Customer Reviews

Affairs of the Heart

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I really loved "Affairs of the Heart" and bought several copies to give as gifts. I especially like author Candace McCarthy. She never fails to deliver romance, laughter, and sometimes a few tears. These short shorts are supposed to be light and heart warming. I was delighted with them and I believe others who love romance will too. A perfect Valentine gift for someone. After reading my gift, my friend asked if I'd read other stories by the same authors. She loved the mountain setting of Ms McCarthy's story because she has relatives in West Virginia and often spent summers there.

I borrowed several books from my best friend and Affairs of the Heart was one of them. This was by far the worst anthology I've read. This was the first time I did not finish reading the complete stories. (All three of them) It was as if all three authors rushed to complete the story. Readers are becoming more and more picky. I know I am. I've enjoyed other books by Stobie Piel but I'm sorry to say, this did not meet the usual expectations. I've never heard of Laurel Collins. She is probably a new author and this was her first try.

This may have been an anthology for Valentine's Day, but I just found it and I can say...this is a 'year-round' romance! You'll love this book. I did.

3 different takes on the meaning of Valentine's Day and I thoroughly enjoyed each one in this special anthology. These stories run the gamut between laughs and tears but each story portrays a tender romance. Affairs of the Heart is also notable for the length of the shorts because the greater length allows each author space for deeper characterization than the 4 story anthologies. The unique style and voice of these authors is worth a look too.

Okay, so the varied reviews sparked my interest in reading the stories. I had to find out for myself so I bought the book and read each story with an open mind. Threaded through the stories, I found two similarities. The heroines were weak and the plots were too convenient. The heroine in Mountain Bride was probably the weakest of all the heroines and the fact that she ran away because of a rumor weakened her considerably. Apache Valentine was the least favorite of all three in general. I could not get into the story at all. About half way through, I lost total interest. The Secret Heart was 'cute' although I found the heroine to have very low self esteem and I felt sorry for her. I look for and admire the 'new' heroine in historicals. The strong, independant, I can do anything heroine. And, perhaps, this is why the stories don't work for me. The heroines are disappointing, therefore, the stories are disappointing. I'm beginning to think the 5-star reviews are prompted by the authors themselves. I don't think anyone who has high standards in what they read could give this book 5-stars.

Sorry, I've read every anthology that I can get my hands on, but, unfortunately, this was my least favorite. Unlike some of the other readers, I will finish every book I start to give the stories half a chance and with each story I read, I was more and more disappointed. The plots were flimsy and s l o w moving.

Of the three, Collins spins the best story, however, that's not saying much. Predictable plot. No surprises, here. A shame because the character had such possibilities.

I loved this book! It's one of the few anthologies I have on my keeper shelf and each story is something special. Look for the full-length novels from all three authors.

I picked up Affairs of the Heart during vacation, expecting a quick read, and instead found four wonderful stories that were more complete reads than usually found in an anthology. The tone of each story is different and equally satisfying. Candace Mc Carthy's brave heroine had me in tears; with her unique characters and lively dialogue (as well as incredible sexual tension), Stobie Piel had me laughing, and Laurel Collins had me doing both with her spinster heroine who can't believe she's the target of an anonymous admirer. This anthology contains three stories each worthy of standing alone, great for any time of year. I highly recommend each author, & am going straight out to look up their other titles!

I borrowed several books from my best friend and Affairs of the Heart was one of them. This was by far the worst anthology I've read. This was the first time I did not finish reading the complete stories. (All three of them) It was as if all three authors rushed to complete the story. Readers are becoming more and more picky. I know I am. I've enjoyed other books by Stobie Piel but I'm sorry to say, this did not meet the usual expectations. I've never heard of Laurel Collins. She is probably a new author and this was her first try.