Rating: 
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: "Night of Fire" by Barbara Samuel is one of the most original books that I have read this year. It tells the story of two wounded people who are able to almost miraculously find and heal each other. It's a moving, beautiful story about three people, however, (yes I said three) trapped by circumstance into an almost unbearable situation. The only problem with this book is its construction, the first half of the book could easily stand on its own with only a few minor alterations in plot device, and the second half of the book is slow moving but still moving. :) I bought the book before I read a review of it and I probably would not have bought it book if I had read the review first. The review basically said that the first half of the book was great and the second half was not so great. While I agree with that statement after reading it I can say that despite the problems with construction its a good read and Barbara Samuel is an author worth watching. She has fresh ideas, a poetic turn of phrase and is a lot of fun to read. She just needs a little more time to settle into her stride I think.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful stoy and writing
Review: After exchanging letters for two years on various subjects such as the work of Boccaccio, Basilio Montevarchi invites Cassandra St. Ives to visit him in Italy. Both think the other is much older than they really are and are delightfully surprised by their mistake. They are immediately attracted to one another, but he acts honorably because he is betrothed to Analise diCanio, an engagement arranged by their parents. However, unable to deny his love for Cassandra, Basilio sends letters to his father and Analise announcing the end of his engagement before finally making love with Cassandra. However, he is forced to stick with his commitment to Analise. Basilio marries her while a sad Cassandra returns to her home in England. Basilio and his wife travel to England where he realizes he still loves Cassandra, but knows they have no future together. Award winning author Barbara Samuels writes a powerful historical love story that emphasizes romance. The entertaining Georgian romance stars three honorable individuals struggling with commitments and honor. The heart of NIGHT OF FIRE is the romance that leaves the audience wanting more from this multiple RITA winning writer. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Moving drama, irresistible romance....
Review: Barbara Samuel writes a rich, evocative romance with a fascinating historical setting. The letters between the heroine and hero are sensitive and real. A fabulous book, not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Finally, after reading through an ocean of 2- & 3-star crapola, I've found an author who combines romance with sensuality. This one is a keeper, absolutely. Beautiful plot & believable characters you can care about! It's like a miracle. Thanks, Barbara Samuel!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Finally, after reading through an ocean of 2- & 3-star crapola, I've found an author who combines romance with sensuality. This one is a keeper, absolutely. Beautiful plot & believable characters you can care about! It's like a miracle. Thanks, Barbara Samuel!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Finally, after reading through an ocean of 2- & 3-star crapola, I've found an author who combines romance with sensuality. This one is a keeper, absolutely. Beautiful plot & believable characters you can care about! It's like a miracle. Thanks, Barbara Samuel!
Rating:
Summary: SMOLDERING, WONDERFUL ROMANCE!
Review: I feel like I've been thru an emotional wringer. The writing is beautiful, the story incredibly romantic and the whole relationship between Basilio and Cassandra simmers with sensuality. This was a very special treat. I can't wait to read the rest of Barbara Samuels or Ruth Wind - whatever name she wants to write under is a special gift for the reader. Thank you Barbara!
Rating:
Summary: SMOLDERING, WONDERFUL ROMANCE!
Review: I feel like I've been thru an emotional wringer. The writing is beautiful, the story incredibly romantic and the whole relationship between Basilio and Cassandra simmers with sensuality. This was a very special treat. I can't wait to read the rest of Barbara Samuels or Ruth Wind - whatever name she wants to write under is a special gift for the reader. Thank you Barbara!
Rating: 
Summary: Good characters worthy of a better book
Review: I feel that I should have liked this book a lot more than I did. Indeed, I liked the first half a lot, but became disenchanted with the role they played in the book as it went on. Lady Cassandra St. Ives and Count Basilio Montevarchi have become pen pals of sorts after the Italian count read one of her essays. He invites her to his villa, believing her older than she is, and is immediately attracted to this young woman who seems to understand his poet's soul. Although Cassandra has vowed never to fall in love or put herself in a man's power again, she can't help but fall in love and desire this gentle man who recognizes and appreciates her intelligence. However, Basilio is engaged to another woman which prevents them from immediately acting on their attraction for each other. But after several days in each other's company, they can't help succumbing to their mutual feelings. Basilio vows to break off his engagement, but because of a series of unfortunate events, ends up marrying the young woman. The second half of the book is dedicated to the struggle of Basilio, Cassandra, and Basilio's wife to come to terms with their present while wishing for a different future. Basilio's wife has always wanted to be a nun and was forced in to marriage by her ambitious father. Basilio wants to write poetry more than run his father's business interests, and Cassandra wants to get back to the independent life without emotional attachments she had before she met Basilio. I liked the premise of this book, for it is somewhat different than the usual totured hero who needs to be saved by the heroine. Cassandra and Basilio actually heal and free each other from their emotional pasts before they are eventually forced to part. But the book went downhill after that. I am not sure why the book failed to engage me after that, it may be that a book that had been intensely intimate in the first half, failed to be so in the second. I felt that I had lost the Basilio and the Cassandra that I began to know when they were in Italy. In the end, I urge you to try the book for yourself, for it is definately better than a lot of the novels out there today.
Rating: 
Summary: BORING,BORING,BORING
Review: This author also writes as Ruth Wind and has written some very decent stories with plots and characters that are so honest and believable. But this monstrosity is nothing but a pathetic attempt to sell books and I fell for it. The dialogue is stilted and the characters have no character. The story just goes on and on and on......blah.
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