Rating: 
Summary: Pretty darn impressive!
Review: Loved it...almost thoroughly. Colin could have been less pigheaded, but otherwise his and Alessandra's interactions gave me chills. I definitely give it one thumb and half up:)
Rating: 
Summary: First rate Garwood novel.
Review: If you read romance novels you're undoubtedly already a fan of Julie Garwood. She's one of the very best, and she consistently delivers great books. "Castles" is my personal favorite. The heroine, Alesandra, is particularly well suited to Garwood's blend of humor and naivete. She's lead a plausibly sheltered life and is quite charming as she bungles her way through all the new experiences that come her way once she meets Colin. Best of all, you feel like she's got a brain in her head and some common sense despite her general innocence about the world. I also really liked Colin. Yes, he is stuborn and frequently blind to what is staring him in the face, but in a believable way. A very likable alpha male. A special treat for Garwood fans will be catching up on characters from previous novels - "The Gift" and "Guardian Angel". If you haven't read the other novels, don't worry - they can be read in any particular order.
Rating: 
Summary: Yummy but unfilling....
Review: While Colin made me melt as I read this at 3:30 am ( I couldn't put it down) I found him to be a little irritating. While men are classically known for their stubbornness, Colin took it to a new degree. He seemed almost two faced... he didn't trust Alesandra with anything. However, they were an adorable couple. I wish Alesandra would have asserted more of that bed room behavior, she was a good dominator! I can't wait to read "Guardian Angel", because face it, Caine was sexy too :-) A good read, definately worth picking up!
Rating: 
Summary: Julie Garwood Has Written Better
Review: I have read quite a few Julie Garwood books, and have liked most of them. The others bothered me for some reason that I could not put my finger on. After reading this book, I finally figured it out. The heros spend the novel telling the heroines what to do and what not to do. They are not cruel, but they treat the heroines like children and make it clear that they are the masters and decision-makers in the relationship. Castles is a prime example of this. He dictated what Alesandra could wear, who she talked to and where she could go. I realize that this is a historical romance, but I still think that a marriage needs a certain degree of trust and mutual respect even in the 1800's. Without these elements, I do not see how there can be any love. Colin treated Alesandra like a toddler. He even kept her prisoner in the house when they were first married. Alesandra was equally annoying. She insisted she would do what she pleased while following Colins orders, and she did not come off very bright. I think Ms. Garwood tossed in the detail that she was so brilliant with numbers to make her appear smart, but I never saw her use this ability. All in all, a very annoying novel that had a very similiar storyline with The Gift, Guardian Angel, and Lions Lady. No insult to Julie Garwood. She has written some wonderful stories like Ransom, Saving Grace and The Secret. I am not through reading Julie Garwood but i've had it with her regency romance books.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best books I have ever Read.
Review: I love this book and all I can say is read it and find out for yourself how fab this book is. Both characters are great and funny and romanitc....
Rating:
Summary: Definitly a Light Read
Review: This is a nice little book. Princess Alesandra goes to England to escape an almost insane general who wants to marry her. She goes to England to find her own husband so General Ivan would not be able to force her to marry him. In a roundabout fashion she marries Colin. Seperately these are two wonderful people and I liked how they worried about each other, but I hated Colin's high- handed methods. He was always ordering Alesandra what to do and what not to do. What I really hated though was that Alesandra always gave in. I like JUlie Garwood, but this is definitly not her best work. I like independent women who aren't submissive. Okay if you are really bored and not in the mood to yell at the characters stupidity.
Rating:
Summary: Read in order for more effect....
Review: Before reading Castles, I suggest to start with the Lion's Lady, then The Guardian Angel, The Gift and lastly, read Castles. The characters in all 4 books are friends/related to each other. It is more fitting if you know each character before reading the next book. If you read it in this order, I think it will bring more excitement as some questions are answered on the later book. Some secrets are also revealed beforehence. Castle is a story of Colin, who is the younger brother of Caine (in The Guardian Angel) and a troubled Princess Alesandra, who is the ward of the Duke of Williamshire, Colin and Caine's father. Alesandra was searching for a good husband in three weeks time, to save her from marrying a ruthless General, who wanted to marry her only for the throne. I find the search very enjoyable. The list of every noble and available earls and Dukes names... and of course, the dipping of ink to cross each one off, as Colin finds each name in the list horrobly inappropriate. This is my favorite part. I find the herione funny yet unselfsih, charming and regal. Even in her frustrations and anger, mostly of Colin, she manage to remind herself "Dignity & Decorum". She is afterall a princess. Her obsession of LISTING everything in a notecard is also quite amusing. Colin is a proud yet somewhat a sensitive man. The best way to describe him is to compare him to a wild horse that needed to be tamed. Alesandra did just that with love and patience. Flannagan, the butler, is also one of my favorite character in this book. The Romance between the two is perfectly match. There are just so many interesting and funny scenes. I don't want to give it all away so you have to pick up the book to find out yourself. It is worth your time. The whole family helping each other to solve a mystery crime is also thrilling and heart warming. Although, i wished Nathan and Jade (in the Gift), Lyon and Christina (in The Lion's Lady) are mentioned more in this book, I still love it and will keep it in my collection. I have reread it more than once and still have the same reactions.
Rating:
Summary: A Just Plain Good Book
Review: This was the first book I read by this author and it cemented her in my collection as one of the greatest authors I've ever read. The story line is one that I cherished for a long time and have read over and over and over. The main characters, Colin and Alexandria are endearingly written so that you love them to bits and are thoroughly exasperating at the same time. They are almost like family. Also included in the novel are the characters from her past books, Lions Lady, and Jade. This was one of my favorite parts of her writing. You get a feeling of congruity like with a soap opera. The story is written in a style that is innocent and funny. It gives you the feeling that you are in on a secret. You are part of their clan. This is one of those books that makes you feel good when you read it and makes you want to read more when you've finished.
Rating:
Summary: An amazingly endearing story
Review: I have been reading Julie Garwood's novels for the past six years, and I love escaping with her books. They are always fun, unique, and they never let me down. Castles remains my number-one favorite of all her books. It's clever and funny, and the relationship between Colin and Alesandra is so romantic and endearing. And I love that Julie Garwood puts such strong emphasis in all her books on having morals, values, honor and loyalty. Her characters are always "flawed to perfection", as Colin describes his princess in Castles. I especially love the fact, that unlike so many other romance novels I have unfortuneatly read, the relationship between Colin and Alesandra isn't soley based on lust. They have a real connection that the reader can actually feel, which is Amazing!
Rating:
Summary: Not the best
Review: I was very disappointed by this novel. If I'd read it alone, maybe I would have liked it. But I read it as a continuation of the series. I was very upset that Nathan does not make an appearance until the end of the novel. I was also disturbed by the physical changes Garwood made in the other characters from previous novels. To me, it just isn't a sequel. Colin did not seem like himself. Even when viewing the book separate from the rest, the character of Alesandra is not fully fleshed out. Nor is the story believable. I didn't buy their romance for a minute. I can only recall a few memorable moments from this novel--one touching, one funny. This is definitely a novel to borrow but not to buy.
|
