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Summary: Wonderful in audio form
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the care with which the time period was represented, and the reader, James Daniels. He was able to closely represent the many accents in the story.Nicely done. Highly recommend the audio version.
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Summary: Woodiwiss definitely back in old form
Review: Cerynise is thrown out of her home after the death of an aunt, followed by a greedy cousin who wants the inheritance, and saved by our hero, Beauregard Birmingham. Only Beau just wants to transport her back to America and continue his sailing bachelor ways. But Cerynise has other ideas. This book has lots of dash, you don't have to wait forever for a good steamy scene, and not so much action that you get annoyed. Don't miss it.
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Summary: my thoughts for those who have doubts caused by other minds
Review: i have to mention after reading a few of the reveiws on this book that i am profoundly disappointed in the evaluations of the book/story prosecuters that have already judged this book/story. i am an avid reader, though i have always prefered science fiction or fantasy to anything else. i have always thought that the people who read romaces are extremely wishy-washy. However, a close friend of mine whose judgement i trust recommended this story to me. she made me promise to at least try to read it (and if i liked the author to find other books of hers). i began this book and soon found that the words were arranged in such a way that they compelled me to find what happened in the end. though this is only the 3rd or 4th romace i have read, i have found it to be very enjoyable, and kathleen woodiwiss has a way of making me laugh at some of the crazy situations that her characters are put through. (it has come to my mind that since i have not read the flame and the flower, i cannot judge the two, however, i think it was good for me to have a chance to read and enjoy this story first.) therefor, if you are searching for a bit of insight on the opinion of a prejudiced science fiction/fatasy reader, please let me state my stance clearly. the elusive flame is not enjoyable for those who search their romances for sexual appeasment, rather it is for those who enjoy elequent writing, enchanting events that can be created only for the minds eye, and enjoyable story endings. (far too many adjectives begin with e! )
Rating: 
Summary: Something just wasn't there
Review: In anticipation of reading another Kathleen Woodwiss book, I deliberately re-read the Flame and the Flower just prior to reading this one. Well, I shouldn't have. It set my expectations too high. When I finished the Elusive Flame, I felt it was aptly named, something was missing, a style, a feeling in the writing. The timing, wording and depth of the Flame and the Flower were entrancing. Without getting into specifics, I felt the Elusive Flame followed the same "formula" as the Flame and the Flower, but the rest just wasn't there. In fact I thought a ghost writer might have just followed out a blue print. Mind you, I gave it a 3 because even though it was not the quality I expect from Kathleen Woodwiss, it was still exceptionally better than much of the competition.
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Summary: Pretty good Sequel....
Review: I admit this was a pretty good sequel to "The Flame and the Flower". A bit different from the original, but good. I usually dislike sequels and find them never holding a candle the original, but this one held a pretty strong one. The beginning was kinda hard to trudge through in my opinion, but once it got rolling, it was really good. I liked the hero Beau Birmingham,(Heather and Brandon's son from The Flame and Flower)he was a very strong character. Was alot like his father from the first book. Cerynise was a strong heroine and never seemed to falter and become weak as in some romance novels, she held her own. My only complaint was in the "villians". The first book, the villians were really scary and had you wondering what would happen next, very unpredictable. But these "villains" weren't anything of the sort. They were clumsy and predictable. I also was dissapointed in how quick the couple seemed to fall in love. They were suppose to be old friends and she always loved him as a child, but I just wasn't convinced. Though I was excited to see the characters from "Flame.." appear. Heather and Brandon was funny and the same as usual. The story line could've been better. As with the other reviews, I thought the ending was a bit stupid and seemed derived from a certain "movie", but I wont say anymore. =) Also I was as confused as everyone else to what color Beau's eyes were during the entire book! One time they were Blue the next they were like Brandon's(green), then Sapphire! Aside from that I did enjoy the story. Most of exciting part of the story is on the ship to the Carolinas. I am now looking forward to the 3rd in this series, "Season Beyond A Kiss". I hope this helps anyone out there!
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Summary: Did not measure up to expectations
Review: On an impulse I bought a copy of "The Flame and Flower" and immediately fell in love with it and it has now become my favorite romance novel of all time. When I read the preview for "The Elusive Flame" I was thrilled. I went out and bought the book when it came out. By chapter 3 I was disappointed with it and put it away without finishing it. I have recently taken it back out in hopes that it would interest me again. The story of Beau and Cerynise very much reminds me of the story of Heather and Brandon and I find the plot to be unoriginal. I found myself flipping through the book just to read the parts with Heather, Brandon, and Jeff and even those parts seem to be rather uninspired. What really disappointed me was the lack of attention to detail. Beau's eyes are not blue. They are green. Overall I just found the book to be seriously lacking and I really didn't care much for the characters. Cerynise was flat and Beau was just Brandon all over again without the essential spark.
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Summary: Another Hit!
Review: I read some of the other reviews, and hesitated to buy this book. However, since I've never been disappointed in Kathleen's other books, I went ahead, and boy am I glad I did! I think this is almost as good as Flame and the Flower. Once again, Kathleen Woodiwiss shares a love story the way no one else does.
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Summary: A "Skip through the Pages" book
Review: I am not an avid "Romance/Love Story" person. When I first came across "Rose in Winter" by accident many years ago, I was impressed enough to read Mrs. Woodiwiss' other works. The plausibility, consistency and motivation in "Rose in Winter" were fabulous. "The Elusive Flame" is JUNK. All of the characters are unbelievable, their speech and their communication skills are elementary. Who is Mrs. Woodiwiss writing for? Who is your new target market? Go back and read your previous fiction, then look at other believable, heart-wrenching good love stories like "Rebecca" and give us something good.
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Summary: Can't get enough of the Birminghams!
Review: In March 1998 I fell in love with "The flame and the flower". One year later I found out there were another Birminghams stories written by K. E. W. Since then I couldn't get to see "The elusive flame" or something about Jeff. Three weeks ago I finally bought "The elusive flame" and all I can say is: I can't get enough of the Birminghams. Although Cerynise and Beau are not as richly drawn as Heather and Brandon - I think they're too perfect and have no faults. I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF READING IT ESPECIALLY WHEN BARNDON AND HEATHER WERE PRESENTED. I laughed when I read that Jeff was still calling Heather "Tory" and that Mrs. Clark is still alive. I'm sooo happy to have "The elusive flame" and the Birminghams! Ms. Woodiwiss, would you mind writing another story about this marvellous family? For example about Beau's sisters Suzanne and Brenna? I'd be so glad and grateful. Please continue and again let us feel the unforgettable atmosphere of the world you create. Thank you! PS: LOOKING FORWARD TO "A SEASON BEYOND A KISS"!
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Summary: COME SAIL AWAY
Review: The Flame and the Flower was the first Kathleen Woodiwiss novel I read, therefore I was obviously eager to read the Elusive Flame. As was the case with Flame and the Flower I could not put this book down! I know I will read this book a second time, which I rarely do since there are so many books to choose from. It was THAT great! P.S. Throughout the book I would think to myself: "Beau Birmingham if you were real, you could sail my ship anytime!"
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