Shanna

I've always loved a good historical romance, and Woodiwiss hits it out of the ballpark with Shanna. This is an excellent, and at times hilarious, story of star-crossed lovers. Shanna, under threat of her father choosing a husband for her, decides to wed a man to be hanged. However, when she returns to her father's home on Los Camellos, she learns that he was not in fact hanged, but escaped the noose and is alive and demanding his marriage rights. But Shanna is headstrong and would have the man she chooses, not the one that chooses her.This book is well worth the read. At times I had to put it down and walk away because of the drama (I'm not big on drama usually, as life gives enough of that), but there were plenty of surprises to keep me reading. I did NOT expect how the story turned out in the end, so hats' off to Woodiwiss for that.If you're looking for an excellent historical romance with a very lovable MMC, then this is the book to read.

I did enjoy this swashbuckler it’s a good story, but it's not my favourite novel by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I preferred the Wolf and the Dove. There is a lot going on here but it does have some very romantic moments that make you go ahhhhh. I don’t normally mind long stories but this one did go on a bit and at times repetitive. I couldn’t take Shanna too seriously, she was defiantly spoiled which grated at times, but at least she had some spunk. Ruark our hero was great, I loved him. I would recommend if you want a clean romance but you may skip a few pages….it’s long.

This was the first Historical Romance I ever read. It was around thirty years ago and it was the main reason why I love this genre.Ruark Beauchamp is a convicted murderer, awaiting the hangman's noose as he languishes in Newgate Prison. Then one night, a beautiful young woman comes into his cell and suggests a bargain with him. If he weds her, giving her a name her father will be proud of, she will make sure his last days are comfortable. He however, has another price for Shanna, he will wed her with the condition that she spends the night with him. She agrees, but then betrays him when the marriage has taken place.Then fate steps in, thanks to a man called Rawlston, who just happens to be the agent of Shanna's father. Orlan Trahern is a wealthy merchant, who instructs Rawlston to get new men to work on his plantation. Rawlston sees a chance to make some extra money by taking the convict and passing him off as a bondsman. So Ruark is saved from a hanging and ends up on a ship bound for an island owned by Trahern.Ruark can't believe his luck, not only is he free but he is exactly where he wants to be, near to the woman who betrayed him and he is determined to get what is owed him, a night with Shanna.Loved it!

I have just finished this book and found it very enjoyable to read.I have also read other books by Ms Woodiwiss my favourites being The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove.Shanna is a sweeping epic to read and will keep you going for many a night.The heroine takes a bit of getting used to for she comes across as spoilt and arrogant, personally if I was the hero, I would have given up on her at the first obstacle as I found her hard work, but that said, you get to know the characters and hope that things work out for Ruark and Shanna.I liked this book, but found that some of Ms Woodiwiss other books were more enjoyable for me (the ones mentioned earlier).I am now beginning Ashes in the Wind - another of Kathleen's epic stories.All in all....recommended!

I loved this story from start to finish The characters are great and the plot so exciting that although it is quite a large book it is read very quickly. Naturally Ruark is handsome and Shanna is beautiful but I think you can safely say that the course of true love didn't run smoothly. Thought the caricature of the english lord well drawn but I hope although funny it was not lifelike. I loved Traherne and Pitney and felt I could actually see them and who wouldn't love Ruark's family. The adventures that the two had seems rather farfetched but enjoyable nevertheless. Recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance whatever the date

Nice twist at the end.almost a swashbuckler. Very much of the Georgette Heyer style . Enjoyable. Good to pass the time on a train journey

I have read this book a dozen times and it still never gets old. The story catapults you always onward. Even though I am finished once more, I will definitely read it again. It is just so entertaining.

Read this almost 3 decades ago. I love, love, love Shanna but Ruark will always be my first love and the man of my dreams. Fantastic love story.