Rating: 
Summary: No trust, little "love"
Review: I agree with Ms. P. Nguyen's review (below). The "hero" was so insecure and hateful throughout the story; it was difficult to see his turnaround at the end (and believe that it'll last a lifetime through thick and thin). And for the heroine to fall for simply the words after the type of treatment she's had at his hands . . . . There is little "romance" and love in the air, and absolute no trust and respect. I was sorely disappointed. There are so many better romance novels out there where the relationship between the two key characters really develop throughout the novel. The one that comes to mind is Jo Beverly's Devilish, which I recently read. Readers of Devilish can see the obvious *respect* and love between the two protagonists grow from beginning to end. The only reason I gave this two stars is because the book does contain some interesting characters; I enjoyed reading about the relationship amongst the cousins; and Ms. Jaffe does a decent job describing the background of Venice in the 16th century.
Rating:
Summary: For all the fuss it was a let down.
Review: I was very excited about reading the Stargazer after seeing all the hype that surrounded its hardback debut, which I missed. I would now have to agree with some of the other reviewers who had also anticipated and felt let down by Ms. Jaffe's first hardback. There are certainly many authors who deserve hardback status and have been passed up, how Ms. Jaffe managed to snag this prestige still has me wondering.I commend the author on her knowledge of the Renaissance and her beautiful lush description of the time and place. I felt she could have worked on both Ian and Bianca a whole lot more. Although I recognize that Ian's iniatial mistrust of Bianca is the basis for the novel, but after 100 pages of the supposedly very intelligent hero trying to spin reason from thin air about Bianca's guilt and I was balking. As it turns out Bianca herself was just a touch better. She was on the whole a good heroine except that she fell into Ian's arms so readily even when it was clear that he thought her guilty of murder (not only that, he gave her only a week to provide evidence to the contrary.) and at the end when all of his doubts of her were revealed and tallied up, she was still so quick to forgive him on an 'I love you'. The story was in fact sustained by Ian's dense accusation and mistrust comlex that he wears like a loving cloak and the dozen or so sex scenes scattered throughout the book. Had there been just a few well written love scene and had Ms. Jaffe cut short Ian's martyr act the book could have been at least one hundred pages shorter. As it turned out the readers didn't even get to relish the villians downfall but were foisted off with thoughts of future retribution and that was a maybe. I just don't know how big a stir that a death of a courtesan could have caused. I hope Ms. Jaffe's new hard cover will be much better than her debut. Crispin Foscari unlike his melancholic brother is so likeable, unfortunately that is no gaurentee that under a butchering pen that even an initial good opinion won't be shattered.
Rating: 
Summary: not a romance
Review: I had great hopes for this new writer. I was disappointed that the characters were completely shallow. There was no love making after 11 chapters of pure smut I decided I had dedicated enough time to it. I have no idea how it ends and frankly I do not care.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved It
Review: The Stargazer is on of the best debut novels that I have read in a long time. What I really liked about it was that it was set in an intriguing and fresh locale, Venice. The characters were interesting, likeable and had more depth than many of the more established romance authors have been giving their characters of late. It has a great mix of romance, sex, danger and intrigue with a strong and interesting story line. It is a definite keeper, I have read it twice now and I look forward to reading her new book. I think I may even break down and buy it in hardcover.
Rating:
Summary: positively enchanting
Review: I LOVED THIS BOOK! I USUALLY DON'T READ ROMANCE NOVELS CAUSE THERE ARE FEW THAT I FIND INTRIGUING, BUT THIS BUT WAS NOT JUST ABOUT ROMANCE IT ALSO HAD A VERY ENTICING MYSTERY WITHIN IT. I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT BIANCA WAS SUCH A WORTHY HEROINE, SHE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN STRIVING TO BE A DOCTER AND AUTHER EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD A LARGE INHERITENCE TO LIVE OFF OF. BIANCA WAS ABLE TO BREAK DOWN IAN'S EMOTINAL BARRIER TO HELP HIM LOVE AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME TO SOMEONE WHO WAS WORTH LOVING. EVEN THOUGH IAN CAME OFF A COLD CHARACTER I THOUGHT HE WAS WONDERFUL AND IAN AND BIANCA TOGETHER WAS EXTREMELY HOT COUPLE. I FOUND MYSELF IMAGINING I WAS HER THROUGH-OUT THE WHOLE BOOK. THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY SENSUAL THAT FILLED MY MIND FULL OF INTOXICATING FANTASIES AND LEFT MY BODY BURNING WITH LUST! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH I HAVE READ IT THREE TIMES, HATS OFF TO MICHELE JAFFE. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE OF HER, I HOPE SHE COMES OUT WITH ANOTHER "BED-SIDE" BOOK THATS NOT ONLY INTIGUINGLY MYSTERIOUS BUT ALSO PUTS YOU INTO THE BOOK TO ENTICE YOUR DREAMS AND YOUR FANTASIES.I WILL BE READING A LOT MORE ROMANCE NOVELS, THANKS TO JAFFE'S BOOK, WHILE I WAIT FOR MORE MICHELE JAFFE BOOKS TO COME OUT. AGAIN, BRAVO!
Rating:
Summary: Somewhat Disappointing
Review: Having just read, Judith McNaughts' "Whitney My Love", which I would rate 10 stars for content and thorough enjoyment, The Stargazer was a BIG disappointment. There was no romance, not even kindness coming from Ian so how a gentlewoman of that period could find lovemaking with him so enthralling is beyond my comprehension. The highly descriptive lovemaking would seem more in tune with a Hustler or Playboy magazine. I do applaude a first effort but I would rather a bit more romantic hero instead of one you'd like to punch in the face!
Rating:
Summary: A frequent traveler
Review: I recently devoured this book on a cross-country plane trip. What a joy to read! The plot reads differently than I expected and is really interesting, so much so that I couldn't stop turning the pages. The characters are strong, especially Biance who is an intelligent, admirable heroine. I don't know much about the Renaissance, but that didn't matter. I found the setting captivating and inspiring. I anxiously await more from Ms Jaffe!
Rating:
Summary: Needs a little work
Review: Michelle Jaffe's first book, is set in Renaissance Venice. I usually scoffed at people who read such books, but now, I understand why. The story opens with a wealthy man, Ian Foscari, who catches Bianca Salva, a scientist of sorts, over the dead, well-known body of a courtesan. As a way to avoid constant nagging from his brothers, Ian proposes a plan: to marry Bianco to get his brother's off his back, and also as a way to keep an eye on Bianca while she tries to solve the true murder. Low and behold, the two fall in love, although Ian is still suspicious. Well, I really liked the setting and style and the writing wasn't all that bad. It's just that it's missnig something that is hard to explain. At times, it seems disjointed or inconsistant or some scenes rushed and unbelieveable. It was an easy read and not all that complicated, and Jaffe pits two strong willed characters together and creates an interesting chemistry. You'll just have to give it a try and see for yourself. It's a tossed bag in which you either love it or hate it.
Rating:
Summary: Cannot wait to read more of Michele Jaffe!
Review: I started this book a little worried after reading some really terrible reviews. But what a brilliant first book! I am wating eargely for more! A writer whose writing will be sort after very soon. Congratulations Ms Jaffe!
Rating: 
Summary: How do these writers get published ?
Review: It should have been labeled a Harlequin Romance. I would never call it a novel. What a waste of reading time.
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