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Abandon
The English island called Abandon, enshrouded in ancient legend, has been home to warriors as well as enchanting women -- and none more spellbinding than lovely Morwenna Halliwell. Determined to fight when Abandon is offered to the highest bidder, Morwenna confronts the the Earl of Pentargon, Anthony Hartstone -- or "Lord Heart-of-Stone" as she indignantly calls him. Yet little does Morwenna realize she will soon be forced to marry the forbidding lord who holds her future in his strong hands.Anthony arrogantly dismisses Mzorwenna and her litany of complaints against him -- all the while drawn to her beauty and courage. But when danger confronts Morwenna, Anthony knows he must call upon all his power to protect the innocent miss he desires. It is up to him to unmask the villain who threatens her, and also to convince his bride that he is not her opponent -- but her most passionate and devoted admirer.
Paperback
First published May 1, 2001
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170 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hunter
51 books429 followersJillian Hunter is the bestselling author of over twenty historical romances. She lives with her husband, three daughters, a pug and a poodle in Southern California. She loves anyone who can make her laugh, which means she is in love with Mike Myers and Tyler Perry.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 21, 2019
This has been my favorite so far of Jillian Hunter's pre-Bocastle novels, however still just okay to me. Anthony returns to the island of Abandon, eager to sell it and be rid of the responsibility. Morwenna fights for him to keep the isle and protect its inhabitants.
So many of her older books are pretty strong in the 'enemies to lovers' feel and honestly it was annoying. Non stop bickering that just made most of the books I've tired unlikable. I didn't find that really with this one, although there are twinges of that attitude.
This book is on the lighter side, slightly funny, some magic thrown in...it was nothing truly memorable to me, but nothing annoying either.
So many of her older books are pretty strong in the 'enemies to lovers' feel and honestly it was annoying. Non stop bickering that just made most of the books I've tired unlikable. I didn't find that really with this one, although there are twinges of that attitude.
This book is on the lighter side, slightly funny, some magic thrown in...it was nothing truly memorable to me, but nothing annoying either.
January 26, 2008
The setting of this book is where King Author's body is supposedly laid to rest. This was a cute read, well-written, tickled my funny bone several times with the quirky characters. Morwenna has some magical abilities that she hasn't quite learned how to control. There is a wizard training her.
I'd call this a nice gentle read with very wonderfully developed characters.
Cute!
I'd call this a nice gentle read with very wonderfully developed characters.
Cute!
November 29, 2013
When the owner of the island Abandon dies in a tragic accident, his brother, Anthony Hartstone, Earl of Pentargon (also known as Lord Heart-of-Stone for his supposed heartlessness) moves in to the family castle to arrange his brother's affairs and prepare the island to be sold to the Marquess. This, of course, does not sit well with the islanders
Anthony Hartstone, Earl of Pentargon, is selling the Abandon, an island where fantasy and magic can still be found, and the residents are not happy. The most outspoken islander, Morwenna Halliwell, barges into the Hartstone castle one day to confront him, and thus begins an attempt at a love/hate relationship in which the two never even come close to hating each other. There are several outward spats, but when the author takes us in to their the characters' minds, the reader discovers that both are instantly smitten with each other, directly contradicting all the smoke and mirrors the author puts up in her attempt to convince readers of Hartstone and Morwenna's supposed dislike for each other. After her life becomes endangered and Hartstone offers to let Morwenna and her uncle stay at the castle, she goes so far as to say, “...how awful, how humiliating, encamping with the enemy.” This comes after it's already made plain that Morwenna is attracted to Anthony Hartstone, and does not see him as the enemy. The author tries to further persuade the reader that Anthony Hartstone is a heartless man by writing that the islanders have nicknamed him Heart-of-Stone because he is selling the island knowing they will be evicted and their beloved home will be turned into a resort for rich lords. However, right after this is related by the author, she reveals that Hartstone's reason for selling the island is altruistic and will save the lives of hundreds of children. He's not such a bad guy, after all; and since this knowledge is given to the reader so early in the story, it's difficult to see him as the heartless rogue the author attempts to portray him as throughout the book.
Another thing that irritated me were the author's constant references to how Hartstone has to hold himself back from sexually assaulting Morwenna. That he's so attracted to Morwenna he has to force himself to keep from raping her is just ridiculous; and someone willing to give up his family home is not likely to turn around and rape a defenseless young woman just because he can't control his hormones. The one time he is unable to control these urges, it just so happens to be in front of a group of islanders. And, instead of thinking him a cad and rapist, they all expect him to marry her to save her virtue. This puritanical view completely contradicts several earlier statements that the islanders never took to the local church and in many ways still have pagan sentiments and beliefs; so the fact they caught Anthony on top of Morwenna, both fully clothed, does not seem like it would lead to the two of them having to get married. Rather, it's an obvious plot device, and not a very good one, the author uses to bring Morwenna and Anthony together. Since they both are attracted to each other, it stands to reason that they would have eventually gotten married anyway, albeit in a more natural manner, without the author having to resort to cheap hack tricks.
I found it quite disturbing that there is a market for this type of book. Hack writing aside, there is a prevalence of chauvinism and a theme of women being subservient (and not in the 50 Shades sense, the sex in this book is quite tame) and inferior to men. The book promotes the idea that women are mere pieces of property and to be used by the men who “own” them. Is this really the type of books people choose to escape to? I only read it as part of my decision to read every book available in the local library system from A to Z. Definitely won't be seeking out more works by this author.
Anthony Hartstone, Earl of Pentargon, is selling the Abandon, an island where fantasy and magic can still be found, and the residents are not happy. The most outspoken islander, Morwenna Halliwell, barges into the Hartstone castle one day to confront him, and thus begins an attempt at a love/hate relationship in which the two never even come close to hating each other. There are several outward spats, but when the author takes us in to their the characters' minds, the reader discovers that both are instantly smitten with each other, directly contradicting all the smoke and mirrors the author puts up in her attempt to convince readers of Hartstone and Morwenna's supposed dislike for each other. After her life becomes endangered and Hartstone offers to let Morwenna and her uncle stay at the castle, she goes so far as to say, “...how awful, how humiliating, encamping with the enemy.” This comes after it's already made plain that Morwenna is attracted to Anthony Hartstone, and does not see him as the enemy. The author tries to further persuade the reader that Anthony Hartstone is a heartless man by writing that the islanders have nicknamed him Heart-of-Stone because he is selling the island knowing they will be evicted and their beloved home will be turned into a resort for rich lords. However, right after this is related by the author, she reveals that Hartstone's reason for selling the island is altruistic and will save the lives of hundreds of children. He's not such a bad guy, after all; and since this knowledge is given to the reader so early in the story, it's difficult to see him as the heartless rogue the author attempts to portray him as throughout the book.
Another thing that irritated me were the author's constant references to how Hartstone has to hold himself back from sexually assaulting Morwenna. That he's so attracted to Morwenna he has to force himself to keep from raping her is just ridiculous; and someone willing to give up his family home is not likely to turn around and rape a defenseless young woman just because he can't control his hormones. The one time he is unable to control these urges, it just so happens to be in front of a group of islanders. And, instead of thinking him a cad and rapist, they all expect him to marry her to save her virtue. This puritanical view completely contradicts several earlier statements that the islanders never took to the local church and in many ways still have pagan sentiments and beliefs; so the fact they caught Anthony on top of Morwenna, both fully clothed, does not seem like it would lead to the two of them having to get married. Rather, it's an obvious plot device, and not a very good one, the author uses to bring Morwenna and Anthony together. Since they both are attracted to each other, it stands to reason that they would have eventually gotten married anyway, albeit in a more natural manner, without the author having to resort to cheap hack tricks.
I found it quite disturbing that there is a market for this type of book. Hack writing aside, there is a prevalence of chauvinism and a theme of women being subservient (and not in the 50 Shades sense, the sex in this book is quite tame) and inferior to men. The book promotes the idea that women are mere pieces of property and to be used by the men who “own” them. Is this really the type of books people choose to escape to? I only read it as part of my decision to read every book available in the local library system from A to Z. Definitely won't be seeking out more works by this author.
December 28, 2007
Abandon - Okay
Hunter, Jullian
The English island of Abandon, enshrouded in ancient legend, is home to the headstrong Morwenna Halliwell. Determined to fight back when the island is offered to the highest bidder, Morwenna confronts the Earl of Pentargon, Anthony Hartstone. Even though he dismisses Morwenna and her complaints, he finds himself enchanted by her fiery beauty and courageous manner.
It was only okay.
Hunter, Jullian
The English island of Abandon, enshrouded in ancient legend, is home to the headstrong Morwenna Halliwell. Determined to fight back when the island is offered to the highest bidder, Morwenna confronts the Earl of Pentargon, Anthony Hartstone. Even though he dismisses Morwenna and her complaints, he finds himself enchanted by her fiery beauty and courageous manner.
It was only okay.
September 1, 2012
I loved Morwenna, a seriously snarky female. She knew what she wanted and wasn't going to be derailed. And Anthony was determined to resist her allure and failed miserably. King Arthur's legend filled the backstory. Apparently King Arthur was buried on Abandon Island and the residents regularly went looking for his burial cave. Morgan Le Fey plays an important role in the story too. A fun story with a little danger thrown in.
November 18, 2010
Unexpected. It was a sweet book (as always with Jillian) but the King Arthur background was intriguing.
July 25, 2013
Medieval romance is one of my favorites along with Scottish historical loved this book
January 5, 2015
Loved, loved, loved this book. It was a perfect mix of romance and adventure. Can not wait to read another by Hunter.
March 15, 2015
Too all over the place for me - Did Not Finish - Toasting from my E-Book Library. Rating: 1.5 Stars
December 22, 2016
I nearly tossed this book away. Glad I didn't. When I started to read it again I found I couldn't put it down. It's full of magic, ghosts, love and lust
July 13, 2024
Chatham library
September 25, 2009
Regency
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews