Rating: 
Summary: What a disappoinment!
Review: After having been completely enthralled by "Through a glass darkly" I was excited to discover the sequel 'Now Face to Face' which I ordered and greatly anticipated its' arrival. After forgiving the weak beginning and poor character development (I assumed it would improve as the book progressed) I persevered, but there was no improvement, this book was BORING to the point of torture. I still have not been able to figure out what exactly Barbara went through in Virginia that "gave her the strength" to face London and the court. I guess killing that stag paid unexpected dividends. And just why was Col. Perry freeing his slaves and following Barbara around the world to the disdain of his daughter and neighors, it just made no sense. Nor did Barbara's deep attraction to Duncannon, where did that come from? Then they killed off poor Tommy Carlyle, I can't believe a beating in the stocks and a few days of being ignored would drive him to such an end, again it really didn't make sense. After following the development of the relationship of Barbara and Therese over the years, it would seem unlikely that Therese would leave the employ of Barbara so easily. This book did not follow in the same richness and spirit of 'through a glass darkly', however I would read a third book (I'd borrow from the library though)in the hope that it would be an improvement, though as most of the interesting characters from the first book are 'dead' it might be difficult to pull off
Rating: 
Summary: this was good, but the first one was great
Review: Don't get me wrong, I loved this book, but her first one, "Through a Glass Darkly" was one of those books you'll never forget. In this book I grew to like Tommy Carlyle a lot more, but I missed reading about Therese. The Duchess, of course, stole the show again and the real heroine here was Jane, not Bab, (who always seemed a little overdone anyway). Read this one and enjoy, but only after you've read the "Through a Glass Darkly".
Rating:
Summary: this was good, but the first one was great
Review: Don't get me wrong, I loved this book, but her first one, "Through a Glass Darkly" was one of those books you'll never forget. In this book I grew to like Tommy Carlyle a lot more, but I missed reading about Therese. The Duchess, of course, stole the show again and the real heroine here was Jane, not Bab, (who always seemed a little overdone anyway). Read this one and enjoy, but only after you've read the "Through a Glass Darkly".
Rating: 
Summary: loved it!
Review: I am most likely the youngest reader who has read this book(15yrs.)I found the book most interesting. All the characters were well developed and thought through. I was glad that the book wasn't much based on her love life but rather of the social duties of ones status. I did not have a chance to read her other book(THROUGH A GLASS...)but I am sure it is as good as this. And I can't wait till her next book.
Rating:
Summary: Waiting patiently for her next book
Review: I have only found a few books that I can feel like one of the characters, and know the other characters intimately. You live in the early 1900's. You are a woman that lives in a man's world and you learn the dance of the politicians. I have loved both her books, and I am waiting patientley for her next book.
Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite historicalnovel...so far
Review: I have the old print version of this novel, and it is absolutely the most interesting historical novel I have read thus far. With an English literature background, I have read many historicals.This novel has everything a perfect read should; adventure, intrigue, love (not the impractical kind). It is an almost perfect depiction of the foibles of our human nature, especially where issues of power are concerned. Well done Karleen!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read--mesmerizing
Review: I just read Now Face to Face yesterday, in one sitting--I couldn't put it down. After loving Karleen Koen's first book Through a Glass Darkly, I expected to like this book--I am happy to say that I loved it and can't stop thinking about it. It's almost unfair to characterize this book as historical romance--it is so much more than that-- I like the author's statement that the book is about a woman's search to find who she is, and not define herself by who she loves. I cried, tears rolling down my face--at the losses suffered by the heroine--and at the beauty and depth of the story, the langauge and the writing.The book does indeed contain romance, in addition, although I was unconvinced by the romance that the heroine finally embarked upon--I wanted to see more of the relationship between Barbara and Tony,Duke of Tamworth, explored and defined. I have many favorite books, that I periodically reread such as Jane Austen's novels and Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte--both Through a Glass Darkly and Now Face to Face join that list. Magnificent. I fervently wish that Ms. Koen will write a third in this series--I want to know what happens next to Barbara and Tony and Therese and Hyacinthe (yes, as in the best of books, I know and love these characters).
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as The First Book
Review: I loved Through a Glass Darkly, I fell in total love with all the characters, felt i was a part of the story, cried, laughed and couldnt book the book down at all!! After I finished it and found out there was more to the story, I ran to the Library to get Now Face to Face, and was heartbroken. The book was not as good as the first one at all. I was happy to find out what was going to happen to all the characters in the book, but read it slowly and it did not keep my interest at all.
Rating: 
Summary: very disappointing
Review: I must be the only person who didn't care for this book. It seemed to me that Ms. Koen wasn't sure whether to write one or two novels and wrote one that just isn't good. She seemed to be setting the background for her next novel rather than just writing a good novel. She is a good writer. It is just a shame that she seemed to be going off in two different directions at the same time. She didn't seem able to bring the two stories together. She didn't do justice to either the Jacobites or the tobacco growers of the south.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading!
Review: I read Diana Gabaldon's novels and thought there was nothing similar of any quality out there to read. I loved Outlander and the subsequent novels, those novels also without a clearcut genre. I was so impressed with both these novels by Ms. Koen that I can't say enough good about them! Wonderful reading!!Captivating characters! I join the ranks of others hoping Ms. Koen will do another in the series.
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