Customer Reviews:
May not be for everybody,but I loved it! .......2007-06-13
This decorating book may not be for everybody, but I SURE DID LOVE IT!
If you are expecting a "HOW TO" decorating book, then this is book may not be for you. However, if you've been looking for a book with wonderful photos of truly romantic (modern) homes, [and with GORGEOUS photos], then you might like this book, as I did.
(Plz note... my stress is on the words :"ROMANTIC MODERN")
This is more or less a coffee-table book. At least that's how I see it.
As with most BETTER HOMES books, this book has gorgeous photos, as stated before.
Once again, I have to say that the stress of this book is on "modern romantic" style decorating.
Continually Inspiring .............2006-11-22
I can't begin to tell you how many times I've referred to and reread this book over the years. It always reinspires me to try to achieve the casual, opulent, lush, intriguing, chic, timeless feelings expressed on the pages of this book. I highly recommend this book to inspire and guide your own decorating vision.
So beautiful and filled with ideas.......2002-08-23
Until I got this book, my favorite decorating book in the last year or so was French Influences. This book is in the same vein as French Influences, but it is shot in what look to be American homes. The European style decorating ideas are translated for you. Not only do I love this book, but so many of my friends pick it up and want it when they come over that I've started giving it as birthday and wedding gifts.
Romance for American homes.......2002-05-08
I had to write my own review because I just read a review from someone who said that the book was about European interiors (or something like that). The book is clearly photographed in American homes and is full of romantic ideas that I can use here in the northeast. I can easily translate the ideas in the book using new furniture and decorative accessories from local stores and from some of my favorite catalogs (like Ballard Designs and Rue de France).
What's missing are the "details" ..........2002-04-29
If you're expecting a DIY 'how-to' of Romantic Style, you will not find it in the pages of this book. Granted, it is filled with beautifully-breathtaking photos of all of the homes showcased but, if you're looking for the "real" how-to "details," they're sorely missing.
Looking at photos is definitely awe-inspiring -- but, I want to hear the 'details' of how each look was achieved ... along with alternative options for creating the same, or similar, looks on anyone's budget. Romantic Style took the form of a somewhat elitist expression of 'lifestyles of the rich and famous' instead of a 'to-the-masses' type read.
And, at least in my circle of friends, acquaintances and design colleagues, very few have the unlimited funds to jet off to Europe, Asia or Africa whenever the urge strikes to bring back antiques, furniture and furnishings to transform their homes into the "romantic style" as most of the homes showcased have described. With a unlimited gold card and frequent access to jet around the world I, too, could create rooms to rival the ones in this book - but, in the real world, it would have been more beneficial if the book had shown a wider range of ideas for achieving the looks -- from budget-conscious - to - carte blanche.
The photos are definitely beautiful, but the true substance leaves something to be desired.
Average customer rating:
- Jackson Heights Has Its Own Martha Stewart - M.D. Smith
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The Romantic Garden
Marion Duckworth Smith
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Romantic Garden (Garden Bookshelf)
ASIN: 1402705360 |
Book Description
Tour lush, beautiful gardens, and find inspiration and guidance for bringing the same charm and romance into your own yard. Lavish full-color photographs walk you through the extravagant gardens of the author’s historic home, showcasing their many surprises and special touches. Observe how to use flowers and foliage to create spectacular arrangements of color and texture, establish private nooks for intimate moments, and set up pleasant areas to sit in quiet conversation. Add birdhouses, sculptures, found treasures, water features, furniture, and other accessories for extra beauty. Make the most of your romantic haven with tips for alfresco entertaining and winter gardening. A Selection of the Country Homes & Gardens Book Club.
Customer Reviews:
Jackson Heights Has Its Own Martha Stewart - M.D. Smith.......2005-02-15
by Liz Rhoades, Managing Editor, Queens Chronicle
February 03, 2005
If you crave a Martha Stewart fix now that she's out of commission for awhile, there's a new gal in town from Jackson Heights who will satisfy all those needs.
I don't know about her skills in the kitchen, but when it comes to gardening, decorating and the fine arts, no one comes close to Marion Duckworth Smith. You can read about her skills in "The Romantic Garden," published by Sterling Publishing Company.
The author and her husband, Michael, are responsible for lovingly restoring the 1654 Riker-Lent homestead in Jackson Heights, which is the oldest building in the city that is still used as a private residence.
When that arduous job was completed, Duckworth Smith turned her attention to the sprawling one-acre garden, adjacent to the Riker Cemetery, which is also on the property. Through years of back-breaking work and constant tweaking, the garden has become a gem.
Unfortunately, it's not open to the public, but readers will be transfixed when they pick up this coffee table book that is filled with gorgeous shots of the garden at its summertime best. Most of the photographs were taken by Duckworth Smith, a professional photographer, who specializes in greeting cards, calendars and magazine illustrations.
Her artistic talents are evident in the book's photographs as well as in her knack for arranging things just right. A blue hydrangea placed on a white wrought-iron bench invites the reader to sit down and admire the view. A slightly chipped pitcher that is a flea market find turns up filled with colorful flowers next to a decorative cherub mounted on a brick wall.
This book is a treat for the eyes and anyone who loves flowers and plants will enjoy paging through it. But there's more than just voluptuous illustrations to show Duckworth Smith's romantic side, which she admits permeates her life.
The commentary perfectly complements the photographs and the author does not preach. Instead, she shows the readers how to make the best of whatever outdoor space they have. She admits her style is not for everyone, but nevertheless offers general tips that everyone can adapt to their taste.
Duckworth Smith's use of metal and wooden gates, statues and whimsical birdhouses and feeders show how you can set off different areas of your garden, even if you don't have an acre of land.
She also doesn't take herself too seriously, which is particularly refreshing. I especially liked the photo of a slightly beat-up painted metal washbasin, which serves double duty for the author. She uses it as a birdbath with floating white hydrangeas and as an iced-drink container for parties. "It can be placed almost anywhere in the garden for gatherings, where it inevitably sparks lively conversation with my guests," Duckworth Smith writes.
There is also a good balance between the text and photographs. The photographs illustrate beautifully Duckworth Smith's ability at arranging, while her breezy writing never detracts from that ambiance.
Her numerous collections of dishware, baskets, buckets and other accoutrements she uses in the garden rival those of Martha Stewart. And the author will give you plenty of ideas to use in your own garden.
What better time to read "The Romantic Garden," than now, in the dead of winter. The author draws you into her pictures and you are once again sipping iced tea in the middle of summer, only this time under her Victorian gazebo near a four-tiered gurgling classic fountain. Ah, if only...
If you're yearning for a winter escape and who isn't with 15 inches of snow on the ground, look no further than "The Romantic Garden." It would make a perfect Valentine's gift for gardeners and those who have a romantic outlook on life. The book can be purchased at select Barnes & Nobles (they will gladly take your order if it's not in stock) and at Amazon.com.
It's a delight for all seasons."
Customer Reviews:
Very Enjoyable.......2007-09-16
This book series was fun for me to read. It combined romance, suspense, and the supernatural- all of which I enjoy reading about. I didn't want to put these books down.
Always a treasure.......2007-06-08
Nora Roberts always comes through with a new spin on an idea that works so well. The realtionships are well done and interesting and the books work great as a set. Read them in any order, but read them
Book Description
Join a murder hunt where conflict and sexual tension is the name of the game...
Thomas Heyworth was a wealthy, internationally renowned mystery writer, a colourful character whose opinions and outspoken behaviour got him in a lot of hot water in his lifetime. Because of the enemies he's accumulated over the years, Heyworth stipulated in his will detailed plans for an amateur investigation to take place in the event of his death. When Heyworth is found dead in his own library, Evie Randall, Heyworth's possible illegitimate daughter who has lived on the Heyworth estate ever since her mother, Heyworth's former housekeeper died, becomes the primary suspect.
Seattle detective Max Galloway is sent to find out the truth and is unwittingly drawn to Evie. But the real murderer is closing in and is determined to eliminate anything or anyone standing in the way of collecting millions. Suddenly Max and Evie are in a race to solve the crime before the game ends for them both.
Customer Reviews:
Fast-paced and humor-filled romance.......2007-07-10
Eccentric millionaire Thomas Heyworth never did things the easy way, so it's no wonder that he chose to have a scavenger hunt - winner take all - in lieu of individual endowments in his will. Feeling that he might be the victim of a murder, and knowing who his culprit is, he set out to create the ultimate contest for his estate, as the scavenger hunt teams must solve the mystery of who killed him in order to get the loot. The loophole is that someone involved in the hunt is the killer. Three teams comprised of his longtime friend and butler and a Russian medium; his new secretary and a reclusive poet; and his ward Evie Randall and estranged stepson Max Galloway set out to solve the mystery and win the coveted prize.
Evie came to live with Thomas as a child, and he took on a surrogate father role; it's always been her hope that Thomas is her father as her mother was once a maid at his secluded island estate. Max has always held Thomas responsible for the ruin of his parent's marriage but realizes that his father really didn't deserve his mother - unfortunately he never had a chance to reconcile with her as she died when he was a teen. Evie and Max clash at first, but they melt their resolves and start to fall for each other. As the teams set out to outwit, outplay and outlast each other, they grow closer to solving the murder, but at what cost to themselves?
Stillings has written a humorous and charming story with plenty of red herrings and possible suspects (including the butler no less). I managed to read it in a single airplane trip - it was funny and fast paced.
a cute, short read.......2007-03-25
evie (our heroine) and max (our hero) are involved in a treasure hunt purusant to the last will and testimony of a very wealthy eccentric. not only will the clues lead them to the money, but also to the person who killed our eccentric testator (guy who wrote the will). evie and max end up working together against (sort of) two other teams to reach the end first. what ensues is a funny story.
the story was amusing and light. this is not an in depth read - do not read this if you are looking for a good murder mystery. it was merely an amusing easy read - it was pretty obvious who the bad guy was.
all in all, not a bad read for a saturday afternoon, just don't expect iris johansen or julie garwood :)
Great Romance Comedy...............2006-08-15
It seems that every time I read a book by Marianne Stillings, I find myself laughing out loud. This book is no exception. If you like romance/comedies then you should read this book. All the characters are great and I loved the chemistry between Evie and Max, lots of sparks there!! If your looking for an easy summer read, this one is a great choice.
Wild and Mysterious.......2006-07-13
This is a murder mystery plus romance that involves beautifully proportioned people who are initially called to participate in a treasure hunt. There is a fetish for tall and good looking detectives because they all are in this book. They are also young. The mystery is not hard to solve. In fact, the reader could guess correctly who he/she is early in the story but the real question is how to expose the culprit. The hero and heroine are passionate and of course as in any other romance type of reading, they are always hungry for each other and the writer brilliantly makes sure that her readers are sated.
I really enjoyed this book, but.......2006-01-16
not as much as the authors first one. Still the book is clever, well written, and the author has a great sense of humor. I can't wait for her next title.
Book Description
It was the year that changed everything.
When Susannah Nelson turned eighteen, her parents sent her to school abroad. She said goodbye to her boyfriend, Jake -- and never saw him again. She never saw her brother again, either; Doug died in a car accident while she was away.
Now, at fifty, she finds herself regretting the paths not taken. Especially the chance to be with Jake . . . Long married, a mother and a teacher, she should be happy. But she feels there's something missing, although she doesn't know exactly what. Not only that, she's balancing the demands of an aging mother and a temperamental twenty-year-old daughter.
Because her mother, Vivian, a recent widow, is having difficulty coping and living alone, Susannah prepares to make some hard decisions. In returning to her hometown of Colville, Washington, to her parents' house, her girlhood friends and the garden she's always loved, she also returns to the past -- and the choices she made back then.
What she discovers is that things are not always as they once seemed. Some paths are dead ends. But some gardens remain beautiful . . .
Customer Reviews:
Susannah's Garden.......2007-09-10
This is a light and easy read by Debbie Macomber. It was relaxing and a feel good book.
I really wanted to like this book but..........2007-08-27
Susannah's Garden had so much potential. There was so much going on Susannah's dealing with the lingering issues with her father who died recently who was dictorial and distant who sent her away from home to get her away from her boyfriend Jake and wouldn't let her come home when her brother was killed in a car accident. Its also becoming clear that her mother Vivan is no longer able to care for herself and Susannah must deal with the painful decision to put her mother in assisted living and decide what to do with her childhood home and memories. Susannah's clearly having a midlife crisis has began dreaming about Jake and the "what ifs" despite the fact she's married with two almost grown children. Susannah decides to go home to Colville to deal with her mother. Her daughter Chrissie shows up and begins dating a boy Susannah doesn't approve off and Susannah finds herself in her father's position. It all had the set up to being really good as Susannah worked throught all of the issues but the author fails in the execution of dealing with the issues and ending the book. Spoilers follow. The extent that Susannah went to search for Jake without ever really considering the fact she was putting her own marriage at risk or what it might do to her husband or kids made it really difficult to be rooting for Susannah. Not that it really mattered because when Susannah's husband did find out Susannah hired a PI to hunt down her ex-boyfriend they have one small argument on the phone and...that's it. That's it? One argument on the phone? Susannah makes a comment later that they've worked everything out without to the reader how that happened. After all the build up to it and there's no fallout? No real showing Susannah of what her actions had done? I would have liked even just one scene where Susannah worried that she might have just cost herself her marriage. Then there's the learning of what really happened to Jake..and what really happened to her brother Doug. Jake was killed in the car accident instead of her brother Doug who assumed his identy and had been hiding out for decades from the police who wanted him for a federal crime he had return to Colville pretending to be someone else and dating her Susannah's friend. Instead of coming up with a way to either clear Doug of all the charges or some normal resoltion instead the author decides to not do any of these things but just keep Doug leaving under his assumed identy including not telling his mother that he's alive. Sure Vivan met him but has assumed in her altmizer's mind that he's the ghost of her dead husband. That's a solution? All I could think was how cruel what was? Never let the poor woman know her son is alive? What about Jake's father who doesn't even know his son is dead? It just seem all wrong to me. Not to mention the odds of dodging the government for the rest of his life. The same with Susannah's decision to pay off her daughter's boyfriend (like her father had done with Jake) to get him out of her life. Sure the boyfriend's a two timing lowlife who offered the deal to Susannah but...Susannah actually pays him? And this is the solution to get him out of Chrissie's life? How about Chrissie finding out her boyfriend's a lowlife? Maybe even learn something from the experience or realize she deserves a lot more from a boyfriend or the satasfication that comes from kicking the lowlife to the curb? Instead the author creates solutions for the problems that aren't solutions at all. That really's sad because it could have been a really good book.
Just Okay.......2007-07-20
This book is okay but nothing great. The characters lack depth. I figured out the main plot twist about halfway through. Susannah and her husband are annoying parents whose relationship with their daughter, Chrissie, makes no sense. Chrissie's parents are professionals, but their biggest dream for Chrissie seems to be that she become either a housewife or a housekeeper; I don't blame the kid for wanting to get away from them. There are some things about the ending that don't make sense, either, but I don't want to give anything away so I'll just leave those out.
Very realistic.......2007-07-17
I really enjoyed this book. I have been a fan of Debbie's for a very long time. For once, this story was based upon a 50 year old woman taking care of her elderly mother. I am currenly in the same situation and it was nice to read about realistic life issues. I read anything she publishes.
Relaxing reading.......2007-07-16
I enjoyed this book immensely. As a new Debbie Macomber fan, this was a wonderful introduction for me. I found it a very realistic book, as the condition of Susannah's aging Mom is similar to my own. I identified with lots of the story and loved the sweet way the book ends. I heartily recommend it.
Average customer rating:
- Good, but not excellent
- Trilogy
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- So this is Nora Roberts . . .
- A Perfect Ending to the Trilogy - But I Still Want More!
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Red Lily (In the Garden)
Nora Roberts
Manufacturer: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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Dance of the Gods (The Circle Trilogy, Book 2)
ASIN: 1596008237
Release Date: 2005-11-29 |
Book Description
A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night...
Hayley Phillips came to Memphis hoping for a new start, for herself and her unborn child. She wasn't looking for a handout from her distant cousin Roz, just a job at her thriving In the Garden nursery. What she found was a home surrounded by beauty and the best friends she's ever had - including Roz's son Harper. To Hayley's delight, her new daughter Lily has really taken to him. To Hayley's chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper - as much more than a friend...
If Hayley gives in to her desire, she's afraid the foundation she's built with Harper will come tumbling down. Especially since she's begun to suspect that her feelings are no longer completely her own. Flashes of the past and erratic behavior make Hayley believe that the Harper Bride has found a way inside of her mind and body. It's time to put the Bride to rest once and for all, so Hayley can know her own heart again - and whether she's willing to risk it...
Customer Reviews:
Good, but not excellent.......2007-08-22
I came away from this conclusion to Roberts' "In the Garden" trilogy a bit disappointed, but satisfied overall. There was just a bit too much of the stereotypical ghost behavior, although I was quite pleased at the different approach from the other two novels. The characters remain sympathetic and likable, although I think Hayley is just a bit too sicky sweet for my taste. The chemistry remains light and easy. The dénouement was a tiny bit anticlimactic, but the drama and excitement beforehand made up for it somewhat.
All in all, a fitting end to an excellent trilogy by an author who rarely lets her readers down. While not one of Roberts' strongest series, it is quite enjoyable and memorable.
Trilogy.......2007-07-19
This was a very good trilogy. It will keep you interested to the last page!
Good Authors.......2007-07-04
Nora Roberts is always a good read and she does not disappoint with this series.
So this is Nora Roberts . . ........2007-06-30
This was my first Nora Roberts and one of the only books I never finished. After several chapters, nothing had happened. No suspense was developed. Just page after page of aimless dialogue among a cast of cookie-cutter romance characters. Only the heroine had a personality - one so insipid and self-absorbed that I began to hope the dreaded ghost would get her. But even the supernatural failed to pump any energy into this listless story. I really wanted to like the author because she has so many books available, but if this is typical of her writing, I'm baffled by her popularity.
A Perfect Ending to the Trilogy - But I Still Want More!.......2007-05-14
I always hate when trilogies end, and the "In the Garden" trilogy (Blue Dahlia (In the Garden, Book 1), Black Rose: In the Garden Trilogy (In the Garden), and now RED LILY) is no exception. You get to know the characters so completely, and feel such a connection with them, that they become almost real--and you just want to keep on reading about their lives!
RED LILY is the story of Harper Ashby, oldest son of Rosalind (BLACK ROSE), and Hayley Phillips. Hayley had come to Harper House the previous year, pregnant and alone, to beseech Roz, a distant cousin through marriage, for a job. Unwed, with her baby's father out of the picture, Hayley wasn't looking for a handout, but for a chance to start over. What Roz offered her was so much more--a job, a place to stay at the renowned Harper House, and a family.
Now she has her daughter Lily, a great job, and a roof over her head, but lately she's been thinking of Harper, the man whose been her friend through it all, in a brand-new light--that of a love interest. Afraid to ruin their friendship by telling him how she feels, she keeps quiet. Harper, on the other hand, has wanted Hayley in a more than friendly fashion ever since he laid eyes upon her--pregnant and all--more than a year ago. But he's sure that she doesn't think of him in the same way, and he's leary of messing up the friendship that means to much to him.
As these two friends--both wanting to be so much more--fight their attraction to each other, the resident ghost of the house, the Harper Bride, kicks into high gear. She's always been loving and kind to the children in the house, singing them lullabies in the night, but she seems to hate men, and she's become especially violent now that Hayley is entertaining thoughts of romance.
As the whole crew--Roz and her new husband Mitch, a geneologist trying his hardest to discover who the Harper Bride really is; Stella and Logan, both employees of Roz's In the Garden shop; and Hayley and Harper, who live on Harper/Ashby land--try to figure out the Bride's agenda, their lives are in danger, and their hearts and passions intertwine with that of the ghost's.
I loved this entire trilogy, and read RED LILY in one day. It was a perfect conclusion to this powerful family saga, and I was especially happy to finally learn the answers to who the Harper Bride was, and what happened to her.
I will admit that there was one surprise twist to the storyline that I didn't see coming, and wasn't really thrilled with, but since Ms. Roberts wrote it and I didn't, I can't complain! Overall, the story was still great, and in time I learned to live with what I thought was an unnecessary plot device.
Pick up this trilogy today--you won't be disappointed!
Average customer rating:
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Nora Roberts In the Garden CD Collection: Blue Dahlia, Black Rose, Red Lily (In the Garden)
Nora Roberts
Manufacturer: Brilliance Audio on CD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: 1423323149
Release Date: 2007-05-29 |
Book Description
A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night…
Blue Dahlia: Young widow Stella Rothchild, along with her two energetic little boys, has moved back to her roots in southern Tennessee - and into her new life at Harper House and In the Garden nursery. She finds a nurturing friendship with Roz and with expectant mother Hayley. And she discovers a fierce attraction with ruggedly handsome landscaper Logan Kitridge. But someone isn't happy about the budding romance…the Harper Bride.
Black Rose: A widow with three grown sons, Rosalind Harper survived a disastrous second marriage, and built her In the Garden nursery from the ground up. Hired to investigate Roz's Harper ancestors, Dr. Mitchell Carnegie finds himself just as intrigued with Roz herself. As they begin to unravel the puzzle of the Harper Bride's identity, Roz is shocked to find herself falling for the fascinating genealogist.
Red Lily: Hayley Phillips has found a home surrounded by beauty and the best friends she's ever had - including Roz's son Harper. To Hayley's delight, her new daughter Lily has really taken to him. To Hayley's chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper - as much more than a friend... But Hayley's begun to suspect that her feelings are no longer completely her own.
Book Description
"The Gardens of Delight" brochure promises travelers the chance to visit Lake Como's most enchanting gardens. For Lucy, a trip to Italy offers more than just gardens. Lake Como is the home of her father, whom she last saw when she was just a teen. Recently married, Helen and her rich husband have just moved into the Old Rectory. With her husband often away from home, Helen throws herself into caring for the garden that was the pride and joy of its previous owner. But Helen needs help—and friends—and so decides to join the local Garden Club. Conrad isn't the least bit interested in gardening. A widower of five years, his life revolves around work and humoring his curmudgeonly Uncle Mac. Mac has expressed a desire to go on the "Gardens of Delight" tour—but only if Conrad will accompany him. Reluctantly, Conrad agrees. "Anything for a peaceful life," he concedes. But a peaceful life is the last thing any of them are in for....Winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Customer Reviews:
Enticing Historical!.......2006-10-15
Desirable, fascinating, sensual and magical are words to describe this historical romance set in the Regency period. The alluring Angelica Pruitt, down on her luck, hungry, and looking for work in London, is lured to madam Cicely's promise of an evening of entertainment and food, in exchange for being a campanion on the arms of gentlemen looking for entertainment at the Vauxhall pleasure garden. Innocent Angelica has spent her life in the country as the daughter of a vicar and is tired of trying to avoid the darker sides of London and what can happen to a beautiful young womnan. That night she meets Jason Kitterage, who is so drawn to Angelica, as are many of the men at the gardens. This handsome hero eventually sensually lures Angelica to pleasure and she moves into his home to become his mistress. Sweet, innocent Anglica soon becomes a healing balm to Jason's family and staff of his townhome. This is an interesting and heartwarming story that also involves mystery and historical relics with powers. The characters are well-developed and the story moves along, absorbing the reader into the lives of the characters and into the mystery of the famous ancient Mask of Aphrodite. An enjoyable read.
4-1/2* - A Real PLEASURE Read - Author to Watch.......2005-05-24
Miss Angelica Pruitt was an unemployed governess without references and though she was becoming adept at economizing it had been some time since her last meal. With the enticement of obtaining a real meal for showing up at function hostessed by her one single source of income - an infamous demimonde - the very beautiful and very proper Angelica found herself dressed in a Grecian themed gown and wandering into the `pleasure garden' at Vauxhall. She was actually debating whether the temptation of a meal was truly worth her masquerade when true temptation in the form of the darkly smoldering gaze of Jason Kitterage made her decision a moot point.
Jason's foray into the pleasure garden was business, initially tied into tempting the serious collectors of Egyptian artifacts with whetting their appetites on his latest find - the Mask of Aphrodite. Gazing into the face of an `angel' with a body to match his thoughts were anything but business as Angel piqued his interest as no other woman ever had. Although her manners and elegance resembled a lady, the setting and her costume reflected her to be something else. She was indeed something else, and Jason was about to discover that with Angelica he would discover magic without the use of the Mask of Aphrodite.
*** I am a big fan of regency reads and love the humorous, the serious, and the deeply sensual paths they can take. With Ms. Allen's well-written foray into the regency realm, she brings all three aspects into play, although the sensuality focuses more on the deep and abiding love versus the explicit sexual encounters that some authors are noted for. Ms. Allen also flavors this with an interesting and original bit of fantasy. Angelica is a love; definitely a heroine one has to admire for her principles and no nonsense approach to life. Unfortunately, I didn't see the apparent need she had for hiding her true identity from Jason, which had some bearing on my rating. [I just have to mention though, not to miss the one particularly amusing scene where she evened the playing field for Jason as both set upon by footpads.] The drama that focused around the `mask' was definitely an integral part of the story as well and kept that part of the plot dynamic and interesting. Jason was an admirable hero, even if he didn't realize what a treasure he'd discovered until he'd almost lost it. The supporting characters were all well-defined adding additional interest and depth to an enormously entertaining read and I look forward to what appears to be a second story featuring Jason's brother Dorian. This was definitely a beautiful romance from a new author who bears watching. --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---
Regency with magical tones........2005-03-21
This story is set in the Regency era. Angelica "Angel" Pruitt is the daughter of a famous orator. He died only a few years before. Angelica teaches Cicely history and literature so she can speak with her "protector", Lord Geoffrey, about his interests of Greek mythology.
Angelica accepts Cicely's offer to a party in Vauxhall's pleasure garden for the sole reason of a meal. It is at this party that Angel meets Jason Kitterage. The attraction between them is mutual. Refusing to lower her standards though, she quits the party early. While doing so, Jason is hurt and has no choice but to care for him for a few days.
Jason is an antiquities collector and seller. He is offering an ancient treasure, called the Mask of Aphrodite, up for bid to others that had attended the previous party. Once well enough, he convinces Angel to stay with him and his father. He vows not to press his attentions on her. She sets the pace.
The Mask of Aphrodite is surrounded by legends. It is said that any woman who wears the mask becomes irresistible to all men and can enslave them to do her bidding. Problem is that the legends are true. Angel and Jason must keep the mask out of the wrong hands.
***** No hot love scenes here. This is a clean and sweet regency romance. However, there is danger and magic throughout the tale. This book proves that you do not need hot bedroom scenes in order to have a marvelous story. Jason's father and brother are secondary characters in this book and their personalities light up the pages just as brightly as the main characters' do. In fact, I have high hopes that the brother will get his own magical story soon! Author Regan Allen proves herself to be an enchantress in this gem. I was enthralled quickly and left begging for more. Highly recommended! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Books:
- Seed to Seed
- Seedfolks (Joanna Colter Books)
- Small Spaces, Beautiful Gardens
- Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
- Solar Energy in Architecture and Urban Planning = Solarenergie in Architektur Und Stadtplanung= Energia Solare in Archittura E Pianificazione Urbana: Edited ... Kaiser, Michael Volz (Architecture & Design)
- Spreadsheet Modeling and Decision Analysis (with CD-ROM and Microsoft Project 2003 120 day version)
- Sunset Western Garden Book
- Sunset Western Garden Book
- Sunset Western Garden Book
- Taylor's Guide to Shade Gardening: More Than 350 Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers That Thrive Under Difficult Conditions, Illustrated with Color Photographs and Detailed Drawings (Taylor's Gardening Guides)
Books Index
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