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Valentina
Valentina Grunowska gazed with horror at her brutal husband, the count. Married to him in her teens, the great beautiful countess had learned to fear his iron will, his cold-blooded sensuality, his arrogance. But now he was demanding that she, his young wife, should prostitute herself to the leaders of the invading French army in order to gain valuable information about Napoleon's plans for the attack on Russia.Valentina, as unwilling Polish agent, went to the French that night fearing what she must do. Colonel de Chavel is cold, contemptuous, and head of the French intelligence service. But she did not know the handsome, embittered French officer who would enter her life, and plunge her into a whirlpool of reckless passion and danger...Theirs seems like the least likely of love stories. But, as Napoleon's army sweeps on towards Moscow, great events will throw them together - and pull them apart again. As the French face defeat and a starving retreat through the snow, Valentina must search desperately amongst the survivors for the man she loves.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1966
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
118 books96 followersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 17, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up for old times' sake
I came across a dog-eared copy of this years ago and thought it the most romantic thing my teenaged self had ever read (and that included Mary Stewart). Re-reading it...well, it's not so hot. But not so bad either. High melodrama all round, but a fairly decent account of the disastrous retreat from Moscow. (Wonderful schematic map of the scale of the horrendous losses here.) Interestingly, it's the secondary romance involving Valentina's sister that's the more compelling on a re-read. Worth a look if you find it (now on Kindle too).
I came across a dog-eared copy of this years ago and thought it the most romantic thing my teenaged self had ever read (and that included Mary Stewart). Re-reading it...well, it's not so hot. But not so bad either. High melodrama all round, but a fairly decent account of the disastrous retreat from Moscow. (Wonderful schematic map of the scale of the horrendous losses here.) Interestingly, it's the secondary romance involving Valentina's sister that's the more compelling on a re-read. Worth a look if you find it (now on Kindle too).
September 21, 2014
I really enjoyed this book although I read it many years ago. The historical aspects about Napoleon' s invasion of Russia are particularly interesting.
July 12, 2008
Good romance set amidst the chaos of the Napoleonic Wars. Keep a tissue handy, but there is a good ending. Now, if only I hadn't misplaced my copy.
Have found my copy and re-read it recently. Let this be a warning: sometimes it is better to have fond memories of a book. It held up fairly well to re-reading, but in my memory it was a much better book.
Have found my copy and re-read it recently. Let this be a warning: sometimes it is better to have fond memories of a book. It held up fairly well to re-reading, but in my memory it was a much better book.
September 22, 2010
I did not enjoy this, not enough emotional fulfillment for me.
The book includes historical fiction about Napoleon's unsuccessful attack into Russia in 1812. There is a love that happens, and there is a happy ending, but I didn’t feel good while reading it. It was somewhat tedious reading. It was written in 1965, and the writing style felt dated. I skimmed several parts, especially about military movements and politics. I wanted it to be over.
CAUTION SPOILER: My favorite character was the sister of Valentina, a supporting character. She was strong, independent and fun to read about. However the ending for her was sad. I don't like sad endings. I didn't like Valentina's decisions. I was annoyed with her stupidity of leaving her safe house to "get news" of De Chavel (the man she loved). She gets arrested and nearly killed, which she should have known about.
Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: Poland and Russia around 1812. Copyright: 1965. Genre: romantic historical fiction.
The book includes historical fiction about Napoleon's unsuccessful attack into Russia in 1812. There is a love that happens, and there is a happy ending, but I didn’t feel good while reading it. It was somewhat tedious reading. It was written in 1965, and the writing style felt dated. I skimmed several parts, especially about military movements and politics. I wanted it to be over.
CAUTION SPOILER: My favorite character was the sister of Valentina, a supporting character. She was strong, independent and fun to read about. However the ending for her was sad. I don't like sad endings. I didn't like Valentina's decisions. I was annoyed with her stupidity of leaving her safe house to "get news" of De Chavel (the man she loved). She gets arrested and nearly killed, which she should have known about.
Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: Poland and Russia around 1812. Copyright: 1965. Genre: romantic historical fiction.
May 6, 2026
Set during Napoleon's disastrous, failed attempt to conquer Russia in 1812, Valentina is at times a cheesy historical romance, and at others a historical fiction full of misery and bleakness. I did not enjoy it.
August 8, 2012
Not particularly engaging as a romance throughout the first half of the book. About halfway through it becomes more intriguing due to the war scenes. I had a good cry near the end and this wasn't even the first time I've read this book. I wasn't too interested in the plot but yes halfway through to the end it gets interesting!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews