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Winter Garden #1

Encantos ocultos

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Miss Natalie Haislett desea vivir una historia de amor y aventuras; ya está aburrida de tanto pretendiente pomposo
Miss Natalie Haislett suspira por el misterioso Caballero Negro, un ladrón que le ha robado el corazón a distancia con sus legendarias proezas. Para conocerlo, Natalie debe recurrir, aunque a regañadientes, a la única persona que conoce al famoso Caballero: Jonathan Drake, un donjuán redomado que la cortejó años atrás. Jonathan accede a acompañarla a Francia, donde se rumorea que se esconde el Caballero Negro. Para despejar toda sombra de duda, viajan como si fueran una pareja casada, compartiendo intimidades que desembocan en amistad, y en besos que despiertan un hambre insaciable... Cuando empiezan a producirse robos a su alrededor, Natalie ya está atrapada en la red de deseo tejida por el hombre que ha jurado conquistarla.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

45 people are currently reading
779 people want to read

About the author

Adele Ashworth

11 books240 followers
Adele Budnick was born in 1963. She has always felt she's led a rather dull life on her road to becoming a romance author. Unfortunately, she's also often been wrong.

From the first time she stepped onstage to sing Petula Clark's "Downtown" for a crowd (at the age of three in a Juarez, Mexico, hotel restaurant, dancing on the table at the urging of the Spanish-speaking waitresses), she knew she was destined to be a singer. Her first miscalculation.

At the age of six, as she watched one of the Apollo rockets take off on live Saturday-morning television, interrupting the most important TV shows of the decade—The Monkeys and Scooby-Doo—she decided she would become a diplomat. Much to her mother's chagrin, Adele was caught in a heated discussion with a telephone operator who insisted it simply wasn't possible to put a six-year-old child through to President Nixon at the White House just to make a complaint about important programming interruption. Diplomacy clearly wasn't for her.

In elementary school, Adele, being a voracious reader, decided she would be a defense attorney just like Nancy Drew's father. (One knew at any age that one couldn't make a living simply by being a mystery solver like Nancy, but solving crimes as an attorney seemed practical.) After three years of knowing she was destined for Harvard Law School, Adele finished every published Nancy Drew novel (53 of them at the time) and moved on to reading romance. Thus ended her dreams of solving crimes. The idea of law school seemed far less enjoyable after immersing herself in Victoria Holt at the age of twelve.

The Song Bird Years

Adele continued to pursue her singing into her teen years, deciding she was either going to be an editorial reader for a publishing company (because all she loved to do was read) or a Singing Superstar. She figured becoming a Superstar was probably an easier goal to achieve, and so, between reading romances (and in the late 70s there were very few to read), she practiced her art, training her developing coloratura soprano voice with private lessons from one of the best operatic instructors in the city of Albuquerque. Through numerous All-State Choir rehearsals, Jr. and High School choir practice, and various musical productions, she knew she was destined for stardom.

And then at the age of fifteen, her private vocal instructor told her the cold, hard facts: To really make it as a Broadway Singing Superstar, one not only has to read music well, but be able to act and dance and live on pennies. Adele does not dance (unless you count nightclubs in college and that time in Mexico when she was three…) and the "living on pennies" bit seemed highly questionable. Since her acting and music reading talents were also suspect, she decided Broadway might not be for her. Reality sure can be a shocker.

On the Career Path

In college as a journalism major (only because she had to major in something that might get her a paying job), she continued to pursue private vocal instruction with the University of Utah's finest, while performing in various musicals and college recitals. Having directed her through the lead in Cinderella, her drama teacher urged her to try out for local beauty—ahem—scholarship pageants. That was it. Adele was destined to be a singing, reading, reporting, Miss America.

Unfortunately, reality struck again. Not only was Adele a bit lacking in genius (to put it bluntly), being five feet and two inches tall, and possessing quite possibly the shortest legs in the history of womanhood left Adele doing well in talent portions of the contests, but lacking other…necessary attributes. Aside from being crowned Miss Sandy City and Miss Salt Lake County, the pageant thing never went anywhere. Alas, the Singing Beauty Queen future was out.

But Adele worked very hard at her favorite pastime and, by her senior year in college, she'd read just about every Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Shirley Busbee, Laurie McBain,

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5 stars
148 (21%)
4 stars
231 (33%)
3 stars
200 (29%)
2 stars
71 (10%)
1 star
36 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Vero Rinconin.
521 reviews134 followers
August 12, 2019
#RitaAdele #RetoRita3
Me resultó una lectura aburrida y por momentos soporífera. La protagonista me resultó una petarda y del héroe me esperaba más, además la forma de escribir de la autora no me gustó para nada, mucho lirili y poco lerele.
Profile Image for Myself.
282 reviews7 followers
August 13, 2019
2/5
Me pareció que empezaba interesante y al principio me enganchó pero al poco se me hizo aburrido y con una trama de lo más inverosímil a la vez que mal desarrollada.
Respecto a los protagonistas ella se me hizo al final tontisima.
El primero que me leo de esta autora y no...
173 reviews7 followers
January 24, 2016
Natalie is bored with her suitors and goes in search of a notorious thief named the Black Knight. In order to find him she has to confront Jonathan Drake who stole a kiss from her once long ago. He takes her with him to France to meet the Black Knight while he is secretly on a mission to resteal a priceless emerald necklace.

At first I thought both characters were shallow and cliche but Ashworth does such a beautiful job of fleshing them out with their heartbreaking insecurities, uncertainties and unique personalities that I was in love by the end. Their witty back and forth and slow seduction and romance is heartbreakingly beautiful. I can never resist an Ashworth book and I can't recommend this one highly enough.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,516 reviews159 followers
August 1, 2022
Stolen Charms
3.5 Stars

The Black Knight, a Robin Hood-style thief, is the talk of the ton, and Natalie Haislett, who has had her fill of boring and boorish suitors, wants nothing more than to meet the infamous scoundrel. However, the only person who could possibly arrange an introduction is Jonathan Drake, a renowned rake with whom Natalie has a painful past. Can these two reconcile their differences or will their attraction dissipate in favor of the Black Knight?

Putting aside the completely anachronistic and unrealistic premise of a young unmarried woman traveling unescorted with a man across the Channel in 1847, this is quite an entertaining read.

To begin with, the story is set in France during the later reign of Louis Phillipe I, a rare time period in historical romance but one that is very interesting and Ashworth skillfully utilizes the conflict between the Legitimists and the Orleanists within the narrative.

Moreover, Jonathan and Natalie's intense chemistry, both physical and emotional, make them a particularly engaging couple. The fact that they are constantly trying to outsmart one another leads to some very amusing conversations.

In terms of the writing, the pacing is somewhat slow in places, and it is unfortunate that much of the actual action, such as takes place off page. Adding these scenes would have enhanced the tension and suspense.

Overall, a charming romance but not compelling enough to continue with the series at this time. Perhaps in the future.
Profile Image for Crista.
825 reviews
Read
May 19, 2010
Oh Bummer! This really had some awesome potential, but I couldn't get around some pretty big challenges....

1. Why in the world would a woman want to go in search of a man she's never met to offer herself to him in marriage...we learn why later, but I can't imagine "buying that story".
2. Why in the world would a family not miss that their unmarried relative had disappeared without their knowledge?
3. Why in the world are we to assume that after one kiss with no follow-up that these two are still pining for one another.

I really wish there had been more couple development...I wish that the plot would've been more believable.....I wish I would've liked the heroine more....but I say all this without hardly being able to wait for the sequel...what's up with that. I guess a talented author can rise above even a mediocre book...I have high hopes for Winter Garden!
Profile Image for Amanda.
16 reviews8 followers
August 11, 2019
#RetoRita3 #RitaAdele Nada nuevo en el horizonte. Ya especificaré más en la reseña.
Profile Image for Leslie Santillan.
104 reviews
October 19, 2021
Soy amante de los libros de romance de época, y este lo es, pero de una manera un tanto distinta a todo lo que había leído antes de este género. La cuestión es que aquí tenemos aventura, no solamente romance y ya, es más que eso y creo que es justamente lo que vuelve al libro mucho más interesante.
Profile Image for Jackie.
Author 8 books159 followers
October 8, 2010
I kept reading, thinking that there must be some plot twist that would make all of the confusing plot elements come together in the end. But no, the plotting was just simply unbelievable, all the way through. Another one for the "too stupid to be believed" pile...
Profile Image for Lucimar.
569 reviews13 followers
March 20, 2018
O encontro de Jonathan e Natalie
Se encontraram alguns anos atrás e nesse encontro ela quase se entregou a ele. Mas Jonathan percebeu que ela era inocente e virgem e a beijou apenas, deixando-a ir.
O segundo encontro:
Natalie vai em busca dele porque está cansada da vida aborrecida que leva e quer se afastar dos pais que desejam vê-la casada. Diz que quer conhecer o misterioso Cavaleiro Negro pelo qual sente atração por conta de sua fama como ladrão.
Jonathan Drake, é um conquistador que vive rodeado de mulheres, um fato pelo o qual ela o despreza. Mesmo com esse sentimento vai pedir a ele esse favor. Ele concorda em acompanhá-la até a França, pois segundo alguns é lá ele que está.
Assim eles viajam como um casal para não afetar a reputação dela. Jonathan como conquistador que é, não deixa de jogar com ela, investindo em beijos apaixonados e intimidades... Mas ela consegue se esquivar sempre. Embora, nos apaixonados encontre corresponde avidamente. Natalie se recusa a entregar seu coração a alguém tão volúvel...
Os segredos
No entanto, por trás do motivo dela e dele, há os segredos que ambos guardam... Natalie não confiou todos os segredos e nem Jonathan, os seus.
São esses segredos que farão os dois repensarem o relacionamento, encarar a verdade sobre o passado deles e então se entregaram à paixão que se fizera presente anos atrás.
É uma leitura agradável com cenas apaixonantes entre os dois e bons diálogos. Um vai-e-vem de sentimentos prontos a explodir. Resta ver quem se dobra primeiro...
Profile Image for Julie.
962 reviews29 followers
September 10, 2015
I simply adored this romance! Set in early 1840's, the young and proper Natalie Haislett, runs off with dashing Jonathan Drake, a known rake to see if he can introduce her to a daring jewel thief, the Black Knight in France. As improbable as the whole scenario was, I loved it! Great plot, emotional and thoughtful. By the time they declare their love for one another, I was nearly in tears. Great, great!

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2010/11/s...
Profile Image for Sharyn.
3,141 reviews24 followers
February 27, 2021
I did enjoy this Victorian era romance. Lots of historical references to the politics of France in 1847 which I found interesting. Also enjoyed the relationship between the hero and heroine. Spies, thieves, politics and romance all wrapped up in a good story. A good book to while away a Sunday afternoon, which is exactly what I did. Plan to try to read through the A's on my bookshelf!! If only I would stop going to the library!!
1 review
April 14, 2019
Steamy Romantic Spy Novel

Clever & slightly steamy romantic spy novel in the older style. While set in the 1850's, you feel it could be modern day (except for the impeccable manners). Smart twists with likable characters. Enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Elke.
162 reviews13 followers
August 21, 2012
I really enjoyed this historical chick lit, and will read soon more of this author. great characterization and love the different changing plots.
Profile Image for Diah Didi.
689 reviews142 followers
Want to read
February 9, 2013
Oh, I certainly must have this one!
*swooning over Paul
Profile Image for Haylie.
524 reviews
May 21, 2013
Just when I thought I knew how this story would go, BAM! Surprising events occurred. This was a really good story
Profile Image for Liba.
455 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2018
London, 1842. Natalie (17) meets a man she thinks she is in love with.They share a kiss and part.
Now it's 1847.Jonathan is the second son of an earl . l.He isn 't 30 yet, a bachelor.He deals in antiques and property and is rich. He also has a secret identity as the famous thief, the Black Knight. The latter travels to Europe, mostly to France of Louis-Philippe the Citizen King ,meets would-be revolutionaries and steals precious jewels.
Natalie is almost 23 now, still unwed. She doesn't want to marry just a man , become his property. She wants adventures and excitement.She wants Jonathan to introduce her...to the Black Knight !
Jonathan, who is secretly in love with her, dares Natalie to pose as his wife in Marceilles (and Paris). He learns that Natalie is 1/4 French and speaks the language fluently.
A beautiful spy ,pretending to be a widow, Madeleine, helps them.I liked her very much and hope she gets a story of her own.
And then Natalie connects the dots about the Knight's identity...
Jonathan made me think of Sir Percyt, the hero of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Nobody suspects him of leading a double life.
Profile Image for Mariairam.
135 reviews
October 26, 2021
En ocasiones me da miedo leer reseñas y opiniones de los libros. Se puede perder una verdaderas joyas...
No estoy diciendo que esta novela sea una joya literaria, pero después de varios libros que me han dejado un poco indiferente este me ha resultado muy entretenido y agradable de leer. Sin embargo leí muchas reseñas negativas con 1 o 2 estrellas.
Los dos personajes me han gustado mucho, con sus miedos e inseguridades y sus tanteos emocionales hacia el otro. Es cierto que Natalie es a veces un poco tontorrona, pero creo que las escenas son la mayoría muy emocionantes.
También debo reconocer que las historias con personajes con "doble personalidad" y como se descubre el secreto me resultan divertidas.
En cualquier caso, está escrita de modo que he sentido mucha ternura en ciertos momentos y ese cosquilleo especial "por las venas" como yo lo llamo cuando hay escenas intensas emocionalmente hablando.
No es una historia demasiado profunda pero si bonita y fácil de leer
Profile Image for Bibliotherapy .
277 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2023
3.25 rating. I'm disappointed. This book started out so strong and the plot seemed like it would be so good, but about 30 percent of the way in, the story for slow and boring at times, which so odd given the promise of such a unique story for a historical fiction. What I will say though is that the Ashworth is a decent writer. Doesn't write too anachronistically, and occasionally is poetic. She had two pretty interesting characters too. I just don't know how she managed to make this story so SLOW.
Profile Image for Twila Leininger.
1,369 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2024
perfection!

I absolutely loved this historical romance novel. Despite Johnathan’s reputation he becomes the perfect book boyfriend. I loved how stubborn Natalie was with her future and life she wanted. Johnathan and Natalie together were perfect!
48 reviews
March 14, 2024
Sleeping pill substitute

I cannot believe that this crap received above one star rating. Too bad that I could not rate this less than one star. The plot and storyline was ridiculous






330 reviews
June 6, 2024
Not one of her best books,quite boring and unusual for a historical in a bad way. The story was just too unrealistic and it continues so . It has more stupid than sweet moments and it’s very forgettable, just simple.
Profile Image for Pam.
1,798 reviews
January 22, 2018
Historical romance republished from 1999 in 2013.
Profile Image for Pilar Descalza.
1,418 reviews5 followers
July 1, 2019
Un sin sentido. Parece que la autora ha cogido la idea de otro libro y la ha adaptado a su novela pero sin tener en cuenta en qué época está ambientada.
Lo dejo y no leeré más de ella.
Profile Image for Carmen.
224 reviews36 followers
December 25, 2023
I just didn't care at all for the story. Neither the romantic relationship nor the mystery part kept me engaged.
314 reviews
March 4, 2025
Me encantó. Desde la personalidad de Natalie, que no se dejaba influenciar por nada. Hasta Jonathan que cambió, era super tierno y le demostró a Natalie su amor. Lo amé.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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