Murder and Mistaken Identity Lead to Love in Violet Fire, a Historical Romance by Jo Goodman — 1746, England and Virginia Colony — Wrongly accused of murdering her abusive step-father, Shannon Kilmartin never expected to leave Newgate prison until she’s sold as an indentured servant to work as a governess in the Virginia Colony. Brandon Fleming never escaped the memory of the beautiful … never escaped the memory of the beautiful raven-haired woman he met in Cambridge. He was so captivated that upon returning to the Tidewater Plantation in the Virginia Colony, he married Aurora because she held an uncanny resemblance to that raven-haired beauty. But it was in appearance, only. Now, abandoned by Aurora and left to raise a child on his own, Brandon faces a lonely future and needs a governess for his daughter.
When Shannon arrives in Tidewater, she’s immediately mistaken for the wayward Aurora and is not greeted with enthusiasm by anyone except Brandon’s daughter. Brandon recognizes Shannon as the young girl who captivated him four years prior and though he tries to resist, cannot deny the attraction he feels.
Then Brandon’s missing wife’s parents arrive to visit, forcing Shannon to play the role of Brandon’s wife, which soon leads to mutual attraction. But, the love growing between them is soon tested when Aurora returns with her lover and a shocking secret.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: For fans of Jo Goodman we bring you one of her earliest books freshly edited, by Jo Goodman herself, for today’s readers. Fans and readers of Mary Jo Putney, Kat Martin, Jo Beverly, Courtney Milan and Stephanie Laurens will not want to miss this tale of mistaken identity, intrigue and second-chance love.
ALSO BY JO GOODMAN:
Violet Fire
Scarlet Lies
Sweet Fire
THE MCCLELLANS
Crystal Passion
Seaswept Abandon
Tempting Torment
THE HAMILTON FAMILY
More Than You Know
More Than You Wished
THE COMPASS CLUB
Let Me Be The One
Everything I Ever Wanted
All I Ever Needed
Beyond A Wicked Kiss
THE DENNEHY SISTERS
Only My Love
My Heart’s Desire
Forever in My Heart
Always in My Dreams
Only in My Arms
THE MARSHALL BROTHERS
Her Defiant Heart
His Heart’s Revenge
THE THORNE BROTHERS TRILOGY
My Steadfast Heart
My Reckless Heart
With All My Heart
MEET JO GOODMAN:
Jo Goodman is a licensed professional counselor working with children and families in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. Always a fan of the happily ever after, Jo turned to writing romances early in her career as a child care worker when she realized the only life script she could control was the one she wrote herself. She is inspired by the resiliency and courage of the children she meets and feels privileged to be trusted with their stories, the ones that they alone have the right to tell.
Once upon a time, Jo believed she was going to be a marine biologist. She knows she is lucky that seasickness made her change course. She lives with her family in Colliers, West Virginia.
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I liked it at first but I lost interest around 50% into the story….didn’t finish…maybe I’ll go back later and finish
Loved this story & loved the characters! Fell in love with “the scoundrels “ & with Sherry & Lily! Jo Goodman is definitely an author I’m following now! Currently reading another of her stories & anticipate many more!!
I love this author. She writes great romances full of action and steamy sex.
I truly enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the story line as I have not read a book with this twist recent;y. I found the characters to be entertaining and true to their characters from Shannon, Brandon, Cody, Aurora and even little Clara to many others in the novel. I enjoy historical fiction and this book met my expectations.
I love all of Jo Goodman’s books, this one is no exception!
Goodman has created some very good books but this is not one of them. Characters are morally ambiguous and the story is at least 100 pages too long.
A dramatic historical romance, this story is like a tapestry with shades of light and dark. My heart broke as Shannon had to face an evil that is as prevalent in society today as it was then. It almost seems impossible that she found an open window that brought light and precious freedom into her darkness, only to experience the threat of having it slammed in her face once again. In the midst of evil and manipulation, Shannon does not lose her sweet character, even though she did exhibit some of the symptoms of a traumatised person. Initially, Brandon was a careless hero, one so sure of his destiny and future that he never took it into consideration that his very savoir faire could put someone else at risk. This suspenseful love story stirs one at a deep emotional level, leaving one questioning issues of morality and right versus wrong. It is well written and emotive with well-defined characters and tension to keep one sitting on the edge of one’s seat. The novel is a standalone and comes to a bitter-sweet conclusion, leaving one with the feeling that whilst justice is served, it is not without pain and loss. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Shannon Kilmartin was raised by a pious stepfather that abused her in several ways and unfortunately her mother was not alive to help protect her. She eventually fights back and kills her stepfather and believes that since she prayed every night for him to die that she was guilty. She originally lived in England but ends up moving to Virginia. When she lived in England only once did she come across Brandon Flemming in the England when he was visiting a friend who was the Earl where Shannon lived. Brandon is a plantation owner with several half siblings. He has bought most of them out because they did not want to be tobacco farmers. One of those half-brothers though was a problem and thought he should be in charge. She ended up being a governess for his daughter Clara. There is a lot of action and adventure in this book as well as romance.
I cannot say too much because it will give away the story but there is a lot about family dynamics and dysfunction in the book. I loved that it was a long book because that meant that I got more story. I did not want to put it down. The book description does not even give enough excitement that the book holds in it. I know I was rooting for Shannon the whole book because she was a pretty good person despite her upbringing.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own
This was such an emotional captivating read!
Shannon Kilmartin had the unfortunate luck to be separated at birth from her twin sister. Her luck just got worse when her mother passed and her stepfather started abusing her. For Shannon life was torturous and only got worse when she was accused for his murder.
Brandon Fleming married his wife because he had fallen in love with a young woman that closely resembled her. When his wife deserted him and his young daughter he swore to never let a woman betray him again, until he came face to face with the woman that had his wife’s looks but was a different person altogether.
What ensues is a story of love, betrayal, murder and intrigue. A hold your breath story that keeps the reader on edge. Jo Goodman is a master story teller with a gift at digging deep in the emotions of her characters and vividly portraying every aspect of their lives.
I highly recommend her books!
I recieved a copy of this book from ebook Discovery, this is my honest unbiased opinion.