Helpful Score: 2
i am just starting to get/read Linda Howard's work and so far i've loved everything, but when i read the back of Shades of Twilight i was worried that i wouldn't enjoy it because of some themes in it (cousins marrying, one cousin dies and the other steps in kind of thing)...well i was completely wrong and i loved this book!
loved seeing the characters grow up and could empathize with them. the miscommunication issues that are annoying in some books felt justified in Shades of Twilight because you understood why the characters acted the way they did.
great read and i will continue my journey through all of Ms. Howard's books.
loved seeing the characters grow up and could empathize with them. the miscommunication issues that are annoying in some books felt justified in Shades of Twilight because you understood why the characters acted the way they did.
great read and i will continue my journey through all of Ms. Howard's books.
Helpful Score: 2
Murder & romance. Great read.
Helpful Score: 2
Anything LH writes has depth of character that grabs the heart. The orphaned Roanna will draw you into her heartbreak from the minute you begin reading. I have reread this book twice in several years.
Helpful Score: 2
Howard does a tour de force bringing together this dysfunctional family with such strongly drawn characters. With a seamless Mutli-POV (point of view) she brings them all into vivid life for the reader, making this a pleasure to read.
Roanna was a gawky ugly duckling when she came to live with her wealthy grandmother in the sprawling mansion in Alabama. Left orphan at the early age, she feels so alone. Her beautiful, older cousin Jessie does not welcome her. Her grandmother makes it clear she is doing her family duty, and little else. So while the mansion was straight out of Gone With The Wind, Roanna was so very alone in the big house. Except for her distant cousin Webb. He showed a gentleness that won Roanna's admiration and silent love.
Roanna is constantly criticized by her grandmother, never doing anything to earn her approval, a startling contracts to the loving parents who adored her unconditionally. This mental abuse of her young spirit is only amplified by her grandmothers utter adoration of her perfect cousin Jessie. Even when Jessie was less than perfect her grandmother excused or covered for her. Roanna was forced to stand silently by as Webb and Jessie are paired into the "perfect couple", and there was little she could do, but watch as Webb married the wild, and greedy Jessie, always feeling at the back of her mind Webb deserved better. They seemed the faerytale couple, destined to rule the Davenport fortune, until the night Jessie was found dead, and everyone blamed Webb.
With everyone, but Roanna believes he killed Jessie, Webb leaves for Arizona. Now years later, a grown up Roanna has come to bring Webb home. Ten years has passed. Webb is no longer the caring gentle man Roanna loved. He is bitter, hardened. Despite his revulsion for his so-called families betrayal, Webb is convinced by Roanna it's time to come home, take up the reins of Davenport power and finally put Jessie's death to rest.
Webb comes back for two reasons - Roanna and to find out who really killed Jessie. Only a killer does not want his secret revealed and is willing to kill again to protect himself from exposure. It's a home with vividly drawn characters, all with their share of dark secrets. Howard, gives you that sultry, itchy Southern charm, a cover for a multitude of sins and passions simmering just under the surface. Roanna is a poignant character that strikes the cord in any woman who has felt less than perfect growing up. And by the same token, Webb is the knight in shining armour, dreams for a young girl to worship.
Howard uses the Mutlio-POV(point of view) so let the reader really experience these vividly created people in a way enforced "Stepford Writing" (Single POV) just cannot flesh out. It's simply Howard and the genre at it's best.
Roanna was a gawky ugly duckling when she came to live with her wealthy grandmother in the sprawling mansion in Alabama. Left orphan at the early age, she feels so alone. Her beautiful, older cousin Jessie does not welcome her. Her grandmother makes it clear she is doing her family duty, and little else. So while the mansion was straight out of Gone With The Wind, Roanna was so very alone in the big house. Except for her distant cousin Webb. He showed a gentleness that won Roanna's admiration and silent love.
Roanna is constantly criticized by her grandmother, never doing anything to earn her approval, a startling contracts to the loving parents who adored her unconditionally. This mental abuse of her young spirit is only amplified by her grandmothers utter adoration of her perfect cousin Jessie. Even when Jessie was less than perfect her grandmother excused or covered for her. Roanna was forced to stand silently by as Webb and Jessie are paired into the "perfect couple", and there was little she could do, but watch as Webb married the wild, and greedy Jessie, always feeling at the back of her mind Webb deserved better. They seemed the faerytale couple, destined to rule the Davenport fortune, until the night Jessie was found dead, and everyone blamed Webb.
With everyone, but Roanna believes he killed Jessie, Webb leaves for Arizona. Now years later, a grown up Roanna has come to bring Webb home. Ten years has passed. Webb is no longer the caring gentle man Roanna loved. He is bitter, hardened. Despite his revulsion for his so-called families betrayal, Webb is convinced by Roanna it's time to come home, take up the reins of Davenport power and finally put Jessie's death to rest.
Webb comes back for two reasons - Roanna and to find out who really killed Jessie. Only a killer does not want his secret revealed and is willing to kill again to protect himself from exposure. It's a home with vividly drawn characters, all with their share of dark secrets. Howard, gives you that sultry, itchy Southern charm, a cover for a multitude of sins and passions simmering just under the surface. Roanna is a poignant character that strikes the cord in any woman who has felt less than perfect growing up. And by the same token, Webb is the knight in shining armour, dreams for a young girl to worship.
Howard uses the Mutlio-POV(point of view) so let the reader really experience these vividly created people in a way enforced "Stepford Writing" (Single POV) just cannot flesh out. It's simply Howard and the genre at it's best.
Helpful Score: 1
Despite the taboos, it's a typical Linda Howard.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book, probably more so than I would have expected. The characters were likable and well developed. I felt myself really rooting for the heroine although with her personality I thought I would have disliked her. I think the key was getting to know her as a child. The only characters that really lacked development were the "evil" ones. She failed to make a good reason for their behaviors (although I am perfectly aware some people don't need reasons) it seemed a bit off. This isn't my normal reading but I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
The ID of the murder was a surprise....which make this book definately worth reading.....not for young readers...mature audiences only.
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked this Linda Howard book. It was different and had a twist to it.
Helpful Score: 1
After the death of her parents, Roanna Davenport grew up in a wealthy family but never quite fit in. The only family member who really accepted her was her cousin, Webb. When Webb married their cousin Jessie, Roanna was devastated. When Jessie is found murdered, Webb is blamed for her death and Roanna is the only person who believes him innocent. There is not enough evidence to charge him and Webb leaves town to start a new life.
Now it is ten years later. Roanna's grandmother is dying and has asked her to bring Webb back home. But someone doesn't want Webb back home. Someone wants Webb dead, and doesn't care who he kills to get to him.
I first read this book 10 years ago and remember having a hard time accepting a guy marrying not one, but two of his cousins. On this reading, the heroine drove me nuts. She was so needy. She had to be coddled by the family...told to eat her food and not starve...told to sleep and not stay awake for 36 hours at a time. I thought she needed psychiatric help. At least the mystery of who killed Jessie kept me glued to the book. I never would have figured it out. My rating: 4 Stars.
Now it is ten years later. Roanna's grandmother is dying and has asked her to bring Webb back home. But someone doesn't want Webb back home. Someone wants Webb dead, and doesn't care who he kills to get to him.
I first read this book 10 years ago and remember having a hard time accepting a guy marrying not one, but two of his cousins. On this reading, the heroine drove me nuts. She was so needy. She had to be coddled by the family...told to eat her food and not starve...told to sleep and not stay awake for 36 hours at a time. I thought she needed psychiatric help. At least the mystery of who killed Jessie kept me glued to the book. I never would have figured it out. My rating: 4 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a story of Roanna Davenport. She grows up in a wealthy southeren family but never quite fits in. She isn't pretty or popular, and she has a real talent for saying the wrong thing at precisely the wrong moment. She's in love with a distant cousin. Webb Tallant. But Webb marries their cousin Jessie, the bane of Roanna's life. When Jessie is found murdered, Webb is blamed for her death, even though there isn't enough evidence to charge him. Webb leaves town, and Roanna is left to pick up the pieces.....
Helpful Score: 1
HAVENT BEEN DISAPPOINTED BY LINDA HOWARD YET
Helpful Score: 1
Roanna Davenport was raised a wealthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent Alabama estate, Davencourt, where she had a passion for horses. But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death. Webb leaves Arizona abandoning his legacy. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life.
Hot! HOt! HOT!!!!!
Very interesting plot. One of LH's best books in my opinion.
One of my favorites.
Another grand slam by Linda Howard. I gobbled this book up in record time (one day) quite a page turner. This book had every single aspect that you could possibly imagine in a novel. Love, mystery, suspense, romance, corruption, deceit...this one has it all. The only draw back of this book is that the entire story line is very incestuous and at one point sickening; but my emotional connection to Roanna was so strong throughout this entire novel that it kept me hanging on and turning page after page to find out how it was going to end. Excellent, excellent book; although this one may not be for everyone.
A little creepy with all the family loving but still a great read.
Great book! Steamy in all the right places! Great fast fun read
Great Book!! Excellent writing. This is the first book I've read by this author. I'm looking forward to reading the rest.
The romance was good. Even though you figured how
it would end I was quite surprised about three
pages from the end...the who-dun-it was not who I
thought it was. Very easy and fast read.
earl h. meldrim
it would end I was quite surprised about three
pages from the end...the who-dun-it was not who I
thought it was. Very easy and fast read.
earl h. meldrim
I always enjoy Linda Howard and this was a great story.
An excellent book.
I have never read her before, interesting story, but not my really my sort of book.
Linda Howard has a unique way of writing her mysteries that you can't help but become of part of the family and the trouble they are facing. She has a knack for keeping suspense and drama in the novel that keeps you wanting to outguess her about what is going to happen next.
early linda howard
A little different for Linda, but, boy, does she do different! Some really great romance with a good mystery thrown in. A very good and enjoyable book.
I love anything Linda Howard writes even if the back cover doesn't sound like something I would normally read. She's one of the few authors that I will buy in hardback and she's on my keeper bookshelf for life.
This is a really good suspense story with good balance between romance and suspense.
This is a really good suspense story with good balance between romance and suspense.
An eye-opener to be sure. Howard crosses some taboo lines in this offering, yet the story is gripping.
I love Linda Howard, especially this one. This is one of my favorites.
Shades of Twilight is the story of Roanna Davenport, who grows up in a wealthy southern family but never quite fits in. She isn't pretty or popular and she has a talent for saying the wrong thing at a precisely the wrong moment. She's in love with a distant cousin, Webb Tallant. But Webb maries their cousin Jessie, the bane of Roanna's life. When Jessie is found murdered, Webb is blamed for her death, even though there isn't enough evidence to charge him Webb leaves town and Roanna is left to pick up the pieces. All of her life Roanna has tried to win the love of hergrandmother, of Webb, and of her extended family- and every time she's been slapped down. She's had enough. Roanna withdraws from the family and that's when her Grandmother Lucinda realizes how very imporant this misfit is to them all Lucinda tries to make amends to Roanna by setting in motion a chain of events that brings Webb back home. But the plan disturbs a killer who is set on vengenance-and this time,the whole family seems to be the target
Roanna Davenport grows up in a wealthy southern family but never quite fits in. She's in love with a distant cousin, Webb Talent, but Webb maries their cousin Jessie, the bane of Roanna's life. When Jessie is found dead Webb is blamed for her murder. Roanna sets in motion a chain of events that disturbs a killer who is set on vengeance.
Roanna Davenport was raised a wealthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent Alabama estate, where she had a passion for horses and a deep love for her cousin Webb. After the shocking murder of Webb's wife, Roanna and Webb are drawn together against the killer that once destroyed Webb's life, and waits only for the chance to finish the job.
sizziling high volume suspense
Heart wrenching family drama with suspense and steamy romance thrown in.
I am not a romance reader but had some time to kill and this was the only book laying around otherwise I never would have read it. The mystery aspect of the story is good and it had a surprise ending. The unrealistic sexual descriptions were intensely detailed (far more than the details about the characters.) So on the overall I thought it was sleazy.... but if you are a romance fan and like pornographic details.... well this is the book for you.
Roanna Davenport was raised a weatlthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent Alabama estate, Davencourt, where she had a passion for horses, a genius fro trouble, and a deep love for her cousin, Webb. But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams---until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death.
western type romance
Roanna Davenport was raised a wealthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent Alabama estate,Davencourt, where she had a passion for horses, a genius for trouble, and a deep love for her cousin Webb. But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams---until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death.After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoing the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the miscehievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for chance to finished the job....
Roanna Davenport was raised a wealthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent Alabama estate, Davencourt, where she had a passion for horses, a genius for trouble, and a deep love for her cousin, Webb. But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams -- until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death.
After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoning the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job....
After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoning the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job....
Linda Howard is consistently good
