Petals on the River

Rating:
Summary: Bad, but don't give up on this author....
Review: I don't understand how KW can write such classic material in most of her previous novels, then ruin the book by droning on and on with boring dialoge and settings. By that point, who cares about these otherwise memorable characters? This book, however didn't even get that far. It was totally boring, lifeless, if you will, which aggravated me as I'd waited a long time to read it.

Rating:
Summary: OK but not one of her best
Review: I have read this book and found it a little hard to swallow. It was okay but KEW has written much better, Flame & the Flower, Shanna etc. Shermaine is accused of murder gets shipped away and she calmly accepts this. She is bought by a man and doesn't seem to mind, she doesn't even try to fight for her freedom. Gage is a little boring nothing like any of the other male characters in KEW books. He buys this woman who is accused of murder and lets her take care of his son, not a very responsible parent.

Rating:
Summary: Pick another Woodiwiss book
Review: I some how missed this one when I was reading KW books years ago and was in the mood for a REAL romance. I wasn't disappointed. Yes, you can tell this was written years ago. But it is still a good one. Shemaine O'Hearn has been falsely accused of thief, put in prison, and sent by ship to the colonies to remove her from her prestigious fiance's life (inwhich his family didn't think she was good enough). She is sold as an indentured servant to the highest bidder - Gage Thornton, widow and local ship builder who needs a nanny for his toddler son. Rumors have it that Gage killed his wife by pushing her off his ship during a fit of rage due to an angry temper. But Shemaine can't imagine such after seeing him handle his son with love and her with respect and kindness. Desires begin to grow between Shemaine and Gage but they work at dealing with them honorably while a few in the community try to stir rumors up about their living conditions and her past. There is one in particularly that just knew Gage would turn to her to replace his deceased wife. Jealously strikes out between her and Shemaine. Then Shemaine's family show up from Scotland in search for her, along with her English fiance - but it is too late. Shemaine and Gage couldn't ignore feelings any longer and got married. Tempers flair and - by the way - just how did Gage's first wife really die? It was true Woodiwiss style of writing with romance and suspence (that, yes, you could probably guess at but was still good). I enjoyed it and felt the love between Shemaine and Gage. Yes, I recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Pick another Woodiwiss book
Review: I was terribly disappointed with this book. I'm surprised that KEW wrote it. I would highly recommend Shanna (named my daughter after it), A Rose in Winter, and The Wolf and the Dove - all of which are classics worth reading again and again. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss will always be my favorite romance novelist because of the outstanding quality of the aforementioned books. Skip Petals on the River, though. As much as I loved the other books, I hated this one. Really the worst romance novel I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: I gave this five stars because I love Woodiwiss' novels
Review: I will admit that it was a little slow at times, but, a very good read, and I will more than likely read it again. I have read every Kathleen novel I can get my hands on and love her characters. Shemaine and Gage had awesome chemistry, and I loved their interaction with Andy. For the person who said that Shemaine was convictted of murder, did you not read the book? She was convicted of theivery!!! And for the person who found Gage an irresponsible parent, since when is it irresponsible to hire someone to watch your kid while you work. Lets get a grip!! All in all, I would read this again in a heartbeat. It is a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: You may like it IF
Review: If you want to hear nothing but bad people heaping insults on good people, who stupidly stand there and take it (because they are so wonderfully good), this book is for you. I was shocked that someone who wrote A Rose In Winter and Ashes in the Wind could turn out such a crushing bore. I'm listening on cassette (which is well done, by the way), and it's better than the radio, but if I were reading the book, I would have set it aside unfinished long before now. I still reread A Rose in Winter. Where is the humor in this one? Ms Woodiwiss should read some Amanda Quick, and get her heriones back to being real people. Shemain is ridiculous. Good grief! I roll my eyes every time I hear how "comely" she is. BORING is the only word for this book. I wish I could get my money back. Not just because it was a bad book (you take your chances), but because I expected better. If I help anyone else save their money, it will be worth the time to write this review. I agree with one of the other reviewers..... go to the library if you MUST read it!

Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: 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!!!

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This book was another one of my favourites from KEW. I have read allmost all of her books except for Shanna, Come Love a Stranger and Forever in Your Embrace. I hope to get these ones soon and read them because i never feel right unless i know i can slip into my bed at night and read one of KEW's books. I highly reccomend this book to read allong with THE Birmingham books and A Rose In The Wintertime.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading!
Review: Well, that's basically how I felt after finishing _Petals on the River_. The story was great, I loved the characters, and the setting was a nice change from England or Scotland. Although it was a well written book, towards the end, I was starting to get a little bored. But, this taste of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is enough to have me looking for more. I started reading her books with _The Flame and the Flower_, and I will definitely be snatching up her books in the future.

Shemaine O'Hearn had the perfect life. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, she came from a loving family, she was beautiful, and she was betrothed to the heartthrob of England. This all changed when the whim of an overjealous grandmother had her captured by a theive taker and carried to America on a convict boat. Shemaine knows that her life will never be the same, and all she can hope for is that a kind soul will take some pitty on her and that she will be sold into indentured servatude to a nice family or person.

In the town of Newport Newes lives Gage Thorton, a man haunted by his past. A year ago, his wife died, leaving him with a son to take care of. And, even though Gage loved his wife dearly, there is supiscion in the town that he killed his lovely wife. So, when the convict ship, the London Pride, docks in the town's port, he is desperate for a nursemaid for his son, and maybe some company. As soon as he sees Shemaine, he knows that he must have her, no matter the cost. She can educate his son and provide him with some company.

Shemaine is at first wary of her knew job, but soon settles into it nicely. Andrew, Gage's two year old son, is a complete doll, and Gage is the kindest, most handsome man she has ever met. The two get along famously, and a love blossoms between them. But, awful gossip and lies threaten to rip the two apart. Can they survive?

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is really a great author. Some people complain about her purple prose, but I think it makes her books fun to read, and it is easier to imagine the historical setting that way. Her use of adjectives really brought the book to life, and you have no trouble picturing the drama in you head. Gage and Shemaine were the type of heros and heroines that I love reading about. Yes, they were perfect, so what? The whole point of romance novels is to get lost in them and to wish that someday you could be like that too. It is nice to read about people who don't have to lather on makeup to look decent. Shemaine was the woman we would all like to be. She's kind, loving, and she has a spine. When she sees something that is not right, nothing can stop her from fixing it. Gage is the man we all want. He's handsome, understanding, and doesn't let his pride get in the way of telling the woman he loves how he feels. So, all in all, _Petals on the River_ is a book that you should take the time to read. Although it does get slow at times, you will be happy you read it after you finish it. I know I am.