Shades of Twilight

by Linda Howard

1997

Status

Available

Publication

Pocket Books (1997), Edition: Reprint, 384 pages

Description

Fiction. Romance. HTML:Passion, wealth, and murder come together in this unputdownable thriller from the New York Times bestselling "queen of romantic suspense" (Booklist) Linda Howard. Roanna Davenport grew up a wealthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent estate, Davencourt. There, she wanted for nothingā??except to be loved by her cousin Webb. When he marries another, Roanna is devastated but life at Davencourt takes an even darker turn when Webb's new wife is found bludgeoned to death. After the shocking murder, Webb leaves for Arizona, abandoning the privileged life that he had once believed was all he wanted. Years later, a grown-up Roanna walks back into his life to bring him home. He's shocked that the mischievous sprite he had known in childhood has disappeared. Gone, too, is her passionate fire; in its place is ice that melted at his touch but Webb can't help but be drawn back to Davencourt, to Roanna, and to the killer that once destroyed his life and waits only for the chance to finish the job. With Linda Howard's signature "fast-paced, intricately detailed romantic suspense" (Fresh Fiction), Shades of Twilight will keep you riveted until the last pa… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member blingtastic
another great romance; involves sex, intrique, family loyalty; Howard at her best. the heroine was a little weaker than i would have liked but will re-read nonetheless
LibraryThing member TheBooknerd
An oldy but goody. I picked this up off the shelf last night because I wanted to read something a little dramatic yet romantic, and no matter how many times I read this book it always makes me want to cry. In a good way, not an "omigod this book is so horrible I want to cry" way. True, I've
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wandered away from reading Howard's newer stuff, but I still enjoy her older works just as much as ever. If you've never read Linda Howard -- which is unlikely of anyone with access to my library -- than Shades of Twilight is a good place to start. To everyone else, why not have a nostalgic moment and give this one another go.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
Romantic suspense among the wealthy landed of the deep south.

Orphaned Roanna Davenport idolizes her older cousin Webb. Unfortunately, although he loves his little cousin, he has eyes only for cousin Jessie. Illegitimate Jessie is wildly jealous of Roanna's legitimacy, even though her own looks,
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grace, and (slightly) malicious charm have made her the spoiled darling of the family. When the nasty triangle explodes and Jessie is murdered, Webb strikes out on his own, finding success in ranching out west. Ten years pass, and Roanna strikes a deal with the devil to get Webb home. But unfortunately for the Davenport family, Webb's return is nothing more than a match to the powder keg their family has become.

Earlier Howard -- she's tempered her sex scenes some in more recent novels. The intimate scenes here are pretty graphic, as is some of the language. Still, I've re-read this one a few times, and will probably drag it out again when I'm in the mood.
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LibraryThing member bgillilan
Amazing book! I have been reading it over and over
LibraryThing member feeling.is.first
I love early Linda Howard-- alph-hole Heroes, dishrag heroines, angst in buckets. Re-reading this book after a couple decades, I was flabbergasted by the poor structure, Southern Gothic villains, and bizarrely implausible plot.

Shades of Twilight is for Linda Howard re-readers, who bounce between
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points of emotional intensity, with little concern for the plot.

The first third of the book provides 2 generations of back-story, which makes it difficult to engage with the current generation of Hero and heroine.

The defloration of the heroine made me cringe with revulsion. H/h have an Old-Skool Big Misunderstanding which causes each to doubt the feelings of the other. The villain appears deus ex machina to wreak havoc, and there is a melodramatic revelation of who actually murdered the first Mrs. Davenport.

Good points: small town Southern atmosphere & culture are lovingly portrayed. The Hero respects the heroine and they meet as intellectual equals. Sex scenes are well written and hot, although the anatomical terminology is coy.
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LibraryThing member AddictedToMorphemes
Excellent villians in this one!
LibraryThing member Dawn772
A very absorbing story invoking many emotions with a surprising who-done-it plot but midway action slowed with too many people ruminating and I didn't completely sympathize with heroines extremes. Orphaned Roanna feels like a misfit in her wealthy family and cousin Webb does his best to help her.
LibraryThing member Nero56
A touch more romance than suspense, but a great story.
LibraryThing member invincible005
This book blew me a way. I absolutely loved it. I understand if some might find it distasteful or offensive but for me it was MARVELOUS.
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
Read a long time ago. Don't remember anything. Have lost my taste for Howard's work so I'm moving this out.
LibraryThing member BookLiteGal
Well it was boring for the most part in the beginning but as u read on it gets interesting and there are the few spots of the steamy areas of the book but only adds more to the story and u will not put down the book even tho it switches from one persons side of the story to another's view of the
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story it isn't hard to follow along and not get lost as to what they are talking about. I love how Linda holds the suspense above your head making u think whats going to happen next. I love a love story mixed into drama and a murder scene. I really do believe ive found one of my favorite authors!!! Im going to be reading more of her work!!!!
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LibraryThing member Carol420
Roanna and Webb are distant second cousins. 7 year old Roanna is left orphaned when her parents die in a car accident. She comes to live with her grandmother at Davencourt, her families rich estate. She does not feel welcome by her family, they treat her as if she is not wanted, but only Webb is
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there to protect her and make her feel safe. Roanna grows up developing a huge crush on Webb and practically worships him. She tries out her burgeoning feelings for him in a kiss that sets of a cataclysim of events. Webb and his wife Jessie, Roanna's other cousin, have a fight and threaten each other with divorce. That very night,Jessie ends up dead.

This one is dated, which is why the heroine lacks a real backbone. But overall, it is a passionate love story/mystery. You will be surprised when the killer is revealed.
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Awards

AAR Top 100 Romances (35 — Most Recent Rank [11-way tie] 1998)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1996-07

Physical description

384 p.; 4.19 inches

ISBN

0671019716 / 9780671019716

Barcode

1600768
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