Rhapsody: A Love Story

Rating:
Summary: A Love Story?
Review: A Love Story, I don't think so. I am so glad that I did not buy this book because I would have demanded my money back. When you read a love story, you hope that the characters have some good qualities that will endear them to you. In this story, the main character, Misha Levin does not know the meaning of love and as far as I could see there was nothing appealing about him. He is so selfish and so self centered as is the "love of his life" Serena. He beds everyone he meets and then he meets Serena and we are supposed to believe that he is so in love with her. It is not love it is lust. Neither one of them has a clue as to what love is. We are supposed to believe that because Serena is so damaged by what happened in her childhood that it is okay to be so selfish and self centered. Then there is Vera, what a door mat. She just sits and hopes that Misha will change his ways and she will be waiting there for him because if she waits around long enough he will realize that he loves her. Now she is a decent person but please wake up to this guy, he is not for her.

Rating:
Summary: A Love Story?
Review: A Love Story, I don't think so. I am so glad that I did not buy this book because I would have demanded my money back. When you read a love story, you hope that the characters have some good qualities that will endear them to you. In this story, the main character, Misha Levin does not know the meaning of love and as far as I could see there was nothing appealing about him. He is so selfish and so self centered as is the "love of his life" Serena. He beds everyone he meets and then he meets Serena and we are supposed to believe that he is so in love with her. It is not love it is lust. Neither one of them has a clue as to what love is. We are supposed to believe that because Serena is so damaged by what happened in her childhood that it is okay to be so selfish and self centered. Then there is Vera, what a door mat. She just sits and hopes that Misha will change his ways and she will be waiting there for him because if she waits around long enough he will realize that he loves her. Now she is a decent person but please wake up to this guy, he is not for her.

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD BOOK
Review: Although this was a very well written book, I didn't like some of the plot, although it was real enough and could most likely be like some people's real lives . ..I am glad that I read the book. If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Rating:
Summary: Not Her Best
Review: Though their passion is torrid, photographer Serena Gibbons dumped classical pianist Misha Levin because her career came first. A depressed Misha turns to Vera Bunim, the daughter of his chief benefactor, for solace. Vera worships the ground that Misha walks on and he rewards her loyalty by marrying her. She gives birth to his son.

Eight years later in Vienna, Misha meets Serena for the first time since she left him. Their enthusiastic desires for one another ignites, leading to an affair. However, besides the impact on Misha's family, several other associates want this relationship ended. Some of them are willing to use violence to include breaking the hands of Misha if necessary to obtain their goals. Whatever happens, no one will remain the same once the triangle with its adjacent exterior angles completes the course.

Romantic suspense fans hold Judith Gould in high regard for her intriguing novels. Her latest tale RHAPSODY fails to attain the level readers expect of this gifted writer. The story line centers on Misha, but he seems only to be a sex machine as opposed to a complete character with a highly regarded talent. The failure to make Misha more than a point on a triangle hurts the tale since he is the relational focus of the plot. The usual virtuoso performance by the talented Ms. Gould misfires.

Harriet Klausner