Rating: 
Summary: Loved it...sweetly romantic. (of course!)
Review: If you're looking for a charming story with a hopelessly romantic happy ending: look no further. Gage, the bold and rather heartbroken hero, is almost perfect. And Shemaine...what can one say? You will cheer her on from your first meeting. She has class, spunk, kindness, and (as usual) outstanding beauty. While a rather small amount of dialouge is fairly unbelievable, and the plot is every ONCE in a while predictable (i.e. you don't have to think to read this book, hence the 8 not 10 ) this is a darling tale of love conquering all. And...if you read this book for no other purpose: the Beauchamps are back in it! The mystery of Garland's husband is solved...and you meet a pre-Shanna Raurk!
Rating: 
Summary: I waited five years for this?
Review: after waiting 5 yrs for this I've fallen asleep 6 times while reading it.I've either out grown Woodiwiss or perhaps she should put her pen to bed with her heriones.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: Kathleen Woodiwiss has done it again! This story is full of the passion, tenderness, and sexual tension you expect when you read on of Kathleen's novels. Gage is the kind of man that every woman dreams about, and Shemaine's strength of character is the most realistic I've ever seen. I highly recommend this novel to any Kathleen Woodiwiss fan.
Rating:
Summary: Unfortunately, this one's a don't not a do!!!
Review: I must say that I have been reading Woodiwiss books for over twelve years. I started with "A Rose in Winter" and this is not even in it's league. I am and always will be an avid fan of her books. I always look forward to her newest novel, though this one nearly put me to sleep at several points. It took three tries just to sit down and read the book. I had trouble getting past the first couple of chapters. I was expecting much more from this work than what I received. It was a pleasant story, though altogether too drab. The characters were pretty dull, not alot of life to them at all. Shemaine was too meek for her own good and far too afraid of her own shadow. I give this book an overall score of two stars because instead of a book which I couldn't put down, I received a book which I was loath to pick up!
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: 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: 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: 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.
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