До конца своих дней

by Barbara Benedict, Барбара Бенедикт

Прекрасная Гиневра Маклауд, дочь разорившегося плантатора, обещает себя в жены победителю рыцарского турнира в надежде, что им станет ее давний возлюбленный. Но неожиданно для всех турнир выигрывает простой арендатор Раф Латур. Девушка наотрез отказывается сдержать слово, и тогда Раф похищает ее.
Неистовая любовь зарождается точно дикий цветок в глуши Луизианы - любовь, от которой невозможно ни бежать, ни отвернуться.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Barbara Benedict obtained an English major in college, and she went on to teach high school but she’s always been drawn to the magical process of writing. For Barbara, books are the keys that open the doors to life and all its wonders. For as long as she can remember, she has been stepping through these portals—by both reading and writing—to explore the myriad worlds they offer.

In 1984, Barbara published her first novel, an historical romance set in colonial South Carolina, and has since written about eras and locales as far apart as present day Louisiana to Arthurian England and Minoan Crete.

Not only does Barbara take pleasure in reading about exotic times and places, she also travels to the actual locations to gather the tiny details — when the sun sets, how the air feels, what sights, sounds, and habits are unique to the area. Accompanying her on these research trips, her husband serves as volunteer photographer and the romantic escort. As she’s often said, she could never "quite pull it off" without him. She firmly believes that the secret of writing a romance lies in "living a romance."

If you have any questions, or would like to contact Barbara Benedict, she can be reached by email at BarbaraBenedictB@aol.com.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Closer to 2.5 stars: I liked it some of the time.

ALWAYS is a story about a spoiled heiress who dwells on the past. Taking place in southern Louisiana, it is a take on King Arthur and Camelot. Guinivere McCloud grew up in a privileged household. Her playmates were none than a neighbor boy named Lance Buford, her cousin Edith Ann, and sometimes, Rafe Latour, a young man from the wrong-side of the tracks.

I think Ms Benedict had Scarlet O'Hara from 'Gone With The Wind' in mind when she wrote about Guin. She is a headstrong, self-centered Southern belle. Beautiful, and she knows it, Guin deeply resents anyone who interferes with her own interests. Lance is similar to Ashley and someone whom Guin thinks she loves for a portion of the story. She is attracted to Rafe (Rhett) but resents his ability to make her feel pampered and vain. Something she is but doesn't want to admit to herself.

It has now been five years since she was last home. Guin believes she is returning to marry her first love, Lance, but people change. And Guin is unaware of a plot that her uncle has to win over the plantation. In a bit of confusion, Guin finds herself married to Rafe and 'kidnapped' to take care of some children that live on the bayou.

There are a lot of things going on within this romance as you can tell. I may have enjoyed it more if I liked Guin's character. Similar to how Rafe felt, she had to earn my trust. And it took a long time. It would have also helped if I was a fan of King Arthur or Gone With The Wind but I am not. This affected my rating, too. If you love either of these stories, you will most likely enjoy this book more than I did.