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No More A-Roving
Love Unexpected
There was something about the tall gray-eyed stranger that caught her attention. For a slave, thought Bethany, he had a most arrogant bearing.
Thus begins this tempestuous tale of forbidden love, of a wealthy young woman and a captured English soldier who had been condemned to slavery on her plantation.
One night they were seen together and Bethany's world of wealth and privilege suddenly came crashing down.
There was something about the tall gray-eyed stranger that caught her attention. For a slave, thought Bethany, he had a most arrogant bearing.
Thus begins this tempestuous tale of forbidden love, of a wealthy young woman and a captured English soldier who had been condemned to slavery on her plantation.
One night they were seen together and Bethany's world of wealth and privilege suddenly came crashing down.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published August 12, 1979
22 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Thorpe
38 books22 followersJune Sylvia Thimblethorpe was born in 1926 in London, England. Educated in London at a school in Brondesbury, Kilburn High School for Girls, Slade School of Fine Arts, and University College. She worked as secretary from 1949 to 1952 and later she worked as school teacher.
As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.
Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.
As Sylvia Thorpe, she wrote over 25 historical romance novels from 1950 to 1983. Her novel "The Scapegrace" (1971) won the Elizabeth Goudge Historical Award. She was the third elected Chairman (1965-1967) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and was named a Honor Life Member of the organization.
Sylvia is now a trustee for the Goodrich Village Hall Trust. Goodrich is a village, in south Herefordshire which is very close to Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean situated near the River Wye and is famous for its old red sandstone Norman and medieval castle.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 17, 2010
Another good read by little known historical romance writer Thorpe.
In this outing, Thorpe takes her readers to the West Indies during the late 1600's. Jared Vernon escapes the English gallows for participating in the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion and is shipped to Barbados as an indentured servant for 10 long years. Plantation owner Matthew Court is persuaded to add Jared to the ranks of workers by his headstrong daughter, Bethany, who sees something in Jared - is it the initial stirrings of love? (well of course it is).
Thorpe obviously loves this time period and this locale, as she has used it effectively in several other novels, most notably: The Sword and the Shadow and The Devil's Bondman
I can't say enough how much I like Thorpe's writing. Her books are fun to read, clean and have a proper sense of historical place. On the downside, some of her characters (especially the heroines) suffer from being too melodramatic and weak-natured. I put this down to the time Thorpe wrote them (1950s-1970s), and also to the time period of the stories themselves (which cover the 1600s-1800s). If you enjoy recently written romances (be they contemporary or historical), Thorpe will probably not satisfy. For me, however, she's just right.
In this outing, Thorpe takes her readers to the West Indies during the late 1600's. Jared Vernon escapes the English gallows for participating in the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion and is shipped to Barbados as an indentured servant for 10 long years. Plantation owner Matthew Court is persuaded to add Jared to the ranks of workers by his headstrong daughter, Bethany, who sees something in Jared - is it the initial stirrings of love? (well of course it is).
Thorpe obviously loves this time period and this locale, as she has used it effectively in several other novels, most notably: The Sword and the Shadow and The Devil's Bondman
I can't say enough how much I like Thorpe's writing. Her books are fun to read, clean and have a proper sense of historical place. On the downside, some of her characters (especially the heroines) suffer from being too melodramatic and weak-natured. I put this down to the time Thorpe wrote them (1950s-1970s), and also to the time period of the stories themselves (which cover the 1600s-1800s). If you enjoy recently written romances (be they contemporary or historical), Thorpe will probably not satisfy. For me, however, she's just right.
January 28, 2016
3.5 stars
I always find Sylvia Thorpe's books enjoyable and this one is no exception. Set in Barbados on a sugar cane plantation.
I always find Sylvia Thorpe's books enjoyable and this one is no exception. Set in Barbados on a sugar cane plantation.
April 15, 2014
3 1/2 stars
Another fun romp by Sylvia Thorpe!
In this story the heroine finds herself betrothed to a man she grew up with from a neighboring plantation in Barbados. He loves her in his own way but is controlling and jealous. Meanwhile a convict ship comes in and Bethany's father goes to check out the slaves for sale. He finds a tall man of arrogant stature and cool gray eyes and buys him along with a few others...need I say more?
What follows is accusations of insubordination, a flogging, Bethany's virtue is called into question, there is a show down, a shipwreck, pirates, a slave uprising and a mystery involving a 'royal' birth. Sounds like a lot but somehow Sylvia works it all out.
It's not my favorite Thorpe but it's still a good solid 3 stars and I can recommend it to others who like a clean romantic adventure set in another time and place.
CONTENT:
SEX: None
VIOLENCE: A flogging (not graphic) and muted talk of rape among pirates
PROFANITY: Mild to None
PARANORMAL ELEMENTS: None
MY Rating: G to Mild PG
Another fun romp by Sylvia Thorpe!
In this story the heroine finds herself betrothed to a man she grew up with from a neighboring plantation in Barbados. He loves her in his own way but is controlling and jealous. Meanwhile a convict ship comes in and Bethany's father goes to check out the slaves for sale. He finds a tall man of arrogant stature and cool gray eyes and buys him along with a few others...need I say more?
What follows is accusations of insubordination, a flogging, Bethany's virtue is called into question, there is a show down, a shipwreck, pirates, a slave uprising and a mystery involving a 'royal' birth. Sounds like a lot but somehow Sylvia works it all out.
It's not my favorite Thorpe but it's still a good solid 3 stars and I can recommend it to others who like a clean romantic adventure set in another time and place.
CONTENT:
SEX: None
VIOLENCE: A flogging (not graphic) and muted talk of rape among pirates
PROFANITY: Mild to None
PARANORMAL ELEMENTS: None
MY Rating: G to Mild PG
July 18, 2022
Sylvia Thorpe reread #15. With this Sylvia has returned to the late 17th century and the Caribbean. Bethany Court is the daughter of a Barbadian super planter. Jared Vernon is a rebel-convict transported to Barbados after the Monmouth rebellion and sentenced to ten years of slavery. When these two become friends and then fall in love little did they know what would befall them. The life on the plantation is described in all its brutality and with the skilful pen Sylvia takes us down a terrible and twisted path towards eventual happiness.
November 27, 2016
Another terrific entry by Sylvia Thorpe, in an unusual setting - the New World, in the 1600s. Fascinating premise, that Bethany, a beautiful rich slave owner's daughter with a conscience, falls for Jared Vernon, a Jacobite soldier sentenced to slavery in the West Indies. This has everything a swashbuckler should have - virtue in danger, daring escapes, piracy, a slave uprising, unjust condemnation...good story. Another one of hers that I re-read every couple of years.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews