Rating: 
Summary: DARK and STEAMY
Review:
If you like your romance hot - like SIZZLING - this one is for you!
I don't read erotic fiction as a rule, but Schone's work in my estimation beats anything I have read so far.
This is definitely a sequel to Schone's earlier book, THE LOVER. I would recommend you read THE LOVER before you start with GB. There are enough references to the past to impede and lessen a new reader's enjoyment.
This is Gabriel's story. It takes place about 6 months following THE LOVER'S end. The "second" man is the villain of this story. It begins with a destitute, desperate and hungry woman named Victoria Childers. A former governess who has come to the House of Gabriel to auction off her virginity. Gabriel has long waited for the "second" man to come for him. He suspects Victoria is part bait and co-conspirator. He decides to bid and goes on to win the auction. Surprising the patrons, because as some of you might already be aware, Gabriel is a former male prostitute. Catering to males. Fourteen years ago he left the profession and started the House of Gabriel. A house of prostitution that caters to the upper classes. From that moment on he has shunned any physical contact - man or woman. I would post why, but I wouldn't like to be a spoiler:)
It's a strong start and certainly holds your attention. Schone uses the same imagery and dark style that lent such a edge in the prequel THE LOVER. After a few chapters, the story gets bogged down. Centering mainly on Victoria and Gabriel's unfolding relationship. Like Physical Anthropology 101. She often repeats lines and words. (Remember 9 1/2 inches - its BACK) Effective in the earlier book but seemed a bit contrived this time. I have to say I felt as if she was filling in space, adding to her word count. The pace and story did pick up somewhere towards the last third of the book. I would have bought the book for that alone! Real strong emotions, great action and suspense! At one point I had tears in my eyes. I am happy to report that Michael and Anne make several appearances.
If Schone ever decides to change to the mystery/suspense genre, she'd be hard to beat!
Rating: 
Summary: Gabriel's Woman
Review: This is the first review I've ever written and feel compelled to do so. This book touched me in ways I was surprised. A friend asked if there was a character by whom I was moved and I answered -- "not necessarily, it was the incredible vulnerability portrayed in the book". The vulnerability reached out and touched me. Beautiful writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, what a waste of time.......
Review: I was waiting for a great story and what I discover is another endless collection of plain garbage disguised as a story of dark angels. Phooey. Yes, this is fiction but why have absurd characters doing absurd things?? Why not create interesting people who do believable things?? I was very disappointed and will be wary in the future when I encounter this author. Some of her earlier works are fantastic but this one is not.
Rating: 
Summary: Not that erotic at all
Review: This book is deemed an erotic novel right on the cover (making me slightly embarassed while purchasing) but much to my surprise, it really wasn't all that! The author does a nice job of laying out the emotional depth of Gabriel but the sex is mostly very clinical and not much of it at that. Some authors do a poor job of characterization but good eroticism (i.e., Thea Devine, the master of stupid dialogue and baffling characters) and some like Ms. Schone seem to be the opposite. I know her novels are meant to have a dark, hardcore edge but the problem is that she just doesn't do it that well, at least in this book. So not worth the $15 dollars!!
Rating:
Summary: A NOVEL OF EROTIC ROMANCE
Review: I have read all of Robin Schone's books and this one, like "The Lover" and "The Lady's Tutor" was hard to put down. This book continues where "The Lover" left off, only this is the story of Gabriel and Victoria Chambers. In this story, Victoria, a 34 year old former governess, appears at newly reopened House of Gabriel to sell herself to the higest bidder. We later find out that Victoria is the unknowning pawn of the plan to destroy Gabriel. While there is graphic sexual content, I throughly enjoyed this book. If you liked "The Lover" and "The Lady's Tutor" you MUST read Gabriel's Woman
Rating:
Summary: Not a review - feelings.........
Review: I'm speechless. I know that's not what Robin needs in a review. As I sit here staring at the screen, trying to find the words to express my feelings, I'm speechless. I did, however, come up with the CORRECT title for this story. "Gabriel's Woman" isn't even CLOSE to what this story is really about. Michael might have been "The Lover", but Gabriel is "The Tortured". This is a story of a rising. A woman willing to sell her virginity but not her pride. A man unwilling to be touched in fear of the tide of emotion that touching will release. A story that tells us how all things are possible if the caring and emotions are strong enough to survive the pain of the journey. A story of passion and intensity that comes from the soul. It attempts to tear open your heart and make you bleed with Gabriel. And you will. I am so TOTALLY a non-review person. I HATE knowing about a story before I start it. But Robin has given us a love story that needs to be shared. About a love made possible through deception, temptation, mystery and hunger. Hunger of the soul. A hunger shared equally by a man and a woman. Pain crying out for help that physical love is the only sensation strong enough to conquer. I do want to say - and this is mainly for the readers that might hesitate to buy this story based on their reaction to "The Lover" - there is darkness in this story. And, although it is just as inhuman and torturous as that in "The Lover", for some reason it is more acceptable. Because it's more "of the mind" than "of the body", it's not as squeemish. Gabriel is an angel - someone deserving of all the love and attention we can give him.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Stunning!!!!
Review: Stunning, emotionally charged, breathtaking, draining, extremely well-written, deliciously dark, it touches your soul... what else can I say? Ms. Schone has totally outdone herself this time. I couldn't put it down. It truly was electrifying! She captured the darker side of sex, the uncontrollable factor that robbed Gabriel of his dignity, his identity, but most of all his soul. It was so tastefully done. I think all her previous writings led to this perfect plot and balanced sexual content. Ms. Schone has proven over and over her ability to bring readers into the plot, taking their breath away, with wonderfully written erotic content, while holding their interest with suspenseful and intriguing external conflict. Needless to say I loved this book. It's absolutely her best work to date! As I was reading GW I had to step away at times to take a breather from the dark intense feelings it evoked. It moved me as no book has in a very long time. I too cried for an angel in the end!
Rating:
Summary: Eroticism at it's non-titellating best
Review: Gabriel's Woman is a wrenching story of love and redemption. Gabriel, a male prostitute trained to satisfy both men & women, seeks to forget his past by denying himself physical intimacy rather than suffer more emotional anguish. Victoria is the unwitting woman sent by his nemesis to further torment him with her own needs to be loved and desired. Together, they tear down each other's walls and then rebuild the other using first, carnal desire and then later, the power of bonds made stronger by love and vulnerability. This novel explores areas of human sexuality & behavior not presented in any of the mainstream "romance novels", yet it does so in a non-condemning & non-biased approach. The eroticism is merely "window dressing" for the deeper themes explored and worked through. Themes such as male prostitution, platonic relationships charged with homo-erotic overtones, "deviant" sexual activities, etc... The details are not presented in titellating & awkward prose; rather the dialogue between the characters is as sexually charged as the actual descriptions of intercourse. Put bluntly, you don't feel "dirty" after reading this book. Pornographic it is not. Sensual and erotic, it is. Ms. Schone's work has grown more powerful and disturbing with each new story. I eagerly await her next offering.
Rating:
Summary: A NOVEL OF EROTIC ROMANCE
Review: I have read all of Robin Schone's books and this one, like "The Lover" and "The Lady's Tutor" was hard to put down. This book continues where "The Lover" left off, only this is the story of Gabriel and Victoria Chambers. In this story, Victoria, a 34 year old former governess, appears at newly reopened House of Gabriel to sell herself to the higest bidder. We later find out that Victoria is the unknowning pawn of the plan to destroy Gabriel. While there is graphic sexual content, I throughly enjoyed this book. If you liked "The Lover" and "The Lady's Tutor" you MUST read Gabriel's Woman
Rating:
Summary: A worthy change of pace....
Review: I don't think that I can put my finger on anything that caused me to be totally swept away by this story, but I was. Gabriel's Woman is the first Robin Schone book that I have read and am planning now to work backwards and read The Lover to find out more about Michael. The writing style is a bit different but I was able to adjust to it quickly.
I disagree with the reviewers who say that this book is too dark and has too much homosexual innuendo. I believe that it was written exactly as it needed to be. Gabriel's life was not pretty and light, therefore should not have been sugar-coated and wrapped in a bow as many other romances would have it. I do enjoy the more typical romances as well but this was an exciting change of pace.
My opinion is that if you are open-minded and would like to add something to your romance collection, clear you schedule and dive into this book.
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