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The Spotted Plume
Surely love couldn't stem from animosity
Jennifer had to get away from Cape Town. It had been six months since her fiance's death, and the very streets held memories....
Rather than quit nursing, she accepted a private position in the country. Her elderly patient proved delightful—the woman's son an entirely different matter.
Hunter Maynard rubbed Jennifer the wrong way from the first day. She just couldn't get along with him—even though he was attractive and undeniably compelling!
Jennifer had to get away from Cape Town. It had been six months since her fiance's death, and the very streets held memories....
Rather than quit nursing, she accepted a private position in the country. Her elderly patient proved delightful—the woman's son an entirely different matter.
Hunter Maynard rubbed Jennifer the wrong way from the first day. She just couldn't get along with him—even though he was attractive and undeniably compelling!
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
2 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Whittal
56 books80 followersYvonne Whittal was born and raised in South Africa, the setting of most of her romances. She started writing stories at a young age, but didn't really get serious about writing until after she married and had children. She got many rejection letters from publishers, until a friend who loved romances gave her to encouragement to continue.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 23, 2016
Two and a half stars, rounded up. The half star is for the background descriptions. This is the typical Yvonne Whittal mean-because-he's-so-keen hero with some interesting info about ostrich farming thrown in for good measure. Heroine is a nurse who is still recovering from her fiance's death six months before. For a change of scene, she accepts a private nursing position helping an elderly lady (hero's mother) recover from hip surgery.
The hero takes one look at her and snarls he doesn't want her. (This is a declaration of love in YW world, but heroine doesn't know that). Heroine is also attracted to him, but is saddened to see that he not only doesn't like her, but also thinks she his some sort of jezebel, sleeping her way through the countryside. She encourages this opinion for . . . ? Reasons?
It adds to her torture and it allows the hero to say unforgivable things.
The title refers to the appearance of some rare ostrich feathers that one of the servants is convinced means the boss man will marry within the year. If you can stomach a verbally abusive hero who is full of repressed lust, this one is for you. I enjoyed learning about the ostriches and the collapse of the ostrich feather market at the onset of WWI.
The hero takes one look at her and snarls he doesn't want her. (This is a declaration of love in YW world, but heroine doesn't know that). Heroine is also attracted to him, but is saddened to see that he not only doesn't like her, but also thinks she his some sort of jezebel, sleeping her way through the countryside. She encourages this opinion for . . . ? Reasons?
It adds to her torture and it allows the hero to say unforgivable things.
The title refers to the appearance of some rare ostrich feathers that one of the servants is convinced means the boss man will marry within the year. If you can stomach a verbally abusive hero who is full of repressed lust, this one is for you. I enjoyed learning about the ostriches and the collapse of the ostrich feather market at the onset of WWI.
March 1, 2016
A typical Yvonne Whittal with the usual mesmeric South African bucolic background. The H is one of her more cruel misogynist types, who think courting rituals include grabbing, choking, shaking and abusing. Even the ostriches at his farm show more finesse. The h, a nurse helping his post-op mom, usually a sensible girl does her bit to irritate him and us. There are ow and om galore- to while away their and our time, I guess. And as with most vintage misogynists, all his hatred and prejudice is reserved for the h and not for the obviously deceitful and immoral (horror!) other women. Now that is one of the inexplicable mysteries of the HP universe, which requires some deep thought- or not!
December 19, 2021
Downgrading my review from 2 stars to 1 star.
I love Yvonne Whittal, but this was just one hot mess. Her heroes are known to be tough and ruthless, but they usually have character and integrity. There was nothing decent about this dude. Also, the heroine's professional conduct was appalling. I can't decide which aspect disgusted me more. I know this was written back in the 80's but her behavior was unacceptable even then - especially for a medical professional. Everyone just adored her and I couldn't figure out why.
Simply put, the h had the "hots" for the H and because of her antiquated victorian principles she saw it as love. Not my idea of a romance.
I recommend a hard pass on this one. Not sure why I bothered with it again. Maybe boredom?
My Original review is below.
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I was disappointed in this one. I typically like this author's work. I find that she does angst better than anyone. However, this time it just didn't work.
The hero was a misogynist with very little redeeming value as a human being. Even his mother didn't like him! The heroine was TSTL allowing herself to be abused and sexually harassed to the point that I lost all respect for her. She should definitely change careers since she lacks the aptitude necessary to conduct herself as a medical professional.
Not recommended. (Though I am in the minority on that viewpoint)
I love Yvonne Whittal, but this was just one hot mess. Her heroes are known to be tough and ruthless, but they usually have character and integrity. There was nothing decent about this dude. Also, the heroine's professional conduct was appalling. I can't decide which aspect disgusted me more. I know this was written back in the 80's but her behavior was unacceptable even then - especially for a medical professional. Everyone just adored her and I couldn't figure out why.
Simply put, the h had the "hots" for the H and because of her antiquated victorian principles she saw it as love. Not my idea of a romance.
I recommend a hard pass on this one. Not sure why I bothered with it again. Maybe boredom?
My Original review is below.
___________________________________
I was disappointed in this one. I typically like this author's work. I find that she does angst better than anyone. However, this time it just didn't work.
The hero was a misogynist with very little redeeming value as a human being. Even his mother didn't like him! The heroine was TSTL allowing herself to be abused and sexually harassed to the point that I lost all respect for her. She should definitely change careers since she lacks the aptitude necessary to conduct herself as a medical professional.
Not recommended. (Though I am in the minority on that viewpoint)
October 17, 2020
Verbally abusive H !!!! I hated him he was so mean to her and with no reason !! The poor h love him God knows why 🙄 he was such a jerk , I loved his mother and how the poor woman hope that her son will marry Jennifer the h and leave those horrible women he knows, this author really loves to write jerk Heroes 🤔 but I love reading her books it's like my guilty pleasure 🤦♀️
August 3, 2014
Heroine, a nurse, left her house to escape the painful memories of her fiance's death. She accepts a private position in the country as a nurse to an elderly lady. She is a great lady but the woman's son Hunter is cold and ruthless and mean to her. He hates and distrust women because of a bad past experience. He is clearly attracted to Jenny but he thinks she is a gold digger. Jenny soon falls for him but his misogyny hurts her and makes her ran away eventually.
Super angsty, compelling read. I adored the very hard ruthless hero and how he misjudges our sweet innocent heroine. Definitely a keeper for me!
Super angsty, compelling read. I adored the very hard ruthless hero and how he misjudges our sweet innocent heroine. Definitely a keeper for me!
May 21, 2016
Yay for vintage harlequins! I simply adored this harlequin, I don't think I've ever been so emotionally attached to a character ever. The heroine has been through similar things to me in life so I simply adored watching it all play out. It was so great!
September 1, 2019
"The Spotted Plume" is the story of Jennifer and Hunter.
One of the classic love-hate romances, in which the heroine who is recovering from her fiance's death gets a job as a private nurse to the hero's mother. It is antagonism at first sight for the couple, as the hero instantly takes a "dislike" to the hero and her motives for taking the job, and the heroine has to face his constant verbal chastisement.
Throughout the book, we see the couple sparring on every instance while jealousy and attraction blooms between them. There is enough OM/OW drama to keep you hooked, and the hero is a big brooding meanie, while the heroine is a love-struck martyr. There is enough ostrich action to keep you hooked too!
Safe
3.5/5
One of the classic love-hate romances, in which the heroine who is recovering from her fiance's death gets a job as a private nurse to the hero's mother. It is antagonism at first sight for the couple, as the hero instantly takes a "dislike" to the hero and her motives for taking the job, and the heroine has to face his constant verbal chastisement.
Throughout the book, we see the couple sparring on every instance while jealousy and attraction blooms between them. There is enough OM/OW drama to keep you hooked, and the hero is a big brooding meanie, while the heroine is a love-struck martyr. There is enough ostrich action to keep you hooked too!
Safe
3.5/5
January 27, 2023
After so long ,read a good old fashioned romance ,loved hunter
November 2, 2022
Rightly put by YW, the H was a crusty old boorish brute and I loved him. I’d say 5.5 🌟 but taking half a ⭐️ away because of a rushed ending with a missing epilogue.
The h is a nurse minding her own business and at the verge of quitting her job. Her fiancé who was a physician has passed away and she plans to get away from her daily mundane to stop herself from running into his shadows in the hallways of the hospital they both worked at. I was sad for her personal battle and it did seem that the h had her story wrapped up for life. She believed herself to already have loved and lost.
The h’s boss at the hospital recommends for her to instead take a private position as a nurse to her sister who is recuperating from some accident. The h reluctantly agrees and takes a trip to a beautiful town close to the South African mountains where they rear ostriches.
The new employer is a nice warm lady but she comes with a son who was really the rudest, most insensitive bastard imaginable. He is downright verbally and physically aggressive to the h reminding her every now and then that she’d better not be some young woman looking for a rich husband to snare.
The MC’s banter is hot. The H constantly riles up the h and she learns how to handle him. Their back and forth only gives the H a rise and he ups his rancor to reach for her jugular - and quite literally at that.
To say I couldn’t put down the book once I started, I have no regrets. It was worth every delicious toe curling moment with their chemistry burning and packing. There is OW and various non-OM thanks to the ridiculous assumptions and accusations the H makes when he sees her talking to any man. The H burns up in jealousy and says the meanest things possible to the sweet h who takes and certainly realizes that this man had awakened a different kind of love and passion inside her.
The H’s mom was so warm and caring, I was happy to see her as a mother in law for the h. I’d have to go for a re-read. Can’t get over it just yet.
The h is a nurse minding her own business and at the verge of quitting her job. Her fiancé who was a physician has passed away and she plans to get away from her daily mundane to stop herself from running into his shadows in the hallways of the hospital they both worked at. I was sad for her personal battle and it did seem that the h had her story wrapped up for life. She believed herself to already have loved and lost.
The h’s boss at the hospital recommends for her to instead take a private position as a nurse to her sister who is recuperating from some accident. The h reluctantly agrees and takes a trip to a beautiful town close to the South African mountains where they rear ostriches.
The new employer is a nice warm lady but she comes with a son who was really the rudest, most insensitive bastard imaginable. He is downright verbally and physically aggressive to the h reminding her every now and then that she’d better not be some young woman looking for a rich husband to snare.
The MC’s banter is hot. The H constantly riles up the h and she learns how to handle him. Their back and forth only gives the H a rise and he ups his rancor to reach for her jugular - and quite literally at that.
To say I couldn’t put down the book once I started, I have no regrets. It was worth every delicious toe curling moment with their chemistry burning and packing. There is OW and various non-OM thanks to the ridiculous assumptions and accusations the H makes when he sees her talking to any man. The H burns up in jealousy and says the meanest things possible to the sweet h who takes and certainly realizes that this man had awakened a different kind of love and passion inside her.
The H’s mom was so warm and caring, I was happy to see her as a mother in law for the h. I’d have to go for a re-read. Can’t get over it just yet.
January 19, 2016
Ok so I have to say what the hell is with him holding her throat??? I mean she could not breath! If he gets mad at her he will kill her! I was scared he was really scary!!! What did she do to get his goat up? She was just a nurse not some street walker! He was nuts I mean he needs help in a major way!!! Stalkers everywhere you found your poster child!
January 27, 2018
This was another book I'd consider to be low-stakes. The H is a complete and total rude jerk, and the h wants no part of it. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Meanwhile, there are numerous candidates for OM and OW, but none of them really sticks. It was a good book if you wanted to learn about ostrich farming.
March 22, 2025
2 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Subtracted half star due to two instances of chocking and no episodes of romance until the end and that didn’t make up for the lack throughout.
March 10, 2016
Holy Jesus, what a piece of work this so called hero was. I had this book in my to be sold pile. I decided to read it since someone indeed purchased it. Ugh! What a mistake that was! No wonder I placed it on my to be sold pile - this hero is gigantic ass! He was a mean, rude, angry, violent, Sexual harasser and I'm running out of other adjectives. As usual, the heroine discovers she loves the hero EVEN THOUGH the hero displayed all the traits above!! So I was bugging out - how in the Holy heck did the heroine love him when I didn't really see a tender or sweet moment that would have made her love him?!! All through out the book he was so busy insulting her, demeaning her, freaking punish kiss her, oh and yeah playing her against those other two women ugh ugh ugh. I also did not like how the heroine seemed to diminish what she felt for her dead fiance. And why couldn't she end up with that other guy instead?? Yeah heroine was definitely TSTL. also the hero had his thumbs on her throat ready to throttle/choke her and that wasn't even a metaphor because I quote :
'I feel like throttling you!' he grated harshly, and there was a dangerous look in his incredibly blue eyes when his hands slipped about her throat, his thumbs exerting a pressure that choked back her involuntary cry of fear. 'I've spent the last few days contemplating it,' he added threateningly, 'and it would give me the greatest pleasure now to put my thoughts into action!'
and a paragraph down :
'You would do well to be afraid, my dear Jennifer,' he warned, easing his hands away from her throat and allowing her to breathe more freely. 'And you can thank your lucky stars that I waited this long before coming here to see you.'
what the Holy hell!!!! Ok I'm done with this book 10 THUMBS DOWN.
'I feel like throttling you!' he grated harshly, and there was a dangerous look in his incredibly blue eyes when his hands slipped about her throat, his thumbs exerting a pressure that choked back her involuntary cry of fear. 'I've spent the last few days contemplating it,' he added threateningly, 'and it would give me the greatest pleasure now to put my thoughts into action!'
and a paragraph down :
'You would do well to be afraid, my dear Jennifer,' he warned, easing his hands away from her throat and allowing her to breathe more freely. 'And you can thank your lucky stars that I waited this long before coming here to see you.'
what the Holy hell!!!! Ok I'm done with this book 10 THUMBS DOWN.
June 12, 2020
Surely love couldn't stem from animosity
Jennifer had to get away from Cape Town. It had been six months since her fiance's death, and the very streets held memories....
Rather than quit nursing, she accepted a private position in the country. Her elderly patient proved delightful—the woman's son an entirely different matter.
Hunter Maynard rubbed Jennifer the wrong way from the first day. She just couldn't get along with him—even though he was attractive and undeniably compelling! (less)
Jennifer had to get away from Cape Town. It had been six months since her fiance's death, and the very streets held memories....
Rather than quit nursing, she accepted a private position in the country. Her elderly patient proved delightful—the woman's son an entirely different matter.
Hunter Maynard rubbed Jennifer the wrong way from the first day. She just couldn't get along with him—even though he was attractive and undeniably compelling! (less)
January 8, 2023
The H is too awful to allow the romance to be believable. Much as I enjoyed YW’s other jerky Hs, this guy is a mile too far. Our h is infatuated but I don’t buy the love.
The H is verbally and physically abusive, threatens rape, throttling, murder. If h marries him she likely will end up dead.
Sad to say this is a compelling read despite the horrible H and not very likable h, icky OW, OM. The author writes well and carries us readers along.
The H is verbally and physically abusive, threatens rape, throttling, murder. If h marries him she likely will end up dead.
Sad to say this is a compelling read despite the horrible H and not very likable h, icky OW, OM. The author writes well and carries us readers along.
March 23, 2020
The hero was so awful mean for no reason that it was addictive reading. Good thing the heroine is a nurse, hopefully she'll be able to treat herself for all the domestic violence she suffers in the marriage.
February 8, 2025
Big, harassing brute meets naïve, innocent nurse. Can't believe how much I enjoyed this little rendezvous with all of the miscommunications and wrong assessments, but it took me to the end and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
March 4, 2025
Good 👍🏻
April 27, 2016
Good old-fashioned gripping story.
I dont know what is it about the life of 70s that i find so alluring... Such a different time from he one we live in. And Whittal is excellent at writing about it.
I dont know what is it about the life of 70s that i find so alluring... Such a different time from he one we live in. And Whittal is excellent at writing about it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews