Rating: 
Summary: Not up to your usual standard
Review: After reading The Flame and the Flower years ago, you hooked me on reading. I started to read romance novels and could not put them down. I always look for books by yourself as I think you are an exceptional author, although I did not like your last book Three Weddings and a Kiss. It was way to short. I would like to see a further update of Heather and Brandon. I felt like I was swept up in their storyline. Today I still hold my original copy of the book and it continues to be my favorite. I have read it over many, many times. Please continue to write more books. I also liked Shanna very much. It is also one of my favorites
Rating: 
Summary: Delightful! Easy reading; for die-hard fans it isn't enough
Review: Each of the stories had their own style, unique to the author. They were all fast paced and very humorous. It is always a treat to read Woodiwiss, although I would have liked to seen her continuation of the Flame and Flower be more than just a short-story, it was like seeing an old friend when you read the "Epilouge." I tried to imagine what a new reader, unfamilar to Brandon & Heather's ordeals, and knew that the story they read would be complete without a full history on all of the players!
This book also introduced me to Catherine Anderson and Loretta Chase. Their writing style is as unique to them as Woodiwiss' is to her. So enjoyable was this book that it spurred me on to seek out the previous works of both Catherine Anderson and Loretta Chase.
Anderson dealt with women's issues that are relevant thoughout time and yet she maintains a light style without being heavy handed. "Three Weddings and a Kiss" is complete in itself but also a perfect stepping stone into the authors' larger works.
Rating: 
Summary: Do NOT read this one for Woodiwiss
Review: Her very short story was not worth the time to read it. Flimsy, contrived, and boring, without interesting characters or a well-defined setting. Perhaps those who have read whatever book these characters come from would appreciate it, but I can't imagine anyone else doing so.
Anderson's Old West story was somewhat contrived, but humorous and engaging. It made a nice change of pace for me; I rather enjoyed it. The title's a mystery.
Kleypas' story was not her best effort and featured a rather dull hero and an irritating heroine, but the tale was mildly entertaining.
The real treat in this set of short stories was Chase's tale of the mad earl. It was populated with vivid characters, realistic settings, a tightly woven plot, and emotional range. Read this book if you read it for this story alone. I'll be finding more by Loretta Chase thanks to this story.
Rating: 
Summary: A keeper
Review: I am happy I got to read this wonderful compilation of romantic stories. It's probably one of the best I can recommend you after having read no less than 1000 romance novels!My favorite of the stories is the one of the mad earl. It's really something different, and the reversing of the role of the woman to be the strongest character in the starring couple, was very rewarding and most original. The development of their relationship starting from alienation and distrust to friendship, tenderness and love delighted me. Not only getting away from the usual pattern still kept the romantic basis, but it just improved it! It didn't hurt it had a pretty good plot. (It was the sexiest of all too.) The funniest story in the other hand was the one of the cowboy, where fate and vengeance go wrong and hilarity results. It's not so usual we are able to laugh at the male character and still fall for him. I chuckled a lot in the first pages of it, although it slacked a little bit towards the end, so it isn't in itself a five start story. The other stories are sweet too so this is a book not to be missed by any lover of the genre!
Rating:
Summary: A keeper
Review: I am happy I got to read this wonderful compilation of romantic stories. It's probably one of the best I can recommend you after having read no less than 1000 romance novels! My favorite of the stories is the one of the mad earl. It's really something different, and the reversing of the role of the woman to be the strongest character in the starring couple, was very rewarding and most original. The development of their relationship starting from alienation and distrust to friendship, tenderness and love delighted me. Not only getting away from the usual pattern still kept the romantic basis, but it just improved it! It didn't hurt it had a pretty good plot. (It was the sexiest of all too.) The funniest story in the other hand was the one of the cowboy, where fate and vengeance go wrong and hilarity results. It's not so usual we are able to laugh at the male character and still fall for him. I chuckled a lot in the first pages of it, although it slacked a little bit towards the end, so it isn't in itself a five start story. The other stories are sweet too so this is a book not to be missed by any lover of the genre!
Rating:
Summary: Mixed bouquest
Review: I bought and read this anthology when it was first published in the mid-90s, and at the time I was not familiar with *any* of the authors' other works. Since that time, I have become devoted fans of three of the four authors -- i.e., their new books become "must-reads" for me -- and it was probably because of this anthology that this is so! "Fancy Free" by Catherine Anderson features two hero/heroine types that I like the most -- the girl who's spunky despite having little confidence in her looks, and the boy who's a doll but won't admit it. The plot is somewhat contrived (as is the case with a lot of short romantic stories), but the story is very cute. "The Mad Earl's Bride" by Loretta Chase was my favorite of the bunch. Bluestocking/doctor heroine meets reformed-rake earl. Very romantic, and rich story. A great incentive to read the other stories set in this "universe", the most famous of which is Lord of Scoundrels. Ms. Chase writes wonderful period literature without getting caught up in all the nitty-gritty details of manners and dress (a huge relief to this reluctant Regency reader), and this is a perfect example of that ability. "Promises" by Lisa Kleypas has fantastic love scenes between the hero and heroine, but I didn't find the storyline very interesting the first time I read it. I revisited this story after having read the full-length novels features Derek Craven (Dreaming of You is my FAVORITE romance of all time!), and appreciated this story a tad bit more after that. Finally, Ms. Woodiwiss's contribution. It should be telling that I don't even remember the name of this story. I know that many people who discovered romance earlier than me love her work, but I found the prose stilted, and the idea of getting this very childlike bride and experienced groom vaguely disgusting (and I actually like May-December romances, generally). The fact that the hero BOUGHT the heroine, an indentured servant, was a little icky, too. In terms of technical experience, I found the writing very stilted and unnatural (another viewpoint might call it "lush", I will concede). This was a big disappointment to me, b/c obviously Ms. Woodiwiss is a legend in this genre. All in all -- pretty good as far as anthologies go. Very good incentive to read the first three authors' other works, at least!
Rating:
Summary: I would say FOUR weddings and MANY kisses !
Review: I bought this book together with „Married at midnight" in Amsterdam/Holland last May. At the begining I didn't intend to buy it, but when I started reading I knew I had to have it. I have all Woodiwiss's books, but unfortunately here in Slovakia „The Kiss" and „Beyond the Kiss" weren't published and I doubt they ever will be, there is only „A season beyond a kiss" available, so I HAD to buy „Three weddings and a kiss" and „Married at midnight" because of Woodiwiss's stories (and I rate them with 5 stars). But I read another novelle too and I liked „Fancy free" best (5 stars). „A mad earl's bride" was quite difficult for me because of many medical words (I give it 4 stars) and I found „Promises" a bit cliche - but at least it was written in easy English (only 3 stars). I appreciate I bought „Three weddings ....." - I improved my English and finally got Jeff Birmingham's whole story. I recommend to all Woodiwiss's (especially Birmingham) fans.
Rating:
Summary: Kathleen you are a magnificent author!
Review: I can't truly say which of your books are my favorites. Everyone I have ever read has captured me from the first page and has held my thoughts and dreams and my imagination from the moment I put it down til I have the chance to pick it back up and get lost within the wonderous fairy tale once again. I hope to become a writer someday and if I can only be half as good as you are, I will be satisfied. Thank you for bringing romance into my life
Rating:
Summary: Reading a Woodiwiss novel is like living in another world..
Review: Ms. Woodiwiss has a gift. She is my favorite author. I wish they would make her books into movies (they would have to be mini series). I cry,breath,live in these books. They take me away form my ordinary everyday life.. I have read all the older novels at lest two to three times, waiting for new ones. You are wonderful Ms. Woodiwiss, keep up the wonderful work. Take your time, I will be waiting :>) P.S. I've got my mom hooked on these great love stories too....
We Love You and your work. Keep writing.
God Bless &
Best Regards,
Your Fan
Rating:
Summary: Lorettaa Chase makes this book worth it
Review: The best story in this collection is Loretta Chase's story; one of her best!
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