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Leaf in the Storm
Sally wouldn't forget the past!
In spite of everyone's advice, she clung to her memories. Life seemed to have ended for her when her husband, Colin, died.
Even Gavin Huntly's startling proposal couldn't shake her free. Though it was made without love, his offer meant a home and the prospect of children.
Then Maria's confession shattered the memory of Sally's marriage. She couldn't go on cherishing an illusion but would life with the formidable, unfeeling Gavin be any better?
In spite of everyone's advice, she clung to her memories. Life seemed to have ended for her when her husband, Colin, died.
Even Gavin Huntly's startling proposal couldn't shake her free. Though it was made without love, his offer meant a home and the prospect of children.
Then Maria's confession shattered the memory of Sally's marriage. She couldn't go on cherishing an illusion but would life with the formidable, unfeeling Gavin be any better?
187 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1978
About the author
Anne Hampson
150 books154 followersAnne Hampson was born on 28 November 1928 in England. At age six she had two ambitions: to teach and to write. Poverty after WWI deprived her of an education and at 14 she was making Marks & Spencer's blouses at one shilling (5p) each.
She retired when she married. Later, when her marriage broke up, she was homeless with £40 in her purse. She went back to the rag trade and lived in a tiny caravan. But she never forgot her two ambitions, and when Manchester University decided to trial older women she applied, and three years later had achieved one ambition, so set her thoughts on number two.
In 1969, her first novel, Eternal Summer, was accepted five days from posting and she soon had a contract for 12 more. From the caravan she went to a small stately home, drove a Mercedes and sailed on the QE2. From the first book, came over 125 more written for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette. Alan Boon (the Boon of Mills & Boon) and she came up with the title for 'Harlequin Presents' over lunch at the Ritz. She suggested to Alan that they have a historical series. He told her to write one - it was done in a month, entitled Eleanor and the Marquis under the pseudonym Jane Wilby. She has the distinction of being number one in Harlequin Presents, Masquerade and Silhouette. Many of "Presents" have been reprinted many times (some as many as 16) and are now fetching up to $55, being classed as "rare" books.
She has had 3 awards, one at the World Trade Centre where she received a standing ovation from her American fans, who had come from many states just to meet her.
She was retired, but in 2005 she wrote two romance and crime novels, both of which were published by Severn House.
She passed away on 25 September 2014. She has been written her autobiography, entitled Fate Was My Friend.
She retired when she married. Later, when her marriage broke up, she was homeless with £40 in her purse. She went back to the rag trade and lived in a tiny caravan. But she never forgot her two ambitions, and when Manchester University decided to trial older women she applied, and three years later had achieved one ambition, so set her thoughts on number two.
In 1969, her first novel, Eternal Summer, was accepted five days from posting and she soon had a contract for 12 more. From the caravan she went to a small stately home, drove a Mercedes and sailed on the QE2. From the first book, came over 125 more written for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette. Alan Boon (the Boon of Mills & Boon) and she came up with the title for 'Harlequin Presents' over lunch at the Ritz. She suggested to Alan that they have a historical series. He told her to write one - it was done in a month, entitled Eleanor and the Marquis under the pseudonym Jane Wilby. She has the distinction of being number one in Harlequin Presents, Masquerade and Silhouette. Many of "Presents" have been reprinted many times (some as many as 16) and are now fetching up to $55, being classed as "rare" books.
She has had 3 awards, one at the World Trade Centre where she received a standing ovation from her American fans, who had come from many states just to meet her.
She was retired, but in 2005 she wrote two romance and crime novels, both of which were published by Severn House.
She passed away on 25 September 2014. She has been written her autobiography, entitled Fate Was My Friend.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 28, 2024
Anne Hampson's Leaf in the Storm features one of the densest heroines in HPlandia paired up with one of its most aloof and unlikable heroes, which results in a pretty underwhelming read.
It takes the heroine the entire length of the story to figure out that her husband that she was sooooooooo in luuuuuuuuuurve with and grieving for almost to the point of suicide for 18 months, was a weasel who had an ongoing affair with an OW and even had a son with her. He carried on the affair with his mistress right under the nose of his wife and it is made clear that he would have gladly jilted/divorced his wife had the OW shown an inclination to marry him. OW, who was obviously smarter than the heroine of this tale, kept him firmly as her side piece instead.
After the husband croaked, the OW cruelly foisted her son on the childless heroine for free babysitting services and eventually dropped the bomb that this was the love child of her oh-so-beloved and devoted, late husband. The useless idiot of a heroine couldn't even make herself dislike the OW after this!
Comes the supposed hero of this piece who proposes a marriage of convenience to the heroine, since he doesn't believe in love. Idjeet agrees, then finds out he proposed because marriage was a condition to secure his Greek godfather's inheritance. Once again, this spineless wonder doesn't blink.
Later, when she finds out the hero paid off OW to drop the love child bomb on heroine in order to shatter her image of her dearly departed husband and render her depressed enough to agree to his MOC scheme, she just...moves into another room at their home. I can't even...
As for the hero, we are not given any back story on him to explain his harsh, cold, cynical attitude to marriage. Nor are we privy to why he suddenly changed his tune and was all "Darling this" and "Sweetheart that" other than perhaps the romantic atmosphere of a Greek Island managed to stretch out his heart that was three times too small. He pretty much admits that he didn't give a hoot about her when they first married but later he fell in love with her on the island. That's it. The only explanation we get.
It takes the heroine the entire length of the story to figure out that her husband that she was sooooooooo in luuuuuuuuuurve with and grieving for almost to the point of suicide for 18 months, was a weasel who had an ongoing affair with an OW and even had a son with her. He carried on the affair with his mistress right under the nose of his wife and it is made clear that he would have gladly jilted/divorced his wife had the OW shown an inclination to marry him. OW, who was obviously smarter than the heroine of this tale, kept him firmly as her side piece instead.
After the husband croaked, the OW cruelly foisted her son on the childless heroine for free babysitting services and eventually dropped the bomb that this was the love child of her oh-so-beloved and devoted, late husband. The useless idiot of a heroine couldn't even make herself dislike the OW after this!
Comes the supposed hero of this piece who proposes a marriage of convenience to the heroine, since he doesn't believe in love. Idjeet agrees, then finds out he proposed because marriage was a condition to secure his Greek godfather's inheritance. Once again, this spineless wonder doesn't blink.
Later, when she finds out the hero paid off OW to drop the love child bomb on heroine in order to shatter her image of her dearly departed husband and render her depressed enough to agree to his MOC scheme, she just...moves into another room at their home. I can't even...
As for the hero, we are not given any back story on him to explain his harsh, cold, cynical attitude to marriage. Nor are we privy to why he suddenly changed his tune and was all "Darling this" and "Sweetheart that" other than perhaps the romantic atmosphere of a Greek Island managed to stretch out his heart that was three times too small. He pretty much admits that he didn't give a hoot about her when they first married but later he fell in love with her on the island. That's it. The only explanation we get.
February 26, 2018
This was a lovely addition to Anne Hampson's much-cherished Stockholm Syndrome Series. The heroine is tricked into marriage by a heartless robot and falls in love with him despite his many cruelties. Throw in and you've got yourself a classic.
November 13, 2017
It was an okay book. Just really boring. Her husband had a child that he didn't tell her about from a previous relationship (except it happened while he was dating her before they fell in 'love') that lived next door to them. She was like a second Mother to the child and he loved her. She still was in mourning and she though she would never love again but the old girlfriend finally told her the truth. She was only mad because he never told her. The owner of the castle that her husband worked for asked her for a marriage of convenience to get a heir. All sex scenes were fade to black which didn't bother me but she liked it. The H was kind of a jerk and he swore he would never love but they went to Greece and fell in love. HEA and they are pregnant and moving to Greece and selling the Castle for a new beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2022
Couldn’t finish, skipped to end which was as bad as beginning. Dumb plot and characters.
April 18, 2021
The heroine is so obessed with her deceased husband and her bygone "nights of bliss" that upon reading this book, the romance in the story was almost non-existent for me. In my opinion the real Harlequin Hero has to erase the effect of any type of oms as soon as he enters the heroine s life, but in this case, the obessessive h just wouldn't let go. Sally seems truly mentally obessed with her past and dissapointingly the shadow of Colin,the om, stays till the end. Plus, I felt that, there was nothing special in heroine s physical or emotional interaction with the hero that ignites romance..it was such a waste of my time. The other major point that didnt make sense to me was why a man of such good looks and wealthy status should pursue this h. H wants a slave wife who would never question his authority, a point he makes clear but then why didnt he choose a greek wife??
August 11, 2021
Seeing some of the reviews here I was really put off from trying this author's books. It been in my reading shelf for some time before I decided to give a chance. I was splendidly surprised to see a smooth flow of the plot and depth of characters that will keep us hooked for the duration of the reading. I am not surprised to hear Anne Hampson was one of the most sought after author of her time.
September 17, 2013
so glad I finally read this
August 1, 2014
This was the first romance book I've ever read. It was small and older, so I figured it would be a good start, and I wasn't disappointed. I suggest this for all first time romance readers.
December 4, 2014
This is one of my all time favorite romance novels. Harlequin at its finest!
December 14, 2016
I somehow felt bored while reading it!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews