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You Belong to My Heart
From Love to Hate
She was a blue blood. His ran dirt poor and red. That didn't matter to them. But it did to those whose devious trap destroyed their young love.
From Innocence to Ecstasy
As the Civil War raged, a different kind of war exploded in Mary Ellen Preble's mansion on the Mississippi. Captain Clay Knight had returned, seizing her home as Union headquarters, captivating her body with a fire unquenched by time. How long could she fight the ecstasy of loving this cold-hearted, hot-blooded man who wanted her back in his bed...but never back in his heart?
She was a blue blood. His ran dirt poor and red. That didn't matter to them. But it did to those whose devious trap destroyed their young love.
From Innocence to Ecstasy
As the Civil War raged, a different kind of war exploded in Mary Ellen Preble's mansion on the Mississippi. Captain Clay Knight had returned, seizing her home as Union headquarters, captivating her body with a fire unquenched by time. How long could she fight the ecstasy of loving this cold-hearted, hot-blooded man who wanted her back in his bed...but never back in his heart?
367 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
About the author
Nan Ryan
44 books71 followersNancy Henderson is the middle daughter of a Texas rancher and postmaster. She's been married for many years to Joe Ryan, a television executive. Hisoccupation has taken them from border to border and coast to coast. Fortunately, writing is something that can be done anywhere - and Nan shouldknow. The Ryans have lived in Washington, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and their own home state of Texas. Nan says it was fun to move around the country and honestly believes that it has helped her writing. The library and the Internet offer a great deal of information on any given place, but there is nothing quite likeactually living in a locale where a book is set.
She began her writing career in 1981. She flirted with writing mysteries, but never finished any. Then, as fate would have it, she saw an article in Newsweek magazine entitled "From Bedroom to Boardroom." It was an interesting story on the women who were writing romance novels. Nan was intrigued. She had never read a romance. She bought a couple, read them, and knew she'd found her calling. She sat down at the Smith Corona typewriter and began her own romance. The first one never left her house. It is burieddeep in a trunk and Nan says it will never be shown to anyone. Her second book sold and she's been writing since. Twenty-two romance novels later, shestill enjoys writing and realizes she's been blessed to have found what she loves to do.
The winner of numerous awards, Nan Ryan says one of the nicest things ever written about her was printed in the St. Petersburg Times. Correspondent AnnV. Hull wrote: "Romance novelist Nan Ryan could step right into the pages of one of her paperbacks. Tall and slender, with smokey eyes and pearly skin,Nan Ryan looks like movie star Jessica Lange's older sister. Ryan writes the most imaginative and bold love scenes, some of which would surely shock herformer teachers at Abilene Christian University."
She began her writing career in 1981. She flirted with writing mysteries, but never finished any. Then, as fate would have it, she saw an article in Newsweek magazine entitled "From Bedroom to Boardroom." It was an interesting story on the women who were writing romance novels. Nan was intrigued. She had never read a romance. She bought a couple, read them, and knew she'd found her calling. She sat down at the Smith Corona typewriter and began her own romance. The first one never left her house. It is burieddeep in a trunk and Nan says it will never be shown to anyone. Her second book sold and she's been writing since. Twenty-two romance novels later, shestill enjoys writing and realizes she's been blessed to have found what she loves to do.
The winner of numerous awards, Nan Ryan says one of the nicest things ever written about her was printed in the St. Petersburg Times. Correspondent AnnV. Hull wrote: "Romance novelist Nan Ryan could step right into the pages of one of her paperbacks. Tall and slender, with smokey eyes and pearly skin,Nan Ryan looks like movie star Jessica Lange's older sister. Ryan writes the most imaginative and bold love scenes, some of which would surely shock herformer teachers at Abilene Christian University."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 19, 2021
I don’t recall reading this book at all!!! Reading the reviews for this book is kind of bringing back memories. 😅
August 11, 2021
I love this book. Definitely not a 5-star story, but Part 2 is fantastic. :o) Clay is the ultimate good gone bad boy hero!!!
May 22, 2023
Persuasion, but make it Southern.
This novel tells the tale of how a seamstress's son and the daughter of a cotton mogul were torn apart due to their class differences. Mary Ellen Preble's parents could not bear the idea of seeing their precious daughter marry Clay Knight, a boy with nothing to his name. And so, they tricked the two youngsters into believing that they had been betrayed by the other.
Years later, in the midst of the Civil War, Clay and Mary Ellen meet once again. Their roles have been reversed, as the once prosperous Preble cotton empire has been jeopardized by the war between the states while the seamstress's son has become Captain Knight.
And so, this novel would be best summarized as Persuasion, but make it Southern.
This novel tells the tale of how a seamstress's son and the daughter of a cotton mogul were torn apart due to their class differences. Mary Ellen Preble's parents could not bear the idea of seeing their precious daughter marry Clay Knight, a boy with nothing to his name. And so, they tricked the two youngsters into believing that they had been betrayed by the other.
Years later, in the midst of the Civil War, Clay and Mary Ellen meet once again. Their roles have been reversed, as the once prosperous Preble cotton empire has been jeopardized by the war between the states while the seamstress's son has become Captain Knight.
And so, this novel would be best summarized as Persuasion, but make it Southern.
March 12, 2014
I really loved this story. It is in 2 parts, the first part tells the story about Mary and Clay when they were young and grew up together and then fell in love. The second part tells the story of their meeting 12 yrs after they were parted, and the change in their feelings for each other are completely different as they both believe the other to blame for the breakup of their previous relationship.
She was told Clay was only using her for her fathers connections to get him in Navel Academy, and he had left. Not knowing he was to return.
Mary was heartbroken, and was finally convinced to marry someone else. Clay was told she had betrayed him.
When they get together again the attraction between them is still there and an affair begins,
The story was a nice romance with steamy love scenes and an entertaining storyline.
I've read several of Nan Ryan's novel's before and this one is a 10/10.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2023
I found this book monotonous and lacking.
By page 5, I knew exactly how the story would unfold, and it did. There is absolutely no character development and all of the side characters felt 2 dimensional. It was if the writer was quoting from a history book; telling us versus showing. Several parts of the story were unbelievable because that is not how things would have occurred during that timeframe. Also, they were in the middle of the civil war, but the only way it impacted heroine was to have to house the man she loved/hated (no rationings, curfews, etc.). Yes, most romances have the expected happily-ever-after ending. What we don't know is the struggles the characters must overcome to get there. There felt like no struggle until near the end. A lot of the story came across as filler content. Overall, I found the book boring, unbelievable, and underdeveloped as a historical romance.
I did like the cover art, especially how the step-back was done. The writer jumped into some steamy situations. The bed scenes are definitely steamy, but not to my taste.
By page 5, I knew exactly how the story would unfold, and it did. There is absolutely no character development and all of the side characters felt 2 dimensional. It was if the writer was quoting from a history book; telling us versus showing. Several parts of the story were unbelievable because that is not how things would have occurred during that timeframe. Also, they were in the middle of the civil war, but the only way it impacted heroine was to have to house the man she loved/hated (no rationings, curfews, etc.). Yes, most romances have the expected happily-ever-after ending. What we don't know is the struggles the characters must overcome to get there. There felt like no struggle until near the end. A lot of the story came across as filler content. Overall, I found the book boring, unbelievable, and underdeveloped as a historical romance.
I did like the cover art, especially how the step-back was done. The writer jumped into some steamy situations. The bed scenes are definitely steamy, but not to my taste.
January 23, 2014
I liked this book a whole hell of a lot and I loved Clay, "so I am," he said calmly in a low, soft baritone, "but then you've seen me like this before. Many times." His long, lean fingers continuing to grip her wrist as he slowly turned his dark head so that the bright moonlight struck him full in the face. "Have you forgotten all those hours we spent naked together?" A long pause. Then, "Have you forgotten....Mary?" He's such a damn tease as well, "his dark face descending to hers, he said, "Perhaps you're one of those women who prefers making love in the morning." Mary Ellen although married before well she can be a little shy and yet aroused, and in awe of her man's goodies, "Mary Ellen's face grew warm as she stared unblinkingly at the flaccid male flesh at rest amid the dense, curly blue-black hair of his groin. She trembled at the recollection of what that innocent-looking organ could do to her when it was fully erect." Clay he can be so gentle and sweet, "I'll show you, baby," he whispered, pressing heated kisses to her ivory shoulders. "Relax against me," he advised. "Let me do all the work. I'll go slowly, gently, until you're..." He thrust a little farther into her as she sighed and settled against him."
July 21, 2014
True romance with amazing passion. A young heartfelt love, torn apart by social class, then 12 years later, the struggles to unite. Amazing!!!!!
April 14, 2022
Love author Nan Ryan! I rate this book at 4 1/2 stars. I love the civil war era/genre! A girl, Mary Ellen, from a well to do family and the son, Clayton Knight, of a lowly seamstress become the best of friends in childhood. As the years pass by, they realize their friendship has turned to love! As time goes on, Mary Ellen’s parents see this is not just young love/first love but real love and worry about Mary Ellen’s future. Her father decides to deceive the young lovers causing them to split apart. Both become bitter because of the deceit and move on in their lives but never forgetting their love for each other. After twelve hard years for both, the Civil War brings them together again. Can they heal their hearts and forgive? Enjoy reading!
November 8, 2018
Wow , how I LOVED CLAY ! Let me count the ways😍 ! From the very beginning when he first falls for his Mary as just a young girl I was immediately taken with him . His character is what ALL women want & all men are jealous of . Him & Mary both will captivate every reader and you will be entranced quickly with the book just as I was . It's so hard to tell about this book without giving away the story, which I will not do ! Just know that you WILL not be lacking for a HEART ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY with this one !
June 6, 2025
Once in life time
Mary Ellen and CLAY grew up together fell in love has children.Clay was a poor boy Mary was from a rich family.Mary's family separated her and Clay. Clay was bitter and used women.Mary married the man her family wanted for her.Mary never loved anyone but Clay.Trouble and misunderstanding.A good book.Great author
Mary Ellen and CLAY grew up together fell in love has children.Clay was a poor boy Mary was from a rich family.Mary's family separated her and Clay. Clay was bitter and used women.Mary married the man her family wanted for her.Mary never loved anyone but Clay.Trouble and misunderstanding.A good book.Great author
August 4, 2025
It was ok , not as good as her other novel “sun god” , and was on the same theme. I didn’t like that it was predictable and that the second half was not as developed as the first half of the story. The characters and the plot were superficial and formulaic. The idea was good, just not the execution. The poignancy, the culmination was a missed point unfortunately.
January 5, 2018
July 15, 2017
You Belong to my Heart reminds me a little of Gone with the Wind. I give it 2 stars because it was predictable.
You Belong to my Heart reminds me a little of Gone with the Wind. I give it 2 stars because it was predictable.
April 18, 2020
I really liked it! I loved the young love story and it was full of steamy sex scenes. I will read more of this classic author :)
October 4, 2023
Porn for ladies. Not completely bad, but not very good either.
August 18, 2025
Lets say the spice was spicing!!🔥 A good read could have done without the OM/OW seggs description. I do love when the main characters grow up together and in love so that was a plus for me!
June 13, 2017
I did read the reviews on this book, but I went ahead and bought it from Amazon for a really cheap price. I'm glad that it was cheap. There were several editing problems, and read as a first effort submission.
To me it was the story that just couldn't:
*Couldn't make me feel for the characters.
*Couldn't make me believe the plot.
To me it was the story that just couldn't:
*Couldn't make me feel for the characters.
*Couldn't make me believe the plot.
January 23, 2014
Tears, Cheers, WTH...and that's just the last few pages. This book is HOT. I'm going to go back and re-read this to get a better sense of the "plot"...
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2015
Re read.
September 10, 2016
Fun Civil War era romance.
January 21, 2017
Ромео и Жулиета по време на войната между Севера и Юга.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews