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Stars of Spring
When Joanne inherited a farm in the lovely Douro district of Portugal, it seemed the answer to a problem, as she now had five-year-old Glee to look after.The only fly in the ointment was that the farm was on the estate of Dom Manoel Alvares - and he wanted it himself!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
About the author
Anne Hampson
151 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 1, 2018
It's really hard to believe that Anne Hampson is the author of this book -- the H is a very decent guy, and extremely tolerant of the h's idiotic lies and deception. (Originally they made sense but she disregarded the clear signs that she could tell him the truth for most of the book.) The h was good-hearted, but possibly the least intelligent of the Hampson heroines, and that's saying something since most of these women are almost inarticulate.
The OW is evil, sure, but SHE IS EXPOSED for her evildoing, even if she doesn't end up facing legal consequences. The H (and everyone else) clearly loathe her, with the exception of the H's opinionated, but basically toothless, mother.
Still, it's pretty sweet and very familiar to readers of books from that time.
The OW is evil, sure, but SHE IS EXPOSED for her evildoing, even if she doesn't end up facing legal consequences. The H (and everyone else) clearly loathe her, with the exception of the H's opinionated, but basically toothless, mother.
Still, it's pretty sweet and very familiar to readers of books from that time.
December 5, 2013
This is a lovely story about Joanne who is caring for her widowed brothers child Glee. When he remarries, he has no interest in the child and leaves Joanne totally in charge with no financial assistance.
The inheritance of a small farm on Portugal seems like the ideal solution apart from the haughty neighbour who wants to buy the property.
Dom Manoel Alvares mistakes Glee for Joanne's child and so incensed is she by his arrogance she doesn't bother to explain. This leads to her assuming the mantle of widowhood while in Portugal. When an accident to Glee caused by the wicked Other Woman brings her into close contact with Dom Manoel Joanne finds he is far kinder and more attractive than she imagined.
When they become engaged, the evil Rosa thinks to use Glee and Joanne's marital status again her but of course all is sorted and Joanne gets her happy ever after.
The inheritance of a small farm on Portugal seems like the ideal solution apart from the haughty neighbour who wants to buy the property.
Dom Manoel Alvares mistakes Glee for Joanne's child and so incensed is she by his arrogance she doesn't bother to explain. This leads to her assuming the mantle of widowhood while in Portugal. When an accident to Glee caused by the wicked Other Woman brings her into close contact with Dom Manoel Joanne finds he is far kinder and more attractive than she imagined.
When they become engaged, the evil Rosa thinks to use Glee and Joanne's marital status again her but of course all is sorted and Joanne gets her happy ever after.
June 10, 2018
OMG, the most incredibly stupid heroine I have ever encountered.
The heroine has been taking care of her niece since she was born. The heroines brother was widowed, and is now married to a woman who doesn’t want the child. The child, Glee has gotten into the habit of calling her aunt Mommy, so it created a misapprehension when the heroine met the Hero.
The Hero and heroine are in dispute over a farm which the heroine owns, but adjoins his property. He offers to buy it but the stubborn heroine, who has no experience farming, refuses and insists on farming her property herself. Since she is an idiot, and knows nothing, the farm fails, but now the Hero won’t buy it from her.
There is an evil OW who is jealous of the heroine and one day deliberately tries to run down the child!! Anyway the Hero arranges for the child to get medical care at his home and for the heroine to move into his place as well. He even employs the heroine as an English tutor for his nieces so she can have some employment. The heroine is described as quite lovely so it’s safe to assume the Hero is attracted. The heroine continues to let everyone assume she is a widow, although the OW is suspicious of her. This continues up to the end of the book and for no good reason. I just couldn’t figure out why the heroine continued with the deception. It was so unnecessary.
They get their HEA in the end...it was just such a struggle because the heroine was such an idiot.
The heroine has been taking care of her niece since she was born. The heroines brother was widowed, and is now married to a woman who doesn’t want the child. The child, Glee has gotten into the habit of calling her aunt Mommy, so it created a misapprehension when the heroine met the Hero.
The Hero and heroine are in dispute over a farm which the heroine owns, but adjoins his property. He offers to buy it but the stubborn heroine, who has no experience farming, refuses and insists on farming her property herself. Since she is an idiot, and knows nothing, the farm fails, but now the Hero won’t buy it from her.
There is an evil OW who is jealous of the heroine and one day deliberately tries to run down the child!! Anyway the Hero arranges for the child to get medical care at his home and for the heroine to move into his place as well. He even employs the heroine as an English tutor for his nieces so she can have some employment. The heroine is described as quite lovely so it’s safe to assume the Hero is attracted. The heroine continues to let everyone assume she is a widow, although the OW is suspicious of her. This continues up to the end of the book and for no good reason. I just couldn’t figure out why the heroine continued with the deception. It was so unnecessary.
They get their HEA in the end...it was just such a struggle because the heroine was such an idiot.
August 30, 2020
I have to say that this one seemed to drone on forever. I wish the inner workings of the heroine’s mind were still a mystery to me, I really do.
July 25, 2019
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February 13, 2024
It was an effort to get through this one. The heroine was initially confrontational and ill-mannered, then meandered into just being dim.
The hero does not get a lot of page time, or if he did, I was switched off to it. Not your usual Anne Hampson hero (no grabbing, nor man-whoring), and far too refined and nice to live happily with such an idiot.
Another off day from Anne Hampson.
The hero does not get a lot of page time, or if he did, I was switched off to it. Not your usual Anne Hampson hero (no grabbing, nor man-whoring), and far too refined and nice to live happily with such an idiot.
Another off day from Anne Hampson.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews