The Stargazer

Rating:
Summary: I read the ending half way thru the book to get rid of it.
Review: Jaffe tried to write in Amanda Quick style and failed miserably. I'm surprised Amanda gave her writing such kudos on the book jacket. The story was disjointed. Jaffe writes like a grammar school student. "I once went to a two peacock-ball,but I admit it only under duress. The heroine responds. "I promise to keep this information like a sacred trust in my bosom."Pleeeze! The book was impossible.

Rating:
Summary: I love the book as much as I love Venice!
Review: What an impressive debut! Dr. Jaffe's novel is certainly a page turner that I couldn't get enough of! The Stargazer is presented in a refreshing voice which at times becomes steamy. What a wonderful break from the often cliche world of love!

Rating:
Summary: I Should have Left it on the Chair!!!
Review: Thank God this book was given to me (and about 2000 attendees) free of charge -- I now wish I'd left it on the chair and never brought it home. After all the hype I fully expected a lush, wonderfully written book -- what I got was a disjointed and cliched plot with some of the worst POV glitches, grammar and punctuation problems I've ever seen. Not only a disappointment because of all of the extravagent hype, but also because this woman's educational credits indicate she should know better. It is tragic that wonderful writers who have truly earned a hardback cover are being passed over for a book like this.

Rating:
Summary: A different read
Review: The Stargazer had a wonderfull plot, and I have to say I loved the book. Though I do admit the beginning was kinda well...lets say it could have been written differently. The Charaters seem a little too "oh so there's a dead body here, oh well." I believe that their emotions could have been a bit more dramatic. Yet I couldn't put the book down. As I got into the novel it did get better. Though sometimes confusing the book was great to me, and I love Ian's family they were a funny and witty group. All in all, i give it two thumbs up.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastico!
Review: It is simply the best romance novel I have ever read. Well done Dr. Jaffe

Rating:
Summary: Didn't like it enough to finish it.....
Review: A very strange, disappointing debut. The plot had potential but the writing style was gawky and awkward. The hero and heroine were totally incompatible, plus the fast-moving plot was too complicated to keep track of. Lots and lots of secondary characters to sort out and a see-through mystery plot. Try again, Michele: this just didn't make it.

Rating:
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read
Review: The characters are unlikeable and unbelievable; the love scenes are contrived and the plot is poor. I had to force myself to finish this book hoping all the while that something would improve. Nothing did.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo! Encore!!
Review: Michele Jaffe's Stargazer lives up to all expectations. Provided you can appreciate historical accuracy, an intriguing plot, the nuances of creating a smart, seductive and likeable female heroine, and steamy romance interludes par excellence, then you won't be able to put this book down. Bravo Michela!!

Rating:
Summary: Simply brilliant.
Review: I was somewhat trepidatious about purchasing this novel, knowing that publishers occasionally oversell new releases that are underrated to say the least. Jaffe's is not - this is a romance novel worthy of defining a whole new genre. I can only imagine the readers who were unimpressed lack the imagination, sensuality and joie de vivre to fully appreciate it. This is a must buy, as I am sure her next one will be!

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: After all the hype this book has received from the pre-pub press, I was looking forward to reading THE STARGAZER. I was very disappointed. The plot was not credible, the characters were flat, and the writing was pedestrian. Not only that, the book was poorly edited; allowing the author to use word forms that do not exist in the English Language.

I cannot recommend this title.