She called him her husband, but feared him with all her heart… Sheltered and romantic Angelica Cowley thought widower Thomas Thicknesse to be the most dashing and masterful of men. So when he asks her to become his bride, she can hardly contain her joy. Thomas promises her an island paradise and a beautiful mansion on his huge plantation, where they will live in peace and happiness. But the marriage vows were hardly spoken, when Angelica finds herself cut off from her family, friends, and everything she held dear. She has become Thomas’ virtual prisoner, powerless to escape the tyranny of this husband whose very presence now fills her with fear. He lied about his estate, quickly squanders her dowry and spends the night hours with his mistresses. Angelica is alone on an island she doesn’t know, amidst people she doesn’t understand and even in her naivety, is aware of unrest rising in the slave communities and the scent of rebellion. Amidst all the misery, she meets John Gordon—handsome, mysterious, and who offers her the love and protection she so desperately longs for. But can John rescue her from the dangerous Thomas, and the nightmare of deadly terror her marriage has become…? Praise for Marjorie Bowen “A book remarkable alike for its vividness and for its historical perspective” - Daily Express “…one of the most novel features of Miss Bowen’s book is the care she takes to see the point of view of Mary’s lovers. She makes a plausible case for Bothwell and even joins the very select band of those who have something good to say for Darnley” - Times Literary Supplement “Fresh, vivid, exciting and enthralling … This is a fine book” - The Sphere “A book in every way worthwhile … as an individual contribution to the subject, Miss Bowen’s work is of the exceptional class.” - The Scotsman Marjorie Bowen was born in 1885 and is one of many pseudonyms the writer Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell Long used. She was one of Britain’s most prolific authors of the twentieth century. Writing was more than just a hobby: her works were the primary source of financial support for her family. Between 1906 and her death in 1952, Bowen wrote over 150 books, garnering much acclaim for her popular histories and historical and Gothic romances. Alongside masterful descriptions and concise, efficient prose, she deftly rendered larger-than-life subjects in the minds of her readers. To this day, aficionados of the genres covet Bowen’s work. Her other titles include The Sword Decided, Mary Queen of Scots, The Queen’s Caprice, The Governor of England, Mistress Nell Gwynn and Dickon.
Author
Marjorie Bowen (pseudonym of Mrs Gabrielle Margaret V[ere] Long née Campbell), was a British author who wrote historical romances, supernatural horror stories, popular history and biography. Her total output numbers over 150 volumes with the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym. She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye, and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances full of terror and mystery. Many of these stories were published as Berkley Medallion Books. Several of her books were adapted as films. Her books are much sought after by aficionados of gothic horror and received praise from critics. Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death on 23rd December 1952. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
