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Only for Love
When Gillian Haige's father dies, his only legacy is a mountain of debts. But never does the eighteen-year-old English beauty dream she'll end up in the dank hold of a ship bound for the Colonies...as an indentured servant! And now her gentle twin lies desperately ill, and will surely perish unless Gillian takes one daring, irrevocable step.
It is a wild scheme, yet from the moment she meets Captain Derek Andrews and feels desire ignite between them, Gillian sees the bargain she can strike: her innocence in exchange for her sister's life. But on a journey that carries Gillian from the shores of America to a new life on a storm-swept island, she will be forced to choose once again...to fight for her freedom or to surrender to the man who has possessed her-body and soul-with his liberating passion...
It is a wild scheme, yet from the moment she meets Captain Derek Andrews and feels desire ignite between them, Gillian sees the bargain she can strike: her innocence in exchange for her sister's life. But on a journey that carries Gillian from the shores of America to a new life on a storm-swept island, she will be forced to choose once again...to fight for her freedom or to surrender to the man who has possessed her-body and soul-with his liberating passion...
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
42 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Barbieri
57 books51 followersAKA Elaine Rome
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 23, 2013
This one was much better than the last Elaine Barbieri book I read. The heroine started off a little feisty for my liking but she improved. She was a decent woman who sacrificed herself for her sister. In order to make her sure her sister survived the long, grueling voyage towards indenture she offered herself to the captain of the ship. (Due to losing all of his cargo to a storm he had no choice to take on the human cargo, though it wasn't his first choice).
Derek and Gillian were at odds throughout most of the book, which is common with these older historical books. I wished that there were more loving times together. Even though they were at odds, they almost always ended up in bed at the end of it. I think I would have given this 4* if we could have seen a loving relationship between them before the very end of the book.
The OW in this book was quite distasteful...however, somehow she improved but only at the very end when she actually became a decent person. It was quite a switch but somehow I accepted it. Even though she was obsessed with the hero she finally came to realize she loved her husband. It was quite an odd twist for an other woman. I don't know that I ended up liking her but I did end up liking what she did in the end.
Decent read but not a keeper. It was a nice way to spend this cold, dreary Sunday before Christmas.
Derek and Gillian were at odds throughout most of the book, which is common with these older historical books. I wished that there were more loving times together. Even though they were at odds, they almost always ended up in bed at the end of it. I think I would have given this 4* if we could have seen a loving relationship between them before the very end of the book.
The OW in this book was quite distasteful...however, somehow she improved but only at the very end when she actually became a decent person. It was quite a switch but somehow I accepted it. Even though she was obsessed with the hero she finally came to realize she loved her husband. It was quite an odd twist for an other woman. I don't know that I ended up liking her but I did end up liking what she did in the end.
Decent read but not a keeper. It was a nice way to spend this cold, dreary Sunday before Christmas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
maybe
July 5, 2025Twin sister
September 27, 2016
This review is of “Only for Love” by Elaine Barbieri.
The Story: In London, England, a wagon arrives at a harbor bearing cargo to board the Colonial Dawn, a ship heading for Jamaica. This cargo, however, is human: One hundred twenty people being shipped from England to Jamaica and the Colonies to work as indentured servants. Among those being shipped out are Gillian Haige, the heroine of the book, and her identical twin sister, Adria. The Haige twins are being indentured to pay their late father’s debts.
From the moment she boards the ship, Gillian is in conflict with people, most notably Derek Andrews, the hero of the book and the captain of the Colonial Dawn. Derek is not happy about transporting human cargo; he’s doing it because he needs the money.
Later, Adria become seriously ill due to the unsanitary conditions below deck. Gillian offers the only thing she has of value-herself-to Derek in exchange for his saving Adria. Derek agrees to the offer, and he and Gillian become lovers.
All, however, is not well aboard the Carolina Dawn. In addition to Adria’s illness, there are other issues. Derek is jealous of Christopher Gibson, another indentured servant who is also attracted to Gillian. Then there are the malevolent forces: one is John Barrett, the “supercargo” who contracted with Derek. When Derek discovers the conditions below deck-after he and Gillian begin their affair-Derek captures Barrett and throws him into the brig. Barrett vows revenge on Derek. The other evil is in Jamaica, in the person of Emmaline Dorsett, Derek’s former lover, who, although she is married, vows to get Derek back, at any cost. After finding out about Derek and Gillian, Emmaline joins forces with Barrett to try to achieve their personal goals.
When Gillian discovers that she is with child from Derek’s amorous attentions, she, Adria and Christopher hatch a plan to escape Jamaica. That plan is thwarted by Barrett, who kidnaps the trio. Derek saves them, Adria falls in love with Christopher, and the couples have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: As always with Ms. Barbieri’s books, her characters emotions are on full display. Even when I don’t like those emotions, they are felt deeply by me as a reader.
Downside: Also as always with Ms. Barbieri, her hero is a piece of human garbage. Derek is an obnoxious bastard, who treats Gillian like his possession, which according to the laws of the time, she was. He bullies, threatens, and emotionally abuses her. Yet, despite this, Gillian falls in love with him! At the beginning of the book, Gillian is a smart, strong, independent woman. By the end of the book, she’s a weak, Simpering Sara. Storylines are unfinished and unsatisfactory.
Sex: There is slightly more sex here than in most of Ms. Barbieri’s books, but it’s still far from erotica.
Violence: a shooting and several other killings. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: Elaine Barbieri is one of the most disappointing authors I’ve read. I’m very glad I only have one more book of hers, and then I can breathe a sigh of relief.
The Story: In London, England, a wagon arrives at a harbor bearing cargo to board the Colonial Dawn, a ship heading for Jamaica. This cargo, however, is human: One hundred twenty people being shipped from England to Jamaica and the Colonies to work as indentured servants. Among those being shipped out are Gillian Haige, the heroine of the book, and her identical twin sister, Adria. The Haige twins are being indentured to pay their late father’s debts.
From the moment she boards the ship, Gillian is in conflict with people, most notably Derek Andrews, the hero of the book and the captain of the Colonial Dawn. Derek is not happy about transporting human cargo; he’s doing it because he needs the money.
Later, Adria become seriously ill due to the unsanitary conditions below deck. Gillian offers the only thing she has of value-herself-to Derek in exchange for his saving Adria. Derek agrees to the offer, and he and Gillian become lovers.
All, however, is not well aboard the Carolina Dawn. In addition to Adria’s illness, there are other issues. Derek is jealous of Christopher Gibson, another indentured servant who is also attracted to Gillian. Then there are the malevolent forces: one is John Barrett, the “supercargo” who contracted with Derek. When Derek discovers the conditions below deck-after he and Gillian begin their affair-Derek captures Barrett and throws him into the brig. Barrett vows revenge on Derek. The other evil is in Jamaica, in the person of Emmaline Dorsett, Derek’s former lover, who, although she is married, vows to get Derek back, at any cost. After finding out about Derek and Gillian, Emmaline joins forces with Barrett to try to achieve their personal goals.
When Gillian discovers that she is with child from Derek’s amorous attentions, she, Adria and Christopher hatch a plan to escape Jamaica. That plan is thwarted by Barrett, who kidnaps the trio. Derek saves them, Adria falls in love with Christopher, and the couples have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: As always with Ms. Barbieri’s books, her characters emotions are on full display. Even when I don’t like those emotions, they are felt deeply by me as a reader.
Downside: Also as always with Ms. Barbieri, her hero is a piece of human garbage. Derek is an obnoxious bastard, who treats Gillian like his possession, which according to the laws of the time, she was. He bullies, threatens, and emotionally abuses her. Yet, despite this, Gillian falls in love with him! At the beginning of the book, Gillian is a smart, strong, independent woman. By the end of the book, she’s a weak, Simpering Sara. Storylines are unfinished and unsatisfactory.
Sex: There is slightly more sex here than in most of Ms. Barbieri’s books, but it’s still far from erotica.
Violence: a shooting and several other killings. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: Elaine Barbieri is one of the most disappointing authors I’ve read. I’m very glad I only have one more book of hers, and then I can breathe a sigh of relief.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews