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The Shadow of Sin
THE SHADOW OF SIN
Celesta was terrified. Parentless and alone save fore the companionship of her old nurse, she had just learned that her brother Giles had lost their family home at the gambling tables. Celesta couldn't stay in her tiny cottage at the edge of the estate without the permission of the new owner, the Earl of Meltham.
But as soon as he saw his pretty new tenant, the Earl had other plans for her. He offered her his "protection," convinced that the destitute girl would jump at the chance to become a wealthy man's mistress. Celesta was horrified by the idea. But where could she turn for help to resist the Earl's unwanted advances?
Celesta was terrified. Parentless and alone save fore the companionship of her old nurse, she had just learned that her brother Giles had lost their family home at the gambling tables. Celesta couldn't stay in her tiny cottage at the edge of the estate without the permission of the new owner, the Earl of Meltham.
But as soon as he saw his pretty new tenant, the Earl had other plans for her. He offered her his "protection," convinced that the destitute girl would jump at the chance to become a wealthy man's mistress. Celesta was horrified by the idea. But where could she turn for help to resist the Earl's unwanted advances?
181 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 1975
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,282 books872 followersBorn in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 14, 2019
Another one where the H sleeps with a woman after he meets the heroine! Was I stoned when I read these back in the day??? Because there is nothing about the last two books I read that was worthy. Omg. He meets the h, and he asks to be her 'prosextor' and she declined very sweetly. He then goes to his mistresses house and has sex with her. Passionately. Gag me. Then he goes home and another of his mistresses is waiting for him. She is a widow and thinks they should marry. Then the h shows up and needs him to save her brother from prison. Then he has a ball and he wants the heroine and let's everyone know it. He gets up the next morning and pays the mistress in the house off because he is getting married. This is all within three days. An evil lecher is also after her, and that's funny because I thought the hero was a lecher too. There is a murder plot, a murder and the heroine runs off to France to her Mother for safety. Both men pursue and the h and H are getting married and the flame of love is bright. All within 72 hours. I wouldn't touch his peepee if you paid me. Just so disappointed. Not a good book. I think I might have been cured of my nostalgic journey down Cartland Lane!! Just say no.
December 23, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
Non è orribile ma piuttosto insulso, non ho apprezzato la scrittura è mi è sembrato che l’autrice dipingesse le donne in una luce poco lusinghiera (accuratamente storico o meno non saprei), persino la nostra protagonista ha uno spessore di una sottiletta e il loro amore non ha poi delle basi chissà quanto solide.
Lo so, è colpa mia che cerco qualcosa di più da questi libri forse però non bisogna giudicare un libro dalla copertina (o dal suo genere) e l’ultima volta li era andata di lusso trovando un piccolo gioiello.
Pazienza.
Non è orribile ma piuttosto insulso, non ho apprezzato la scrittura è mi è sembrato che l’autrice dipingesse le donne in una luce poco lusinghiera (accuratamente storico o meno non saprei), persino la nostra protagonista ha uno spessore di una sottiletta e il loro amore non ha poi delle basi chissà quanto solide.
Lo so, è colpa mia che cerco qualcosa di più da questi libri forse però non bisogna giudicare un libro dalla copertina (o dal suo genere) e l’ultima volta li era andata di lusso trovando un piccolo gioiello.
Pazienza.
March 9, 2014
Another extremely innocent, sugary-sweet, main character is extremely naive novel.
I'm sort of a little addicted to Barbara Cartland's novels though. I'm going to read all the ones I have here at the house (maybe another 3-4), because they're just so sweetly innocent. There's something about the oh-so-easy love stories that make you wish life were so simple and sweet. I need more light-hearted joy in my life!
I'm sort of a little addicted to Barbara Cartland's novels though. I'm going to read all the ones I have here at the house (maybe another 3-4), because they're just so sweetly innocent. There's something about the oh-so-easy love stories that make you wish life were so simple and sweet. I need more light-hearted joy in my life!
July 29, 2014
There is something in her novels. Life is so simple for those girls, even if it seems so hard at times. You know everything will be ok in the end.
I think I like every fifth of her books. This one was not so bad :) minus star for that inability to see what her brother really was. He send her to be raped for money for god's sake!
I think I like every fifth of her books. This one was not so bad :) minus star for that inability to see what her brother really was. He send her to be raped for money for god's sake!
March 15, 2023
Celesta lives in “the shadow of sin” since her mother ran away with her lover and her brother Giles has gambler away all their money AND their house. The priory now belongs to the Earl (Vidal), whose first appearance in the story is flirting with her in the peace house and stealing a kiss. Not a great beginning, but ironically he ends up being one of the more gentle Cartland heroes at the end, and I’m not sure how that miracle happened but I’ll take it. This was all around a much darker story than usual but it was exciting, featuring a creepy lord who would lie, cheat, and murder to get Celesta, and Vidal only just staying one step ahead of the man until the very end. Fleet Prison was featured, where Giles was imprisoned for debt, and he was perhaps an even more frightening character than the villain because Giles pulled at your heartstrings—you hate him, but you also see how much everyone cares about him (it’s a lost cause oooof). Murder does happen. Vidal has a women he ought to marry instead, but of course she’s mean and possessive and makes some trouble for him with news of her false engagement to him. It really was a wild ride, but I can honestly say I ended up enjoying it.
November 4, 2023
"Spalancò le braccia, e poiché non poteva fame a meno, Celesta andò verso di lui.
Era come rimettere piede in paradiso, pensò, sentirsi stringere da lui, provare di nuovo quel senso di sicurezza che non aveva mai conosciuto prima"
Era come rimettere piede in paradiso, pensò, sentirsi stringere da lui, provare di nuovo quel senso di sicurezza che non aveva mai conosciuto prima"
May 14, 2016
Why so many evil relatives?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews