Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Candace Camp just gets better and better. Miranda is one of the best heroines I've met in ages. Smart, self-confident, knows what she wants and how to get it. It's lovely to watch Devin go from the dark hell of debauchery and enthalldom to a truly vicious mistress to the love and life that Miranda offers him. And how she gets him to that point is wonderful to watch.I really appreciated the fact that Miranda is not of the Too Stupid To Live variety. Or the fact that h/h didn't fight from page 1 till the next to the last page before they called it "love". Their fights were believeable and fun to watch. They progressed the story. And neither stood on their position till I wanted to slap them silly or throw the book against a wall. All in all, a very satisfying read. I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Candace Camp just gets better and better. Miranda is one of the best heroines I've met in ages. Smart, self-confident, knows what she wants and how to get it. It's lovely to watch Devin go from the dark hell of debauchery and enthalldom to a truly vicious mistress to the love and life that Miranda offers him. And how she gets him to that point is wonderful to watch. I really appreciated the fact that Miranda is not of the Too Stupid To Live variety. Or the fact that h/h didn't fight from page 1 till the next to the last page before they called it "love". Their fights were believeable and fun to watch. They progressed the story. And neither stood on their position till I wanted to slap them silly or throw the book against a wall. All in all, a very satisfying read. I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Candace, for a wonderful and heartwarming book!
Review: Devin has to marry a rich heiress to stay out of debtor's prison. His only option seems to be Miranda, whose father is very eager to see the match for reasons of his own. Devin refuses to marry Miranda. Miranda refuses to marry Devin. That should settle the matter . . . or does it? There are so many things I loved about "So Wild a Heart". I loved both Miranda and Devin, the h/h in this book. Seldom have I fallen so hard for both h/h, and seldom have I seen a more well-matched pair. First, of course, there is Miranda. Unlike other novels, where the heroine is considered "spunky" if she talks nastily and snipes at everyone - not to mention things being thrown here and there - in this book Miranda is simply goal-oriented - she knows what she wants, and she plans how to get it - all while being quite nice and polite, if a bit plain-spoken. Miranda is my heroine through and through. I also like that her personality is not contrived - Ms. Camp does not simply take a modern woman and transplant her in olde England - rather, there is a realistic explanation for Miranda's personality. First, she is an American - and she does indeed talk in the English perception of Americans of the time - plus, since she was always wealthy, and her father's right-hand man (or is it woman?) in business, she WOULD be somewhat more plain spoken and confident than the average English miss. Second, there is Devin. Although the opening scenes with Devin start off rather rotten, actually, and I almost hated him, the books goes steadily upwards from there, making Devin a more and more likeable hero the further we read. Devin is actually a very credible "rake" who is really "good" underneath - Candace Camp describes Devin in a way that reminds me of many men like him that I know - men (rather boys) who are simply lost and unhappy, but decent, really, underneath. And Devin is VERY decent underneath. By the end of the book, I actually felt that Devin was really too good to be true! Third, there is the plot. There are so many twists and turns that this is a book that is hard to put down. I have to admit, there are parts to the plot that do suspend credibility - but this is a made-up story after all, it's all alot of fun, and besides - look, it COULD have happened! And it sure was interesting reading! This book is a lot of fun in other ways too - the dialogue is snappy and witty, there are some really funny scenes (as in hold-your-breath-then-laugh) and the characters are VERY likeable and well drawn. It is so refreshing to see such mature, likeable characters, so different from almost all other romance novels I have read. And then there is Leona. The bad, evil woman. This is such an old fashioned concept - the concept of the bad woman leading the guy astray - and a very rare concept in today's novels. (This reminds me of Jezebel and Ahab of the Bible - perhaps the original source for this concept). In this case, this being a romance novel, it is goodness that ultimately triumphs. Old fashioned - yet, an unusual story-line. One small problem, however, which would make me give this book four and a half stars if I could - this book is not as well written as I would like. I suspect that the cause is sloppy editing, yet it grated slightly. I am definitely not the world's leading expert on grammar - so if I feel that the sentence would have been better off a little differently . . . but I am sure that this was an editing mistake. Second problem I have . . . I simply cannot believe that a girl like Miranda would be so aware of the concepts of married love. I don't want to give away the storyline - but somewhere in middle of the novel, she says to herself - I don't want to get involved physically because then I will be more involved emotionally. And in general, her whole plan . . . it's hard to imagine a virgin in that day and age - where these concepts were not discussed publicly - would have such an awareness of herself, and of the married state, in general. So that part of the novel is not totally realistic. However, it does make a really good story, and it especially makes Miranda into a WONDERFUL heroine! Isn't Miranda the woman we all secretly wish we were? So, even though, even though . . . I LOVED it! I loved this book! I have to thank Amazon reviewers for pointing this book out to me, and I am sure to buy more of Candace Camp in the future!
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Candace, for a wonderful and heartwarming book!
Review: Devin has to marry a rich heiress to stay out of debtor's prison. His only option seems to be Miranda, whose father is very eager to see the match for reasons of his own. Devin refuses to marry Miranda. Miranda refuses to marry Devin. That should settle the matter . . . or does it? There are so many things I loved about "So Wild a Heart". I loved both Miranda and Devin, the h/h in this book. Seldom have I fallen so hard for both h/h, and seldom have I seen a more well-matched pair. First, of course, there is Miranda. Unlike other novels, where the heroine is considered "spunky" if she talks nastily and snipes at everyone - not to mention things being thrown here and there - in this book Miranda is simply goal-oriented - she knows what she wants, and she plans how to get it - all while being quite nice and polite, if a bit plain-spoken. Miranda is my heroine through and through. I also like that her personality is not contrived - Ms. Camp does not simply take a modern woman and transplant her in olde England - rather, there is a realistic explanation for Miranda's personality. First, she is an American - and she does indeed talk in the English perception of Americans of the time - plus, since she was always wealthy, and her father's right-hand man (or is it woman?) in business, she WOULD be somewhat more plain spoken and confident than the average English miss. Second, there is Devin. Although the opening scenes with Devin start off rather rotten, actually, and I almost hated him, the books goes steadily upwards from there, making Devin a more and more likeable hero the further we read. Devin is actually a very credible "rake" who is really "good" underneath - Candace Camp describes Devin in a way that reminds me of many men like him that I know - men (rather boys) who are simply lost and unhappy, but decent, really, underneath. And Devin is VERY decent underneath. By the end of the book, I actually felt that Devin was really too good to be true! Third, there is the plot. There are so many twists and turns that this is a book that is hard to put down. I have to admit, there are parts to the plot that do suspend credibility - but this is a made-up story after all, it's all alot of fun, and besides - look, it COULD have happened! And it sure was interesting reading! This book is a lot of fun in other ways too - the dialogue is snappy and witty, there are some really funny scenes (as in hold-your-breath-then-laugh) and the characters are VERY likeable and well drawn. It is so refreshing to see such mature, likeable characters, so different from almost all other romance novels I have read. And then there is Leona. The bad, evil woman. This is such an old fashioned concept - the concept of the bad woman leading the guy astray - and a very rare concept in today's novels. (This reminds me of Jezebel and Ahab of the Bible - perhaps the original source for this concept). In this case, this being a romance novel, it is goodness that ultimately triumphs. Old fashioned - yet, an unusual story-line. One small problem, however, which would make me give this book four and a half stars if I could - this book is not as well written as I would like. I suspect that the cause is sloppy editing, yet it grated slightly. I am definitely not the world's leading expert on grammar - so if I feel that the sentence would have been better off a little differently . . . but I am sure that this was an editing mistake. Second problem I have . . . I simply cannot believe that a girl like Miranda would be so aware of the concepts of married love. I don't want to give away the storyline - but somewhere in middle of the novel, she says to herself - I don't want to get involved physically because then I will be more involved emotionally. And in general, her whole plan . . . it's hard to imagine a virgin in that day and age - where these concepts were not discussed publicly - would have such an awareness of herself, and of the married state, in general. So that part of the novel is not totally realistic. However, it does make a really good story, and it especially makes Miranda into a WONDERFUL heroine! Isn't Miranda the woman we all secretly wish we were? So, even though, even though . . . I LOVED it! I loved this book! I have to thank Amazon reviewers for pointing this book out to me, and I am sure to buy more of Candace Camp in the future!
Rating:
Summary: 4 & 1/2 stars; a wonderful novel
Review: Devin starts out very unlikeable, but gradually improves as Miranda's influence waxes and the-mistress-from-hell's influence wanes. Eveutally, the reader sees Devin as a lost, hurt boy who grew to hide his pain, loneliness, and feelings of worthlessness behind outrageous and debauched behavior. Miranda doesn't like him much either until she catches a glimpse of the gentle, idealistic soul he's tried to hide.
Miranda is a near-perfect heroine: strong, determined, capable, kind, generous. Once she decides she wants Devin, she gathers all the information, devises a plan, and sets out to win him (and vanquish his mistress). Miranda will settle for nothing less than a real marriage based on love; in the process, she frees Devin from both his mistress and the ghosts of the past.
Having Miranda snare Devin was a delightful twist. Her character is believeable with appropriate background to make her the capable woman that she is. Devin's transformation is slow and thoroughly convincing. The mystery surrounding the "accidents" and the attacks on Devin is generally well done; the rationale for the former is excellent, but not so good for the latter. The twist at the end is necessary for Devin's emotional freedom, but feels somewhat contrived. That and my uncertainty that evil mistress Leona is truly vanquished (seemed too easy) are the reasons for deducting 1/2 a star.
The first in a fine series.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT NOVEL W/ a few flaws
Review: Devin was so gross initially that I thought I'd have to put the book down. I didn't think I'd like the book because I really hated the "hero" and his mistress. However, once Devin gets away from his mistress we begin to see a change. He even notices a difference in himself. About halfway through the book he is likeable. Thank goodness! Miranda is absolutely wonderful! I can't recall ever reading about a heroine as strong, bold and confident as Miranda. She keeps the reader interested. Overall, this is a humorous book w/ a pretty good storyline. I hate the "coincidence" and connection of some of the characters in the end--it was just entirely too far fetched in my opinion. BUT, this is a good read that I'd suggest other give a chance.
Rating:
Summary: So Wild A Heart
Review: I absolutely loved this book, it took me back in time and kept me there. I can't wait to read the other two. I have book #3 Secrets of the Heart, but can't seem to find the title for book #2.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: i loved this book it was funny, miranda was so fiesty i loved it alot, it had it's turns and twists not in the usual way but it was intresting this was my first book by Candace camp and i think i would like to read alot more of them. the fact that miranda fell in love with devin and din't make a fool herself was a major plus, this is a good read
Rating:
Summary: Very refreshing!!
Review: I so enjoyed this book! It was so refreshing to see a strong, intelligent, rational heroine who saw what she wanted (the Earl of Ravenscar) and fearlessly went after him! I also loved the fact that the typical romance "tables" were turned--Miranda manipulated Devin so masterfully. So often in historical romances the heroines, while described as strong, still spend an inordinate amount of time with helpless handwringing while the hero stays calm and collected, and controls the pace of the relationship. It was nice to see the female take charge, with the male dancing a merry tune!! But Miranda wasn't mean-spirited about it--she just understood what it would take to bring Devin "up to scratch." The writing was crisp, the plot was enjoyable and believable. I thought the plot twist at the end was very nicely done. I also liked the fact that the hero and heroine didn't waste their time hating each other--which is the normal romance novel plot device. Although Miranda and Devin got off to a rocky start, they quickly decided to behave like adults. That made it much more believable to see their relationship blossom into a genuine friendship, and then love. Devin's character development was paced well, so that his conversion to a decent, responsible human being was believable. Kudos to Candace!!
Rating:
Summary: Very refreshing!!
Review: I so enjoyed this book! It was so refreshing to see a strong, intelligent, rational heroine who saw what she wanted (the Earl of Ravenscar) and fearlessly went after him! I also loved the fact that the typical romance "tables" were turned--Miranda manipulated Devin so masterfully. So often in historical romances the heroines, while described as strong, still spend an inordinate amount of time with helpless handwringing while the hero stays calm and collected, and controls the pace of the relationship. It was nice to see the female take charge, with the male dancing a merry tune!! But Miranda wasn't mean-spirited about it--she just understood what it would take to bring Devin "up to scratch." The writing was crisp, the plot was enjoyable and believable. I thought the plot twist at the end was very nicely done. I also liked the fact that the hero and heroine didn't waste their time hating each other--which is the normal romance novel plot device. Although Miranda and Devin got off to a rocky start, they quickly decided to behave like adults. That made it much more believable to see their relationship blossom into a genuine friendship, and then love. Devin's character development was paced well, so that his conversion to a decent, responsible human being was believable. Kudos to Candace!!
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