The Flame and the Flower

Rating:
Summary: Give it a chance!!! You'll like it, I'm sure of it =)
Review: Okay, so I wasn't that thrilled with the first two chapters...I thought they were pretty boring, and I just couldn't get into them. BUT, as I continued reading, slowly but surely, the characters developed, and so did my interest in the book. The soliloquys could be a bit much at times and a little distracting, but in a way, they added to the flavor and uniqeness of the novel. A fresh idea, or something that seemed out of the ordinary to me, was Brandon's almost year-long celibacy. This is rare in romance novels and refreshing, because the ultimate moment when Heather and Brandon make love is looked forward to. (in other words, there are not abundant sex scenes) When I finished the book, I missed the characters, just as I always do with books I enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Awful, just awful....
Review: If it is possible to give a book no stars I would've, as it is, I have to settle for the lowest rating possible. I had to force myself to finish the book - a rare thing for this particular romantic nut. There are no characters to speak of. The heroine is the most spineless, whiny, cowardly idiot to ever grace the pages of a romantic novel. Her only positive attribute, if you can call it that, is her stunning beauty and supposed "softness". The hero is worse. He not only rapes the heroine repeatedly, but also emotionally and verbally abuses her. The style of the author is pretentious and clumsy - the common soliloquays awkward to say the least. The prose often just do not flow and/or interrupted by embarrassing grammatical errors and cliches. Ms Woodiwiss' descriptive skills are weak - 430 pages later I still do not know what the heroine looks like except she has blue eyes and is very very beautiful. The same goes for the hero - a bland and characterless specimen of masculine splendour. The pale main characters are indicative of the supporting cast - each a cliche, one dimensional and lack development. There's the faithful valet, the abusive and ugly aunt, the mad and disfigured villain, and the spiteful rejectee. In fact, Louisa, the female antagonist, is possibly the only character in this novel with some character. At least she stood up for what she wanted, planned and fought for what she considered hers and had a believable motive for each of her actions. Like most of the readers below, I will treasure and keep this book - not because I adore it and it's drunkard hero, but to serve as a constant reminder to myself and my students how NOT to write.

Rating:
Summary: The best Woodiwiss EVER!!!!!!
Review: This book was fanastic . You could never predict how Heather and Brandon were going to react , and the plot was always alive. I've read it time and again and have never lost interest. This one will be hard to beat in the future.

Rating:
Summary: i very good read
Review: I am an Kathleene Woodiwiss fan and she out did herself with this story. I liked it far better than petals on the river.I only have one complaint that is Louisa. Ms. woodiwiss should have gave her alittle substance.All in all its a pretty good book.

Rating:
Summary: With the glut of rommance novels in print, this is timeless.
Review: The Flame and the Flower is the first "gothic romance" I had ever read -- almost 25 years ago. I recently picked up the book again and found that it is just as interesting from a romantic and historical aspect as it was when I first read it. With the glut of gothic romances on the market these days, I find it refreshing that a book that has been around for so long is still such a joy to read.

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: The Flame and The Flower was the first romance I read that I couldn't put down. The characters are engaging and the plot is original and addicting. I re-read the book often and find it still holds the magic it did the first time I picked it up. I've read all of Woodiwiss's books and this one is still my favorite. A must-read for any romance lover.

Rating:
Summary: The first of two of the most wonderful stories I've read.
Review: The Flame And The Flower was the first romance book I had ever read. I was a new mom recuperating from childbirth and when one of my neighbors came to see the baby for the first time she brought this book for me to read. I started it that afternoon and couldn't put it down. I was hooked. After I read Wolf And The Dove Ms. Woodiwiss just had to reel me in. I've read and enjoyed all of her other works but my favorites will always be these first two. What a wonderful way to escape the rigors of everyday life - a comfortable chair, a glass of your favorite beverage and a good book by Kathleen Woodiwiss!!

Rating:
Summary: NOT!
Review: I'm not sure what madness drove me to pick up this book in the first place. About all I can say is that Woodiwiss had me laughing all the way through with her prentious style and play at literature. A snivelling heroine and a stuck-up hero do not electricity generate. I know my opinion won't be real popular around here, and that's fine. Someone needs to be the voice of dissent.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth the price of admission
Review: I never read the book, but listened to the abridged audiotape - it had no depth - I would not buy another of her abridged audiotapes.

Rating:
Summary: The best romance novel ever written
Review: This is the first historical novel I ever read. I was in the fifth grade, and I used it in one of my bok reports. (My teacher was a little put out, but who cares? this book was incredible!) It was fascinating. Two people trying to deny their love for one another because of a gross misunderstanding and miscommunication---FANTASTIC!!! Who hasn't been there? The tension between Heather and Brandon was wonderfully written and believable. The love scenes were tasteful and still erotic. The adventure and suspense was wonderful. This novel had everything in it, romance, light comedy, suspense, adventure, deceit, and a happy ending. The perfect combination for any romantic at heart. I have bought three copies of The Flame and the Flower because it is my all-time favorite and I re-read it so much. It is unforgettable.