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The Devil's Arms
Librarian's note: This book was published with ISBN 037370786X, which was subsequently used on another book.
"We both know who you really are."
Jake's voice was harsh. "So stop the charade about amnesia, Lyn. I don't want to hear any more of your lies."
The girl's eyes darkened with hurt and weariness. What did he mean? He called her "Lyn," but she didn't really know who she was or where she had come from. He said they were engaged, yet he treated her with savage antagonism. He even suspected her amnesia to be a lie!
Bewilderment and unhappiness fought in he paleface. If only she could remember . . . .
"We both know who you really are."
Jake's voice was harsh. "So stop the charade about amnesia, Lyn. I don't want to hear any more of your lies."
The girl's eyes darkened with hurt and weariness. What did he mean? He called her "Lyn," but she didn't really know who she was or where she had come from. He said they were engaged, yet he treated her with savage antagonism. He even suspected her amnesia to be a lie!
Bewilderment and unhappiness fought in he paleface. If only she could remember . . . .
190 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
About the author
Charlotte Lamb
262 books299 followersSheila Ann Mary Coates Holland
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
April 10, 2021
Amnesia as a result of being run over by a wild
pony
?
Just imagine the viciousness of this attack y'all. That animal must have been a beast .
Mistaken identity?
Psycho twin sis ex-girlfriend?
Dramatic drowning in the swimming pool?
Posing nude with an apple?
Dios mío, say no more.
Call An Ambulance But Not For Me----
Just imagine the viciousness of this attack y'all. That animal must have been a beast .
Mistaken identity?
Psycho twin sis ex-girlfriend?
Dramatic drowning in the swimming pool?
Posing nude with an apple?
Dios mío, say no more.
Call An Ambulance But Not For Me----
September 8, 2024
I'll remember this one for the an amnesia-causing pony attack.
September 2, 2017
All my troubles melted away. Seriously. This was so whackadoodle loony tunes that I couldn't help but be completely absorbed. The story opens on the Yorkshire moors when the bleeding, amnesiac heroine is found by the artist hero, her ex-fiance. Heroine is shocked to discover she had a fiance and that she was a slutty mcslut in her former life.
It soon becomes obvious that there must be an evil twin out there - since the heroine can cook, but can't swim, isn't allergic to cats, likes animals, and is modest and sweet. She soon wins over the hero's mother and then the hero offers a MoC so the heroine won't have to look for a job while suffering from amnesia.
The heroine is in love with the hero by now and marries him. He's typically cruel as soon as the wedding ring is on - telling her he married her as "punishment" since she'll have to keep up the pretense of being a nice girl.
After a forced seduction the hero realizes she is a virgin (Unpossible!) and has a birthmark on her back. While he never had sex with his former fiance, he did paint her in the nude and this is not the same body. They finally do the math and come up with twins.
They eventually trace the evil twin to their childhood home and all the heroine's memories return. While the heroine was working as a translator in Italy, her parents died in car accident. Her sister inherited everything, but didn't come to the funeral. The heroine was in York to confront her. They were in a car together with the evil twin driving. They had an accident and the heroine hit her head. While the evil twin was trying to sweet talk the other driver, the heroine stumbled out of the car on to the moor. Then she was mowed over by a wild pony and hit her head again. (Naksed's review covers the absurdity of this nicely) Evil twin is evil and doesn't look for her or tell anyone her injured sister had wandered off.
Heroine is grief-stricken all over again and realizes it's hopeless to have a relationship with the hero since she doesn't know if he can tell the difference between her and her sister. Hero grovels about the forced seduction and wants to continue their marriage.
Heroine asks him to paint of portrait of her so she can see how he views her. If she can see his emotions in the portrait, she'll stay married - otherwise she'll go back to Italy where she was living before her parents died.
They have a long week of Leonardo and Kate in Titanic - It was the most erotic experience of my life silent posing and eye sex. The portrait shows the heroine's sweetness and passion and loveliness. The heroine will stay married, the hero will finally get to have sex again. I love yous and a HEA.
If you are fond of amnesia stories and trainwrecks, you'll love this one.
It soon becomes obvious that there must be an evil twin out there - since the heroine can cook, but can't swim, isn't allergic to cats, likes animals, and is modest and sweet. She soon wins over the hero's mother and then the hero offers a MoC so the heroine won't have to look for a job while suffering from amnesia.
The heroine is in love with the hero by now and marries him. He's typically cruel as soon as the wedding ring is on - telling her he married her as "punishment" since she'll have to keep up the pretense of being a nice girl.
After a forced seduction the hero realizes she is a virgin (Unpossible!) and has a birthmark on her back. While he never had sex with his former fiance, he did paint her in the nude and this is not the same body. They finally do the math and come up with twins.
They eventually trace the evil twin to their childhood home and all the heroine's memories return. While the heroine was working as a translator in Italy, her parents died in car accident. Her sister inherited everything, but didn't come to the funeral. The heroine was in York to confront her. They were in a car together with the evil twin driving. They had an accident and the heroine hit her head. While the evil twin was trying to sweet talk the other driver, the heroine stumbled out of the car on to the moor. Then she was mowed over by a wild pony and hit her head again. (Naksed's review covers the absurdity of this nicely) Evil twin is evil and doesn't look for her or tell anyone her injured sister had wandered off.
Heroine is grief-stricken all over again and realizes it's hopeless to have a relationship with the hero since she doesn't know if he can tell the difference between her and her sister. Hero grovels about the forced seduction and wants to continue their marriage.
Heroine asks him to paint of portrait of her so she can see how he views her. If she can see his emotions in the portrait, she'll stay married - otherwise she'll go back to Italy where she was living before her parents died.
They have a long week of
If you are fond of amnesia stories and trainwrecks, you'll love this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2022
4.5-star ***SPOILERS***
Irunia, you're right. This was way better than Emma Darcy's The Wrong Mirror.
MEH or the BAD:
1. H rapes h the 1st time
(see Sexual History below)
2. Good-enough Sexual tension
Towards 60%, their sexual tension was somewhat awkward, since H thought that h was just faking being sweet & helpful. He was very push and pull with her. However, Sexual tension became more palpable & constant after 65% when became obvious to H&h that she couldn't be H's ex-fiancee & possibly his ex-fiancee's identical twin.
The GOOD:
1. Good unpredictable writing & emotional pull
Even though I knew beforehand that amnesiac h had an identical twin sister, the writing still made it unpredictable and exciting. I had to take multiple breaks due to my life schedule. But every time I continued to read where I stopped, it's as if I took no reading breaks. The story and emotion flowed. Some angst from the soap-opera-like OTT drama. Not too much angst but enough to draw me in.
2. Likable characters & good character development
Really liked 22yo translator h's combo of quiet/kind/industrious/sweet and firm/honest/courageous. Also liked 30s painter H's combo of grim & rough frankness with his moral firmness & keen observation. Loved how H became OTT possessive-jealous & claimy over h after he found proof that she couldn't be his manipulative ex-fiancee. Loved that h made sure to have multiple proofs that H loved/desired her and not her identical twin sister so she made him work for it and didn't succumb to their shared sexual attraction their 2nd time smexxing until he gave her the evidence she needed from him.
3. Good romance and believable HEA
Sexual History:
22yo virgin h may have had dates before but never had a BF mostly due to her being a quiet homebody who preferred to study languages & do things around the house. There were many interested men in Italy, where she privately worked as a English-Italian translator for 18 months. There was a nice Italian man who pursued her more persistently with letters & such but she wasn't interested. Not sure if H was her 1st kiss but definitely her 1st lover. Her 1st time with him was rape since she clearly kept telling him “no” to stop his sexual advances and that she didn't want to have sex with him if he didn't love her back. He kept going anyway, thinking she was just playing games with him as he she did in the past when both of them still believed h was his ex-fiancee. It was after he orgasmed & h had been limp and sobbing hard with her back to him that he saw her birthmark and realized she was definitely not his ex-fiancee. His ex-fiancee OW (h's identical twin) was sexually experienced with many men as she admitted to him after he caught her cheating on him with his neighbor and she had no marks on her back as he'd painted her nude at her request & had the painting to prove it to h.
No info on H's previous lovers. Aside from OW, no info on H's previous girlfriends either. H had never smexxed OW. He admitted to being enthralled by OW's looks & seductive ways when he met her at the art gallery she worked at 7 weeks ago. After they met, he asked OW to dinner and 3 weeks later, he proposed marriage to her more out of convenience since it was a good time to get married per his age & his career. One month later, he broke off their engagement as he grew to detest her manipulative & worldly ways, after he had her stay at his country home with his mother. He really detested her, after he caught her cheating on him with his neighbor and she frankly admitted cheating on him with other men that would come by his house while he was busy painting. He told h he wasn't tempted to smex OW, even when she voluntarlly posed nude for him for hours at a time. He became turned off by her open sexuality and was disturbed by her promiscuous past. So, her sexual come-ons didn't work on him. However, when h posed nude for him, he was very tempted but had to control his sexual urges to get his painting of h done.
Irunia, you're right. This was way better than Emma Darcy's The Wrong Mirror.
MEH or the BAD:
1. H rapes h the 1st time
(see Sexual History below)
2. Good-enough Sexual tension
Towards 60%, their sexual tension was somewhat awkward, since H thought that h was just faking being sweet & helpful. He was very push and pull with her. However, Sexual tension became more palpable & constant after 65% when became obvious to H&h that she couldn't be H's ex-fiancee & possibly his ex-fiancee's identical twin.
The GOOD:
1. Good unpredictable writing & emotional pull
Even though I knew beforehand that amnesiac h had an identical twin sister, the writing still made it unpredictable and exciting. I had to take multiple breaks due to my life schedule. But every time I continued to read where I stopped, it's as if I took no reading breaks. The story and emotion flowed. Some angst from the soap-opera-like OTT drama. Not too much angst but enough to draw me in.
2. Likable characters & good character development
Really liked 22yo translator h's combo of quiet/kind/industrious/sweet and firm/honest/courageous. Also liked 30s painter H's combo of grim & rough frankness with his moral firmness & keen observation. Loved how H became OTT possessive-jealous & claimy over h after he found proof that she couldn't be his manipulative ex-fiancee. Loved that h made sure to have multiple proofs that H loved/desired her and not her identical twin sister so she made him work for it and didn't succumb to their shared sexual attraction their 2nd time smexxing until he gave her the evidence she needed from him.
3. Good romance and believable HEA
Sexual History:
22yo virgin h may have had dates before but never had a BF mostly due to her being a quiet homebody who preferred to study languages & do things around the house. There were many interested men in Italy, where she privately worked as a English-Italian translator for 18 months. There was a nice Italian man who pursued her more persistently with letters & such but she wasn't interested. Not sure if H was her 1st kiss but definitely her 1st lover. Her 1st time with him was rape since she clearly kept telling him “no” to stop his sexual advances and that she didn't want to have sex with him if he didn't love her back. He kept going anyway, thinking she was just playing games with him as he she did in the past when both of them still believed h was his ex-fiancee. It was after he orgasmed & h had been limp and sobbing hard with her back to him that he saw her birthmark and realized she was definitely not his ex-fiancee. His ex-fiancee OW (h's identical twin) was sexually experienced with many men as she admitted to him after he caught her cheating on him with his neighbor and she had no marks on her back as he'd painted her nude at her request & had the painting to prove it to h.
No info on H's previous lovers. Aside from OW, no info on H's previous girlfriends either. H had never smexxed OW. He admitted to being enthralled by OW's looks & seductive ways when he met her at the art gallery she worked at 7 weeks ago. After they met, he asked OW to dinner and 3 weeks later, he proposed marriage to her more out of convenience since it was a good time to get married per his age & his career. One month later, he broke off their engagement as he grew to detest her manipulative & worldly ways, after he had her stay at his country home with his mother. He really detested her, after he caught her cheating on him with his neighbor and she frankly admitted cheating on him with other men that would come by his house while he was busy painting. He told h he wasn't tempted to smex OW, even when she voluntarlly posed nude for him for hours at a time. He became turned off by her open sexuality and was disturbed by her promiscuous past. So, her sexual come-ons didn't work on him. However, when h posed nude for him, he was very tempted but had to control his sexual urges to get his painting of h done.
October 3, 2017
Hoo boy. I can’t add much that Naksed and StMargarets haven’t already said. Angsty goodness abounds with amnesia, forced seduction, cruel epithets, a disapproving mother, moors, marriage of convenience, and an evil twin. Alfred Hitchcock would have had a field day with this one.
I am happy to say that I bought the ending and the hero’s love. The heroine actually develops and shows off her spine when she challenges the hero, who is a portrait painter, to a paint off. If he can prove that he really loves her in his painting, she’ll have sex with him. As he has already painted her evil sister in the nude she’ll have something to compare to. Nice twisted thinking.
She is convinced, thank goodness, but is embarrassed when he drags her off in front of his now approving mother. Awkward!
And Charlotte Lamb can write.
I am happy to say that I bought the ending and the hero’s love. The heroine actually develops and shows off her spine when she challenges the hero, who is a portrait painter, to a paint off. If he can prove that he really loves her in his painting, she’ll have sex with him. As he has already painted her evil sister in the nude she’ll have something to compare to. Nice twisted thinking.
She is convinced, thank goodness, but is embarrassed when he drags her off in front of his now approving mother. Awkward!
And Charlotte Lamb can write.
The mist moved softly, in lazy swirling eddies, like a slow-running tide. It covered the moor in pale, gauzy veils, which swathed trees, bushes, rocks, leaving them dark with moisture, sliding chill fingers, over a girl who lay on the grass. As if she became aware of the cold touch of it, her eyelids flickered. A moan came from her. After a moment, the lids lifted, staring emptily at the silent, misty surroundings. She frowned. Where was she? With difficulty she pulled herself to her feet. Her head swam, and for a moment she leaned against the weather-pitted boulder beside which she had lain.
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October 15, 20241🙄⭐️
How could she have fallen in love with him when he was treating her so badly, even after the revelations!! 😳😡
He even took her virginity by force!
And of course his grovel was ridiculous!
His mother was living with him, and all three of them were a lovely atmosphere! 🙄
I am aware this story was written in the ’80s, still, did couples had sex back then while parents were in the next room???
Anyway, it was incredibly predictable and there was no romance/love/connection/chemistry!
How could she have fallen in love with him when he was treating her so badly, even after the revelations!! 😳😡
He even took her virginity by force!
And of course his grovel was ridiculous!
His mother was living with him, and all three of them were a lovely atmosphere! 🙄
I am aware this story was written in the ’80s, still, did couples had sex back then while parents were in the next room???
Anyway, it was incredibly predictable and there was no romance/love/connection/chemistry!
September 4, 2017
As OTT as the premise of this book was, I have to say I really liked this one. I guess it's proof of just how skilled CL is at formulating plots that are so sinfully entertaining, you're willing to suspend disbelief and be happy about it too.
The story begins with a young woman lost on the moors of northern England. 'Lynn' has no memory of who she is and no idea how she got where she did. There's mist and there's confusion till she's finally rescued by the H Jake and his faithful dog Sam. Yet, her saviour isn't happy to see her and the h cannot fathom why that is so. She is then taken to the hospital before finally being discharged in the care of the H.
H brings her home to his mother and his displeasure and loses no opportunity to make the h feel as unwelcome as possible while simultaneously insisting that she stay. Jake's mother follows suit and is harsh with convalescing h as often as possible. However, that soon changes when she discovers that Lynn is in fact, an accomplished cook and housekeeper. The ice thaws then and the h has hope that she may win over the H as well and soon. However, Jake is made of sterner stuff and gives her hell - even after he's proposed and married her. The cause, for such behaviour - when it's finally revealed - is a twist right out of a 90's soap opera (which is around the time this was written I guess). The H and the h then discover several things about each other and work their way towards their HEA.
Here's one thing about this book. When CL puts 'Devil' in her book title - a devil is what you get. The H is decidedly devilish in his condemnation of the h and then almost satanic in his pursuit of her. He is no angel in disguise; however, he's not your usual 'slap-the-h' H from other CL books either. He was a damaged man who was looking to cause some damage of his own. And so I could totally see the h's attraction to him. The h was an interesting character as well - started out nondescript but evolved into this self assured creature who wasn't just happy with the H's grovel. She instead sets him a task worthy of Hercules and only promises to yield to him if he completes it to her satisfaction. And I absolutely loved that bit of the story.
At the end, love wins out as always (and I would have it no other way) and CL manages to make magic with her words again with this one. I would totally recommend this to anyone looking for an OTT angsty read on a rainy day at home. And the only thing I could fault is probably the ever-present mother/mother-in-law who seemed to appear in more chapters than was necessary.
Loved it!
The story begins with a young woman lost on the moors of northern England. 'Lynn' has no memory of who she is and no idea how she got where she did. There's mist and there's confusion till she's finally rescued by the H Jake and his faithful dog Sam. Yet, her saviour isn't happy to see her and the h cannot fathom why that is so. She is then taken to the hospital before finally being discharged in the care of the H.
H brings her home to his mother and his displeasure and loses no opportunity to make the h feel as unwelcome as possible while simultaneously insisting that she stay. Jake's mother follows suit and is harsh with convalescing h as often as possible. However, that soon changes when she discovers that Lynn is in fact, an accomplished cook and housekeeper. The ice thaws then and the h has hope that she may win over the H as well and soon. However, Jake is made of sterner stuff and gives her hell - even after he's proposed and married her. The cause, for such behaviour - when it's finally revealed - is a twist right out of a 90's soap opera (which is around the time this was written I guess). The H and the h then discover several things about each other and work their way towards their HEA.
Here's one thing about this book. When CL puts 'Devil' in her book title - a devil is what you get. The H is decidedly devilish in his condemnation of the h and then almost satanic in his pursuit of her. He is no angel in disguise; however, he's not your usual 'slap-the-h' H from other CL books either. He was a damaged man who was looking to cause some damage of his own. And so I could totally see the h's attraction to him. The h was an interesting character as well - started out nondescript but evolved into this self assured creature who wasn't just happy with the H's grovel. She instead sets him a task worthy of Hercules and only promises to yield to him if he completes it to her satisfaction. And I absolutely loved that bit of the story.
At the end, love wins out as always (and I would have it no other way) and CL manages to make magic with her words again with this one. I would totally recommend this to anyone looking for an OTT angsty read on a rainy day at home. And the only thing I could fault is probably the ever-present mother/mother-in-law who seemed to appear in more chapters than was necessary.
Loved it!
April 5, 2021
Cover art by Craig. Not one of his more elegant offerings but the red really pops and spatially it's complex for an HP cover, interesting fore, middle and back grounds, with her fingers pointing the eye to H's muscular arms. Great job!
This was even better and more ridiculous than I remembered. Most artist heroes in Hpland are obnoxious; I'm happy to say Jake is no exception, in fact he's a standout for his level of boneheaded entitlement and how very little he actually has to offer his wife/house drudge with benefits. He's got no witty conversation or charm, he's got no game in the bedroom, and yet he's still pissed that sister #1, who he didn't bother to get to know before proposing and dragging her to the Yorkshire equivalent of the old homestead to meet mum, wasn't enchanted with the whole deal. He wouldn't even bonk so she bunks off.
Jake, as a male portrait painter who scorns abstraction, you're boring and unimaginative, so coming across an injured woman who looks exactly like your ex-fiancée, your first thought isn't going to be that she's ex-fiancée's identical twin. And I applaud your fast work getting "Lyn" to agree to a MOC; as soon as she began peeling potatoes and old wallpaper off your grotty walls and liking it--when there was no logical reason why she would be trying this hard to get you back it was obvious the little gal was a keeper! Foregoing the rape might have been nice, but at least your mid-book mini grovel over it was unexpected in a good way.
The amazing thing is how well CL sells the OTT wackiness. Linda's former life of vague but pleasant translating duties in Italy and spending time with good-looking men, probably with lots of grilled veggies, wine and gelato, just can't compete with fixing Jake his 3 stolid meals a day, wearing sensible underpants and doing jigsaw puzzles with mother in the evenings while he reads the paper, not giving his womenfolk a thought until he drags wifey upstairs for a poke before bed. These are the things HEAs are made of? I mean I don't get it AT ALL but I totally believe it!
This was even better and more ridiculous than I remembered. Most artist heroes in Hpland are obnoxious; I'm happy to say Jake is no exception, in fact he's a standout for his level of boneheaded entitlement and how very little he actually has to offer his wife/house drudge with benefits. He's got no witty conversation or charm, he's got no game in the bedroom, and yet he's still pissed that sister #1, who he didn't bother to get to know before proposing and dragging her to the Yorkshire equivalent of the old homestead to meet mum, wasn't enchanted with the whole deal. He wouldn't even bonk so she bunks off.
Jake, as a male portrait painter who scorns abstraction, you're boring and unimaginative, so coming across an injured woman who looks exactly like your ex-fiancée, your first thought isn't going to be that she's ex-fiancée's identical twin. And I applaud your fast work getting "Lyn" to agree to a MOC; as soon as she began peeling potatoes and old wallpaper off your grotty walls and liking it--when there was no logical reason why she would be trying this hard to get you back it was obvious the little gal was a keeper! Foregoing the rape might have been nice, but at least your mid-book mini grovel over it was unexpected in a good way.
The amazing thing is how well CL sells the OTT wackiness. Linda's former life of vague but pleasant translating duties in Italy and spending time with good-looking men, probably with lots of grilled veggies, wine and gelato, just can't compete with fixing Jake his 3 stolid meals a day, wearing sensible underpants and doing jigsaw puzzles with mother in the evenings while he reads the paper, not giving his womenfolk a thought until he drags wifey upstairs for a poke before bed. These are the things HEAs are made of? I mean I don't get it AT ALL but I totally believe it!
December 16, 2018
Since i knew about this book a few months ago,i have desperately wanted to read it,and i didn`t get disappointed at all.Charlotte Lamb always surprise me with her fluently plot and beautiful language.
The hero and heroine and their sexual chemistry were SO HIGH all over the story,and the angsty between Jake and Lyn (her real name is Linda) got me really intruged.I love angsty romances so much!And Lamb are Prom at writing really sexy ones.
I supected the twist halfway through the book but was surprised when it opened up anyway.Just love the natural way the hero and heroine fell in love,also love that the hero couldn`t keep his hands off her and became so smitten against his will.It really shows,even when he is so cruel to her.Anyway,love all that the love and romance kept throwing..It was so beautiful and exceptional...just love their romance so much...!
She angrily felt warm pink creeping into her face. She bit her lower lip. 'It's none of your business,' she said.
'You're my wife,' he said drily. 'I don't have to remind you of that, do I?'
'You said marriages could be ended easily enough,' she reminded him.
'If both parties are willing,' he said.
She looked at him, her lashes stirring. 'But we are.'
'Are we?' His eyes bored into hers. 'As I said, tell me about Emilio, Linda.'
She looked down, pausing to think. 'He lives in Rimini,' she said cautiously,
'I knew that from his address,' Jake said tartly.
'He works in the same firm as myself. That's how we met.' She looked up, her face calm. 'He's a few years older than I am. He's a typical Italian, very dark, good-looking, charming…'
Jake leaned back in his chair, watching her with darkening eyes. 'You know what I'm asking you, Linda,' he said grimly. 'How involved with him are you?'
Linda couldn't answer for a moment. Her emotions fought with her brain. Then she said quietly, 'Emilio wants to marry me.'
Jake didn't say anything for a moment. Then he said harshly, 'Poor .Emilio. Considering you're married to me…'
She flushed, unable to hold his gaze. 'Only until we can get a divorce,' she said huskily.
'He's an Italian, isn't he?' Jake said mockingly. 'And presumably a Catholic. Catholics don't recognise divorce.'
The hero and heroine and their sexual chemistry were SO HIGH all over the story,and the angsty between Jake and Lyn (her real name is Linda) got me really intruged.I love angsty romances so much!And Lamb are Prom at writing really sexy ones.
I supected the twist halfway through the book but was surprised when it opened up anyway.Just love the natural way the hero and heroine fell in love,also love that the hero couldn`t keep his hands off her and became so smitten against his will.It really shows,even when he is so cruel to her.Anyway,love all that the love and romance kept throwing..It was so beautiful and exceptional...just love their romance so much...!
She angrily felt warm pink creeping into her face. She bit her lower lip. 'It's none of your business,' she said.
'You're my wife,' he said drily. 'I don't have to remind you of that, do I?'
'You said marriages could be ended easily enough,' she reminded him.
'If both parties are willing,' he said.
She looked at him, her lashes stirring. 'But we are.'
'Are we?' His eyes bored into hers. 'As I said, tell me about Emilio, Linda.'
She looked down, pausing to think. 'He lives in Rimini,' she said cautiously,
'I knew that from his address,' Jake said tartly.
'He works in the same firm as myself. That's how we met.' She looked up, her face calm. 'He's a few years older than I am. He's a typical Italian, very dark, good-looking, charming…'
Jake leaned back in his chair, watching her with darkening eyes. 'You know what I'm asking you, Linda,' he said grimly. 'How involved with him are you?'
Linda couldn't answer for a moment. Her emotions fought with her brain. Then she said quietly, 'Emilio wants to marry me.'
Jake didn't say anything for a moment. Then he said harshly, 'Poor .Emilio. Considering you're married to me…'
She flushed, unable to hold his gaze. 'Only until we can get a divorce,' she said huskily.
'He's an Italian, isn't he?' Jake said mockingly. 'And presumably a Catholic. Catholics don't recognise divorce.'
July 11, 2017
"The Devils Arms" is the story of "Lyn" and Jake.
When Lyn wakes up one morning on a strange moor with amnesia, she realizes she doesn't know anything.
Thankfully Jake rescues her and provides for her, while she realizes what a bitch she's been in the past to his mom, him and everybody in general.
As the new Lyn reveals completely different identity traits, Jake blackmails her to marry him- which she agrees to- and then later we have a very uncomfortable scene of non-con sex which finally reveals the truth/ her identity.
Fast paced good read with an obvious mystery, good characters and one minor hitch. I'd have given it a higher rating but marital rape, even if regretted later and non explicit, removes a star.
Totally enjoyed it
Safe
4/5
When Lyn wakes up one morning on a strange moor with amnesia, she realizes she doesn't know anything.
Thankfully Jake rescues her and provides for her, while she realizes what a bitch she's been in the past to his mom, him and everybody in general.
As the new Lyn reveals completely different identity traits, Jake blackmails her to marry him- which she agrees to- and then later we have a very uncomfortable scene of non-con sex which finally reveals the truth/ her identity.
Fast paced good read with an obvious mystery, good characters and one minor hitch. I'd have given it a higher rating but marital rape, even if regretted later and non explicit, removes a star.
Totally enjoyed it
Safe
4/5
December 16, 2021
Crazy as only CL’s books can be.
The heroine has amnesia and is in the wood alone and scared ( wonderful piece of symbolism here, Dr Jung thanks very much) and the hero finds and helps her.
He takes her in his house, where his mother is not happy to see her.
They seem to know her, and they’re both very cold and angry with her.
The hero explains she’s his fiancée, and she left him after a row some days before.
The heroine apparently was a nasty gold digger, a selfish and spoiled woman who spent her days in the swimming pool and flirting with om. Not only flirting.
Having sex with multiple partners.
Since the hero is only a painter and he refused to have sex with her before marriage she left him for greener pastures.
The heroine even if she doesn’t remember anything about her former self, finds out she’s a sweet homebody who loves to cook, to decorate, to do household, wear simple clothes and not flirting with om.
She’s the opposite of her former self.
Have you understood already?
No?
The hero doesn’t believe in her changes and shows her the portrait of her naked that she asked him to paint.
The heroine is stunned since only the idea of being naked makes her blush.
Understood?
I think you have.
The hero begins to fall in love with her, but he’s very perplexed and still is afraid that she will revert to her former cheating self.
Eventually they have sex and of course here’s is where the truth is out.
The hero helps the heroine to remember and eventually, when all is clear, they have their hea.
Good old plot that served to all those writers who came after her. Because this book was written some 40 years ago. Well before the various Lynne Graham, Lucy Monroe and all others who used it many years later.
Nice hero who was honest and really didn’t want to get involved with the heroine because he thought she might be playing an act.
I loved the fact that she asked him to paint her in the end to be sure it was her he was in love with.
The heroine has amnesia and is in the wood alone and scared ( wonderful piece of symbolism here, Dr Jung thanks very much) and the hero finds and helps her.
He takes her in his house, where his mother is not happy to see her.
They seem to know her, and they’re both very cold and angry with her.
The hero explains she’s his fiancée, and she left him after a row some days before.
The heroine apparently was a nasty gold digger, a selfish and spoiled woman who spent her days in the swimming pool and flirting with om. Not only flirting.
Having sex with multiple partners.
Since the hero is only a painter and he refused to have sex with her before marriage she left him for greener pastures.
The heroine even if she doesn’t remember anything about her former self, finds out she’s a sweet homebody who loves to cook, to decorate, to do household, wear simple clothes and not flirting with om.
She’s the opposite of her former self.
Have you understood already?
No?
The hero doesn’t believe in her changes and shows her the portrait of her naked that she asked him to paint.
The heroine is stunned since only the idea of being naked makes her blush.
Understood?
I think you have.
The hero begins to fall in love with her, but he’s very perplexed and still is afraid that she will revert to her former cheating self.
Eventually they have sex and of course here’s is where the truth is out.
The hero helps the heroine to remember and eventually, when all is clear, they have their hea.
Good old plot that served to all those writers who came after her. Because this book was written some 40 years ago. Well before the various Lynne Graham, Lucy Monroe and all others who used it many years later.
Nice hero who was honest and really didn’t want to get involved with the heroine because he thought she might be playing an act.
I loved the fact that she asked him to paint her in the end to be sure it was her he was in love with.
March 3, 2014
I'm disappointed that I wasn't as crazy for this one as everyone else.
1) The whole twin aspect was very obvious
2) How he realized she was the twin, was predictable (I anticipated that all the way back in chapter 2)
3) There's a full on violent rape, where no jury would dare to convict her for trimming his "man parts"
4) The love didn't feel credible for either one and her willingness to go back to him without making him "work" for it, just let me down. I'm sorry painting her portrait for three days wasn't enough work for me. There was no balance to the relationship. He called all the shots and she just swooned. I fear there is no HEA with these two.
5) That whole MIL living situation was just too weird...
1) The whole twin aspect was very obvious
2) How he realized she was the twin, was predictable (I anticipated that all the way back in chapter 2)
3) There's a full on violent rape, where no jury would dare to convict her for trimming his "man parts"
4) The love didn't feel credible for either one and her willingness to go back to him without making him "work" for it, just let me down. I'm sorry painting her portrait for three days wasn't enough work for me. There was no balance to the relationship. He called all the shots and she just swooned. I fear there is no HEA with these two.
5) That whole MIL living situation was just too weird...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2013
Read this years ago and went back and read it again more recently. Funny how time changes things. Definitely doesn't gell with today's norms. Still enjoyed it. Nostalgia works wonders.
Edited to add:
See those boobs on the cover of the Harlquin Presents version? Well, my mom saw those and almost took my book from me (I was maybe 12 when Istole borrowed it from my aunt.) I had to do some fast talking. If she only knew. ROFL!!
Edited to add:
See those boobs on the cover of the Harlquin Presents version? Well, my mom saw those and almost took my book from me (I was maybe 12 when I
April 4, 2014
I read this one back in the day. As I was rereading yesterday, I remembered it as I went along in a hazy sort of way. This one was very well done. Angsty amnesia story. What could be better? The hero had been engaged to the heroine but they had split up. He finds her wandering the moors and takes her in supposedly until she gets over her amnesia. But of course he falls in love with the sweet girl she is now unlike the bitch she was before. Even though he hated her before and struggled with trusting her again, he was never an ass to her. Unlike a couple of books I read recently this one had a really good well filled out nice long ending.
January 16, 2016
Well this book is about a woman who lost her memory and the hero thinks it's his ex fiancé who cheated on him. She is of course her identical twin sister who is a slut and bitch. Poor girl has to suffer all her sisters lumps! Not fair also he rapes her after they are married thinking it was just a ploy her innocence and sweetness! He quickly discovers his mistake after this and is sorry. Why I think it was worth 4 instead of 2 is that he did not jump on her after the wedding but weeks later of being beside her also he did not sleep with her sister Lyn! It was a good book I enjoyed it! I did not think I would.
February 23, 2021
I knew I had to read this when I heard the h’s amnesia was a result of stumbling away from a car accident and getting ran over by a wild pony… if that doesn’t sound whacktastic to you… then I’d pass, but if this sounds like your cuppa… then jump in cuz this one’s good. The Devil’s Arms is a perfect example of the OTT, trainwrecky HP’s that I love when I’m in the mood for something light. It has all my favorite tropes… revenge, amnesia, evil-twin, and MOC to name a few.
Published in 1978, it does have some content that could be offensive to readers. Jake isn’t overly cruel, but he does manhandle her a lot, and there’s a non-con scene. It’s fade to black, but she protests; he’s not listening. It’s not a forced seduction as she plays dead, and doesn’t enjoy it, but this was written in the BR heyday, and it's brushed away quickly. It’s also very predictable if you are fluent in HP.
Bottom Line- If you like the whacky early 90’s style telenovela (cuz General Hospital’s got nothing on María Mercedes ) then give it a shot. But if soap operas on steroids aren’t your thing…pass. The only thing that could have made it more delicious would’ve been an OW in the mix. *This might be confusing, because I just dinged an HP last week for being OTT. The difference is the character’s personalities. In a nutshell, I like OTT situations with the mc’s adulting… not adults acting OTT/crazy. (yelling, stomping, etc.) unless it’s a wannabe OW; she can do whatever she wants. 😋
Published in 1978, it does have some content that could be offensive to readers. Jake isn’t overly cruel, but he does manhandle her a lot, and there’s a non-con scene. It’s fade to black, but she protests; he’s not listening. It’s not a forced seduction as she plays dead, and doesn’t enjoy it, but this was written in the BR heyday, and it's brushed away quickly. It’s also very predictable if you are fluent in HP.
Bottom Line- If you like the whacky early 90’s style telenovela (cuz General Hospital’s got nothing on María Mercedes ) then give it a shot. But if soap operas on steroids aren’t your thing…pass. The only thing that could have made it more delicious would’ve been an OW in the mix. *This might be confusing, because I just dinged an HP last week for being OTT. The difference is the character’s personalities. In a nutshell, I like OTT situations with the mc’s adulting… not adults acting OTT/crazy. (yelling, stomping, etc.) unless it’s a wannabe OW; she can do whatever she wants. 😋
September 10, 2021
Apparently, my brain is broken. I would have enjoyed this more if there had been more OW drama and the H hadn’t been such a respectful prude. 😈🤡
There was plenty of other drama though. Amnesia, twin swap, surprise virgin, OM drama…
I think it would have been a 4-star if the H didn’t still live with his MOM. 👀😐 I mean, that’s sweet and all 👀, but how’s he supposed to smexx up the h in The Way I Want if he has to step around his mom while he’s manhandling the h into their bedroom?? And I’m sure momma isn’t gonna want to hear him growling out, “Whose 😺 is this?!” 👀🤷🏼♀️
Bottom line? It was entertaining but could have been so much more. So, 3.5 “Time For A Mother-in law Cottage” stars 🤡
⚠️FOR THE SAFETY SQUAD⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- dubcon-ish
- H never slept with evil twin and isn’t a manwhore
- h is only with the H
There was plenty of other drama though. Amnesia, twin swap, surprise virgin, OM drama…
I think it would have been a 4-star if the H didn’t still live with his MOM. 👀😐 I mean, that’s sweet and all 👀, but how’s he supposed to smexx up the h in The Way I Want if he has to step around his mom while he’s manhandling the h into their bedroom?? And I’m sure momma isn’t gonna want to hear him growling out, “Whose 😺 is this?!” 👀🤷🏼♀️
Bottom line? It was entertaining but could have been so much more. So, 3.5 “Time For A Mother-in law Cottage” stars 🤡
⚠️FOR THE SAFETY SQUAD⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- dubcon-ish
- H never slept with evil twin and isn’t a manwhore
- h is only with the H
February 2, 2016
3 1/2 Stars ~ Waking up on the cold misty moors, Lyn finds herself in a living nightmare. She doesn't know where she is or why, and even more alarming she doesn't know who she is and anything about herself. She's relieved when a man and his dog come upon her and seeing the bloody gash on her head, the man takes her to his home and then to the hospital. After a few days, with her head wound healing, her memory still eludes her. Assuring her that her memory will return, the doctor releases her into the man on the moor's care. Jake admits that he knows who she is, that she'd once been his fiancee. He tells her that she has no family and though he dislikes her tremendously he can't just leave her on her own without a memory. Moving into his home with his mother, Lyn realizes that the woman they think she is is not the woman she wants to be. The Lyn Jake and his mother describe is a selfish vain woman who insisted on being pampered. As days pass into weeks, it becomes obvious that Lyn has had a personality change and the young woman she is now has a generous heart and a shy demeanor. But Jake won't allow her to forget the bitch he knows her to be and he lashes out at her with bitter contempt.
I adore amnesia stories and especially when there's a mistaken identity involved as well. This early story by Ms. Lamb shows her talent for clever plots and for building strong tension between her hero and heroine. Jake is obviously conflicted by the two Lyn's and fights his growing admiration for the Lyn he sees now. Though I suspected who the new Lyn really was, I thought Ms. Lamb did a wonderful job of building the suspense. I'm enjoying Ms. Lamb's creative plots.
I adore amnesia stories and especially when there's a mistaken identity involved as well. This early story by Ms. Lamb shows her talent for clever plots and for building strong tension between her hero and heroine. Jake is obviously conflicted by the two Lyn's and fights his growing admiration for the Lyn he sees now. Though I suspected who the new Lyn really was, I thought Ms. Lamb did a wonderful job of building the suspense. I'm enjoying Ms. Lamb's creative plots.
June 25, 2021
Rating: **3.8 stars**
All my favorite tropes in one with no double dipping Hell yeah!!
All my favorite tropes in one with no double dipping Hell yeah!!
July 7, 2015
Aww sweet book. I loved the angst, the chemistry and how hero and heroine fell in love. Great old-school Harlequin!
December 21, 2011
My take:
I give this book 4 stars.
One morning Jake find's Lyn passed out in the forest (wooded area) behind his home. He is very cold to Lyn because she is former fiancée. Jake had recently broke it off with Lyn who worked in a gallery where his work was featured. "Lyn" suffered a nasty bump to her head during the night.
This was one of Charlotte's best books. This is most definitely old school harlequin romance for a number of reasons. The hero wasn't wealthy in fact I doubt if he was middle class in that there is no mention of him having great wealth. Instead, he tells the heroine that he did okay. Jake lives on a somewhat basic farm with his mother.
They do all of their own chores with little in the way of modern technology and household appliances. Much of the book is spent with Jake spitting hateful words at Lyn because he does not believe that she truly has amnesia. Jake's mother is also very distrustful of Lyn because of the nasty way she treated her in the past. Anyway, this is one of those evil twin good twin romance with amnesia thrown in.
I give this book 4 stars.
One morning Jake find's Lyn passed out in the forest (wooded area) behind his home. He is very cold to Lyn because she is former fiancée. Jake had recently broke it off with Lyn who worked in a gallery where his work was featured. "Lyn" suffered a nasty bump to her head during the night.
This was one of Charlotte's best books. This is most definitely old school harlequin romance for a number of reasons. The hero wasn't wealthy in fact I doubt if he was middle class in that there is no mention of him having great wealth. Instead, he tells the heroine that he did okay. Jake lives on a somewhat basic farm with his mother.
They do all of their own chores with little in the way of modern technology and household appliances. Much of the book is spent with Jake spitting hateful words at Lyn because he does not believe that she truly has amnesia. Jake's mother is also very distrustful of Lyn because of the nasty way she treated her in the past. Anyway, this is one of those evil twin good twin romance with amnesia thrown in.
September 22, 2011
Seems i am in for getting loads of surprises with this author,this is another wonderful amnesia emotional read,really liked how the plot kept developing as to how Lyn changed and then the twist which shocks all of them and changed many things.Completely understand Jake's bitterness and anger yet he did'nt turn his back on Lyn helped her till she will be all right plus the revenge goal on his part
Lyn what to say my heart went out to her first of all lost her memory took all punishments and cruel behaviour for no fault of hers and then everything fell into place still she had a long way to find her happiness,her fears and doubts were understandable
Overall i liked and enjoyed this book very much,its a keeper for me
Recommend it
Lyn what to say my heart went out to her first of all lost her memory took all punishments and cruel behaviour for no fault of hers and then everything fell into place still she had a long way to find her happiness,her fears and doubts were understandable
Overall i liked and enjoyed this book very much,its a keeper for me
Recommend it
July 23, 2012
Read way back, never reviewed but I loved this book. It was such a twist I just didn't expect what was going to happen. The hero was all kinds of heartless but from what he had been through I couldn't really fault him. I felt horribly sorry for the heroine because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
June 22, 2022
Lots of great reviews for this one, I mean lots and lots. I am just going to do a quick surface review and read what everyone else has to say instead.
This is vintage Charlotte Lamb and with so much craziness it is really hard not to like! We have amnesia, mistaken identities, and an errant pony to throw in the mix.
Our hero Jake is an alpha male who is actually accused of being frigid and impotent when he doesn’t want to engage in sex before marriage with his lady love. That is such a rarity for an H in HP land. I am going to assume that since the H is a passionate artist sex for him needs a deeper connection of some sort(of course he isn’t a virgin but his past conquests are not part of the story and I doubt he was a manwhore).
Unfortunately, for the h, he gets overloaded with feeling and wanting to “connect” that he does so in an aggressive non tender coupling(which he despises himself for later).
Our amnesiac h goes to live with the H and his gruff mother. The H and mother are none to welcoming to the h(as they have both experienced her before the accident), yet the dog seems to have developed a soft spot for her that was lacking in her previous time at the house. Our h wins over the mother with her new and improved attitude and work ethic, and that leaves the H trying to wrestle his own feelings for the h after vowing to hate her forever. The mother tends to stay out of her grown son’s exploits, however she did like this new h and I felt she became a little protective of her.
Of course, not all is at it seems and truths are revealed after the aforementioned coupling event. The h and H want to get to the bottom of things and the bottom happens to be in the form of one of the nastiest women to grace an HP. We don’t get a lot of real time with her, but after learning of her exploits I can only hope this narcissist gets some dreaded std and dies alone before her 25th birthday.
Anyhoo, with the h’s memory restored she wonders if she should resume her old life as she isn’t really convinced the H loves her. All is resolved when the H does a portrait of the h. Basically, the proof of his love is in the painting.
So, if you like crazy emotional angsty times, this little vintage gem is worth a whirl! It just highlights the extremes that were the 70’s! I mean the music alone gives one whiplash with its differences. On one hand you have K.C. And the Sunshine Band, ABBA, Bay City Rollers etc,.,and on the other hand you have Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd…not to mention the new wave movement with the Sex pistols, The Ramones, and Blondie….I was a little too young in the 70’s to appreciate the range of talent but basically whatever music you were into the 70’s could provide an outlet!
This is vintage Charlotte Lamb and with so much craziness it is really hard not to like! We have amnesia, mistaken identities, and an errant pony to throw in the mix.
Our hero Jake is an alpha male who is actually accused of being frigid and impotent when he doesn’t want to engage in sex before marriage with his lady love. That is such a rarity for an H in HP land. I am going to assume that since the H is a passionate artist sex for him needs a deeper connection of some sort(of course he isn’t a virgin but his past conquests are not part of the story and I doubt he was a manwhore).
Unfortunately, for the h, he gets overloaded with feeling and wanting to “connect” that he does so in an aggressive non tender coupling(which he despises himself for later).
Our amnesiac h goes to live with the H and his gruff mother. The H and mother are none to welcoming to the h(as they have both experienced her before the accident), yet the dog seems to have developed a soft spot for her that was lacking in her previous time at the house. Our h wins over the mother with her new and improved attitude and work ethic, and that leaves the H trying to wrestle his own feelings for the h after vowing to hate her forever. The mother tends to stay out of her grown son’s exploits, however she did like this new h and I felt she became a little protective of her.
Of course, not all is at it seems and truths are revealed after the aforementioned coupling event. The h and H want to get to the bottom of things and the bottom happens to be in the form of one of the nastiest women to grace an HP. We don’t get a lot of real time with her, but after learning of her exploits I can only hope this narcissist gets some dreaded std and dies alone before her 25th birthday.
Anyhoo, with the h’s memory restored she wonders if she should resume her old life as she isn’t really convinced the H loves her. All is resolved when the H does a portrait of the h. Basically, the proof of his love is in the painting.
So, if you like crazy emotional angsty times, this little vintage gem is worth a whirl! It just highlights the extremes that were the 70’s! I mean the music alone gives one whiplash with its differences. On one hand you have K.C. And the Sunshine Band, ABBA, Bay City Rollers etc,.,and on the other hand you have Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd…not to mention the new wave movement with the Sex pistols, The Ramones, and Blondie….I was a little too young in the 70’s to appreciate the range of talent but basically whatever music you were into the 70’s could provide an outlet!
January 22, 2019
The heroine has lost her memory, she’s found wandering by a man who claims that they are or were engaged. He does nothing but treat her like shit. Basically it was her evil twin whom he had been involved with. It was unbelievable to me that the heroine had fallen in love with the hero when he was such a prick.
Plus he lived with his mother, that didn’t help me like his character any better.
Plus he lived with his mother, that didn’t help me like his character any better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2023
2.5 Stars rounding up to 3 stars!
It's an old-school book. Sigh!
She got hit by a windscreen and a pony before she fell into amnesia. Wow!
* I don't know why Lyn/Linda falls in love with Jake. Well I know, Stockhome Syndrome Alert!
* I was impressed by how domesticated the book was. I mean, There is a lot to do in a home and it's a never-ending chore! What I don't like was the reason Jake married her. Jake married Lyn because she would be a good housekeeper and keep her mother company. I wouldn't hurt you physically to admit that you liked the new Lyn and were tempted to marry her.
* He was rude. No explanation/ excuse for that.
* The book has your all elements of old schools like. force seduction (rape: after they got married), disapproving parents, amnesia, family issue, bad twin, and everything.
It's an old-school book. Sigh!
She got hit by a windscreen and a pony before she fell into amnesia. Wow!
* I don't know why Lyn/Linda falls in love with Jake. Well I know, Stockhome Syndrome Alert!
* I was impressed by how domesticated the book was. I mean, There is a lot to do in a home and it's a never-ending chore! What I don't like was the reason Jake married her. Jake married Lyn because she would be a good housekeeper and keep her mother company. I wouldn't hurt you physically to admit that you liked the new Lyn and were tempted to marry her.
* He was rude. No explanation/ excuse for that.
* The book has your all elements of old schools like. force seduction (rape: after they got married), disapproving parents, amnesia, family issue, bad twin, and everything.
January 9, 2012
This was a pretty decent older HP. Definitely kept my interest wondering what on earth was going on (I guessed correctly, though it made quite a far-fetched story). I liked the characters pretty well, liked that the hero couldn't seem to help himself with her. Did not like the idea that the HEA included living and scrubbing the house with the hero's mother all day long in a seemingly isolated area -- and no friends seemed to stop by either, what a life! Though at least the mother was nice, I guess. Anyway, a pretty good read for an older story.
October 11, 2021
I enjoyed this because it was so crazily over the top and the writing was superb. Right from the beginning CL weaves a mysterious gothic atmosphere with the heroine bewildered and terrified, lost in the creepy moors which are covered in a menacing mist.
The creep factor ratcheted up with the hero, who lives in this remote place..... with his mother! Talk about a Norman Bates (Psycho) vibe! I hope our heroine isn't planning on taking any showers, lol.
Loved the dollops of melodrama and the wonderful writing, which made this a great read for me.
The creep factor ratcheted up with the hero, who lives in this remote place..... with his mother! Talk about a Norman Bates (Psycho) vibe! I hope our heroine isn't planning on taking any showers, lol.
Loved the dollops of melodrama and the wonderful writing, which made this a great read for me.
February 11, 2019
Old school harlequin presents. With that in mind I think its just ok. I didn't really feel the romance but I certainly felt the drama. I've read better old school HP's by Charlotte Lamb where I really felt the heroine's attraction towards the hero in this book I didn't feel the heroine's attraction because she was experiencing amnesia and that drove the storyline.
April 10, 2021
3.5 stars
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