Rating: 
Summary: If you only read one K. Woodiwiss book...this is it!!
Review: If I were stranded on a desert isle and could have only one book with me, it would be SHANNA. 'Nuff said.
Rating: 
Summary: Rich and Captivating
Review: SHANNA is a captivating tale by master romance storyteller Kathleen Woodiwiss. Finding herself in situation where she must marry before her father's return, Shanna goes to a prison to find herself a doomed man to marry to appease her promise made to her father. She selects Ruark Beauchamp; a man set to hang and in return promises him her body. They marry and she quickly reneges on her promise, leaving Ruark to return to his cell.
However, Ruark finds himself purchased to work in the Caribbean where Shanna has also returned to live. Working on the very land her father owns, Ruark is thrust back into Shanna's life. Their passionate embraces haunt them both and Ruark is determined to collect on the promises made to him by Shanna. This wonderful story is steamy and immensely rich in historic detail. If you are looking for the perfect balance of romance, sensuality and history you will find it here!
Rating:
Summary: I would give this one ten stars, actually
Review: Kathleen Woodiwiss accomplishes the romance author's most important objective better than any other author: Make the reader fall in love with the hero. This book therefore absolutely defines why more men feel more threatened by this literary genre than women feel threatened by pinup girls. Since I have a very serious weakness for swashbucklers, I am best qualified to say that Ruark is the last word on this type. I must have given at least a half dozen copies to friends. The story is exciting and sensual, set in one of history's most romantic eras, and would make a great movie starring Adrian Paul as Ruark.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a 5-star!
Review: Shanna is a willfull girl who prides herself on being so, but is also selfish and used to getting what she wants. She is past the age where a nice lady usually gets hitched, and her father, bent on making sure she has little heirs lined up, sets up a deadline for her to marry of her own will. If she fails, he will pick a suitor for her. Shanna comes up with the ingenius plan of picking out a man on deathrow, and the one she picks just so happens to be Ruark, innocent of his crime, quite handsome, honorable, and all the other dreamy attributes. She figures her bargain will be enough, he gets a few luxuries for the last days of his life, and she can go home a widow. But he ends up matching her will for will. After she leaves him hanging and heads home after the nuptials, he, by a twist of fate, is put into bondage and -gasp- is heading towards the island Shanna's father owns! Once there, he is a common bondslave and ends up practically stalking her, because they are man and wife and she didn't follow through with the deal. She, obviously, doesn't seem to mind really after all her complaining. What follows is a struggle between Shanna and her heart and brain, and then the forces of fate. I'm used to the cliched romances, where the man is selfish and denying, and the woman sacrifices and chases after him. But in this story, the roles almost seemed reverse, and in the end Shanna was the one to prove herself. I didn't find her too bad, but sometimes I wanted to slap her when Ruark was being open and loving. I found this book thrilling, beautiful, and well-thought. I don't usually have romance novels in my favorites, but this one surpasses the others.
Rating: 
Summary: Not As Good As I Had Expected
Review: Hmm...I don't know. I'm a big fan of KEW, but this novel wasn't one of those 'feel good' books. Rourk was fine, but Shanna? She was snippy. I simply couldn't get into the story. (Sorry)
Rating:
Summary: Amazing novel of danger, desire and true love!
Review: I don't think I've ever read a book wherein the author has woven her words together so magically. KW is an exceptionally gifted writer. This story begins on a cold misty night in London when a desperate young woman enters into a bargain with a man who is destined to hang. Believing him a total wretch she sees this bargain serves her own good and she believes it will only hold her until he dies, yet she will receive all she could want from it. But as fate would have it, true love somehow endures and their beautiful tale really begins once we are spirited to Los Camellos, a tropical island owned by Shanna's father. Slowly we see Shanna's cool disposition melt under Ruark's loving and tender care. I could go on and tell you all about the rest of this exotic love story, but I don't want to ruin it for you. I'll just say that I fell in love with the characters in this novel, and not just the main ones. I felt I knew each of them with their own distinct personalities, not only that... I cared for them. I laughed with them, cried with them and I truly felt as though I was watching it all unfold. The plot was fasinating and the romance and sensuality in this book was steaming! This book could make you feel that true, eternal love really does exist! Plus, the writing was so beautiful, the descriptions so vivid... there were times tears just came to my eyes at the way their feelings were described for each other. I think I felt every possible emotion while reading this book and for that reason I have put it in the top 3 favourite books I have ever read! When a book can pull raw emotion out of you and leave you reeling with the feeling that you have experienced what the characters have... well then it is an extrordinary book! Shanna is worth a permanent spot on any readers bookshelf. A true classic.
Rating:
Summary: Shanna
Review: This is the first romance novel that I ever read and is still (after 20yrs) a very good read. Woodiwiss really brings Shanna and Raurk to life and makes you feel that you are really seeing the story. It begins in Londons Newgate Prison and takes you clear across the Atlantic and in search of the answer to a dark mystery.
This book started a real thirst in me for romance novels and for Woodiwiss's riviting stroies. They are all good, while they last. They definately take your mind off of your own problems.
Rating:
Summary: Night gripped the city with cold misty darkness.....
Review: And so begins my favorite novel of all time. I love Kathleen E Woodiwiss. She is defnitely the best in her field. This book carries such a great plot with tons of descriptive emotions between Ruark Beauchamp (love that name *swoon*) and Shanna Trahern. As soon as you open to the first page, it sweeps you off to another time and place. From the dark and dismal cells of London's Newgate Prison to the Lush paradise of Los Camellos. Trust me, in reading Shanna, you will not go wrong.
Rating:
Summary: a perfect 10...
Review: I loved this so much that 5 stars isn't enough. It's the absolute best book I've ever read. I keep spares around to give as gifts and/or loan out. It has it all.........Truly excellent. I've been very disappointed with Ms Woodweiss's books since Shanna. It was a hard act to follow and to me, she hasn't been able to do it. But Shanna is a keeper and I'll always be grateful that she wrote it. Thanks. Toni
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OF THE BEST
Review: I absolutely loved this book and it has great sentimental value to me because it was my first historical romance novel. And now even after reading all of Kathleen's books (and many, many others) it still remains my most favorite. I think that these character are my favorite of all times. It is definitely one of those books you can always read again and again.
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