Partage des connaissances

Nom légal: Gee, Evelyn
Autres noms: O'Banyon, Constance
Houston, Tory
Leigh, Micah (with Merritt, Emma)
Date de naissance: 1939
Sexe: female
Nationalité: USA
Lieu de naissance: Texas, USA
Lieux de résidence: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Relations: Merritt, Emma (writing partner for pen name "Micah Leigh")
Courte biographie: Evelyn Gee was born on 1939 in Texas, USA. She makes her home in San Antonio with her husband, Jim and their son, Jason.
She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.
She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."
Notice de désambigüisation: Evelyn Gee writes as Constance O'Banyon and Tory Houston, also under the penname Micah Leigh (with Emma Merritt).

Membres

Discussions

Hist.romance 80s/90s Lady/Saloon Dancer Twin Brother à Name that Book (Juin 2013)

Romance prophecy hidden kingdom à Name that Book (Février 2012)

Critiques

Daughter of Egypt par Constance O'Banyon

DAUGHTER OF EGYPT is set ten years after O’Banyon’s other novels LORD OF THE NILE and SWORD OF ROME, but can be read as a stand alone. DAUGHTER follows the adventures of Thalia, from when she is a thief and beggar on the streets of Rome to eight years later in Egypt where she is living as the adopted daughter of the noble Lady Adhenia and finally to the island country of Bal Forea, where her birthright is revealed.

The historical detail put into the novel is wonderful, giving readers a glimpse into both Rome and Egypt during a tumultuous time in both countries’ histories. Unfortunately, the island country of Bal Forea sometimes falls flat due to this; the details not vivid enough to paint as strong a picture of this made-up country.

Thalia is a believable and likeable character. Her actions are sometimes confusing and ill-managed, but given how quickly her circumstances change, they are understandable. In a relatively short span of time Thalia’s life undergoes many upheavels, most of which require her to take strangers on faith that they won’t hurt her.

Our hero, Count Ashtyn, I was less intrigued by. There was nothing wrong with him, I just wasn’t interested. I was far more interested in finding out about Bal Forea and Thalia’s family. Their chemistry together picks up closer to the end, when everything is out in the open and Thalia is more comfortable.

Overall I enjoyed the historical aspect of this novel more so then the romantic elements, but do want to read the first two books to see if together the three are more enjoyable.… (plus d'informations)

Signalé

lexilewords | Dec 28, 2023 |

Forever My Love par Constance O'Banyon

Anyone who's a fan of old movies may get a suspicion that this book was inspired by "Daddy Long Legs", although thankfully, the H is not an aging Fred Astaire paired with the much too young Leslie Caron. Here, the h, Royal Bradford, is only 11 years younger than her guardian, Damon Routhland, and though at the start of the book she's a mere 14, when the romance begins, she's 19 to his 30, so that's not so bad.

The novel takes place during my fav time period, the American Revolution, which already puts a book in my favor, but the story was also a good one, though a b it slow moving at first. After the death of Royal's father, the Savannah born girl is sent to school in London, and much time is spent during her period of adjustment, which is far from smooth. She's one of the social outcasts, due to her "common" background, the two friends she has soon leave, and for a time the other girls make her life miserable. Borrowing a page from "Heidi", a bitter wheelchair bound girl, Lady Alissa Seton, of high social standing, goes from Royal's enemy to best friend, after Royal rescues her from a mishap and then helps her learn to walk again.

Several years pass (a bit too slowly) and Royal gets a taste of London social life, though she's subdued and never really fits in, and doesn't let her good looks and compliments go to her head. (No flirting games for this girl.) She daydreams about both her handsome guardian (who only keeps i touch through letters he makes his accountant write) and Alissa's charming brother, Lord Preston. At first, she's just his younger sister's friend, but after a few years he finds himself falling for the lovely young woman she's become. However, he's part of British society, with all its strict class distinctions, and Royal's not whom his family has in mind for him.

Despite her colonial roots, Royal finds herself sympathizing with the British and agreeing with popular opinion about the ungrateful, rebellious colonies. She also gets disillusioned about her glamorous Aunt Arabella, a self-centered actress who lived in Paris and never once came to visit Royal at the school, as she had promised. She sees her aunt only once, at one of her performances at Covent Garden, and finds herself neglected backstage, while her aunt pays more attention to her fans, as well as her latest lover. This results in Royal having to make her way back to the school by herself, getting molested by a drunk, and fortunately rescued by Preston. Soon, she will have to return the favor and rescue him.

(For some reason, Ms. O'Banyon had Arabella be Damon's first love, when he was a teenager, and she the older woman he fell for and even asked to marry him. It had no relevance to the story, and aside from their seeing each other at the reading of Royal's father's will, they never spoke again. It seemed a bit silly to me.)

All this could have been summed up in the book a lot more quickly, so the more interesting part of the story could have started sooner: Royal's return to Savannah and the start of her relationship with Damon.

When she arrives home, it's with a mission: to find out where Preston has disappeared to. He was on a diplomatic mission for the British in the southern colonies and hadn't been heard from. Roya hopes Damon, a Colonel in the Patriot army, can use his influence to help find him. Damon hasn't seen Royal in over five years, and when she shows up at a ball uninvited to speak to him, he's fascinated by the "mystery lady" who (disappointed that he didn't recognize her) decides to flirt for the first time and play a few games, to get him intrigued enough to want to help her.
And so, it begins!

I won't give everything away, as there's some exciting times ahead, which include imprisonment, kidnapping, seduction, divided loyalties (Royal was torn between two countries as well as two men, though it didn't take long for her to know where her loyalties really were). Damon, meanwhile, finds himself fascinated by a stranger, bewildered when she turns out to be his ward, charmed by the lovely young woman she's turned into, and jealous of the British officer she's asked him to help find. Soon, they're both fighting their feelings, though longing to give in to desire.

I'll leave the rest of the story for those who wish to read the book. If you like an American history background, as well as adventure with romance thrown in, you'll enjoy this.… (plus d'informations)

Signalé

EmeraldAngel | Mar 27, 2022 |

Lord of the Nile par Constance O'Banyon

1 Irritatingly "Alpha" Roman General/Egyptian Nobleman/Bedouin Sheikh
1 Unbelievably Beautiful Animal-Tamer/Slave?/Secret Noblewoman?
1 Underutilized Sulky Black Leopard
1 Incredibly Intelligent Falcon

2 Rivals to the Throne of Egypt
Julius Caesar
2 Rivals for the Power Behind the Throne of Ptolemy
1 Doomed Cheetah Pawn in Power Games

1 Needlessly Complex Backstory
1 Plot-Complicating Piece of Jewelry
1 Seriously Sketchy Cousin/Would-be Rapist
1 Impressively Loyal Slave/Tutor… (plus d'informations)

Signalé

Caramellunacy | 1 autre critique | Mar 10, 2021 |

Highland Love Song (Harper Monogram) par Constance O'Banyon

i enjoyed this story but i felt the lack of communication and misunderstanding of their feelings for each other went on for too long. Even when he went to speak to her he seemed to come away not sorting anything out. He says at some point that he has little understanding of love and although this helps the reader see why he does not say what he feels it gets a bit ridiculous.
This is my first novel by this author.

Signalé

izzied | Oct 29, 2020 |

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