Petals on the River

By Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Book Overview

The fiery and outspoken adopted daughter of one of England's most formidable women, Shemaine O'Hearn has made powerful enemies. And now her adversaries have found a way to remove the hot-blooded beauty from her life of privilege: by falsely convicting Shemaine of thievery and sending her in shackles to America, where she is to be sold in indentured servitude to the highest bidder. In a bustling port city in the colony of Virginia, she becomes the servant of Gage Thornton-a shipbuilder with a young child in need of a nanny. And despite whispered rumors condemning the handsome widower for the untimely death of his wife, Shemaine cannot ignore her desire for this caring, generous and enigmatic stranger who silently aches with his growing need for her-even as grave peril reaches out from across a vast ocean to threaten their flowering love. A proud and spirited woman whose life was stolen from her. . .A man of secrets accused of a terrible crime. . .In a place of new beginnings their destinies are joined--in a gloriously romantic new work from the incomparable storyteller. In an era of treacherous uncertainties, Shemaine O'Hearn--the fiery and outspoken daughter of one of England's most successful businessmen--has made powerful enemies. And those who wish her ill have found a way to remove the hot-blooded beauty from her life of privilege--falsely convicting her of thievery and forcing her in shackles aboard a crowded slave ship bound for America, where she is to be sold in indentured servitude to the highest bidder. In a bustling port city in the colony of Virginia, Shemaine becomes the servant of Gage Thorton--a shipbuilder with a young child in need of a nanny. In a rustic cabin in the woods, far from the whispered rumors that cruelly condemn the handsome widower for the untimely death of his wife, Shemaine cannot ignore her desire for this caring, generous and enigmatic man who silently aches with his growing need for her--even as a grave peril reaches out from across a vast ocean to invade their new life and threaten their flowering love.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038076654X
• ISBN13: 9780380766543
• Release Date: December 1997
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Length: 554 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.3" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

not her best

i didn't like this book because of the animosity and jealousy geared toward the protagonist. she'a insulted and threatened in almost every scene. i know a good writer is supposed to extract emotion from the reader. but woodiwiss went to excess with this novel. i felt angry when i finished this book.

One of the best!!

KEW, without a doubt, has done it again! Because of her articulate descriptions of the characters, surroundings, and events, you are nearly there! Everything was so unpredictable. I loved how this book was different from the others. How? Usually the man is filthy rich, living on a huge plantation(Shanna, Flame and the Flower, Elusive Flame), but this one was a humble story of a man working hard for his son, and what hopes he had left for a life. I felt so much compassion for both characters, and was deeply moved by the ending. You must read this book!!!

Petals on the River

I loved this book! The story was a sweet one, that didn't have so many emotional ups and downs that it makes it hard to believe. There was a lot of action and the combination of Shemaine, Gage, his son, a woman who's been after Gage for herself, Shemaine's fiance, her parents, Gage's father, and all the rest make it a very fun and light book to read.

Pictures in my head

A student of mine recommended that I read Petals on a River. I didn't like the first 10 pages. It's what my female friends would call a "chick" novel. At any rate, after about the 10th page I became mesmerized by it. Woodiwiss' writing is so vivid, I forgot I was reading a book and felt more like I was watching a movie. For example, I found the description of the cuts, pain, and healing of the leg irons so vivid, pictures emerged in my head. I found much of the novel like that. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss creates pictures in my head.

en(GAGE)ing!!!

I liked the book. The love scenes were a little brash, but the courting was fabulous. Where else than in a romantic novel could you find such beautiful people with such Energy and Love. I love K.W.'s style. Makes me long for yester-year when men actually courted women. I also liked meeting the pre-SHANNA characters. It's like visiting old friends.

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is back with a winner!

Twenty-five years ago I was given The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss...and I fell in love !!Such descriptive writing..you could almost be there. Each successive book was eagerly awaited, and Ms. Woodiwiss became my scale upon which all other authors were compared.Her new book, Petals on the River, has renewed my faith in this authors writing. She is back, and back on track with the style, the characters and the story line that all her true admirers will relate to. Shemaine and Gage are delicious characters, both caught in a situation that leads to interesting conclusions. Throughout the story there are elements of suspense, romance and humor. There is also a very enjoyable and surprising "visit" from characters from one of Ms.Woodiwiss' previous books. Do yourself a favor..READ THIS BOOK..it's terrific!