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الصقر و اليمامة
Jaine was tired to being used
Swamped by her spectacular relatives, burdened by her sense of gratitude to them, Jaine was accustomed to taking a back place in their lives. Except when they wanted her to do something.
So when her selfish cousin Laraine decided not to marry her wealthy suitor after all, it seemed natural to them that Jaine should take on the difficult task of explanations.
Jaine suddenly nerved herself to meet the imposing Pedro de Ros Zanto. The consequences were altogether surprising.
Swamped by her spectacular relatives, burdened by her sense of gratitude to them, Jaine was accustomed to taking a back place in their lives. Except when they wanted her to do something.
So when her selfish cousin Laraine decided not to marry her wealthy suitor after all, it seemed natural to them that Jaine should take on the difficult task of explanations.
Jaine suddenly nerved herself to meet the imposing Pedro de Ros Zanto. The consequences were altogether surprising.
156 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1974
2 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Violet Winspear
175 books140 followersViolet Winspear was a British author renowned for her prolific output of romance novels, publishing seventy titles with Mills & Boon between 1961 and 1987. In 1973, she became a launch author for the Mills & Boon-Harlequin Presents line, known for its more sexually explicit content, alongside Anne Mather and Anne Hampson, two of the most popular and prolific British romance writers of the time. Winspear began writing while working in a factory and became a full-time novelist in 1963, producing her works from her home in South East England, researching exotic settings at her local library. She famously described her heroes as lean, strong, and captivating, “in need of love but capable of breathtaking passion and potency,” a characterization that provoked controversy in 1970 when she stated that her male protagonists were “capable of rape,” leading to considerable public backlash. Her novels are celebrated for their vivid, globe-spanning settings and dramatic tension, often employing sexual antagonism to heighten conflict between the alpha male hero and the heroine, who is frequently portrayed as naïve or overwhelmed by his dominance. Winspear never married or had children, and she passed away in January 1989 after a long battle with cancer, leaving a lasting influence on the romance genre.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 19, 2025
The heroine of The Girl at Goldenhawk is so meek and self-loathing that I was picturing Rachel Dratch doing her Debbie Downer skit on Saturday Night Live.
The hero, smitten with the heroine from Day 1, speaks to her with such blatant double entendres and innuendos that only a dumb-dumb like our heroine could EVER fail to recognize his signals lol.
The hero, smitten with the heroine from Day 1, speaks to her with such blatant double entendres and innuendos that only a dumb-dumb like our heroine could EVER fail to recognize his signals lol.
February 27, 2019
Another one down on my quest to read the first 100 HPs. This is numbered 98 and was first published in 1974.
This was going to be a 5 star read right up until the end. The author did an excellent job showing you that the hero had fallen head over heels for the heroine at first sight. They spent plenty of time together and the way he treated her was just lovely. The book had a bit of a travelogue feel to it. Lots of descriptions of jungle flowers. There was also a sort of melancholy brooding feel too it. But the ending was just too abrupt. I wanted him to tell her all about how and when he fell in love with her. But no, it wrapped up too quickly. Still a great read.
This was going to be a 5 star read right up until the end. The author did an excellent job showing you that the hero had fallen head over heels for the heroine at first sight. They spent plenty of time together and the way he treated her was just lovely. The book had a bit of a travelogue feel to it. Lots of descriptions of jungle flowers. There was also a sort of melancholy brooding feel too it. But the ending was just too abrupt. I wanted him to tell her all about how and when he fell in love with her. But no, it wrapped up too quickly. Still a great read.
July 29, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ four stars -
This is a highly romantic, ambitiously written old-school romance. Let’s put aside the fact that this is a Harlequin Romance, and focus on the fact that this is one of the better romance novels that I have read in some time.
Here are a few fast facts about this book:
. It’s a romantic story written in the old-style of romance novels. Originally published in 1974 by Mills and Boon, Winspear goes full throttle on the flowery dialogue, intense scene descriptions (which I just LOVED), and writes many, many scenes of dialogue between our shy, blooming heroine and our very male and patient Hero.
. Our two mc’s fall in love over the course of many conversations, and this is what I just adored the most about this book. Each and every conversation they had took place inside a scene that was fully described so that you got a clear picture as to where they were, and their interactions were full of old-school romance cliches (which I personally ate up with glee!), and lots of fun innuendos made by our suave and debonair Hero 👌
. This is a very well-written romance, and taken on the basis of the romance alone, this marks my reason for my captivation. There is a small plot in the background that has to do with the setting of the story - Winspear introduces action loosely based on the 1964 coup of Brazil, and she plays fast and loose with facts here, which plays a role, in part, for the lack of the fifth star. (She also misappropriates native Brazilian people as Mayans, which is not fact.)
. The dramatic ending, having to do with the action of the political uprising (again loosely based on facts of the late 1960s political unrest in Brazil) was very well done. The romantic scene inside this action, while rushed (due to the fact of the well-known Harley time restraints), was very touching, and was so skillfully done. Winspear’s talent for dramatic writing came to the forefront here, and she hit it out of the park. Just well done.
If you’re someone who turns your nose up on Harlequin Romances, and would never consider picking up one of these older romances, you’d be missing out. This is a romance I would definitely recommend to anyone. It’s quick and easy to read, and the romance is fun in places, but you’re most certainly left with a heart that beats strongly, and reminds you why you’re alive.
* side note: as I’ve stated in other HQ reviews here on Goodreads, I’m only reviewing the HQ’s I enjoyed, and this book earned the honor of a review
Recommend for when you’re in the mood for a shorter, highly romantic read that will take you back to the time of simpler romances where characters spoke lots and lots of wonderful dialogue, and where the conversation tells story. Just wonderful!
Four solid stars.
This is a highly romantic, ambitiously written old-school romance. Let’s put aside the fact that this is a Harlequin Romance, and focus on the fact that this is one of the better romance novels that I have read in some time.
Here are a few fast facts about this book:
. It’s a romantic story written in the old-style of romance novels. Originally published in 1974 by Mills and Boon, Winspear goes full throttle on the flowery dialogue, intense scene descriptions (which I just LOVED), and writes many, many scenes of dialogue between our shy, blooming heroine and our very male and patient Hero.
. Our two mc’s fall in love over the course of many conversations, and this is what I just adored the most about this book. Each and every conversation they had took place inside a scene that was fully described so that you got a clear picture as to where they were, and their interactions were full of old-school romance cliches (which I personally ate up with glee!), and lots of fun innuendos made by our suave and debonair Hero 👌
. This is a very well-written romance, and taken on the basis of the romance alone, this marks my reason for my captivation. There is a small plot in the background that has to do with the setting of the story - Winspear introduces action loosely based on the 1964 coup of Brazil, and she plays fast and loose with facts here, which plays a role, in part, for the lack of the fifth star. (She also misappropriates native Brazilian people as Mayans, which is not fact.)
. The dramatic ending, having to do with the action of the political uprising (again loosely based on facts of the late 1960s political unrest in Brazil) was very well done. The romantic scene inside this action, while rushed (due to the fact of the well-known Harley time restraints), was very touching, and was so skillfully done. Winspear’s talent for dramatic writing came to the forefront here, and she hit it out of the park. Just well done.
If you’re someone who turns your nose up on Harlequin Romances, and would never consider picking up one of these older romances, you’d be missing out. This is a romance I would definitely recommend to anyone. It’s quick and easy to read, and the romance is fun in places, but you’re most certainly left with a heart that beats strongly, and reminds you why you’re alive.
* side note: as I’ve stated in other HQ reviews here on Goodreads, I’m only reviewing the HQ’s I enjoyed, and this book earned the honor of a review
Recommend for when you’re in the mood for a shorter, highly romantic read that will take you back to the time of simpler romances where characters spoke lots and lots of wonderful dialogue, and where the conversation tells story. Just wonderful!
Four solid stars.
July 8, 2021
“The Girl at Goldenhawk” is the story of Jaine and Pedro.
Heroine is a plain, unloved orphan who basically works as a maid and secretary to her actress aunt and flighty cousin. The latter gets engaged to a rich Brazilian lord, only to run away at the last moment. The heroine is coerced to be the scapegoat to their shenanigans.
She travels to Brazil to meet the hero and break the news, who soon hires her to be a companion to his disabled son. The whole book has the heroine doubting herself and not allowing herself to hope, until the very end when the hero confesses his love for her.
It had a bittersweet ending but overall an enjoyable read. The climactic reveal was very predictable. I haven’t seen such a self deprecating and realistic heroine in romance for ages.
Safe
3.5/5
Heroine is a plain, unloved orphan who basically works as a maid and secretary to her actress aunt and flighty cousin. The latter gets engaged to a rich Brazilian lord, only to run away at the last moment. The heroine is coerced to be the scapegoat to their shenanigans.
She travels to Brazil to meet the hero and break the news, who soon hires her to be a companion to his disabled son. The whole book has the heroine doubting herself and not allowing herself to hope, until the very end when the hero confesses his love for her.
It had a bittersweet ending but overall an enjoyable read. The climactic reveal was very predictable. I haven’t seen such a self deprecating and realistic heroine in romance for ages.
Safe
3.5/5
October 18, 2009
Shades of Jane Eyre in this oldie. A heroine named Jaine; a motherless child in need of a companion; secretive hero; an estate on fire.... The book ends with the typical, rather abrupt HEA ending that many of these older titles have. Very enjoyable.
February 12, 2015
Okay, I've read the negative reviews and the "meh" reviews, and the reviews where this poor little book is dissected, thrashed, spit on and burned. Okay, not the last three, but close. So...I'm here to defend. No I'm not. I'm here to simply say that I adore this, and most of Winspear"s books. She's one of my favorite old school romance authors; Mills and Boone and Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Presents. The men are mostly overbearing, fantastically handsome, seemingly hard hearted, and chauvinistic. The girls are (mostly) really young, naive, pretty but not glamorous, and poor-ish, but kind and intelligent. What's not to like???? Okay, sorry. Anyway these are pure fluff and fun and have to be read while considering when they were written ( or at least for some readers, not me) and then just enjoy them for the Jane Eyre-ish or Pride and Prejudice-ish pulp fiction (comapred to the classics (only I think they're better) that they are. Just let go and indulge. Happy, unrealistic, but dreamy endings are always at the end of each book. :-)
November 19, 2020
Back in the day this author was one of my absolute favourites. This tale shares a lot in common with the classic story of Jane Eyre.
Jaine Dare orphaned at a very young age was taken in by her Aunt Madge and brought up with Madge’s own daughter Laraine. Although things were never equal as Jaine was forced to fetch and carry after her young cousin, and as they grew up Jaine became more like an employee.
Laraine had recently become engaged to Duque Pedro Almanzor de Ros Zanto. The story opens because Laraine has got cold feet and no longer wishes to marry the Duque. Madge is telling Jaine that it is she who must face the Duque and inform him of Laraine’s decision. Jaine while quite meek she is not completely downtrodden and refuses. But all she gets is to be insulted by her aunt. The manor of which made me laugh. When Jaine informs the Duque of Laraines decision, he promptly hires her to be a companion to his young son. Thus enabling her to break ties with her self centred aunt and cousin.
An excerpt from the book where Madge is bullying Jaine into doing what she wants.
“You have no family apart from Laraine and myself, and the world can be a big empty place to someone homeless, and without the weapons for hooking a man. It isn't only that you're plain-looking, Jaine.; You have a curious sexless quality ... like a cartoon cat, or a pierrot perched in the hook of the moon. You've grown accustomed to the life I live. You enjoy the theatre and I can take it all away from you in the winking of an eyelid.”
Excerpt From
The Girl at Goldenhawk
Winspear, Violet
This material may be protected by copyright.
Some readers might find this not only a bit dated but also very tame. But this author knew how to write IMO, she was an expert at conveying emotions and passion to the reader. Her leading men were always harsh, autocratic and cynical. It’s amazing that the author never visited any of the countries in which her books are set, but researched them at her local library in the south of England where she lived. I really liked this it’s proper old school.
Jaine Dare orphaned at a very young age was taken in by her Aunt Madge and brought up with Madge’s own daughter Laraine. Although things were never equal as Jaine was forced to fetch and carry after her young cousin, and as they grew up Jaine became more like an employee.
Laraine had recently become engaged to Duque Pedro Almanzor de Ros Zanto. The story opens because Laraine has got cold feet and no longer wishes to marry the Duque. Madge is telling Jaine that it is she who must face the Duque and inform him of Laraine’s decision. Jaine while quite meek she is not completely downtrodden and refuses. But all she gets is to be insulted by her aunt. The manor of which made me laugh. When Jaine informs the Duque of Laraines decision, he promptly hires her to be a companion to his young son. Thus enabling her to break ties with her self centred aunt and cousin.
An excerpt from the book where Madge is bullying Jaine into doing what she wants.
“You have no family apart from Laraine and myself, and the world can be a big empty place to someone homeless, and without the weapons for hooking a man. It isn't only that you're plain-looking, Jaine.; You have a curious sexless quality ... like a cartoon cat, or a pierrot perched in the hook of the moon. You've grown accustomed to the life I live. You enjoy the theatre and I can take it all away from you in the winking of an eyelid.”
Excerpt From
The Girl at Goldenhawk
Winspear, Violet
This material may be protected by copyright.
Some readers might find this not only a bit dated but also very tame. But this author knew how to write IMO, she was an expert at conveying emotions and passion to the reader. Her leading men were always harsh, autocratic and cynical. It’s amazing that the author never visited any of the countries in which her books are set, but researched them at her local library in the south of England where she lived. I really liked this it’s proper old school.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
Loved. 💕
Read
May 13, 2020Zzzzzzz.
Read
December 21, 2014Aside from being extremely wordy, boring, and slow, the book is so riddled with inaccuracies that reading is made even harder to stomach. There's NEVER been Mayans in Brazil, so the constant reference to Mayan culture, Mayan Indians working in the household, or the protagonist's noble Mayan background made him seem Mexican. Half way through the book, the protagonist talks about "our Moorish origins" like he is Spanish. Then, the abundance of Spanish, Greek, and incorrect Portuguese used throughout the entire book makes reading extremely distracting, confusing, and lacking in credibility. Another point: nothing happens in the plot until it ends abruptly with an irrational maneuver that has neither head nor tail. In short, I find this book - aside from being a total mess - tedious, lifeless, careless and offensive both to Brazilians and to readers in general. It was poorly researched, unconvincing, and pretentious. It has no romance, drama, mystery, passion, or excitement. The static plot did not keep me captive; it was hard to reach the end. If I could, I would give it 'zero' stars.
March 26, 2014
This was a cute Romantic story about a plain young woman named Jaine that was always standing in the shadows of her spoilt actress aunt and her aunt's beautiful daughter. The very man rejected by her cousin makes Jaine an absolutely irrefusable offer that will change her life's path. And for the better, when love comes.
March 28, 2015
أول روايات عبير اللي قريتها أيام الجامعه ومحتفظة بيها في مكتبتي انا قريت روايات مترجمه زيها كتير بس دي علقت في دماغي ياااه يا عبد الصمد :D
لأ ريلي حلوة <3
لأ ريلي حلوة <3
July 3, 2017
It was a bit boring
November 16, 2010
Very good. For a Harlequin, it was very good. Yeah, I like it.
August 16, 2022
Well if I went by the cover I would say that the h was snarling because she was getting a painful injection and the quite aged H was sneering because he was enjoying the view. Not like the real story of a nice plain Jaime and a good looking guy who loved her. They lived in a fantasy Brazil which borrowed Mayans and Moors for a more exotic background and political unrest for some drama.
April 16, 2023
One of those lovely VW books where the H is haughty, but not cruel. You can tell he's falling madly in love with our dear h quite early on, and he drops so many hints that she misses by a mile because she so innocent.
January 2, 2018
سجل يا تاريخ وبعد 27 سنة على هذا الكوكب البائس
فلاول مرة في حياتي اقرا من سلسلة عبير
ومنك لله يا فخري
الترجمة عجيبة حقيقي
فلاول مرة في حياتي اقرا من سلسلة عبير
ومنك لله يا فخري
الترجمة عجيبة حقيقي
April 1, 2022
#2022
January 31, 2023
الكتاب بجنن برأته قبل سنه الكتاب رومنسي وكله خيال انصح بقرائه ،قرأته قبل سنه ونص وبعيده ان شاء الله
pback-to-read
February 9, 2021Jaine was, to say the least of it, swamped by her spectacular relatives -- her aunt, a spoilt darling of the London stage, and her equally glamorous cousin Laraine. She was accustomed always to take back place to them and making herself useful in whatever way they wanted.
So when Laraine decided that, after all, she did not want to go through with her planned marriage to her wealthy suitor, it seemed natural to them all that Jaine should take on the difficult task of explaining to him his fiancee's change of mind.
Accordingly Jaine nerved herself to meet the imposing Pedro de Ros Zanto. But there was a surprise in store for her ..
So when Laraine decided that, after all, she did not want to go through with her planned marriage to her wealthy suitor, it seemed natural to them all that Jaine should take on the difficult task of explaining to him his fiancee's change of mind.
Accordingly Jaine nerved herself to meet the imposing Pedro de Ros Zanto. But there was a surprise in store for her ..
December 5, 2014
Interesting read, takes place in Brazil, the lead character is a 22 year old women who has lived as her Aunt and Cousin's servant since she was orphaned and they were the only relatives she had. They have taken advantaged of her and repressed Jaine's personal opinion of herself in everyway. She is being sent to Brazil to tell her cousin's fiancé that the wedding is off. Jaine finds it not as easy as she expected to face this man.
June 29, 2015
أحداثها شيقة جداً و سريعة .... و نهايتها فيها مفاجئة غير متوقعة ...... بجد رواية حلوة اوي :)
Want to read
March 13, 2017i thought i can read books on this aap
April 9, 2021
The first romance i ever read and the one i still remember to this day. I was all of 13 and i remember thinking that Jayne was too innocent for the Duke but i still loved it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews