You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
This HaBO is from Melissa and she’s looking for an older romance:
Hoping someone can help me find the book that got me hooked!
I read this book in the late 80s when I was in 7th grade. My aunt had sent a box of romances home with my mom, and during our 12 hour drive back home I ran out of reading material. Since my parents couldn’t see what I was reading in the back seat, I grabbed one of the books from the box. When my parents eventually found the book in my room weeks later, it was confiscated! Here is what I remember:
It had one of those pastel covers with the flowy font, and possibly a hologram logo.
It took place in California prior to it becoming a state. Possibly during the Spanish California era.
Heroine was a caucasian lady who led a double life. In everyday life she was possibly a schoolteacher or something, but at night she was singing on stage at the local saloon, disguised by a mask or veil.
Hero was local nobility, referred to as “Don WhateverHisNameWas.”
Hero’s mother has arranged a marriage for him that he does not want, but he has agreed to out of family duty. At one point Hero walks into the barn on his family’s hacienda and finds his arranged fiance having sex with the stablehand and breaks off the engagement.
Hero knows the Heroine in everyday life and is not into her, but sees her in her secret life on stage (does not recognize her) and falls in lust and goes backstage to try to seduce her into becoming his mistress. They eventually become lovers, but he still doesn’t recognize her true identity.
Once he finally realizes her true identity, he decides they will get married since she’s really a lady and he must do right by her.
The most distinctive scene was when they go to a waterfall and then make love in a cave or grotto that had rainbows on the walls because of prisms or crystals or something. I remember by 13 year old self thinking this was VERY ROMANTIC.
I would love to find my gateway romance again and see if it was as crazy-pants as I remember!
It doesn’t get more romantic than a grotto.
I want to know what this is !
I want this now!
I love that you remember so many details – this sounds amazing. (I also read my first romance on a road trip, when I was 14 – pretty much all I remember is that THEY HAD SEX, which isn’t enough detail for an HABO).
The historical setting, 80s publishing time period and hologram logo makes me think is a Zebra publication. I read many, but I don’t think I read this one.
I NEED THIS SOMEONE PLEASE FIND IT
Is there any way this is a “later” (80’s) Rosemary Rogers? She usually set at least some part of her stories in pre-statehood Southern California. Or Monterrey also comes to mind. This is so familiar; driving me batty!
I’m dying to know this title, too! Between the rainbows and the hero lusting after her singer persona, I keep thinking of Jem and the Holograms… in 19th century California.
It almost sounds like a Rosemary Rogers, but I don’t recall that specific storyline.
This feels like a Rebecca Brandywyne. Might it be a Rebecca Brandywyne?!
I’m pretty sure I know this one.
Constance O’Banyon Golden Paradise
I’m pretty sure Lynn is right. GOLDEN PARADISE, by Constance O’Banyon ticks every point.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3339176-golden-paradise
OMG (Oh My Grotto)! Golden Paradise is it! Thank you, Lynn and LisaH!
I’m not saying that I just bought this from amazon for kindle for $4, but that cover and rainbow grotto and just the whole vibe.
I read my first romance at 14 as well! On vacation at a house we rented and it was raining so there was nothing to do.
It is a Zebra!