Rating: 
Summary: A book you would thank your friends for recommending-I did!
Review: Chapter 1 is not the most spellbinding chapter, but it is needed background information. From page 25 on this is a book it is truly hard to put down -- you find yourself reading "just one more chapter" late into the night. This is the first book I've read by this author, but I will definitely read anything else she has written!
Rating: 
Summary: An very enjoyable read, but earlier works were better
Review: I agree with bits and pieces of other reviewers. Katherine Kingsley is to be commended for her strong spiritual undertones, but her earlier works (No Greater Love/No Sweeter Heaven/No Brigher Dream) were superior to the Sound of Snow in spirituality. The characters of Guy and Joanna were drawn well in the beginning, but turned to mush later and were almost caricatures. Although I liked the gradual return of Milo from his withdrawal, his character and conversation were much too mature for a five-year-old. I liked the way the author handled the minor characters (Bunch, servants, and friends of Guy). The ending was very convenient, but not plausible (couldn't get away with that today!) Also, because this seemed to be a "sweeter" story, the pre-marital sex and the way it came about didn't seem to work for me in this case. Despite these negatives, I did really enjoy the book, and appreciate the way the author does seem to write uplifting love stories, and I hope she keeps writing them. Maybe 4 1/2 stars would be a better evaluation.
Rating:
Summary: An very enjoyable read, but earlier works were better
Review: I agree with bits and pieces of other reviewers. Katherine Kingsley is to be commended for her strong spiritual undertones, but her earlier works (No Greater Love/No Sweeter Heaven/No Brigher Dream) were superior to the Sound of Snow in spirituality. The characters of Guy and Joanna were drawn well in the beginning, but turned to mush later and were almost caricatures. Although I liked the gradual return of Milo from his withdrawal, his character and conversation were much too mature for a five-year-old. I liked the way the author handled the minor characters (Bunch, servants, and friends of Guy). The ending was very convenient, but not plausible (couldn't get away with that today!) Also, because this seemed to be a "sweeter" story, the pre-marital sex and the way it came about didn't seem to work for me in this case. Despite these negatives, I did really enjoy the book, and appreciate the way the author does seem to write uplifting love stories, and I hope she keeps writing them. Maybe 4 1/2 stars would be a better evaluation.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible
Review: I couldn't even finish this book. The characters wereridiculous; any characterization that was done was apparently doneonly to allow the characters to fight more. The dialogue was atrocious, and I'm not sure the book's editor even read it. For example, after the main characters first meet, they fight for what could take, in the real world, five minutes, until the heroine (I use the term loosely) storms out. The hero then states that for the TWENTY minutes she was in the room, he was enthralled. Very poorly done.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely Story
Review: I didn't expect to like it as much as I did but I am glad that I picked it up. It is not only an emotional story but a funny one too. I recommend to anyone who wants to curl up with a good book to give this one a try. One of the better ones I've read so far this year.
Rating: 
Summary: Touchy but poor characters
Review: I do agree that this book gives my hearts a tug. The conversation and plot are very interesting and sensitive. I give it a 3 star because I think the way Ms. Kingsley present her characters or heroes are a little out of line. For instance I found Joanna's personality very confusing. She is supposed to be a sensitive and bright woman. But, a sensitive and bright and inteligent woman won't usually gigles and cry at the same time. Guy too, isn't he supposed to be a steady man with a strong character?? How come he seems to be wanting to cry all the time (comeon.. he can't be a hero and be tooooooo weak at the same time). As his son,,,, it is hardly possible for a depressed child to recover so quickly.... and ohhh so frustrating to read about how he converse with his father.. far-far too mature for a 5 year old (impossible!!!)
The story gets no where by the time I read the half of it. The plot starts jumping from one scene to another, from riding the horse, a go-no-where conversation to joanna's sickness and she didn't sound so sick when she giggles and suddenly wanting to cry(????).CONFUSING. This similiar pattern happend at the beggining as well. I hardly felt for Guy when Ms. Kingsley drives him away from joanna's world to a 2 months trips that do not fill with anything... really.. I am dissapointed by this confusion. I love the story until I found too much of impossibility on the telling. You can do better...have more balance...
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: I have enjoyed books by Katherine Kingsley before, but I had a hard time finishing this one. Joanna leaves England in disgrace after a nobleman is found in her bed and she denies that he was there at her request. And, of course, she refuses to be forced into a marriage she does not want. So her evil aunt and uncle, who have housed her since her parents died, disown her and Joanna moves to Italy. She returns years later when her beloved cousin dies and she has to save her nephew from his evil father - our hero, Guy. The two characters start out as strong, opinionated and somewhat witty. As soon as they start to fall in love, they lose all character. All the dialogue is 'I love you always', 'You are my heart', 'I'll always keep you safe in my heart' and similar mush. I love romance as much as anyone but its nice to have a little real dialogue in there, too. And they both cried a lot - it was like love had stolen each of their minds. And the villain of the book (I won't tell you who it is) is just totally unbelievable and comes in and out of the story much too conveniently - I realize its a work of fiction but it isn't science fiction. I'd still recommend Ms. Kinsley's earlier books, but I have to hope everyone will avoid this one!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I read all of Katherine Kingsley's books and this one did not dissappoint! I couldn't put the book down and finished it that night. Ms Kingsley puts a lot of focus on making sure her characters are original and Guy and Joanna are that. The story is fantastic and you get involved right away. Her sub charcters are also crucial to the story especially Miles (Milo), Guy's 5 year old son. The book has the crucial romance criteria which to me is both laughter and tears. A definite must have!!!
Rating:
Summary: Better than 5 stars
Review: I was intrigued by the title and fell in love with the book and characters from page one.
Rating:
Summary: Overly dramatic!!
Review: If you like weepy, beleaguered heroines, brooding, nasty (at least at first) leading men and overly dramatic writing, this is the book for you. The writing reminds me of the 70's serial romance genre where the hero treats the heroine poorly and she's so pure and good she turns him around by the end. The turn-around happens near the middle of this book, however, the point remains: a hero who is mean and rude to the heroine from the onset, even if seemingly justified, is flawed throughout. I believe the dialogue needs to be clever to convey the animosity while keeping that layer of civility. Several authors achieve this wonderfully but since it was not acheived in this novel, I never warmed up to the hero....(or the heroine, for that matter because she was so darn weepy). I believe modern romance readers prefer heros and heroines with strong characters and witty dialog....this book falls short on both accounts.
|
