Product Description

Historical romance was born when the remarkable Kathleen E. Woodiwiss gifted the world with her groundbreaking love story, The Flame and the Flower. Now, twelve consecutive New York Times bestsellers later, "the first lady of the genre" (Publishers Weekly) returns with her most breathtaking masterwork to date--a glorious celebration of a secret love that is dangerous, irresistible, forbidden, and . . .

Once, Abrielle's name was on the lips of every unwed nobleman in London as a proud exceptional lady coveted for her bearing, her breeding, her wit, and her beauty.

But when her stepfather--respected for his courage and valor during the Crusades--is denied his rightful title and the wealth that accompanies it, Abrielle finds herself suddenly disgraced, no longer a suitable match for any proper gentleman. Only one would still have her, though he desires no more than physical pleasure: the oafish and grotesque Desmond de Marlé. His dark and scandalous reputation is legend, and Abrielle has heard rumors that his first two wives perished by his hand. Yet no one else can rescue her once-proud family's honor and keep her stepfather from debtor's prison, so she is left with no choice but to accept the cruel and hateful de Marlé's offer of marriage and sacrifice her virtue to a scoundrel she fears and detests . . . even as she yearns for another lover.

Dashing, handsome, tall, and kind--a black-haired Scotsman with vivid blue eyes--Raven Seabern is an emissary for his king, and quite unlike any man Abrielle has ever encountered. From the very first moment their eyes meet, he intrigues and mesmerizes her--and dancing in his arms at a royal banquet leaves her weak with the desire to surrender. But their love can never be, for Abrielle is betrothed to a monster. And the well-being of everyone she cares for demands that she honor her promise. Still, the fire lit that night will not be doused. Raven knows he has found the true one and must never let her go--though secrets, deceptions, dishonor, and unimaginable peril will surely be their fate if they follow the dictates of their hearts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #324630 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Released on: 2007-10-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

About the Author
With more than 36 million copies of her best-selling novels in print, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is one of America's most popular authors. She has written 12 enormously successful masterworks of romantic fiction.

From AudioFile
Xanthe Elbrick does an admirable job with Woodiwiss's final romance novel. Her voicing of heroine Abrielle is as crisp and sweet as Abrielle herself. Elbrick's bright British voice is well suited to the eleventh-century setting, and her treatment of the sometimes heavy-handed prose is tender enough to make the excessive summary of action seem just as engaging as the dialogue. Elbrick's only real weakness in this recording is her voicing of the male characters, especially that of the hero, Raven Seabern. Elbrick pulls off a decent Scots accent, but her performance is almost vaudevillian in its puffed-up exaggeration of the sound of a male voice. Despite the shortcomings of both prose and narrator, this volume is indeed satisfying (if a little predictable) to fans of the genre. A.A. 2008 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Thank you, Mrs. Woodiwiss
Her carer began over thirty years ago with her first novel The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove Woodiwiss passed away recently, but we have one last opportunity to enjoy a new novel from her, the beautiful and memorable Everlasting The heroine of Everlasting Lady Abrielle, is lovely, bright and well-bred--the toast of the English royal court. Every nobleman wants to marry her. Yet when her stepfather loses a chance at great wealth, Abrielle no longer has money or property to bring to a marriage. Now, the only man who'll have her is a wealthy but cruel and vulgar brute rumored to have murdered his first two wives. Abrielle resigns herself to her duty--remember, back in those days, women had little to no choice in whom they wed.

Yet, if Abrielle could choose her mate, it'd be Raven Seabern, the dashing Scottish ambassador who can't seem to keep his stunning blue gaze from hers. Raven is considerate, yet masterful and nobody's fool. He awakens in Abrielle new emotions and sensations with one intimate dance and a single, stolen kiss. But one fateful night, Abrielle's fortune changes. A gruesome occurrence forces her to become a competent woman instead of an uncertain young maiden. And now Abrielle has to decide if she's ready for everything that goes along with getting exactly what one wishes for.

Everlasting is a lovely and engaging novel. It entices the reader with a charming central love story surrounded by intrigue, action and plenty of heroines in dire straits. An appealing and sweetly sensual final offering to readers who remain devastated by the loss of the author. And it is, perhaps, a gift to readers yet to discover the charm, passion and inspirational quality of her books. For discover her they shall. As long as women continue to support this magnificent genre, they will read--and pay homage to--the woman who made it possible. For fans of the genre I'd recommend reading, if you mised it, TIN0'S masterful novel: FATES. Fates

Totally disappointed
Kathleen Woodiwiss introduced me to romance novels 30 years ago with Flame and the Flower and Wolf and the Dove. She is my all time number one favorite author. My all time favorite book is Shanna. So my disappointment with Everlasting is extreme. I found this book boring and was skimming by page 30. There was no characterization. All the characters seemed one dimensional. The dialog was stilted and cumbersome. I was so looking forward to her last book so I hate to say these things since we will never get another book by this fabulous author. If you are new to her books stick with the early ones and skip this one.

Everlasting Gift
Everlasting is a wonderful,old-fashioned historical romance by the late, great writing talent Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. If you're a long-time fan such as I, you'll enjoy this tale of loss, betrayal, redemption and true love set in 1135 England. Raven Seabern, the hero, is one of my favorites. He would do anything for his love, Lady Abrielle, whether she deserves it or not. Luckily, Abrielle doesn't spend too much time being stubborn and grows from an uncertain girl frightened of her circumstances to a strong, compassionate woman. This is a lovely parting gift to fans from this unique and exceptionally talented author. She will be greatly missed but I am so glad she has shared, one last time, the beauty of her written word with all of us, her readers.