Night in Eden [Mass Market Paperback]

Candice Proctor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1997

CANDICE PROCTOR

Once in a great while a dazzling new writer appears on the scene with a historical romance so breathtaking that it sweeps readers off their feet. Candace Proctor is such an author. Here, in her deubt novel, she brings to vivid life a part of the Regency period rarely dramatized . . . and creates sets of characters you will never forget.

NIGHT IN EDEN

Bryony Wentworth's life is shattered when she is unjustly accused and sentenced to indentured servitude in New South Wales. Broken in body--but not in spirit--she fights for light, and for her life, wanting no part of the man who would save her, Captain Hayden St. John. But the mother in her cannot turn away from Hayden's needy infant and the woman in her cannot deny her passion for the rugged, enigmatic man she is bound to serve.

Against the sweeping panorama of a harsh, gorgeous, and unforgiving land, two hungering souls learn to trust, to love, and to triumph over the danger that will shadow their lives--until destiny and desire become one.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Talent for romance writing clearly runs in this family: Candice Proctor is Penelope Williamson's sister. Bryony Wentworth, once a wealthy, privileged English landowner, is convicted of murdering her husband. After being transported to a penal colony in New South Wales while pregnant, Bryony gives birth to her child, then loses it to fever. Captain Hayden St. John collects her from the prison so that she can become a wet nurse for his son. Grief stricken over the loss of his wife, Hayden is bitter and untrusting. Bryony, fearful and angry at her fate, finds much to resent in Hayden, but his child offers her a new will to live. Although Hayden and Bryony fight their attraction, their union is so deeply passionate that it seems nothing can threaten their happiness until Bryony's past comes to haunt her.

Review

Byrony Wentworth is sentenced to be transferred to New South Wales in 1808 for the manslaughter of her unfaithful husband. Her daughter is torn from her before she leaves England and her five-month-old baby dies shortly after reaching the colony. Bryony has little to live for but you quickly realize that she is a survivor. The reader's pity turns to respect very quickly. Hayden St. John is a tormented man. His beloved wife died in childbirth, leaving him with a baby that is not thriving. He takes Bryony as his servant to be a wet nurse for his son. He despises her on sight, assuming her to be a thieving, whore as many of the women are. He is far from relieved when he finds out the reason she has been deported. Hayden's softer side is revealed in his interaction with his son and Byrony is attracted to that side of him. Byrony and Hayden ignite sparks right away, but neither is ready for any sort of relationship. Byrony has no intention of becoming his mistress and Hayden is torn between his lust for Byrony and his memories of his wife. The sexual tension continues to grow as they let their guards down around each other. Byrony starts to love the land she has been sent to, despite her hatred of its strength. Her feelings are exactly the same for Hayden. Night in Eden is a book that I could not put down. I loved the characters that always seemed real and consistent throughout the book. Candice Proctor also has a way of bringing the setting alive. I felt as though I was in New South Wales as I saw the land through Byrony's amazed eyes. The author has definitely done her research on this book. This is the best book that I have read in a long time!The characters are strongly drawn and believable. The reader is carried away in the adventure of their relationship in Night in Eden. Night in Eden holds the reader from page one! The sexual tension is sizzling! Candice Proctor is skilled at creating characters and settings that make for an enjoyable and memorable read!Michelle Sawyer -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Ivy Books (September 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804117586
• ISBN-13: 978-0804117586
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magnificent Historical Romance - Great Australian Setting, September 4, 2000

By 

Beachreader "BeachReader" (Port Townsend, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Night in Eden (Mass Market Paperback)

It is 1808. Bryony Wentworth has been transported to New South Wales after being convicted of manslaughter. Pregnant during her journey, she gives birth but her son dies after only a few months. Imprisoned in the "Female Factory" the distraught Bryony is "bought" by Hayden St. John as a wet nurse for his own infant son - his wife dying in childbirth and his previous wet nurse's milk having dried up. Bryony is grieving not only for the baby she lost, but for the young daughter she was forced to leave behind in England.

Bryony naturally assumes she is not only going to be a wet nurse but a victim of her master's sexual desires as well. However Hayden St. John, although he desires Bryony, is too much of a gentleman to act on those desires. He feels guilty for having these feelings so soon after his beloved wife's death.

They travel to Hayden's land, a few days' ride from the large town where Bryony becomes cook, housekeeper, as well as wet nurse, staying in the room previous belonging to Hayden's deceased wife, Laura.

The book is full of great secondary characters including Gideon - the young Irishman whose wife and children he longs to bring to be near him, Quincy the young boy who is wise beyond his years, and Louisa the common-law wife of an adjacent landowner who has buried four of her five children.

As I am writing this, I am struck by how difficult it is to convey how truly wonderful this book is without giving away too much of the story -- the characters were so real, the setting so vividly described, the writing seamless, the sexual tension almost palpable. But what can I say to convince those reading this to run out and get this book ASAP??? Should I tell you it's going on my keeper shelf immediately? Or should I tell you I was so sorry for it to end that I've actually considered re-reading it right away? Or can I say that I hope the next book might be a sequel (perhaps with Quincy as the hero) so I can visit these characters/this setting again?

NIGHT IN EDEN is one of the best historical romances I've read. Please, please, do yourself a favor and put this on your TBB list - and don't put off reading it. As Catherine Coulter is quoted on the stepback as saying, "You won't be sorry. Trust me on this."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story, July 13, 2000

By 

"elizabeth101" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night in Eden (Mass Market Paperback)

This is without a doubt one of the best romance novels that I have ever read. It starts out just a little slow, but quickly picks up pace and from then on you won't be able to put it down.

You will sympathize with Bryony as you learn of how she lost her baby, was separated from her daughter, and unjustly convicted of murdering her "dead" husband. As soon as Hayden comes into the picture, you will instantly fall in love with him. Although he appears a little rough around the edges, you learn that he is a kind, thoughtful person as his character is further developed in the story. The sexual tension between the couple is enjoyable to read.

Night in Eden is a novel that I find myself reading over and over again. The setting in historical Australia was unique and interesting. The characters are likable, and the story is well written. Someone commented on the grammar in an earlier review, however it was written like that on purpose to show the area's dialect.

All in all, if you enjoy a good romance story, with lots of passion and intrigue, then you will enjoy this book. It's definitely a keeper by a talented author. The story of Bryony and Hayden is beautiful and unforgettable.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Book! - Impossible - It is too incredibly good!, January 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Night in Eden (Mass Market Paperback)

Everything about this book is fabulous - the plot, the characters, the romance, the history.... How an author can come out with a debut book this phenomenal is beyond imagination. The only drawback in reading "Night in Eden" is that it ruined my interest for other romance books for days. You will need to put this book aside and let the story and writing fade before you will be able to pick up another romance. Every other book I picked up after "Night in Eden" just fell short. I have loved the work of Penelope Williamson and cannot believe my luck in finding another great writer in the family. Please tell me there are more sisters with writing talent!