From the moment he saw seductive, violet-eyed Serena Spaulding, Gideon Brandt was imprisoned by the reckless longings of his heart. But Serena escaped from his arms, and he couldn't find her again until years later. And then his overwhelming need to possess her placed them both in grave danger in savage, sun-kissed Castellano. Gideon's sizzling touch exposed Serena's secret yearnings and made her cling to his strength, teaching her that destiny had meant them to be together. She blossomed under the blazing intensity of his passion, but her own obsession for the man she could never resist would test her pride -- and her love. Swept up in a revolution that risked both their lives, could Gideon and Serena survive?
Iris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
“Across the River of Yesterday” is the story of Gideon and Selena.. and oh such a wonderful read. On a starry night in a bar,27 year old Gideon rescues a 17 year old Selena and discovers they are soulmates. He confesses his love; but she has to leave as she’s married.. Ten years later, he lures her back to him with the help of her brother Dane and sparks ignite. Soon there is a rebellion on the rise and their love is tested.. It was a beautiful story. For once we had a strong yet sensitive alpha hero, a survivor and kickass heroine and a lot of emotion. The lovemaking scenes were beautiful and the ending perfect. Safe with exception 4.5/5
Awwwww this is a super cute read. The H rescues the h from a bar where she is being treated appallingly and pretty much falls in love with her then and there despite knowing she’s too young for him at 17.
The h has the feels too but leaves the h as she is already married and doesn’t want to hurt him they know they are pretty much it for each other but she’s just not available.
H searched for ages for the h and 10 years later he lured her back ( he had found her 2 years previously but was kind of afraid to approach her as she’s successful and a refined lady) He’s hoodwinked her brother onto the island and the h has come to rescue him setting up their meeting. (She’s now a widow) h will get her brother out of trouble (he organised) if she agrees to spend a week with him.
h eventually agrees and off he whisks her. There’s a cute moment when she comforts him as he is crying because his dog died - this H is awesome he is a very kind and lovely H who isn’t scared to show his feelings.
These 2 are so good together he makes her feel strong and able to fight her demons. Turns out she was married off at 17 by her evil stepfather to his lover. She found out on her honeymoon when she caught them red handed which is why she was such a state when the H met her. He has issues (PTSD) about his time in Vietnam and hates jungles but together these 2 kicked ass.
Brother is rescued by H and h then rescues H as he had traded himself and it’s a HEA for these 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Had read it more than 20 years ago. Was really taken with the Clanad / Sedikhan series. So wanted to re-read to find out if held the same appeal as it did all those years ago. It was thrilling to read then and I'm glad to say that it was still thrilling to read!!!!!
I am a fan of Iris Johansen but this book did not appeal to me. I am not sure what it was but I struggled to finish the story. In general, I didn't fall in love with the MCs and struggled to get into the storyline.