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The Flame and the Flower, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

This Is The Way A Sweeping Romance Is Done.........


Product DetailsAlthough a Lady, Heather Simmons exists as little more than a servant in her Uncle & Aunt's home after her father's death leaves her an orphan.  When conniving Aunt Fanny sends her to London with her lecherous brother, Heather's freedom, and possibly her life, are forfeit, and what appears to be a cruel twist of fate thrusts Lady Heather into the arms of Captain Brandon Birmingham, a dark and dangerous adventurer from the Americas.  This encounter sparks a chain of events that sweep Heather to the North American continent and into a love affair that is both passionate and frightening, as her own dark secret threatens her chances at keeping the happiness she discovers, and her life.

Published in 1972, The Flame and the Flower is a classic example of great romance.  Kathleen E. Woodiwiss writes a searing romance within a grand, sweeping story, beginning in 1799.  Woodiwiss' hero and heroine are so much more than the too-often two-dimensional characters crafted in novels meant to elicit three dimensional images in readers' minds, and the deepness of personality the author created had this Broad feasting on the story and cheering Heather and Brandon toward claiming the love before them.  Delving into the thoughts of her main characters, Woodiwiss bares their fictitious souls to her audience beautifully, writing with rich, meaty language sure to satisfy those who seek a romantic adventure. 

Definitely 'old-school', The Flame and the Flower delivers an alpha male all the way in Captain Birmingham, and a strong, smart heroine in Lady Heather Simmons.  I stumbled across this title while reading Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels, by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan.  It appeared on the Bitches' top ten list, and thereby made it onto my TBR pile.  I'm certainly glad it did.  This Broad is daring to give all four stars today.  Thank you Kathleen E. Woodiwiss for reminding me why I love romance novels so very much.


~ Moira

Comments

  1. Jo K5/30/11, 4:18 PM

    I loved this book, too - all those things you mention the characters the rich language, the good old romance. Great review!

    ReplyDelete

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