The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell [Hardcover]

Samantha James (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Avon Books (2007)
• ISBN-10: 0739480375
• ISBN-13: 978-0739480373
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,938,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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.