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Ondine
Once she'd been a pampered lady. Then she became an innocent pawn in a terrible game of power and influence. Now, with a noose around her neck, Ondine was to hang before she had the chance to find the traitor who had been her noble father's killer...before she had a chance to live.
Lord Chatham had been called a beast. His eyes hard as silver, his will as strong as steel. He had all the mistresses a man could want, but for his own secret purpose of revenge, he needed a wife. A quirk of fate brought him to the gallows, a flash of destiny made him claim the condemned Ondine as his bride.
Swept up in the intrigues of Charles II's opulent court, surrounded by enemies, neither Ondine nor Chatham expected to find a passion to quell a man's furies, fulfill a woman's deepest desires, and unite them - body, heart, and soul.
Lord Chatham had been called a beast. His eyes hard as silver, his will as strong as steel. He had all the mistresses a man could want, but for his own secret purpose of revenge, he needed a wife. A quirk of fate brought him to the gallows, a flash of destiny made him claim the condemned Ondine as his bride.
Swept up in the intrigues of Charles II's opulent court, surrounded by enemies, neither Ondine nor Chatham expected to find a passion to quell a man's furies, fulfill a woman's deepest desires, and unite them - body, heart, and soul.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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533 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Drake
52 books570 followersHeather Graham Pozzessere
aka Heather Graham, Shannon Drake
Heather Graham was born on March 15, 1953 and grew up in Dade County, Florida, and attended the University of South Florida at Tampa, majoring in theater arts and touring Europe and parts of Asia and Africa as part of her studies. After college, she acted in dinner theaters, modeled, waitressed, and tended bar. She married Hershey Dennis Possezzere, and after the birth of her third child, she was determined to devote her efforts to her writing: her dream. She sold her first book in 1982.
Today, this author's success is reflected not just by reader response and the over 20 million copies of her books in print, but in many other ways. In addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Heather has received numerous awards for her novels, including over 20 trade awards from magazines such as Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur, bestseller awards from B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, and BookRak, and several Reviewers' Choice and People's Choice awards.
Heather has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Romantically Speaking, a TV talk show that aired nationwide on the Romance Classics cable channel, and CBS Sunday News. She has been quoted in People and USA Today, been profiled in The Nation, and featured in Good Housekeeping. Her books have been selections for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She has been published across the world in more than 15 languages and has published over 70 titles, including anthologies and short stories.
Now, she had five children. Somehow, this prolific author manages to juggle it all - family, career, and marriage - while reaching a level of success to which few can aspire.
aka Heather Graham, Shannon Drake
Heather Graham was born on March 15, 1953 and grew up in Dade County, Florida, and attended the University of South Florida at Tampa, majoring in theater arts and touring Europe and parts of Asia and Africa as part of her studies. After college, she acted in dinner theaters, modeled, waitressed, and tended bar. She married Hershey Dennis Possezzere, and after the birth of her third child, she was determined to devote her efforts to her writing: her dream. She sold her first book in 1982.
Today, this author's success is reflected not just by reader response and the over 20 million copies of her books in print, but in many other ways. In addition to being a New York Times bestselling author, Heather has received numerous awards for her novels, including over 20 trade awards from magazines such as Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur, bestseller awards from B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, and BookRak, and several Reviewers' Choice and People's Choice awards.
Heather has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Romantically Speaking, a TV talk show that aired nationwide on the Romance Classics cable channel, and CBS Sunday News. She has been quoted in People and USA Today, been profiled in The Nation, and featured in Good Housekeeping. Her books have been selections for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She has been published across the world in more than 15 languages and has published over 70 titles, including anthologies and short stories.
Now, she had five children. Somehow, this prolific author manages to juggle it all - family, career, and marriage - while reaching a level of success to which few can aspire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 18, 2022
One of my favorite Heather Graham books! Takes place during Kibg Charles ii. Great chemistry and sweet love story.
I've reread atleast 5xs over the last 10 years
I've reread atleast 5xs over the last 10 years
June 20, 2023
It was just ok, but obviously it’s just me, and not the book, since everyone seems to love it.
Safe.
Lots of ow drama. (Fav part of the book 🤷🏻♀️). His ex mistress wants him, he doesn’t want her.
I skipped the Purple pose love scenes.😑
“I beg that you not bring your hips so hard against me, nor torture so my flesh with the stirring beauty of rosebuds and cream mounds, else I shall not leave, but drown again my lover’s sword in the velvet cloak of your body.”
Safe.
Lots of ow drama. (Fav part of the book 🤷🏻♀️). His ex mistress wants him, he doesn’t want her.
I skipped the Purple pose love scenes.😑
“I beg that you not bring your hips so hard against me, nor torture so my flesh with the stirring beauty of rosebuds and cream mounds, else I shall not leave, but drown again my lover’s sword in the velvet cloak of your body.”
March 5, 2012
Who is this goofy looking guy and how in the world did he get to be on so many romance novels??
February 24, 2012
ONDINE – A Great, Balanced 17th Century Romance!
I've read many historical romances by Shannon Drake (the pen name for Heather Graham) and consider her writing just superb. ONDINE is right up there with her best (see my BEST lists and my other reviews of her works).
Set in England in the reign of Charles II in the late 1600s, Graham masterfully weaves in history that makes the era come alive. It is a complex tale of Ondine, the young and very beautiful Duchess of Rochester, whose father is slain by jealous relatives who want his lands--and Ondine--while they also attempt to make it look as if Ondine and her father were trying to slay the king. Ondine, fearing the fate of a traitor, flees into the forest where she joins up with the poor just trying to stay alive. Arrested with them for poaching, she ends up facing the gallows. But in a quirk of history that really happened, she is saved from the noose by an offer of marriage by a passing nobleman, Warrick, Lord Chatham, an earl who is looking for a woman to be his wife as bait to trap the murderer of his first wife. Both have mysteries to solve and neither confides initially in the other as they soon fall in love without admitting it. Warrick had no intention of consummating the odd marriage to the commoner he saved from the gallows, but then he finds his new wife irresistible. Her name, "Ondine", represents a mythical mermaid who is given life mortal by the love of a man.
I loved how Drake wove the mythology into the story. The romance held my interest throughout and one thing I really liked is that the hero here was never mean or cruel to Ondine (though he did pretend it out of concern for her life). There were no disturbing elements here, only splendid writing, a well woven plot and incredible characters you will come to love. I highly recommend this one!
I've read many historical romances by Shannon Drake (the pen name for Heather Graham) and consider her writing just superb. ONDINE is right up there with her best (see my BEST lists and my other reviews of her works).
Set in England in the reign of Charles II in the late 1600s, Graham masterfully weaves in history that makes the era come alive. It is a complex tale of Ondine, the young and very beautiful Duchess of Rochester, whose father is slain by jealous relatives who want his lands--and Ondine--while they also attempt to make it look as if Ondine and her father were trying to slay the king. Ondine, fearing the fate of a traitor, flees into the forest where she joins up with the poor just trying to stay alive. Arrested with them for poaching, she ends up facing the gallows. But in a quirk of history that really happened, she is saved from the noose by an offer of marriage by a passing nobleman, Warrick, Lord Chatham, an earl who is looking for a woman to be his wife as bait to trap the murderer of his first wife. Both have mysteries to solve and neither confides initially in the other as they soon fall in love without admitting it. Warrick had no intention of consummating the odd marriage to the commoner he saved from the gallows, but then he finds his new wife irresistible. Her name, "Ondine", represents a mythical mermaid who is given life mortal by the love of a man.
I loved how Drake wove the mythology into the story. The romance held my interest throughout and one thing I really liked is that the hero here was never mean or cruel to Ondine (though he did pretend it out of concern for her life). There were no disturbing elements here, only splendid writing, a well woven plot and incredible characters you will come to love. I highly recommend this one!
April 28, 2022
So, I'm a little mixed on how to review this book.
I definitely feel like this book may offend some people, so let’s get those issues out of the way first.
The hero and the heroine are passionate individuals who push one another’s buttons constantly…. They often have scenes where I am supposed to feel as though they are fiercely challenging one another, but secretly want to jump each other’s bones. I received the message the author was trying to convey, but it seemed more as though the two just kinda hated one another. 🤷♀️
And the hero definitely doesn’t respect the heroine. He calls her a lot of names throughout the story, including ‘whore’ and ‘gutter bitch.’
And the heroine takes it. Repeatedly. In stride. 🤦♀️
And there’s definitely some dub-con, leaning hard to a straight up non-con scene toward the end.
Again, could be deal breakers. I kept reading because I was wondering how the hell the author was going to rein in this circus of a book.
And, as it turns out, the author did resolve all conflicts. But she took almost 500 pages to do it and some of that stuff was just unnecessary fill.
During this long read, I noted that the author had some go-to moves for her characters. When the hero wasn't emotionally abusing his love interest, you could find him raising his brow at anything that was said to him. The heroine, in turn, trembles a lot…… as in multiple times a page.
The author definitely needed some more variety in her writing and she also needed to create a relationship in which the characters had more positive interactions because the love between the characters didn’t make a whole lot of sense. (See: gutter-bitch above).
And while all that stuff is bad, and the book was ridiculous on a lot of levels, it sort of read like a medieval soap opera, and I was into that (and yes, I know this book isn’t technically written in the ‘medieval time period,’ but whatever). So, for not a whole lot of sensical reasons, I’m giving this book 2.5 stars.
I definitely feel like this book may offend some people, so let’s get those issues out of the way first.
The hero and the heroine are passionate individuals who push one another’s buttons constantly…. They often have scenes where I am supposed to feel as though they are fiercely challenging one another, but secretly want to jump each other’s bones. I received the message the author was trying to convey, but it seemed more as though the two just kinda hated one another. 🤷♀️
And the hero definitely doesn’t respect the heroine. He calls her a lot of names throughout the story, including ‘whore’ and ‘gutter bitch.’
And the heroine takes it. Repeatedly. In stride. 🤦♀️
And there’s definitely some dub-con, leaning hard to a straight up non-con scene toward the end.
Again, could be deal breakers. I kept reading because I was wondering how the hell the author was going to rein in this circus of a book.
And, as it turns out, the author did resolve all conflicts. But she took almost 500 pages to do it and some of that stuff was just unnecessary fill.
During this long read, I noted that the author had some go-to moves for her characters. When the hero wasn't emotionally abusing his love interest, you could find him raising his brow at anything that was said to him. The heroine, in turn, trembles a lot…… as in multiple times a page.
The author definitely needed some more variety in her writing and she also needed to create a relationship in which the characters had more positive interactions because the love between the characters didn’t make a whole lot of sense. (See: gutter-bitch above).
And while all that stuff is bad, and the book was ridiculous on a lot of levels, it sort of read like a medieval soap opera, and I was into that (and yes, I know this book isn’t technically written in the ‘medieval time period,’ but whatever). So, for not a whole lot of sensical reasons, I’m giving this book 2.5 stars.
November 1, 2018
Shannon Drake is one of my favourite historical romance writers and as with most of her other books, I ended up loving this one. I admire how she can create an atmosphere that matches the historical period she writes about and the mood and tone of the novel that remains constant throughout. It's always a treat to read her stories and this one had all the essentials - a spirited damsel in distress, an alpha H with a heart of gold, interesting secondary characters and a fast-paced, intriguing plot line featuring an MOC (one of my favourite tropes). There was mystery, there was drama, and there was glorious romance and I really liked every bit of it. So why 4 stars instead of 5? Because I've read even better books from this author. I'm particularly enamoured of Golden Surrender/The King's Pleasure/ Bride of the Wind/ Damsel in Distress to name a few. So while this story is great, it doesn't measure up to the others I mentioned. Nonetheless, it thoroughly deserves the 4 star rating I've given it.
February 9, 2022
Definitely like a 4.5. It was good book for sure old school with poetic writing and all but well written.
Great MCs. Plot 8(1-10) steaminess 5(1-10).
A medieval tale of love, intrigue, jealousy, and lastly a HEA.
Great MCs. Plot 8(1-10) steaminess 5(1-10).
A medieval tale of love, intrigue, jealousy, and lastly a HEA.
December 15, 2016
ONDINE is a lush historical romance novel which was originally published in 1988 under Heather Graham’s pen name Shannon Drake and has recently been reissued with a gorgeous new cover.
Fans of Shannon Drake/ Heather Graham can fall in love all over again with Ondine and Warwick’s passionate love story. New readers are treated to a historical romance that still remains a classic at heart. I could not resist rereading ONDINE as Drake’s novels were some of my first HR reads and I’m happy to say that I was once again swept away by her writing.
The story is set in 17th century England during the reign of Charles II with the protagonist Ondine being cast from nobility when her father is falsely accused of treason and murder. About to be hung with a noose around her neck, Lord Chatham rescues Ondine from England's gallows. He demands only one thing in return . .. her hand in marriage. In gratitude, Ondine consents to his plans -- yet she refuses his touch.
This is a tale full of mystery and intrigue. I forgot just how masterfully Graham plotted the two intersecting mysteries of Warwick’s wife and her suspicious death (which falls under very mysterious and almost Gothic circumstances) and that of Ondine’s father who is framed by a traitor with charges of treason. Added to this, there are the dangers of King Charles II's notorious courtly life where jealousy and desire mix, surrounding Warwick and Ondine with intrigue at every turn.
Secrets, vengeance, and passion make for a tumultuous romance. Warwick and Ondine are both withholding information from each other causing misunderstandings and mistrust. More than once they clash in heated verbal and physical sparring. Their passion is as strong as their pride and I was reminded that this was a story originally marketed towards the Bodice Ripper generation, one that I grew up on, devoured and loved, yet may not be your average historical romance of today.
Warwick is all alpha male, both an aggressive and possessive hero and Ondine is the epitome of a spitfire heroine. ONDINE is full of heady seduction and the eventual building of trust and love. The path for Warwick and Ondine is not smooth in the least but it is their growing connection and eventual love for each other that makes them such an unforgettable couple.
Filled with mystery, lush courtly life and details of Charles II reign, and a love/hate romance, ONDINE brings together classic elements of the romance genre I grew up on. King Charles II plays a strong secondary role and touches of Gothic fiction are sprinkled into the mystery with ghosts, masked figures, secret passageways, and a surprise villain. Drake also uses allusions fairy tale and myth to give ONDINE an almost magical feel. Beauty and the Beast are referenced throughout (Warwick, of course, being the beast) and even Ondine as the watery creature of myth, who gains substance and life through marriage.
ONDINE is a classic historical romance of its genre and holds many elements that make it such an epic romance. Recommended to fans of Drake/Graham’s writing and new readers who enjoy strong and wilful couples. Detailed and rich, passionate and tumultuous, this is a romance not easily to forget.
Fans of Shannon Drake/ Heather Graham can fall in love all over again with Ondine and Warwick’s passionate love story. New readers are treated to a historical romance that still remains a classic at heart. I could not resist rereading ONDINE as Drake’s novels were some of my first HR reads and I’m happy to say that I was once again swept away by her writing.
The story is set in 17th century England during the reign of Charles II with the protagonist Ondine being cast from nobility when her father is falsely accused of treason and murder. About to be hung with a noose around her neck, Lord Chatham rescues Ondine from England's gallows. He demands only one thing in return . .. her hand in marriage. In gratitude, Ondine consents to his plans -- yet she refuses his touch.
This is a tale full of mystery and intrigue. I forgot just how masterfully Graham plotted the two intersecting mysteries of Warwick’s wife and her suspicious death (which falls under very mysterious and almost Gothic circumstances) and that of Ondine’s father who is framed by a traitor with charges of treason. Added to this, there are the dangers of King Charles II's notorious courtly life where jealousy and desire mix, surrounding Warwick and Ondine with intrigue at every turn.
Secrets, vengeance, and passion make for a tumultuous romance. Warwick and Ondine are both withholding information from each other causing misunderstandings and mistrust. More than once they clash in heated verbal and physical sparring. Their passion is as strong as their pride and I was reminded that this was a story originally marketed towards the Bodice Ripper generation, one that I grew up on, devoured and loved, yet may not be your average historical romance of today.
Warwick is all alpha male, both an aggressive and possessive hero and Ondine is the epitome of a spitfire heroine. ONDINE is full of heady seduction and the eventual building of trust and love. The path for Warwick and Ondine is not smooth in the least but it is their growing connection and eventual love for each other that makes them such an unforgettable couple.
Filled with mystery, lush courtly life and details of Charles II reign, and a love/hate romance, ONDINE brings together classic elements of the romance genre I grew up on. King Charles II plays a strong secondary role and touches of Gothic fiction are sprinkled into the mystery with ghosts, masked figures, secret passageways, and a surprise villain. Drake also uses allusions fairy tale and myth to give ONDINE an almost magical feel. Beauty and the Beast are referenced throughout (Warwick, of course, being the beast) and even Ondine as the watery creature of myth, who gains substance and life through marriage.
ONDINE is a classic historical romance of its genre and holds many elements that make it such an epic romance. Recommended to fans of Drake/Graham’s writing and new readers who enjoy strong and wilful couples. Detailed and rich, passionate and tumultuous, this is a romance not easily to forget.
April 4, 2024
2nd reread 2024 - 4stars
1st read 4stars
1st read 4stars
May 28, 2018
*** 3 Stars***
I'll be very honest. This is my read by Shannon Drake. I was expecting much more of an exciting read but it just didn't captivate me as much I'd liked. It was a fairly decent, interesting novel with a great storyline but I felt like something was missing throughout the entire story. There was quite a lot of bickering and the love-hate relationship between the hero and heroine throughout a great deal of the storyline and I think it really wasn't necessary. In addition, I think that this novel didn't need to be over the 500-page mark. Ms. Drake could've wrapped it up in 400 pages top. Somehow it just got tedious in some parts of the book & I had to skip.
I'll be very honest. This is my read by Shannon Drake. I was expecting much more of an exciting read but it just didn't captivate me as much I'd liked. It was a fairly decent, interesting novel with a great storyline but I felt like something was missing throughout the entire story. There was quite a lot of bickering and the love-hate relationship between the hero and heroine throughout a great deal of the storyline and I think it really wasn't necessary. In addition, I think that this novel didn't need to be over the 500-page mark. Ms. Drake could've wrapped it up in 400 pages top. Somehow it just got tedious in some parts of the book & I had to skip.
January 27, 2020
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is nearly thirty years old, and it has not aged well in the slightest. It is a disgusting bodice ripper that is full of vile and disgusting degradations.
Firstly, it is double the size it needs to be, I got to the point where I was skimming page after page of endless drivel that should have been cut out completely.
Secondly, the heroine is so beautiful that every male she meets is panting after her in lust. Yet she spent two weeks in Newgate prison and was never sexually assaulted once. Not. Once.
Thirdly, spousal rape is still rape. Yet, repeatedly, the hero rapes the heroine because he wants his wife to satisfy his desires.
Fourthly, the heroine is the only child of a duke. Which makes her a wealthy heiress, yet somehow, the entire court of King Charles II forgot she ever existed…in less than a year after her father’s death.
Fifthly, our supposedly noble hero only marries her to make her bait for a murderer. Yes, murderer. He believes since she was going to hang as a thief he owns her life and should she die, so be it. She’s his property now.
Sixthly, how many times can you have the heroine drugged and kidnapped in the same book?! Over and over she’s abducted and being sold off into sexual bondage.
Seventhly, the supposedly evil villain (the heroine’s cousin) has more honour than the hero. I mean, when the heroine agrees to marry her cousin, she asks for a month before the marriage is held and asks him to wait to come to her bed. He not only agrees to this, upon learning she is pregnant, he says he will keep her child AND honour her request to wait until marriage to have sex. When the villain is more likable than the hero, you’ve gone horribly wrong as an author.
There’s a plethora of further issues, but I think my point is made.
This book is nearly thirty years old, and it has not aged well in the slightest. It is a disgusting bodice ripper that is full of vile and disgusting degradations.
Firstly, it is double the size it needs to be, I got to the point where I was skimming page after page of endless drivel that should have been cut out completely.
Secondly, the heroine is so beautiful that every male she meets is panting after her in lust. Yet she spent two weeks in Newgate prison and was never sexually assaulted once. Not. Once.
Thirdly, spousal rape is still rape. Yet, repeatedly, the hero rapes the heroine because he wants his wife to satisfy his desires.
Fourthly, the heroine is the only child of a duke. Which makes her a wealthy heiress, yet somehow, the entire court of King Charles II forgot she ever existed…in less than a year after her father’s death.
Fifthly, our supposedly noble hero only marries her to make her bait for a murderer. Yes, murderer. He believes since she was going to hang as a thief he owns her life and should she die, so be it. She’s his property now.
Sixthly, how many times can you have the heroine drugged and kidnapped in the same book?! Over and over she’s abducted and being sold off into sexual bondage.
Seventhly, the supposedly evil villain (the heroine’s cousin) has more honour than the hero. I mean, when the heroine agrees to marry her cousin, she asks for a month before the marriage is held and asks him to wait to come to her bed. He not only agrees to this, upon learning she is pregnant, he says he will keep her child AND honour her request to wait until marriage to have sex. When the villain is more likable than the hero, you’ve gone horribly wrong as an author.
There’s a plethora of further issues, but I think my point is made.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2022
Good old fashioned romance book!! It was really good until the end and then it got a little long and drawn out, but all in all in was an enjoyable read. 😊👍🏽👍🏽. Ondine and Warrick were a good combination.
February 5, 2016
Warwick Chatham salvou Ondine da forca ao casar-se com ela para tentar descobrir quem matara sua mulher.
Ondine que vivia fugindo de seu tio e do filho, fora condenada porque seu pai fora acusado de atentar contra a vida do Rei Charles II e morrera infamemente e ela levada para New Gate e foi a caminho da forca que ele a viu e achou-a ideal para impedir as cobranças da antiga amante para que se casasse com ela.
Ondine era uma mulher de opiniões fortes que não aceitava ordens e naõ se deixava abater pelas adversidades. E estava constantemente discutindo e em desacordo com ele. E fez diversas tentativas de fugo porque desejava provar a inocência do pai e não contara na verdade que ela era.
Warwick só queria apenas como uma mulher de fachada. E quando eles se casam vão morar em Chatham, a residencia dele. E lá Ondine sofre atentados de morte.
Entre tramas, tapas e beijos eles terminam se apaixonando e descobrem que, ambos tem inimigos mortais que desejam suas mortes.
Assim, para viver esse amor terão que salvaguardar-se de seus inimigos, quem são eles e uma maneira de provar a inocência do pai dela, algo do qual Ondine não abre mão.
Sharon Drake, criou personagens lutadores, fortes e inimigos poderosos que me deixou sempre a espera de que algo iminente aconteceria. Tramas bem urdidas. E um epílogo, com final felizes para os mocinhos e bonzinhos da história. Um boa história cheia de atropelos.
Minha pontuação: 3,5, embora um boa história, achei que faltou algo. Um sentimento meio satisfeito.
Ondine que vivia fugindo de seu tio e do filho, fora condenada porque seu pai fora acusado de atentar contra a vida do Rei Charles II e morrera infamemente e ela levada para New Gate e foi a caminho da forca que ele a viu e achou-a ideal para impedir as cobranças da antiga amante para que se casasse com ela.
Ondine era uma mulher de opiniões fortes que não aceitava ordens e naõ se deixava abater pelas adversidades. E estava constantemente discutindo e em desacordo com ele. E fez diversas tentativas de fugo porque desejava provar a inocência do pai e não contara na verdade que ela era.
Warwick só queria apenas como uma mulher de fachada. E quando eles se casam vão morar em Chatham, a residencia dele. E lá Ondine sofre atentados de morte.
Entre tramas, tapas e beijos eles terminam se apaixonando e descobrem que, ambos tem inimigos mortais que desejam suas mortes.
Assim, para viver esse amor terão que salvaguardar-se de seus inimigos, quem são eles e uma maneira de provar a inocência do pai dela, algo do qual Ondine não abre mão.
Sharon Drake, criou personagens lutadores, fortes e inimigos poderosos que me deixou sempre a espera de que algo iminente aconteceria. Tramas bem urdidas. E um epílogo, com final felizes para os mocinhos e bonzinhos da história. Um boa história cheia de atropelos.
Minha pontuação: 3,5, embora um boa história, achei que faltou algo. Um sentimento meio satisfeito.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2015
A good old fashioned historical romance with a great storyline and swoon worthy men.
August 6, 2015
This book I really liked, I finished that one in a day and a half.
July 16, 2022
Online was pretty fun i guess for a c list 80s historical romance, lol
December 18, 2020
By and1515
Ondine's world was turned upside down when her father was accused of treason and before she knew it he was gone.
Left to fend for herself Ondine ends up facing and even bleaker outlook then ever before until she's rescued in the last few minutes.
Here she was now a wife to a man with a very lofty title and all she could do was pray he didn't look to closely at their marriage certificate. Or he might figure out her deep dark secret.
Warwick needed a temporary wife to help set a trap for whom ever tried to wreck his life.
Ondine wasn't quite prepared for her audience with the King as she held her breathe waiting for him to yank the rug out from under her and declare her a traitor..
But it never happened so here she was trying to juggle two different rules she'd been tasks to play without a descent script.
He'd been stunned the moment he finally touched his bride Warwick never once thought she would be completely his alone after all he'd rescued her from the gallows.
Ondine wanted what was hers back and that meant proving her father had been setup and she was determined enough to find the person reasonable.
However warwick realized the King knew more about his wife then he apparently did.
And the story that followed had him ready to run out the door before he'd even finished.
Being chased by several rabid fools Ondine could only pray they would both survive to see the coming morning.
Ondine's world was turned upside down when her father was accused of treason and before she knew it he was gone.
Left to fend for herself Ondine ends up facing and even bleaker outlook then ever before until she's rescued in the last few minutes.
Here she was now a wife to a man with a very lofty title and all she could do was pray he didn't look to closely at their marriage certificate. Or he might figure out her deep dark secret.
Warwick needed a temporary wife to help set a trap for whom ever tried to wreck his life.
Ondine wasn't quite prepared for her audience with the King as she held her breathe waiting for him to yank the rug out from under her and declare her a traitor..
But it never happened so here she was trying to juggle two different rules she'd been tasks to play without a descent script.
He'd been stunned the moment he finally touched his bride Warwick never once thought she would be completely his alone after all he'd rescued her from the gallows.
Ondine wanted what was hers back and that meant proving her father had been setup and she was determined enough to find the person reasonable.
However warwick realized the King knew more about his wife then he apparently did.
And the story that followed had him ready to run out the door before he'd even finished.
Being chased by several rabid fools Ondine could only pray they would both survive to see the coming morning.
October 28, 2016
This is the first story I've read by Heather Graham and I really enjoyed the story. The heroine, Ondine, is a young woman who had been implicated in a plot against King Charles. When she witnesses her father being murdered, she has no choice but to run. She is determined to clear her father's name, but while on the run, she is captured and sent to the gallows as a horse thief. Lord Warwick Chatham happens by and rescues Ondine from the gallows and marries her. Warwich has his own demons to overcome and a murder of his late wife to solve. He originally sets out to use Ondine as bait, but things don't always work out the way you think they will.
I loved the intrigue and snippets of court life that was woven throughout this book. The simmering passion between Ondine and Warwick heats up the pages. Neither wants to admit their growing attraction. The secondary characters are well fleshed out and as the author propels you to the climax of the book, I found I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happened. Ms Graham's writing is top notch and definitely draws the reader in to the story. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I loved the intrigue and snippets of court life that was woven throughout this book. The simmering passion between Ondine and Warwick heats up the pages. Neither wants to admit their growing attraction. The secondary characters are well fleshed out and as the author propels you to the climax of the book, I found I couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happened. Ms Graham's writing is top notch and definitely draws the reader in to the story. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 24, 2019
A cat's life
Ondine seems to bounce back on her feet many times in this story. She has so many troubles. Warwick has his own trials in life to deal with. He comes upon a woman at the gallows, Ondine. She becomes his bride in a scheme that he decides to use to find the mystery in his life. Ondine has her own mystery. There are a cast of others in this tale. You will love some and others meet their just desserts in the end. King Charles was a particular favorite. Ah, the tale is done but oh, so good. Enjoy.
Ondine seems to bounce back on her feet many times in this story. She has so many troubles. Warwick has his own trials in life to deal with. He comes upon a woman at the gallows, Ondine. She becomes his bride in a scheme that he decides to use to find the mystery in his life. Ondine has her own mystery. There are a cast of others in this tale. You will love some and others meet their just desserts in the end. King Charles was a particular favorite. Ah, the tale is done but oh, so good. Enjoy.
April 12, 2025
certainly I am not a fan of romance novels, this being the 2nd one I've read in my life; I did throw this one aside long ago, but picked it up again for lack of anything else to read. I found the ending fairly entertaining if a tad convaluted, much like a lot of the book, but it did hold my attention enough to finish. Almost gave it 3 stars, except every character in the book is overwrought, which is, of course, my main problem with all romance novels.
July 16, 2018
That took a bit of a twist I didn't expect. This one is fun and takes you right back to 1680, even if you do put it down. Highly recommended. for an action packed sometimes erotic romance
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See full review here
https://gszengarden.wixsite.com/mylit...
December 26, 2020
Great book!
I read this year's ago, and I enjoyed it just as much now as I did then. I love the story and the characters. There are no loose ends. I highly recommend any and all of her books, either as Heather Graham or Shannon Drake.
I read this year's ago, and I enjoyed it just as much now as I did then. I love the story and the characters. There are no loose ends. I highly recommend any and all of her books, either as Heather Graham or Shannon Drake.
February 2, 2021
The first part was good, the second part was okay, but I came to dislike Chatham more and more, skipped part three nearly completely bc I just totally lost interest and the story just felt unnecessarily dragged on
July 2, 2023
5 stars, riveting romance and mystery, Drake keeps the story moving briskly, no secondary romance distractions but focused on the H/H, as individuals with their own drama, and as a couple learning to love each other.
May 5, 2017
A little heavy on the "overly-dramatic" romance - but the story was good; I liked the characters; and the writing was decent.
May 11, 2019
Great love story. Have read it several times. One of those books that keeps you up all night.
December 2, 2019
Paskvil.
Nelogická, překombinovaná, nudná. A samozřejmě se neobejde bez znásilnění. OMG.
Nelogická, překombinovaná, nudná. A samozřejmě se neobejde bez znásilnění. OMG.
February 24, 2020
An interesting time in history - good interesting story line - will read more from this author.
Read
July 29, 2021This is one of my very favourite books. I have it on my keeper shelf.
Read
May 17, 2022Dnf
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