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Breathless Passion
Book by Creel, C.
- GenresRomance
398 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 5, 2018
This review is of “Breathless Passion” by Catherine Creel.
The story begins on a ship heading to Seattle. It is here that Hannah Fairfield, the heroine of the book, and 96 other women are traveling from the east to the west as “mail-order brides”. (Hannah’s reasons for making the trip are explained in the beginning of the book). When Hannah arrives in Seattle, she receives shocking news; the man she was betrothed to, Ted Whitworth, was killed in an accident. Taking his place is Jason Caldwell, the “hero” of the book and Whitworth’s business partner.
From the moment they marry, Jason makes it clear that marriage is one of the last things he wants.
From the moment they are married, Jason treats Hannah poorly. He does not physically injure her, but he does speak rudely, orders her around and basically expects Hannah to obey what he says without question. We later learn why Jason is so embittered.
Another factor in their relationship is a woman named Colette, owner of a house of ill repute and Jason’s former paramour. Colette tries to break up Hannah and Jason. Later, a man named Lewis Harland kidnaps Hannah in an attempt to settle a score he has with Jason. Jason rescues Hannah, kills Harland and he and Hannah have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: I finished the book (I didn’t think I was going to for a while), and Hannah is a lovely, if naive, character.
Downside: For two-thirds of the book, Jason is an obnoxious bastard. While his reasons for being hurt may be understandable, his taking his anger out on Hannah-a completely innocent party-are not. The characters are not developed nor are they terribly interesting to read about. I never truly got the sense that Hannah and Jason are in love with each other, but rather that she simply has no other options.
Sex: Mostly euphemistic, and not very exciting, although there are quite a few love scenes.
Violence: Scenes of assault, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon (knives and guns) and shootings occur in the book, as well as attempted rape. None of the violence is graphic.
Bottom Line: If your idea of passion is the “hero” belittling the heroine, then “Breathless Passion” may be to your liking. Jason’s “redemption” came too late for me, as I’m not nearly as forgiving and understanding as Hannah is.
The story begins on a ship heading to Seattle. It is here that Hannah Fairfield, the heroine of the book, and 96 other women are traveling from the east to the west as “mail-order brides”. (Hannah’s reasons for making the trip are explained in the beginning of the book). When Hannah arrives in Seattle, she receives shocking news; the man she was betrothed to, Ted Whitworth, was killed in an accident. Taking his place is Jason Caldwell, the “hero” of the book and Whitworth’s business partner.
From the moment they marry, Jason makes it clear that marriage is one of the last things he wants.
From the moment they are married, Jason treats Hannah poorly. He does not physically injure her, but he does speak rudely, orders her around and basically expects Hannah to obey what he says without question. We later learn why Jason is so embittered.
Another factor in their relationship is a woman named Colette, owner of a house of ill repute and Jason’s former paramour. Colette tries to break up Hannah and Jason. Later, a man named Lewis Harland kidnaps Hannah in an attempt to settle a score he has with Jason. Jason rescues Hannah, kills Harland and he and Hannah have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: I finished the book (I didn’t think I was going to for a while), and Hannah is a lovely, if naive, character.
Downside: For two-thirds of the book, Jason is an obnoxious bastard. While his reasons for being hurt may be understandable, his taking his anger out on Hannah-a completely innocent party-are not. The characters are not developed nor are they terribly interesting to read about. I never truly got the sense that Hannah and Jason are in love with each other, but rather that she simply has no other options.
Sex: Mostly euphemistic, and not very exciting, although there are quite a few love scenes.
Violence: Scenes of assault, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon (knives and guns) and shootings occur in the book, as well as attempted rape. None of the violence is graphic.
Bottom Line: If your idea of passion is the “hero” belittling the heroine, then “Breathless Passion” may be to your liking. Jason’s “redemption” came too late for me, as I’m not nearly as forgiving and understanding as Hannah is.
January 8, 2022
I recently read another book by this author, which had more of the typical stuff you find in HR: a feisty, willful h, a confident, somewhat arrogant H, the stubbornness, arguments, etc. and they make for a very entertaining story. But sometimes you need a break from all that. It's like enjoying a huge dish of ice cream; much as you love it, you don't want it every single day, or at least I don't. I prefer a small container of yogurt once in a while.
So it was with this book. The h of "Breathless Passion" had a sweet, gentle way about her, that was a refreshing change from a spitfire who doesn't always know when not to mouth off. Not that Hannah was without a backbone; she stood up for herself when necessary and showed plenty of courage and bravery where it was warranted. She just believed that you can catch more flies with honey, and it was nice to see a bit less vinegar.
The H, too, didn't come across in the usual way. Jason Caldwell was more introverted, keeping his feelings to himself, until he got really angry that is. His attitude was a protective shell against letting anyone get too close, and Hannah tries to crack that shell and get him to accept her love and give it back in return.
The story takes place in Seattle inn 1866, where Hannah arrives as one of the Mercer Girls, a mail order bride, as Seattle and the surrounding areas have a shortage of women (prostitutes not included) and the men want to marry and raise families. Hannah escaped an unhappy home life, with a lecherous stepfather and a mother who chose to believe her husband over her daughter. Her working in her cousin's tavern wasn't much better, as she had to fight off plenty of unwelcome advances, so she took a chance on a new future out west.
Jason Caldwell hadn't wanted a wife; he was honoring a promise he made to his friend (Hannah's intended husband), who had died in a logging accident, to take his place. Next thing you know, they're married, two strangers who each, nevertheless, find themselves drawn to each other, though Jason fights the feeling at every turn. Hannah's determined to break down his wall of reserve and make their marriage work.
It doesn't take long for Hannah to realize she loves him, whereas Jason admits his desire for her (their marriage is soon consummated) but still doesn't want to risk his heart. However, he soon shows his his jealousy, when a friend (or maybe I should say frenemy) Rob Clancy takes a fancy to Hannah and kisses her. (Rob and Jason had been rivals before, over Colette, a saloon girl turned owner, who preferred Jason.) After dealing with Rob, Jason accuses Hannah of betraying him and won't listen to reason. His irrational jealousy causes them to separate for a short time, though Hannah, unlike the typical h's who get angry and stubborn and make things worse, Hannah wants to work things out and try to understand Jason.
In all fairness to Jason, his suspicions weren't that unreasonable when it came to Rob. For a while he (Rob) behaved like a real jerk, flirting with Hannah, telling her she was more suited to him, (this was when she decided to leave Jason and think things out), that she should seriously consider a divorce, and then coming onto her rather aggressively, which she handled by slapping him so hard she knocked him off balance, showing she can handle herself when necessary, and putting him in his place but good! He never tried anything like that again! Later, he regretted his bad behavior, but for a while there he was really obnoxious.
Once Jason admits his feelings for Hannah, he becomes more possessive and demanding, expecting her to obey what he says all the time, like when he tells her to stay away from the lumber camp (he owns the business), afraid not only that she'll get hurt, but that the other men will find her as attractive as he does. When Hannah's worried about something, or needs to talk to him, she'll disregard what he says and that infuriates him. Once, this resulted in his having to rescue her from the path of a falling tree, and he was so enraged he took her home and spanked her. (I don't mind spanking scenes when it's part of sex play, or when the h is being such an outrageous brat she deserves it, but in this case it was uncalled for. If Jason thought Hannah needed to be punished for disobeying him, then I think nearly getting killed by a giant tree did the trick, no need for anything else.) She soon reminds him that she wants to be a good wife and to please him, but that doesn't mean she'll be a doormat with no mind of her own, or be treated as if she were a child.
The reason for Jason's behavior is an unhappy love affair in his past, that left him cynical and unable to trust. The woman he loved was just using him; while he was planning their future, she was planning to disappear with money he had sent her. A surprise visit gave Jason the surprise, when he caught her with another man, and in the ensuing fight she was accidentally shot and killed. This changed his whole outlook on love and Hannah had to pay the price for a time.
Every time Jason and Hannah take steps forward in their marriage, something happens to take them back: Colette tries to cause trouble between them, the brother of Jason's ex has a vengeful plan involving Hannah, and Jason still has trouble trusting in her love. Hannah becomes determined to have a real marriage, where she shares Jason's life and has his love and trust, or no marriage at all.
There's a small subplot, involving Rob and Molly, Hannah's friend and fellow mail order bride (widowed after only a week, her alcoholic husband having died in a barroom brawl) who find love, after Rob lets go of his infatuation for Hannah. Rob's mother, Maggie, who owns the boarding house where Hannah stays for a time, adds a touch of Irish charm to the story.
This whole novel is more lowkey than most HR's, but to me, that's part of its charm. It shows what the power of love can do, and how you shouldn't give up on someone, if you believe they're worth fighting for, and that some people are worth taking a chance on, no matter what the risks to your heart.
This is a book worth reading.
So it was with this book. The h of "Breathless Passion" had a sweet, gentle way about her, that was a refreshing change from a spitfire who doesn't always know when not to mouth off. Not that Hannah was without a backbone; she stood up for herself when necessary and showed plenty of courage and bravery where it was warranted. She just believed that you can catch more flies with honey, and it was nice to see a bit less vinegar.
The H, too, didn't come across in the usual way. Jason Caldwell was more introverted, keeping his feelings to himself, until he got really angry that is. His attitude was a protective shell against letting anyone get too close, and Hannah tries to crack that shell and get him to accept her love and give it back in return.
The story takes place in Seattle inn 1866, where Hannah arrives as one of the Mercer Girls, a mail order bride, as Seattle and the surrounding areas have a shortage of women (prostitutes not included) and the men want to marry and raise families. Hannah escaped an unhappy home life, with a lecherous stepfather and a mother who chose to believe her husband over her daughter. Her working in her cousin's tavern wasn't much better, as she had to fight off plenty of unwelcome advances, so she took a chance on a new future out west.
Jason Caldwell hadn't wanted a wife; he was honoring a promise he made to his friend (Hannah's intended husband), who had died in a logging accident, to take his place. Next thing you know, they're married, two strangers who each, nevertheless, find themselves drawn to each other, though Jason fights the feeling at every turn. Hannah's determined to break down his wall of reserve and make their marriage work.
It doesn't take long for Hannah to realize she loves him, whereas Jason admits his desire for her (their marriage is soon consummated) but still doesn't want to risk his heart. However, he soon shows his his jealousy, when a friend (or maybe I should say frenemy) Rob Clancy takes a fancy to Hannah and kisses her. (Rob and Jason had been rivals before, over Colette, a saloon girl turned owner, who preferred Jason.) After dealing with Rob, Jason accuses Hannah of betraying him and won't listen to reason. His irrational jealousy causes them to separate for a short time, though Hannah, unlike the typical h's who get angry and stubborn and make things worse, Hannah wants to work things out and try to understand Jason.
In all fairness to Jason, his suspicions weren't that unreasonable when it came to Rob. For a while he (Rob) behaved like a real jerk, flirting with Hannah, telling her she was more suited to him, (this was when she decided to leave Jason and think things out), that she should seriously consider a divorce, and then coming onto her rather aggressively, which she handled by slapping him so hard she knocked him off balance, showing she can handle herself when necessary, and putting him in his place but good! He never tried anything like that again! Later, he regretted his bad behavior, but for a while there he was really obnoxious.
Once Jason admits his feelings for Hannah, he becomes more possessive and demanding, expecting her to obey what he says all the time, like when he tells her to stay away from the lumber camp (he owns the business), afraid not only that she'll get hurt, but that the other men will find her as attractive as he does. When Hannah's worried about something, or needs to talk to him, she'll disregard what he says and that infuriates him. Once, this resulted in his having to rescue her from the path of a falling tree, and he was so enraged he took her home and spanked her. (I don't mind spanking scenes when it's part of sex play, or when the h is being such an outrageous brat she deserves it, but in this case it was uncalled for. If Jason thought Hannah needed to be punished for disobeying him, then I think nearly getting killed by a giant tree did the trick, no need for anything else.) She soon reminds him that she wants to be a good wife and to please him, but that doesn't mean she'll be a doormat with no mind of her own, or be treated as if she were a child.
The reason for Jason's behavior is an unhappy love affair in his past, that left him cynical and unable to trust. The woman he loved was just using him; while he was planning their future, she was planning to disappear with money he had sent her. A surprise visit gave Jason the surprise, when he caught her with another man, and in the ensuing fight she was accidentally shot and killed. This changed his whole outlook on love and Hannah had to pay the price for a time.
Every time Jason and Hannah take steps forward in their marriage, something happens to take them back: Colette tries to cause trouble between them, the brother of Jason's ex has a vengeful plan involving Hannah, and Jason still has trouble trusting in her love. Hannah becomes determined to have a real marriage, where she shares Jason's life and has his love and trust, or no marriage at all.
There's a small subplot, involving Rob and Molly, Hannah's friend and fellow mail order bride (widowed after only a week, her alcoholic husband having died in a barroom brawl) who find love, after Rob lets go of his infatuation for Hannah. Rob's mother, Maggie, who owns the boarding house where Hannah stays for a time, adds a touch of Irish charm to the story.
This whole novel is more lowkey than most HR's, but to me, that's part of its charm. It shows what the power of love can do, and how you shouldn't give up on someone, if you believe they're worth fighting for, and that some people are worth taking a chance on, no matter what the risks to your heart.
This is a book worth reading.
May 8, 2018
Great book and storyline would highly recommend👍
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews