The Reluctant Suitor, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
The Reluctant Suitor, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
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The Reluctant Suitor

Author: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Narrator: Lynn Redgrave

Abridged: 6 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 09/20/2005


Synopsis

Lady Adriana Sutton has long adored Colton Wyndham, to whom she has been promised by an agreement of courtship and betrothal since childhood. As a young girl, she was wounded by Colton's stubborn refusal to comply with his father's wishes and by his angry departure for a life of adventure and danger in the British army.No longer the plain tomboy Colton had spurned, Lady Adriana has blossomed into a much desired beauty. Yet the only man she desires is the decorated hero who has finally come home to his rightful title. Arrogant and seductive as ever, he remains averse to the idea of their betrothal, in spite of his growing desire for her.Forced into a courtship with this spirited woman, Colton's heroic heart is moved by her charm, grace and sensuality. But a secret from his past may doom their burgeoning love ... even as the treacherous schemes of a sinister rival threaten to steal the remarkable lady from his arms forever.Performed by Lynn Redgrave.

About Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

(1939 - 2007) Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, creator of the modern historical romance, died July 6, 2007 in Minnesota. She had just turned 68. Her attorney, William Messerlie, said that she died after a long illness. Born on June 3, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana, Mrs. Woodiwiss was the youngest of eight siblings. She long relished creating original narratives, and by age six was telling herself stories at night to help herself fall asleep. At age 16, she met U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Ross Woodiwiss at a dance, and they married the following year. She wrote her first book in longhand while living at a military outpost in Japan. Woodiwiss is credited with the invention of the modern historical romance novel: in 1972, she released The Flame and the Flower, an instant New York Times bestseller, creating literary precedent. The Flame and the Flower revolutionized mainstream publishing, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and impassioned sex scenes. ""Kathleeen E. Woodiwiss is the founding mother of the historical romance genre,"" says Carrie Feron, vice president/editorial director of William Morrow and Avon Books, imprints of HarperCollins Publishers. Feron, who has been Woodiwiss's editor for 13 years, continues, ""Avon Books is proud to have been Kathleen's sole publishing partner for her paperbacks and hardcover novels for more than three decades."" Avon Books, a leader in the historical romance genre to this day, remains Mrs. Woodiwiss's original and only paperback publisher; William Morrow, Avon's sister company, publishes Mrs. Woodiwiss's hardcovers. The Flame and the Flower was rejected by agents and hardcover publishers, who deemed it as ""too long"" at 600 pages. Rather than follow the advice of the rejection letters and rewrite the novel, Mrs. Woodiwiss instead submitted it to paperback publishers. The first publisher on her list, Avon, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run. The novel sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication.The success of this novel prompted a new style of writing romance, concentrating primarily on historical fiction tracking the monogamous relationship between a helpless heroines and the hero who rescued her, even if he had been the one to place her in danger. The romance novels which followed in her example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes. ""Her words engendered an incredible passion among readers,"" notes Feron. Bestselling author Julia Quinn agrees, saying, ""Woodiwiss made women want to read. She gave them an alternative to Westerns and hard-boiled police procedurals. When I was growing up, I saw my mother and grandmother reading and enjoying romances, and when I was old enough to read them myself, I felt as if I had been admitted into a special sisterhood of reading women."" New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips, a leading voice in the women's fiction arena, says, ""We all owe our careers to her. She opened the world of romance to us as readers. She created a career for us to go into."" The pioneering author has written 13 novels over the course of 35 years, all New York Times bestsellers. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's final literary work, the upcoming Everlasing, will be published by William Morrow in October 2007. ""Everlasting is Kathleen's final gift to her fans,"" notes Feron. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, who was predeceased by her husband and son Dorren, is survived by sons Sean and Heath, and numerous grandchildren.

About Lynn Redgrave

Lynn Redgrave has had an extraordinary career, encompassing two Oscar® nominations, two Tony® nominations and one Emmy® nomination. She has starred in such films as Gods and Monsters, Shine and Georgy Girl.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Vivisection on January 22, 2011

I'm not saying this book was boring. I'm saying this book was really, really, really-stab yourself in the eye--boring. Fortunately I read chapters before bedtime and it had quite the soporific effect. Ah, Katie. In your day, you were the reigning queen of the historicals. Alas, my dear, this falls qu......more

Goodreads review by Kristi on June 30, 2024

This is what romances are supposed to be. There were no lewd sex scenes, no smutty talk about how this guy was going to F this woman and visa versa. There was still lots of action, adventure and true love without the vivid descriptions and bawdy language. I have to say that I was afraid that these ot......more

Goodreads review by Brittany on August 17, 2013

This book is intimidating to look at, being double the size of a normal romance. And in truth, it seems like two books in one. I was left with absolutely no questions about any aspect of the plot. It was very descriptive, and at points you will wonder why is it so wordy but then you'll read somethin......more

Goodreads review by Shelly Brown on August 07, 2020

When I read a Book I look for it to take me to place I've never been I try not to be critical of the actors in the book I try to feel something other than the world I'm living in.If I can relate to a character or if I dislike a character or love a character then I feel that author has done their job......more

Goodreads review by M.A. on August 11, 2011

This is the First book I read from this Author... It was completely slow in the Beging... But if you stick with the book within the 12, 13, Chapter, It get's so good that it makes up for being slow... I loved this book. The characters were Awesome... Except for the Villians,"of course" Some Parts of......more