Rating: 
Summary: Schone's first book and I think her best
Review: I don't usually read Robin Schone books. Well, actually, I have read all of her books, but have decided they are too dark and explicit for my tastes. But after getting rid of Gabriel's Woman and The Lover (yes - I had to keep The Lady's Tutor), I had let Awaken My Love, Schone's first novel, sit unread for well over a year. Now, after reading it, I think this is the best of Schone's books. As are all of her books, it is far from the norm as far as romance writing goes. It is very entertaining reading although it has a most unusual time travel twist. I usually don't care much for time travel stories but this is a definite exception. Charles Mortimer, Lord Arlcotte, is the extremely appealing hero. He has a very strong personality, alpha extreme, but is just so downright cool that you want to melt as you read about him. He has a great problem on his hands. His young bride has never let him even touch her since their marriage a year ago. No matter - he is determined to have a heir. He decides she will come to his bed and learn to like his touch. He WILL warm his cold frigid wife. After their joining however, he is quite discouraged. She apparently despises him. Imagine his surprise when he finds his wife emerging from her bath. Charles knows something is awry - Morrigan has not taken a full bath since their marriage. She is different somehow and although he is still angry over her distaste of him, he cannot seem to resist tormenting and teasing her. He is continually drawn to this oddly different Morrigan and is encouraged to proceed with her education despite her protestations. He can see the difference in her eyes - he senses she will now accept his advances. Elaine Metcliffe is a twentieth century gal, thirty-nine years of age, who is a computer analyst married to a really boring guy. They have been married for years and he has never been too interested in their love life and has no desire for children. One morning she awakens to find herself in another time and another body. Her body is no longer the slightly chubby body close to forty - it is a very young and slender body of a woman named Morrigan. An old hateful nag is apparently her maid - one who acts like a mad, religious zealot, constantly shouting about Morrigan's sins and her need for cleansing and forgiveness. Attempting to adjust to this highly distressing change of events, Elaine (Morrigan) asks to take a bath and all hell breaks loose. Insisting on a bath and then dressing in one of Morrigan's many beautiful gowns, gains the attention of everyone in the household. Morrigan has only worn one ill-fitting gray dress for the past year. She has never desired to wear any of the beautiful clothes her husband gifted her with as her trousseau upon their marriage. And certainly she has never taken a bath! Elaine is startled when she sees an extremely handsome and obviously very virile man standing in her room as she is finishing with her bath. Soon she discovers this is now her husband and he is very angry with her for some reason. So begins the sensual education of Morrigan (and actually Elaine as well since she is a sexually repressed twentieth century woman). Highly intrigued by her husband's lessons, she also feels unfaithful to her twentieth century husband. Charles, on the other hand, is alternately thrilled at his wife's apparent sexual awakening and angered by her denial of it. But he has become very determined in his quest and will brook no argument. This portion of the book, which is the majority of it, is overlaid with tenderness as Charles comes to appreciate and cherish his strange wife. This is what sets Awaken My Love apart. Although nothing is spoken of love early on, the leads' relationship develops slowly into one of trust and respect. It is that which drives the overall tone of the book. Yes, true to Robin Schone, the sensual scenes are just that - very sensual and numerous. They rate a 5.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for sensual rating guidelines). I can think of only one other book I have rated 5.0 in this matter. I had read in the reviews of Awaken My Love that it was not as sensual as Schone's other novels. Well, yes - it may not be as explicit as her other novels, but it is still highly sensual - make no mistake. It still rates far above the average romance novel in this aspect. Elaine is somewhat too meek in her role as Morrigan. Sometimes, I wanted to shout "Speak up Elaine!". Her inability or lack of willingness to stand up for herself was the only irritating thing about the story. Occasionally she would demand attention or her way but far too seldom. But this was not a story full of disagreements or misunderstandings. It is the story of a relationship, written in a definite spicy manner, but a precious one all the same. I am sure there is some hidden psychological yearning behind the heroine's age and it feeds well into a fantasy of once again living in a body eighteen years younger yet with the wisdom of a thirty-nine year old woman. It only adds to the overall charm of the book. I have read that this is an expensive book once you find it. It is well worth the effort to find it and only a few dollars more than you expect to pay for a used paperback. It is a definite keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Transmigration or Schizophrenia?
Review: I only wish I had the talent to have written this absorbing story. The author did indeed leave a number of questions hanging in the air, so to speak--including how the transmigration of souls happened, what happened ultimately to Morrigan, Charles' lack of interest in exploring how Elaine came to be his wife or why he tolerated the Boleighs and the disgusting Hattie in his house--but these details aside, Robin Schone spins a narrative that is gripping with mystery, fantasy, romance, and more explicit sex than seems to be the norm among this genre of writers. It is by no means pornographic but is not designed for those who don't want to peep behind the bedroom door. Don't blast Ms. Schone for those who do enjoy details, just don't read her books! This is an unforgettable book by a highly creative writer.
Rating: 
Summary: ok for a debut novel . .
Review: I read The Lady's Tutor by the same author before getting this novel and have to say that the writer has improved much with time. Awaken my Love is her debut novel and is a Time Travel / paranormal romance which showed a lot of promise in the beginning but left too many loose ends. Elaine, waking up in beautiful Morrigan's body, is way too intimidated by everyoe. Although the possibility of being committed to an insane asylum loomed large to influence her actions, she didn't show much spine for a large part of the novel. Charles at times seemed really attractive as a hero and at other times just too much like a nutcase himself . . . shooting between romancing his wife to insulting her! And did he ever figure out anything was wrong, considering that Elaine for a few pages was so very convinced that he did?? The erotica is good and this is what Schone is noted for in her later works. The humor is good but as a time travel it did fall a bit short. In that area it is still hats off to Karen Marie Moning but where it comes to her later erotic romances Schone leaves other authors behind in the dust!!
Rating: 
Summary: Wow! hot and romantic both!
Review: This was the first book I've read by Robin Schone and it won't be the last. I was unsure of what a erotic romance would be. I've read Connie Mason books that have gotten pretty steamy but I was un prepared for this book. Wow! was my first thought! The love scenes are explosive but I was also very please to see that this book had a real plot and tender romantic scenes as well. I enjoyed reading about the characters and found them to be very lifelike and humorous at times. The Story is a time travel out of body book. A modern woman named Elaine suddenly finds herself back in England in the 1880's in the body of a 21 year old named Morrigan. Morrigan has been married to Charles for a year and they just consumated the marriage right before Elaine shows up. Elaine is very disoriented and doesn't understand what has happened to her. Charles is very frustrated becaue the woman he though he had married seemed to have no interest in being married until a year later. Charles is determined to bring out Morrigan/Elaine's passions and sets about to teach her the pleasure that can be had between them. He must also deal with her very prudish family who shows up to take Morrigan back. Elaine soon finds herself falling in love with Charles and joyfully joining him in the pleasures of the marriage bed. I would recommend this to anyone who likes those steamy romances but also likes them to have strong characters and good plots.
Rating:
Summary: AWAKEN, MY LOVE
Review: In AWAKEN, MY LOVE, Robin Schone mixes fantasy and reality to create that erotic perfection of which most people only dream. Elaine Metcliff, a sexually unfulfilled modern-day woman, wakes up one morning in the 19th century and in the home and body of the very frigid Morrigan, Lady Arlcotte. To say that Elaine wakes up in a situation akin to a nightmare would be the ultimate understatement. Aunt Hattie, her main caretaker, is obnoxious in more ways than one. Her new "husband," Charles, appears to be displeased, though fascinated, with her. And her body now has a small deformity which is causing mobility problems. Meanwhile, Charles has been very dissatisfied with Morrigan's lack of sexual appetite. When he sees Elaine, she's in Morrigan's body, so he has no way of knowing she's a different person. Yet he detects something has changed and he begins an earnest pursuit. As Elaine keeps up the pretense because no one will believe the truth, she tries desparately to return to her "time." Then as the undeniable romantic persuasions of Charles continue, she feels to submit to him would be adulterous to both her real husband and to Charles' missing wife. Finally, as she accepts her situation and experiences Charles' expert lovemaking, she finds total fulfillment. In addition to the fantasy of "body swapping," AWAKEN, MY LOVE is made more complicated and interesting with issues of child abuse, demonic possession, insanity and overly zealous relatives. The conclusion alone is worth the 5-star rating. Ms. Schone mixes real romance with beautifully written eroticism. The book is well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Romance or Erotica? ....Neither
Review: This is the first Robin Schone book I've read, and although it was kind of well written. I wasn't interested in the characters all that much. The premise of the soul/body switch over time was what had drawn me to the book. But I was very disappointed in the characters. The heroine was just plain annoying, and the hero not much more. So much emphasis was placed on Elaine being the sex-starved and Morrigon the cold fish that it began to bore me to such a degree that I was skimming the entire book. The sex scenes probably would have been better if there had been more feeling instead all these references to some Kama Sutra like book. I suppose this was a Romance book trying to be an Erotica. But I believe it fell far short of either category it was trying to fulfill. I could never understand why Charles let that old hag stay at his home in the first place, and if Morrigon was as mad as a hatter from childhood abuse or inheritated traits why didn't Charles realize this before. The conclusion of the story was kind of hokey too. ... The book was horrible especially for its price. I would never recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Charles Was A Wonderful, Sexy, Adorable Hero!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It held my interest throughout.
I do wish Charles' friendship with Damon had developed better, however.
Elaine was better off in the 19th century, it seemed, as her present day life was going nowhere. But I do not believe she knew nothing of French kissing. Married 17 years to a prude still doesn't make it believable, and she must have had a boyfriend or two before that.
I found Charles' eventual acceptance of Elaine's true identity believable simply because he witnessed Morrigan's power.
I do think the author took the easy way out at the end there...when Charles was in conversation with Elaine/Morrigan, all of a sudden he never called her by name. I was curious as to how he would address her.
Overall, though, I really liked this book a lot! Charles was very handsome and appealing, and I thought his inebriated scene with Damon cute.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting...( 4 1/2 stars)
Review: Wow. What a book . I can safely say that this is unlike any other "timetravel" book that Ive gotten my hands on. I enjoyed it immensely. I will say that it could be a bit shocking in its explicitness...so, it may not be for everyone. Why not 5 stars? Well, I loved Elaine..and I found Charles to be fantastically sexy..I liked him even when I hated him. However, I wanted to get into his head a little more..I wanted him to soften up a bit sometimes. I will say though that I can understand his hesitancy to let his guard down due to some of his previous experiences with his wife. My only other quibble was that I felt there were a few things that were left without enough explanation, but I loved this book regardless and it has definitely made my keepers list.
Rating:
Summary: What if you woke up in another body and time!
Review: Elaine went to sleep in the 20th century in Chicago and woke up the next morning in another womans body in the 1880's English country side. She discovers very quickly that the womans body she occupies has a crazy scottish nurse giving her orders, an unbearably rude man as her husband, and a crippled but functional leg. The Plot wasn't perfect but worked. I had to remind myself this was her first book. You actually end up concentrating on the unusual relationship of Morrigan( the womans body elaine occupies ) and her husband Charles, Lord Alcotte. You find out that they have been married one year or so and have never consumated the marriage. So the book concentrates on Charles plan to seduce his wife Morrigan(Elaine) and Elaines(Morrigan) struggle to stay faithful to her 20th century husband. She fails by the way, no big secret this is an erotic novel. There is a mystery of how Elaine(Morrigan) came to 1880's England how to get back and where is Morrigan.Of course, like all of Robins books the real action and unraveling is in the last 4 to 5 chapters. This is a love story between Elain(Morrigan) and Charles and full of erotic sex as you should expect. I was disappointed because there are several things you never find out in the ending. Lots of loose ends. But if you are a devout follower of Robin Schone read this. I did enjoy it if I hadn't I would not of finnished it.
Rating:
Summary: More than erotic scenes
Review: This story is different from Robin's later stories in that it is about a woman's experience and her attempt to survive an confusing, hostile situation. Sex is not the central focus. I ended up enjoying the "time travel, other body" element of the story. Robin always draws her characters in vivid detail making them very real. We are able to get inside their skin and become them. On page 118 I stopped and said to myself, "no sex scenes yet, but I am fully envolved in this story. Yes, Charles is a true victorian man, king of the castle type. But, he is human, faithful, caring and that combo is part of what propells this story. Eliane is just the right mix of modern, intelligent, self confident and wanting to be loved woman. In fact, now that I think about it, these elements are what drives the story and makes it work. Charles and Elaine both want to be loved, want to have a intimate, personal relationship. The elements of evil and shattering life experiences that Morrigan suffered are very much a central part of this story. Although not center stage her presence is sucessfully woven into the story and necessary. The supporting characters are drawn with the same realistc detail. Following katie and Fitz through their affair was just as pleasing as watching Elaine and Charles and their rough path to love. I enjoyed hating Hattie and I cheered when Elaine won the cat fights with Hattie. I also enjoyed hating the Boleigh family. They were really awful people in their stupidity and "nose in the air" holyness. Give this story a try. Don't compare it with Robin's other tales. I am sure you will enjoy Robin's delightful story telling skills.
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