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A Jewel So Rare
A lifetime of love--was it all behind her? As the French Revolution raged, lovely young Annalese Renneau was sent by her beloved parents to safety in Virgina, where a twist of fate made her companion to and elderly widow. There she instantly won Flora's affection--but lived under the brooding gaze of the lady's arrogant nephew. In time, Annalese's gentle, spirited ways kindled love in the stony wilderness of Cameron Slade's heart, too. But as she awakened to desire, her happiness was shattered by the arrival of a vile scoundrel from the past demanding a fortune in diamonds he swore she possessed....
Frightened and trapped by her tormentor, who exacted secrecy in exchange for her parents' lives, she was scorned and abandoned by Cameron, who believed himself betrayed. Now Annalese would risk everything with one faint hope-- that bound by the trust and love they shared, Cameron would return to reclaim his priceless treasure, unable to deny....
A jewel so rare.
Frightened and trapped by her tormentor, who exacted secrecy in exchange for her parents' lives, she was scorned and abandoned by Cameron, who believed himself betrayed. Now Annalese would risk everything with one faint hope-- that bound by the trust and love they shared, Cameron would return to reclaim his priceless treasure, unable to deny....
A jewel so rare.
- GenresRomance
Paperback
First published April 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 26, 2026
Read: 1/25/26
Setting: 1793 France, Virginia
Trope: grumpy H, sunshine h
2.5 stars
Meh! The slow pacing and the h pulling a TSTL move, ruined a lot of the book.
plot: Annalese's parents send her to her aunt in America to escape the French Revolution. Annalese is distraught to learn her aunt just died several weeks before she arrived in Virginia. Her aunt's lawyer suggests she becomes a paid companion to this sweet old lady. This turns out to be the perfect job or it would be if it wasn't for the woman's nephew.
These two can't seem to get along. He can't stop thinking about her. One day, one of their fights finally reveals their true feelings. They begin an affair. Cameron is ready to propose marriage, but a villain from Annalese's past might will ruin everything.
The whole grumpy H and sunshine h thing didn't work as well with this book. It took too long for me to care about this couple. The story did improve until the villain made an appearance. He threatens the h and promises he'll rescue her parents from the Bastille if she gives him her family's diamonds. 🙄 Here's where the story goes downhill. Annalese actually believes his obvious lies and doesn't tell Cameron what is going on. I hate when a h is TSTL! This was the fastest way to get me to hate a book.
Conclusion: The story was just okay. The plot wasn't as well executed as with some of her other books.
Setting: 1793 France, Virginia
Trope: grumpy H, sunshine h
2.5 stars
Meh! The slow pacing and the h pulling a TSTL move, ruined a lot of the book.
plot: Annalese's parents send her to her aunt in America to escape the French Revolution. Annalese is distraught to learn her aunt just died several weeks before she arrived in Virginia. Her aunt's lawyer suggests she becomes a paid companion to this sweet old lady. This turns out to be the perfect job or it would be if it wasn't for the woman's nephew.
These two can't seem to get along. He can't stop thinking about her. One day, one of their fights finally reveals their true feelings. They begin an affair. Cameron is ready to propose marriage, but a villain from Annalese's past might will ruin everything.
The whole grumpy H and sunshine h thing didn't work as well with this book. It took too long for me to care about this couple. The story did improve until the villain made an appearance. He threatens the h and promises he'll rescue her parents from the Bastille if she gives him her family's diamonds. 🙄 Here's where the story goes downhill. Annalese actually believes his obvious lies and doesn't tell Cameron what is going on. I hate when a h is TSTL! This was the fastest way to get me to hate a book.
Conclusion: The story was just okay. The plot wasn't as well executed as with some of her other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2013
Shades of the old bodice rippers. Hero has a chip on his shoulder a mile wide. Why, oh why, did Annaliese love this man when he treated her so badly (for months!) and refused to listen to what happened to her?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2014
Halfway through the book I put it down and didn't pick it back up again for a long while but once I did I couldn't put it down again. It really was a quick read once I took the time to read it. However, I do have to say I was disappointed in the second half of the book. I found myself rolling my eyes at how ridiculous things began to get. I kept reading hoping for it to return to a work worth reading but I was disappointed. In a way it seemed as if the author rushed to the ending.
Cameron is an overbearing jerk and Annalese seems weak and ignorant for putting up with his constant insulting and demeaning attitude for as long as she did. Even more annoying is how quickly she forgave his cruelness.
I suppose that was to be expected in the end though. Blah. Don't waste your time.
Cameron is an overbearing jerk and Annalese seems weak and ignorant for putting up with his constant insulting and demeaning attitude for as long as she did. Even more annoying is how quickly she forgave his cruelness.
I suppose that was to be expected in the end though. Blah. Don't waste your time.
April 24, 2014
Awesome book.... Brought tears to my eyes
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews