Blue Lotus

by Margaret Way

When Susan and her brother lost themselves in the rain forest of Queensland they were rescued from a very unpleasant fate by Devin Chandler and taken to recover at his cattle station, Lara, a private kingdom where the king made his own laws. For her brother's sake if not her own she had no choice, for the time being, but to stay there. The outcome was inevitable -- but would it bring her anything but heartbreak? For, even if she could be sure that Devin wasn't in love with his beautiful sister-in-law, hadn't he told her himself that there was yet another woman in his life?

Genres: Harlequin Romance, Romance, Australia

188 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Margaret Way was born and educated in the river city of Brisbane, Australia. Before her marriage she was a well-known pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, but her hectic musical career came to a halt when her son was born and the demands of motherhood dictated a change of pace.

On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."

Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did Margaret Way write a Harlequin romance or an episode of Mr. Bean? This idiot manages to get herself lost in the jungle, fall out of a tree, act as cushion for rocks falling off a cliff, jump into shark-infested waters within drowning distance of shore, and run her horse right into the mouth of a giant anaconda. Lmao.

I would seriously hope the hero takes out a billion dollar homeowners, medical and life insurance if he is serious about taking her on.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like the hero. He knew the h loved him yet he kept her dangling and uncertain. In the end he tells her he loves her and that she is necessary for his happiness but never explains why he held himself aloof from her.

[RomLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Susan and her brother lost themselves in the rain forest of Queensland they were rescued from a very unpleasant fate by Devin Chandler and taken to recover at his cattle station, Lara, a private kingdom where the king made his own laws. For her brother's sake if not her own she had no choice, for the time being, but to stay there. The outcome was inevitable -- but would it bring her anything but heartbreak? For, even if she could be sure that Devin wasn't in love with his beautiful sister-in-law, hadn't he told her himself that there was yet another woman in his life?

[Ankita Kaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book very much. The setting, the simple story and the certain something that flares between Dev and Susan were all very appealing. There was plenty of heat without anything overt, and I quite enjoyed how the connection between the lead pair built up. Of course Dev is the quintessential romance hero, a man's man and all that, while Susan has all the womanly attributes and has to be rescued every so often. However, it didn’t make me cringe or anything, mainly because she isn’t a wilting lily or anything. The writing got a bit choppy in places, but it all works to build the atmosphere, I assume. Either way, I enjoyed it.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book. The H was besotted by the h from the very start. He was a tender H, but still very alpha! Nice to read a book with a H that doesn't get physical when he gets angry with the h for a change. If you like a helpless young heroin and an alpha male hero you'll like this book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite older romance novels. I love the way the author paints vibrantly with words. You really feel like you're in the story. There are very few Harlequin books past the year this one was published that I enjoy. But if you like vibrant scenery and charaters, and don't mind mild cussing and some spice, then you might enjoy this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the story so much more when I ignore the pictures on the cover. The hero looks like a 50-year-old man related to Clint Eastwood. Or maybe he looks like a wooden sculpture of a 50-year-old man. Either way a 20 year old girl wouldn’t lose her heart so readily.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been quite a nice little romance but the hero’s vacillations were not needed. The author wanted to create tension and had a number of words to write but his actions needed more explanation.

[StMargarets · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heroine is rescued by the hero at the beginning of the story, which will be their dynamic for the rest of their married life.

Hero is a typical (but nicer) Margaret Way alpha. Heroine is 22-going-on-16 ingenue who really shouldn't be let out on her own. Her youth and naivety is emphasized over and over. This really took me out of the romance, but explained why the heroine kept finding herself in physical peril.

So, quick plot recap: Heroine and her brother are traveling around Queensland when their car breaks down. Brother goes for help. Heroine wanders in the jungle for a couple days until hero finds her.

The heroine is alarmed by her attraction to the hero and wants to leave his Outback station immediately. Hero convinces her to stay because he has a sad, lonely niece who is still traumatized from her father's death. Her mother, the wanna be OW, is not happy to have the heroine as competition.

Heroine works miracles with the niece, goes on vacation with the family to a resort on the Great Barrier Reef, and learns all about the flora and fauna of Queensland.

Hero finally proposes after heroine is thrown from a horse and wakes from her concussion/coma. To round out the HEA, OW flounces in defeat to the city, leaving her daughter behind. Heroine's brother will also stay in Queensland, working for the hero.

For vintage romance fans only.