I read this a couple months ago, but forgot to write a review. Some of the details are a little sketchy now, but I enjoyed this book. It is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more of her works. (I don't understand the reasons for the one-star reviews.)

The setting is in Virginia in the colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. Shermaine and Gage have good charisma as the heroine and hero. There is a fair amount of intrigue in this book from various people who depise Shermaine. Some of the hatred is unrealistic and questionable. After months of suffering cruelty on a prison ship (for a trumped-up charge), Shermaine finds a wonderful man and nice life in the backwoods of Virginia.

I was terribly disappointed with this book. I'm surprised that KEW wrote it. I would highly recommend Shanna (named my daughter after it), A Rose in Winter, and The Wolf and the Dove - all of which are classics worth reading again and again. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss will always be my favorite romance novelist because of the outstanding quality of the aforementioned books. Skip Petals on the River, though. As much as I loved the other books, I hated this one. Really the worst romance novel I've ever read.

I don't understand how KW can write such classic material in most of her previous novels, then ruin the book by droning on and on with boring dialoge and settings. By that point, who cares about these otherwise memorable characters? This book, however didn't even get that far. It was totally boring, lifeless, if you will, which aggravated me as I'd waited a long time to read it.

I some how missed this one when I was reading KW books years ago and was in the mood for a REAL romance. I wasn't disappointed. Yes, you can tell this was written years ago. But it is still a good one. Shemaine O'Hearn has been falsely accused of thief, put in prison, and sent by ship to the colonies to remove her from her prestigious fiance's life (inwhich his family didn't think she was good enough). She is sold as an indentured servant to the highest bidder - Gage Thornton, widow and local ship builder who needs a nanny for his toddler son. Rumors have it that Gage killed his wife by pushing her off his ship during a fit of rage due to an angry temper. But Shemaine can't imagine such after seeing him handle his son with love and her with respect and kindness. Desires begin to grow between Shemaine and Gage but they work at dealing with them honorably while a few in the community try to stir rumors up about their living conditions and her past. There is one in particularly that just knew Gage would turn to her to replace his deceased wife. Jealously strikes out between her and Shemaine. Then Shemaine's family show up from Scotland in search for her, along with her English fiance - but it is too late. Shemaine and Gage couldn't ignore feelings any longer and got married. Tempers flair and - by the way - just how did Gage's first wife really die? It was true Woodiwiss style of writing with romance and suspence (that, yes, you could probably guess at but was still good). I enjoyed it and felt the love between Shemaine and Gage. Yes, I recommend it!

I will admit that it was a little slow at times, but, a very good read, and I will more than likely read it again. I have read every Kathleen novel I can get my hands on and love her characters. Shemaine and Gage had awesome chemistry, and I loved their interaction with Andy. For the person who said that Shemaine was convictted of murder, did you not read the book? She was convicted of theivery!!! And for the person who found Gage an irresponsible parent, since when is it irresponsible to hire someone to watch your kid while you work. Lets get a grip!! All in all, I would read this again in a heartbeat. It is a keeper.