Image of Love

by Rebecca Stratton

Harlequin Romance paperback #2180 published in 1978

Genres: Harlequin Romance, Harlequin

188 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Rebecca Stratton wrote two books as a Harlequin Presents author. Writing for the Harlequin Romance imprint, she published 43 novels. She also wrote under the name Lucy Gillen. She passed away in 1982.



Biography from Harlequin Romance #2489 The Golden Spaniard

"When one happens to be an unmarried woman of forty-five and apparently fixed for the rest of her working life in a safe and settled job," Rebecca Stratton says of herself, "it is apt to be regarded as bordering on the insane to suddenly give it all up and become a full-time writer."

But that is precisely what British-born and -bred Rebecca did one August day in 1967. Writing had always been her ultimate aim, and she felt that if she didn't make the move right then and there she'd end her days as "one more elderly lady sighing for what might have been."

When Rebecca Stratton's first attempt at a romance novel was accepted, she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. So she did both. Then she celebrated with friends and relatives. And then sat down to the job of writing more books - and reveled in it!

Reviews

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Rebecca Stratton/ Lucy Gillen's heroes. They are lovely traditional alpha's and Don Jaime was the epitome of Spanish alpha maleness with great kissing technique if the heroine's response is anything to go by.

A year ago, Roseanne was involved in a tragic car accident when the young Spaniard she'd been going around with, Pablo, was killed and she received only minor injuries. Pablo is Don Jaime's cousin and his family were devastated by the death. They wanted nothing to do with the young English girl who had survived the crash.

This makes the friendship between Roseanne's host Marta and the Don's cousin Beatriz complicated. To make things moreso, Federico, the fiance of Beatriz's sister Caterina is squiring around Roseanne without letting her know of his engagment.

And the most mysterious thing of all is the painting of Roseanne, done by Pable before his death, Jaime is keeping hidden in his office.

So it's going to take a lot of sorting out and the ending of old enmities before Roseanne and Jaime get their happy ending.

The only thing that annoyed me about this book is Stratton's tendency in almost every book to have a younger man dating the heroine to start with and she's really liking them and so on. Ok so young girls are silly but it annoys me. Because the triangle is in just about every book. And that's why it only got three stars. I spent the first half of the book feeling a tad irritated and wanting to see more hot alpha hero and less annoying childish spoilt boy.

[Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you would like to have this book, contact me. I've read other books by Rebecca Stratton and enjoyed it much more. Although I still think she is a solid writer, I did not find this book to be romantic. The wording was flowery and I enjoyed reading about the places the characters visited in Spain and I wished there was more of the language thrown in. I especially didn't appreciate that the heroine seemed to have absolutely no desire to learn the language, although it was her second time in Spain, she was staying with Spanish friends and said she had interest in the area's history. It seemed like she spent all her time shopping and appreciating male attention. Don Jaime was the classic alpha Spanish hero of the times, but I just didn't feel his magnetism. Saying he was magnetic wasn't enough.

[RomLibrary]

Something about Don Jaime disturbed her
Visiting Spain again, Roseanne found she wasn't allowed to forget Pablo Ostera, her holiday friend who died tragically the year before.

Don Jaime in particular seemed intent on reminding Roseanne of her friendship with his dead cousin.

Then, in his private study, she discovered a portrait of herself done by Pablo--one she hadn't even known existed. Why should Don Jaime keep it? It wasn't as if he had a personal interest in her

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read set in Spain