The Elusive Flame

Rating:
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"!

Rating:
Summary: politically correct
Review: I enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as Shanna or The Wolf and The Dove. But I noticed that KEW has become much more politically correct. Not only does Beau NOT rape Cerynise (which happens in almost all of her novels), but Beau is present at the birth of their son and is even changing diapers! (I found that refreshing, actually...)

Plotwise, this book just follows the same formula. I would actually have liked to see Beau and Cerynise resolve their problems with each other on the ship, and then have some other external forces or misunderstandings drive them apart again. The tension between them was too stilted.

But I am glad that Cerynise was able to handle the villains on her own in the end, instead of just being the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued again.

And yes, where was the editor -- as other readers have noted, she called Beau "Jeff"!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed, but nothing new to add
Review: I have read all the reviews, and I must say that all of them included some aspect that I, myself, was thinking. I may sound "sacreligious" to Woodiwiss fans, but I disliked The Flame and The Flower immensely. I had a hard time liking Brandon, and Heather was such a wimp that I became annoyed with her. I was thrilled that Woodiwiss gave these characters both some morales and backbone. I liked Beau so much for being the man every woman really dreams of, complete with diaper changing abilities. Cerynise was spunky and enduring. Together they made a couple worth reading about. I will say that the whole ending was so completely "Home Alone", but what fun. Woodiwiss' books do not ALL have to be so dramatic and I, for one, enjoyed this somewhat lighthearted romance. All in All, I very much enjoyed the experience of reading "The Elusive Flame."

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining - esp that Home Alone Scene....
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book - although I failed to feel any supsense for any aspect.
When you read it though, take note of the scene towards the end and tell me it doesn't remind you of Home Alone. It almost had me rolling on the floor. I don't know if this book came out before or after the movie, but either John Hughes reads romance novels or this author is a big fan of Macauley Culkin.

Rating:
Summary: politically correct
Review: I was so happy that Beau finally got his own book!! He is so hot and I loved how Cernyise knew him and had a crush on him in earlier years. Those kinds of relationships are the ones that make all of us who have ever had a crush sigh dreamily! I have read and bought all of KWs books and she never ceases to amaze me and keep me riveted!!!

Rating:
Summary: The Elusive Flame
Review: Make that 3.5 stars. Although this book isn't as good as some of the vintage Woodiwiss books, it was still better than I expected, and thus, I enjoyed it. It starts off with interesting events - the death of Cerynise's guardian and unexpected arrival of her guardian's heir, Alistair. He doesn't particularly care for Cerynise and he makes no secret of that fact. Before she knows it, she's thrown out on the streets with no money and nowhere to go. Deciding her only choice is to return home to the states, Cerynise heads for the docks. Barely making it to the docks, she is rescued by Beau, a man she knew from her childhood. They enter into a hasty and temporary marriage as a means of keeping Alistair from taking her back as his ward.

During the long voyage to Charleston, Cerynise falls hopelessly in love with Beau. But because the marriage is only temporary, they both try not to give in to temptation and consummate the marriage -- and there's a lot of temptation. By the time they reach Charleston, both are in turmoil about the direction their relationship should take, and unbeknownst to them, Alistair is hot on their trail bringing with him the threat of death, and the destruction of their shaky relationship. To make matters worse, Beau is a much sought after and very wealthy bachelor whose family home is in Charleston. Upon their return, women pose another threat to Cerynise and her shaky marriage as they try to ensnare Beau for themselves.

While the Elusive Flame doesn't make the reader pant and sigh with emotion as much as some of Ms. Woodiwiss' earlier romance novels, it nonetheless delivers enough romance to hold your attention. The story has elements of danger, adventure, suspense, a little mystery, and a lot of jealousy - which adds a nice bit of spice. The different circumstances the two lovers find themselves in also add a good bit of excitement to the story. Both Beau and Cerynise are developed well enough that they come to life, and you can feel their feelings changing from merely curiosity and admiration for each other to a deep and lasting love.

While at first it seemed a little weird to have a man reading this book, I quickly got over my surprise since his reading didn't distract me from the story. Bottom line, this is a book I would recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Revisit The Flame and The Flower
Review: This book was wonderful because we got to revisit Beau and Heather and Brandon. Anything Kathleen Woodiwiss writes is excellent. I highly recommend reading The Flame and The Flower first as this book is a sequel.