Island Flame [Paperback]

Karen Robards (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834938448
• ISBN-13: 978-0834938441
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Karen Robards is the bestselling author of twenty-seven novels. The winner of six Silver Pen awards for favorite romance novelist, as well as numerous other awards, she lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Doug, and their sons Peter, Christopher, and Jack. She says, "I read, I write, and I chase children. That's my life."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars i tried to give it zero stars but . . ., February 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Island Flame (Mass Market Paperback)

You've heard of readers who after reading a book from their favorite writers say, "well, it really wasn't one of her best." Well, this reader is coming right and saying it--this was the worst! The heroine is raped not once but twice. AND the guy while apologizing for the the last rape, adds that "she" made him so angry she provoked him. C'on now. No means no. The sexual violence throughout the book was so prevalent. The fact that the girl and guy (i can't even remember their names--shows you how much I cared about the characters!) end up in love is so puzzling because there is simply no chemistry between them. Furthermore, why she fell in love with the brute is beyond me. Okay I've read a few bodice ripping novels in my time and have enjoyed the fictional male he-man in many but masculinity does not mean savagery towards women. I am a fan of Karen Robards' later works and can only say she has certainly improved. Don't waste your time on this one.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge Karen Robards by this book, March 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Island Flame (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a real Karen Robards fan, and was shocked at how TERRIBLE this book was. I could not get past the numerous rapes and beatings. Even when Kathy saves Jon from hanging, his first words to her are abusive. I couldn't even figure that scene out. He kissed her goodbye, got captured, she saves him from the hangman, and he calls her a -itch! I don't even think it was because he had to marry her. He had been thinking of marrying her already. Then the final rape scene at nearly the end of the book was the worst of all. She had born him a son, and this is how he treats her? I read romance novels all the time. I'm accustomed to the brooding, anti social heroes who eventually learn to love, but the rapes and physical abuse in this book were horrible. It has nothing to do with being PC and everything to do with enjoying romance stories because the heroes are sexy and/or attractive. I wouldn't let this man near me with a 10 foot pole. Karen Robards is a GREAT author, but do NOT read this book. Get her "One Summer" if you want a great love story.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Her worst book, May 10, 2000

By 

Shannon "jfaction" (Lafayette, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Island Flame (Mass Market Paperback)

I actually had to put this book down after several attempts to read it. I have read almost all of Robards' books and usually love them. The heroine is raped on several occasions, by the hero. Doesn't matter that the story took place in the 19th century, Robards glorified rape. On the first rape, the man partly seduced the girl, then raped her; Robards portrayed the rape in a sensual way. On the last rape, Robards described the man as stabbing in and out of her intentionally as punishment for an imagined wrong. The heroine accepts the concept that she deserved to be hurt in this manner, because she "supposedly" hurt the hero. We have enough to deal with in real rape cases, with the victim feeling to blame. We don't need that damaging concept perpetuated in a romance novel.

The "hero" also physically struck the heroine on several occasions. Spanking her, striking her in other ways. I couldn't find anything redeeming in his character. He was obnoxious and not likable.

I'm very disappointed in Karen Robards for writing this book.