5 comments about The Summerhouse.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Leslie, Madison, and Ellie; how each discovered who they were inside. The portrayal of the women is sensitive, caring and intelligent. It is a romance novel, but more.
   
   "The Summerhouse" is of course about three women receiving a second chance in life from Madam Zoya. I won't give the book away, but suffice it to say that I looked forward to reading it and finding out what the women would do next. Reviews are helpful, but judge for yourself.



2. I first purchased the 2nd book in this series to learn that it was, in fact, the 2nd book. So, before reading it I searched for and purchased the FIRST book (The Summerhouse) at Amazon. It was a great experience, not only the price and shipping were perfect, so was the book! Each character in the story is well presented and believable and the story line was such that it was difficult for me to find stopping point! I loved it and highly recommend it (as well as the sequel, "Return to the Summerhouse").



3. I wasn't crazy about all the plot elements. Not necessarily the time travel part, but how it was handled. But the characters really saved this book and made me read it in one sitting. I loved the parts that were about romance, I think those were the strongest. Wish there was more of it. I'm definitely getting the sequel.



4. I haven't read this book yet, but I'm sure knowing the author's previous works that it will be great. The book arrived in excellent condition from the seller!



5. The Summerhouse is different from all of Jude's books. Yes it has romance, time-travel, and a bit of adventure, but it's more of a "ya-ya sisterhood" type of story. Its one where you become friends with the characters and are interested in each of their lives. In this story you have three women who meet spontaneously on their birthdays(they all have the same one)at a DMV. These three women are all from different areas of the world and all have different circumstances in their lives. One woman Ellie wants to be an artist, Leslie wants to be a dancer, and Madison was destined to be a model.Later on when their all about to be middle-aged they decide to meet up again where they tell each other what their lives had become. These women are all faced with the question of "If we could go back in time and change our lives, would we change it?" Dont most people wonder this same question? Well I'm not going to spoil it for anyone, but I do recommend this book. Jude Deveraux provides a great insight on life's problems and how everyone has regrets. Its what you do with your life, how you live it, and whether or not you are happy.

5 comments about Holly.

1. Holly is an heiress from a very wealthy family. When she is thirteen years old, she falls in love with Lorrie, a sixteen year old from an old family with declining fortunes. Holly has never forgotten Lorrie. Several years later, Holly manages to convince her father to purchase a mansion close to Lorrie's home. While she's waiting to meet with Lorrie, Holly runs into Nick Taggert. They have a passionate affair but Holly hopes to end it because Nick is not "marriage material" for her because, well, she thinks he's just an average working man and not someone suitable for someone like her.
   
   To her irritation, Nick takes on a job as her father's gardener to stay close to her, which is fortunate for her because there is a conspiracy brewing to murder Holly for her millions.
   
   I enjoyed the story but could not bring myself to like Holly. She is a snob. Even at the end of the story, she's a snob although she tries to redeem herself. I doubt I'll read this one again.



2. I am going to start off by saying that A Knight in Shining Armor is one of the best Jude Deveraux books and also Remembrance was really good too.
   
   This book is a continuation of the Montgomery Taggert modern romances that Jude Deveraux has been writing for a number of years. However, Holly is the worst book I have ever read by Ms. Deveraux and I would suggest you save your money. I bought this book thinking it would be a great Christmas read and like some of the other reviewers have mentioned the situations the heroine gets into are just laughable and stupid (Falling down a well and having unprotected sex with her recuser within an hour of meeting him being one).
   
   I am wondering if Ms. Deveraux was on a deadline to submit a book for the Christmas season and she just slapped this mess together knowing that however horrible it is (believe me it is) it would still sell.
   
   Keep your money and if you have a taste for really bad porn and dumb plots check this book out at your local library.



3. Holly is mean, and she is always thinking about social status. Nick is lying to Holly and making her think that he has a low social status.
   
   I suppose I could say this was somewhat enjoyable, but I'm hardly able to believe that this is at all realistic. Everything just happened, with no thoughts about what was going on. I'm not sure I am explaining this correctly, but I probably wouldn't reccommend this book.



4. This is the first Jude Deveraux book that I've read, so I don't have any of her other books to compare it with. I read what both of the previous reviewers wrote, and maybe I'm just easier to please than the first reviewer. If the book keeps my interest the entire time, has some interesting characters, and has a good ending, that's a lot of what I ask for. I also liked the fact that there wasn't all this awful violence included as part of the story (as other romance novels have had, and which I find highly objectionable). Moreover, unlike some of the Johanna Lindsey novels that I've read (but not her book "Angel"--that one also got five stars from me), this novel didn't wait until the very last page for the couple to finally get together. I loved the book, and I will continue to read Jude Deveraux's books based on my experience with this one. I don't often give five stars to a book, but like I said, for me personally this one deserves five stars.



5. Jude Deveraux's novels often impress me (The Summerhouse, and Remembrance) but this new one by her, "Holly" leaves alot to be desired.
   
   This book is a continuation of the Montgomery Taggert modern romances that Jude Deveraux has been writing for a number of years. However, Holly is the worst book I have ever read by Ms. Deveraux and I would suggest you save your money.
   
   I bought this book thinking it would be a great Christmas read however situations the heroine gets into are just laughable and stupid (Falling down a well and having unprotected sex with her recuser within an hour of meeting him being one, and taking off all her clothes while cleaning since she got so hot and dusty being another).
   
   I am wondering if Ms. Deveraux was on a deadline to submit a book for the Christmas season and she just slapped this mess together knowing that however horrible it is (believe me it is) it would still sell.
   
   Keep your money and if you have a taste for really bad porn and dumb plots check this book out at your local library.

5 comments about First Impressions.

1. I am a huge fan of Jude's. However, this book rambled along. If your looking for humor like you are used to seeing in her older books, you won't find much of it in this one. The supporting characters weren't very supporting with the exception of the leading man (not men). This book is worthwhile to check out from the library though.



2. If you loved Nancy Drew as a kid, you will love this adult version. It absolutely took me back to those days when I couldn't wait to read what happened next and solve the mystery - only this one has an adult twist.



3. Overall,I thought the premise of the story showed promise. What I found, after forcing my way through reading, was that the plot is not up to Jude's normal standards. The theme seems to drag and it's hard to stay intereseted when the plot changes so very much and so drastically every five pages. I also found he lack of romance a bit disappointing. It really didn't feel like there was enough of the charecters interactions to understand them. It's definitely not her useual style. Her romance writing style is what I like so much about herbooks, and I saw none of it at all.



4. I am proud to admit I am a fan of Jude Deveraux, but this book was better than the rest I have read. The heroine was believable. The story kept me trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I was surprised to the very last page. If you like Jude's books, you will love this one.



5. Jude Deveraux is my all-time favorite author, but this work is not up to par with her usual standards. When I pick up a Deveraux, I expect a fantastic love story. This seemed to me to be more of a "coming of age," but for a woman in her forties who never got the chance to "come of age" as a teenager. It was more about her growing up and realizing things about herself and her family than about the love.
   
   I didn't think the mystery overshadowed everything else, and I thought the characters were well-developed, but they didn't seem to get anywhere in their relationships, except maybe for Eden's relationship with her daughter.
   
   Also, am I the only one who thought "the other guy" was more suited to her than "the guy who got the girl"? I found myself frustrated with all the characters by the end of the book, and frustrated at the not-so-fairytale ending.
   
   I didn't have trouble getting through the book, as I've seen other people say, but I was certainly a little disappointed in it, as I have been with several of her latest contemporary novels. (Holly and Carolina Isle come to mind.) I find myself wishing the old Jude would come back.

5 comments about Mountain Laurel.

1. a huge Jude fan, and would read any of her novels based on hr authroship alone. But this book stands alone in her series and no romance book I've ever read makes me cry so much, laugh so hard, or fall in love with the same man so often (just don't tell my future husband that).
   
   'Ring isn't dreamy, he's too straitlaced and perfect. Tall, dark, handsome, devoted to his duty as an army officer and to his men he needs excitement.
   
   Enter LaReina, the singing duchess. She's actually a mountain girl, daughter of famous explorers who's sister Laurel has been kidnapped. For ransom she must transport gold in her giant coach under the cover of a singing tour.
   
   Her friend sent for one man to escort her but since he died Ring the tight-butt comes along to spar verbally with her and warily watch her three hired companions.
   
   Filled with beautiful descriptions of Native Americans, really colorful secondary characters, and great humor that will have you giggling this is a timeless escape.
   
   And the love between these two characters is so real it will instantly make you remember how it feels to fall in love. No hate-love here it's simple attraction and two very well rounded characters with their own wounds and insecurities coming together in desperate times.
   
   The sex is very minimal and towards the end but this is the most sensual thing I've ever read. The anticipation that builds between these two will have you chasing your honey that night.
   
   How I wish they'd make a movie of this novel! But for now, I'll keep reading it, and it would be so terrible if you missed this one.
   
   Admitedly, the follow up "Wishes" about their son is very funny but lackluster in comparison, but you revisit with these heroes. And twenty some odd years later in the second book, you feel their love just as strongly.
   
   Don't miss this or you will be sorry!



2. Madelyn Worth (Maddie) is a World famous opera singer also known as La Reina the singing Duchess. She journeys out to the West to rescue her sister, Laurel, who has been held hostage. She must sing in 6 towns and deliver letters at each post.
   
   Captain 'Ring Montgomery has been assigned to escort her across the rough terrain by General Yovington. He's none to pleased to be babysitting a 'travelling singer', not knowing the purpose of her journey into the West. At first he tries to scare her so that she goes running back to safe East. He fails and stands by his duty and escorts from one town to the next.
   
   Maddie does not want 'Ring to travel with her as she thinks that he will put Laurel's life at risk by attempting something dangerous like chasing after the kidnappers. She does all she can to dismiss him but fails. As the journey across the West in search of Laurel, they find a growing attraction for each other that they cannot deny.
   
   It's a pleasure always to read a Jude Deveraux book, especially ones that concern the Montgomery clan. Those Montgomery men sure are to die for. Always handsome, gentle, caring gentlemen. However, I was not drawn into the love story. I could not believe that these two people really cared for each other. Neither did I warm to Maddie who I thought was rather spoilt. However, the plot runs smoothly and the secondary charachters add flavour to the book. 'Ring Montgomery also makes an guest appearance in "Eternity" also by Jude Deveraux which I thought was a much better book than the present.
   
   Lea Ling Tsang



3. Maddie Worth is known as LaReina, which means the Singing Duchess. She is no duchess, but she is a talented opera singer enjoying her steady rise to stardom. But when she receives a notice that Laurel, her younger sister, has been kidnaped by spies who may or may not be against slaves, she has no choice but to abandon her tour in the Northeast and do what the captors demand from her. Her job is to play decoy by singing across the West and help them deliver messages and notes. Captain Christopher " 'Ring" Montgomery is put in charge of protecting her while she "tours" the West. Straitlaced and honorable to a fault, 'Ring isn't thrilled with the idea of escorting some singer. He has more pressing matters in his hands, like serving his country. His idea is to scare her off so he could be freed of helping her, but Maddie refuses to budge and gives him a hard time as he reluctantly decides to do his job. He realizes that something is troubling her, but will she trust a law-abiding soldier with her dilemma? Her sister's life is in the hands of her captors, and they are not happy with the fact that Maddie is traveling with a soldier. There are various twists throughout the novel.
   
   This pre-Civil War romance is fun, romantic and sensual. Jude Deveraux has once again given me a story that I couldn't put down. 'Ring is so incredibly hot. He is reserved compared to other Deveraux heroes, but his seeming indifference to Maddie makes him all the more sensual and handsome to me because it is obvious to everyone except Maddie that he has the hots for her. And he is hilarious! I loved his quips when Maddie was telling him about her father while she removed cactus thorns from his body, one of the funniest scenes in the novel. Maddie, like all Deveraux heroines before and after her, is spirited, independent and intelligent, a woman before her time. She sort of reminds me of Axia from The Heiress. The sexual tension between them is so palpable it almost jumps off the pages. The love scene seems almost anticlimactic because it isn't quite as wonderful as the tension between the protagonists before they get together. The scene is great, but not as good as I expected. There is also a lot of back story about characters here that could be spun off to another novel, like the stories centered on 'Ring's sister or brother. All in all, Mountain Laurel isn't as engrossing as the works I've read by this author so far, but that's not saying much because this is above most romances I've read and I can't recommend it enough.



4. Basically if you like an easy read with a romance, funny comments, and declarations of love in the end...then this book is for you. It's not highly intelligent or factually correct, but it's cute and warms your heart. If you then also have a little knowledge of opera, or just like it, then you'll probably get this book and the characters a little bit better too. I loved it! Hope you will too!



5. She is known as LaReina, the singiness Duchess. Maddie Worth is a spicy young opera star on a mission to save her beloved younger sister; Laurel. When Captain 'Ring Montgomery is given orders to escort Maddie he is furious! Why should he, the Captain of the fort, play nursemaid to a pretty little singer?
   
   After Maddie refuses his offer to escort her, 'Ring attempts to scare her from her journey so he may return to the fort. Maddie isn't scared easily though and beats 'Ring at his own game.
   
   'Ring is unaware of her real reason for traveling and exposes her lies little by little. No matter how hard he presses she will not give him the truth.
   
   Annoyed with 'Ring hovering over her, she runs from him. This leads to a hilarious and never ending chase through town. Just when he thinks he's caught her, she screams and 'Ring is jumped by eight men. She stops in a bar and takes a few shots of Whiskey and points to 'Ring upon his arrival, "He's paying." before she splits. 'Ring grows frustrated by her game and eventually catches up to her, roughed up with a bruised ego.
   
   During a meeting with one of her blackmailers, 'Ring handcuffs her to him to keep her from escaping. However the next morning they are robbed of their key and horse and must travel down the mountain cuffed together, leading to another hilarious scenario.
   
   No matter how much Maddie wants to tell 'Ring of her sister's abduction she refuses. 'Ring begins to piece things together and discovers her secret about Laurel. He leaves camp one morning and leaves only a note behind. Maddie grows worried that 'Ring won't return. Where did he go?
   
   ---
   
   Make sure you read this before you read "Wishes" or the whole story will be spoiled for you! :( It's a wonderful book, but I couldn't help but grow frustrated by 'Ring's game of chase with Maddie. One minute he's romantic and the next minute he's platonic.

5 comments about Legend (Abridged).

1. I read the entire 374 pages of this book and I would not wish this book on anyone. The writing is amateurish and the story is ludicrous. Jude Deveraux wrote a wonderful book when she wrote "A Knight in Shining Armor". I like some time travel books but this book is not one of them. I could not wait to get to the end of the book but I read to the end to see how this silly story would end. Jude Deveraux needs to return to higher standards as she did when she wrote "A Knight in Shining Armor".



2. Why??? You know some writers reach a certain status and all common sense fly out the window. I could repeat the premise, but not the plot. The plot is completely MIA and there's nothing anyone can do to convince me that JD wasn't on some heavy stuff while writing this. There were literally 3 love interest (Cole, Gregory/Tarik) in this book and the real hero not being introduced until half way through the book. This is fine for Chick Lit or mainstream, but in romance??? WTF?
   I can see the rocks acting as a portal, but Kady first trip was no where near that portal and since the writer makes it abundantly clear that the wedding dress has nothing to with that portal or the watch, I'm left scratching my head.
   Plus, someone please explain to me how Tarik had a marriage certificate between Cole and Kady if Cole died when he was 9? I kept waiting for someone to point that impossibility out-but no. Apparently JD is above having editors as well. What happened to Wendell? Did Kady get her dream restaurant or is the message that what Kady always wanted to be happy is a man? Both Cole and Tarik fell in love too easily. And they both talked like women. It was just Wham! I love you. Plus, why did we have to see Tarik with Leonie and Wendell. Am I right that those two were kissing cousins? And that he socked her? Of course, this was after her brother drugged her. I mean, come on. I don't even see why she was a character in the book. She had no purpose. No way a will like that would have stood up in anyone's court and how was it that the family didn't seperate their fortunes from Ruth? None of this made any sense. I looooved Knight and Shining Armor. Remembrance was equally a headache and some of her contemporary stuff isn't hitting on anything with me either. I think it's time for my love affair with this writer to finally come to an end. Sorry.



3. Jude D. is one of my favorite authors and this book is one of the reasons why...it keeps you guessing, trying to figure things out. The time-travel sequences are done quite well, and believable!!! Kady was a hoot! And it's always nice to have a leading lady who is not perfect!! Flaws are what make us what we are, most heroines don't have any, so it's always great when they do, whether imagined or real!! This book is well worth your time, hard to put down and very entertaining!!!!



4. Loved, Loved, Loved, this book. It makes you want to go to Legend. Has lots of surprises throughout the book. You wont put this one down till the end. Then you will wish for a sequel. Thank you Jude Deveraux, for another well writted time travel.



5. This was the first ever Jude Deveraux book I have ever read. I'm skeptical to try new writers, but Jude Deveraux took my breath away. Legend has mystery, romance, time travel, and adventure all rolled into one book. There are so many surprises in this book and you are shocked through most of it. If you are looking for a book that you cant put down and thats going to keep you up all night, I highly recommend this one.
   You fall in love with Cole Jordan at first, then you fall in love with Tarik.
   You hate Gregory, he's the typical "player" type of guy who all women in the world band against.
   Your heart goes out to Kady as she goes through heartache and love.
   I fell in love with Legend, Colorado. I wanted to go there so bad after I finished reading. So please read this novel,you wont be disappointed.

5 comments about The Blessing.

1. It's a quick, easy read. Good for when you don't want anything too intense. A bit "out there" at times.
   Who can possibly believe that a secession of the world's top private investigators can spend 2 years unsuccessfully searching for a woman who did not more than go back to her maiden name? Did they miss the 1st day of PI training? DUH!
   Also, who can believe that a 2 1/2 yr old can, singled handedly paint a full room mural (good enough to impress The President)in the same amount of time it took 4 adults to paint a mural on one wall? PLEASE!
   And what successful business would hire an incompetent moron as an assistant just to please his brother? Oh well. Read it anyway.



2. The characters in this book were so likeable, especially the baby Max. Amy is confused as to what she wants and is not willing to accept handouts from her rich man Jason. This is frustrating for Jason, so he devises schemes to give her what he thinks she needs.
   This is a feel good book all the way through. I just love Jude deveraux.



3. THE WORST BOOK I"Ve EVER READ!!!This was the first (AND LAST!!!) Jude Deveraux book I've ever read. I can only believe that the reveiwers who gave this book 4 or (GAG) 5 stars have never read anything more compelling than a Harlequin romance. That is the ONLY way someone could refer to this as a "good book". It was so ridiculous, so amateur, so lacking in depth/character development that it felt as though I were reading an essay written by a lovesick highschool girl. I would have had more respect if it had been written by a teenager, at least that would have been an sufficient reason for the story line (NO PLOT)to have been so unbelievable. There were so many loose ends and unexplained, unnecessary "filler". The whole plotting/deceptive craziness with the mother-in-law in the final chapters. WHAT?? I could detail dozens of other unforgivable flaws of this "piece of work", but I am such a big hurry to throw it in the trash bin (and SAVE another innocent victim from reading it) I can't stand to revisit it another minute!!!!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!! The only good thing to do with this book is to donate it to your local prison, because it is certainly PUNISHMENT to have to read it!!!



4. I loved this story. It all started with a brother helping his little brother out. David Wilding thinks he is in love with a widow with a baby. He can't get along with the baby so he asks his brother to help him. If Jason would watch Amy's child, he could "court" her. When Jason Wilding meets Amy and her son Max, the baby, he falls head over heels in love with Max and Amy as well. There is a slight problem. David has told Amy that Jason is gay.
   
   This was a cute story. I love the worlds Jude Deveraux creates. She makes the impossible not only possible but believable.



5. I have to agree with Flo Nightengale: This might be the very worst romance that I have ever read. I finally gave up on it about halfway through, thinking, "This must be a satire/farce on Harlequin Romances!" It had all the cliche bits from those novels: rich guy, poor girl with no talents, overblown wealth, bratty kid. Ugh. I have enjoyed other romances by Jude Deveraux, and this one is certainly not up to her standard. Read something else!

5 comments about Sweet Liar.

1. I am so disappointed that I cannot give this book a higher rating, however, I think I am in the minority. Sweet Liar is written by the infamous Deveraux, received 4.5 stars on Amazon, and made the top 100 romance novels of all time on AAR. I had hoped for a slam dunk awesome book and am so sad to say that this book did not deliver.
   
   In all fairness, this is the first Deveraux book I've ever read, so the Montgomeries and the Taggarts families meant nothing to me. This was not the only problem though.
   
   Samantha just bothered me so much. She resisted Mike at every turn. Spent the first half of the book giving him green lights and then putting on the brakes making Mike feel like a criminal. Wasn't really interested in him..(ie. went on dates with his cousin, wasn't jealous of him when he went out on dates), spent most of the time depressed and irritatingly self absorbed.
   
   Mike was like a big muscle head that I just never really got. I don't understand why he immediately and irreversibly loved Samantha. Lucky for her he did, but I just don't think it's realistic after how she treats him that he would keep coming for her like he did. His constant use of sexual innuendos bugged me and I never really liked either of them.
   
   I need to read at least one more of her books before completely writing her off.....maybe A Knight In Shining Armor, although I think that's time travel as well, which was another reason I did not like this book. I hate all this negativity so I think I'll stop, but I cannot recommend this book.



2. I was surprised to see that the editorials for this book were so disappointing! I LOVE this book; I've read several Jude Deveraux books and I love them all. This is the first (and only) Taggert/Montgomery book I've read; I'm almost afraid to read others-- I don't want to ruin this one! It's a very intriguing time-travel mystery in which Sam is sent to New York from her Kentucky home by her father's will to search for her grandmother, who disappeared in 1964. Luckily, she has a great landlord, Mike Taggert, to help bring her out of her shock and depression over her so-far fairly miserable life...



3. So I love Jude Deveraux's Montgomery series, I've read almost all of them now. But it was wonderful to get to see modern day Taggerts and how they interact with the Montgomery's, particularly after getting to know the Taggert family in The Raider, Twin of Ice, and somewhat in Wishes even though the hero there was a Montgomery. I absolutely LOVED Mike, and Sam was a fabulous heroine I thought! I thought the main plot of finding her grandmother was really interesting and, being a self-proclaimed history nerd I loved seeing insight into the mob scene of 1920's New York. Fabulous love story, though I felt the proposal could've been a little better. I loved getting to meet JT and Aria's (from The Princess, thus Hank and Amanda from The Awakening's granddaughter) daughter Vicky, she was a GREAT character, and even though I haven't really gotten into Knight in Shining Armor it was nice to see Douglass and see that she's pregnant. And I loved the comparison between the Taggert and Montgomery men :-). Overall this book does not top Wishes for me which is still my favorite Montgomery novel, but it is really amazing! If you're more into contemporary fiction or 20th century type books go for this, I personally love the historical fictions Jude Deveraux writes, especially when they involve the Montgomery's or the Taggerts.
   
   Here's my only thing. Mike is a Taggert, yet he tells Sam that his great-great-grandmother was a famous singer named La Reina. IF you're a Montgomery fanatic like I am, you know automatically that that's Maddie Worth from Mountain Laurel, who also puts in an appearance in Wishes since she's Jace's mother. Maddie marries Ring Montgomery and has Jace Montgomery, with at least a couple other kids. Unless one of the Montgomery daughters married a Taggert cousin or married someone else who then married a Taggert that was more distantly related, how does that possibly work??? The only thing I can figure is that Jude Deveraux hoped her readers wouldn't recall the details of her novels the way this particular one did because it really bugged me on that...
   
   Definitely read Sweet Liar, it's a great way to semi-end the Montgomery series!!!



4. I have read many of Jude Deveraux's books espically the taggert/montgormery ones and I have to say I enjoyed this one. As I do all of them. It is a definate must read if your Deveraux fan. At times Samantha the heronie was a bit unlikeable but it all comes together in the end and you end up really liking her.



5. Through most of my early romance reading, I was strictly an historical romance reader. Contemporary seemed bland compared to the love found on the wagon train or in a castle. But I read the preview of Sweet Liar in the back of another novel and I was hooked. I couldn't wait to read the whole story. I fell in love with Mike Taggart and his whole family that day. I had finally connected the present day Montgomery/Taggart family with all of the ancestors from the past that I had already read about.
   This book launched me into appreciating a good modern romance and still remains my favorite. I read it at least once a year.

5 comments about Remembrance.

1. This has to be my favorite book by Deveraux and I've read most of them. Her time travel books have always been my favorite but this one wins by far.



2. I loved this book. You do not have to be a fan of romance novels to appreciate this book. I feel that Remembrance belongs in the general fiction catagory more than it does in the romance section. This is not to say that Remembrance is not a love story; it is. It is more than just a love story though. Remembrance is a grand, sweeping saga about two people meant to be together who are trying to find each other throughout eternity and includes all the heartache and hardship each one encounters throughout the ages. This story includes love, lust, betrayal, jealousy, and time travel. I could not put this book down. (



3. I picked this up at a used book store. I was hooked from the beginning. I don't want to go into detail and give so much of the story away. I bawled uncontrollably the first time I read it along with the second and third. I wish I could say there is nothing dissapointing about this book. The ending seemed to happen so abruptly. There was so much to the story yet when she comes back to the present it was over as though she was just ready to be done with it. Maybe I was just sorry that it couldn't continue on. It really is such a beautiful story and I'm about ready to read it again.



4. I agree with the reviewer who wrote "Broken Record". The "third" love story is truly the center of this novel, and is lovely and heartwrenching. For this alone, I would rate this novel a 5. Perhaps I prefer the writing in third person. However, I couldn't relate to the protagonist of the story in general--a self-oriented, not very romantic almost 40 yo who writes in first person. I should have ended the book at the end of the story about Talis and Callie. I had very little interest in whether the protagonist meets the love of her life. I think this novel may have been appealing to me if the hardened protagonist softened. She could have shown "indomitable will" but less selfish determination to "wait" for her man. And I just didn't find their finding each other that interesting either... If anyone could point out other Jude Devereux writing that is more similar to her writings of Callie and Talis, I would definitely read those. Her writing is lovely during that portion.



5. I loved this book. The beginning keeps you captured through the very end. You cant start it and expect to get anything done during the day. I was glued. A true love story. Love will find you. Wow, Jude Deveraux, you sure do know how to write a book. Thank you.

5 comments about The Enchanted Land (Romance Alive).

1. Morgan is raised by her mother in the East, abandoned (so she thinks) by her father in New Mexico as a child. Her mother is a puritanical man hating snob and raises morgan to believe that they are worthless, hurtful...and to make matters worse that she is homely and no man would want her anyway. The book begins with Morgans need to find a husband to save her inheritance from her father! She proposes $25,000 to a stranger, seth colter, if he will marry her and live in new mexico with her for one yr and then get an annulment. Seth agrees. Their relationship has problems but eventually starts to flourish. However Seth is a very hot headed, jealous man. He finds Joanquin, a rancher neighbor, kissing Morgan and leaves her alone at a party. Joanquin, a not nice man, kidnaps Morgan on the way home. Her forces her to write a note to Seth saying she has run away with her "lover". When Seth finds her, Joaquin "kills" him and sells Morgan to a white slaver. All the nastiness of that situation ends in Morgan being sold to a brothel and being put into a private auction. However, Seth recovers from his nearly mortal head wound and winds up in california and finds morgan. He makes loves to her, calls her a whore and leaves her devestated. (Unbeknownst to Seth, Morgan has escaped any sexual encounters with the bad guys.) Morgan becomes pregnant from her night with Seth and returns to new mexico to have her child. Seth pans for gold for 2 yrs until he finds out the truth about Morgan and returns home looking for her. Morgan has had a wonderful little boy and is happy living with her cousin Gordon, who is falling in love with her. Seth pretends to be Dave Blake and takes on a foreman job for Gordon to be near Morgan and his new found son. Seth and Morgan are on the verge on reconciling when little
   Adam gets deathly ill and nearly dies. Together they fight for his life. Morgan gets so obsessed with little Adam that she shuts out life around her so seth "kidnaps" her to bring her into a healthier existence. And they do finally reconcile. This bk has many likeable characters, certainly several storylines and is quite entertaining. On the downside Morgan never quite captured me. I thought she was immature and bratty quite often. The bk referred to her need for a strong man to tell her what to do....duh...!! apparently because she had been so dominated by her mother as a child. The other thing I didn't like is the finale kidnap scene. After what she'd been through with bad guys, kidnapping her and scaring her half to death wasn't the loving way to get her attention. Overall, it was a different plotline and good read.



2. I am giving it 4 stars because any book that grabs a reader, even if it is annoying, is a well written book. It is not one of Jude's best, but it is an early book. She definitely improves as an author!

   I am almost done with this book (I put it away and started another but had to go back). I think that says it all. It is a book you cannot walk away from without finishing - In spite of the fact that you want to SCREAM through-out the story! Seth is an IDIOT and I must say Morgan is too. One thing about this story that is unbelievable is that Seth could love Morgan as much as he says he does and then completely disbelieve her just because a man HE HATES claims she cheated. And then everything Morgan is subjected to because Seth does not believe her and she still takes him back. I am assuming she will, they always do. Even though it seems unbelievable, the characters seem real (not their actions maybe). They are well written in that you feel their anger, happiness, etc. It is kind of like a movie with a bad script but your favorite actors are in it and you want to watch them. I must go and finish this because I can't seem to walk away!




3. This was the first romance book I ever read. I fell in love with Seth and Morgan. Over the years I have reread this many times, so much so that I had to buy a second copy because I wore out the first one.
   
   I was never bored with this book even when I was reading it for the 5th time in as many years. I never stopped cheering for Morgan and Seth to get on the same page and realize that they were meant to be together.
   
   I will agree that Jude Deveraux's style has eveolved over the years but I think this is an excellent read that is well worth your time.



4. This was my second foray into the world of Jude Deveraux...yes, I am a little late in finding this wonderful author. My first was The Black Lyon which I loved but found waytooshort! But on to Seth and Morgan...I loved their connection from the beginning when they met at the party to the end...can't put that in here though:). My only complaint is as usual, too few scenes between the main characters...especially those you feel need more because they are so awesome together. Why oh why so much time elapsed? Well, I guess because back then, you didn't get far fast in a horse and buggy! BUT aside from my desire for more of this wonderful couple, I loved the storyline...loved the honesty of "most" of the characters and fell in love with the Old West and "Ranch Life"...Seth is by far, a truly captivating leading man when he lets his feelings out and Morgan is stunning in her desire for true simplicity. A must read and one I almost read cover to cover immediately after finishing as I did not want to let the characters go.
   Linda



5. Jude Deveraux is one of my all-time favorite romance authors. A Knight in Shining Armor is my favorite romance novel to date, and her other works have been absolutely wonderful. I'd had The Enchanted Land on my TBR pile for almost two years. This is her first novel, I believe, and I didn't know if it would be as good as her later work. Well, this isn't her best work, but it is nevertheless wonderful, and it came during a time when I craved a good Americana. Morgan Wakefield needs her inheritance. If she doesn't get married, then everything will go to her uncle. So she makes a deal with Seth Coulter: they get married, stay married for a year so that she could get her inheritance, and then annul the marriage and pay Coulter twenty-five thousand dollars for his trouble. They cannot consummate their marriage if they want an annulment, which means that they cannot have sex. That shouldn't be so difficult. After all, Morgan is a plain girl, or at least that's what her mother has always told her. The only remarkable thing about her is her beautiful golden hair. But the fact is that Morgan is beautiful, very beautiful, underneath the drab clothes and shy exterior. Imagine how difficult things get between Morgan and Seth while they travel together to his home in New Mexico. How could they annul their marriage if it gets consummated? The sexual tension between them is almost unbearable, and the feelings that transpire between them are strong. But soon things tear them apart -- misunderstandings, tragedies, villains - making a reconciliation seem impossible.
   
   This beautiful romance will hook you in with its numerous twists and turns. Jude Deveraux writes two sorts of novels: the detailed, overdeveloped ones and the shorter, somewhat abrupt ones. This one falls into the former category. I wish she'd find some middle ground like she did with novels like Sweet Liar and The Heiress. Even though I enjoyed this novel, it does get a little long-winded about three quarters through it. But one thing is certain -- you never know which direction the story will take. It is very unpredictable, something that seldom happens in romance novels. Deveraux has a wonderful way of developing the love between the two main characters. She doesn't tell you they fall in love; she SHOWS you! You *believe* they are in love, and when a misunderstanding occurs, you become frustrated and root for a big reconciliation. This novel does not disappoint in that area. Another great thing about The Enchanted Land is the 1850s setting and the historical references with regards to the California gold rush. Americanas are few and far in between these days, and this classic gives you a clear picture of the time period. Deveraux has covered various time periods, but she is best at writing Americana and Medieval stories. Are you in the bargain for a beautiful, emotionally-driven romance with lots and lots of twists? Then The Enchanted Land is the one for you. Springtime is here, and I look forward to reading great romances like this one. I hope they're out there, because the newest romances (including the ones by Deveraux) leave a lot to be desired.

5 comments about A Knight in Shining Armor a - Cassette.

1. This is the first romance novel I've read that involved time travel and other impossible things.
   
   I read this when i was 13...16 years ago. I still remember the scenes (like Dougless performing Broadway tunes for the Lady/Earl's mother) and showering in the fountain... or Nicholas traipsing around the english countryside in his armor. I must have read it more than 10 times. Its truly riveting!
   
   Some people were harsh in judging this book... i like to think that Deveraux is a realist with her characterizations, plots and devices, and in the end, a big sappy romantic. She even believes in souls meeting forward, backwards and reincarnation.
   
   The best part is, she made me believe it too! :) LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!!!!!
   
   If you can only read 5 romance novels in your life, this has GOT TO BE one of them.



2. I laughed the whole way through this book. I wish it were made into a movie. But then again, the movie world would destroy it. A must read, you wont regret it. Thank you Jude Deveraux!



3. I read this novel after I read "Legend" and I fell in love with it. After reading Legend, I almost thought I'd be disappointed with Deveraux's next novel because Legend was so amazing. But I was far from it. " A knight in Shining Armor" keeps you on your toes, you do not want to put the book down. You fall in love with th characters and you root for good things to happen to them. You absolutely learn to hate Robert with all your being.
   Thats good writing in my book, if you can feel like you know the characters. I also like how Deveraux has this way of tying all the characters and plot together. You are brillant Jude Deveraux and a major inspiration to me.



4. I've had this book for years, and I still read it over and over. A Knight in Shining Armor would make one terrific movie. It is THAT good. Everything about it is so sweet and so romantic. I cannot say enough good things about it. You just have to read it for yourself. You will fall in LOVE with Nicholas Stafford, and will even wish time travel was possible. If you are thinking about buying it, do it!!! Besides Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor, this is my favorite book ever.



5. This book was recommended to me by a bookstore employee who just raved about it, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Big mistake on my part (of money and my time).
   
   First off, even though Douglass was supposedly a female name way back when, I can't stand books where the hero and heroine both have male sounding names.
   
   Secondly, Douglass (the supposed heroine) was a complete doormat. I know there are real people like this in the world, but do you really want to make them the heroine in your book??
   
   Like some other reviewers I also agree that I whole falling in love, him forgetting her and then falling back in love again thing was ridiculous. It would have made it much better if he had remembered her instead of insulting her and generally treating her like garbage when she appeared in his time.
   
   I've also learned something about myself, too...while I really love time travel romances I detest time travel romances where they're reincarnated into someone else. I guess that's where the whole "soul mates" thing comes in, but it wasn't for me and I just didn't like it.
   
   And lastly, I couldn't stand how the book ended. I was extremely angry that I wasted all that time reading this book hoping for the "usual" romance book ending that's expected and getting something altogether different.
   
   The only positive thing I can say about this book: it seemed she did a lot of research into this time period (but maybe she already had the knowledge and just used it in this book...who knows).
   
   If you've never read her work before, I wouldn't recommend this author or this book, but if you feel you want to then check it out at the library, borrow from someone or buy it second-hand. Do not pay full price like I did!