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Jewel of My Heart
Wild child Madison Westcott detests convention and has no desire to marry. Thumbing her nose at London society, she deliberately turns her coming-out ball into a spectacle by unveiling a scandalous self-portrait. To avoid further damage to her reputation, she is whisked away to the family's lush Jamaican plantation by her wealthy aunt and the dark, mysterious Jefford Harris, for whom Madison soon feels a powerful attraction she is desperate to deny.
But when the fires of revolt sweep across the island, Madison and Jefford flee to India, a shimmering land of jasmine and jewels. At the court of the Raja, Madison finally succumbs to Jefford's commanding touch. But not even the passion of their one forbidden night can protect them from an unexpected danger that threatens the unspoken love between them -- and their very lives....
But when the fires of revolt sweep across the island, Madison and Jefford flee to India, a shimmering land of jasmine and jewels. At the court of the Raja, Madison finally succumbs to Jefford's commanding touch. But not even the passion of their one forbidden night can protect them from an unexpected danger that threatens the unspoken love between them -- and their very lives....
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2004
About the author
Rosemary Rogers
112 books425 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Rosemary Jansz Navaratnam Rogers Kadison
Rosemary Jansz was born on 7 December 1932 in Panadura, British Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), she was the oldest child of Dutch-Portuguese settlers, Barbara "Allan" and Cyril Jansz. Her father was a wealthy educator who owned three posh private schools. She was raised in colonial splendor: dozens of servants, no work, summers at European spas, a chaperone everywhere she went. A dreamy child, she wrote her first novel at eight, and all through her teens scribbled madly romantic epics in imitation of her favorite writers: Sir Walter Scott, Alexandre Dumas and Rafael Sabatini.
At 17, Rosemary rebelled against a feudal upbringing and went to the University of Ceylon, where she studied three years. She horrified her family by taking a job as a reporter, and two years later marrying with Summa Navaratnam, a Ceylonese track star known as "the fastest man in Asia." The marriage had two daughters. Unhappily, he often sprinted after other women. Disappointed with her husband, in 1960, she moved with her two daughters and took off for London.
In Europe she met her future second husband, Leroy Rogers, an african-american. "He was the first man," she recalls, "who made me feel like a real woman." After getting a divorce from her first husband, she married Rogers in his home town, St. Louis, Missouri. They moved with her family to California, where she had two sons. Six years later, when that marriage broke up, Rosemary was left with four children to support on her $4,200 salary as a typist for the Solano County Parks Department. In 1969, in the face of a socialist takeover of Ceylon, her parents fled the island with only ?100, giving Rosemary two more dependents. At 37, the rich girl from Ceylon was on her uppers in Fairfield.
Every night for a year, Rogers worked to perfect a manuscript that she had written as a child, rewriting it 24 times. When she was satisfied with her work, she sent the manuscript to Avon, which quickly purchased the novel. That novel, ''Sweet Savage Love'', skyrocketed to the top of bestseller lists, and became one of the most popular historical romances of all time. Her second novel, ''Dark Fires'', sold two million copies in its first three months of release. Her first three novels sold a combined 10 million copies. The fourth, ''Wicked Loving Lies'' sold 3 million copies in its first month of publication. Rosemary Rogers became one of the legendaries "Avon Queens of Historical Romance". The difference between she and most of others romance writers is not the violence of her stories, it is the intensity. She says: "My heroines are me", and certainly her life could be one of her novels.
In September of 1984, Rosemary married a third time with Christopher Kadison, but it was a very brief marriage and they soon began to live apart. "I'd like to live with a man," she admits, "but I find men in real life don't come up to my fantasies. I want culture, spirit and sex all rolled up together."
Today single, Rosemary lives quietly in a small dramatic villa perched on a crag above the Pacific near Carmel. Her four children are now away from home and she continues to write.
Rosemary passed away at the age of 87 on November 12, 2019 in Carmel, California where she called home since the early 1970s.
Rosemary Jansz Navaratnam Rogers Kadison
Rosemary Jansz was born on 7 December 1932 in Panadura, British Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), she was the oldest child of Dutch-Portuguese settlers, Barbara "Allan" and Cyril Jansz. Her father was a wealthy educator who owned three posh private schools. She was raised in colonial splendor: dozens of servants, no work, summers at European spas, a chaperone everywhere she went. A dreamy child, she wrote her first novel at eight, and all through her teens scribbled madly romantic epics in imitation of her favorite writers: Sir Walter Scott, Alexandre Dumas and Rafael Sabatini.
At 17, Rosemary rebelled against a feudal upbringing and went to the University of Ceylon, where she studied three years. She horrified her family by taking a job as a reporter, and two years later marrying with Summa Navaratnam, a Ceylonese track star known as "the fastest man in Asia." The marriage had two daughters. Unhappily, he often sprinted after other women. Disappointed with her husband, in 1960, she moved with her two daughters and took off for London.
In Europe she met her future second husband, Leroy Rogers, an african-american. "He was the first man," she recalls, "who made me feel like a real woman." After getting a divorce from her first husband, she married Rogers in his home town, St. Louis, Missouri. They moved with her family to California, where she had two sons. Six years later, when that marriage broke up, Rosemary was left with four children to support on her $4,200 salary as a typist for the Solano County Parks Department. In 1969, in the face of a socialist takeover of Ceylon, her parents fled the island with only ?100, giving Rosemary two more dependents. At 37, the rich girl from Ceylon was on her uppers in Fairfield.
Every night for a year, Rogers worked to perfect a manuscript that she had written as a child, rewriting it 24 times. When she was satisfied with her work, she sent the manuscript to Avon, which quickly purchased the novel. That novel, ''Sweet Savage Love'', skyrocketed to the top of bestseller lists, and became one of the most popular historical romances of all time. Her second novel, ''Dark Fires'', sold two million copies in its first three months of release. Her first three novels sold a combined 10 million copies. The fourth, ''Wicked Loving Lies'' sold 3 million copies in its first month of publication. Rosemary Rogers became one of the legendaries "Avon Queens of Historical Romance". The difference between she and most of others romance writers is not the violence of her stories, it is the intensity. She says: "My heroines are me", and certainly her life could be one of her novels.
In September of 1984, Rosemary married a third time with Christopher Kadison, but it was a very brief marriage and they soon began to live apart. "I'd like to live with a man," she admits, "but I find men in real life don't come up to my fantasies. I want culture, spirit and sex all rolled up together."
Today single, Rosemary lives quietly in a small dramatic villa perched on a crag above the Pacific near Carmel. Her four children are now away from home and she continues to write.
Rosemary passed away at the age of 87 on November 12, 2019 in Carmel, California where she called home since the early 1970s.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2020
Another dragged out story that should have been 100 pages shorter, and this was almost 500 pages. Time span is about a year, then the epilogue takes place three years later. I've had this for 12.5 years and it's not one I'd have bought now, as the synopsis doesn't appeal to me, since it takes place in multiple foreign lands. Boring is the word that describes this best.
Madison is feisty and I like her. She's twenty-one, blonde, with blue-green eyes. She's an artist, though her work's never been for sale, so I guess you could say she paints for fun. It's says once in the book that Madison's middle name is Ann (p. 20), another time it's Elizabeth (p. 60), a third time it's Anne (p. 145). I think once her blue-green eyes are 'blue.' As the synopsis says, she purposely reveals a scandalous (nude) portrait of herself then acts like that's normal and doesn't understand why people are shocked. What I really wish had happened with that is someone in her household, such as a jealous female servant, switched one portrait for another to humiliate her in front of a crowd of guests. That would have been much more believable than what happened. She travels to Jamaica, then India, with her wealthy aunt Kendra, who's her deceased father's half-sister, and her son, Jefford.
Jefford is thirty-five, with dark hair and dark brown eyes. He and Madison don't like each other from the start for really no reason and I never felt their attraction for one another. Turns out he's half Indian and meets his father for the first time and later, his father and Kendra rekindle their love. I really like Kendra but her silly expressions got on my nerves. One thing she did involving drugging someone just was implausible and it shouldn't have ever been done because she's have never actually done that to that specific person.
I like the bad character in this, Englishman Carlton Thomblin because he's interesting. He's blond and in his mid-30s. He owns a plantation in Jamaica, is deep in debt, and is into human trafficking, murder, and rape. One thing in particular that he did shocked me (on page 274.) Something bad happens to a secondary character in here that Carlton's involved with and instead of that person being rescued liked you're fully expecting to happen, she isn't, and I'm pleasantly surprised by that. The other thing I liked about this book is the old school feel it has (age gap between hero and heroine and multiple locations) but it was just so boring, except for the parts involving Carlton.
The author died in California in November 2019.
November 26, 2008
This is my favorite Rosemary Rogers book.
September 8, 2020
A nice historical romance. The characters are great. The journey through London, Jamaica and India were entertaining adventures. There are women going missing and no one knows what is happening to them.
Madison is an artist and stubborn, and kind and has never been in love.
Jefford is older, stubborn, and is fighting against loving and feels he is not worthy of love.
There were many bumps in the road. First Madison reveals a self portrait during her coming out ball and is shunned by her family. Her aunt, Lady Kendra takes her to Jamaica. Eventually they end up in India and Lady Kendra plans their wedding.
They both fight against their love for each other. Neither wanting to admit to themselves or the other their feelings.
There are scares and suspense. In the end, there is sadness and happiness. I was happy with the ending and how it was all tied up.
Madison is an artist and stubborn, and kind and has never been in love.
Jefford is older, stubborn, and is fighting against loving and feels he is not worthy of love.
There were many bumps in the road. First Madison reveals a self portrait during her coming out ball and is shunned by her family. Her aunt, Lady Kendra takes her to Jamaica. Eventually they end up in India and Lady Kendra plans their wedding.
They both fight against their love for each other. Neither wanting to admit to themselves or the other their feelings.
There are scares and suspense. In the end, there is sadness and happiness. I was happy with the ending and how it was all tied up.
May 4, 2025
I enjoyed this book. There were things I didn't like about it. The presence of a lover for Jefford up until just before they get married didn't appeal to me. I know that gave it more of a real aspect, but it wasn't something I liked having in a romance novel. They are both ridiculously frustrating for 99% of the book and are the very definition of awful communication skills. Quite a few times, I wanted to throw this book down in utter frustration at their idiocy and lack of simply listening to how the other said things instead of just making their own conclusions. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I liked the Russian Connection series she wrote, but it was still an enjoyable read around the pigheadedness of Madison and Jefford.
January 18, 2023
Well, that is a weird name for this book. Based in London, Jamaica and India it is a love story that, sometimes, I get sick of the leading lady and gentlemen not being open with each other - for real! I guess that is the way the authors have to do it in these romance books. I did enjoy it! Wish they had found Alice!
June 4, 2018
Not Rogers at her best. Entertaining but not breathtaking as other books of hers.
It is surprising how everybody assumes that one of the female characters can have been killed and raped without blinking. Yeahh, completely normal.
It is surprising how everybody assumes that one of the female characters can have been killed and raped without blinking. Yeahh, completely normal.
June 17, 2020
Madison (21yr old), who is passionate about painting, shares a risque self-portrait at her ball that results in her having to leave London and travel with her Aunt Kendra and the mysterious Jefford (35yr old) to Jamaica. Attraction builds between Madison and Jefford in London, with Jefford stealing a kiss or two. When in Jamaica, Jefford openly returns to his relationship with his mistress Chantal while also having some heated moments with Madison. A revolt leads them all fleeing to India, where the couple marries and then later finally admit their feelings for each other.
Cheating warning:
Cheating warning:
December 18, 2012
Headstrong Madison Westcott would much rather live out her days painting than attend her silly coming-out ball, but she agrees to attend the ball after her aunt Kendra, visiting from Jamaica, suggests she display one of her paintings. When the nude portrait of herself creates a scandal, Madison is whisked off to Jamaica with her aunt, beginning an exciting new life. Kendra had come to London with two male companions: the detestable Jefford Harris and the handsome, charming Lord Carlton Thomblin. Madison develops a crush on Thomblin, despite warnings from her aunt that he is not the man for her, yet it is Jefford Harris she can’t seem to get out of her mind.
On their arrival in Jamaica, Jefford is met rather enthusiastically by his longtime mistress, Chantal. Madison is eaten up with jealousy, which she denies, while also learning that Jefford is Kendra’s illegitimate son. Although he had missed Chantal while in London, upon his return to Jamaica Jefford finds he has tired of his mistress, his thoughts consumed with the infuriating Madison. Jefford and Madison manage to avoid each other most of the time, until the night a fiery revolt sweeps across the island and they must flee for their lives, and they discover hidden passion for one another while hiding overnight in a cave.
Having been burned out of their Jamaican home, Lady Kendra Moran takes her entire household to her properties in India, which are far grander. There she reunites with her old lover, the raja, who is also Jefford’s father. More surprises are in store when Madison finds out she’s pregnant, and Kendra is thrilled. Madison also learns that her favored aunt is terminally ill, but that doesn’t stop her from fighting a marriage to Jefford every step of the way. The two of them just can’t seem to get along, except for when passion flares between them, but eventually, they find their way and live happily ever after.
Though a far cry from Sweet Savage Love or Wicked Loving Lies, written at Rogers’ peak, this was a compelling read. Rosemary just isn’t putting her characters through the depths of hell that she used to, though this book was much better than some of the rather flat stories she has delivered over the past 10 years. Her characters are still quite colorful, and she still depicts locales with rich description. A reader looking for high adventure might be a bit disappointed, but as a straight historical romance, this one is a winner.
On their arrival in Jamaica, Jefford is met rather enthusiastically by his longtime mistress, Chantal. Madison is eaten up with jealousy, which she denies, while also learning that Jefford is Kendra’s illegitimate son. Although he had missed Chantal while in London, upon his return to Jamaica Jefford finds he has tired of his mistress, his thoughts consumed with the infuriating Madison. Jefford and Madison manage to avoid each other most of the time, until the night a fiery revolt sweeps across the island and they must flee for their lives, and they discover hidden passion for one another while hiding overnight in a cave.
Having been burned out of their Jamaican home, Lady Kendra Moran takes her entire household to her properties in India, which are far grander. There she reunites with her old lover, the raja, who is also Jefford’s father. More surprises are in store when Madison finds out she’s pregnant, and Kendra is thrilled. Madison also learns that her favored aunt is terminally ill, but that doesn’t stop her from fighting a marriage to Jefford every step of the way. The two of them just can’t seem to get along, except for when passion flares between them, but eventually, they find their way and live happily ever after.
Though a far cry from Sweet Savage Love or Wicked Loving Lies, written at Rogers’ peak, this was a compelling read. Rosemary just isn’t putting her characters through the depths of hell that she used to, though this book was much better than some of the rather flat stories she has delivered over the past 10 years. Her characters are still quite colorful, and she still depicts locales with rich description. A reader looking for high adventure might be a bit disappointed, but as a straight historical romance, this one is a winner.
April 19, 2013
Quando ho terminato di leggere questo bel libro, mi sono domandata se avesse un seguito oppure no. Purtroppo niente, questo perché, ci sono una serie di eventi che vengono lasciati in sospeso, con un finale chiuso frettolosamente. La storia di Madison, segue un po' la solita via, una ragazza che non vuole debuttare, non apprezza che le venga imposto chi deve sposare e chi no. Ama follemente la sua arte, la pittura, chiusa nel suo studio passa ore e ore a dipingere e se per alcuni può sembrare il capriccio di una ragazzina, per altri non lo è, come per sua zia Kendra che la spinge a presentare uno dei suoi dipinti per il debutto in società, non conoscendo esattamente il rappresentato, rimane quindi anche lei insieme con gli invitati stupefatta della scelta. Ma forse questo è un bene perché non riuscendo a esprimersi come vorrebbe Madison è costretta lasciare Londra, senza alcun dubbio, segue sua zia e un giovane uomo, Jefford. Sin dall'inizio il loro è un incontro scontro, i loro sguardi si catturano a vicenda ma fuggono da quello che provano, troppo testardi per ammettere la forte attrazione che c'è. Il viaggio in Giamaica e poi in India però trasforma le cose e molte situazioni seppur create ad arte aiutano gli eventi, e così Madison e Jefford si ritrovano a fare i conti con i loro sentimenti. Ma questa non è solo la loro storia d'amore, all'interno del libro ci sono molti altri personaggi, alcuni che forse andavano delineati meglio, perché molte storie sono lasciate senza un finale, è l'unico rammarico che ho verso questo libro. Per il resto come tutti i libri storici, a chi piacciono e a chi no, intriga, racconta di paesaggi meravigliosi, va detto che ci sono anche piccole notizie storiche nonché vengono affrontati in modo molto leggero alcune tematiche tipiche del tempo.
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December 16, 2011
Jewel of My Heart by Rosemary Rogers is a very nice historical romance. I had never read anything by this author before, but I am really impressed. The characters had depth, the story had intrigue, and it was overall very interesting and unique. I found myself thinking about what would happen next while I was away from the novel. The main characters, Madison & Jefford, are headstrong and passionate; I found myself rooting for them throughout the novel. Not a dull moment in this book.
December 11, 2015
Horrible book. I would not recommend this book to ANYONE. Madison had no backbone, and no pride. She allowed Jefford to get away with treating her like a dog. I will NEVER read another of Ms. Rogers books again if this the type of story line she puts out. A total waste of my time.
February 14, 2013
Wonderful!
September 7, 2014
good book happy ending
June 22, 2018
I loved the way this book took the reader between 3 countries (England, Jamaica and India). Rarely do I find books written about India so it was a refreshing change. Good read!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews