The Flame and the Flower (Birmingham Family, #1)

by Kathleen E Woodiwiss

[Ing Cruz]

My Synopsis:
Heather Simmons was left penniless after the passing of her father two years ago. For two years now Heather has been living with her uncle John and aunt Fanny. She is verbally and physically abused and treated like a servant for the past two years by her aunt Fanny. William, the beloved brother of her aunt, who lives in London comes for a visit and offers to take Heather to London for a teaching position at a finishing school. The aunt who wants Heather gone agrees for Heather to accompany her brother back to London. Heather who has been wanting to get away from this life is so excited for this opportunity and thinks this will lead to a better life for herself. Once in London it soon becomes clear that William has other ideas. Heather flees from William believing she has killed him after he attacks her. Heather ends up at the docks of London and is mistakenly thought to be a dockside whore.

Captain Brandon Birmingham and his crew has just docked in the London harbor and is in need of some entertainment. Brandon is a yankee merchant and this is his last trip to London. He plans on selling the ship. He couldn't believe his eyes when his crew brought him back, Heather. Heather loses her innocence that night to Brandon. She flees back to her aunt and uncle but realizes later that she is expecting. Heather is taken back to London by her aunt and uncle where they force Brandon to marry Heather with the help of a powerful family friend. Heather finds herself married and taken away from England to America with her new husband. Will her life be any better with her new husband in a new country?

My Thoughts:
I was curious to read this book after the reviews I read about it on Amazon. This book was published in the 70's and written by a iconic author in the romance world. I didn't know what to expect. First off be warned there is a rape scene. There is no doubt in my mind the hero rapes the heroine at the beginning of the book. Doesn't matter that he thought she was a dockside whore if a woman says no it's rape. It was an ugly scene and after the rape I wanted to basically kick Brandon's ass. He acknowledges that she was innocent but still plans to keep her for his pleasure. WTF?? I managed not to throw the book across the room. Well actually I bought this as an ebook on my Nook so I couldn't really throw that but I didn't have the urge to. :) I managed to get pass this point in the book and let me tell you I didn't have high hopes on believing that a happily ever after was plausible. Woodiwiss is a masterful writer. Not only did I believe in their happy ending, I also became invested in these two by the end of the book. Brandon is a man with a lot of pride and he hates the fact that he was forced to marry Heather. So he basically tries to be a dick to her but he can't. He takes care of her and he treats her with kid gloves. Heather is still pretty young and has had a hard life. On their journey to America they both begin to learn things about one another and start to fall in love. I liked seeing this. It was a nice slow build up of their relationship from distrust to love. Woodiwiss, allows the reader this glimpse and actually makes you a believer of this unlikely love story. It wasn't all smooth sailing but you do get slowly see something blooming. Heather didn't take crap from Brandon. I liked how she did stand up to him and gain confidence and maturity. I was so happy that the people in Brandon's home rallied around her and loved her. It was good to see her get some love. Not all though loved Heather. Brandon was engaged before going to London so the fiancee was not happy about Brandon's new wife. You can imagine she didn't take the news very well. It was nice though to see Brandon protecting Heather from his ex-fiancee. As they begin to grow and trust each other murder happens and Heather's past comes to haunt them. Their new found love will be put to the test.

I honestly liked this book. The writing was beautiful. It was your good old fashion epic stories from the days of the bodice ripper. I do recommend that people give this book a chance and pick it up. I understand it's not one for everyone but if you're willing, read it. I can't in all honesty give this book 5 pages because as much as I ended up liking it, the beginning was too much. I tried to pretend the first half of the book didn't happened. Also just a note I do not condone rape nor does rape equal romance in my book but I can appreciate a well written book and that was what this book was.