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Mavrakis #2
Love is the Honey
Love was forbidden in her chosen life
Iris Ardath, abandoned in infancy, had spent all her life behind the convent walls of St. Clare's. She fully expected that she would take the veil and spend her years safe in the quiet cloisters.
But Mother Superior decided that Iris needed to know something of the world first. So she sent her to be governess for Aleko, son of the vibrant, worldly, sophisticated Zonar Mavrakis.
Love was something for others. Iris was sure of it - until she was thrust into the life of this powerful but lost and lonely man.
Iris Ardath, abandoned in infancy, had spent all her life behind the convent walls of St. Clare's. She fully expected that she would take the veil and spend her years safe in the quiet cloisters.
But Mother Superior decided that Iris needed to know something of the world first. So she sent her to be governess for Aleko, son of the vibrant, worldly, sophisticated Zonar Mavrakis.
Love was something for others. Iris was sure of it - until she was thrust into the life of this powerful but lost and lonely man.
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
4 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Violet Winspear
176 books142 followersViolet Winspear was a British author renowned for her prolific output of romance novels, publishing seventy titles with Mills & Boon between 1961 and 1987. In 1973, she became a launch author for the Mills & Boon-Harlequin Presents line, known for its more sexually explicit content, alongside Anne Mather and Anne Hampson, two of the most popular and prolific British romance writers of the time. Winspear began writing while working in a factory and became a full-time novelist in 1963, producing her works from her home in South East England, researching exotic settings at her local library. She famously described her heroes as lean, strong, and captivating, “in need of love but capable of breathtaking passion and potency,” a characterization that provoked controversy in 1970 when she stated that her male protagonists were “capable of rape,” leading to considerable public backlash. Her novels are celebrated for their vivid, globe-spanning settings and dramatic tension, often employing sexual antagonism to heighten conflict between the alpha male hero and the heroine, who is frequently portrayed as naïve or overwhelmed by his dominance. Winspear never married or had children, and she passed away in January 1989 after a long battle with cancer, leaving a lasting influence on the romance genre.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 13, 2025
Sometimes, one human being reacts instinctively to another, just as a bee flies blindly to a scent in search of honey. Love is the honey.
Love is the Honey is a charming vintage romance that takes place in a remote, English coastal town. An arrogant, Alpha, Greek millionaire, hires a supposedly meek, convent-bred, English nanny for his child. He delights in inflicting cynical barbs on her but to his surprise, he gets lanced thoroughly in return by the sharp-tongued young woman he obviously underestimated.
Winspear’s dialogue driven, slow-burning story was enjoyable.
Love is the Honey is a charming vintage romance that takes place in a remote, English coastal town. An arrogant, Alpha, Greek millionaire, hires a supposedly meek, convent-bred, English nanny for his child. He delights in inflicting cynical barbs on her but to his surprise, he gets lanced thoroughly in return by the sharp-tongued young woman he obviously underestimated.
Winspear’s dialogue driven, slow-burning story was enjoyable.
August 23, 2014
Wow. I loved this one. I don't read much by Violet Winspear these days, but she was one of my most favorite authors back in the day.
This one packed a very subtle punch. A young woman leaves the convent on a short term assignment to be governess to a wealthy young boy. She needs to determine if being a nun is the right decision for her having experienced no other life since she was abandoned at birth and given to the nuns to raise her.
The hero is sadly bitter after his pregnant wife dies in a horrible car accident and he has to deliver his son on the side of the road. He goes through the motions of life with very little feeling, except for his young son that he adores. He definitely earns "Dad of the year" in HP land and l liked how Winspear played out this angle because it made a very bitter, wealthy playboy into a rather scrumptious hero.
"Stay with me, Iris. Don't leave me to go to the devil, by the gods, if you need a good cause, then take me on."
Who could resist? (sigh)
This one packed a very subtle punch. A young woman leaves the convent on a short term assignment to be governess to a wealthy young boy. She needs to determine if being a nun is the right decision for her having experienced no other life since she was abandoned at birth and given to the nuns to raise her.
The hero is sadly bitter after his pregnant wife dies in a horrible car accident and he has to deliver his son on the side of the road. He goes through the motions of life with very little feeling, except for his young son that he adores. He definitely earns "Dad of the year" in HP land and l liked how Winspear played out this angle because it made a very bitter, wealthy playboy into a rather scrumptious hero.
"Stay with me, Iris. Don't leave me to go to the devil, by the gods, if you need a good cause, then take me on."
Who could resist? (sigh)
June 7, 2021
"Love is the Honey" is the story of Iris and Zonar.
In this very sweet take on "The Sound of Music", the orphaned heroine has grown up in a convent. On the path to take her vows, she is hired out as the nanny to the hero and his young son. Ofcourse, while she tries to deny all wordly pleasures, the hero is hell bent on making her experience it.. and him. He decides to take care of her, an semi evil OW and rapey OM intrude, the book ends in chase and HEA.
I really enjoyed it except I would have liked the attack not to be brushed under the table and the OM should have been taught a lesson. Also more scenes between the hero and heroine would be better.
Safe
3.5/5
In this very sweet take on "The Sound of Music", the orphaned heroine has grown up in a convent. On the path to take her vows, she is hired out as the nanny to the hero and his young son. Ofcourse, while she tries to deny all wordly pleasures, the hero is hell bent on making her experience it.. and him. He decides to take care of her, an semi evil OW and rapey OM intrude, the book ends in chase and HEA.
I really enjoyed it except I would have liked the attack not to be brushed under the table and the OM should have been taught a lesson. Also more scenes between the hero and heroine would be better.
Safe
3.5/5
August 28, 2014
Love is the Honey is the second book in the series.
I liked Zonar in The Child of Judas and I was very happy to see he found some happiness after all. I only hope he changes his ways because he confessed in The Child of Judas that even though he really loved his first wife, his wondering eyes never stopped while married and it was a cause of problem in his first marriage. Iris is very naive and doesn't want conflicts so I can see Zonar taking advantage of the situation. The reason I can't trust him is because even though according to him, he loved her from the very start, he was still wining and dining the lovely Colette until the middle of the very last chapter.
I liked Zonar in The Child of Judas and I was very happy to see he found some happiness after all. I only hope he changes his ways because he confessed in The Child of Judas that even though he really loved his first wife, his wondering eyes never stopped while married and it was a cause of problem in his first marriage. Iris is very naive and doesn't want conflicts so I can see Zonar taking advantage of the situation. The reason I can't trust him is because even though according to him, he loved her from the very start, he was still wining and dining the lovely Colette until the middle of the very last chapter.
September 4, 2022
قرأتها بعنوان الحب هو العسل
ترجمة منتدى روايتي
بما اني احب الجزء الاول من السلسلة دمية وراء القضبان فكان عندي فضول تقرا قصة زونار الارمل المعذب الذي وقع بحب فينلا زوجة شقيقه ليون
بهذه القصه يجد حبه الحقيقي
ايريس فتاة عاشت حياتها داخل دير لتخرج للدنيا كمربية لاليكو ابن زونار
احببت القصه
لكنني احب ليون اكثر
ترجمة منتدى روايتي
بما اني احب الجزء الاول من السلسلة دمية وراء القضبان فكان عندي فضول تقرا قصة زونار الارمل المعذب الذي وقع بحب فينلا زوجة شقيقه ليون
بهذه القصه يجد حبه الحقيقي
ايريس فتاة عاشت حياتها داخل دير لتخرج للدنيا كمربية لاليكو ابن زونار
احببت القصه
لكنني احب ليون اكثر
July 6, 2017
"Stay with me, Iris. Don't leave me alone to go to the devil, by the gods, if you need a good cause, then take me on."
The proud Zonar begging his little nun, Iris, to stay with him made my heart sing. I loved every page of this book.
Iris was abandoned as a baby and raised in a convent. At 18, she is now considering becoming a nun. Until her Mother Superior sends her to be a governess to Zonar's young son, Aleko. This brought about changes in her life that had her questioning her belief that she should be a nun.
What I loved most about this book was the look into Iris's life and seeing her loneliness and sadness. And her coming to the realization that she was alone and would never have love and affection if she too her vows.
She enjoyed the luxuries that living as a governess gave, but it was the affection and the human contact that she desired more than anything else. And Zonar knew this and used it to help her come to her ultimate realization.
This had so many shades of "The Sound of Music" that I almost visualized Julie Andrews as Iris. :) I truly loved this book and highly recommend it. I know it's one that I will read again in the future. Now I'm off to find a copy of Lion and Fenella's book.
The proud Zonar begging his little nun, Iris, to stay with him made my heart sing. I loved every page of this book.
Iris was abandoned as a baby and raised in a convent. At 18, she is now considering becoming a nun. Until her Mother Superior sends her to be a governess to Zonar's young son, Aleko. This brought about changes in her life that had her questioning her belief that she should be a nun.
What I loved most about this book was the look into Iris's life and seeing her loneliness and sadness. And her coming to the realization that she was alone and would never have love and affection if she too her vows.
She enjoyed the luxuries that living as a governess gave, but it was the affection and the human contact that she desired more than anything else. And Zonar knew this and used it to help her come to her ultimate realization.
This had so many shades of "The Sound of Music" that I almost visualized Julie Andrews as Iris. :) I truly loved this book and highly recommend it. I know it's one that I will read again in the future. Now I'm off to find a copy of Lion and Fenella's book.
March 6, 2020
This book was far better than the first one IMO. The story opens when our leading man rolls up to a convent in Essex and demands a young woman for the summer to be a governess to his son. Iris is brought to Reverend Mother’s office for his inspection and it is agreed that she will travel to Devon where she will begin her duties. Iris is intimidated by this tall dominating Greek. Of course it’s obvious how all this will turn out.
Overall I quite liked this, there is some competition from another woman but it’s obvious where the hero’s interest lies. Mind you I thought it a bit odd that he could demand a convent girl to be his sons governess, and Reverend Mother didn’t question it at all, nor did she check on Iris to see if she was okay, she just handed her over. The hero’s son plays a vital part in the story and his character was quite well written. Overall I liked this.
Overall I quite liked this, there is some competition from another woman but it’s obvious where the hero’s interest lies. Mind you I thought it a bit odd that he could demand a convent girl to be his sons governess, and Reverend Mother didn’t question it at all, nor did she check on Iris to see if she was okay, she just handed her over. The hero’s son plays a vital part in the story and his character was quite well written. Overall I liked this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2021
Love is the Honey revisits the Mavrakis Brothers from The Child of Judas. This time Jonar(who I fell in love with in TCOJ) gets an HEA. In this book the brother Demetre and his wife are mentioned briefly( here’s a spoiler for people who read Judas In the last 1/4 of the book the H and h from TCOJ make an appearance(Fenny is going to have an operation to see if they can have children 😀).
As other reviewers have stated this has elements of Sound of Music.
Heroine, Iris, 18 has been raised in a convent all her life. The mother superior would like her to go out in the world before taking her vows to become a nun. It is mentioned that she can be a little bit of trouble at times, but she is a very tame, more timid version of our Maria from SOM when dealing with most people in the story. The Mother Superior has gotten her a job as a governess to the Greek hero Jonar. He has a 9 year old son whose mother died shortly after delivering him.
Hero, Jonar, 35/36 has been widowed for 9 years. He approves of the heroine as governess to his son. However, he quickly has her get rid of her tatty clothing for better ones that he approves like Richard Gere did in Pretty Woman. Our H draws the line at cosmetic enhancements, as he likes a more natural look on a woman. He basically spends most of the book challenging her on her decision to be a nun. They have very lively conversations about this.
OW #1-Colette knew the h at the convent as she went to school there. She is very beautiful and a model. She had met the H in Paris and reinstates herself back into the H’s life. She is jealous of the h, so she must sense the H has feelings for the h. Anyhoo, she is there to cause angst.
The Chauffeur: I really can’t classify this man as an OM. Our h never liked him, and did her best to avoid him. He is a total creep. He starts making lewd suggestions and innuendos to the h within minutes of meeting her, while the H’s son is in the car. The H really didn’t want to see the h live a 1/2 life by becoming a nun. However, I think the chauffeur was more out to prove that he is so manly that he could easily turn a woman from God himself. I’m pretty sure he thinks he is the cure to all lesbianism as well. Seriously this guy is a sleaze. We really only have to deal with him at the beginning and the end. Thank goodness VW didn’t try and make him a hero in any of her later books. He is not redeemable.
Pseudo OW #2 - Fenny, the hero’s sil. Ok so Fenny has no interest in the H of this book at all. She was the h in TCOJ and is totally in love with her husband Lion. However, the way the H talks about her makes alarm bells go off for the heroine(more so than the beautiful Colette). We also know from TCOJ, that he fancied himself in love with Fenny and would have run off with her. Fenny is all sweetness though, and she is good to Iris in this book.
Plot moppet-Aleko, age 9-So in fair disclosure, I generally do not enjoy children performers on tv variety shows strutting on stage like an adult etc… Sometimes the same goes for the kids in the romance books. However, I loved Aleko. He has some of the best scenes in the book! He is also like an innocent little Don Juan at times(just walks into the bathroom as the h is taking a bath and prattles on). However, one of my favorite scenes in the book is when he asks his father to adopt the h as he never wants her to go away. It is pretty humorous and the h is mortified. She has been mistaken for his daughter once already, which I thought was kind of cool because rarely do these big age gaps in these stories delve into that. It’s just commonly accepted that an 18 year old would date a 35 year old.
So basically this is our story. H fell in love with h upon meeting her (although everyone is unaware of this except for the H). He spends most of the book challenging her beliefs. She resists him right back. There are a couple of incidents that put her life in danger. Upon hearing that the H plans to marry she runs away in the night only for him to intercept her and they have their HEA. Of course these old books have a build up and the ending is usually pretty abrupt this was a little better than most.
Overall, I enjoyed the book for what it was. However, I really like the whole SOM angle as that was one of my all time favorite movies.
Naksed’s review really catches the essence of the story: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
As other reviewers have stated this has elements of Sound of Music.
Heroine, Iris, 18 has been raised in a convent all her life. The mother superior would like her to go out in the world before taking her vows to become a nun. It is mentioned that she can be a little bit of trouble at times, but she is a very tame, more timid version of our Maria from SOM when dealing with most people in the story. The Mother Superior has gotten her a job as a governess to the Greek hero Jonar. He has a 9 year old son whose mother died shortly after delivering him.
Hero, Jonar, 35/36 has been widowed for 9 years. He approves of the heroine as governess to his son. However, he quickly has her get rid of her tatty clothing for better ones that he approves like Richard Gere did in Pretty Woman. Our H draws the line at cosmetic enhancements, as he likes a more natural look on a woman. He basically spends most of the book challenging her on her decision to be a nun. They have very lively conversations about this.
OW #1-Colette knew the h at the convent as she went to school there. She is very beautiful and a model. She had met the H in Paris and reinstates herself back into the H’s life. She is jealous of the h, so she must sense the H has feelings for the h. Anyhoo, she is there to cause angst.
The Chauffeur: I really can’t classify this man as an OM. Our h never liked him, and did her best to avoid him. He is a total creep. He starts making lewd suggestions and innuendos to the h within minutes of meeting her, while the H’s son is in the car. The H really didn’t want to see the h live a 1/2 life by becoming a nun. However, I think the chauffeur was more out to prove that he is so manly that he could easily turn a woman from God himself. I’m pretty sure he thinks he is the cure to all lesbianism as well. Seriously this guy is a sleaze. We really only have to deal with him at the beginning and the end. Thank goodness VW didn’t try and make him a hero in any of her later books. He is not redeemable.
Pseudo OW #2 - Fenny, the hero’s sil. Ok so Fenny has no interest in the H of this book at all. She was the h in TCOJ and is totally in love with her husband Lion. However, the way the H talks about her makes alarm bells go off for the heroine(more so than the beautiful Colette). We also know from TCOJ, that he fancied himself in love with Fenny and would have run off with her. Fenny is all sweetness though, and she is good to Iris in this book.
Plot moppet-Aleko, age 9-So in fair disclosure, I generally do not enjoy children performers on tv variety shows strutting on stage like an adult etc… Sometimes the same goes for the kids in the romance books. However, I loved Aleko. He has some of the best scenes in the book! He is also like an innocent little Don Juan at times(just walks into the bathroom as the h is taking a bath and prattles on). However, one of my favorite scenes in the book is when he asks his father to adopt the h as he never wants her to go away. It is pretty humorous and the h is mortified. She has been mistaken for his daughter once already, which I thought was kind of cool because rarely do these big age gaps in these stories delve into that. It’s just commonly accepted that an 18 year old would date a 35 year old.
So basically this is our story. H fell in love with h upon meeting her (although everyone is unaware of this except for the H). He spends most of the book challenging her beliefs. She resists him right back. There are a couple of incidents that put her life in danger. Upon hearing that the H plans to marry she runs away in the night only for him to intercept her and they have their HEA. Of course these old books have a build up and the ending is usually pretty abrupt this was a little better than most.
Overall, I enjoyed the book for what it was. However, I really like the whole SOM angle as that was one of my all time favorite movies.
Naksed’s review really catches the essence of the story: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 19, 2014
Our heroine Iris had spent all her life in a convent and she would soon become a nun. But Mother Superior sent her to be governess for the son of Greek tycoon Zonar Mavrakis.
He is a widower and a lonely man but he falls fast and hard for Iris. She resists him and temptation with all her strength but Zonar is one determined man!
Loved the sweet innocent heroine, the alpha but very loving hero and heroine's inner struggle, her worries and doubts felt very real to me.
He is a widower and a lonely man but he falls fast and hard for Iris. She resists him and temptation with all her strength but Zonar is one determined man!
Loved the sweet innocent heroine, the alpha but very loving hero and heroine's inner struggle, her worries and doubts felt very real to me.
Read
April 17, 2017Can't resist connected stories...
November 6, 2016
Okay.. I did not like the first book because i hated the Hero (and sometimes the heroine). I was shipping the heroine with the brother-in-law (Zonar). And now reading Zonar's story? I still go for Fenella (heroine of book 1) and Zonar! hahahahaha... I like their chemistry more compared to Iris.
She's too innocent for him. He's too old and worldly for her.
The chef glanced at Zonar Mavrakis. "This is the first time I've met your son and daughter sir."
Iris didn't know where to look, while Aleko broke into a gleeful laugh at his father's expense. To Iris' relief her employer didn't take the remark too seriously. In a dry tone of voice he explained that she was Aleko's governess.
And I noticed that Iris did not really want to have a dalliance with her employer (which I understand) because she wanted to take the veil in the future. And Zonar did not respect that - insisting to the point of almost forced seduction (which for me is a form of sexual assault by the way). He forced himself on her...gaaah! Being raised with not much exposure to men (and their manliness ahem ahem silliness and stupidity sometimes) fell for him.
Gaaah.. I think it's not love really.
I also noticed that Ms. Violet likes her Heroes to be sooo "alpha" that they force themselves on the heroines (sexually).
She's too innocent for him. He's too old and worldly for her.
The chef glanced at Zonar Mavrakis. "This is the first time I've met your son and daughter sir."
Iris didn't know where to look, while Aleko broke into a gleeful laugh at his father's expense. To Iris' relief her employer didn't take the remark too seriously. In a dry tone of voice he explained that she was Aleko's governess.
And I noticed that Iris did not really want to have a dalliance with her employer (which I understand) because she wanted to take the veil in the future. And Zonar did not respect that - insisting to the point of almost forced seduction (which for me is a form of sexual assault by the way). He forced himself on her...gaaah! Being raised with not much exposure to men (and their manliness ahem ahem silliness and stupidity sometimes) fell for him.
Gaaah.. I think it's not love really.
I also noticed that Ms. Violet likes her Heroes to be sooo "alpha" that they force themselves on the heroines (sexually).
March 4, 2022
The ending was rushed and it might be an editor word count cut but there are loose ends and that is unfortunate
December 31, 2021
3.5 stars
October 20, 2022
"Dark sheets of ivy mantled the curving walls of all that remained of an ancient castle; the headlights broke open the darkness as they sped along" Boy can VW weave her prose so that scenes and landscapes feel real. I know it's old fashioned and a touch purple at times but she creates such gorgeous pictures and also imbues everything with sensory detail. She uses cultural references and quotes and intelligence so that each romance will usually teach you something new. I'm a fan, although I haven't read all that many. She might be my next project.
The heroine, Iris, was raised in and destined for the convent but gets taken on as a temporary governess to widowed Zonar's 9 year old son, Aleko. The Mother Superior wants her to see enough of the outside to really be sure. The setting is a hotel and villa on the Devon Riviera which is an area I know and love. VW does it proud and I recognized its beauties from her descriptions.
He's your vintage Daddy Dom (big age gap, as per. She's 18 and he's mid-late 30s) and he wants her. He has a couple of restrained goes at her virtue but this romance is very much in the pure category (still intense slow burn though). She's learning about life and love and what her heart and body want. Spoiler, it's not the nunnery, although her conscience puts up a good fight. She's your typical pale, pure, slender flower, albeit with a pudding basin haircut.
I am very hopeful of this pair's future. They seemed equally besotted. Thoroughly enjoyed this little vintage gem.
The heroine, Iris, was raised in and destined for the convent but gets taken on as a temporary governess to widowed Zonar's 9 year old son, Aleko. The Mother Superior wants her to see enough of the outside to really be sure. The setting is a hotel and villa on the Devon Riviera which is an area I know and love. VW does it proud and I recognized its beauties from her descriptions.
He's your vintage Daddy Dom (big age gap, as per. She's 18 and he's mid-late 30s) and he wants her. He has a couple of restrained goes at her virtue but this romance is very much in the pure category (still intense slow burn though). She's learning about life and love and what her heart and body want. Spoiler, it's not the nunnery, although her conscience puts up a good fight. She's your typical pale, pure, slender flower, albeit with a pudding basin haircut.
I am very hopeful of this pair's future. They seemed equally besotted. Thoroughly enjoyed this little vintage gem.
March 10, 2021
I loved this story and both the characters when I first read this at its publication in the 1980s. Violet Winspear was one of my early favourite authors. She knew how to write and develop her characters in a subtle way with drawn out sexual tension and good dialogue-driven storylines. A rare thing in Modern Mills and Boon publications.
SYNOPSIS:
Iris Ardath, abandoned in infancy, had spent all her life behind the convent walls of St. Clare's. She fully expected that she would take the veil and spend her years safe in the quiet cloisters.
But Mother Superior decided that Iris needed to know something of the world first. So she sent her to be governess for Aleko, son of the vibrant, worldly, sophisticated Zonar Mavrakis.
Love was something for others. Iris was sure of it - until she was thrust into the life of this powerful but lost and lonely man.
As part cynic I can only hope Zonar remains faithful to Iris because even though he confessed that he really loved his first wife, his wondering eyes never stopped whilst married and it was a problem in his first marriage. But hey this isn't real life its happy romance land!
SYNOPSIS:
Iris Ardath, abandoned in infancy, had spent all her life behind the convent walls of St. Clare's. She fully expected that she would take the veil and spend her years safe in the quiet cloisters.
But Mother Superior decided that Iris needed to know something of the world first. So she sent her to be governess for Aleko, son of the vibrant, worldly, sophisticated Zonar Mavrakis.
Love was something for others. Iris was sure of it - until she was thrust into the life of this powerful but lost and lonely man.
As part cynic I can only hope Zonar remains faithful to Iris because even though he confessed that he really loved his first wife, his wondering eyes never stopped whilst married and it was a problem in his first marriage. But hey this isn't real life its happy romance land!
December 23, 2013
Mavrakis 02
Verão Violento
Violet Winspear
Sabrina 115
Abril
1980
Meu Deus!!!
Os homens da família Mavrakis são terríveis. Conquistadores de primeira linha. Não importa se são homens adultos ou um pequeno garotinho, te conquistam no primeiro olhar.
Coitada da Íris não teve nenhuma chance com o autoritário e sexy Zonar. Já o garotinho Aleko é um doce, como todo menininho.
Apesar de ser conquistada no primeiro instante, Íris lutou contra esse sentimento com todas as suas forças, mas Zonar é muito homem, para deixá-la escapar.
É um texto antigo, mas completamente arrebatador, adorável. E Zonar é tão grego e passional, que é difícil não se apaixonar.
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
Verão Violento
Violet Winspear
Sabrina 115
Abril
1980
Meu Deus!!!
Os homens da família Mavrakis são terríveis. Conquistadores de primeira linha. Não importa se são homens adultos ou um pequeno garotinho, te conquistam no primeiro olhar.
Coitada da Íris não teve nenhuma chance com o autoritário e sexy Zonar. Já o garotinho Aleko é um doce, como todo menininho.
Apesar de ser conquistada no primeiro instante, Íris lutou contra esse sentimento com todas as suas forças, mas Zonar é muito homem, para deixá-la escapar.
É um texto antigo, mas completamente arrebatador, adorável. E Zonar é tão grego e passional, que é difícil não se apaixonar.
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
May 19, 2022
This is Zonar Mavrakis' story first met in The Child Of Judas, Lion and Fennela Mavrakis' story. He is a widower who delivered his own son on the wayside of a car crash that induced his wife's premature labour and then her death. He was 21 and a father. Aleko is now 10 and in need of supervision while father and son are in England for the summer... and Zonar had to finalise putting to rights the Mavrakis business empire's newly acquired hotel in Devon's Riviera, the Monarch, a grand hotel circa 1930's in need of renovation. So Zonar went in search of an appropriate governess for his precocious offspring... and though he was a devil and no monk, he wanted an angel or a saint to tutor his son for 3 months. His search took him to the Convent of St. Clare's and to Iris Ardath an orphan and a charity girl left by her mother at a nearby hotel 18 years ago and was taken in by the nuns of St. Clare's... the perfect governess sent out into the wicked world before she takes her vows alà Maria in the movie The Sound Of Music. Typical of this author's style is the use of poetic words to create contrasts and tensions between her characters... obviously, from her books' titles alone and more so in the pages of her works.
This was written at a time when most girls and most women were still not very clear though were already ambivalent about their roles in a rapidly changing world... so some still dreamt of tall handsome Greek tycoons with paradise island homes in the Aegean... desert sheiks... good~looking intelligent doctors... wealthy Spaniards with the blood of the Conquistadores... etc... etc... mostly self~made men or men of character. In other words ~ a Cinderella story.
This was written at a time when most girls and most women were still not very clear though were already ambivalent about their roles in a rapidly changing world... so some still dreamt of tall handsome Greek tycoons with paradise island homes in the Aegean... desert sheiks... good~looking intelligent doctors... wealthy Spaniards with the blood of the Conquistadores... etc... etc... mostly self~made men or men of character. In other words ~ a Cinderella story.
April 20, 2021
At the end of the book there are the usual love declarations. But I don’t feel his love for her. And I certainly don’t feel her love for him.
I think he does lust for her. She’s an 18-year old nun who knows nothing about the world, and he is an older guy with a son. It’s like he’s her dad and that’s a bit nauseating to me.
There’s a scene in the book in which someone even thinks she is his daughter, that is how much they differ. Not only in age, but also in life experience and how old they both look.
I think he kissed her once in the entire book. Not a passionate kiss, just a light kiss. Even in the last pages of the book with their declarations of love, he didn’t French kiss her on the lips with tongue and all, lol. Just some kisses on her cheeks and neck.
It wasn’t like he was gradually getting her warm up to him or to physical contact. They were never making out. There was just nothing happening between them.
Other people took too much space in the book: his son, his sister, the OW Colette.
But it is poetic, the way he talks about love.
I think he does lust for her. She’s an 18-year old nun who knows nothing about the world, and he is an older guy with a son. It’s like he’s her dad and that’s a bit nauseating to me.
There’s a scene in the book in which someone even thinks she is his daughter, that is how much they differ. Not only in age, but also in life experience and how old they both look.
I think he kissed her once in the entire book. Not a passionate kiss, just a light kiss. Even in the last pages of the book with their declarations of love, he didn’t French kiss her on the lips with tongue and all, lol. Just some kisses on her cheeks and neck.
It wasn’t like he was gradually getting her warm up to him or to physical contact. They were never making out. There was just nothing happening between them.
Other people took too much space in the book: his son, his sister, the OW Colette.
But it is poetic, the way he talks about love.
July 12, 2022
Another book where the chasm in experience, age, maturity and cynicism between the two leads left me highly uncomfortable because she's such a naive, defenceless innocent and the MMC is a stereotypical arrogant Greek alpha. He shows no respect for her or her religious inclinations by constantly making her uncomfortable to the point of bullying and trying to seduce her because he can't control his lust; while he's a loving father, I didn't buy for a moment that there's a HEA in which he's going to be faithful. Also problematic was her refusal to tell anyone about the assault by the slimy chauffeur (in which she suffers a head wound in her attempt to escape and is left unconscious on a beach) because she fears being accused of being a temptress. While her reasoning is silly - she's a would-be novice! - it's sadly common to this day, let alone the era in which this book was written.
December 30, 2022
Com'on guys it is Violet Winspear
February 3, 2024
pp. 92ff. & last page: swoon!
March 26, 2025
Personally I didn’t get on the writing I just found it hard to focus on the story completely
April 9, 2025
علاقتهم غريبه بس حلو، شخصيتي المفضله اليكو
February 3, 2026
This started interesting, but turned out to be so disappointing.
By the end, I wanted someone to save heroine from the various unsavory people that were around her in this story.
1 star
By the end, I wanted someone to save heroine from the various unsavory people that were around her in this story.
1 star
June 29, 2021
An overall sense of enjoying the read. Take it framed in the the time and style it was written--this vintage isn't so cringey I couldn't stand it even in context.
I haven't read many Winspear titles but I get the impression she likes worthy heroines and conflicted heroes -- sometimes that really works for me and sometimes it winds up wet rag and overbearing boor. This one worked for me. I have a pile yet so we'll see how it goes.
The heroine is probably too young and too innocent--for marriage and this hero--and I want for her to experience a bit more life before giving it over to the hero. On the moon hand, she is ready and wanting to live simply and cloistered, and this way she'll have that contentedly but also with the world at her feet. Let's hope that since her sweetness and innocence is part of what intrigued and drew the hero in, it continues to humble and keep him true to her (I was sold well enough that it will).
He is swooning in love by the end, and his final-page-declarations were great. Why can she not devote herself to him & his son & their children, indeed. There's no reason she couldn't have fallen in love with him either--I won't take that agency from her, for all her unworldliness.
I wanted to have a bit more on page of her deprivations and loneliness. And how that matched to his voids. But I can imagine them sharing and healing those as they go into their future and that's a nice imagining.
The setting is interesting. Winspear has some lovely, lyrical turns of phrase. Hero has a wonderful relationship with his son, not something always seen or outlined in books-with-kids.
I haven't read many Winspear titles but I get the impression she likes worthy heroines and conflicted heroes -- sometimes that really works for me and sometimes it winds up wet rag and overbearing boor. This one worked for me. I have a pile yet so we'll see how it goes.
The heroine is probably too young and too innocent--for marriage and this hero--and I want for her to experience a bit more life before giving it over to the hero. On the moon hand, she is ready and wanting to live simply and cloistered, and this way she'll have that contentedly but also with the world at her feet. Let's hope that since her sweetness and innocence is part of what intrigued and drew the hero in, it continues to humble and keep him true to her (I was sold well enough that it will).
He is swooning in love by the end, and his final-page-declarations were great. Why can she not devote herself to him & his son & their children, indeed. There's no reason she couldn't have fallen in love with him either--I won't take that agency from her, for all her unworldliness.
I wanted to have a bit more on page of her deprivations and loneliness. And how that matched to his voids. But I can imagine them sharing and healing those as they go into their future and that's a nice imagining.
The setting is interesting. Winspear has some lovely, lyrical turns of phrase. Hero has a wonderful relationship with his son, not something always seen or outlined in books-with-kids.
January 15, 2024
Eu tenho que confessar que as mocinhas de VW, abandonadas num convento e que se tornaram enfermeiras (na maioria dos casos) são incríveis, pelo menos pra mim. Aqui como em Black Douglas, a h é perfeita, jovem, introspectiva, inteligente e Não é capacho. Zonar é um sonho a parte, depois da peste que é seu irmão Heraklion em o Filho de Judas, esse H que cita "as estrelas em seu sangue" ficou marcado pra mim como um dos mais lindos física e emocionalmente. E eu acreditei e sonhei com o final deles, lindo e mais uma vez, sinto pena de ter sido tão curtinho, mereciam um final ou epílogo bem rico. Casal maravilhoso, história fofa, e o filho dele é uma gracinha. Leiam !!!!
April 16, 2021
Love was forbidden in her chosen life
Iris Ardath, abandoned in infancy, had spent all her life behind the convent walls of St. Clare's. She fully expected that she would take the veil and spend her years safe in the quiet cloisters.
But Mother Superior decided that Iris needed to know something of the world first. So she sent her to be governess for Aleko, son of the vibrant, worldly, sophisticated Zonar Mavrakis.
Love was something for others. Iris was sure of it - until she was thrust into the life of this powerful but lost and lonely man. (less)
Iris Ardath, abandoned in infancy, had spent all her life behind the convent walls of St. Clare's. She fully expected that she would take the veil and spend her years safe in the quiet cloisters.
But Mother Superior decided that Iris needed to know something of the world first. So she sent her to be governess for Aleko, son of the vibrant, worldly, sophisticated Zonar Mavrakis.
Love was something for others. Iris was sure of it - until she was thrust into the life of this powerful but lost and lonely man. (less)
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November 30, 2015Old school but nice. Would like to see the driver punished and a more developed ending. Did enjoyed reading though.
November 10, 2017
La Novicia Enamorada (Spanish Version)
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