The Proposition

Rating:
Summary: Long, slow buildup
Review: I really enjoyed Judith Ivory's sense of humor and warmth. She's created in Mick, our hero, the kind of guy you could keep around for a while. Real warmth, humor, and generosity are the foundations of his character. Her heroine is charming and intelligent, and somewhat of an ugly duckling. This book has the longest buildup to a defloweration scene that I've ever seen - and it's all worth it! My only disappointment was the slightly too pat nature of the ending. However, in context in the romance novel world, this is a strikingly original piece of work and is truly just fun to read. Oh, and sexy!

Rating:
Summary: Too much "suspension of disbelief" necessary
Review: One star is off for the degree of "suspension of disbelief necessary" to enjoy the story. Still, characters are interesting and Mick is devine. Also, I was not impressed that Evil Relative dies happy.

Rating:
Summary: Story was okay - a little slow.
Review: Mick and Edwina as 'my fair lady' in this case the lady is a 'gentleman'. Very unique? I don't know why but I didn't latch on to the story as I expected since it was so loved by all other reviewers. I agree that it is a refreshing change to see a hero not as dark, mean, rough person. Mick was a gentle person with a loving attitude. However, perhaps I have a problem with his profession as a ratcatcher that I just didn't fall in love with him. Edwina's is a strong and intelligent heroine, but her lack of self-esteem on her appearance bothered me. The book started well enough, however, I found the middle section to be slow. The roles of the twin brothers were not well-defined and could have been more interesting. The revelation at the end of the book did not transition the characters well at all. I like the way Ms. Ivory wrote so I am going to try reading 'sleeping beauty' next to see if it was just the characters I didn't like in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Mick is one of my favorite heroes in romantic fiction.
Review: He is quite rare in the romance genre. He is generous, kind, confident, "devastatingly handsome", and proud. FINALLY! I hero who isn't arrogant to the point of being cruel and obnoxious. A non-tortured hero who is every bit as enthralling and interesting as the misunderstood and very tortured heroes of most romantic fiction. Mick is (gasp!) a nice man. But make no mistakes, ladies (and gents): He is most definitely NOT a wimp. He is as manly a man as they come. He just happens to be kind as well. He is quite yummy. As if that weren't enough, the story is irresistible. This book is one of my very favorites. Thanks, Judith Ivory!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent work!
Review: If this book does not do for you what it did for me, try another one of Judith Ivory, or Cuevas's books. Her wonderful imagination lets me escape with her to great places. The Proposition is a modern day My Fair Lady, with the gender roles flipped. I gave this book to my husband to read (he would kill me if he knew i wrote this), he as well loved this book, and finished it one almost one reading. Keep up the wonderful work Ms. Ivory. I love her characters, and settings. Ivory is just a great author.

Rating:
Summary: Opposites Attract
Review: What characters could be more diverse than Edwina Bollash, a prim, impoverished spinster linguist and Mick, the handsome Cockney ratcatcher? Set in Victorian London, this romance is a retelling of old tales, a mixture of "Cinderella" and "Pygmalion." Winnie, who has been disinherited by her Scrooge-like cousin, takes on a bet to transform Mick into a perfect British peer in six weeks time. While trying to concentrate on rounding his vowels and sprucing up his appearance, she becomes increasingly aware of his fun-loving personality and his impressive physique. Mick sees a selfconcious innocent, who is unaware of her physical beauty. Sexual tension crackles page after page as the protagionists are attracted like magnets to each other. Ms. Ivory has written a beautiful story, one even better then her previous works, "Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty." I loved this book! I cared about the characters and loved them at the end as much as they loved each other. They were meant to be together; they complemented and completed each other. Brava, Ms. Ivory! I'll wait impatiently for your next Victorian fairytale!

Rating:
Summary: Should Get SIX Stars!
Review: I am an avid Historical Romance reader and read about 4 books a week ... this one ranks at the top. Mick is the honest, outspoken, loveable character, while Winnie is NOT the perfect female. It's about time someone wrote about a woman who wasn't perfect in every way! The ending was unexpected. I kept trying to figure out where it was going and it surprised me! If you love a story with a plot that is still steamy and sensuous, you'll LOVE this one!

Rating:
Summary: Breath-taking
Review: The Proposition was my first Judith Ivory book and it completely swept me off my feet. I couldn't put it down. Usually, I'm a very persnickety, nitpicky, sniping reader (I confess), but this author is so, well, so mesmerizing a storyteller that I didn't have time to slip into my usual petty, sniping routine. I loved the characters and the message that we are (like Elisa in Pygmalion) all capable of more, of realizing our full potiential, if we are only willing to try. Never would I have imagined that a rat catcher could be so charming. However, the emotion, the sexual tension, became so intense at times, that I felt I would suffocate. But, oh! What a way to die!

Rating:
Summary: Delightful and sensual
Review: Judith Ivory is one of the few authors who has yet to disappoint. Again, she takes a well-known story and updates it to a more contemporary time period. This book, which takes place in Victorian England when grammophones and electricity were starting to make their appearance, has its roots in Pygmalion. The hero, Mick, and the heroine, Winnie, are two of the most delightful H/H I have encountered in romantic literature. He's the gorgeous, cockney ratcatcher completely besotted with Winnie who views herself as plain and even unattractive. Every bad quality she sees in herself; Mick sees as one more reason he just has to have her. The story, while an old tale that is retold, felt very fresh to me and I never pulled for two people to find a way to make it work than I did for Winnie and Mick. How Ms. Ivory made it work was somewhat disappointing. Perhaps a little more time invested at the end of the book to make it work would have helped. At any rate, I loved this story enough to overlook a somewhat weak ending.

Rating:
Summary: NAMED TO RWA'S TOP TEN FAVORITE BOOKS OF 1999!
Review: I am proud to say that Romance Writers of America, a writers' organization of more than 8,200 writers, has just named THE PROPOSITION to their list of their Top Tep Favorite Books of 1999! It's #6 on their list! Much smiling here.