The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell [Kindle Edition]

Samantha James (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Other than a secret that takes too long to reveal, this Victorian romance from James (A Perfect Hero) concerning the troubled union of fiery Annabel McBride and tormented Simon Blackwell is just about perfect: rich, meaty, sexy and honest. Upon meeting, the two immediately set to butting heads, but it isn't long before an instant of weakness finds them in a passionate lip lock. Just like that, their fate is sealed: Anne's reputation is compromised and the two are married. Simon, haunted by unmentionable heartbreak, refuses to consummate the marriage, planning to divorce her after a year or so; Anne is horrified at the prospect and determined to make a genuine husband out of him. Simon thwarts her every attempt until his past catches up with him, and she finds the way to bring him back from self-imposed emotional exile. Simon's dark secret, hinted at throughout, may frustrate readers, but it also lends the book an enticing gothic edge. James's writing is assured, her story moves well, and she has a fine pair of leads in Anne and Simon; their hard-won happily ever after will satisfy any historical romance fan. (Apr.)
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From Booklist

Haunted by painful memories of the past, Simon Blackwell wants little to do with society and nothing to do with love. A chance encounter in the park and a split-second decision to save a boy's life bring him into the home of the grateful mother and her cousin, Lady Annabel. He can steel himself against the family's warmth, the little boy who reminds him of his own, but there's a siren's call intrinsic to Annabel's very being to which he becomes utterly lost, and found. At times the intensity spills into melodrama, but ultimately the sexual and emotional tension wins out in James' tale of the wounded and redeemed hero filled with delicious angst and quiet beauty. Nina Davis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 217 KB
• Print Length: 381 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0060896450
• Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (October 13, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000OVLJV4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,401 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Secrets and Heartwarming Passion, April 15, 2007

By 

Beverly "Beverly" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell (Mass Market Paperback)

The handsome Simon Blackwell has lived for years with the emotional and physical scars of losing his wife and son in a horrific fire. He broods for years surviving in unhappiness and pain, working to push those close to him away so that he can forget, while at other times overcome with memories and how he was unable to save them. When the beautiful and vivacious Lady Annabel McBride attempts to save the son of her friend Caro from running out in the street and being run over by a horse, she meets the enraged Simon who believes Annabel to be the reckless mother of the young boy. The grateful Caro invites the handsome hero over for dinner and it there that Simon and Annabel meet once again. As the weeks go by they keep meeting at society events and sparks of what is thought to be mutual dislike and mistrust turn into flames of desire. One evening in a moonlit garden they are caught in a passionate embrace. The compromised Annabel soon finds herself walking down the aisle, beginning a marriage with Simon of desire, longing and pain. The last thing Simon wants to do is hurt Annabel, but what can there be but hurt when he announces on their wedding night that he wants a marriage of convenience with no children and will arrange for a divorce within a year? Annabel attempts to resign herself to a marriage of convenience, but it is Simon that finds it most difficult, as his true secret is the intense passion that he has for Annabel. No matter how much he tries to avoid Annabel and his desire, he cannot, and they come together for several nights of intense passion. Will Simon be able to overcome his emotional scars so that he can forget the past and give into his intense desire and love for Annabel? Will Annabel's growing love be strong enough for both of them in order to have a true, lasting marriage? The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell is an intense sexually charged story that delights while pulling at the heartstrings. Samantha James once again has written a well-developed story with characters that struggle with life's disappointments and find true love and happiness.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully emotional and heartfelt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, April 18, 2007

By 

Sara B. (FL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell (Mass Market Paperback)

Samantha James does not disappoint with this one. I loved the book from start to finish and I didn't feel that it took too long to reveal the "secret tragedy" in Simon's life as did some other reviewers. It was midway thru the book and there were plenty of hints and clues about what happened throughout the beginning of the story, so that it was mostly obvious and all that was missing was the exact details. I enjoyed both Simon and Annie so much and loved the development of their relationship during the course of the book. It wasn't frustrating or boring to read at all and kept me flipping pages quickly. Plus the epilogue at the end was a wonderful addition and finished it off well, with a great happy ever after, b/c honestly, isn't that why we read romance novels in the first place?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THis WAS a fabulous book. Dunno what all the fuss is about!!!!!!!, July 5, 2007

By 

M. Hebdige "Nanette Hebdige" (California - Las Vegas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell (Mass Market Paperback)

Okay, I don't know what the other reviewers are "faffing" about with their detrimental reviews for this book. I really loved it. Please follow the advice of all of us who have read it, loved it and enjoyed it and pretend that the other reviews and are not even posted! The story's plot is a little tried and true, yes, but all in all the manner in which it is told really absorbs you and pulls you in. Yup, the book was really great - in the Grand style of Samantha James and it doesn't disappoint AT ALL.

Simon's past entails a horrific tragedy. It is no small wonder that a man who has endured such depth of grief and despair shies away from the world and refutes all notions of ever loving or "living" again.

The depth of emotion that is carried through the book is fabulous and poignant and the way in which Annie brings Simon out of his dark despair is beautifully told. It might be a little annoying not having Simon "spill his guts" to Annie, but it is not hard not to simpathize with him and realize that he can't bring himself to discuss his past easily, specially with kind of "guilt" he is carrying. As the story develops, Annie realizes why he is so frustrating and elusive and she comes to relize how much Simon has fallen in love with her and she with him.

I was a little put off prior to reading it, due to the negative reviews I had read. However, the reader shouldn't put too much confidence in an author's previous writings - they should just enjoy the story and its developments and not be swayed by such high standards. It really spoils it for the rest of us who have an open mind.