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Midnight Rose
Breathtaking Erin Sterling was a glistening blossom among the pale debutantes of Virginia's gentry. The headstrong stepdaughter of a despised slave trader, she vowed she'd belong to no man. Then she met Ryan Youngblood.From the moment he spied the ebony-haired enchantress at the annual Rose Ball, Youngblood knew he had to possess her. But he never dreamed that his forbidden desire would flame into a dangerous and all-consuming need, and a marriage that would scandalize society.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
Patricia Hagan
45 books60 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Patricia Hagan
Pat is the published author of over forty books of romantic fiction. Several of her titles have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. One of her books, "Ocean of Dreams", is based on her own shipboard romance when she met her former husband, a Norwegian engineer.
She is also a former Radio/TV Motorsports Journalist, covering NASCAR Grand National Stock Car Racing. Her work has won many awards by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Pat has cruised the eastern and western Caribbean extensively, as well as the Greek Islands, the fjords of Norway all the way to the North Cape, and has made several transatlantic crossings.
She prefers traveling single, because it gives her more opportunities to meet and make new friends. While she admits going solo is not for everyone, she says for her it is perfect, because she is an outgoing person, and, being a writer, enjoys meeting new "characters."
The only thing she does not like about traveling is having to leave behind her best friend and companion, Krysy, a 14-year old Wire-haired fox terrier.
The author also uses the names:
Patricia Hagan Howell
Maggie James (4 spaces)
Please see: Patricia Hagan
Pat is the published author of over forty books of romantic fiction. Several of her titles have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. One of her books, "Ocean of Dreams", is based on her own shipboard romance when she met her former husband, a Norwegian engineer.
She is also a former Radio/TV Motorsports Journalist, covering NASCAR Grand National Stock Car Racing. Her work has won many awards by the National Motorsports Press Association.
Pat has cruised the eastern and western Caribbean extensively, as well as the Greek Islands, the fjords of Norway all the way to the North Cape, and has made several transatlantic crossings.
She prefers traveling single, because it gives her more opportunities to meet and make new friends. While she admits going solo is not for everyone, she says for her it is perfect, because she is an outgoing person, and, being a writer, enjoys meeting new "characters."
The only thing she does not like about traveling is having to leave behind her best friend and companion, Krysy, a 14-year old Wire-haired fox terrier.
The author also uses the names:
Patricia Hagan Howell
Maggie James (4 spaces)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 15, 2021
MINI REVIEW:
Patricia Hagan's "Midnight Rose" is a decent love story featuring a strong-willed heroine, Erin, with an evil slaver for a step-father and a mother who hides a secret that could destroy them; mom is biracial (half-black, half-white). That fact must be hidden, for this would have socially ruined the heroine and her family. Hero Ryan pursues Erin with a passionate fervor to be his mistress since he's already got a respectable woman lined up for marriage. Through Erin's mother's machinations, they end up getting married, and now the drama is just beginning. There are wicked relatives on both sides making life difficult. When the hero finds out the heroine's secret, he does his best to protect her from the bad guys. Good plotting, but a bit abrupt at the end and left me wanting more.
3 stars
Patricia Hagan's "Midnight Rose" is a decent love story featuring a strong-willed heroine, Erin, with an evil slaver for a step-father and a mother who hides a secret that could destroy them; mom is biracial (half-black, half-white). That fact must be hidden, for this would have socially ruined the heroine and her family. Hero Ryan pursues Erin with a passionate fervor to be his mistress since he's already got a respectable woman lined up for marriage. Through Erin's mother's machinations, they end up getting married, and now the drama is just beginning. There are wicked relatives on both sides making life difficult. When the hero finds out the heroine's secret, he does his best to protect her from the bad guys. Good plotting, but a bit abrupt at the end and left me wanting more.
3 stars
February 25, 2009
When I picked this book up I had 2 main thoughts going through my head: 1) It was either going to be an extremely cheesy and poorly written romance that was sappy or 2) it actually was going to be good, with a good plot, interesting characters, and romance that wasn't sappy.
I'm happy to announce the second thought was the true one.
The story begins with an introduction to Erin Sterling and Ryan Youngblood - the two protagonists. Erin is the step-daughter of a slave trader, who everyone in society looks down upon and hates, because he is so cruel. Her mother is also shunned later because of a dark secret. Ryan, who has in the past suffered from a broken heart (tear) is engaged to a woman he does not feel will be a good wife so is in search of a mistress. He goes with his close friend to a ball and there he sees Erin and finally talks to her in the garden by some red roses...They begin to meet and, when Erin's mother once spots them arguing, she decides to devise a plot where she will say Ryan hurt Erin's dignity and reputation so, in return, Ryan will marry Erin. This would ensure a good future with money, children and comfort for Erin - something that she cannot otherwise achieve easily because of her stepfather's reputation. When he gets Ryan to agree (who believes Erin was in on the whole plot) the mother (Arlene) hopes that one day, the two will fall in love as well.
So they get married, but WAIT! Of course problems come out of this!! Here's a few to list: slaves keep running away from Erin's step father's farm, making him angry, drunk, and crazy; Arlene, Erin's mom, is terribly sick and her evil husband is abusing her; he is also trying to abuse Erin; Ryan's mom and his fiancee are away in Europe and do not know that he has gotten married over the summer; Ryan's mom has a serious temper; Eliza, a servant at Ryan's mansion, makes life the worst for Ryan and Erin in every indirect way that she can, putting them against each other.
So what happens? Well, I won't spoil the ending for you but Ryan's mother comes back and, hating the fact that Erin comes from a horrid family, tries everything she can to get rid of her. Will she succeed? You just have to read it. Honestly, the whole time I wanted to strangle the mother and just yell at her, telling her I hated her. There are also some deaths, tragedies, and simple mere misses that drove me crazy as the book/plot thickened. I just wanted to keep reading to find out how these lovers' problems would get resolved. And, of course, the lovers can't just simplify things and show their emotions. Nope, that would be too easy.
ANYWAYS! Why did I give it only 3 stars then? The ending. AH! The ending. SO abrupt. It bothered me. I just wanted there to at least be an epilogue or something. But nope, it was brought to a sudden halt. That bothered me. I wanted to see some aftermath, some talking...fine. I guess I won't be satisfied.
But, it was an overall good/pleasant read.
I'm happy to announce the second thought was the true one.
The story begins with an introduction to Erin Sterling and Ryan Youngblood - the two protagonists. Erin is the step-daughter of a slave trader, who everyone in society looks down upon and hates, because he is so cruel. Her mother is also shunned later because of a dark secret. Ryan, who has in the past suffered from a broken heart (tear) is engaged to a woman he does not feel will be a good wife so is in search of a mistress. He goes with his close friend to a ball and there he sees Erin and finally talks to her in the garden by some red roses...They begin to meet and, when Erin's mother once spots them arguing, she decides to devise a plot where she will say Ryan hurt Erin's dignity and reputation so, in return, Ryan will marry Erin. This would ensure a good future with money, children and comfort for Erin - something that she cannot otherwise achieve easily because of her stepfather's reputation. When he gets Ryan to agree (who believes Erin was in on the whole plot) the mother (Arlene) hopes that one day, the two will fall in love as well.
So they get married, but WAIT! Of course problems come out of this!! Here's a few to list: slaves keep running away from Erin's step father's farm, making him angry, drunk, and crazy; Arlene, Erin's mom, is terribly sick and her evil husband is abusing her; he is also trying to abuse Erin; Ryan's mom and his fiancee are away in Europe and do not know that he has gotten married over the summer; Ryan's mom has a serious temper; Eliza, a servant at Ryan's mansion, makes life the worst for Ryan and Erin in every indirect way that she can, putting them against each other.
So what happens? Well, I won't spoil the ending for you but Ryan's mother comes back and, hating the fact that Erin comes from a horrid family, tries everything she can to get rid of her. Will she succeed? You just have to read it. Honestly, the whole time I wanted to strangle the mother and just yell at her, telling her I hated her. There are also some deaths, tragedies, and simple mere misses that drove me crazy as the book/plot thickened. I just wanted to keep reading to find out how these lovers' problems would get resolved. And, of course, the lovers can't just simplify things and show their emotions. Nope, that would be too easy.
ANYWAYS! Why did I give it only 3 stars then? The ending. AH! The ending. SO abrupt. It bothered me. I just wanted there to at least be an epilogue or something. But nope, it was brought to a sudden halt. That bothered me. I wanted to see some aftermath, some talking...fine. I guess I won't be satisfied.
But, it was an overall good/pleasant read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2021
This book was a winner, not just for the story, but for the history that goes with it, like the start of the underground railroad and some of the people involved. I like to learn something while I'm being entertained with a good story, and this novel didn't disappoint me.
Another thing I liked about it was that it was set before the Civil War, so the heroine, Erin, wasn't perpetually cursing the "damn Yankees", and proudly defending the southern cause (ad nauseum). She also detested slavery, and helped many of them escape. She had a close friendship with one of them, a young woman who went through so much, you'll be on her side all the way when she manages to run away and elude her pursuers more than once.
There's a dark family secret that Erin's not aware of, one that her mother tries to hide from her. She has a stepfather who's cruel and abusive to her mother, and lusts after Erin. Her mother's weak and in poor health, but smart enough to know that her daughter's best chance of a good life is to get away, and marry a rich man. She sets her sites on Ryan Youngblood, determined to get him for a son-on-law. Ryan and Erin have an intense attraction to each other, but Erin wants no part of her mother's scheme, and Ryan doesn't want to get married, preferring to have Erin be his mistress.
But next thing you know, they're married! And that's when the fun begins, with all the misunderstandings, interference, (like Ryan's mother, a real bitch who despises Erin), supposed betrayals, separations, and a lot of other things to keep this very entertaining reading.
i don't think the ending should have been so abrupt, (I've noticed this with other books Ms. Hagan writes, too) but that's not enough to take away from enjoying this book.
Another thing I liked about it was that it was set before the Civil War, so the heroine, Erin, wasn't perpetually cursing the "damn Yankees", and proudly defending the southern cause (ad nauseum). She also detested slavery, and helped many of them escape. She had a close friendship with one of them, a young woman who went through so much, you'll be on her side all the way when she manages to run away and elude her pursuers more than once.
There's a dark family secret that Erin's not aware of, one that her mother tries to hide from her. She has a stepfather who's cruel and abusive to her mother, and lusts after Erin. Her mother's weak and in poor health, but smart enough to know that her daughter's best chance of a good life is to get away, and marry a rich man. She sets her sites on Ryan Youngblood, determined to get him for a son-on-law. Ryan and Erin have an intense attraction to each other, but Erin wants no part of her mother's scheme, and Ryan doesn't want to get married, preferring to have Erin be his mistress.
But next thing you know, they're married! And that's when the fun begins, with all the misunderstandings, interference, (like Ryan's mother, a real bitch who despises Erin), supposed betrayals, separations, and a lot of other things to keep this very entertaining reading.
i don't think the ending should have been so abrupt, (I've noticed this with other books Ms. Hagan writes, too) but that's not enough to take away from enjoying this book.
February 8, 2023
A fun and memorable read though there were a few things I was frustrated with throughout my read. Some common tropes and most of the drama was fueled by complete lack of communication that could've been very easily avoided or fixed but the two main characters were too stubborn to admit their feelings. The subplot with the underground railroad is really interesting and the family secret about the daughter and mother being of mixed race when slavery is rampant in the South.
Slavery is a main point of the story and there are several uses of racial slurs but, a lot of the graphic violence and rape that is often seen in bodice rippers is really toned down in this book but there is still some so, keep in mind if sensitive to these things.
It could've been about 50 pages shorter and I felt there was a lot of time wasted and not enough focused on the climax which led to a somewhat satisfying but open-ended finish.
Slavery is a main point of the story and there are several uses of racial slurs but, a lot of the graphic violence and rape that is often seen in bodice rippers is really toned down in this book but there is still some so, keep in mind if sensitive to these things.
It could've been about 50 pages shorter and I felt there was a lot of time wasted and not enough focused on the climax which led to a somewhat satisfying but open-ended finish.
June 27, 2012
Fun trash.
June 14, 2016
A love story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews