So Speaks the Heart

Rating:
Summary: so speaks the heart
Review: I love controversial plots, it makes my reading more intriguing. The more unconventional it appears, the more I am drawn to it. It is indeed a challenge reading this one!

Read Amazon Editorial Review for book synopsis and in addition to that:

This is one of those books that won't agree with everyone because of the hero's callousness and his fierce treatment towards the heroine. Ugh. I actually got teary-eyed many times while reading this book. I am at lost from time to time that I had to paused and breathe to digest the situations. I mean, sure... Our hero did reformed and there was proof of that changes in the end but what Brigitte went through in his hands was not an easy read for me. I would like to emphasize that I also didn't think Rowland's treatment to Brigitte can be described as brutal because it wasn't that extreme but I still ache for her. Rowland's more of an overbearing, insensitive and a VERY demanding lout. I understand Brigitte's frustration to prove her identity. In truth though, she was actually in better hand with Rowland compared to her previous faith in her stepaunt hands. However, I still can't help but feel she deserves better than a lowly servant. I can also see her confusions when it comes to Rowland. How can you understand and love someone who treats you so lowly? How can you love someone who doesn't believe nor trust you? I feel so sorry and sad for her, my heart was in spastic mode all through out this book. Meanwhile, Rowlands grew up without love, without emotions but hate. He fend and fight for himself all throughout his life. I believe his frigid upbringing contributed to this compressed emotions towards Brigitte. I know a lot of reader would not or could not comprehend this idea. Not a lot would accept excuses such as difficult childhood for harsh treatments towards anyone. However, as painful and unbelievable as it may seem, this is also a reality. How can a person who have never received kindness and love give such affection to another? We need to receive affection to know how to give it. I too feel sorry and sad for our hero, Rowland. Perhaps that is why I love this book. It encouraged me to FEEL and THINK. Yes, I don't like what Rowland does to Brigitte but I cannot judge him harshly either. I couldn't hate him because I can understand his emotional turmoil. All of his life, he never felt important and loved but now, here is Brigitte caring for him, rising new emotions he has never known nor felt before... The part that was heart rendering was the fact that Rowland, a tough warrior as he may be, was actually afraid and insecure. He was so scared of losing Brigette that he decided that denial was the only antidote. He left matters as they were, refusing to look further, refusing to believe Brigette's words to prevent unwanted changes in his life. Selfish perhaps but a sad state, all the same. The way Johanna Lindsey wrote Rowlands character, his past and his emotional confusions simply overwhelmed me. Brigitte's character was also just as polished. I admired her courage, I enjoyed her spunkness. She's been through a lot yet her bearing remained intact. Her faith, her pride & her heart remained whole! Nothing can break her spirit and I find that inspiring. There was so much love, patience, understanding & forgiveness between Rowland and Brigitte that I just couldn't help warming towards them. Aside from the romance and relationship development of Rowland and Brigitte, there is one too many twist in this book that was utterly UNEXPECTED. I was caught unprepared and I enjoyed my reactions towards it. As always the ending was a grand relief though I wish there was an EPILOGUE added to it. Perhaps there is a sequel for this book? A story of Quintin?

Overall, this book is mind and heart baffling. I suggest you read this book with open mind and understanding heart. Don't judge our hero too quickly and harshly. In fact, try to see through him. Once you do, you will appreciate their story all the more...

Rating:
Summary: Mind and Heart BAFFLING...
Review: I love controversial plots, it makes my reading more intriguing. The more unconventional it appears, the more I am drawn to it. It is indeed a challenge reading this one!

Read Amazon Editorial Review for book synopsis and in addition to that:

This is one of those books that won't agree with everyone because of the hero's callousness and his fierce treatment towards the heroine. Ugh. I actually got teary-eyed many times while reading this book. I am at lost from time to time that I had to paused and breathe to digest the situations. I mean, sure... Our hero did reformed and there was proof of that changes in the end but what Brigitte went through in his hands was not an easy read for me. I would like to emphasize that I also didn't think Rowland's treatment to Brigitte can be described as brutal because it wasn't that extreme but I still ache for her. Rowland's more of an overbearing, insensitive and a VERY demanding lout. I understand Brigitte's frustration to prove her identity. In truth though, she was actually in better hand with Rowland compared to her previous faith in her stepaunt hands. However, I still can't help but feel she deserves better than a lowly servant. I can also see her confusions when it comes to Rowland. How can you understand and love someone who treats you so lowly? How can you love someone who doesn't believe nor trust you? I feel so sorry and sad for her, my heart was in spastic mode all through out this book. Meanwhile, Rowlands grew up without love, without emotions but hate. He fend and fight for himself all throughout his life. I believe his frigid upbringing contributed to this compressed emotions towards Brigitte. I know a lot of reader would not or could not comprehend this idea. Not a lot would accept excuses such as difficult childhood for harsh treatments towards anyone. However, as painful and unbelievable as it may seem, this is also a reality. How can a person who have never received kindness and love give such affection to another? We need to receive affection to know how to give it. I too feel sorry and sad for our hero, Rowland. Perhaps that is why I love this book. It encouraged me to FEEL and THINK. Yes, I don't like what Rowland does to Brigitte but I cannot judge him harshly either. I couldn't hate him because I can understand his emotional turmoil. All of his life, he never felt important and loved but now, here is Brigitte caring for him, rising new emotions he has never known nor felt before... The part that was heart rendering was the fact that Rowland, a tough warrior as he may be, was actually afraid and insecure. He was so scared of losing Brigette that he decided that denial was the only antidote. He left matters as they were, refusing to look further, refusing to believe Brigette's words to prevent unwanted changes in his life. Selfish perhaps but a sad state, all the same. The way Johanna Lindsey wrote Rowlands character, his past and his emotional confusions simply overwhelmed me. Brigitte's character was also just as polished. I admired her courage, I enjoyed her spunkness. She's been through a lot yet her bearing remained intact. Her faith, her pride & her heart remained whole! Nothing can break her spirit and I find that inspiring. There was so much love, patience, understanding & forgiveness between Rowland and Brigitte that I just couldn't help warming towards them. Aside from the romance and relationship development of Rowland and Brigitte, there is one too many twist in this book that was utterly UNEXPECTED. I was caught unprepared and I enjoyed my reactions towards it. As always the ending was a grand relief though I wish there was an EPILOGUE added to it. Perhaps there is a sequel for this book? A story of Quintin?

Overall, this book is mind and heart baffling. I suggest you read this book with open mind and understanding heart. Don't judge our hero too quickly and harshly. In fact, try to see through him. Once you do, you will appreciate their story all the more...

Rating:
Summary: so speaks the heart
Review: I love jl's books. so when is going to write some more?

Rating:
Summary: Johanna Lindsey did it again!
Review: I loved this book! Johanna Lindsey did it again! It actually made me cry in the end! You probably will too. Brigitte de Louroux and Rowland of Montville are wonderful characters!

Rating:
Summary: Loved It!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book! I cried in the beginning at the way Brigitte was treat by the step-mom. I laughted at parts and there were lost of suprises. I dont know if there is a squeal to this one for Quintin, but I hope there will be one!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I thought this book enjoyable, not the best I've ever read but definitely good. The story was a little lacking in the relationship development(the characters begin to care for each other in one chapter, when previously they disliked each other intensely)but overall, Brigitte and Rowland were strong characters. For those readers that think beating women in books is a disgrace: I completely agree with you, but the story takes place in the 900's, women weren't exactly treated well back then. I would even go so far to say that Brigitte was probably beaten a whole lot less than the women who actually lived in this time period. The story flows, and there is a plot, and a rather clever one too. All in all, a book worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: A classic by Lindsey too good to pass up!
Review: I'm an avid Lindsey reader and am almost ashamed to admit that I passed by _So Speaks the Heart_ numerous times throughout the years without so much as a glance. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for as long as I can remember. I only pulled it out this time to pass the time on a *very* rainy day. Boy, was I surprised when I realized what an excellent book I'd found! The first thing that pulled me in was the setting. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was set in France. Having seen unlimited books that take place in England, this was an enjoyable change. Not only is the setting wonderful but the characters are vibrant, well developed, and engaging. Brigitte is brave, noble and kind and you feel quite sorry for her as she desperately tries to prove her identity. You become just as frustrated as she when Rowland refuses to believe who she is, especially since everyone else that meets her knows right away that she is of noble birth. Rowland, having been raised in an abusive household is arrogant, blind and domineering. You feel sorrow for the boy he must have been before his life was changed forever through the violence of his upbringing. He is unsure of how to respond to any kindness and in his ignorance of such soft emotions, lashes out at Brigitte as she doggedly tries to introduce him to love. You'll grow to love Rowland as you see him change into a kind and gentle man as Brigitte's love washes over him. And the surprise at the end will bring tears to your eyes! _So Speaks the Heart_ is a glimpse of Ms. Lindsey's work at the beginning of her career and her talent and mastery are well showcased. If you've been like me and looked over this gem of a book, please reconsider -- you won't be sorry!

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous
Review: I've began to reread my JL collection and I must say that this is still one of my favourites. The story is a classic. The emotion in this book was rivetting. I totally felt her desolation as she lied to Gui to protect him for Rowland.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet romance, in a hard era!
Review: If Johanna Lindsey ("JL") has written it, I've read it .... JL is one of those authoresses who I 'generally' find to have a unique storyline, that's fast paced and romatically 'fulfilling' (heck that's why we read her books)!

When I first picked up this book I was a little sceptical as to how good it was going to be, but at the end of the book I was really pleased that I picked this 'baby' up! Having been unfulfilled through reading a lot of other authoresses, historical romances, it was good to be able to come back to 'an oldie' and know that she is still as good as ever! Don't ever stop writing JL!!

Rowland is the 'main' man in the story, who in my opinion has a hard exterior but a soft sweet one underneath .... Brigitte is a 'spunky' heroine ... the era we are reading about is 'hard',in terms of womens 'place' in society ("little" women, barefoot pregnant in the kitchen, kind of thing), but JL still manages to wind her magic/spell around the storyline and provides a wonderfully sweet romance!

If you i) enjoyed 'capitve bride' or 'joining' by JL, and ii)you want a sweet romance, with a bit of old time reality in it, give this story a go, because I think you will really love this story too !

Rating:
Summary: Sweet romance, in a hard era!
Review: If Johanna Lindsey ("JL") has written it, I've read it .... JL is one of those authoresses who I 'generally' find to have a unique storyline, that's fast paced and romatically 'fulfilling' (heck that's why we read her books)!

When I first picked up this book I was a little sceptical as to how good it was going to be, but at the end of the book I was really pleased that I picked this 'baby' up! Having been unfulfilled through reading a lot of other authoresses, historical romances, it was good to be able to come back to 'an oldie' and know that she is still as good as ever! Don't ever stop writing JL!!

Rowland is the 'main' man in the story, who in my opinion has a hard exterior but a soft sweet one underneath .... Brigitte is a 'spunky' heroine ... the era we are reading about is 'hard',in terms of womens 'place' in society ("little" women, barefoot pregnant in the kitchen, kind of thing), but JL still manages to wind her magic/spell around the storyline and provides a wonderfully sweet romance!

If you i) enjoyed 'capitve bride' or 'joining' by JL, and ii)you want a sweet romance, with a bit of old time reality in it, give this story a go, because I think you will really love this story too !