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At First Sight
UNLIKE ANY CHRISTMAS STORY YOU HAVE READ ~
New Sweden, American colonies (when Christmas was outlawed)
Five years before, in 1649, the heads of Lady Evangeline Bradshaw’s father and brother rolled on Cromwell’s chopping block, along with those of King Charles’s and others. Not waiting to see if her head was next, she fled England with the family’s remaining gold and silver crowns, putting a vast ocean between herself and peril.
Even here, in this remotest place on earth one could imagine, Evangeline still does not feel safe. And especially not now, this Christmas Eve, when she opens her Virgin Queen Tavern’s door to admit the midnight traveler Nathan Sutcliff, who is most devilishly handsome ~ and most determined to carry out Cromwell’s order.
New Sweden, American colonies (when Christmas was outlawed)
Five years before, in 1649, the heads of Lady Evangeline Bradshaw’s father and brother rolled on Cromwell’s chopping block, along with those of King Charles’s and others. Not waiting to see if her head was next, she fled England with the family’s remaining gold and silver crowns, putting a vast ocean between herself and peril.
Even here, in this remotest place on earth one could imagine, Evangeline still does not feel safe. And especially not now, this Christmas Eve, when she opens her Virgin Queen Tavern’s door to admit the midnight traveler Nathan Sutcliff, who is most devilishly handsome ~ and most determined to carry out Cromwell’s order.
- GenresHistorical Romance
ebook
Published June 6, 2018
27 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Parris Afton Bonds
82 books52 followersI am dancing on sunshine that you are visiting my little part of Parris's paradise here on Goodreads.
I write for the reckless at heart Not surprisingly, I identify with my novels' characters, both the protagonists AND antagonists. I suffer with their angsts and bewilderments and rejoice in their joys and triumphs.
And I believe that if we heroically hold fast to our own vision for ourselves in our journey’s confrontations and challenges, Life WILL surely manifest our dreams and goals and visions, as it does for my characters in my novels.
***
Parris Afton Bonds is mother of five sons and author of nearly fifty published novels. She is co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America, as well as, co-founder of Southwest Writers Workshop,
The Parris Award was established in her name by the Southwest Writers Workshop to honor a published writer who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers. Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.
Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.
I write for the reckless at heart Not surprisingly, I identify with my novels' characters, both the protagonists AND antagonists. I suffer with their angsts and bewilderments and rejoice in their joys and triumphs.
And I believe that if we heroically hold fast to our own vision for ourselves in our journey’s confrontations and challenges, Life WILL surely manifest our dreams and goals and visions, as it does for my characters in my novels.
***
Parris Afton Bonds is mother of five sons and author of nearly fifty published novels. She is co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America, as well as, co-founder of Southwest Writers Workshop,
The Parris Award was established in her name by the Southwest Writers Workshop to honor a published writer who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers. Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.
Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 19, 2022
This is another year that I am trying out new authors and Parris Afton Bonds is one on my TBR. "At First Sight" is a novella that was just wonderfully written and had all the makings of a longer standalone. Lady Bradshaw had to escape to avoid being killed by Cromwell, who had put her father and brother death. She establishes herself in a new land but unfortunately is recognized by traveler Nathan Sutcliff who becomes her lover. Enjoyed this novella much.
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September 3, 2017
Lady Evangeline Bradshaw had to run for her life. At the conclusion of the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell exacted punishment from all of those that opposed him and stood by King Charles. Both her mother and father shared the same fate on the executioner's block. Evangeline, with coins of silver and gold sewed in practically every one of her garments, fled to the coast in hope of a speedy escape. The first departing ship wasn’t, however, destined for the Continent but for the North American colonies.
Although an ocean now separated her from the wrath of Cromwell, his reach is as long as his vengeance and Evangeline had to remain vigilant. Possible danger lurked in every shadow, potential enemies behind every door. She tried to blend in with her surroundings, forsaking the elaborate velvets, satins, and silks instead wearing the somber chaste garments of the Puritans. Hidden away in the Virginia Queen Tavern, under the alias of Eve Wainwright, Evangeline tried to live a reclusive life. She collects and assembles a plethora of rebellious and motley allies that are dedicated to her protection.
Adam Sutcliff, once a Royalist but now a confirmed Cromwellian, is on a mission to purchase land west of the settlements. He is determined to reclaim the lands, including Sutcliff Hall, and the position his family had held before the war. Hearing of Eve’s peaceable relationship to the local Nanticoke Lenape Indian tribe (located in present day southern New Jersey and northern Delaware), he hopes that she can assist him in his quest. An instant and possibly fatal attraction is felt by both, from the very moment they met.
The author has captured small traditions shared by the many pioneers and settlers from various European and Caribbean cultures. The social and cultural restraints placed on the people under Cromwellian rule plays a large part in this tale of the New World. The characters are all vivid and well formed, as well as the storyline. The author researched well, successfully combining historical personages, places, and events with characters of fiction. I must admit the passion was a little too vanilla for my tastes, I felt like a fisherman fishing behind his nets, but the story was otherwise complete.
Although an ocean now separated her from the wrath of Cromwell, his reach is as long as his vengeance and Evangeline had to remain vigilant. Possible danger lurked in every shadow, potential enemies behind every door. She tried to blend in with her surroundings, forsaking the elaborate velvets, satins, and silks instead wearing the somber chaste garments of the Puritans. Hidden away in the Virginia Queen Tavern, under the alias of Eve Wainwright, Evangeline tried to live a reclusive life. She collects and assembles a plethora of rebellious and motley allies that are dedicated to her protection.
Adam Sutcliff, once a Royalist but now a confirmed Cromwellian, is on a mission to purchase land west of the settlements. He is determined to reclaim the lands, including Sutcliff Hall, and the position his family had held before the war. Hearing of Eve’s peaceable relationship to the local Nanticoke Lenape Indian tribe (located in present day southern New Jersey and northern Delaware), he hopes that she can assist him in his quest. An instant and possibly fatal attraction is felt by both, from the very moment they met.
The author has captured small traditions shared by the many pioneers and settlers from various European and Caribbean cultures. The social and cultural restraints placed on the people under Cromwellian rule plays a large part in this tale of the New World. The characters are all vivid and well formed, as well as the storyline. The author researched well, successfully combining historical personages, places, and events with characters of fiction. I must admit the passion was a little too vanilla for my tastes, I felt like a fisherman fishing behind his nets, but the story was otherwise complete.
November 26, 2024
Lady Evangeline Bradshaw is on the run from Oliver Cromwell who executed her parents for standing by King Charles. She fled to the North American colonies with all the possessions she could salvage. She now leads a simple and reclusive life in the Virginia Queen Tavern, under the alias of Eve Wainwright. She collects and assembles a motley crew of allies – she looks after them and they protect her in return. Her life is simple and she lives in constant fear of being recognized.
And then she meets Adam Sutcliff, who is on a mission for Cromwell to purchase land west of the settlements. In return, he is determined to reclaim his lands and the position his family used to hold earlier. He seeks Eve’s help. Things change when Evangeline’s ex fiancée comes in search of her and is determined to take her back to be judged by Cromwell. Adam comes to her rescue and the two of them flee. Their escape is the stuff that will keep you at the edge of your seat and it is during this time that the two of them really fall in love.
Parris Afton Bonds is a storyteller par excellence. She vividly brings her characters to life and the chemistry between the lead characters is amazing. The author’s knowledge of history and culture is remarkable and I love the way she combines historical events with the story-line as this is a task that isn’t easy to do but Parris does it with aplomb.
I highly recommend At First Sight for readers of historical romance as Parris Afton Bonds will take you a truly entertaining journey.
And then she meets Adam Sutcliff, who is on a mission for Cromwell to purchase land west of the settlements. In return, he is determined to reclaim his lands and the position his family used to hold earlier. He seeks Eve’s help. Things change when Evangeline’s ex fiancée comes in search of her and is determined to take her back to be judged by Cromwell. Adam comes to her rescue and the two of them flee. Their escape is the stuff that will keep you at the edge of your seat and it is during this time that the two of them really fall in love.
Parris Afton Bonds is a storyteller par excellence. She vividly brings her characters to life and the chemistry between the lead characters is amazing. The author’s knowledge of history and culture is remarkable and I love the way she combines historical events with the story-line as this is a task that isn’t easy to do but Parris does it with aplomb.
I highly recommend At First Sight for readers of historical romance as Parris Afton Bonds will take you a truly entertaining journey.
July 10, 2019
A Powerful Story of Love and Devotion!
The author, Parris Afton Bonds, has an extraordinary ability to bring the reader into her stories, and to make the reader feel what the characters are experiencing. That said, one of the first potent emotions that I felt was fear! I was afraid for the heroine, Lady Evangeline Bradshaw. She’d escaped the tyrannical rules of Cromwell and fled to the new world. Now, living in poverty and trying her best to survive, she wanted to give her little “family” of misfits a special day of celebration. She wanted to share the joy of Christmas. But when there’s a knock at the door and a stranger asking for shelter, the reader knows she’s in trouble. We’re not talking about a rap on the knuckles. We’re talking about life and death.
At that point in history, the new world wasn’t free from the tyranny and oppression of the old world. The story left me with a great appreciation for the people who came to this country and fought for their freedom on a daily basis. I also felt very grateful that I could celebrate Christmas without fear of a knock on the door and possible punishment. Wonderful story of love and the powerful spirit within that drives a person to go beyond their fears and reach for something beautiful!
The author, Parris Afton Bonds, has an extraordinary ability to bring the reader into her stories, and to make the reader feel what the characters are experiencing. That said, one of the first potent emotions that I felt was fear! I was afraid for the heroine, Lady Evangeline Bradshaw. She’d escaped the tyrannical rules of Cromwell and fled to the new world. Now, living in poverty and trying her best to survive, she wanted to give her little “family” of misfits a special day of celebration. She wanted to share the joy of Christmas. But when there’s a knock at the door and a stranger asking for shelter, the reader knows she’s in trouble. We’re not talking about a rap on the knuckles. We’re talking about life and death.
At that point in history, the new world wasn’t free from the tyranny and oppression of the old world. The story left me with a great appreciation for the people who came to this country and fought for their freedom on a daily basis. I also felt very grateful that I could celebrate Christmas without fear of a knock on the door and possible punishment. Wonderful story of love and the powerful spirit within that drives a person to go beyond their fears and reach for something beautiful!
May 11, 2017
At First Sight will sweep you away to another time and place. NYTs Bestselling author and Co-founder of Romance Writers of America, Parris Afton Bonds, is at the top of her game once again. In her latest fiction offering with a slight Christmas twist, this novella features a colorful cast of characters that will capture your heart and imagination. Sizzling and fun, the heat level is just the right amount to entice fans of romance to keep turning the page.
As I fell deeper under the spell of the author’s deft storytelling, I found myself reading along at breakneck speed as our hero and heroine escape for their lives in a scene that kept me on the edge of my seat.
A fan of the author for decades, I am always amazed by her vast knowledge of history and cultures. After reading this story, I’ve learned that the author is also proficient at the game of chess.
I highly recommend At First Sight for fans of historical romance who love a well-written tale. Parris Afton Bonds does not disappoint.
Kathleen M. Rodgers ~ author of the new novel, Seven Wings to Glory
December 19, 2017
Five years ago, Lady Evangeline Bradshaw had to leave her home when members of her family were killed. Now, the year is 1649 and the lady is known as Eve Wainwright and is running The Virgin Queen Inn. Answering a knock on the door, Eve lets in Adam Sutcliff and her life changes and an intense journey begins.This is a great historical adventure and romance I think many readers will enjoy.
April 23, 2017
Excellent
As much as I don't care to read novellas, this one was worth the short read. Parris, as in every book I've read by her, does her research and manages to put together an interesting, exciting plot that incorporates cutures, countries, politics, personalities and romance. I'm most impressed by the attention to details and actual people and events from a historical aspect. My recommendation is for anyone who wants a sample of the author's writing, read this one....and then continue reading more of Parris Afton Bonds' works. If you love history and romance novels you won't be disappointed.
As much as I don't care to read novellas, this one was worth the short read. Parris, as in every book I've read by her, does her research and manages to put together an interesting, exciting plot that incorporates cutures, countries, politics, personalities and romance. I'm most impressed by the attention to details and actual people and events from a historical aspect. My recommendation is for anyone who wants a sample of the author's writing, read this one....and then continue reading more of Parris Afton Bonds' works. If you love history and romance novels you won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews