The Fire-Flower

Rating:
Summary: Elegantly written!
Review: Heroine: soft, ripe

Cavalier Gideon Hawkes has returned to England after an extended absence, prepared to retake his family's ancestral home at whatever the cost. Stopping in at a London tavern for some supper he makes the decision to bed one of the wenches there. His choice? Sweet young Mary Monk who, having been rendered homeless and orphaned after the Great Fire and horrifying plague, has made the painful decision to sacrifice her virtue in exchange for survival. But what was meant to be a quick romp for Gideon instead becomes a lasting relationship as he offers Mary his protection.

As the mistress of a powerful and rich man, Mary flourishes. While never really a beauty she still manages to catch the eye of many a man, including the King himself. This suits Gideon just fine as he intends to see her settled with a new protector as soon as he can bring his plan to fruition: to woo and marry the lovely puritan Celeste Southern, new owner of his family's estate. But there is a complication: poor Mary has fallen deeply in love with her paramour! 

What worked for me:
The setting of the story was an interesting one: the Restoration, after the civil war during which Cromwell imposed his harsh religious standards on the people of England. (I love novels set in the past. It's the most painless history lesson you'll ever receive!) The characters were all well-fleshed out for the reader, even the supporting ones. There are several to feel sympathetic toward, and a few to despise. And the education of Mary, a sheltered respectable tradesman's daughter, in the ways of being a wealthy man's mistress was a treat.

The tension in the book in the book was great. As the story moves forward you can't help but feel frustration at the fact that Gideon does not realize that he could have a very happy life with Mary. And there are several plot twists which serve to keep the tension building: Mary's introduction at Court, which earns her a powerful enemy; the accidental meeting between Mary-the-mistress and Celeste-the-betrothed; and the dear friend who wishes to become Mary's new lover, but would put his life in peril if he ever said so out loud. 

As far as Mary's size goes, she was never described as being large. However, she didn't fit in with the particular beauty standard of the day either, as Celeste Southern did. Celeste was tall, willowy, and lily-skinned (think Michelle Pfeiffer.)  Mary was dark, nearly sallow-skinned, and fairly compact in build.

What didn't work for me:    
Since this is an older novel, the pacing may seem somewhat slower than more current books to some readers. However, speaking for myself I didn't find this to be a problem.

Overall:
    Fans of historicals shouldn't miss this one! It's an older title and out of print, but well-worth scouring the used bookstore shelves or online auctions for. 
If you liked "The Fire-Flower" you might also enjoy "The Bride and the Beast", "The Accidental Bride", or "Suddenly You".

Rating:
Summary: Elegantly written!
Review: Heroine: soft, ripe

Cavalier Gideon Hawkes has returned to England after an extended absence, prepared to retake his family's ancestral home at whatever the cost. Stopping in at a London tavern for some supper he makes the decision to bed one of the wenches there. His choice? Sweet young Mary Monk who, having been rendered homeless and orphaned after the Great Fire and horrifying plague, has made the painful decision to sacrifice her virtue in exchange for survival. But what was meant to be a quick romp for Gideon instead becomes a lasting relationship as he offers Mary his protection.

As the mistress of a powerful and rich man, Mary flourishes. While never really a beauty she still manages to catch the eye of many a man, including the King himself. This suits Gideon just fine as he intends to see her settled with a new protector as soon as he can bring his plan to fruition: to woo and marry the lovely puritan Celeste Southern, new owner of his family's estate. But there is a complication: poor Mary has fallen deeply in love with her paramour! 

What worked for me:
The setting of the story was an interesting one: the Restoration, after the civil war during which Cromwell imposed his harsh religious standards on the people of England. (I love novels set in the past. It's the most painless history lesson you'll ever receive!) The characters were all well-fleshed out for the reader, even the supporting ones. There are several to feel sympathetic toward, and a few to despise. And the education of Mary, a sheltered respectable tradesman's daughter, in the ways of being a wealthy man's mistress was a treat.

The tension in the book in the book was great. As the story moves forward you can't help but feel frustration at the fact that Gideon does not realize that he could have a very happy life with Mary. And there are several plot twists which serve to keep the tension building: Mary's introduction at Court, which earns her a powerful enemy; the accidental meeting between Mary-the-mistress and Celeste-the-betrothed; and the dear friend who wishes to become Mary's new lover, but would put his life in peril if he ever said so out loud. 

As far as Mary's size goes, she was never described as being large. However, she didn't fit in with the particular beauty standard of the day either, as Celeste Southern did. Celeste was tall, willowy, and lily-skinned (think Michelle Pfeiffer.)  Mary was dark, nearly sallow-skinned, and fairly compact in build.

What didn't work for me:    
Since this is an older novel, the pacing may seem somewhat slower than more current books to some readers. However, speaking for myself I didn't find this to be a problem.

Overall:
    Fans of historicals shouldn't miss this one! It's an older title and out of print, but well-worth scouring the used bookstore shelves or online auctions for. 
If you liked "The Fire-Flower" you might also enjoy "The Bride and the Beast", "The Accidental Bride", or "Suddenly You".