Charade

by Rebecca Stratton

Was it too late for a change of heart?

Their engagement was still unofficial, but Richard wanted Willow to meet his family in Hawaii. What girl could refuse an invitation like that?

She should have realized that every garden paradise has its serpent. Hawaii's was Richard's disapproving half-brother, Adam le Brun.

He was the dominating type who wanted to run everyone's life, including Willow's. She found him hard to resist—especially when she realized that Adam didn't want her to marry Richard.

Genres: Harlequin Romance, Harlequin, Romance, Hqn

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Rebecca Stratton wrote two books as a Harlequin Presents author. Writing for the Harlequin Romance imprint, she published 43 novels. She also wrote under the name Lucy Gillen. She passed away in 1982.



Biography from Harlequin Romance #2489 The Golden Spaniard

"When one happens to be an unmarried woman of forty-five and apparently fixed for the rest of her working life in a safe and settled job," Rebecca Stratton says of herself, "it is apt to be regarded as bordering on the insane to suddenly give it all up and become a full-time writer."

But that is precisely what British-born and -bred Rebecca did one August day in 1967. Writing had always been her ultimate aim, and she felt that if she didn't make the move right then and there she'd end her days as "one more elderly lady sighing for what might have been."

When Rebecca Stratton's first attempt at a romance novel was accepted, she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. So she did both. Then she celebrated with friends and relatives. And then sat down to the job of writing more books - and reveled in it!

Reviews

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite enjoyable. The h was a bit of a fool about the OM, but ultimately remained true to her convictions. The H's feelings were never in doubt and he came across as a truly admirable person. The Hawaiian setting was interesting and created atmosphere.

The OW was problematic to me because I wasn't sure if her characterization was racist (certainly coded racist language was used to describe her) or just an example of a really, really scary OW. In either case, yikes.

As far as safety goes, the OW drama was not caused by the H encouraging her in any way. The h was kissed by the OM, her quasi-fiance, multiple times but she was increasingly uncomfortable with it and was clearly working out her feelings.

[Melinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heroes' girlfriend/mistress tries to brain heroine with a rock when she swimming and the hero is still going around with her after that? He excuses OW behavior by saying "she is passionate in more ways than one". Excuse me, that's not passionate that's psycho.

[More Books Than Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring did not finish. Gave up about a third through after H’s super possessive girlfriend tosses rocks at h and shoves her into a fountain and H was blows it off. He is 21 years older than h, ugh.

[RomLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was it too late for a change of heart?

Their engagement was still unofficial, but Richard wanted Willow to meet his family in Hawaii. What girl could refuse an invitation like that?

She should have realized that every garden paradise has its serpent. Hawaii's was Richard's disapproving half brother Adam le Brun.

He was the dominating type who wanted to run everyone's life, including Willow's. She found him hard to resist - especially when she realized that Adam didn't want her to marry Richard.

[Amara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Practically the same book as her book Fairwinds. If you've read that one, you've read this one. I CANNOT stand that about Rebecca Stratton. Same dialogue, same plot. Only different details. Maybe I could stand it if the dialogue changed, but no.

[ANGELIA · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should have been titled "Moron", because that's what the h was, when she gets into a car with the OM (her fiancé at the time), knowing he's been drinking and LETS HIM DRIVE!!! He acts like a reckless teenager behind the wheel, tries to get the better of another driver, who also happens to be the H (as well as his brother), causes a crash with yet another car involved, puts the h in the hospital (naturally, the OM/jerk's just fine), sulks like a bratty baby when the H (luckily, he's okay too) visits the h, and for all this, the h treats him with kid gloves, as if the accident were her fault, and he was the victim! Talk about TSTL!!!!

One thing I HATE in these books is when the h, usually tough on the H, gives the OM a free pass and acts like a wimpy ninny with him. Since that was the case here, this became another book that I
DNF!!!!!!

[Melissa Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was difficult to put down. I loved it!

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know the book is dated, but I could not like the heroine. She was always making excuses for her fiance, whom never really did want to marry her and repeatedly told her so. She even went with him home even though he was drunk. Knowing he was drunk and stating she shouldn't have ridden with him, she did anyway. You can guess the out come. Heroine was just too stupid for me. Hero was always there warning her or letting her know he cared about her. I gave it one star and had hoped the heroine would end up with someone else.

[Diamond]

العريس لا أحد:
من يستطيع أن يكسب رهاناً عندما يتعلق الأمر بمزاجية القلب؟ وصلت إيدن إلى جزر الباهاما مع خطيبها لتتعرف إلى أهله وهناك التقت أخاه فيرن , الذي لم يُخفِ أنه يراها صائدة ثروات ولم يكتف بذلك بل حاول إغوائها كي يبعدها عن أخيه وقاومت إيدن بعكس الريح , لكن لم تساعدها لا تصرفات خطيبها الأنانية , ولا مشاعرها التي راحت تخونها كلما اقترب منها فيرن ومع اقتراب موعد العرس , بدأت ايدن تجد نفسها عروساً وحيدة ولا عريس

الكعكة والبيت بالورود

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought new at the time of UK publication in 1982. I enjoyed the novel and the characters. Some of whom seemed similar due to the writer having written something similar as Lucy Gillen years before. This cover is the US Harlequin version. Nice art work on this publication.