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46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gentle, Funny, and Very Sexy Hero, December 10, 2002
This review is from: As You Desire (Paperback)
It's 1890 in the Egyptian desert and a perfect setting for a touching romance. Harry Braxton and Desdemona (Dizzy)Carlisle, both from England, have been close friends for five years and neither will admit they are desperately in love with the other. As You Desire is truly the most enjoyable book I have read from page one. The first pages of the book grab you quickly and by page ten, you are swept up in Harry and Dizzy's relationship and laughing and sighing over the fantastic hero, Harry. The first half of the book had me laughing again and again. The synopsis on the back of the book refers to Harry as a notorious rake. I did not see him in this manner. He has a real heart and his character is written well as a very desirable but concientious man. He adores Dizzy but hides from her a problem that he fears would repulse her. Reading the book, I did not understand the seriousness of his problem, but once I finished the book, I read the author's notes at the end of the book and realized that his problem was considered to be very significant in 1890. I suggest that you read the author's notes before beginning the book to understand many of Harry's feelings. Dizzy has thrown herself at Harry three years earlier and he had refused her advances due to her young age and his hidden problem. She was a child genius and is now a talented translator of ancient manuscripts. She is a very likable heroine and is embarassed by her earlier overtures that Harry declined. She longs to return to England someday. Harry and Dizzy enjoy their close friendship. When Harry's handsome cousin comes to visit him from England, he fears Dizzy is slipping away from him and sees her welcoming his cousin's attentions. The romance between Harry and Dizzy develops quickly at this point and it is one of the sweetest I have read. Connie Brockway is a fantastic author and does no formula romance writing. Everything about this book is fresh and unusual. Although I feared some misunderstandings arising towards the middle of the book, this author simply does not write silly misunderstanding between her love leads as we so often see in historical romance novels. Harry and Dizzy are each very hesistant to reach beyond the confines of their friendship. They communicate well and don't get lost in lies. There is a beautiful sensual scene between the two that I would rate about a three (see more about me for these guidelines) but this is a story that does not need additional sensual writing. The action of this book is quick for the first half, then falters for another fourth of the book and then picks back up to deliver a very satisfying ending. This is a book you will probably want to save to read again someday. I read many books each week and find I remember few storylines. This is one story that has stayed with me for months now. It is simply outstanding.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"you are my country . . . ." *sigh* such a fantastic hero . . . ., April 21, 2006
This review is from: As You Desire (Paperback)
I was saving As You Desire for a rainy day, and I knew it would be a good read. I love that it takes place in Egypt in 1890 (great setting and time period!) - very exotic and adventurous! Desdemona (Dizzy) and Harry have known each other for 5 years, but 3 years ago she threw herself at him and he refused her advances b/c of her young age and his hidden "problem"....well now their friendship is starting to blossom into love - just when Harry's "tall, dark and handsome" cousin Blake visits and begins courting Dizzy.....
WARNING!!: Some of my review is spoilerish about certain scenes, but it doesn't spoil the twist in the plot...however if you haven't read it yet and you are interested in reading it - please just read the book b/c I wouldn't want to ruin any of the small surprise for you. (sorry!)
Characters: Harry can speak 12 different languages and Desdemona can translate them all written. They are both prodigies and they've both experienced difficult childhoods.
I love Harry b/c he is everything that many other romance heroes aren't, and Connie Brockway does a great job of juxtaposing this by showing the clash and the differences between Harry and Blake. Harry knows that Blake won't make Dizzy happy, but he's to afraid to say anything to Dizzy without revealing too much of his past about his "problem".
Magi, the maid and guardian for Dizzy, is GREAT! I love when she gives Harry the warning that he needs to snap out of it and profess his love to Dizzy - so satisfying!!!
Plot: The 2nd plot line involves a wealthy Texan who lays out a 10,000 dollar cash prize to anyone who can find him a golden Apis bull to put on his mantle back at his ranch. and the action begins. everyone wants the prize - and it ends up fitting perfectly in the Happily-Ever-After. :)
ONE small minor detail I would change if I could:
There is a reference to hashish being smoked from a hookah, and the heroine gets stoned off her ass (which is a pretty funny scene I must admit). My older sister owns a hookah and her Greek next door neighbors own hookahs as well. You're only supposed to smoke shisha tobacco with them - it won't get you stoned. Yes, technically you CAN smoke hashish or pot with a hookah but the resin WILL ruin the pipes and tubes - any die-hard hookah owner (or native middle-eastern who owns a hookah) knows this and will NOT do this. However, I can easily give Connie Brockway the benefit of the doubt and say - ok, so what - this happened by accident - the hookahs weren't cleaned properly or taken care of and the owner will buy a new hookah - no big deal....
The love scene is such a passionate relief after all the mounting tension and confusion and drama, I had to remind myself how to breathe and exhale. And the anguish that Harry goes through to convince Dizzy that he really does love her just squeezed my heart into a pulp - I know I've mentioned "physically painful" moments in romances before (Lord of Fire by Galen Foley or Lover Eternal by JR Ward) but once I got to the turn in the plot where Harry confesses everything to Dizzy - I had to finish the novel in one night - there's not putting it down.....
Final note: "A" for the imagery, Harry's profession of love, Harry's anguish and "unique-ness" of the story and setting, and the fantastic satisfying love scene, and all around good direction and flow of the drama.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most ROMANTIC Historicals...., December 29, 1999
This review is from: As You Desire (Paperback)
Connie Brockway has written a sensitive, moving, wonderfully intense historical romance ever! Harry Braxton, an archeologist, opportunist, (Prince of Jackals), is in love with Desmonda Carlisle or Dizzy as he so lovingly calls her. Problem is, he can't tell her and she has no idea. Harry hides a painful secret from his past that he is unwillinging to share with Dizzy, so he gives her up instead of revealing his secret. Dizzy, our heroine, extroadinary child prodigy, and romantic, has loved Harry for five long years. She offered herself to him once and he scorned her so she swears never to make the same mistake again. She is used to making due with little, and somehow she will gather enough money so that her grandpa can have a triumphant return to england, and she will have the thatched roof cottage and Bertie Cecil. Enter the brooding cousin from England and things get a couple of degrees more complicated from then on. But Ms. Brockway has written a gem of a story with several of the most moving self revelations and confessions that ever was. The story gets tied together delightfully and the last chapter, though not an epilogue, won't leave you banging your head trying to figure out what happened to the pair. You will fall in love with both Harry and Dizzy, along with the rest of the supporting cast. You can't help but root for them, and you can't help but fall in love with an author who has her hero say--I love you-- first. Unique! Buy this book, you won't be dissapointed.
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