The Australian

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite Diana Palmer books.
Review: Diana Palmer has written only a few times for the special edition line, but THE AUSTRALIAN is one of my all-time favorite romance novels. This book takes place both in Hawaii, where the heroine goes to college, and in Australia. Ms. Palmer gives us just the right amount of Australian history and culture to be interesting without dragging the book down. It is hard for me to pinpoint why I enjoy this book so much because there are many reasons. I love the hero. He is strong, honorable, and, most importantly, in love. I say this because sometimes I find the heroes love unconvincing. And, although the heroine is young, her pain at their initial parting is acute and believable. The hero's financial problems keep the two apart and also give the heroine a chance to grow while away at college. I think I'm a sucker for love that lasts over years even when the couple isn't together. This makes the happy ending all the sweeter to me.

Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time favorites!
Review: I just re-read this for the first time in several years, and I like it even more than I remembered. This is a real "true love waits" story, because against all odds John and Priss never give themselves to anyone else despite thinking that their love is over. Both knew that they would never feel that way about anyone else, and while that may not be realistic in the real world, this is a romance novel - it's supposed to be a fantasy of the perfect love. I love how John woos her the second time around, instead of taking advantage of her physical desire for him. That he wants them to get to know each other as true friends is just so sweet. It makes me want an Australian of my own!

Rating:
Summary: Okay
Review: When I first started reading it I thought it was pretty good, but then I just wanted to give John Sterling a good swift kick in the butt... and Priscilla Johnson too for putting up with him. The biggest problem with DP books: the men always seem to treat the women terribly and the women take it... when they should get a little pride and self-respect and deck him or leave him. I guess there wouldn't be a story if there wasn't angst, but four or five years of it? All because a stupid man couldn't admit he was bankrupt? He treats her badly and then SHE feels guilty?!

It was totally unbelieveable that neither one of them met or got involved with anyone else in all that time. And why do all the women remain virgins just waiting for the man of their dreams (who's been around the block more than a few times) to notice them? Somewhere along the line wouldn't she be the slightest bit attracted to another man? Preferably one who treated her better...

If you like Diana Palmer books read it, but they're all beginning to sound alike to me. That said, I love Diana Palmer books and have read every one I've gotten my hands on... but that doesn't mean I don't have complaints about them. Just once I'd like to read one that didn't have a domineering, prideful, chauvinistic pig rescuing(?) a simple-minded, long-suffering, virginal idiot.