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Summary: When Venus Fell
Review: I read this book through in one sitting and then sat down and read it again. Then I searched Amazon to find all the rest of the books this author has written. Deborah Smith is a writer. Her characters are original and three-dimensional, real and engaging. The plot for When Venus Fell is a real page turner -- unpredictable, surprising, and fascinating. I have read LOTS of books in a long lifetime. Enough that I recognize the usual plot devices at a glance and become easily bored with writing that follows the well-worn ruts of the genre. This book, unlike so many of contemporary books I have read, grabbed me, held my attention, and mesmerized me with its original thinking and story. When Venus Fell is a keeper. So is Deborah Smith. I look forward to her new novel when its published next February and will probably spring for a hardbound copy because I can't bear to wait for the paperback. If you liked When Venus Fell you'll probably enjoy A Place to Call Home too.
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Summary: A wonderful read
Review: I really couldn't call this book a romance because it dealt more with families and the complex connection between kin than any two people and their developing relationship. What brings these two unlikely lovers together happens to be the sometimes tenuous, sometimes steely and always unfathomable ties that unite families. Witty dialogue that snapped and sped along, sometimes brilliant characterization, and a list of fascinating characters that kept me turning the pages until the end, made the book a wonderful read as well as a pleasant surprise. -- Heather Heath, Reviewer, Old Book Barn Gazette
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Summary: a bit pretentious and precious for my taste
Review: I was disappointed by both the over blown style of writing and the plo
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Summary: a romantic and unique southern family drama
Review: I wrote When Venus Fell after I fell in love with the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Fascinated by the beauty of those ancient Appalachians and also the Scottish heritage of the earliest settlers, I created the Camerons, a proud Scottish dynasty, struggling to save their mountain home. I've always enjoyed writing about the diversity of southerners, and so I created Venus Arinelli, a good southern girl whose heritage includes an Asian-American father. From their poignant history to their turbulent relationship as adults, Venus Arinelli and Gib Cameron proved to be one of my most exciting stories to write. I hope the readers enjoy it.
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Summary: Disappointing
Review: It took me many many weeks to get through the book. I rarely will not finish a book once I begin as I feel there's usually some good in it. I'm not finding it here! The characters are at times (few) interesting, but rather shallow. There isn't much to the plot either. I'll not be looking for more from this author, sorry to say.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: Loved the loyalty and emotional intensity of the character
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Summary: This story was captivating, moving, and wrenchingly romantic
Review: Ms. Smith writes a terrific story with fascinating characters who whisk the reader along into a whirlwind of intense history, family relationships and once in a lifetime love. She connects the reader so deeply with the characters' hearts and minds that finishing the book reminded me of my best friend in second grade suddenly moving away. I was crushed.
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Summary: Pride goeth before a fall ...
Review: Smith brings two disparate characters, Venus and Gib, to life and together in the midst of a cast of characters one could find only in the hills of Appalachia. Pride, heritage, sadness and humor combine in a treasure of a book. The belly button ring leads to one of the biggest surprises in character development that I've seen in a novel.
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Summary: Absolutely loved the book--it made me laugh and cry!!
Review: This book was a bittersweet love story, it made me go through many emotions and kept my interest. I can hardly wait for her next novel.
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Summary: A book to savor
Review: This is not a book to be rushed, not one that you want to speed through in one night. Although the cast is huge, I enjoyed getting to know each one of the characters. They each have their quirks -- from the barefoot, non speaking Olivia to the young boy wanting to be a man Jasper. What I liked most, however, is how the book is much more than a romance. I think it tries to be more than that, so that romantic-sexual-bliss love is not the end all. I believe, in the end, that this is what makes the book succeed.
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