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Rating: 
Summary: Try to Find This Book
Review:
This first romance by Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory is really, really excellent! Adrian Hunt is one of the most memorable heroes I have encountered in a romance. Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas, like Diana Gabaldon, doesn't play by the rules or bow to the dictates of the traditional romantic story outline. The story in this romance goes far beyond where other romances end. Set during the French Revolution in England and France, Adrian Hunt is the half-English and half-French agent who plays both ends against the middle. Christina Bower, the daughter of a barrister, is in the process of a divorce when she finds herself in the path of Adrian Hunt, Earl of Kewischester. Ignore the hokey Zebra cover and title. Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas delivers with this book. One of my favorite romances of all-time.
This story is reminiscent of Jane Feather's French Revolution-set Love's Charade and, of course, Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory's other titles, Bliss & Dance, also set in France.
Rating:
Summary: Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas delivers with this one...her first!
Review:
This first romance by Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory is really, really excellent! Adrian Hunt is one of the most memorable heroes I have encountered in a romance. Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas, like Diana Gabaldon, doesn't play by the rules or bow to the dictates of the traditional romantic story outline. The story in this romance goes far beyond where other romances end. Set during the French Revolution in England and France, Adrian Hunt is the half-English and half-French agent who plays both ends against the middle. Christina Bower, the daughter of a barrister, is in the process of a divorce when she finds herself in the path of Adrian Hunt, Earl of Kewischester. Ignore the hokey Zebra cover and title. Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas delivers with this book. One of my favorite romances of all-time.
This story is reminiscent of Jane Feather's French Revolution-set Love's Charade and, of course, Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory's other titles, Bliss & Dance, also set in France.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite of all Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory novels
Review: I agree with the first reviewer, this is an excellent book. Judy Cuevas went on to write more novels as Judith Ivory, I think I read all of them, if she does not have another third <i> nom de plume</i>. but I am very fond (maybe even prefer) her older books. Or to be totally honest, all her older novels, except Black Silk, which was somewhat confusing, not in terms of plot exactly, but the writing there somewhat overshadowed the characters and plot.No such problems in this novel. The plot is big but believable, characters are fascinating and it's certainly not run of the mill. Plot and characters, in the late XVIII century the daughter of a commoner falls in love with an earl which falls in lust with her but who will not fall in love back. Really. I mean, really, he has serious issues which he has to come to terms with, involving a lot of his older history and external motivations. Loved this book, my favorite of all her novels.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best from the Best!
Review: I almost did not read this wonderful book because the trashy cover and syrupy plot synopsis on the back cover made it look like a really ho-hum bodice ripper. In contrast to its packaging, "Starlit Surrender" is truly a delightful book and one of my favorites (along with Black Silk, Bliss, Sleeping Beauty and Untie My Heart) from Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas. To my mind, no other romance writer can touch Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas when it comes to creating memorable and unique characters (except possibily Laura Kinsale.) She is one of the few writers in this genre who is bold enough to give her characters serious flaws--e.g. heroines that are social climbers or who are susceptible to handsome men, heros with addictions to opium/ether or who are truly serial seducers--and clever enough to use these flaws to humanize her characters.
In "Starlit Surrender", the characters of Adrien Hunt and Christina Pinn are beautifully and intelligently drawn and will stay with you long after you finish the book. Adrien is a wealthy earl and a libertine, but unlike the garden-variety rake in the usual romance novel, he does not immediately foresake his rakish ways and other mistresses upon his first meeting with Christina. He is brilliant, lethally charming and handsome, but also very spoiled, selfish, autocratic and imperfect (...)Adrien is a fascinating and complex character who has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the realization of how much he has come to love the heroine. Despite his flaws, it is easy to see why Christina falls in love with him (despite her better judgement) even though she suspects that he will ultimately break her heart. Her struggle to maintain her dignity and self-respect while being swept along in a love affair with a man who has "bedded every woman within fifty miles" is very realistic since she is definitely not immune to Adrien's charm, sex appeal, social status and wealth.
The plot is entertaining with the action moving between England and France during the French Revolution, but it is the characters and intelligent prose that really carry this book. I wish that they would re-release this book (with a better cover, etc) because it is hard to find!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best from the Best!
Review: I almost did not read this wonderful book because the trashy cover and syrupy plot synopsis on the back cover made it look like a really ho-hum bodice ripper. In contrast to its packaging, "Starlit Surrender" is truly a delightful book and one of my favorites (along with Black Silk, Bliss, Sleeping Beauty and Untie My Heart) from Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas. To my mind, no other romance writer can touch Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas when it comes to creating memorable and unique characters (except possibily Laura Kinsale.) She is one of the few writers in this genre who is bold enough to give her characters serious flaws--e.g. heroines that are social climbers or who are susceptible to handsome men, heros with addictions to opium/ether or who are truly serial seducers--and clever enough to use these flaws to humanize her characters.
In "Starlit Surrender", the characters of Adrien Hunt and Christina Pitt are beautifully and intelligently drawn and will stay with you long after you finish the book. Adrien is a wealthy earl and a libertine, but unlike the garden-variety rake in the usual romance novel, he does not immediately foresake his rakish ways and other mistresses upon his first meeting with Christina. He is brilliant, lethally charming and handsome, but also very spoiled, selfish, autocratic and imperfect (...)Adrien is a fascinating and complex character who has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the realization of how much he has come to love the heroine. Despite his flaws, it is easy to see why Christina falls in love with him (despite her better judgement) even though she suspects that he will ultimately break her heart. Her struggle to maintain her dignity and self-respect while being swept along in a love affair with a man who has "bedded every woman within fifty miles" is very realistic since she is definitely not immune to Adrien's charm, sex appeal, social status and wealth.
The plot is entertaining with the action moving between England and France during the French Revolution, but it is the characters and intelligent prose that really carry this book. I wish that they would re-release this book (with a better cover, etc) because it is hard to find!
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read this book.
Review: If I could give this book more stars, I would. It's one of my two favorite Judy Cuevas/Ivory books (along with Black Silk), and easily on my top ten list of the best books in the genre. I hope they reprint it so more people get a chance to appreciate it. Some people may not like her earlier stuff because it is too subtle, too intellectual, or some other such nonsense. If you find the average romance a little unoriginal (and who doesn't?), look to Cuevas/Ivory, Laura Kinsale, and Laura London/Sharon and Tom Curtis to discover that incredibly rich and rewarding books can be (and sometimes are!) written within the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read this book.
Review: If I could give this book more stars, I would. It's one of my two favorite Judy Cuevas/Ivory books (along with Black Silk), and easily on my top ten list of the best books in the genre. I hope they reprint it so more people get a chance to appreciate it. Some people may not like her earlier stuff because it is too subtle, too intellectual, or some other such nonsense. If you find the average romance a little unoriginal (and who doesn't?), look to Cuevas/Ivory, Laura Kinsale, and Laura London/Sharon and Tom Curtis to discover that incredibly rich and rewarding books can be (and sometimes are!) written within the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Try to Find This Book
Review: The complicated relationship between Adrian Hunt and Christina Bowers is one of the most interesting and passionate relationships in the Romance genre. It's not really a conventional romance novel. It breaks a lot of "rules". But both characters are amazingly drawn out and they are perfect for each other. She can hold up against him and never loses her dignity or her strength of character. He is just a dream come true. This book is written lovingly with a swift moving story, no dead spots, excellent love scenes, a nice element of mystery and a highly emotional fast-paced conclusion. In a year I will read it again. I love her writing, no matter what name she is operating under.
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