Rating: 
Summary: Maturity realized...
Review: Looking at the other reviews of the sequel to "Through a Glass Darkly", "Now Face to Face", my feeling is that many readers missed the point. Even though both books were marketed to the Historical Romance market, they really are closer in spirit to true Historicals such as Mary Renault, Patrick O'Brian or "The Thornbirds". The writing, especially, puts them into this class but also the themes both books deal with make them more fulfilling than "poor but plucky girl wins love in a corset"."Now Face to Face" is missing some parts of what made "Through a Glass Darkly" successful. The first is sorely missed-the character of Roger Montgeoffrey who was as beguiling on paper as he was supposed to be in life. The second, graphic and gratuitous sex scenes I did not miss at all, although the milieu for them (the French Court) was wonderfully written. Some of the new characters simply aren't fleshed out enough; Col. Perry is described as "a saint" yet we never clearly find out why he's become Barbara's protector at the risk of losing his daughter's love. The scenes with Viscount Duncannon, Barbara's love interest, are simply not convincing; her overwhelming attraction to him is not explained in a believable manner. Yet overall, "Now Face to Face" is a worthy successor to "Through a Glass Darkly" in dealing with themes of honor, devotion, and duty. As long as a bodice ripper is not expected, you will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: Not quite as good as Koen's previous book, Through A Glass Darkly, but definitely worth reading if you like historical romance. Buy both books and you will be enthralled for a week or two reading them.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved It!
Review: Now Face to Face and it's predecessor Through a Glass Darkly have joined my collection of favorite historical fiction. Contrary to the other opinion that the political intrigue of the novel was hard to follow, I felt that, for the first time, I was truly able to understand this period of English upheaval. I was reading these novels for the "fiction" and not for the "romance" so I didn't notice if there was romance missing. I didn't feel there was anything missing, actually. The only thing missing is a third book! Ms. Koen, is it on it's way?
Rating:
Summary: A satisfying end to a richly detailed story of life and love
Review: Now Face To Face extends the complex story of strong Barbara Devane and her quest in untamed Virginia for stablility and
another chance at life and love. An incredibly engrossing and
detailed story, Ms. Koen pulls the reader into a tumultuous whirlwind of desire and despair, triumph and tears. It is
the perfect conclusion to the lives that we have been
compelled to know and love, or love to hate.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: Now Face to Face is a beautifully written book. I was so ecstatic to find a sequel to Through a Glass Darkly that I could hardly put the book down. I was totally engrossed. It is nice to finally read a romance novel that leaves one with a feeling of enchantment as well as sorrow and love. I, and I am sure that many fans would be eager to read a second sequel to such a prolific and touching epic. I look forward to reading Ms. Koen's next novel, sequel or not.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than The First!
Review: Now Face To Face is another great work of historical fiction that is wrongly categorized at historical romance. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much, for the purely historic aspect. Having read several books, roughly set during the same timeframe which revolve heavily around the Jacobite cause, I appreciated the level of detail Koen paid to this subject. I also appreciated her frank approach to the sensitive subject of slavery, allowing readers to get a first hand look at the atrocities associated with such a brutal practice.
That said, Barbara Devane continues to mature as a woman. During her time in the colony of Virginia, she oversees the running of her grandmother's tobacco plantation, making bold decisions which gain her both admiration and criticism from her peers.
A stronger Barbara returns to London, ready to face the legacy of debt left to her by her late husband Roger. She also returns to a home where much has changed. Her mother, Diana Alderly, is pregnant, her best friend Jane and her family are heavily involved in the Jacobite plotting, as well as her great aunt Shrew. One of the few things that hasn't changed is her cousin Tony, Duke of Tamworth's, love for her. But, alas, it goes unrequited due (in part) to the appearance of a handsome actor, Laurance Slane. Of course, Slane is not what he appears at first, and Barbara find herself in yet another unfolding drama as she discovers his true identity as a key Jacobite plotter.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed, with many loose ends tied up in the wool gatherings of Barbara's grandmother, the Duchess. Still well done, the ending leaves me longing to know more about the outcome of the main characters. There is enough meat in these two books to easily allow for at least 1 or 2 more in the series, as in Gabaldon's Outlander series or Donati's Wilderness series. I find myself wondering about Barbara and Slane in France, Jane's Gussy and the children, Tony and the Duchess. I would love to know if another book is in Koen's plan.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to those who appreciate well-written historical fiction, not romance.
Rating:
Summary: Karleen Koen
Review: On the surface, Karleen Koen's books may appear to be nothing more than historical romance fluff. You know, the typical muscle-clad hero meets independent but distressed damsel; the two parry and thrust (if you will excuse the phrase) and then, finally, succumb to the throes of passion. Natuarlly, this all occurs in some exotic, historical loacle. Koen's books have the fluffy exterior but the interior is much,much meatier than any historical romance I have ever read. "Through a Glass Darkly" is set in 18th century England and France. The main character, or heroine, is a young girl in love with an older, fatherly type gentleman. As is the case with most young , headstrong girls, the heroine's passions rule her actions and cloud her judgement. After marrying the man of her dreams, she learns the shocking and devestating truth about his character. Because I hold this book in such I high esteem, and because I would like you to enjoy it as heartily as I did, I will not divulge any more of the plot. I will say that there are more turns and twists in this novel, and the sequel "Now Face To Face," than the most harrowing and breathtaking of rollercoaster rides! As trite as it may sound, expect the unexpected in these books. The hero and heroine's are not nearly as pretty, the locales not nearly as exotic. Nevertheless, there is more substance to this book than any fluffy Harelequin. If you love history, and Koen loads her books with fascinating historical anecdotes and trivia, then you will love these books. However, if you are looking for the formulaic boy meets girl and lives happily ever after in fairyland, don't even consider these books. The characters are colorful, diabolical, interesting, and admirable...far from formulaic.
Happy Reading. Let me know what you think.
Rating: 
Summary: The First One is Better
Review: Once I finished reading "Through A Glass Darkly" I was most anxious to read the sequel to the captivating story of Kathleen Koen. But, as I finished through, what seemed like five chapters, I had to put it down. It seemed that all Barbara searched for was meaningless sex and compassion. I just had to put it down. Something in Barbara's attitude really put me off and, I am sorry to say this but, I could not finish the book. It seemed that everything went to the pits. Maybe others liked it, maybe others disliked it too but this is my opinion and I say it could have been better.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding -- well researched, makes history come alive!
Review: The author has done her research, and she makes early Virginia real. This is a sequel to "Through A Glass Darkly," but the book can stand alone as an absorbing story. There are layers of thought-provoking human questions that make you feel you know the people portrayed as they cope with sophisticated, modern problems in the early days before the American Revolution. The book is not preachy, and it's not a boring recitation of history. It is a very well-written, entertaining story
Rating: 
Summary: So-so book that doesn't have much of a plot
Review: The author is obviously a good writer, but there were too many characters doing various unrelated things, especially in England, and there didn't seem to be a plot! It was just a series of vignettes of different people, none of whom I could keep straight (especially since the same people were called by various names and titles, i.e. the Duchess did this and the Duke did that, etc.) There also wasn't hardly any character development and I didn't know why anybody was doing anything they did. It was vaguely interesting but would have been much better if it was about 1/3 as long and more to the point (with a plot!)
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