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To Have and to Hold
Just who was Cal Forrest? Shy Madeline Blainn's new neighbor was as mysterious as he was mesmerizing. First, he'd turned her simple world topsy-turvy -- and then her heart. Cal's passionate kisses made falling in love easy -- but just who was she really falling for?
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
About the author
Diana Palmer
915 books3,001 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 21, 2015
3 1/2 Stars ~ Madeleine is the executive secretary for the big chief, McCallum; a man she's never met, is as rich as Midas and reknown for his glamourous women. The Boss owns several companies and it's rumoured that at present he's on a doctor's ordered holiday, away from his workaholic stresses. The first time Maddy meets her new neighbour is when his huge doberman nabs the juicy steak off her plate before she can even put it on her grill and she finds herself flat on her back on the ground with the dog sitting on her while he devours her supper. Cal comes to find his dog, "the Horse" as Maddy calls it, and has the nerve to tell her off for leaving her back gate open, which lets loose Maddy's temper and they throw insults at each other. Each time she runs into Cal, there's some sort of spark, especially as he loves to patronize her, and cynically believes she's chasing him, and she doesn't hesitate to point out that he's years too old for her and besides she's off men.
Both Maddy and Cal have painful relationship pasts. Maddy's fiance died in a plane crash just two days before they were to be married, and Cal was a widower. His 40 years to her 24 seems to keep him at arms length. They form a "pax" of sorts to be friends, and over the next weeks discover that they like each other's company very much. Cal comes to realize that Maddy's just as innocent as she seems to be, and he can't help wanting to be the one to wake her up. But everything gets all complicated when Cal confesses that he's really her mysterious boss, McCallum; and then Maddy's cousin Horace visits for a night and Cal assumes Maddy's been playing tricks on him, and she's really on the make after all.
This is a very early work by Diana Palmer but her style that has become classic is most evident. Cal is a tortured hero, driven by the death of his wife and son to a self-destructive workaholic life-style. He works hard and he plays hard, not hiding the fact that he's a real man with a real man's needs when it comes to his women. Maddy is quite delightful. She's suffered too, with the loss of her fiance, a man who loved her gently and with respect, so when Cal storms into her life, it turns her quiet life topsy-turvy. I love their banter; the wit is quite hilarious and great fun to read. Of course, there's an intense black moment, harsh angry and insulting words, and torrents of tears. I'd of liked a bit more of a grovel on Cal's part, but in DP style he atones and keeps face at the same time.
Both Maddy and Cal have painful relationship pasts. Maddy's fiance died in a plane crash just two days before they were to be married, and Cal was a widower. His 40 years to her 24 seems to keep him at arms length. They form a "pax" of sorts to be friends, and over the next weeks discover that they like each other's company very much. Cal comes to realize that Maddy's just as innocent as she seems to be, and he can't help wanting to be the one to wake her up. But everything gets all complicated when Cal confesses that he's really her mysterious boss, McCallum; and then Maddy's cousin Horace visits for a night and Cal assumes Maddy's been playing tricks on him, and she's really on the make after all.
This is a very early work by Diana Palmer but her style that has become classic is most evident. Cal is a tortured hero, driven by the death of his wife and son to a self-destructive workaholic life-style. He works hard and he plays hard, not hiding the fact that he's a real man with a real man's needs when it comes to his women. Maddy is quite delightful. She's suffered too, with the loss of her fiance, a man who loved her gently and with respect, so when Cal storms into her life, it turns her quiet life topsy-turvy. I love their banter; the wit is quite hilarious and great fun to read. Of course, there's an intense black moment, harsh angry and insulting words, and torrents of tears. I'd of liked a bit more of a grovel on Cal's part, but in DP style he atones and keeps face at the same time.
March 11, 2016
Light and Clean Old School Romance
FINAL DECISION: I liked this book but only as a sweet older book. The book is simple with less complex characters but it is a nice story that reflects the beginning of Palmer's craft. There are some really funny moments as well regarding the hero's dog.
THE STORY: Madeline Blainn is shy and alone after the death of her fiance only days before their wedding. She now has a new neighbor Cal Forrest. Madeline doesn't want a superficial sexual relationship so the two settle into a friendship that can't disguise their affection and attraction to one another. It also turns out that Cal has a secret that he has been hiding from Madeline.
OPINION: This sweet old fashioned romance was enjoyable because of the characters. The story wasn't particularly complex but it was a good one time read. What I enjoyed most was the humor and lightness of the story. Although both Cal and Madeline have experienced loss, this book keeps away from the dark emotions and makes it about friendship and caring. Cal's secret is pretty obvious once the story begins but waiting for the reveal is part of the enjoyment of the story. This is a nice story and doesn't have some of the poor behavior towards the heroine that often occurs in Palmer books. This book is lighter and sweeter.
WORTH MENTIONING: This book was originally published as a category romance and is one of Palmer's earliest books.
CONNECTED BOOKS: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD is a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.
FINAL DECISION: I liked this book but only as a sweet older book. The book is simple with less complex characters but it is a nice story that reflects the beginning of Palmer's craft. There are some really funny moments as well regarding the hero's dog.
THE STORY: Madeline Blainn is shy and alone after the death of her fiance only days before their wedding. She now has a new neighbor Cal Forrest. Madeline doesn't want a superficial sexual relationship so the two settle into a friendship that can't disguise their affection and attraction to one another. It also turns out that Cal has a secret that he has been hiding from Madeline.
OPINION: This sweet old fashioned romance was enjoyable because of the characters. The story wasn't particularly complex but it was a good one time read. What I enjoyed most was the humor and lightness of the story. Although both Cal and Madeline have experienced loss, this book keeps away from the dark emotions and makes it about friendship and caring. Cal's secret is pretty obvious once the story begins but waiting for the reveal is part of the enjoyment of the story. This is a nice story and doesn't have some of the poor behavior towards the heroine that often occurs in Palmer books. This book is lighter and sweeter.
WORTH MENTIONING: This book was originally published as a category romance and is one of Palmer's earliest books.
CONNECTED BOOKS: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD is a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.
July 22, 2016
História antiga da autora e que segue a fórmula já conhecida dela. Herói mais velho e vivido, tanto que a amante dele vive ao lado da casa da heroína, que é virgem, solitária e ingênua. Os dois formam uma amizade e ela não sabe a verdadeira identidade dele. Ele é bem cínico e em um certo ponto da história um verdadeiro ogro, mas é tudo perdoado e os dois se acertam e chegam ao HEA.
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Ancient history of author that follows the formula already known by readers. Older hero with life experience and very cynical, and with his mistress living next to the home of our heroine. She's a virgin, lonely and naive. The two form a friendship and she doesn't know his true identity. He's pretty cynical and at a certain point in history a real ogre, but everything is forgiven and the two work out and reach the HEA.
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Ancient history of author that follows the formula already known by readers. Older hero with life experience and very cynical, and with his mistress living next to the home of our heroine. She's a virgin, lonely and naive. The two form a friendship and she doesn't know his true identity. He's pretty cynical and at a certain point in history a real ogre, but everything is forgiven and the two work out and reach the HEA.
July 14, 2017
"To have and to hold" is the story of Meredith and McCallum.
Meredith is an efficient secretary of an absent boss, who lives her life alone since her fiancé died- with her moody cat Cabbage.
Her peace is disrupted when a neighbor "Cal" moves in with his hound Suleiman, and initial witty banter gives in to a beautiful friendship and courtship.
I loved the first half of the story- their slow burn of chemistry and attraction was off the charts.
My only issue came when Cal saw her with cousin Horace, and said all those mean things after firing her- imo there wasn't enough groveling and she gave in too easily!
And what was with that mistress Bess! I was so annoyed by her!
To be honest, my favorite part of the book was the prologue by DP- how she based the book on her life, pets and then to be husband, how much she loved the characters and how they stayed with her even after the book (one of her favorites)- including why she writes celibate heroes-and this made me even more in love with her.
Overall, book itself is 3.5 stars and would have been more if he groveled a little.
Safe
Meredith is an efficient secretary of an absent boss, who lives her life alone since her fiancé died- with her moody cat Cabbage.
Her peace is disrupted when a neighbor "Cal" moves in with his hound Suleiman, and initial witty banter gives in to a beautiful friendship and courtship.
I loved the first half of the story- their slow burn of chemistry and attraction was off the charts.
My only issue came when Cal saw her with cousin Horace, and said all those mean things after firing her- imo there wasn't enough groveling and she gave in too easily!
And what was with that mistress Bess! I was so annoyed by her!
To be honest, my favorite part of the book was the prologue by DP- how she based the book on her life, pets and then to be husband, how much she loved the characters and how they stayed with her even after the book (one of her favorites)- including why she writes celibate heroes-and this made me even more in love with her.
Overall, book itself is 3.5 stars and would have been more if he groveled a little.
Safe
August 6, 2020
Age gap (H-40 h-24) romance… enemies to friends to lovers… slow burn. I liked this one, but it was missing that extra pinch of something I expect from DP. Cal started out as the experienced, strong Alpha-hole I love, but mellowed out pretty quickly. (until the end) He’s a widow, but not overly closed off and broody. Madeline is pretty feisty, and the early banter was pretty good. She’s definitely not a quiet doormat.
The couple spends much of the book in the friend-zone which started to drone on for me. It’s implied that he’s sleeping around, and she sees him with two women, but other than a snide comment there is no OW drama.
Bottom Line- Not bad, just a smidge boring for me. Super slow burn with very little drama… nothing crazy or OTT.
The couple spends much of the book in the friend-zone which started to drone on for me. It’s implied that he’s sleeping around, and she sees him with two women, but other than a snide comment there is no OW drama.
Bottom Line- Not bad, just a smidge boring for me. Super slow burn with very little drama… nothing crazy or OTT.
September 29, 2015
Well it was not up to DP standards in that it dragged on with the story and the hero was sleeping with everything in a dress after he met the heroine. She even caught him at it. He just wanted to get into her dress I did not feel the love just the lust. It was more you have to marry me to sleep with me cause I am a virgin. Soooo come on that crazy!!! Even in those days guys slept with virgins just as easy as non. I did not like it but it was passionate! That's why 3 stars.
May 14, 2016
Rating: 3 stars
I love Diana Palmer, but this one didn't really do it for me. I wanted something to make me cry. McCallum was frustrating in a lot of ways and I didn't like the fact that he kept a mistress.
I love Diana Palmer, but this one didn't really do it for me. I wanted something to make me cry. McCallum was frustrating in a lot of ways and I didn't like the fact that he kept a mistress.
January 1, 2017
Reread November 29, 2016.
December 20, 2017
Bad book! Hated the hero to my core and for the life of me I didn't find any Chemistry between the characters. Though I liked their bickering at the start and heroine's unimpressed behaviour towards the hero but the hero was just ARGHHH!. [SPOILER] First he thought she is some cheap scam who is trying to lure him in her trap and he expresses it openly. Then when apparently he get rid of this notion and they become friends, he took her to some beach on a weekend only to taker her to her bed. When she denies that for her its not "Friendship" but friendship,he becomes shocked that didn't u know that why we came here when I could have ordered the food right at my door step. Anyways, he didn't rape her, Thanks heavens but then he just start becoming physical with her, A kiss here, a kiss there. When a shocking revelation about his true identity, which was plain as sun light for readers and which also gave shock to the hero, they part their ways and heroine's czn drop by for a night's stay, the hero calls the herione all the bad names. At the end, only after the real identity of the cousin becomes clear to the hero, did he realize his mistakes and he bestowed the herione with his divine forgiveness "I am done crucifying you" I mean like really. No confrontation, no excuse, no apology. When he had a string of mistresses even while trying ways to knock heroine out, he had the audacity to act like this and then again offers heroine his friendship. Of course heroine accepts it and that very night lets hero to kiss her again. Wow!! i mean like really!!![/SPOILER]
P. S:- Though I didn't want to but i pretty much summed the whole story so the hidden spoiler.
P. S:- Though I didn't want to but i pretty much summed the whole story so the hidden spoiler.
March 7, 2020
To Have and To Hold
Efficient Secretary falls for her new neighbor. Unknown to her, he's really her boss on a restful vacation. As the sparks start to fly, her cousin shows up and first conclusions are jumped to with both fists. After firing her and slinging money at her he then asks her to work for him for a month. Complications, complications.
Efficient Secretary falls for her new neighbor. Unknown to her, he's really her boss on a restful vacation. As the sparks start to fly, her cousin shows up and first conclusions are jumped to with both fists. After firing her and slinging money at her he then asks her to work for him for a month. Complications, complications.
August 11, 2024
Eck! Ick!
Started out really good. They were falling in love slowly. Then the big misunderstanding…he turns into some crazed lunatic and yells horrific things at her. Fires her. Pretty much tells her she will never work again. So bad that she swears she will never forgive and forget. She has to leave town.
But later she comes back for MORE abuse and professes her love!!!
What did I just read?!?! That women are meat just to be used and abused?!?
DP writes some of the best and some of the worst! This is the worst!
Started out really good. They were falling in love slowly. Then the big misunderstanding…he turns into some crazed lunatic and yells horrific things at her. Fires her. Pretty much tells her she will never work again. So bad that she swears she will never forgive and forget. She has to leave town.
But later she comes back for MORE abuse and professes her love!!!
What did I just read?!?! That women are meat just to be used and abused?!?
DP writes some of the best and some of the worst! This is the worst!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2017
Wow, what a hypocrite Cal was, keeping a mistress and hurling abuse at Madeline when he thought she'd taken a lover. Readable, but very dated.
March 30, 2018
Quite nice, if you like earlier Palmer's books. I appreciated the heroine and the love story but the accident's scene was a bit too much for me.
February 23, 2021
Great read—-all the DP tropes but the relationship between the likable H and h took center stage. Lots of sizzling chemistry.
June 14, 2021
Typical DP, strong male, weak female. Easy read.
January 15, 2024
Enjoyed
I enjoyed reading the journey of Madeline and Cal. Wow has been a few years since I read this type of old fashioned story
I enjoyed reading the journey of Madeline and Cal. Wow has been a few years since I read this type of old fashioned story
January 29, 2017
What an ass!
Trust issues...Anger...Hurt...Love?
Overall, this was a nice read.
Trust issues...Anger...Hurt...Love?
Overall, this was a nice read.
February 17, 2016
Wonderful Classic Palmer
To Have and to Hold was one of the few Palmer novels I hadn't read and I am so glad that it was recently available for my kindle. This is an angst ridden older man younger woman story with some twists that were wonderful and some painful. But, the whole added up to a beautiful love story that at times brought me to tears.
I am so glad I found this one and it is a definite keeper. A truly beautiful story with a lovely tortured alpha hero and a sweet but troubled heroine.
To Have and to Hold was one of the few Palmer novels I hadn't read and I am so glad that it was recently available for my kindle. This is an angst ridden older man younger woman story with some twists that were wonderful and some painful. But, the whole added up to a beautiful love story that at times brought me to tears.
I am so glad I found this one and it is a definite keeper. A truly beautiful story with a lovely tortured alpha hero and a sweet but troubled heroine.
December 31, 2015
Diana did it again
I love most of Palmerston book but this is going on my favorites list!!! Cal was the real world and fantasy all in one
I love most of Palmerston book but this is going on my favorites list!!! Cal was the real world and fantasy all in one
January 2, 2016
Good story
Typical Diana Palmer story. Boy meets girl, boy misunderstands girls, boy hurts girl, boy finds out the truth and finally boy marries girl. Love it
Typical Diana Palmer story. Boy meets girl, boy misunderstands girls, boy hurts girl, boy finds out the truth and finally boy marries girl. Love it
March 18, 2016
Lovely book but lacked a great grovel.
April 17, 2016
sweet romantic love story but it needed an epilogue.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews