Shades of Twilight

By Linda Howard

Roanna Davenport was raised a wealthy orphan on her grandmother's magnificent Alabama estate, Davencourt, where she had a passion for horses, a genius for trouble, and a deep love for her cousin, Webb. But everyone expected Webb to marry their ravishing cousin, Jessie. When he did, Roanna's desire became no more than the stuff of dreams -- until the night Jessie was found bludgeoned to death.

After the shocking murder of his wife, Webb left for Arizona, abandoning the legacy that he had once believed was all he wanted. But then an all-grown-up Roanna walked into a dingy bar in Nogales to bring him home; the mischievous sprite he had known ten years earlier was no more. Gone, too, was her fire. In its place was ice that melted at his touch. Webb is 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....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781471105289

Linda Howard

Linda Howard is the award-winning author of many New York Times bestsellers, including Up Close and Dangerous, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Cover of Night, Killing Time, To Die For, Kiss Me While I Sleep, Cry No More, and Dying to Please. She lives in Alabama with her husband and a golden retriever.

Reviews for Shades of Twilight

[nero56 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A touch more romance than suspense, but a great story.

[invincible005 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[dawn772 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[blingtastic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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

[sunnysd_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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, 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.

[bgillilan-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book! I have been reading it over and over

[phyllis2779 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read a long time ago. Don't remember anything. Have lost my taste for Howard's work so I'm moving this out.

[feeling9is9first · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[addictedtomorphemes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent villians in this one!

[thebooknerd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[booklitegal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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!!!!

[carol420 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[rkaye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Old school Howard. So many things I didn’t like but I absolutely loved Roanna. And Webb wasn’t too bad either.