Everlasting: A Historical Romance Novel of Deception, Honor, and Forbidden Love

by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Once, Abrielle was a privileged daughter coveted for her bearing, her breeding, her wit, and her beauty. But when her stepfather is denied his rightful title and the wealth that accompanies it, Abrielle finds herself suddenly disgraced. Only one man would still have the oafish and grotesque Desmond de Marlé. To rescue her once-proud family's honor, Abrielle must sacrifice her virtue to this scoundrel she fears and detests . . . even as she yearns for another lover.

Dashing, handsome, tall, and kind, Raven Seabern is quite unlike any man Abrielle has ever encountered. But their love can never be, for Abrielle is betrothed to a monster. And the well-being of everyone she cares for demands that she honor her promise. Still, Raven knows he has found the true one and must never let her go—though secrets, deceptions, dishonor, and unimaginable peril will surely be their fate if they follow the dictates of their hearts.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Audiobook

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Kathleen Erin Hogg was born on June 3, 1939, in Alexandria, Louisiana, she was the youngest of eight siblings by Gladys (Coker) and Charles Wingrove Hogg, a disabled World War I veteran. She long relished creating original narratives, and by age 6 was telling herself stories at night to help herself fall asleep. At age 16, she met U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Ross Eugene Woodiwiss at a dance, and they married the following year. She wrote her first book in longhand while living at a military outpost in Japan.

She is credited with the invention of the modern historical romance novel: In 1972 she released The Flame and the Flower, an instant New York Times bestseller that created a literary precedent. The novel revolutionized mainstream publishing, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and impassioned sex scenes. The Flame and the Flower was rejected by agents and hardcover publishers, who deemed it as "too long" at 600 pages. Rather than follow the advice of the rejection letters and rewrite the novel, she instead submitted it to paperback publishers. The first publisher on her list, Avon, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run. The novel sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication.

The success of The Flame and the Flower prompted a new style of writing romance, concentrating primarily on historical fiction tracking the monogamous relationship between a helpless heroines and the hero who rescued her, even if he had been the one to place her in danger. The romance novels which followed in her example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes.

She was an avid horse rider who at one time lived in a large home on 55 acres (220,000 m2) in Minnesota. After her husband's death in 1996, she moved back to Louisiana. She died in a hospital on July 6, 2007 in Princeton, Minnesota, aged 68, from cancer. She was survived by two sons, Sean and Heath, their wives, and numerous grandchildren. Her third son, Dorren, predeceased her.

Reviews

[Regan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Medieval Romance - 4 and 1/2 Stars!

While I did not rate this as high as her other medieval romance, The Wolf and the Dove, I truly enjoyed this story of Raven Seabern, the handsome black-haired, blue-eyed son of a Scottish laird (the father reminded me of an older Sean Connery), who is a messenger for King David of Scotland and trusted by King Henry. He meets Abrielle, a red-haired Saxon beauty, in Henry's court just after her stepfather, a faithful Norman knight, is passed over by Henry for the reward he justly deserved.

Suddenly Abrielle is no longer pursued by the eligible young suitors for she will have no dowry of land or title. And, worse, in order to save her family from ruin, she agrees to wed the evil and ugly Desmond de Marle who has lusted after her even before her betrothed was mysteriously killed.

Raven watches from the sidelines as all this is happening for he is already in love with the fair Abrielle and will not leave her. This is a tale of the time when there were still difficulties between Normans and Saxons and also between England and the Scots. But against that background, there is the prospect of true love conquering all. And so it does.

This was Woodiwiss' last romance, published in 2007, and while not as sweeping or detailed in scope, nor frankly as good as her others, it is still a fine medieval love story and I recommend it.

Here's a list of her other novels:

Birmingham Family Saga Series:

The Flame and the Flower, 1972
A Season Beyond a Kiss, 2000
The Elusive Flame, 1998

Single Novels:

The Wolf and the Dove, 1974
Shanna, 1977
Ashes in the Wind, 1979
A Rose in Winter, 1981
Come Love a Stranger, 1984
So Worthy My Love, 1989
Forever in Your Embrace, 1992
Petals on the River, 1997
The Reluctant Suitor, 2002

Her best ones were written in the 70s and 80s, with this perhaps an exception.

[becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, another heroine I didn't like and whose choices I didn't agree with on any level. She was seemingly always thinking about others (her mother & stepfather, for example) and we're supposed to think she's this giving, sacrificing creature, but her actions aren't really all that noble although Woodiwiss would have had us think they were. The friends of Abrielle were one-dimensional and their side stories told as almost an afterthought and not worth inclusion in the novel. They didn't lend anything to the story - in fact, they took away from it because they were distracting in how bad they were. If as an author you're going to introduce a maniacal evil witch, use that character to its utmost potential instead of having her flit in and out with minor disruptions to the story; otherwise, she could have just been an unhappy, jealous old women - she didn't need to be a witch. I think the thing I disliked the most was that once again, we've got a heroine who is simpering and stupid and instead of using her brain to think things through, just jumps to the most ridiculous conclusions about everything around her and we're supposed to go along for the ride, somehow feeling empathy toward her and her situation. Nope. No can do. She should have been falling over herself in gratitude the first time Raven (what a stupid name!) saved her from rape, but instead she spends 3/4 of the book being suspicious of his motives for saving her. No thanks.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate it. It was not as good as her earliest works but not as bad as The Reluctant Suitor. There are about 5 or 6 of Ms Woodiwiss' earlier novels that have remained on my keeper/favorites shelf for many years. For whatever reason her last few books just didn't pay off like her earlier ones did. But she will always be counted as a favorite author of mine anyway.

[Serena Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10
Ha sido una lectura lenta y me ha decepcionado un poco. No he empatizado nada con Abrielle, me ha parecido una pesetera. Raven se pasa toda la novela rescatandola, y ella solo piensa que va por su dinero o su nueva herencia... ¡¡si es el unico que la quiere como es!!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS


Enjoyed it. Even though the heroine's lack of brains often drove me to drink. I do find that KW, definitely favors her Heroes. She is a master at creating them. These are some of the best romances, these epic medieval stories that even drag a bit of history into them. This one definitely had a good amount of the far-fetched sprinkled into the story, but it was still hard to put down. These timeless romances never get old for me.

[Patricia Marin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Segunda novela que forma parte del #RetoRita2 2018
Ha sido una historia que realmente he sufrido. Narra las desventuras de Abrielle, que para evitar la ruina de su familia, decide aceptar una terrible propuesta de matrimonio, sacrificando de esa forma su libertad. Partiendo de este planteamiento tan sencillo, se repite la misma idea durante páginas y páginas; los mismos pensamientos o las mismas motivaciones en el mismo párrafo, entorpeciendo el desarrollo de una trama que, a medida que avanza, carece de total interés. No hay emoción, no hay intriga, no hay nada, solo personajes sin personalidad. Una protagonista femenina que es muy bella, se queja y es la mar de bondadosa, pero nada más; un protagonista que es muy guapo, lleva falda escocesa y habla como un poeta, pero nada más. La relación entre ellos totalmente inexistente, no existe ningún motivo real por el que se puedan amar o, siguiera, gustar. Durante la lectura ninguno deja traslucir ninguna emoción, solo sensaciones irrelevantes que no demuestran, desde mi punto de vista, atracción, deseo o cualquier otro tipo de emoción.
Luego tenemos el detalle de que la protagonista da por hecho cosas que no debería conocer y su manera de pensar y actuar se acerca peligrosamente al modelo contemporáneo y no al histórico, lo que hace que para mí pierda toda credibilidad. Esas escenas hablando con su mejor amiga o su madre han sido tan cliché y tan "conversación de cafetería" que, la verdad, me han sacado de la lectura. Raven, el protagonista, no es más que un escocés alto y guapo que no hace absolutamente nada, excepto estar ahí cuando el desarrollo de la historia lo necesita, pero no cuando realmente hace falta, desaprovechándose su presencia. La narración ha sido lenta, la documentación histórica queda en segundo plano y todo me ha resultado demasiado obvio. Los personajes no tienen evolución, son totalmente planos, en ocasiones con un comportamiento casi infantil.
Me duele decirlo, si esta fue su última novela, no me ha gustado nada :(

[Lorena Beshello · Rating 1 out of 5]

A historical pain in the neck!

I love historical fiction and when I saw this in the bookstore's shelf I didn't think two times. Before I started reading it I saw the reviews on the flaps from Library Journal etc. marking this book as a legend in the romance genre, so I had expectations.

The setting, the prologue were promising, it's Medieval times, I love that period of the history, I liked the name of the main character, but only that. I know it was 1135, but was it usual for a lady to be 'lifted over strangers's shoulders' just because she happens to be without a husband? I really tried to enjoy the plot but I couldn't. Every event was predictable, the relations among the characters and especially the romance between the two main characters which was kinda lame, so I often caught myself skimming pages.

Spoiler alert: They lived happily ever after!

[Manuela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Con dispiacere enorme sono costretta a dare il voto minimo all'ultima fatica di quest'autrice che ho amato molto, ma purtroppo è inevitabile. Una storia insulsa, inconcludente, lo stile utilizzato non è nemmeno paragonabile a quello dei suoi precedenti romanzi, la narrazione infatti è meno descrittiva e meno accurata, con personaggi delineati in maniera superficiale e semplicistica. La noia ha avuto il sopravvento per larghi tratti, e anche lo svolgersi degli eventi a volte è risultato banale e scontato. Insomma, un canto del cigno che quest'autrice davvero non meritava, come non meritava che questo romanzo venisse pubblicato forzatamente, nonostante lei non l'avesse terminato, non a caso si nota che forse solo lo spunto è frutto della sua penna, per il resto è stato assemblato da qualcun'altro. Se non ci fosse stato il nome della Woodiwiss sulla copertina, non l'avrei nemmeno finito, l'ho fatto solo per rispetto della sua luminosa carriera.

[HÜLYA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guzel bir orta çağ romanı idi. Yazarın diğer romanlarında göre biraz hafif kaldı... Yine de güzel bir historical okumayı Cook özlemişim.. Bu kitap yazarın son kitabı olduğunu tahmin ediyorum. 2007 de çıkmış.. Woodiwiss 2007 de ölmüş...

[Koki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posledná kniha tejto autorky sa k nám dostala už aj v slovenčine :-)

Abrielle si na kráľovskom bankete všimne, že ju neustále prepaľuje očami vysoký, statný mladík. Vie o ňom, že sa volá Havran Seabern, je kráľovský emisár a to najdôležitejšie: je Škót. Rozhodne sa ho ignorovať, ale myseľ mieni, telo mení...

Keď ju vyzve do tanca, od vzrušenia zatajuje dych a podlamujú sa jej kolená. Také niečo ešte pri žiadnom mužovi nepocítila. Medzi hlavnými hrdinami to neuveriteľne iskrí, ale kým to prepukne naplno, prejdú ešte dlhú cestu. Abrielle je nútená (pod hrozbou chudoby jej malej rodiny) vydať sa za Desmonda, jediného nápadníka, ktorý jej ostal po tom, ako kráľ odmietol udeliť titul jej otčimovi, pre "údajný" nedostatok peňazí v kráľovských pokladniciach. Zvyšok recenzie nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dory - per RFS
.
In una delle mie tante capatine in biblioteca, mi sono ritrovata di fronte questo romanzo e ho deciso di leggerlo: la storia di Raven Seaborn, bellissimo combattente scozzese alla corte di Re Enrico, e di Lady Abrielle di Harrington è la classica vicenda amorosa ambientata ai tempi delle crociate in Inghilterra e che non mi ha particolarmente colpito.

Abrielle è una giovane donna che si ritrova a sposare il ripugnante Desmond che si è incapricciato di lei e che fa gola ai suoi genitori come genero perché molto ricco: la ragazza decide quindi di salvare il buon nome e l’agiatezza della sua famiglia convolando a nozze salvo poi vedere il neo marito morire la stessa notte per una caduta da ubriaco.

Diventata precocemente vedova Abrielle potrà quindi congiungersi con il suo vero amore, l’affascinante Raven, con cui si sposerà rimanendo, però, sempre insicura e incerta sulla sua lealtà e sincerità, ma, nel momento in cui Raven la inviterà nei suoi possedimenti in Scozia e lei stessa vedrà con i suoi occhi lo sfarzo e la ricchezza dell’uomo, capirà che Raven la ama davvero e che non è interessato alla sua dote, avendo infatti rinunciato a essa proprio il giorno del loro matrimonio.

Come si può evincere dal mio racconto, questo romance si poggia su un plot scarno e, secondo me, anche abbastanza scontato: avrei sicuramente preferito delle vicende più avvincenti e anche un amore tra i protagonisti più forte e appassionato, invece, tutto si gioca su chi ha cosa e chi ha di più, inficiando il romanticismo dell’insieme.

I personaggi sono indagati molto superficialmente, tanto che, fino alla fine, non si riesce a capire bene cosa frulli nella testa dell’uno e dell’altro, soprattutto, nel caso di Abrielle.

Perché la donna non riesce a fidarsi di Raven? Lo ama davvero o è solo attrazione fisica?

Tutti questi aspetti non si comprendono e il finale lascia abbastanza a bocca asciutta perché fa capire come i ragionamenti della donna siano dettati dal denaro e dal raziocinio.

Avrei sicuramente preferito un romance più incentrato sull’amore con la A maiuscola anche se devo ammettere che le ambientazioni sono molto curate e interessanti: sia l’Inghilterra del XII secolo con i castelli, le torri, la servitù e le grandi distese verdi per la caccia, sia la Scozia dello stesso periodo molto più selvaggia e intonsa.

Non è il classico libro d’amore che mi sarei aspettata, nonostante ciò è molto scorrevole, lo stile è semplice e lineare, invoglia sicuramente alla lettura tanto che l’ho finito in due giorni.

Le mie perplessità non sono, infatti, riferite alla scrittura della Woodiwiss ma solamente alla trama che ho trovato poco romantica e molto incentrata su valori che per me non dovrebbero esistere in un libro a tematica amorosa.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This isn't my favorite of Kathleen Woodiwiss' novels. I was actually really enjoying the first two thirds of the story, but the last third or so felt way to rushed. All the pieces got tied up too quickly and things like Abrielle's change of heart came with too little provocation. None of the action was bad or anything, again it was just rushed. I liked Abrielle and Raven as couple. The time period was well depicted and the quality of the writing was superb as always. But it felt like the ending got truncated and had everyone's reactions sped up instead of taking all the time needed to truly feel like the changes were natural.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a short listen and I thought it could have been better. The narration was a bit pushed for me so it was not that good to keep me interested but I continued to wanting to find out the end. Maybe will read the book and feel different.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew going into this book that it was primarily a romance, but I never expected a disgustingly trite bodice ripper. Maybe I expected too much, like a heroine overcoming all odds despite the lack of power women held during the Crusades. Instead, we get a lifeless, helpless, spineless damsel in distress waiting for a raven-haired Fabio to save her. This book had so much potential, yet took every cliché route imaginable. Very disappointing.

[TinaNoir · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointment. Although it has been 30ish years since Ms. Woodiwiss first published her seminal book, The Flame and the Flower, you can still feel the influences today when you pick up romance novels just published. Having heard about her recent passing, I was moved to go back and re-read her back list and even my jaded little I-hate-the-romance- novel-industry-and-their-hidebound-ways heart was wowed all over again by her. So when I got to this one, her newest book, it seemed so very out of kilter with the rest. There was none of the character, plot or relationship development that unfolds so organically and wonderfully in her previous books. There was a certain richness and depth that was severely lacking. Rather than feeling utterly satisfied and replete, I was left with a weird aftertaste.

[Pam H · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading 5 or 6 of Woodiwiss' books you learn to expect spoiled females who are downright bitchy. In this edition, Abrielle has lost her fiancé, needs to marry to save her family from destitution after her stepfather is passed over for the recognition he deserves from the Crusades and the only option is a disgusting excuse of a man, her finance's fat brother. Raven Seabern is a handsome Scot who is an emissary for the King. Abrielle's mother is a warm, sweet woman and her step father is a kind man - how does she get to be so bitchy?
Raven is drawn to her and knows he will eventually win her over but you don't really feel a connection between them. It's amazing he is so driven to succeed when she is nasty to only him when he never did anything wrong.
Cedric, Raven's father is very entertaining and really stole the show.

[Carol Spradling · Rating 2 out of 5]

EVERLASTING is the last book by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Miss Woodiwiss' books were the first books that I remember enjoying as a teen, well adult books. I admit, I enjoyed some of her books better than others, and I have mixed feelings about this book.

From posts from her son, Miss Woodiwiss passed away before completing Everlasting. I don't know how much of the published book is her work, but her touches are missing. I would have loved to have seen what this book could have been had she lived. For that reason, although it isn't one of my favorites, it will still be enjoyed because it was her last. I'm glad her family allowed it to be released.”

[Victoria Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book, haven't read it in years but when I saw it was available as a kindle edition at my library I was thrilled !!!

I always enjoyed Mrs Woodwiss's style of storytelling. Her books are what got me hooked on historical romance novels.

I won't blab to much about the plot line or else I may give it all away. Basically the story takes place in medieval england close to Scotland's boarders. You have a sweet young heroine who is willing to do what she needs to do to help her family. Despite her own feelings, a odious man who is ONE of many villains and a good man with the support of his father who helps her.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

🏰 Opposing Kingdom’s at Risk - Can Love Be Found ❤️

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is such a talented author. While reading her stories you find yourself transported back in time to a world full of strife and accords, good and evil, villains and heroes, Saxon, Norman, English, and Scottish peoples battling to survive and finding love along the way. While reading this story I felt like I stepped back to 11th century and was experiencing the horrors and triumphs along side the H/h.

If you enjoy HR with amazing characters and unequivocal plots I encourage you to give this book a try!

Overall 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Elizabeth Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanta esta autora. Puede que a otros resulten densas sus descripciones y lenta su narrativa, pero para mí leerla es el paraíso, es pasar páginas e ir observando dentro de mi cabeza las escenas narradas, es sentirme capaz de distinguir a través de sus letras hasta el aroma de cada estancia, los colores del paisaje e incluso la calidad de las telas del vestuario.
La única "pega" que encontré en esta historia en particular ha sido el carácter de la protagonista femenina. No sé, no me acabó de convencer. Sé que es fuerza tratar de adentrarse en el contexto social y moral de la época para entender su postura y su comportamiento pero a mí el hecho de que se mostrara tan sumisa y resignada al principio de su compromiso con el despreciable Desmond, comportándose como un cordero guiado al matadero sin vía de escape posible (¿no había otra solución? Seguro que no?) y que, a su muerte, cambiaran tanto las tornas e incluso se le subieran un poquito los humos, no me acabó de agradar. Demasiado rápido, demasiado cambio de actitud. De nada a todo. De niñita aterrorizada a reina del castillo. No me convenció.
Tampoco la testarudez mostrada en todo momento hacia Raven.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t stand either of the protagonists after they wed but their relationship redeemed itself in the coming chapters.


Here are some quotes I liked:

“To be sure, you’ve brought the beauty of the heavens down to us mere mortals, and for that, tis greatly heartened I am that such splendor exists, even for such as I.”

“An honorable man understands there are things in this world worth the waiting.”

“The thought of the bonny lass about to marry that man would make a stone weep.”

“If you haven’t realized it yet, wealth is a pitifully poor replacement for genuine love and simple contentment.”

“You make me feel like a wealthy prince upon whom rich blessings are continually being bestowed.”

“To be sure, the lady makes my very heart sing, and I’m supposing I’ve gone a wee bit beyond the behavior of more dignified men in my habit to sing her praises.”

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good story but lacking in the passion I always associate with Woodiwiss's work. Another woman agrees to wed an odious man for the sake of her family. Story runs the regular course but the steadfastness of our hero Raven is what held my interest. As I said there is no fiery passion between the lovers in this one but that doesn't diminish the story.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, but I decided to read this one on a whim when I was looking through my bookshelves. Although I enjoyed it (I mean I’m such a sucker for a historical romance) it didn’t live up to some of her others. However, I know this was her last book, and she passed away before it was finished. You can tell it’s missing something, and I think they did the best they could with what she had started.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun going back and reading a book released almost 20 yrs ago. Things have definitely changed in the book world. I enjoyed this medieval romance. It was angsty and often times a bit infuriating. I did want to shake Abrielle a time or many. I do understand how she would be leery of the motivation for her hand, but how many times did Raven have to save her before she realized his motives were not nefarious?

This was an enjoyable read.

[Alice]

DNF at 15pages

I am not the target audience for HR set in 1100s. One of my favorite (albeit from about 20yrs ago) HR is by this author, but that could be a one off. Not sure I'll investigate any more of her books.

[Holley · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I wanted to like this book since it was recommended by several friends, but I gave up at 12%. The author made all the terrible things that happened to the heroine so over the top it was ridiculous. Worse yet, the POV changes were dizzying. Sometimes multiple times in one paragraph.

[Frieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was entertaining. If they'd even spoken to each other actually, properly, this book would have been half as long. LOL.

[Kimberly Harries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a slow burn. Some parts seemed sort of dated...I didn't look up when it was written, which kinda threw me off, but overall it was fun enough to read. I can see how she would have been popular in the 80s. I think Raven was the best character rather than the heroine Abrielle. Was fun to read a book by Miss Woodiwiss.

[Samantha Stambaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come soon!

[Yumru · Rating 2 out of 5]

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