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!)
Rating: 
Summary: Complex and engaging
Review: The day before yesterday I finished NOW FACE TO FACE, which I ended up LOVING. It's an historical novel, which isn't my normal fare. But I really enjoyed watching how Koen maintained a 700 page narrative. I was surprised how she easily and effectively switched the setting from America to London. (In her previous book, THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, she kept her main characters in London until, I believe, the end of the story when they were to go to America.) I enjoyed watching how she filled in her characters. One of the minor characters in her first book (THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY) played a rather important role in this one. I noticed how little she entered that particular character's head, and how that tactic made it easier to make the character a villian, but the fact that she did, in a minor way, enter his head in the first book, and maybe even at times in the second, made him more complex and made me care more that he was a villan. It was harder to dismiss him and wish him ill. Even so, because Koen entered his consciousness so briefly, I was able, finally, to let him be the villan he was. What I like about her technique is that it created a wonderful tension for me. And she also touched on spiritual/Christian values in a way that didn't put me off. She wasn't preachy, yet she effectively used scripture now and then--which would have been historically authentic. Though I liked the first book, THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY, I much prefer its sequel NOW FACE TO FACE. Is she going to write a third novel in the series? I hope so.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Expect a Romance Novel
Review: There were some really nice things about this book. The language of the book was beautiful. The way the characters thoughts were conveyed was particularly good. The story made me cry at times. But I had picked it up remembering how infatuated I felt when I read through "A Glass Darkly" six years ago and hoping that this book would be just as romantic. I read through the first half of the book rather entertained by what was happening to Barbara in Virginia, and rather confused at what was happening to the people she knew back in England since it took me a while to figure out who was who. But all the while I was waiting for the romance to begin. It was only half way through that I finally realized this book wasn't intended to be a romance novel. When the romance in the story finally came along, it happened to quickly for my taste. At least by that time, I knew the characters well enough to enjoy the rest of the story.
Rating:
Summary: I Couldn't Put it Down!
Review: This book tears your heart out. It is very different from Through the Glass Darkly, but isn't that how life really is? The first half of our lives is always more innocent and dependent than the second half and Karleen Koen captured that brilliantly. Again, I hated finishing this book, because reading her works make you feel as if you are right there...the best friend of Barbara. You find yourself thinking of ways to help her and comfort her. Ms. Koen - I hope you plan to either continue this saga or write another epic just as addictive. Thank you for these books!
Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable....Didn't want it to be over
Review: This is the second book that i read of Mrs. Koen's and I am desperate for a third one. It was a great continuation from her first book. I hated it to be over. Again this author threw in lots of surprises and made me feel the joys and sarrows. This is one author that takes you away and lets you live in that time period (early 1700's) This book is not only enjoyable but very educational - I learned more about life at that time by reading Mrs. Koen's books than i ever did in highschool.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is torture
Review: You know you can't get through a book when you find the supposed "heroine" of the novel is utterly repulsive. Barbara seemed very lascivious and manipulative despite her claims to have "reformed" and (possible spoiler here) they killed Jane! This book is horrid. I was dissapointed and I would second the person who claimed it was not a well-constructed storyline. I agree. The plot seemed distracted at best. At worst, it was downright confusing and annoying. I don't care if I am the only one to give this book One Star. I know poorly-written literature when I read it. This is the first book I have had to FORCE myself to read. Don't waste your money. If you have to read it, find a library.
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