This has got to be one of my favorite romances! I am an avid reader of romances, mainly historical, and having read through such phrases as "his throbbing manroot" and "she opened herself up to him as a flower opens itself to the sun" - let's just say I normally scan over the sex scenes or skip them completely. But not the case with this story!!! This story holds some serious sexual tension up until the moment that the two finally find themselves in one another's arms and when they did...I wanted to stand up and cheer. *laugh
This story is beautifully written. It tells the story of Bryony, who is accused of murdering her cheating spouse and sentenced to a life of servitude in the Australian colonies. She is purchased by Hayden who is in need of a wetnurse for his newborn infant after the child's mother passed away during childbirth. Bryony grieves for the child that was taken from her before she was sent away...and the one she lost along the way. Hayden is bitter and struggles with feelings of guilt over the loss of his wife. The author portrays the hardships that the people faced living in such a harsh land and you're drawn into the lives of all the characters. This story is simply wonderful!!! I can't say enough about it.

I've recommended it many times and anyone I've shared it with express the same sentiments regarding this true "love story". Definitely a keeper.

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Really gritty story of the fate of an innocent English matron sent the stark punishment of New South Wales penal colony. The story of how she grows and survives. Great characters, amazing history.

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This has got to be among the best books I've read. Ms. Proctor's descriptions of colonial New South Wales, the harshness of life in a penal colony, and the emotions Bryony goes through with being imprisoned and having to leave her child behind in England, the death of the infant she gave birth to on the way to the penal colony, and the gross injustices she sees around her. Add that to the enforced servitude to act as wet nurse to her new master's child and the growing attraction between the two of them. The drama and descriptions in the book are so realistic as to make the book a very difficult one to put down. Candice Proctor is a writer I'll look for again and again.

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I was completely riveted to this tale of blossoming love and personal hardship within the hostile environment of Australia's penal colony. The history was realistic and well-researched, and the plight of prisoners, especially female prisoners, was unimaginable. I loved Bryony and Hayden; their impossible situations had my emotions swinging all over the place. I ached for the suffering Bryony. Their growing attraction, sizzling hot sexual tension and unusual setting made this an exceptional romance. I highly recommend it with 4.5 stars.

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After the accidental death of Bryony's husband, being torn away from her 3 yr old daughter, and death of her 5 mo. old son while in prison leads her to, Hayden St. John. (I envisioned Hugh Jackman in the movie Australia *wink wink*) He as her master and she as his servent. With the tragic events in her life, Bryony, has little to live for however she endures in hopes of returning to England for her daughter. The attraction and sexual tension between Bryony and Hayden are equal on both sides, but her pride refuses to give in. From there you go through several events of their tug of war of wills. It gets to the point where you say to yourself, "Can you just do the deed already?" However when Bryony does give herself to him, it's hot and it's sexy and you forget the repetitive tug of war of wills.

It's a wonderful story where you sympathize for the heroine, but you also admire her for the strength to go on and envy her for the handsome hero wanting/lusting and eventually loving her.

It's the first book I've read by Candice Proctor and definitely not my last.

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Really good romance. Loved it.

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