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Summary: This Book Makes You Believe in the Healing Power of Love
Review: There are few books that touch the vulnerable regions of your heart, your soul. I was surprised to find that in this book because, to me, it sounded like just another book. One that I'd read and forget as soon as I got done with it. Wrong. At the beginning you really don't know what to think of Gillian or Christopher. Gillian hides her courage beneath the mask of fear and Christopher has built a wall around his bruised and battered heart. They seem so impossible for each other, but you get the feeling that they need each other, now and forever. My heart ached when I found out about what Christopher's ex-wife did to him, said to him. I was sure he wouldn't be able to believe in himself again, to love again. And Gillian seemed like she would never trust another person, her scars ran too deep. But, as I found out, love can break through anyone's resistance, no matter how tough that resistance seems. It can overtake you without you being aware of it; making you believe in the magic and power of love. Their love seems to transform not only them, but the secondary characters too. Which just adds to its appeal. I think this book is worth the time. I'll admit the author doesn't tell you everything, but I think that just leaves it up to your imagination. Which makes it a different reading experience for everyone.
I've seen how many people didn't like this book because there wasn't enough sex or heart pounding romance in it, but to me that just gives it charm. The romance in this book is the sweet, soft-spoken kind, the kind we all want in our lives. Yeah, heart-pounding romance is fun and exciting, but that kind only lasts for a short time. Whereas the other kind lasts forever.
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Summary: All I ask is that it's over....
Review: I haven't read a book that I've been this disappointed with in a very long time.The 'heroine' is a dud. She's not at all developed so the reader doesn't get to like/dislike or feel for her. She's a naive innocent and this book could be a coming-of-age novel but isn't. To sum it up, she's lived nowhere except at home with her dad for her entire life, marries this bad guy who turns out to be ok. She's never had it so good yet spends 70% of the novel trying to run away or figure out where babies come from. The 'hero' is more likeable. No one knows why he has such a poor reputation, nor do we find out, nor do we care. He is visually impaired yet that doesn't stop him. He jousts and swordfights just like Erroll Flynn. Ok, blind with a heightened awareness would be more believeable. This is just plain stupid. I would've liked it more if there was something mystical about why he was able to do this but there wasn't. As far as romance goes, there is none. There isn't even kissing and hugging! He just keeps her toes warm. I finished this book because I thought it would get better. It doesn't. We are never really told of the psychological aspects of these people's disabilities. We don't feel for them. If you want something good to read, don't pick this.
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Summary: This Story Achieves What Other Romances Do Not!
Review: Lynn Kurland manages to create a wonderful story that captivates the reader without using any graphic sex scenes. Not many romance authors manage this. This Is All I Ask has to be one of the most heart-wrenching stories I have ever read. The main characters are real people with real faults dealing with very realistic issues that they help each other through. The heroine, Gillian, was such a likeable character, and I almost started crying when I read about the rotten treatment she suffered at the hands of her father. And for those reviewers who complained about her low self esteem--stick with Virginia Henley because no one can go through what she went through without having a little problem with self-confidence. I thought the romance between Gillian and Chris was nicely paced, and it was so nice to read a medeival romance where the hero is not acting like he is the lord and master and telling the heroine to learn her place. Chris slowly helped Gillian to gain some of her self-confidence and courage back which she did. All in all, a wonderful read that will make you laugh, cry and read the book over again.
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Summary: This Is All I Ask
Review: This book was truely heart capturing. I know "This IS All I Ask" is Lynn Kurland's best ever novel written! A story of two lost souls finding how to love eachother for the fist time..This moving book will stay with you forever when you dream.
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Summary: absolute magic
Review: Truly, Lynn Kurland is such a gifted writer. Her novel THIS IS ALL I ASK is a treasure with its strong emotion, romance, and storyline that are especially masterful. The characters are so very real and play a vivid image in your head other than printed words. Christopher of Blackmour indeed starts out with a hardened heart by many sorrows. And a young woman, Gillian of Warewick, softens his heart without intention. They don't realize all the things they could offer each other until much hardship has passed. They both feel as if they have nothing to offer each other, with makes this book all the more heartfelt. THIS IS ALL I ASK is a most emotional, romantic, humorous, magical, and meaningfull work of art. An absolute joy I mean to treasure for always.
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Summary: Amazing reading
Review: I am in love with this story. This had to be oe of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read. I felt everything they did and cried and had my heart break when the characters did. The writing was superb and I couldn't put it down. A must read for any romance novel fan.
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Summary: Not What I expected
Review: After reading all the positive reviews I decided to purchase this book and give it a shot. I have read a lot of historical fiction and romance, but this really didn't seem to fit. Yes it was a good story to watch Gillian evolve into a prettier, braver soul, but come on. This book wasn't a historical romance, it was a fictionalized account of a self help book. The only thing historical was the setting--a castle. Hmm. Big deal. The plot is basically about the self esteem of both the main characters. They spend the entire book tiptoeing around each other trying not to further damage their own image/ego. The best part of the entire book remains the secondary characters. They have potential. This is not a book to spend money on. If you insist on reading it, get it from the library.
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Summary: Perfect!!
Review: This was the first Kurland book I read and I couldn't have been happier. It's still one of my favorites. All of the books I've seen by her have been brilliant. Touching, emotional and with just a hint of humor they're the best!! If you love historical fiction, romance or just appreciate good writing this is definitely for you. Lynn Kurland is a great author and I can't wait to read her new one!
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Summary: MY FAVORITE!!!!!!
Review: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Yes, at times it might have seemed silly that Gillian was so insecure with her looks but could play with a sword--but, I know plenty of women who are extremely accomplished and talented in many things but are so bound up because they believed they were ugly. I much prefer Gillian who seems like a girl that might have lived next door who had a hard life. I really dislike ridiculous female characters that go around beating up men right and left. I am sorry to sound anti-feminist, but it is not like that in real life. Gillian had problems and overcame them--that is the mark of a courageous woman. Not one that can spit, curse, and out drink a man. I don't know about the rest of you women, but the women I know have more intelligence than that to act in that ridiculous manner.
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Summary: This Is All I Ask...more Please!
Review: I am a hard to please romance reader. I read them voraciously, but I only keep the cream of the crop. I have collected many of Johanna Lindsey's, and ALL of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's books (In hard bound yet!) I am proud to add Miss Kurland to the list. I am now scouring the net for copies of her works. (Even the time travel ones, which I have never cared for at all). Gillian and Christopherwere characters I could really get into. That they were not perfect was very original. I disagree with one of the reviews I read speaking of her beauty not being present, and then being there. She was beautiful inside, and as she gained more confidence, became so outside. Love can make the receiver beautiful in her lover's eyes. I laughed outloud when reading about Colin's trips to see the witches, and the banter between those same witches had me smiling, reminding me of my sister and I on more than one occasion! I had tears in my eyes from several poigniant scenes between Chris and Gillian, but when he asked Berengeria to restore his sight, and she could not, that completely undid me! I am looking foreward to catching up on this gem of a writer, and have already ordered the book that comes out this Oct! Hey Lynn! How about a sequel?
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