort to combat her traitorous body when the hero had his big fat jerk moments. No, she didn't go as far as to make him grovel but he came as close as he was going to get given he was just so arrogant and obtuse.
June 20, 2024
revisiting to add cover info: The HR cover is a typically good one from Len Goldberg though I'm generally not a fan of his roses spilling into the foreground look. There's something a little too tough about his figures from this era to be softened by flowers. The M&B cover is lovely by the amazing Will Davies. A Davies fact: he is the only artist whose work was consistently featured on both Harlequin and Mills & Boon (until the mid 80s when they began sharing cover art) M&B starting in 1968/HR not until 1977. AFAIK, two other Canadians, Fred Oakley and Tom Bjarnason had one each for M&B, but many for Harlequin.
Middle of the road Sara Craven, not bad at all if you are a fan of scenes wherein someone catches someone skinny dipping (raises hand), or the ever popular just soothing someone having a nightmare ploy.
You will also be expected to endure stereotypes based on country of origin, selective application of 'family comes first' rules, an H who makes cutting remarks and judgements but can't take it when he's on the receiving end of same, one of SC's heroines who's all woe is me because she's not facing impending single motherhood, and of course, malicious black clad widows.
Middle of the road Sara Craven, not bad at all if you are a fan of scenes wherein someone catches someone skinny dipping (raises hand), or the ever popular just soothing someone having a nightmare ploy.
You will also be expected to endure stereotypes based on country of origin, selective application of 'family comes first' rules, an H who makes cutting remarks and judgements but can't take it when he's on the receiving end of same, one of SC's heroines who's all woe is me because she's not facing impending single motherhood, and of course, malicious black clad widows.
February 6, 2018
Hero tries to take his nephew from the heroine after her sister and his brother die in a car crash. Ha! For once the hero has to put up with a two and half year old with separation anxiety and he realizes his nephew still needs the heroine.
Heroine gets in a Macbeth zinger about her nephew "murdering sleep" and we're off to Corfu where the heroine is treated like dirt by hero's mother and his aunt. SC was in the mood for evil family shenanigans rather than romance, because the hero disappears and the heroine has to deal with the evil witches and a wanna-be OM in the form of an oily cousin.
Finally, everyone cracks during a storm.
Not to worry, a few weeks later the hero is back in England without a hint of a grovel but lots of jewelry and declarations of love.
That poor child is going to be a next generation hero after the ordeal his great auntie put him through and the H/h going off into the sunset. Thank goodness the nanny is nice.
Heroine gets in a Macbeth zinger about her nephew "murdering sleep" and we're off to Corfu where the heroine is treated like dirt by hero's mother and his aunt. SC was in the mood for evil family shenanigans rather than romance, because the hero disappears and the heroine has to deal with the evil witches and a wanna-be OM in the form of an oily cousin.
Finally, everyone cracks during a storm.
Not to worry, a few weeks later the hero is back in England without a hint of a grovel but lots of jewelry and declarations of love.
That poor child is going to be a next generation hero after the ordeal his great auntie put him through and the H/h going off into the sunset. Thank goodness the nanny is nice.
November 14, 2020
"Pagan Adversary" is the story of Harriet and Alex.
Another age old classic HQN plot, in which a couple dies and their respective siblings battle it out for their child. Ever since her beloved sister and brother in law passed away, our heroine has sacrificed her life to love and take care of her nephew. That is until, the hero, the child's rich Greek uncle enters, wanting to take the child away. She fights tooth and nail, until she is desolate, and agrees to send the child away, heartbroken. But what the (stupid) hero does not realize is that the child is equally attached to his aunt..
Thus in between slut shaming and mocking the heroine, he is forced to take the heroine to his home to make the child's transition easier. Ofcourse she encounters hostile relatives, evil OW and scheming OM, but her love for the child, and eventually the hero keeps her going. But how far will they push her?
Very angsty, filled with emotions book. The heroine was a strong but kind hearted martyr, who constantly went in heat as soon as the hero touched her. The hero was cruel and manipulative at first, but could not stop playing ping pong with the heroine's heart and body. His family was one of the worst I've read in the HQN topia- baby haters, homicidal, reckless cousins- GROSS!
It was a roller coaster ride- and since I've lubricated my eyes enough, my rating is 3 stars.
SWE
Another age old classic HQN plot, in which a couple dies and their respective siblings battle it out for their child. Ever since her beloved sister and brother in law passed away, our heroine has sacrificed her life to love and take care of her nephew. That is until, the hero, the child's rich Greek uncle enters, wanting to take the child away. She fights tooth and nail, until she is desolate, and agrees to send the child away, heartbroken. But what the (stupid) hero does not realize is that the child is equally attached to his aunt..
Thus in between slut shaming and mocking the heroine, he is forced to take the heroine to his home to make the child's transition easier. Ofcourse she encounters hostile relatives, evil OW and scheming OM, but her love for the child, and eventually the hero keeps her going. But how far will they push her?
Very angsty, filled with emotions book. The heroine was a strong but kind hearted martyr, who constantly went in heat as soon as the hero touched her. The hero was cruel and manipulative at first, but could not stop playing ping pong with the heroine's heart and body. His family was one of the worst I've read in the HQN topia- baby haters, homicidal, reckless cousins- GROSS!
It was a roller coaster ride- and since I've lubricated my eyes enough, my rating is 3 stars.
SWE
April 7, 2023
this was boring for like 95% of the book. i need the harlequin gods to bless me next time.
February 9, 2018
Sometimes, I enjoy revisiting these old skool HPs with sweet, caring and feisty and arrogant and jealous heroes and I really enjoyed seeing arrogant Alex going stir crazy with jealousy. I also liked that he was never cruel to Harriet. And, Harriet was perfect for him. She may be twenty-one and not well-to-do, but she had a good mix of sweetness and spunk. Their verbal sparring had me chuckling.
'Have some more champagne.' He refilled her glass. 'Perhaps it will sweeten your disposition.'
'I don't .think so,' she said. 'Nicky gets his temper from my side of the family.'
'You alarm me. The Marcos temper is also supposed to be formidable.'
'Poor Nicky. He may never smile again,' Harriet said cheerfully.
'That is what I am afraid of,' he murmured.
He looked at her, frowning incredulously. 'Then you have never been out of England?'
'Never,' she acknowledged. 'Even package tours cost money, Mr Marcos.'
'Alex,' he said autocratically. 'This continued formality of yours is absurd, and will stop now.'
'Yes, sir,' she muttered, and he laughed suddenly.
'You will be the most reluctant guest I have ever entertained!
Harriet had recently taken the responsibility of raising her two-and-a-half year old nephew, Nicky after the deaths of her sister Becca and brother-in-law, Kostas in an accident. Kostas Marcos came from a very rich Greek family, but had a fallout with them when he rejected marriage to the Greek girl they'd chosen for him and married beneath the family status. With so much bitterness on both sides there had been no contact at all between the two sides. Which is why Kostas' older brother, Alex's sudden claim for custody of Nicky came as a big shock to Harriet. He wanted to raise the boy in Greece and wanted her to relinquish all claims to him.
Harriet protests but being a small time typist, she did not have the resources to fight a custody battle against super rich an nd powerful Alex Marcos. Moreover, she didn't want to deprive Nicky of the luxurious life he was entitled to. Nicky however wasn't ready to leave the comfort of his aunt's arms and go live with complete strangers. It was fun to see how he drove his uncle crazy by displaying his powerful lungs when Alex had taken him to his hotel suite without Harriet. The money, power and resources that usually worked for Alex did nothing for a two year old who only wanted his aunt. Seeing his dependence on Harriet, Alex has no choice but to make a deal with her to go with them to his home in Corfu and stay until Nicky has settled into his new world.
I enjoyed the bathroom scene at the hotel suite where Alex is showing Harriet how to operate the shower dials and they end up kissing passionately then arguing which was followed by Alex dumping Harriet into the shower that too fully clothed in that funny nightdress borrowed from the sweet Greek nanny.
In Greece, although Alex had told Harriet to anticipate resentment from his mother and her sister --who also lives with them-- both who still haven't forgiven Kostas for his marriage, he, himself, was appalled to see she'd been given a room with no ventilation or air-conditioning. I liked how he put Harriet in his room for the night and gave a tongue-lashing to his family and staff making them cautious not to repeat it again. It was clear they feared him. Unfortunately, his reprimand gave them more reason to resent Harriet and there was constant tension between Harriet and his family.
Yet, more than their hostility, it was her attraction toward Alex that started troubling Harriet. His drugging kisses kept inciting her into surrendering to his ministrations with passionate eagerness. After two weeks of her stay seeing that Nicky was now happy in his new home and basking in his uncle's attention and his nanny's devotion, she thinks it's a good time to go back to England, but Alex forestalls it and would get angry when she pressed further. He then finally tells her he wanted her to stay until the end of the month and any further discussion on that front would take place once he returned from his business trip from Athens. As the narrative is from the heroine's point of view, we aren't given an insight about Alex's feelings, but it's clear that he has developed feelings for Harriet.
With him gone, Harriet expected things would be easier for her, but she finds its only worse with her constantly thinking about him. Moreover, in his absence, his mother, aunt and staff did nothing to conceal their hostility toward her. Worse still, Maria, the woman Alex's mother wanted Kostas to marry and is now hoping Alex would do so, is visiting the family for few weeks and shares her hostesses' opinion pertaining to Harriet and Nicky. The woman was only a decorative piece in the book. Alex showed no interest in the woman at all.
Harriet however finds a friend and ally in Spiro, the aunt's son. He reveals the issues in the family and about Kostas stealing a ruby ring that belonged to his mother before he left to marry Becca. But, Harriet is sure Kostas didn't steal the ring. When Alex returns from his business trip, he is jealous to see the closeness between Harriet and Spiro. It was amusing to see him murderous with rage in that scene when naughty Spiro hung the bra of Harriet's bikini on a branch of the olive tree. Only Spiro knew how jealous and possessive Alex was getting where Harriet was concerned and enjoyed pushing his buttons. But, with Alex being the lord of everything, he sends Spiro packing to Athens and takes his place at the dinner date with Harriet. However, a heavy storm and another passionate kiss in the car that sends tension escalating, have them changing their minds about dinner and return to the house, which was a good thing, considering the chilling ordeal that demented aunt put little Nicky through. Fortunately, Harriet found him in time and later on had Alex's arms to console herself in. I liked their lovemaking scene, the shower they shared and Alex sneaking out before the household woke up.
Unfortunately, Alex's mother sees him sneaking out from Harriet's room. Fearing she's losing another son to another Masters girl, she takes the opportunity when Alex is away to lie to Harriet, telling her he would be marrying Maria in the New Year. She also gives her a bracelet telling her it is from Alex as a sort of thank you gift. Loved Harriet's reply there.
"Keep the bracelet for the next lady. After all, Alex is hardly likely to remain celibate until the New Year.'
I would have liked the author to have showed the dinner scene for which Alex's mother came to London along with Alex with the intention of making amends to Harriet and showing her acceptance of her as Alex's wife. Moreover, I would have loved to see her apologize to Harriet for her shoddy treatment of her in Corfu. I have to guess with Alex determined to persuade Harriet to marry him they didn't make it to dinner, wouldn't have got out of that bed at all. LOL.
Overall, I found it an enjoyable read. Harriet and Alex make a very passionate pair. Although, the sex scenes were not too detailed you could feel the intense passion between the two. The kisses too, were very passionate. I also liked the middle of the night scene by the pool between them on Harriet's first night in Corfu. I liked the family dynamics and craziness. It stirred the angst and jealousy between the two.
'Have some more champagne.' He refilled her glass. 'Perhaps it will sweeten your disposition.'
'I don't .think so,' she said. 'Nicky gets his temper from my side of the family.'
'You alarm me. The Marcos temper is also supposed to be formidable.'
'Poor Nicky. He may never smile again,' Harriet said cheerfully.
'That is what I am afraid of,' he murmured.
He looked at her, frowning incredulously. 'Then you have never been out of England?'
'Never,' she acknowledged. 'Even package tours cost money, Mr Marcos.'
'Alex,' he said autocratically. 'This continued formality of yours is absurd, and will stop now.'
'Yes, sir,' she muttered, and he laughed suddenly.
'You will be the most reluctant guest I have ever entertained!
Harriet had recently taken the responsibility of raising her two-and-a-half year old nephew, Nicky after the deaths of her sister Becca and brother-in-law, Kostas in an accident. Kostas Marcos came from a very rich Greek family, but had a fallout with them when he rejected marriage to the Greek girl they'd chosen for him and married beneath the family status. With so much bitterness on both sides there had been no contact at all between the two sides. Which is why Kostas' older brother, Alex's sudden claim for custody of Nicky came as a big shock to Harriet. He wanted to raise the boy in Greece and wanted her to relinquish all claims to him.
Harriet protests but being a small time typist, she did not have the resources to fight a custody battle against super rich an nd powerful Alex Marcos. Moreover, she didn't want to deprive Nicky of the luxurious life he was entitled to. Nicky however wasn't ready to leave the comfort of his aunt's arms and go live with complete strangers. It was fun to see how he drove his uncle crazy by displaying his powerful lungs when Alex had taken him to his hotel suite without Harriet. The money, power and resources that usually worked for Alex did nothing for a two year old who only wanted his aunt. Seeing his dependence on Harriet, Alex has no choice but to make a deal with her to go with them to his home in Corfu and stay until Nicky has settled into his new world.
I enjoyed the bathroom scene at the hotel suite where Alex is showing Harriet how to operate the shower dials and they end up kissing passionately then arguing which was followed by Alex dumping Harriet into the shower that too fully clothed in that funny nightdress borrowed from the sweet Greek nanny.
In Greece, although Alex had told Harriet to anticipate resentment from his mother and her sister --who also lives with them-- both who still haven't forgiven Kostas for his marriage, he, himself, was appalled to see she'd been given a room with no ventilation or air-conditioning. I liked how he put Harriet in his room for the night and gave a tongue-lashing to his family and staff making them cautious not to repeat it again. It was clear they feared him. Unfortunately, his reprimand gave them more reason to resent Harriet and there was constant tension between Harriet and his family.
Yet, more than their hostility, it was her attraction toward Alex that started troubling Harriet. His drugging kisses kept inciting her into surrendering to his ministrations with passionate eagerness. After two weeks of her stay seeing that Nicky was now happy in his new home and basking in his uncle's attention and his nanny's devotion, she thinks it's a good time to go back to England, but Alex forestalls it and would get angry when she pressed further. He then finally tells her he wanted her to stay until the end of the month and any further discussion on that front would take place once he returned from his business trip from Athens. As the narrative is from the heroine's point of view, we aren't given an insight about Alex's feelings, but it's clear that he has developed feelings for Harriet.
With him gone, Harriet expected things would be easier for her, but she finds its only worse with her constantly thinking about him. Moreover, in his absence, his mother, aunt and staff did nothing to conceal their hostility toward her. Worse still, Maria, the woman Alex's mother wanted Kostas to marry and is now hoping Alex would do so, is visiting the family for few weeks and shares her hostesses' opinion pertaining to Harriet and Nicky. The woman was only a decorative piece in the book. Alex showed no interest in the woman at all.
Harriet however finds a friend and ally in Spiro, the aunt's son. He reveals the issues in the family and about Kostas stealing a ruby ring that belonged to his mother before he left to marry Becca. But, Harriet is sure Kostas didn't steal the ring. When Alex returns from his business trip, he is jealous to see the closeness between Harriet and Spiro. It was amusing to see him murderous with rage in that scene when naughty Spiro hung the bra of Harriet's bikini on a branch of the olive tree. Only Spiro knew how jealous and possessive Alex was getting where Harriet was concerned and enjoyed pushing his buttons. But, with Alex being the lord of everything, he sends Spiro packing to Athens and takes his place at the dinner date with Harriet. However, a heavy storm and another passionate kiss in the car that sends tension escalating, have them changing their minds about dinner and return to the house, which was a good thing, considering the chilling ordeal that demented aunt put little Nicky through. Fortunately, Harriet found him in time and later on had Alex's arms to console herself in. I liked their lovemaking scene, the shower they shared and Alex sneaking out before the household woke up.
Unfortunately, Alex's mother sees him sneaking out from Harriet's room. Fearing she's losing another son to another Masters girl, she takes the opportunity when Alex is away to lie to Harriet, telling her he would be marrying Maria in the New Year. She also gives her a bracelet telling her it is from Alex as a sort of thank you gift. Loved Harriet's reply there.
"Keep the bracelet for the next lady. After all, Alex is hardly likely to remain celibate until the New Year.'
I would have liked the author to have showed the dinner scene for which Alex's mother came to London along with Alex with the intention of making amends to Harriet and showing her acceptance of her as Alex's wife. Moreover, I would have loved to see her apologize to Harriet for her shoddy treatment of her in Corfu. I have to guess with Alex determined to persuade Harriet to marry him they didn't make it to dinner, wouldn't have got out of that bed at all. LOL.
Overall, I found it an enjoyable read. Harriet and Alex make a very passionate pair. Although, the sex scenes were not too detailed you could feel the intense passion between the two. The kisses too, were very passionate. I also liked the middle of the night scene by the pool between them on Harriet's first night in Corfu. I liked the family dynamics and craziness. It stirred the angst and jealousy between the two.
May 11, 2021
Rating: **2.5 stars**
Ok I'm trying to figure out what exactly did the ML see in the FL to fall for her??? Keeping the fact in mind I can count their meetings/ interactions on my fingers the development and their feelings did not make sense.
The only good or redeeming quality of the FL was her love for the nephew besides that she was immature and annoying as hell comparatively the playboy ML looked good in front of her.
Idk what is this formula of some M&B books to make the FL so annoying and pathetic that you would prefer the asshole manhandling men over them. I question my sanity when I feel bad for the men to be stuck with such specimens their entire lives
Ok I'm trying to figure out what exactly did the ML see in the FL to fall for her??? Keeping the fact in mind I can count their meetings/ interactions on my fingers the development and their feelings did not make sense.
The only good or redeeming quality of the FL was her love for the nephew besides that she was immature and annoying as hell comparatively the playboy ML looked good in front of her.
Idk what is this formula of some M&B books to make the FL so annoying and pathetic that you would prefer the asshole manhandling men over them. I question my sanity when I feel bad for the men to be stuck with such specimens their entire lives
October 29, 2013
absolutely loved it ! alex and hariet fell in love gradually n they made love only towards the end when they both knew they were in love, as if the sex was a celebration of love :-) ders a very memorable scene etched in my mind when hariet was on the lounger by the beach. alex cud not help himself n seized the opportunity 2 give her an erotic massage on the pretext of applying sun lotion lol !n then we have spiro appearing n removing her bra. alex got so mad, he was positively murderous.. poor spiro was sent away on business dat very night !lol;p good read, very entertaining one
June 18, 2024
(I love the pose on the cover. The jaw tilts, the cupping hand, the attention-drawing shadowy vee. Very good, whoever conceived this). This was traditional SC Greek oeuvre and I sank into it like a warm bath. I cut my baby Mills & Boon teeth on her Strange Adventure and I've been a sucker for them ever since. Consequently I nostalgically draw a forgiving veil over characters and behaviours that would have me running for the hills IRL. Like the h, Harriet, I was whisked away to fragrant Corfu under azure skies (I could weep for their summer lack in these parts) and into the contemptuous, handsy orbit of manwhore Greek god Alex. Sigh. I wish. (Again, not IRL). She's been left with Nicky, the mostly obliging toddler progeny of her sister and his brother's much hated by the Greek side marriage. Alex is on a mission to retrieve said heir. Cue awakening kisses in fancy hotel room, abandonment of job/flat, flight to Corfu (Paleokastritsa, I can confirm, is utterly stunning and best visited in early May if you hate crowds as much as I do) and a Rebecca-esque welcome from the mother, witchy aunt and assorted inscrutable servants. There's a scene in this, which mimics one at the beginning of Dark Apollo, where the H gets out of his pool naked that I can thoroughly recommend (DA does it better). There's a strong whiff of the batshit gothic in a plot point involving the witchy aunt which is glossed over so thoroughly that you're blinking for a moment before you get back to our Hs uncommumicated passion. I've four starred it, although it's not quite that, as a good example of the type. This one (bought as a paperback second hand) was not a waste of my birthday money.
July 31, 2020
You know you have a reader's block and you can't seem to enjoy good books, so you find one dusty book lying around in some corner of your house, fully aware that it'll be a cringe ride but whatever makes you want to read again is worth it right?
Anyway this book was published in 1980s and you'd think that over the course of 40 years we might've progressed beyond the need to force male protagonist on the main heroine in the love. Sadly that is not the case with movies still making millions based on the 'exotic', 'raunchy' storylines which back in the day were simply deemed as 'romance'
Honestly, the porno industry should take inspiration from such content and make content based on that because then I will be at peace knowing these are just 'unrealistic' fantasies (guilty pleasures) and not something many of us still want to happen to us.
Anyway this book was published in 1980s and you'd think that over the course of 40 years we might've progressed beyond the need to force male protagonist on the main heroine in the love. Sadly that is not the case with movies still making millions based on the 'exotic', 'raunchy' storylines which back in the day were simply deemed as 'romance'
Honestly, the porno industry should take inspiration from such content and make content based on that because then I will be at peace knowing these are just 'unrealistic' fantasies (guilty pleasures) and not something many of us still want to happen to us.
February 24, 2021
A nice read. I like the passionate, sexy scenes.
It would have been better if the story had ended with him sending his mother away from his house. After the things his mother has said and done to the h, she should not have been forgiven that easily.
And now the h has to continue to live with her mother-in-law in her husband’s house. So I take one star off for that. Because that’s not really a HEA for the h.
It would have been better if the story had ended with him sending his mother away from his house. After the things his mother has said and done to the h, she should not have been forgiven that easily.
And now the h has to continue to live with her mother-in-law in her husband’s house. So I take one star off for that. Because that’s not really a HEA for the h.
August 30, 2023
Long review with full spoilers here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/pag...
H can’t be consistent. He supposedly falls in love with h right away but does nothing to make her time with his family tolerable aside from demanding they house her in a guest room and not a closet. He keeps kissing and trying to seduce h.
He intends to permanently separate nephew from h, his aunt and verbally attacks h when she emotionally tells him off.
Not clear why h falls for this gem of an H, but she sleeps with him 5 minutes after he tells her he’s getting married. She doesn’t feel particularly guilty about probably cheating H’s to be wife, in fact she isn’t thinking at all. She doesn’t even decide to have an affair, she just lets H seduce her without thinking of the future at all.
Sara Craven must have read a bunch of Betty Neels because H never gives h any indication that she is his intended wife. I dislike this plot device, it’s stupid and not at all the way real people act.
So why 4 stars? Loved the last 20% and how h gobsmacked H about his brother having been gotten rid of, his aunt manipulating H and family to kick him out and blame it all on brother’s wife, h’s sister. Loyal h knew the whole story was trash from the get go and told H he was a fool to believe it.
H can’t be consistent. He supposedly falls in love with h right away but does nothing to make her time with his family tolerable aside from demanding they house her in a guest room and not a closet. He keeps kissing and trying to seduce h.
He intends to permanently separate nephew from h, his aunt and verbally attacks h when she emotionally tells him off.
Not clear why h falls for this gem of an H, but she sleeps with him 5 minutes after he tells her he’s getting married. She doesn’t feel particularly guilty about probably cheating H’s to be wife, in fact she isn’t thinking at all. She doesn’t even decide to have an affair, she just lets H seduce her without thinking of the future at all.
Sara Craven must have read a bunch of Betty Neels because H never gives h any indication that she is his intended wife. I dislike this plot device, it’s stupid and not at all the way real people act.
So why 4 stars? Loved the last 20% and how h gobsmacked H about his brother having been gotten rid of, his aunt manipulating H and family to kick him out and blame it all on brother’s wife, h’s sister. Loyal h knew the whole story was trash from the get go and told H he was a fool to believe it.
January 10, 2013
This was a decent older story. I liked the plot setup and the ending. Only downside was that I wasn't really feeling the love from the hero along the way -- I would have preferred a few more hints of how he was feeling. Still, a good, basic, older HP read.
March 26, 2022
I…do not hold out much hope for the success of this marriage 😳
February 10, 2023
I really struggle with these sorts of characters. He, we are told, loved her from the very first time he saw her. 'But how could you not know that I loved you?' he says at the very end of the book... uh... because you spent the entire book sneering at her, calling her names, mocking her, threatening her, roughing her up and telling her how he isn't into pathetic little virgins like her, slamming about the place like a baby and telling her how much you enjoy sex with other women.
I just... don't... gettit! Guys, hot tip, if you love a chick maybe be nice to her.
She was pretty dreadful too. I really hated how as soon as she got to Corfu she emotionally dumped her nephew (Nicky who?) and became utterly obsessed with the H. At one point the H says to her 'Nicky is the most important person to you, yes?' and in her mind she throws Nicky under a bus and hysterically screams 'no no nooo you are you are youuuu' and at that point I really hated her. How can you essentially be a mother to a child, then dump the kid because you get the sex feels for a broody dude?
I just... don't... gettit! Guys, hot tip, if you love a chick maybe be nice to her.
She was pretty dreadful too. I really hated how as soon as she got to Corfu she emotionally dumped her nephew (Nicky who?) and became utterly obsessed with the H. At one point the H says to her 'Nicky is the most important person to you, yes?' and in her mind she throws Nicky under a bus and hysterically screams 'no no nooo you are you are youuuu' and at that point I really hated her. How can you essentially be a mother to a child, then dump the kid because you get the sex feels for a broody dude?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2024
Harriet took upon her the responsibility to raise her only sister's orphaned son - Necky. After months from the accident that took the life of both her sister and her Greek husband - Kostas - without so much a world of solace or contact, she didn't think that Kostas's family cared much about Necky! Yet now, Nicky's arrogant uncle, Alex, demanded that she hand in the baby! Harriet was not prepared to part with the only member left in her own family, yet when she met the great Alex himself, she found herself in a great dilemma in which she was forced to take the best decisions for Necky and herself. Surprisingly, Alex wouldn't even grant her her own wishes and whisked her and Necky to Greece!
It's a delicious read. A book for enjoyment because it doesn't lack in emotions, strong lovable characters and interesting events. The writing style is certainly engrossing and I missed such a style in so many other books. A Highly recommended read.
It's a delicious read. A book for enjoyment because it doesn't lack in emotions, strong lovable characters and interesting events. The writing style is certainly engrossing and I missed such a style in so many other books. A Highly recommended read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2020
I totally suspect that Lynne Graham's Bond of Hatred is based on this *LOL* The first quarter of the book is too similar to ignore. Anyway, Pagan Adversary is a more logical - albeit with more angst - approach to the premise of the story. O, my queen of misunderstandings and USTs, Sara Craven!
February 14, 2018
The heroine is too fool to understand any thing. I didnt lite it at all
October 5, 2023
2.5 stars
June 8, 2021
"Alex is a wild man - a true pagan!"Harriet had forgotten her dead brother-in-law's words until she stood opposite the fiercest opponent of her life - the autocratic and unyielding Alex Marcos. He had no scruples about taking her orphaned nephew, Nicky, away from her, claiming the boy was his heir.
But Harriet wouldn't let Nicky go - even if it meant abandoning herself to the savage demands of Alex's lovemaking.For if the only weapon she had to fight Alex with was the effect her body had on his, then she'd use it, no matter what the cost!
But Harriet wouldn't let Nicky go - even if it meant abandoning herself to the savage demands of Alex's lovemaking.For if the only weapon she had to fight Alex with was the effect her body had on his, then she'd use it, no matter what the cost!
August 24, 2011
Harriet takes on Alex to keep her orphaned nephew in her life. Alex fights her every step of the way. He also fights against himself and what he believed about his now dead brother.
Fast paced and exciting.
Fast paced and exciting.
Read
December 17, 2014Really in-depth look into the personalities of a family who believe they are above marrying someone of a different personality, background and nationality. When
June 23, 2016
Disgusting.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews