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Summary: One of the best books I ever read -- interesting characters
Review: I accidently came across this author after trying for so long to "get into" other books besides Danielle Steel's. I would start and then put them down -- nothing interested me. I was always curious about the romance authors and couldn't understand why everyone was so crazy about them and bookstores are packed with their books -- then I picked up this one! Well, I never had such a good time reading a book -- the characters are terrific, especially Heather and Brandon. She is strong, but yet loving and gentle. He is absolutely gorgeous. I love the way men were so protective in those days! He sounds like the perfect husband, doesn't he, ladies? I hope you all out there enjoy all her books; I do too, since I recently bought all of them!
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Summary: This was what I used my amazon.com gift certificate for?
Review: Now I know someone is going to read this review and say "she doesn't read romance." Well, I do--and I've read too many to be enchanted with this book. I read all the customer comments and I figured, this must be an awesome book (despite the fact that I've previously bought 2 Kathleen Woodiwiss books and been unable to finish them because of boredom). I should have gone with my gut feeling. The rape scenes really didn't bother me, nor did the fact that the hero callously disregarded Heather's feelings many times (that's not uncommon in a romance novel) but what got on my last nerve was Heather. She was a ninny. I got so sick of this phrase "Oh, Brandon!" This is the romance novel that men make fun of--a sappy, silly, would-be bodice ripper. The character descriptions were unforgiveably vague and the villain was needlessly troll-like. Not all villains have hunchbacks and are too ugly to look at for long, Ms. Woodiwiss.I felt that the book would have been much better if the heroine had been someone like Scarlett O'Hara. Basically someone with a spine. So this being my feelings, I think Brandon should have stayed with his current mistress and kicked Heather to the curb. Now, if you've previously read this authors books, and found that you like her writing style then you might enjoy this. If not, save your money and go for Linda Howard or Judith McNaught (not her latest, though).
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Summary: The Flame and the Flower
Review: If you get the chance, read this book!!! It is a classic. And to those who seem to find it distasteful, "Please," get over it. The "rape" scene happened in the 18th century and should be viewed as very probably for that Period. It is not intended to reflect the values of our time. Therefore, it should be viewed and judged for the period it portrays. As such, I found this to be one of my all time favorites of Kathleen Woodiwiss. I say one, because none of her books thus far have been able to top Shanna.
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Summary: Purple prose at its best...
Review: I love Woodiwiss' flowery prose in this book. She has a way of making me feel as if I am right there standing in the year 1799 watching Heather toil like a slave for her fat Aunt Fanny, running through the dark streets of London, warming her tush in front of the stove in Brandon's cabin...I liked Heather. Yes, she was a cowardy little twit with little common sense. But she's terribly sweet, and sad and has a core of strength that she finally finds within herself. I know women like her.That rape scene was awful, however. The first time I read this book I put it own for a few days swearing that I wouldn't touch it again. But something drew me back and I'm glad I finished it. There WAS something dfferent about that scene than the other attempted rapes in the book. Heather doesn't fight Brandon off. It's a difference that's much too subtle and I wish Woodiwiss had given more of a hint that Heather felt some semblance of desire, it would have made the scene much more tolerable.Brandon IS a jerk. I had a hard time believing that Heather could love him until the second half of the book when he does warm up a bit. The author should have given him a sense of humor and a vulnerable side that was a bit more apparent.Woodiwiss also needs to work on her villains. They are too stereotyped and obvious. I was glad when Louisa got murdered, at least I wouldn't have to read another one of her idiotic insults. Why did Brandon let her go on like that if he secretly loved Heather? His defence of Heather would have made him more endearing.I enjoyed the murder mystery subplot, but the author really needs to learn to weave the main and subplots together. The obvious place for their declaration of true love to one another should have been in the mansion when Heather tends Brandon's wounds instead of two hundred pages earlier. A book should have one definite climax, not two half done climaxes.All in all, this was a good story as far as romance is concerned. And remember, this IS romance not classical literature.
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Summary: There is a Knight in Shining Armor if your Smart!
Review: I'm 36, I married the man Miss Woodiwiss created in the Flame and the Flower. I was fifteen, I met a new fifteen year old that read romance novels. She recomended "THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER". I started reading this book and could not put it down . It was my first connection with worded sex. It was the first time, someone had described to me what a man was. It was the first time I had realizided that I was looking for someone. Someone special. Someone different. Someone strong, manly, sincere, loving, sucsessful. Someone who makes womenhood very important, not degrading as a service, but what we do as nurturerers out of habit with the the upmost greatest respect. I saved my virginity for just this man. I would of waited forever. I know I would of . I met him when I was eighteen. We have been married 16 1/2 years and he is still Brandon Birmingham to me . I looked every where for him. He's mine now. I have read that book so many times I don't know how many. He's 6'6", 270lbs., dark, handsome, beautiful, I Love him! Thank you, Kathleen, you gave me the guidelines to find him. I was just lucke to find him so young
Rating:
Summary: OK Book
Review: I was eager to read this book after having read all the reviews. I was aware of the rape scenes and have to admit they were not as bad as I thought they would be. However, I am struck by how submissive Heather was despite supposedly being half Irish. The characters continually said how much of a temper she had, but she was always coiling away from Brandon. I was touched by the love story but could not bring myself to understand how Heather could end up loving her raper. This book was definitely better than KW's newest story, The Reluctant Suitor, but I did not enjoy the way the love story came about.
Rating:
Summary: The Flame and the Flower
Review: If you get the chance, read this book!!! It is a classic. And to those who seem to find it distasteful, "Please," get over it. The "rape" scene happened in the 18th century and should be viewed as very probably for that Period. It is not intended to reflect the values of our time. Therefore, it should be viewed and judged for the period it portrays. As such, I found this to be one of my all time favorites of Kathleen Woodiwiss. I say one, because none of her books thus far have been able to top Shanna.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, Upon Reflection....
Review: I still consider this book a rare classic, but after reading it again for the first time in more than 20 years, I see what other readers who were disturbed by this book saw. No excuse in the world made it all right for Brandon to rape an innocent girl. He was supposed to be intelligent, so no, I can no longer buy the fact that he mistook a protesting girl for a prostitute. The author then had Brandon rape Heather again, and by making him talk gently to her, it was supposed to have been all right. It wasn't. Ugh! Hut, like so many others, I was totally pulled into this premise. And although I came away with the feeling that Brandon & Heather fell in love the first time I read this book, I really didn't get that feeling this time. I had to ask myself, how did they fall in love? Neither one had any outstanding personality traits to form an attraction, with the exception of their good looks. I also used to think that a 35 year old man and an 18 year old girl was fine for the era, but I realize now it was not. I wonder now why KW made him so old?
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Summary: A wonderful, captivating love story.....
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It captured my interest from the very beginning and as the story developed, I had more and more difficulty putting it down. It is one of those books that you just don't want to end because you get so caught up in the characters. I am excited to read the sequel, "The Elusive Flame."
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Summary: Lighten Up With All The Negative Reviews... ITS A BOOK ! !
Review: The Flame & The Flower was the very first book that I had ever read cover to cover way back in the 70's. The book was and still is my favorite. I still have the original and have read it many, many times and still enjoy it. Come on people, with all these negative reviews. Its a book ! ! Plain and simple. Why do people have to read something into things and then make a big production out of it. I just purchased Ms. Woodiwiss's new book, The Reluctant Suitor... and I do hope that it is of the same fine writings that all her other books have been. Although I feel that "The Flame and the Flower and Shanna were her best books written..... she has given me somewhat of a letdown with her other books. I am looking for books on the same order as The Flame... and Shanna. I wish she would stick to the same writings that she did in these books. I did not like the holiday book with three stories in one. I was very disapointed with that one. I am looking for the same page turner type quality of book that her first two books held for me. I will form an opinion for the latest book when I am finished with it. I am looking forward to reading it. How about a sequal to "Shanna". That would be great. Thanks for great books throughout the years. You are by far my most favoritest author.... but the books are to long in comming.
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