Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (1993, Hardcover, Reprint)

This was the first historical romance novel that I ever read. I was hooked! The story starts out a little slow, but if you have read other Woodiwiss books, you understand that she is a very detailed writer. She wants the reader to "see" the surroundings unfold along with the story.
This story carries you from a prison in England across the seas to an island paradise, into a pirates den,and even into the winter of a yet untamed America. The twists and turns that are truly Woodiwiss will keep you guessing and in awe right to the end.
This book is an excellent investment, it will be one that you will read again and again. It's just like visiting old friends each time you pick it up!

This is Kathleen E. Woodiwiss' third novel and may even surpass the first and second in the lush, sweeping tale of Shanna, daughter of the wealthy Squire Orlan Trahern and Raurk Beauchamp, who has been unjustly accused and condemned to hang for murder. They meet and marry when Shanna weaves a clever (so she thinks) plan to defy her father's ultimatum -- choose a husband and produce heirs or he'll choose a husband for her. She thinks by marrying a man bound for Triple Tree that she'll be able to buy time so she can choose her own mate. Her plans go awry when Ralston, her father's overseer (and a nasty piece of work), buys men from Newgate prison to use as bondslaves on Los Camellos (the island owned by Trahern). What unfolds is a tale of conflicting and raging emotions that Shanna and Raurk both must work out until they come to the realization of how deeply they love one another. There's much humour mixed in the story along with a dash of mystery, suspense, danger. But, it ends as all good love stories should, "and they all lived happily ever after".