Tender Betrayal

By: Jennifer Blake

Narrated by: Kayla Asbell

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Beautiful young Melanie Johnston had every reason to hate Roland Donovan. It was this man who caused the death of her beloved grandfather. It was he who possessed her in a night of mischief and madness, forever staining her honor. It was he who drove away the well-horn suitor she was to have wed. There was only one way for Melanie to take revenge - she would marry him and then use her every feminine wile to destroy him. But Melanie did not dream then of the strength of her own hungers - and the weakness of her flesh!

©1979 Patricia Maxwell (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A Must-Listen!

What about Kayla Asbell’s performance did you like?

This is a must-listen for anyone who loves romance! Kayla Asbell brought the characters to life with depth and nuance. From plotting revenge to the tender love scenes, the narrator kept me totally engaged throughout. Definitely recommend this title!

Great Narrator!

The narrator, Kayla Asbell, really enhanced my enjoyment of this book. I was very disappointed that she hasn't narrated anything else--I would love to hear more from her! I liked the story but didn't find it exceptional in any way. Overall I would purchase this again and would also recommend it to a friend.

abnormal romance

I'm glad I read the note about this book being written in 1979 first. It is hard to say this book is actually a romance because their relationship was just ....not one. Being essentially forced together, I understand it would have been more difficult than most of us could comprehend.
Thw historical aspect was my favorite. Great descriptions and facts!
The narrator was very good!

What an angsty, emotional read!

The underlying emotional current this novel evokes is ANGST! Oh my goodness, this novel will summon up your fight/flight responses and make you feel on edge due to the suspenseful, and revealing moments! There is adventure in this book, plenty of it, but most of all, this book chronicles the journey to love for a relationship that seemed doomed from it’s beginning.

This novel is beautifully written. At first, it takes some time to get used to the amount of detail and historical presence in the book. Blake’s writing style unfolds a vision of a southern society with polite gentlemen and ladies who live vigorous lives. Yet, the luxurious lifestyles enjoyed by the upper class are built on the backbones of African slaves whose wills have been swallowed up. This book gives a complex historical perspective that may be hard to digest for the modern reader. I know I had a hard time with the reference to slaves and some of their situations. Blake also spares no sentiment when creating dangerous villains who are vicious in their intent in hurting the leads, especially the heroine. This novel is definitely what is known as a “bodice-ripper” novel. Those parts are very hard to read because they just make you feel sick to your stomach.

My favorite part of this book was the hero, Roland Donavan. Jennifer Blake has given us such a worthy hero! I mean the man has been through so many regretting events in his life that he should be afflicted with poor self-esteem. His father (plantation owner) rejects him; he returned from the war with a stained reputation; he gets caught up in various misunderstandings that lead him to marry a woman who despises him, and the list goes on and on…. Yet, Roland emulates strength of build, and character; he has a noble heart; he fiercely protects his wife, he works hard for her….And, he is a tall, handsome man with green eyes!!—He’s simply delicious! Roland does have flaws that impact his already trouble marriage though. During hard times he tends to withdraw, and he does not communicate his emotions with his wife.

The heroine, Melanie Johnston, granddaughter of Kernal Johnston, takes a bit of getting used to, as she is somewhat of an ice princess. I warmed to her character by allowing some of her motives to be explained by reason of grief over her grandfather’s death, she lost her parents early in life in a tragic accident, was alone, and emotionally bereft. Also, on her grandfather’s death bed, he charged her with the responsibility of destroying Roland Donavan who he blamed for tarnishing his reputation in the war with Mexico. I have to say, Melanie does have nice qualities, but certainly her reasons for marrying Roland were vengeful and unfortunate. Melanie is described as a very beautiful woman, with auburn hair and blue eyes with an hourglass figure.

The love development between Roland and Melanie drove me nuts! My heart went out to Roland because it was apparent from the beginning that he entered the marriage with more honorable feelings than Melanie. I like how Roland made Melanie share his “marriage bed,” even though she wanted them to have a marriage, in name only. Roland was such a tender lover that Melanie became a participant in love-making with him right away (even though she would never admit it). Melanie tried to set up emotional barriers, but the man just melted her cold heart, in miniscule, but consistent steps….This is why the book is soooo long! There are sweet, tender moments between the couple, but there are also many stupid misunderstandings that could have easily been solved it they would have communicated with one another.

Unfortunately, as in a poker game, both of these lovers played their cards very close to their chests, not allowing too many advantages to the other. Finally, at the end, both bare their true feelings to one another and Melanie confesses her love for Roland (he of course confessed his love way before her…I believe..the book was so dang long, I lost track). Through many trials, separations, misunderstandings, tragic events, great losses, the couple finally come together in heart, and you just know that they are going to live happily ever after with a deep, abiding love. An epilogue would have been nice…but, what can I say?--I was happen to finally finish the long book!!!

I really enjoyed the narrator. Her southern accent was great!

Absolutely Adored It!

Any additional comments?

This story was spun with pure passion, romance, revenge, adventure and intrigue. It transported me to an entirely different era where honor reigned supreme. Both of the lead characters, Melanie and Roland possessed true bravery and conviction and the tension that flowed between them was tantalizingly palpable.

The narrator, Kayla Asbell was able to bring these characters vibrantly to life. The genteel world of the South opened up to me by her sensual Southern drawl and the multitude of characters were each so specific that there was not a single character that lacked vitality and charm. Her Melanie was both strong and sweet and despite the gender difference, she inhabited the brooding, yet tender, ruggedness of Roland with her versatile voice. I would love to hear more from this narrator.

WARNING: RAPE OF THE FEMALE CHARACTER TAKES PLACE.

First of all, let me say that rape is a trigger for me when it is handled this way. I have never been raped but as a health care provider who has worked the ER, I can assure you that victims never come in saying it hurt at first but got better later. That is because IT IS A VIOLATION OF THEIR CONSENT. Even if a woman has the physiological reaction of "getting wet" as I have heard some men say, that is not CONSENT. The stomach pumps out HCl acids if presented poisoned food; that doesn't mean if given a CHOICE a person will eat it.

To give a little background of this story, it takes place after the Mexican-American war (1846-1848). Honorable men during that period knew that rape was wrong. Actually, since humans have had more brain cells than an amoeba, most moral humans know that rape is wrong. Obviously, some writers haven't figured that out yet.

WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD:
I didn't go beyond the rape scene because I already know the rape apologist theme of this trope. Let's start with the inexcusable premise that the male character (Roland) was drunk. If someone murders another person while drunk, it is still murder and punishable by law. Likewise, RAPE IS STILL RAPE. In my experience, men who are so drunk they "don't know what they are doing" are too drunk to get it up. Furthermore, the author has Roland thinking Melanie is a prostitute. Is it excusable to rape a woman against her will because she is a prostitute? IMO, NO. Then there is the issue that Melanie is in his room without his consent. So is a burglar in your house but does that give you the right to rape them? Again, no.

It doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure out how this story is going to go. I didnt read past the rape scene in chapter 2. Ibsuppose the author is going to have Roland so ashamed of his act that he deigns to marry her since he has "ruined her and she plans to make him pay. I think a Lorena Bobbit job would proper justification but I bet instead the writer has the lame troupe of Melanie eventually falling in love with him. While I admire women who are later able to forgive their apologetic converted rapist (unfortunately, they still have a high rate of recidivism) , I think falling in love with them sick and twisted.

I suppose the bottom line is the message this type of novel sends of reinforcing the rape culture. Furthermore, NO one do knows the (sometimes impressionable) age of people who read such trash. No wonder some young people are confused about the meaning of consent. I don't have to read any further to know that neither Roland or the author is redeemable to me.

In conclusion, I strongly feel that this book should have warning in the synopsis and not that "for mature readers" warning. At 62 and far from prudish, I consider myself mature. I don't have a problem with anything that is consensual. IMO, a "for disturbed readers who enjoy reading about rape" would be more appropriate. Anyway, these are my opinions and I am entitled to them.

Didn't even finish it!

I can't even get past the southern draw narration. Plus the first 3 chapters are sooo boring, I just can't get into this book. I will try again, but I doubt this will be a keeper so I will just say right now this is not a buy/credit. Just skip it.