Please publish your reviews as comments under this post. Thank you. Let's have a long thread:) Just hit where it states the number of comments and it will give you a place to post.
Emily captures perfectly the trepidations a woman with submissive leanings feels about exposing her desires, the internal struggle, and the joyful feeling of completeness when she finally surrenders to those long-secret desires.
Very hot BDSM scenes to go along with that make this a read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Emily is a BDSM author to watch.
Review of Intelligent Universe. Reviewed by Marlene Jacobson at Smashwords, June 3, 2013:
"I found this book to be very thought provoking and interesting! Definitely puts a new perspective on some heavenly insights that I have often wondered about. Some of his thoughts are just that, his thoughts and ideas. But he does explain why he has come to that understanding and so for that I give it 4 stars. So glad I took the time to read it. Makes me want to study the book of Moses and Abraham a little more."
But the book on Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Universe-ebook/dp/B00CYAENDY
Also available on multiple eBook formats at Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/318788
Review of Intelligent Universe by T. Chuntraruk at Amazon, June 5 2013:
"I have just read "Intelligent Universe" by Ilyan Lavanway. Wow! This is a mind-boggling, thought-provoking read. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I immediately told my family and friends about it. It causes one to think and ponder deeply about the incredible knowledge and ideas contained in these pages. It is up-lifting and inspiring. It stretches the imagination. It has increased my faith and hope knowing that we live in a Universe that is alive and intelligent and that each of us play a very important role in it. Mr. Lavanway is a brilliant writer and thinker. I highly recommend it to anyone on a quest for higher learning."
A review of my crime novel, Angel, Falling, from, I believe, Amazon:
Angel, Falling:A Bennett Cole Mystery (Kindle Edition) Great book that caught my whole attention from the first chapter to the last chapter. Larry Shriner is definitely expert at pulling you into the story and keeping you there.
Review of Out of the Picture and Into the Picture. Reviewed by Rona D. Simmons at Amazon, October 14, 2012:
"A father and son share perspectives on life from two sides of the same experience then we follow the son on his simultaneous, impossible?, journey through space and time. Ilyan's description of flying through a terrible storm and then in an instant breaking into a calm sky evokes images and memories of my own (thankfully real) flights. The world becomes more fantastic as the tale unwinds and the reader is allowed to see the world from inside a two-dimensional painting and another parallel world, via Ilyan's vivid imagery of two and three and four dimensions. It is a unique experience for the reader, asking you to explain what is real and what is only imagined. I may never touch the surface of a painting again without fearing what might happen. Innovative and entertaining."
Review of Earth Sink. Reviewed by J. Taylor at Amazon, October 11, 2010:
"A very interesting and descriptive account on the last days of earth. In general, I'm quite drawn to this type of science fiction. The only thing that would have made this more interesting and perhaps more personal to me is to have told this story from the perspective of a developed character living on the earth. He started to do this a few times (i.e. Johnny, his girl and their fast car), but fell a little short. This was almost like a futuristic-metaphysical James Michener novel without the sub plots of the actual people living in the area he describes. Earth Sink is extremely graphic, which I found a little offensive and extremely dark at times. However,later when I went back to read Revelations, it's not as if you would have to stretch too far for his descriptions to be congruent with the descriptions in the Bible. The last days could be simply horrific for the wicked. This author does better than most describing just how horrific it could be. Really enjoyed his vision regarding biotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligences and it's future role for mankind."
A review on Ariel's Cottage on Goodreads; the Large Print and Kindle editions, Price for Love: Ariel's COttage, have a free download on that site. Sep 30, 2012 Lois Thurman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition (Price for Love:Ariel's Cottage) A must read. I fell in love with the characters of this book. Read it in two days. Laughed some, cried some. Couldn't wait to find out what came next for Ariel, Jerry and Danny. What happens will surprise you.
A review on the first of my trilogy on Goodreads and Amazon: Oct 28, 2012 Lena Seder rated it 4 of 5 stars Author Judith Victoria Douglas’ Where the Horses Run explores a near future Earth that has been abused and polluted to a point that life will end up changing as we know it. Ellie is the proud owner of a special black horse, Goliath. While going to a horse show, suddenly a catastrophic event occurs world-wide causing most horses to vanish into thin air, including Ellie’s horse Lady. Luckily, Goliath stays with her. No one can explain it, but the event occurred with some electrical interruptions and what seemed like a frozen moment in time.
Ellie and her sister-friend Tisha have been through terrible past events that continue to haunt them. Can they survive this new ordeal?
Ellie finds herself on a spiritual quest as she gets visited by Spirit Guides. She discovers she has an important task to complete. Will she be able to get past her fears to discover her true purpose?
Ellie’s past accident caused some memory loss, especially in recognizing some faces. She ran into an old love, Tom, without realizing who he was. Tom wakes up and after seeing her photo in the newspaper, decides he’ll not lose her again. For some odd reason, she feels she can trust him and lets him back into her life. She begins to remember bits and pieces as she time goes on.
Ellie’s life is changing, and she is transforming just as the world around her is changing. Will she be able to help the world? Will Tom and Ellie find happiness? Can an Apocalypse be averted? What will the future become?
Judith Douglas brings us an interesting story with loveable characters. She presents these memories in journal form. We can see Judith’s knowledge of the horse world is extensive, and she explains so many aspects of how to deal with horses. She also has researched much scientific data that relates to the condition of the Earth today. It seems humans have lost their origins with Mother Earth, and they have ignored the voices all around them. If people return to their spiritual ties to the Earth, can there be healing? A review of the first of my trilogy, Where the Horses Run, Book I Mass Extinction on Goodreads:
Judith poses a lot of interesting questions while weaving a story of adventure with the biggest mystery to solve: where are the horses now? The answer will surprise the reader as Judith takes us on a quest for answers.
I highly recommend Where the Horses Run. It will challenge your perspective.
A review for TREE & SKY: An Introduction to the Secrets of Meshyah's World on Goodreads and Amazon. Jodi Stone rated it 5 of 5 stars Sep 20, 2012 This was such an enjoyable and imaginative book...taking the reader on a journey of sorts with the characters. I def. recommend this for children over around age eight, but I also recommend it for parents!
Here is another review for TREE & SKY: An introduction to the Secrets of Meshyah's World from Goodreads and Amazon.
Oct 18, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars The book for review is TREE and SKY: An Introduction to The Secrets of Meshyah’s World by Judith Victoria Douglas. It's the author's first children's book. It is geared toward children in grades 3-5. The genre is Science Fiction/Fantasy.
The setting for this novel is in the future. The main characters and their families live at the bottom of the world on the planet's largest continent, Antarctica, at a time when much of the ice has melted. The people now live under megadomes as protection due to the drastic climate change after a massive solar flare hit Earth. It forever changed how people view and live their lives. Meshyah’s, know as Shy, along with her friends Jazz and Ozzie learns in school and from their parents about how they came to live under their great dome and what the Earth was like in the Before Times. The book gives details on how the community manages and how every one is important to its survival. The novel contains the children's first three stories in Shy's journal. The Tree on My House tells of a mysterious plant that grows into a great and wonderful tree. The Day the Sky Fell recalls events surrounding the lose of one of the mighty cables which form their megadome. Under the Honeycomb Sky has many experiences under the dome and Sky's twelfth birthday party. It tells a little of the children's hope to send Shy's five-year journal back in time, when completed, as a warning for the future. The first story starts on Shy’s tenth birthday. The other two follow each following year. For her twelfth birthday she asks for a diary in which she plans to keep notes of events in her life throughout the year. Shy adds her yearly stories to a five-year journal received for her twelfth birthday. There is a bit of history and scientific jargon in this book. However, it is explained in a manner easy to understand. The relationship Shy has with her grandfather, who is mentioned throughout the book, is a sweet one. The family closeness is one I enjoyed reading. Another thing I enjoyed was the cultural diversity. It can truly appeal to a variety of young people and their parents. It is a good book for developing an active and creative imagination
This book was gifted to me by the author for review purposes.
Sara's Child : Book one of The Sara Colson Trilogy
5.0 out of 5 stars A FIVE STAR MUST READ, June 22, 2013 By cohen - See all my reviews This review is from: Sara's Child (The Sara Colson Trilogy) (Kindle Edition) Boy can this lady write. Her words pack a punch that make her characters sooooo real! You feel their anger, their pain and their joy. You share their ups and downs in this rollercoaster of a tale, and come out at the end feeling like you been through everything they have. I would heartily recommend this author and that you not only complete the trilogy but also that you add Susan Elle to your favourite authors list. 5 stars+ Amazing!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous! January 7, 2013 By Pamela Pruitt Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase I am new to the brilliant writing of Susan Elle...I spent my Sunday consumed with this wonderful, page turning novel. I am purchasing the remaining two now...How will I get any work done until I am done. Thank you ME. ELLE....you. have a new fan! Wonderfully written! Need w excuse me, I can't wait to meet the sister!!!
Slave Girl: The Interview 5/5 Stars Review by Akane Naome McMahon Definitely far better than your average erotic novel, for sure! From the very beginning Penelope sets the scene with ease. I liked the balance between narration and descriptions. It is a dynamic story that captures the attention and made me feel in the shoes of the protagonist. All her thoughts, mine, her sensations and emotions as well! This story pulls you in, and before you know it, you feel the one in the spotlight! Wonderful really, a couple of pages after the start and I was operating the Kindle with just one hand, if you get what I mean...
I'm reposting this, because I think I posted it in the wrong place before!
One of my favorite 5-star reviews for Charity's Heart!
5.0 out of 5 stars The Purity of "Charity's Heart", June 20, 2013 By Susan "The Sugar Bee Chronicles" (Pensacola, FL) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Charity's Heart (Kindle Edition) `````````````````````````````````````` Charity's Heart "Charity's bedroom windowpane was chilled and wet from the cold evening air . . .she was locked inside the house like a prisoner . . . [h]er position was to marry well and provide an heir to the Llewellyns."
Sofia Diana Gabel's opening lines to "Charity's Heart" grabbed me and kept me wanting to know more about Charity, her stifling life, her friends, her enemies, and life in 1880s London. I cannot say enough positive comments about this novel and the author. I wished I could read it through in one sitting, but other components in life forced me to break it up in segments, to read when I knew my time would be interrupted.
Gabel's writing style is perfect for this type of romance novel. She writes with clarity, beautiful descriptions, correct tone, and she conveys her characters' emotions so well that the reader experiences the controlling nature, cruelty, intrigue, heartache, the up-and-down-adventuares, true friendships, and love right along with them. One -- one of many -- passages haunts me, yet is in a way, comforting: "When the clouds, parted, the scant moonlight revealed sadness in Alexander's eyes." I saw this, I felt this. The emotion came through perfectly in the overall description.
Gabel has 1880s London down pat: the societal structure, language, the current events, clothing, and character names. Indeed, this novel briefly reminded me of Anthony Trollope and his novels of British society.
Indeed, I felt I was right there with Charity, Lilian, Hiram, James, Alexander, et al, through good and bad. I did not feel like an intruder to this novel, but rather, an invisible participant.
What I most liked about "Charity's Heart" is how Gabel showed every emotion, every scene, every problem, every resolution with such beauty that the reader is left to form the picture in his/her mind; enough was left to the imagination to make this a truly lovely romance novel -- and the surprise ending was the piece de resistence! I smiled and was happy with that sparkling ending.
I highly recommend "Charity's Heart" by Sofia Diana Gabel. I have it set aside, ready for another reading this summer; but this time, I'm setting aside enough hours to read it through straight!
5.0 out of 5 stars Charity's Heart, captures romance, mystery, history, and intrigue, May 9, 2013 By Susan Hart hellman - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Charity's Heart (Kindle Edition) In London in 1888, 19 year-old girls of wealth had but one mission in life: obey their parents. This includes marrying the man of their father's choice, becoming loving and devoted wives, and producing children, thereby carrying on the tradition established by these girls' own mothers and most adult women of the times. However, author Sofia Diana Gabel's well-developed protagonist, Charity Llewellyn, wants more out of life, including adventure. In her heart, she has an entirely different plan for the life she will lead.
When her shipping magnate father, chooses a wealthy banker's son for her to wed, Mathias Baptiste, a womanizer and gambler, Charity runs away in protest, and experiences the nightlife in a dangerous section of London. She knows the marriage would be advantageous to her family, but Mathias is not the type of man she has in mind.
And neither is the chaperone her father hires to keep her in line when she comes back home. In fact, she had just seen this unscrupulous man, Alexander Sutton, on the London docks in the company of a prostitute. But Charity's father believes Alexander is an upstanding citizen and a detective, making him an excellent chaperone for his flight-risk daughter.
As the story unfolds, Gabel leads us through a roller coaster romance, with Charity eventually realizing that the man of her dreams has been alongside her the whole time. And with him, a man who leads a double life, she fulfills her quest for excitement and adventure in her own life too. To create this world for her protagonist, Gabel places the action around a chilling 1888 event, whereby Charity becomes somewhat of a detective, herself, pursuing a serial killer who, in all likelihood, is the infamous Jack the Ripper. Gabel's passion for research results in such an accurate portrayal of the mystery surrounding this serial killer, we, the readers, are as horrified as if we were actually there also.
Gabel's thorough research also treats us to a comprehensive trip through London's various neighborhoods in the late 1880's. She reveals multi-level glimpses of the culture of the day, from the wealthy, comfortable in their fine attire and stately manors outside the city, to the downtrodden beggars, prostitutes, and criminal element, often just as comfortable on the city's waterfront docks.
Readers looking for a passionate romance, a challenging mystery, a chilling criminal investigation, and a glimpse into 1880's London, will find it all, delicately balanced, in Sofia Diana Gabel's, Charity's Heart.
Review for my book Explorations: Books 1-5:
ReplyDeleteEmily captures perfectly the trepidations a woman with submissive leanings feels about exposing her desires, the internal struggle, and the joyful feeling of completeness when she finally surrenders to those long-secret desires.
Very hot BDSM scenes to go along with that make this a read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Emily is a BDSM author to watch.
Buy the book here!
Review of Intelligent Universe. Reviewed by Marlene Jacobson at Smashwords, June 3, 2013:
ReplyDelete"I found this book to be very thought provoking and interesting! Definitely puts a new perspective on some heavenly insights that I have often wondered about. Some of his thoughts are just that, his thoughts and ideas. But he does explain why he has come to that understanding and so for that I give it 4 stars. So glad I took the time to read it. Makes me want to study the book of Moses and Abraham a little more."
But the book on Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Universe-ebook/dp/B00CYAENDY
Also available on multiple eBook formats at Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/318788
Great review. I will look into it.
ReplyDeleteReview of Intelligent Universe by T. Chuntraruk at Amazon, June 5 2013:
ReplyDelete"I have just read "Intelligent Universe" by Ilyan Lavanway. Wow! This is a mind-boggling, thought-provoking read. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I immediately told my family and friends about it. It causes one to think and ponder deeply about the incredible knowledge and ideas contained in these pages. It is up-lifting and inspiring. It stretches the imagination. It has increased my faith and hope knowing that we live in a Universe that is alive and intelligent and that each of us play a very important role in it.
Mr. Lavanway is a brilliant writer and thinker. I highly recommend it to anyone on a quest for higher learning."
Buy the book on Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Universe-ebook/dp/B00CYAENDY
Also available on multiple eBook formats at Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/318788
A review of my crime novel, Angel, Falling, from, I believe, Amazon:
ReplyDeleteAngel, Falling:A Bennett Cole Mystery (Kindle Edition)
Great book that caught my whole attention from the first chapter to the last chapter.
Larry Shriner is definitely expert at pulling you into the story and keeping you there.
Buy at www.amazon.com
Review of Out of the Picture and Into the Picture. Reviewed by Rona D. Simmons at Amazon, October 14, 2012:
ReplyDelete"A father and son share perspectives on life from two sides of the same experience then we follow the son on his simultaneous, impossible?, journey through space and time. Ilyan's description of flying through a terrible storm and then in an instant breaking into a calm sky evokes images and memories of my own (thankfully real) flights. The world becomes more fantastic as the tale unwinds and the reader is allowed to see the world from inside a two-dimensional painting and another parallel world, via Ilyan's vivid imagery of two and three and four dimensions. It is a unique experience for the reader, asking you to explain what is real and what is only imagined. I may never touch the surface of a painting again without fearing what might happen. Innovative and entertaining."
Buy the book on Amazon Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Out-Picture-Into-ebook/dp/B00714LCF0
Also available on multiple eBook formats at Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159480
Review of Earth Sink. Reviewed by J. Taylor at Amazon, October 11, 2010:
ReplyDelete"A very interesting and descriptive account on the last days of earth. In general, I'm quite drawn to this type of science fiction. The only thing that would have made this more interesting and perhaps more personal to me is to have told this story from the perspective of a developed character living on the earth. He started to do this a few times (i.e. Johnny, his girl and their fast car), but fell a little short. This was almost like a futuristic-metaphysical James Michener novel without the sub plots of the actual people living in the area he describes. Earth Sink is extremely graphic, which I found a little offensive and extremely dark at times. However,later when I went back to read Revelations, it's not as if you would have to stretch too far for his descriptions to be congruent with the descriptions in the Bible. The last days could be simply horrific for the wicked. This author does better than most describing just how horrific it could be. Really enjoyed his vision regarding biotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligences and it's future role for mankind."
Buy the book in print or kindle version on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Sink-Ilyan-Kei-Lavanway/dp/0976800438
A review on Ariel's Cottage on Goodreads; the Large Print and Kindle editions, Price for Love: Ariel's COttage, have a free download on that site.
ReplyDeleteSep 30, 2012
Lois Thurman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition (Price for Love:Ariel's Cottage)
A must read. I fell in love with the characters of this book. Read it in two days. Laughed some, cried some. Couldn't wait to find out what came next for Ariel, Jerry and Danny. What happens will surprise you.
A review on the first of my trilogy on Goodreads and Amazon:
ReplyDeleteOct 28, 2012
Lena Seder rated it 4 of 5 stars
Author Judith Victoria Douglas’ Where the Horses Run explores a near future Earth that has been abused and polluted to a point that life will end up changing as we know it. Ellie is the proud owner of a special black horse, Goliath. While going to a horse show, suddenly a catastrophic event occurs world-wide causing most horses to vanish into thin air, including Ellie’s horse Lady. Luckily, Goliath stays with her. No one can explain it, but the event occurred with some electrical interruptions and what seemed like a frozen moment in time.
Ellie and her sister-friend Tisha have been through terrible past events that continue to haunt them. Can they survive this new ordeal?
Ellie finds herself on a spiritual quest as she gets visited by Spirit Guides. She discovers she has an important task to complete. Will she be able to get past her fears to discover her true purpose?
Ellie’s past accident caused some memory loss, especially in recognizing some faces. She ran into an old love, Tom, without realizing who he was. Tom wakes up and after seeing her photo in the newspaper, decides he’ll not lose her again. For some odd reason, she feels she can trust him and lets him back into her life. She begins to remember bits and pieces as she time goes on.
Ellie’s life is changing, and she is transforming just as the world around her is changing. Will she be able to help the world? Will Tom and Ellie find happiness? Can an Apocalypse be averted? What will the future become?
Judith Douglas brings us an interesting story with loveable characters. She presents these memories in journal form. We can see Judith’s knowledge of the horse world is extensive, and she explains so many aspects of how to deal with horses. She also has researched much scientific data that relates to the condition of the Earth today. It seems humans have lost their origins with Mother Earth, and they have ignored the voices all around them. If people return to their spiritual ties to the Earth, can there be healing?
A review of the first of my trilogy, Where the Horses Run, Book I Mass Extinction on Goodreads:
Judith poses a lot of interesting questions while weaving a story of adventure with the biggest mystery to solve: where are the horses now? The answer will surprise the reader as Judith takes us on a quest for answers.
I highly recommend Where the Horses Run. It will challenge your perspective.
A review for TREE & SKY: An Introduction to the Secrets of Meshyah's World on Goodreads and Amazon.
ReplyDeleteJodi Stone rated it 5 of 5 stars Sep 20, 2012
This was such an enjoyable and imaginative book...taking the reader on a journey of sorts with the characters. I def. recommend this for children over around age eight, but I also recommend it for parents!
Here is another review for TREE & SKY: An introduction to the Secrets of Meshyah's World from Goodreads and Amazon.
ReplyDeleteOct 18, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars
The book for review is TREE and SKY: An Introduction to The Secrets of Meshyah’s World by Judith Victoria Douglas. It's the author's first children's book. It is geared toward children in grades 3-5. The genre is Science Fiction/Fantasy.
The setting for this novel is in the future. The main characters and their families live at the bottom of the world on the planet's largest continent, Antarctica, at a time when much of the ice has melted. The people now live under megadomes as protection due to the drastic climate change after a massive solar flare hit Earth. It forever changed how people view and live their lives.
Meshyah’s, know as Shy, along with her friends Jazz and Ozzie learns in school and from their parents about how they came to live under their great dome and what the Earth was like in the Before Times. The book gives details on how the community manages and how every one is important to its survival.
The novel contains the children's first three stories in Shy's journal. The Tree on My House tells of a mysterious plant that grows into a great and wonderful tree. The Day the Sky Fell recalls events surrounding the lose of one of the mighty cables which form their megadome. Under the Honeycomb Sky has many experiences under the dome and Sky's twelfth birthday party. It tells a little of the children's hope to send Shy's five-year journal back in time, when completed, as a warning for the future.
The first story starts on Shy’s tenth birthday. The other two follow each following year. For her twelfth birthday she asks for a diary in which she plans to keep notes of events in her life throughout the year. Shy adds her yearly stories to a five-year journal received for her twelfth birthday.
There is a bit of history and scientific jargon in this book. However, it is explained in a manner easy to understand. The relationship Shy has with her grandfather, who is mentioned throughout the book, is a sweet one. The family closeness is one I enjoyed reading. Another thing I enjoyed was the cultural diversity. It can truly appeal to a variety of young people and their parents. It is a good book for developing an active and creative imagination
This book was gifted to me by the author for review purposes.
Sara's Child : Book one of The Sara Colson Trilogy
ReplyDelete5.0 out of 5 stars A FIVE STAR MUST READ, June 22, 2013
By cohen - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sara's Child (The Sara Colson Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)
Boy can this lady write. Her words pack a punch that make her characters sooooo real! You feel their anger, their pain and their joy. You share their ups and downs in this rollercoaster of a tale, and come out at the end feeling like you been through everything they have.
I would heartily recommend this author and that you not only complete the trilogy but also that you add Susan Elle to your favourite authors list. 5 stars+ Amazing!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous! January 7, 2013
By Pamela Pruitt
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am new to the brilliant writing of Susan Elle...I spent my Sunday consumed with this wonderful, page turning novel. I am purchasing the remaining two now...How will I get any work done until I am done.
Thank you ME. ELLE....you. have a new fan! Wonderfully written! Need w excuse me, I can't wait to meet the sister!!!
FREE DOWNLOAD : http://www.amazon.com/Saras-Child-Colson-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008NOY54M/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i
Slave Girl: The Interview
ReplyDelete5/5 Stars Review by Akane Naome McMahon
Definitely far better than your average erotic novel, for sure! From the very beginning Penelope sets the scene with ease. I liked the balance between narration and descriptions. It is a dynamic story that captures the attention and made me feel in the shoes of the protagonist. All her thoughts, mine, her sensations and emotions as well! This story pulls you in, and before you know it, you feel the one in the spotlight! Wonderful really, a couple of pages after the start and I was operating the Kindle with just one hand, if you get what I mean...
I'm reposting this, because I think I posted it in the wrong place before!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite 5-star reviews for Charity's Heart!
5.0 out of 5 stars The Purity of "Charity's Heart", June 20, 2013
By Susan "The Sugar Bee Chronicles" (Pensacola, FL) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Charity's Heart (Kindle Edition)
``````````````````````````````````````
Charity's Heart
"Charity's bedroom windowpane was chilled and wet from the cold evening air . . .she was locked inside the house like a prisoner . . . [h]er position was to marry well and provide an heir to the Llewellyns."
Sofia Diana Gabel's opening lines to "Charity's Heart" grabbed me and kept me wanting to know more about Charity, her stifling life, her friends, her enemies, and life in 1880s London.
I cannot say enough positive comments about this novel and the author. I wished I could read it through in one sitting, but other components in life forced me to break it up in segments, to read when I knew my time would be interrupted.
Gabel's writing style is perfect for this type of romance novel. She writes with clarity, beautiful descriptions, correct tone, and she conveys her characters' emotions so well that the reader experiences the controlling nature, cruelty, intrigue, heartache, the up-and-down-adventuares, true friendships, and love right along with them. One -- one of many -- passages haunts me, yet is in a way, comforting: "When the clouds, parted, the scant moonlight revealed sadness in Alexander's eyes." I saw this, I felt this. The emotion came through perfectly in the overall description.
Gabel has 1880s London down pat: the societal structure, language, the current events, clothing, and character names. Indeed, this novel briefly reminded me of Anthony Trollope and his novels of British society.
Indeed, I felt I was right there with Charity, Lilian, Hiram, James, Alexander, et al, through good and bad. I did not feel like an intruder to this novel, but rather, an invisible participant.
What I most liked about "Charity's Heart" is how Gabel showed every emotion, every scene, every problem, every resolution with such beauty that the reader is left to form the picture in his/her mind; enough was left to the imagination to make this a truly lovely romance novel -- and the surprise ending was the piece de resistence! I smiled and was happy with that sparkling ending.
I highly recommend "Charity's Heart" by Sofia Diana Gabel. I have it set aside, ready for another reading this summer; but this time, I'm setting aside enough hours to read it through straight!
And another!
ReplyDelete5.0 out of 5 stars Charity's Heart, captures romance, mystery, history, and intrigue, May 9, 2013
By Susan Hart hellman - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Charity's Heart (Kindle Edition)
In London in 1888, 19 year-old girls of wealth had but one mission in life: obey their parents. This includes marrying the man of their father's choice, becoming loving and devoted wives, and producing children, thereby carrying on the tradition established by these girls' own mothers and most adult women of the times. However, author Sofia Diana Gabel's well-developed protagonist, Charity Llewellyn, wants more out of life, including adventure. In her heart, she has an entirely different plan for the life she will lead.
When her shipping magnate father, chooses a wealthy banker's son for her to wed, Mathias Baptiste, a womanizer and gambler, Charity runs away in protest, and experiences the nightlife in a dangerous section of London. She knows the marriage would be advantageous to her family, but Mathias is not the type of man she has in mind.
And neither is the chaperone her father hires to keep her in line when she comes back home. In fact, she had just seen this unscrupulous man, Alexander Sutton, on the London docks in the company of a prostitute. But Charity's father believes Alexander is an upstanding citizen and a detective, making him an excellent chaperone for his flight-risk daughter.
As the story unfolds, Gabel leads us through a roller coaster romance, with Charity eventually realizing that the man of her dreams has been alongside her the whole time. And with him, a man who leads a double life, she fulfills her quest for excitement and adventure in her own life too. To create this world for her protagonist, Gabel places the action around a chilling 1888 event, whereby Charity becomes somewhat of a detective, herself, pursuing a serial killer who, in all likelihood, is the infamous Jack the Ripper. Gabel's passion for research results in such an accurate portrayal of the mystery surrounding this serial killer, we, the readers, are as horrified as if we were actually there also.
Gabel's thorough research also treats us to a comprehensive trip through London's various neighborhoods in the late 1880's. She reveals multi-level glimpses of the culture of the day, from the wealthy, comfortable in their fine attire and stately manors outside the city, to the downtrodden beggars, prostitutes, and criminal element, often just as comfortable on the city's waterfront docks.
Readers looking for a passionate romance, a challenging mystery, a chilling criminal investigation, and a glimpse into 1880's London, will find it all, delicately balanced, in Sofia Diana Gabel's, Charity's Heart.