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So Worthy My Love
Maxim
Proud and passionate, the Marquess of Bradbury swore vengeance on those who had stolen his title and lands...and branded him a traitor to the Crown.
Elise
Beautiful and spirited, she found herself the innocent prisoner of the marquess, her family's most hated foe.
So Worthy My Love
They were bitter enemies caught in a dangerous tide that swept through Elizabeth's England—And thus began a battle of wit and will between two people so perfectly matched that they could only fall in love.
Proud and passionate, the Marquess of Bradbury swore vengeance on those who had stolen his title and lands...and branded him a traitor to the Crown.
Elise
Beautiful and spirited, she found herself the innocent prisoner of the marquess, her family's most hated foe.
So Worthy My Love
They were bitter enemies caught in a dangerous tide that swept through Elizabeth's England—And thus began a battle of wit and will between two people so perfectly matched that they could only fall in love.
672 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
504 people are currently reading
1995 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
52 books1,924 followersKathleen 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
September 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! :)
The hero, Maxim Seymour, Marquess of Bradbury, is dreamy +.+
He is extremely clever, funny and totally hot! Wow, he really can seduce a woman! ;D
And he is so protective of Elise +.+
Though, I must admit that I was a bit annoyed when he had the fix idea that he was in love with Arabella! *Sigh*
Gosh, everybody saw since the beginning that Elise was that stunning, wonderfully alive young woman and Maxim was such a hardheaded man!
Only when Nicholas started courting Elise was he able to see past everything else! Fortunately, he saw that Elise was way better than Arabella, that turned out to be a major bitch! -.-'
Now, as I said, Elise is an amazing heroine! :D She is incredibly fierce, hot-headed and, at the same time, sweet, gentle and caring.
I was constantly laughing at their bickering. :D In the beginning, when Elise was pissed off, she really kicked Maxim's ass! xD It was so funny! And her pranks were hilarious! xD
Of course, then she had the devil to pay, especially when they starting having feelings for each other +.+
The scene when she discovers that the hidden door on her chamber goes to his chamber and then she finds him sleeping on the bed and she stands there watching him until he pushes her toward him and they start kissing each other is so romantic +.+
And then she runs away, scared with her feelings and he follows her and says that he wants and needs her +.+ OMG!
I don't know how she was able to resist him!! +.+ If it was me, I would throw myself at his feet, right away, begging him to love me forever +.+
The hero, Maxim Seymour, Marquess of Bradbury, is dreamy +.+
He is extremely clever, funny and totally hot! Wow, he really can seduce a woman! ;D
And he is so protective of Elise +.+
Though, I must admit that I was a bit annoyed when he had the fix idea that he was in love with Arabella! *Sigh*
Gosh, everybody saw since the beginning that Elise was that stunning, wonderfully alive young woman and Maxim was such a hardheaded man!
Only when Nicholas started courting Elise was he able to see past everything else! Fortunately, he saw that Elise was way better than Arabella, that turned out to be a major bitch! -.-'
Now, as I said, Elise is an amazing heroine! :D She is incredibly fierce, hot-headed and, at the same time, sweet, gentle and caring.
I was constantly laughing at their bickering. :D In the beginning, when Elise was pissed off, she really kicked Maxim's ass! xD It was so funny! And her pranks were hilarious! xD
Of course, then she had the devil to pay, especially when they starting having feelings for each other +.+
The scene when she discovers that the hidden door on her chamber goes to his chamber and then she finds him sleeping on the bed and she stands there watching him until he pushes her toward him and they start kissing each other is so romantic +.+
And then she runs away, scared with her feelings and he follows her and says that he wants and needs her +.+ OMG!
I don't know how she was able to resist him!! +.+ If it was me, I would throw myself at his feet, right away, begging him to love me forever +.+
July 30, 2016
This was completely ridiculous. Once I reached the half-way point, I skim-read most of it, only stopping at bits that actually looked interesting. This book is about 300 pages too long, and everything that was not the main characters was completely boring. And even when we were with them, towards the end everything about their relationship felt rushed because she wanted to fit all the other stupid stuff in. Felt the need to read it, though, because my ebook library loan was about to expire (tomorrow, in fact), and I was curious. Also regretting the other Woodiwiss I have on hold, which I will inevitably have to read when it becomes available.
Man, I really remember liking the two books of hers I read previously. Of course, I read those over ten years ago, so who even know what I was thinking.
Man, I really remember liking the two books of hers I read previously. Of course, I read those over ten years ago, so who even know what I was thinking.
June 26, 2010
This book is hilarious! I've never read anything else by Woodiwiss, since Regency type romances aren't really my speed...but I love historical fiction and, like many women, can appreciate a good love story. The real gem of this book is the hilarious dynamic between the two main characters, Elise and Maxim. During their heated debates, pranks and general hatred of each other, the hatred turns into love. You'll really enjoy this book, I know I did!
February 25, 2021
I have always enjoyed this read! It can't compare to the " Wolf and the Dove" but it is still a fun read.
September 17, 2018
I've read So Worthy My Love to while away my last summer as a university student and I got hooked, hook line and sinker. This book introduced me to the wonderful world of historical romance. After finishing it, I scoured all the bookstores and libraries just to get my hands on every single Kathleen Woodiwiss novel I could find and although i was not so impressed with her other novels save for her A Rose in Winter, I never stop reading historical romances ever since.I just love the inter action between Maxim and Elise. The witty banter and volley of insults they exchange is quite hilarious. They are at each others throats from the moment they have met. In addition to all the scheming to get back at each other between H and h, Fitch and Spence also provided comedic relief to the Madcap adventure of Maxim and Elise. The purple prose Ms. Woodiwiss used evokes the perfect characterization to the settings, moments and characters in this book so much so that I can imagine them clearly in my head. After I have pass through some historical romance books, I realize that this is quite tame on the sexual aspect of the H and h's relationship, nonetheless I can feel the gentleness and love that flows between the two. Definitely in my "re-reads until you die" shelf
December 11, 2012
I know this one is generally well liked and KEW fans will likely send their lynch-mob after me, but I just couldn't get into this one. I've enjoyed other novels of her work, though.
This book annoyed me. You have an embittered heroine whose sass dominants everything/everyone, and a hero who is not a genuine hero by any means, nor is he a rakehell to its fullest. I felt he was cowed and broken down by the heroine, and honestly- he didn't care who she was, he jus' knew he couldn't defy her by tellin' her to hit the damn road. lol The Secondary Hero was far more intriguing, to me.
This book annoyed me. You have an embittered heroine whose sass dominants everything/everyone, and a hero who is not a genuine hero by any means, nor is he a rakehell to its fullest. I felt he was cowed and broken down by the heroine, and honestly- he didn't care who she was, he jus' knew he couldn't defy her by tellin' her to hit the damn road. lol The Secondary Hero was far more intriguing, to me.
August 1, 2018
I did not enjoy the beginning nor the ending. I don't think this author is for me, but I will still try two of her books that are on my tbr. Just not anytime soon.
July 2, 2015
This story is set in the Elizabethan Era and it involves a threat to the Queen's life by one member of the Hansatic League. Queen Elizabeth has allowed Drake to take any of the League’s ships that he thinks are taking supplies to Spain. An agent for Elizabeth is sent to Germany to try and find who is trying to assassinate her. This person is Maxim Seymore, Marquess of Bradbury. Maxim has been accused of killing an agent of the queen and is trying to clear his name. Before he leaves on his mission he tries to kidnap the woman that he was engaged to marry. His men take the wrong woman and what follows is an intriguing story of suspense and betrayals from those that Elise Radbourne has trusted since her father was kidnapped. Yes there are two separate plots to this story and many an exciting scene of battle and escape.
As always Ms. Woodiwiss has done a great deal of research for this book. She uses the correct names for the garments that the men and woman wear. The description of the carriages is also accurate and very intrigue since they are very different from what is described in the Regency Era. There is also the use of barges on the rivers to get to London which is something that is never used in the later eras. I would have liked to travel that way. It seems very relaxing way to get to London.
Maxim is a warrior and alpha male that stands for what he believes in. He is loyal to his friends and the ones that he loves. He has worked for the Queen for some time and has been very good at what he does. He never expects to find the love of his life in the spitfire that his men kidnap by mistake. He is much more patient with Elsie than I think I would have been. Maxim is also very intelligent and great strategist as is evident in the battle against Karr Hilliard. Finally is a very good courtier and has been dealing with Queen Elizabeth long enough to know how to get what he wants without raising her ire.
Elsie has been fighting for her life since her father disappeared. Her relatives are after a treasure that her father has supposedly hidden. Unfortunately she doesn’t know where the treasure is and probably wouldn’t tell if she did. Elsie strong willed, stubborn to a fault and just a little spoiled. She is definitely a product of her environment. There is little that she is afraid of and few that scare after what she has endured from her aunt and nephews. All this keeps her from falling complete apart when she is kidnapped and transported to a foreign country. She probably would have been better off if she had followed orders at times but she makes it through the story with few wounds.
There are parts of this story that are impossible to stop reading so the reading goes fairly quickly. This is a short story as so many are today the book has 518 pages. There is lots of detail throughout the story as well as some wonderful actions scenes. I loved this book and I have to wonder why I haven’t read it more often. For those that like the epic historical romance you are going to love this one.
As always Ms. Woodiwiss has done a great deal of research for this book. She uses the correct names for the garments that the men and woman wear. The description of the carriages is also accurate and very intrigue since they are very different from what is described in the Regency Era. There is also the use of barges on the rivers to get to London which is something that is never used in the later eras. I would have liked to travel that way. It seems very relaxing way to get to London.
Maxim is a warrior and alpha male that stands for what he believes in. He is loyal to his friends and the ones that he loves. He has worked for the Queen for some time and has been very good at what he does. He never expects to find the love of his life in the spitfire that his men kidnap by mistake. He is much more patient with Elsie than I think I would have been. Maxim is also very intelligent and great strategist as is evident in the battle against Karr Hilliard. Finally is a very good courtier and has been dealing with Queen Elizabeth long enough to know how to get what he wants without raising her ire.
Elsie has been fighting for her life since her father disappeared. Her relatives are after a treasure that her father has supposedly hidden. Unfortunately she doesn’t know where the treasure is and probably wouldn’t tell if she did. Elsie strong willed, stubborn to a fault and just a little spoiled. She is definitely a product of her environment. There is little that she is afraid of and few that scare after what she has endured from her aunt and nephews. All this keeps her from falling complete apart when she is kidnapped and transported to a foreign country. She probably would have been better off if she had followed orders at times but she makes it through the story with few wounds.
There are parts of this story that are impossible to stop reading so the reading goes fairly quickly. This is a short story as so many are today the book has 518 pages. There is lots of detail throughout the story as well as some wonderful actions scenes. I loved this book and I have to wonder why I haven’t read it more often. For those that like the epic historical romance you are going to love this one.
October 16, 2015
circa mid-1500s. Lord Maxim Seymour, Marquess of Bradbury, is living in exile after being falsely accused of plotting the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I. His title, possessions, and properties have been taken from him and given to his accuser, the father of his betrothed. Wishing to seek revenge, he infiltrates his (former) home and attempts to kidnap his beloved, Lady Arabella, before she is to wed another. Two of his hirelings, who are portrayed as loyal but slightly bumbling and dimwitted, inadvertently kidnap the wrong maiden.
Lady Elise Radborne is unhappily living with her abusive and greedy uncle after her father's disappearance and supposed death. Her uncle, as well as other family members, are all pressuring her to tell them where her father's treasure is hidden. She is frustrated but is biding her time until she can locate and hopefully rescue her father. In the meantime, she has taken on the role of serving her uncle and cousin, Arabella. On the night of Arabella's wedding, Elise enters her cousin's bedchamber to assist her when she is surprised by her kidnappers.
After being gagged, rolled up in a rug, hidden under a pile of hay on a bouncing cart, forced to endure a sea voyage from England to Germany, and then shown the dilapidated and dirty ruins she will now be calling home, she finally meets her captor (Maxim) who is surprised and angered by the mix-up. Their initial reaction to each other is amusing. She constantly provokes him hoping he'll send her back home, i.e. putting thistles in his bed, etc., which makes him fit to be tied. He looks at her differently, however, when his best friend, a seafaring captain, merchant-trader, and member of the Hanseatic League, Nicholas, takes an interest in Elise and starts courting her.
Many adventures ensue as Maxim works to prove his innocence and gain favor once again with the Queen, and Elise has to unravel many entanglements to solve the mystery of her missing father. The bond between the two is very touching and very modern for the times, I would imagine. It was actually great to see how their small group of friends bonded and came together when there was a need. It was a nice little world created by Woodiwiss, but I think the story could have been told in much less than 658 pages.
Lady Elise Radborne is unhappily living with her abusive and greedy uncle after her father's disappearance and supposed death. Her uncle, as well as other family members, are all pressuring her to tell them where her father's treasure is hidden. She is frustrated but is biding her time until she can locate and hopefully rescue her father. In the meantime, she has taken on the role of serving her uncle and cousin, Arabella. On the night of Arabella's wedding, Elise enters her cousin's bedchamber to assist her when she is surprised by her kidnappers.
After being gagged, rolled up in a rug, hidden under a pile of hay on a bouncing cart, forced to endure a sea voyage from England to Germany, and then shown the dilapidated and dirty ruins she will now be calling home, she finally meets her captor (Maxim) who is surprised and angered by the mix-up. Their initial reaction to each other is amusing. She constantly provokes him hoping he'll send her back home, i.e. putting thistles in his bed, etc., which makes him fit to be tied. He looks at her differently, however, when his best friend, a seafaring captain, merchant-trader, and member of the Hanseatic League, Nicholas, takes an interest in Elise and starts courting her.
Many adventures ensue as Maxim works to prove his innocence and gain favor once again with the Queen, and Elise has to unravel many entanglements to solve the mystery of her missing father. The bond between the two is very touching and very modern for the times, I would imagine. It was actually great to see how their small group of friends bonded and came together when there was a need. It was a nice little world created by Woodiwiss, but I think the story could have been told in much less than 658 pages.
January 30, 2012
Devo dire che la Woodiwiss mi piace sempre più, questo libro lungo e tortuoso è stato una piacevole scoperta...pieno di colpi di scena e amori dolci.
Non mi sarei mai apettata che mel finale ci fossero più cattivi e uno peggio dll'altro sia per inettitudine che per cattiveria...
Elise è un personaggio fantastico pieno di vita e poi la si può quasi definire l'8 piaga d'egitto quando si scatenano le sue ire...alla faccia....all'inizio mi faceva davvero pena il povero Maxim tra secchie e spine ne ha passate delle belle davvero per non parlare dei poveri Spenche e Fitch....
Comunque un libro bellissimo e pieno di humor anche...fa passare delle belle ore :).
Non mi sarei mai apettata che mel finale ci fossero più cattivi e uno peggio dll'altro sia per inettitudine che per cattiveria...
Elise è un personaggio fantastico pieno di vita e poi la si può quasi definire l'8 piaga d'egitto quando si scatenano le sue ire...alla faccia....all'inizio mi faceva davvero pena il povero Maxim tra secchie e spine ne ha passate delle belle davvero per non parlare dei poveri Spenche e Fitch....
Comunque un libro bellissimo e pieno di humor anche...fa passare delle belle ore :).
July 23, 2014
Ms Woodiwiss wrote some of my most favorite "keeper" books but, unfortunately, this was not one of them. It's not her worst, though, by any means. The hero kidnaps the wrong woman and takes her off to Germany or thereabouts. It has that love-hate relationship theme going for it.
February 15, 2023
C'est mon premier livre de cette autrice et j'ai adoré. Tout commence par un énorme quiproquo. Cela continue avec un huis clos où les protagonistes vont devoir apprendre à se faire confiance. Le tout est saupoudré d'humour . Tout est fait pour passer un agréable moment.
October 25, 2023
kniha byla hezky napsaná, líbil se mi celý příběh, doporučuji zkusit.
May 22, 2011
Contrariamente a quanto mi aspettavo questo romanzo si è dimostrato decisamente piacevole! Lo stile della Woodiwiss è tornato ad essere nuovamente brioso e intrigante ed i personaggi principali sono ancora una volta "sullo stesso livello", senza tracce di maschilismo nell'aria.
Maxim è un personaggio così virile, onorevole, raffinato e forse un po' accecato dal suo desiderio di vendetta che, dall'alto dei suoi 30 anni, fa sorridere vederlo messo alle strette, quasi ingabbiato, da una ragazzina tutta pepe e dalla lingua tagliente qual'è Elise!
Ed Elise, con la sua dolcezza ben nascosta dietro ad una facciata frizzante, sfrontata e sbarazzina, si capisce subito che è perfettamente in grado di badare a se stessa e, anche lei come Maxim, non nasconde intenti a dir poco vendicativi verso l'uomo che l'ha fatta rapire e portare via dalla casa di suo zio. La stessa ragazza che finisce per sentirsi piccata dal continuo confronto con la cugina Arabella (vero obiettivo del rapimento) e sfodera tutte le sue armi per sconvolgere Maxim... Finisce irrimediabilmente vittima del suo stesso piano.
Benché, ovviamente, l'autrice riconosca a Maxim un ruolo predominante vista l'età e le esperienze di vita trascorse, Elisa ha , nonostante tutto, una serie di armi prettamente femminili da non sottovalutare che rendono lo scontro fra i due piacevole e sempre ricco di piccoli colpi di scena.
Il romanzo ha un piacevole background molto ricco che si snoda lungo diversi scenari che permettono alla trama di non risultare mai noiosa o ripetitiva grazie alla descrizione minuziosa e chiara che crea, nella mente del lettore, idee precise e vivide delle varie ambientazioni.
I personaggi secondari sono tutti molto ben curati e caratterizzati al punto che anche la presenza, fra Elise e Maxim, del "terzo incomodo" non è frustrante o predominante, ha quel tanto di spazio che basta per stuzzicare l'attenzione del lettore e la gelosia di Maxim senza creare le solite scene tragiche-comiche dei due contendenti che si "sbranano" per la mano della fanciulla che, quasi sempre, ha le idee assolutamente chiare su "Chi" indirizzare le sue attenzione.
In definitiva uno dei migliori libri di questa autrice che non deluderà assolutamente una lettrice stanca dei soliti personaggi stereotipati e trame scontate all'insegna della mielosità più assoluta.
Maxim è un personaggio così virile, onorevole, raffinato e forse un po' accecato dal suo desiderio di vendetta che, dall'alto dei suoi 30 anni, fa sorridere vederlo messo alle strette, quasi ingabbiato, da una ragazzina tutta pepe e dalla lingua tagliente qual'è Elise!
Ed Elise, con la sua dolcezza ben nascosta dietro ad una facciata frizzante, sfrontata e sbarazzina, si capisce subito che è perfettamente in grado di badare a se stessa e, anche lei come Maxim, non nasconde intenti a dir poco vendicativi verso l'uomo che l'ha fatta rapire e portare via dalla casa di suo zio. La stessa ragazza che finisce per sentirsi piccata dal continuo confronto con la cugina Arabella (vero obiettivo del rapimento) e sfodera tutte le sue armi per sconvolgere Maxim... Finisce irrimediabilmente vittima del suo stesso piano.
Benché, ovviamente, l'autrice riconosca a Maxim un ruolo predominante vista l'età e le esperienze di vita trascorse, Elisa ha , nonostante tutto, una serie di armi prettamente femminili da non sottovalutare che rendono lo scontro fra i due piacevole e sempre ricco di piccoli colpi di scena.
Il romanzo ha un piacevole background molto ricco che si snoda lungo diversi scenari che permettono alla trama di non risultare mai noiosa o ripetitiva grazie alla descrizione minuziosa e chiara che crea, nella mente del lettore, idee precise e vivide delle varie ambientazioni.
I personaggi secondari sono tutti molto ben curati e caratterizzati al punto che anche la presenza, fra Elise e Maxim, del "terzo incomodo" non è frustrante o predominante, ha quel tanto di spazio che basta per stuzzicare l'attenzione del lettore e la gelosia di Maxim senza creare le solite scene tragiche-comiche dei due contendenti che si "sbranano" per la mano della fanciulla che, quasi sempre, ha le idee assolutamente chiare su "Chi" indirizzare le sue attenzione.
In definitiva uno dei migliori libri di questa autrice che non deluderà assolutamente una lettrice stanca dei soliti personaggi stereotipati e trame scontate all'insegna della mielosità più assoluta.
November 10, 2015
I love this book. So much happens, and yet it all meshes perfectly. It's exciting. Mix together mistaken kidnappings, castle ruins, pranks to win the war, battles, sneaking into secret meetings, running for their lives, and rescues, throw in a wonderful man a brave woman and a love to warm the iciest heart and humor to make you laugh out loud. What do you get? This amazing book. I very highly recommend. <3
February 11, 2017
My first romance novel (I was ten) - I recently saw it at my Mom's and picked it up and was enchanted all over again.
The Heroine is feisty, the Hero is broody, and the book is action-packed with history and adventure and great comebacks.
Highly recommend it!
The Heroine is feisty, the Hero is broody, and the book is action-packed with history and adventure and great comebacks.
Highly recommend it!
September 26, 2015
This was one of my first romance novels to read waaay back when romance novels were scandalous to read; and I fell in love with the author Kathleen Woodiswiss and never stopped reading her books I haven't read this book in over twenty years and I still love it. So Worthy...
May 29, 2015
this book doesn't have the spark of Shanna or the intrigue of A Rose in Winter... very mediocre
September 6, 2015
Very in depth story. Great characters! Wonderful twists! I'm totally a fan of Ms. Woodiwiss's writing!
December 27, 2015
Of course I loved it. I love all her books. Not sure I could ever pick a favorite of hers.
January 9, 2022
This read like a poorly written medieval soap opera. (If there were soap operas during the 16th century.) It wasn’t a slow-burn; this was just slow-paced. And the characters were most insufferable.
April 17, 2018
Es la tercera vez que la leo. La primera fue hace muchos años atrás, siendo una de mis primeras novelas románticas leídas y simplemente me enamoró, la segunda hace tan sólo un par de años y siguió siendo igual de maravillosa y en esta tercera vez que quizas debido a que la eh dejado colgada por muchos días, semanas a decir verdad no eh podido disfrutarla de la misma forma. Pero sigo pensando que es una novela maravillosa con todos los ingredientes de amor, suspenso y hasta acción. Siempre la recomiendo.
September 20, 2024
5 Kiddnapped Stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love KW books and it’s been a longggg time since I’ve gone back to her, and this one has been on my shelf forever! So glad I finally gave it a go because I loved it and the two MCs were so great. You could really feel this couples love for each other. The heroine however, was pretty much unlike any other. Talk about a hellcat! 😂 This girl was awesome, I loved her spunk and her fierceness in any situation. That’s another reason why these two were just the perfect match. A+!
❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love KW books and it’s been a longggg time since I’ve gone back to her, and this one has been on my shelf forever! So glad I finally gave it a go because I loved it and the two MCs were so great. You could really feel this couples love for each other. The heroine however, was pretty much unlike any other. Talk about a hellcat! 😂 This girl was awesome, I loved her spunk and her fierceness in any situation. That’s another reason why these two were just the perfect match. A+!
❤️
April 25, 2021
Muy buena. Te tiene permanentemente en intriga y tiene momentos divertidos. Me hubiera gustado un final diferente o un epílogo, termino muy encima de resolverse el conflicto
December 21, 2022
I don't know why this story reminds me of when I was a teen and loved to read books of Alexandre Dumas 🥰
March 1, 2025
J'ai beaucoup aimé mais un peu long
June 26, 2020
Une romance historique comme je les aime ! Les personnages principaux et secondaires sont attachants, j'ai aimé les doses d'humour, ainsi que les intrigues sous-jacentes.
Petits bémols : l'intrigue met du temps à démarrer et je trouve que si l'on sent bien la bascule entre haine et désir chez Elise et Maxim, le passage entre attirance et amour est un peu trop rapide.
Néanmoins, c'est une excellente histoire !
Petits bémols : l'intrigue met du temps à démarrer et je trouve que si l'on sent bien la bascule entre haine et désir chez Elise et Maxim, le passage entre attirance et amour est un peu trop rapide.
Néanmoins, c'est une excellente histoire !
April 9, 2015
So Worthy My Love is a historical romance between Maxim Seymour and Elise Radborne.
Elise is kidnapped by mistake by two of Maxim's servants and taken to a ship that is commandeered by Nicholas Von Reijn. He is Maxim's friend and had agreed to take her to him and insure she had safe passage and a reasonably comfortable trip.
Nicholas is gallant and always the gentleman but soon finds himself enamored with Elise and treats her as a friend until Maxim discovers that Spence and Fitch have taken the wrong woman and gives Nicholas the green light to court Elise.
Bring on the love triangle. Elise besets Maxim at every turn, does all this crazy, uncalled for stuff to him and suddenly finds herself in love with him and with the need to tell Nicholas of what's happened between her and Maxim. But that's the minor part of the story.
Maxim is a wanted man. He was accused of plotting to kill the queen and escaped death on a bridge and was thought to be dead although his body had never been found. He knew if he returned to England, he'd be executed and had to prove his innocence. He's lost his properties, wealth and honor and is a man without a country.
The story sort of drags in the middle while they're spending time in Lubeck with Nicholas's family. Predictably, Elise pulls a dumb move but finds out more about Maxim then she'd ever hoped to know. This puts them on the run and preparing for a battle with the Hansa League leader.
The ending is a surprise. We find out who kidnapped her father, why Maxim had been deposed and we find out even more about Maxim. The last third of the book was fantastic.
I love Kathleen Woodiwiss. She's one of my top three favorite romance writers of all time but the sad part of this was, I didn't like Elise which earned this book a mediocre rating. I thought she was a pain in the neck until almost the last half or third of the book. She annoyed me with her ceaseless antics and her aloof attitude but eventually lowers her hackles and becomes a little more human. I don't like a spineless dolt for a heroine but she was over the top sometimes. Irritably so.
Maxim put up with a lot from her and I had to give him kudos for doing that but he did feel responsible for her since she'd been taken by mistake. He hadn't counted on falling in love with her. But the depth of his characters was slowly unfurled as the story progressed which made this story enjoyable despite Elise.
The book is long but the ending is worth it.
Elise is kidnapped by mistake by two of Maxim's servants and taken to a ship that is commandeered by Nicholas Von Reijn. He is Maxim's friend and had agreed to take her to him and insure she had safe passage and a reasonably comfortable trip.
Nicholas is gallant and always the gentleman but soon finds himself enamored with Elise and treats her as a friend until Maxim discovers that Spence and Fitch have taken the wrong woman and gives Nicholas the green light to court Elise.
Bring on the love triangle. Elise besets Maxim at every turn, does all this crazy, uncalled for stuff to him and suddenly finds herself in love with him and with the need to tell Nicholas of what's happened between her and Maxim. But that's the minor part of the story.
Maxim is a wanted man. He was accused of plotting to kill the queen and escaped death on a bridge and was thought to be dead although his body had never been found. He knew if he returned to England, he'd be executed and had to prove his innocence. He's lost his properties, wealth and honor and is a man without a country.
The story sort of drags in the middle while they're spending time in Lubeck with Nicholas's family. Predictably, Elise pulls a dumb move but finds out more about Maxim then she'd ever hoped to know. This puts them on the run and preparing for a battle with the Hansa League leader.
The ending is a surprise. We find out who kidnapped her father, why Maxim had been deposed and we find out even more about Maxim. The last third of the book was fantastic.
I love Kathleen Woodiwiss. She's one of my top three favorite romance writers of all time but the sad part of this was, I didn't like Elise which earned this book a mediocre rating. I thought she was a pain in the neck until almost the last half or third of the book. She annoyed me with her ceaseless antics and her aloof attitude but eventually lowers her hackles and becomes a little more human. I don't like a spineless dolt for a heroine but she was over the top sometimes. Irritably so.
Maxim put up with a lot from her and I had to give him kudos for doing that but he did feel responsible for her since she'd been taken by mistake. He hadn't counted on falling in love with her. But the depth of his characters was slowly unfurled as the story progressed which made this story enjoyable despite Elise.
The book is long but the ending is worth it.
June 5, 2024
Rating- 4
Heat- 2
Tropes- captive, wrong lover, enemies to lovers
Need to know- true bodice ripper
Kathleen Woodiwiss is the mother of historical romance. Her books are true bodice rippers filled with dubious consent, but they are also always sweeping sagas written in evocative prose. Our romance books simply are no longer written in this way.
In a genre that is an endless parade of the regency era, So Worthy My Love stands out for its Elizabethan era time period and German setting. While the hero is still the stereotypical alpha male, he is not the usual rake. Maxim already believes himself to be in love, just not with our heroine. Being in forced proximity of to Elise teaches him a lesson many of us also learn: that sometimes the person we are convinced we should be with isn’t the best partner for us and the heartbreak only leads to better things.
Heat- 2
Tropes- captive, wrong lover, enemies to lovers
Need to know- true bodice ripper
Kathleen Woodiwiss is the mother of historical romance. Her books are true bodice rippers filled with dubious consent, but they are also always sweeping sagas written in evocative prose. Our romance books simply are no longer written in this way.
In a genre that is an endless parade of the regency era, So Worthy My Love stands out for its Elizabethan era time period and German setting. While the hero is still the stereotypical alpha male, he is not the usual rake. Maxim already believes himself to be in love, just not with our heroine. Being in forced proximity of to Elise teaches him a lesson many of us also learn: that sometimes the person we are convinced we should be with isn’t the best partner for us and the heartbreak only leads to better things.
January 30, 2021
Ningún autor es infalible y esta novela confirma la regla en relación a la Woodiwiss. Los protagonistas son Elise y Maxium. Cada uno tiene una ferrea voluntad para conseguir lo q se propone, y obviamente cuando se ven obligados a pasar tiempo juntos - ella cautiva por error - él secuestrador equivocado - se pasan a mayor parte del libro de un choque de voluntad a otro, por el camino se sienten atraídos y eso solo sirve para complicar más todo.
La ambientación no es usual, la época isabelino y de hecho hay alguna q otra aparición de Young Bess, q parece tirarle los tejos a Maxium, pero ella siempre tuvo debilidad por los galanes bien parecidos.
La novela está bien escrita, y es hasta cierto interesante, pero mis recuerdos de ella son bastante básicos, señal de que no me causó buena impresión.
La ambientación no es usual, la época isabelino y de hecho hay alguna q otra aparición de Young Bess, q parece tirarle los tejos a Maxium, pero ella siempre tuvo debilidad por los galanes bien parecidos.
La novela está bien escrita, y es hasta cierto interesante, pero mis recuerdos de ella son bastante básicos, señal de que no me causó buena impresión.
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