Rating: 
Summary: Clever book
Review: This book is clever. It appeals to people with a sense of adventure and those who like strong women. I have given this book as a present to more than one friend.
Rating: 
Summary: Widow's Kiss
Review: This is the first of Jane Feather's novels to read- but I will definitely pick up some more. I loved this one and read it in 2 settings. I was actually a little hesitant of reading it because I have already read several books set during the 1500's in England and am starting to get a little tired of them. But this one was just different. It held my interest from the very beginning to end. It was fast paced and I was able to feel what the characters were feeling. I enjoyed all of them- even the annoying Pippa, the 4 or 5 year old who ran her mouth continually. One of my daughters was like that at that age. The love scenes were testfully done and did not get out of hand. It was more realistic than some, too. I was glad they did not jump into the bed right off- and he wasn't demanding of it. It was just a great book. I am getting it for my library and will recommend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: One I couldn't put down!
Review: This is the first of Jane Feather's novels to read- but I will definitely pick up some more. I loved this one and read it in 2 settings. I was actually a little hesitant of reading it because I have already read several books set during the 1500's in England and am starting to get a little tired of them. But this one was just different. It held my interest from the very beginning to end. It was fast paced and I was able to feel what the characters were feeling. I enjoyed all of them- even the annoying Pippa, the 4 or 5 year old who ran her mouth continually. One of my daughters was like that at that age. The love scenes were testfully done and did not get out of hand. It was more realistic than some, too. I was glad they did not jump into the bed right off- and he wasn't demanding of it. It was just a great book. I am getting it for my library and will recommend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: A lovely historical that's fresh and engrossing!
Review: This was the first book of Jane Feather's that I have read and I have to say that I was very impressed. Ms. Feather's work is absolutely amazing... the very first chapter of _The Widow's Kiss_ pulled me right in and gave me a very entertaining read. Although it is not as strong in romance as some would like, I hardly noticed it. Ms. Feather's writing is first rate- her characters come alive along with the settings that they are placed in. She is a superb mystery/suspense writer and _The Widow's Kiss_ proves that she could make a living with her writing outside the romance genre. The research that went into making _The Widow's Kiss_ accurate is evident and makes the book all the more enjoyable. Guinevere was truly an amazing heroine that endears herself to you right away. You sympathize with her struggles for justice and I could not help but fall in love with her daughters. Although Hugh is a little rough around the edges when he is first introduced he redeemed himself latter on. The plot in _The Widow's Kiss_ is highly origional and very engrossing. I had this book with me when I had a three hour airplane layover in Hawaii and was dressed in heavy clothing without shorts and a tank top to change into. Reading Ms. Feather's work and losing myself in her tale was the only thing that kept me sane. I was sad to let this book go when I was finished and I can assure you that I will be searching out her work in the future. For those of you who think that mideval romances are too complicated to get into, I would suggest this book to you. It is a good intorduction to this sub genre of romance and will get you hooked. Bravo, Ms. Feather! _The Widow's Kiss_ is an amazing piece of literature and a must read to anyone out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Not your typical historical romance
Review: While this story was entertaining, it was not what I was expecting when I picked up what I thought was a typical historical romance. When the two love interests in this story first meet, they don't particularly care for each other. Yes, there's a physical attraction, but that's about all. Hugh was sent by the King to investigate the deaths of Lady Guinevere's four husbands, and Lady Guinevere's suspects he came to her land expecting to find her guilty no matter the truth, and to steal her land from her. After their meeting, Hugh starts his investigation and the storyline follows the investigation. As events unfold, Hugh comes to respect Lady Guinevere's mind. She's not the typical woman of those times - she's strong willed, very smart, and quite capable of taking care of herself. She finds him appealing but she knows she cannot trust him if she is to protect herself and her children. Lady Guinevere is quite likeable. It's easy to respect her intelligence and ability to do what women of those times usually did not do -- protect their financial interests. Hugh on the other hand, is a difficult character to like. He's suspicious of everything, which in truth, is understandable since four of her husbands all did die untimely deaths. But his unyielding personality makes it difficult for Lady Guinevere to get through to him, and makes him a little hard to like. However, he does have his good points -- he has a weak spot for children which shows in his interaction with Lady Guinevere's children. What follows is a story that provides a picture of the life and times of the 1500's. It's not a very happy picture. The book follows the characters' daily lives, but under the pall of the investigation, their lives aren't very gay and carefree. Despite the attraction between Hugh and Lady Guinevere, this book really doesn't seem to be an historical romance. It reads more like an historical story that has a bit of mystery and intrigue and romance wrapped up in it. I expected the typical fireworks and cat and mouse game between lovers found in "typical" historical romances, but I did not get that here. The book was nonetheless enjoyable, but definitely different. Yes, there are parts of the story that will pull at your heart strings and have you feeling strongly for one person or another, but don't expect to swoon and be enveloped in a lively romance like those found in a vintage Woodiwiss or Lindsey novel. It's not that type of romance story. But if you prefer more history than romance, and you like a little mystery and intrigue thrown in, you'll find this book quite enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical historical romance
Review: While this story was entertaining, it was not what I was expecting when I picked up what I thought was a typical historical romance. When the two love interests in this story first meet, they don't particularly care for each other. Yes, there's a physical attraction, but that's about all. Hugh was sent by the King to investigate the deaths of Lady Guinevere's four husbands, and Lady Guinevere's suspects he came to her land expecting to find her guilty no matter the truth, and to steal her land from her. After their meeting, Hugh starts his investigation and the storyline follows the investigation. As events unfold, Hugh comes to respect Lady Guinevere's mind. She's not the typical woman of those times - she's strong willed, very smart, and quite capable of taking care of herself. She finds him appealing but she knows she cannot trust him if she is to protect herself and her children. Lady Guinevere is quite likeable. It's easy to respect her intelligence and ability to do what women of those times usually did not do -- protect their financial interests. Hugh on the other hand, is a difficult character to like. He's suspicious of everything, which in truth, is understandable since four of her husbands all did die untimely deaths. But his unyielding personality makes it difficult for Lady Guinevere to get through to him, and makes him a little hard to like. However, he does have his good points -- he has a weak spot for children which shows in his interaction with Lady Guinevere's children. What follows is a story that provides a picture of the life and times of the 1500's. It's not a very happy picture. The book follows the characters' daily lives, but under the pall of the investigation, their lives aren't very gay and carefree. Despite the attraction between Hugh and Lady Guinevere, this book really doesn't seem to be an historical romance. It reads more like an historical story that has a bit of mystery and intrigue and romance wrapped up in it. I expected the typical fireworks and cat and mouse game between lovers found in "typical" historical romances, but I did not get that here. The book was nonetheless enjoyable, but definitely different. Yes, there are parts of the story that will pull at your heart strings and have you feeling strongly for one person or another, but don't expect to swoon and be enveloped in a lively romance like those found in a vintage Woodiwiss or Lindsey novel. It's not that type of romance story. But if you prefer more history than romance, and you like a little mystery and intrigue thrown in, you'll find this book quite enjoyable.
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