This book was not as good as the first. The characters seemed bland, as if they were card board cut-outs. The plot was the usual; there was nothing unique about it. I didn't feel any passion or chemistry between the characters and, for me, that is a key point of a romance novel.
That being said, Woodiwiss' writing is still very enjoyable. Her skill with words makes up for the lack of everything else.
The long-awaited sequel to on of the most cherished love stories of our time!
A sweeping tale of passion, romance and adventure, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss' groundbreaking classic The Flame and the Flower remains as beloved today as when it first appeared in print. Now, at long last, the author whose name has become synonomous with top-quality romantic historical fiction continues the story that has enchanged the world for decades.
Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress. She must now turn to a childhood companion for assistance - the dashing sea captain Beauregard Birmingham - and beg him to provide her with passage to the Carolinas....
The first romance book I ever read was by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and it's fun to read another of hers, many years later. The language is a bit stilted, but that's part of the fun.
tallaroo reviewed The Elusive Flame (Birmingham, Bk 4) on
2 of 5 stars. The protagonists were childhood friends, separated for many years, who meet again under damsel-in-distress/white-knight circumstances. The story takes place primarily aboard ship and in America. There's all the 'we can't, but I want to, but we can't' tension; they have sex while one is incoherent (and subsequently doesn't remember). A pregnancy brings them together midway, and the distress plot carries the rest of the novel. This is one heroine who can take care of herself, although with "Home Alone" like antics. I found the dialogue a little flat, the characters not much more 3-dimensional, and the plot so-so. Overall, I could have put it down anytime.
This is the sequel to A Flame and a Flower. I absolutely loved the first book and this one didn't disappoint me either. A must read for those who love a good romance novel! Enjoy.
Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress. A brilliant young artist tossed from her home with only the clothes on her back,Cerynise must now turn to a childhood companion for assistance-the dashing sea captain Beauregard Birmingham and beg him to provide her with passage to the Carolinas.She seeks a new home and a new life across the waters,but all depends upon the kindness or a charming adventurer who was once of her youthful infatuation.
The sequel to the Flame and the Flower. A woman in desperate straits..A fearless seafaring man..A marriage of convenience on turbulent waters. Excellent book.
A sweeping tale of passion, romance and adventure, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss' groundbreaking classicThe Flame and the Flower remains as beloved today as when it first appeared in print. Now, at long last, the story that has enchanted the world for decades continues.The Elusive Flame
A woman in desperate straits ... A fearless man ... A marriage of convenience on turbulent waters ...
Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress.A brilliant young artist tossed from her home with only theclothes on her back, Cerynise must now turn to a childhoodcompanion for assistance-the dashing sea captain BeauregardBirmingham-and beg him to provide her with passage to theCarolinas. She seeks a new home and a new life across the waters,but all depends upon the kindness of a charming adventurerwho was once the object of her youthful infatuation.
Beneath Birmingham's rugged exterior beats a heart as large and wild as the Atlantic, and Beau readily agrees to aid Cerynise?even offering her his name in marriage, albeit temporarily, to protect his longtime friend from scandal. But perilous secrets, determined enemies and tempests of the sea and soul threaten their future and safe passage even as bonds of camaraderie are miraculously reforged as bonds of desire ... and affection becomes passion and love.
The long-awaited sequel to one of the most cherished love stories of our time!
Continued from the book, The Flame and the Flower. The Elusive Flame--Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress. A brilliant young artist tossed from her home with only the clothes on her have, she must now turn to a childhood companion for assistance-the dashing sea captain Bearegard Birminham and beg him to provide her with passage to the Carolinas. She seeks a new home and a new life across the waters, but all depends upon the kindness of a charming adventurer who was once the object of her youthful infatuation.
Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress. A brilliant young artist tossed from her home with only the clothes on her back, Cerynise must now turn to a childhood companion for assistance--the dashing sea captain Beauregard Birmingham-- and beg him to provide her with passage to the Carolinas. She seeks a new home and a new life across the waters, but all depends upon the kindness of a charming adventurer who was once the object of her youthful infatuation.
Beneath Birmingham's rugged exterior beats a heart as large and wild as the Atlantic, and Beau readily agrees to aid Cerynise--even offering her his name in marriage, albeit temporarily, to protect his longtime friend from scandal. But perilous secrets, determined enemies and tempests of the sea and soul threaten their future and safe passage-even as bonds of camaraderie are miraculously reforged as bonds of desire...and affection becomes passion and love.
Long awaited sequel to one of the most cherished love stories of our time! Perilous secrets, determined enemies and tempests of the sea and souls threaten the future of bonds of camaraderie--bonds that should be reforged as bonds of desire and affection becomes passion and love.
Cerynise Kendall's beloved elderly sponsor dies unexpectedly, leaving Cerynise to deal with the woman's heir, Alistair Winthrop. As much as she dislikes Alistair--a difficult man to say the least--even Cerynise hadn't expected him to evict her from her home, which he does without a second thought. Cerynise makes her way to the London docks and finds that fortune has smiled upon her, for a ship captained by a childhood friend, Beau Birmingham, is in port. Beau remembers Cerynise very well and is determined to return her to her uncle's home in the Carolinas. But when Alistair appears and demands that Cerynise be turned over to him as his ward, Beau swiftly arranges a wedding and the two enter into an agreed marriage of convenience. Beau is well aware that he's committed himself to several months of torture, for he wants the lovely Cerynise with a driving passion that threatens to consume him. For Cerynise, the pretend marriage is both heaven and hell. Though she desperately loves Beau, she's sure that his love of the sea leaves no room for a real marriage. Upon reaching Charleston, both Beau and Cerynise believe that they've left trouble far behind, but Alistair is not yet finished with this unsuspecting young woman who stands between him and a fortune. Simmering with passion, The Elusive Flame is classic Woodiwiss. --Lois Faye Dyer
Cerynise Kendall left destitute at death of her guardian, turns to childhood companion to provide passage back to her Only living relative in the Carolina's. Captain Birmingham rescues her as she collapses at his ship.....
One that can be re-read a dozen times or more.
From Back Cover--
Cerynise Kendall has been left destitute and in dire need following the death of her doting patron and protectress. A brilliant young artist tossed from her home with only the clothes on her back, Cerynise must now turn to childhood companion for assistance-the dashing sea captain Beauregard Birmingham and be him to provide her with passage to the Carolinas. She seeks a new home and a new life across the waters, but all depends upon the kindness of a charming adventurer who was once the object of her youthful infatuation. Beneth Birmingham's rugged exterior beats a hears as large and wild as the Atlantic, and Beau readily agrees to aid Cerynise-even offering her his name in marriage, albeit temporarily, to protect his longtime frind from scandal. But perilous secrets, determined enemies and tempests of the sea and soul threaten their future and safe passage-even as the bonds of camaraderie are miraculously reforged as bonds of desire...and affection becomes passion and love.
Cerynise Kendall's beloved elderly sponsor dies unexpectedly, leaving Cerynise to deal with the woman's heir, Alistair Winthrop. As much as she dislikes Alistair--a difficult man to say the least--even Cerynise hadn't expected him to evict her from her home, which he does without a second thought. Cerynise makes her way to the London docks and finds that fortune has smiled upon her, for a ship captained by a childhood friend, Beau Birmingham, is in port. Beau remembers Cerynise very well and is determined to return her to her uncle's home in the Carolinas. But when Alistair appears and demands that Cerynise be turned over to him as his ward, Beau swiftly arranges a wedding and the two enter into an agreed marriage of convenience. Beau is well aware that he's committed himself to several months of torture, for he wants the lovely Cerynise with a driving passion that threatens to consume him. For Cerynise, the pretend marriage is both heaven and hell. Though she desperately loves Beau, she's sure that his love of the sea leaves no room for a real marriage. Upon reaching Charleston, both Beau and Cerynise believe that they've left trouble far behind, but Alistair is not yet finished with this unsuspecting young woman who stands between him and a fortune.