Customer Reviews

Ashes in the Wind

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is a guilty pleasure for me and her novels are either a hit or a miss. I had recently read A Rose in Winter, Shanna, The Wolf and the Dove and The Flame and the Flower and enjoyed them all except for The Flame and the Flower. I was a bit wary of reading Ashes in the Wind because I have never given a Woodiwiss novel more than three stars. This one, however, gets four stars because it is such a well-told, vivid and beautiful Civil War romance and I couldn't put it down. In 1863, the South is in a state of shambles. The Yankees have taken over the plantations and ruined the lives of its inhabitants, especially the life of Alaina MacGaren, who is forced to flee her home in the guise of a young lad after she is falsely accused of being a rebel spy. She hopes to arrive safely to her uncle's house in New Orleans. However, things don't go as planned. During her journey to New Orleans, she meets a dashing Yankee, a captain/surgeon of the Union Army, and she starts to work for him. Cole Latimer is both amused and exasperated with the spirited, trouble-making boy. So imagine his surprise when he discovers that the dirty-faced boy is actually a beautiful and sensual southern belle whose sole determination is to recapture a semblance of her former life. Alaina can no longer hide the attraction she feels for the handsome Yankee. Will she yield to him, even if it means loving the enemy? There are various twists throughout the novel.

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss had books in which their heroines were described as "strong-willed" and "spirited," yet most of them did not strike me as such. However, Alaina is definitely a strong heroine who is able to adapt and handle every situation that is thrown at her. Her strength and determination are admirable and she doesn't possess the slightest inclination to being a "ninny." Even though her constant rantings to Cole for being a Yankee got old after a while, I enjoyed the fact that she challenged Cole during various situations and is able to outsmart him to boot. Cole is a great hero. He fights for the Union Army and yet feels a great deal of sympathy and compassion for the Confederates. He is my idea of the perfect romance hero -- complex, gentle, sensual, at times temperamental, but with a heart of gold. This is also the first Woodiwiss novel in which the protagonists and other characters have a great deal of depth and the protagonists' feelings for each other go beyond physical attraction. As for the story, it is wonderfully told. Woodiwiss has great attention to detail and the historical references are quite accurate and palpable. The author knows her Civil War history, that's for sure! The dialogue, however, is a different matter. The whole "Yessah, nossah" southern accent was difficult to read at times. Also, I have heard people compare this book with Gone with the Wind. Gone with the Wind is incomparable in my opinion, and if someone is similar to Scarlett O'Hara in this novel it is Roberta, Alaina's cousin. Roberta is a beautiful southern belle with a backbone of steel and the predatory ways of a cat in getting what she wants, very similar to Scarlett. The one good thing about this book, unlike Gone with the Wind, is that the author does not stereotype the black slaves, at least she doesn't do so excessively. Anyway, Ashes in the Wind is a beautiful and moving historical romance and, in my opinion, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss's best written novel I've read to date. There are some errors here that were found in her other novels -- word repetitions, too much purple prose, long-winded -- but they were easy to overlook this time. The story is that engrossing! I recommend this gem.

This is a fabulous romance novel, with fascinating characters, set against the tragedy of the Civil War. Many women are known to have disguised themselves as men to fight - Alaina disguises herself for survival and meets the love of her life. How nice to read a Civil War novel in which real research was done by someone who knows the period. I keep hoping for a sequel - whatever happens to Alaina's brother Jason after the war?

Kathleen E Woodiwiss is the MASTER of romance. I started reading her 20 years ago. Ashes in the Wind is a book that you can read over and over again and still read again! People ask me why I read this book over and over. My answer-Why do you watch a favorite movie over again. When you read Ashes, you don't want it to end. Just like Woodiwiss' other books. If you want a romantic escape, this is your book. You are hooked before the first chapter is over...Then you can't put it down! I wish I could give it 100 stars.

MY FIRST NOVEL WRITTEN BY KATHLEEN WOODIWISS I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. SINCE I READ THIS BOOK I HAVE READ EVERY ONE OF HER NOVELS. THIS BEING ONE OF MY THREE FAVORITES OF HER WORKS. I CAN ONLY TELL EVERY MOTHER OF A YOUNG DAUGHTER THAT I HIGHLY RECOMEND IT FOR A GIRL OF 16 OR OLDER TO READ. THE PEOPLE IN THE STORY BECAME SO REAL TO ME., AND I LOVED THE PLOT SO MUCH THAT IM CURRENTLY READING THIS NOVEL AGAIN FOR THE 2ND TIME.

I read this 25 years ago when I was in high school- and it has stood the test of time! It is great thru and thru. 90% of KW's books have been great but somewhat perdictable. There is a great storyline, enough romance, and plenty drama and suspense to keep the reader guessing. I hated putting it down. I really cared for the characters. The setting is during the Civil War. Alaina MacGaren has been able to survive due to her disguises as a young rebel orphaned boy, who is taken in by a dashing Yankee surgeon named Cole Latimer. She finds refugee at her aunt and uncle's home while she works at the hospital in disquise to help pay for her living expense. Times get interesting! Alaina's cousin, who she is living with, works at trapping Cole (I wanted to scratch her eyes out for Cole) into marriage, while all along Cole is fasinated with his little "ragged" friend- not realizing that he is a fascinating and desirable young woman. Things get wild and the reader will never guess how they turn out. There are truly some funny scenes that I found myself laughing at and close to tears wanting to holler "Don't do it!" at other times. I really got into the story. I must be into Civil War books right now- but this was like none other. I rate this one up there with Heather Grahams' One Wore Blue, One Wore Gray, And One Went West series about the Camerons. It was great!

This is the 4th book that I have read from Woodiwiss & I have yet to be disappointed. Ashes In The Wind was a wonderful book that kept me laughing & crying till the end. At the beginning of this book Alaina is disguised as "Al" (as well as a few others) & will keep you laughing until you cry. Cole is unaware that that Alaina even exists & has his hands full with the feisty, dirty boy he knows only as Al. Although it was the last thing from Alaina's mind she soon found herself falling for Cole & before anything could become of it she found him being whisked away from her by another. When Cole finally learns of Al's true identity it is also too late for him to follow his heart & be with this beautiful woman. It's a fun adventure watching how these 2 eventually find their way back into each other's arms. And, just wait until the ending. I usually predict endings but I wasn't sure who was behind all the crimes. Then came the Epilogue. By this point I had totally forgotten about what was to come & oh my goodness I couldn't stop the tears. This is the happiest any book has left me in a very long time. Highly recommended.

I have read five other books by Kathleen Woodiwiss and despite a couple of quibbles here and there, none of them has really left me disappointed. ASHES IN THE WIND has actually been sitting on the shelf for over a year now, having put it off because of the length, but finally I thought it was time that I read it. Well all I can say is as soon as I started reading I was pretty much glued. The story of a young lady forced to flee her home and live under the disguise of a young boy is engrossing, especially when it is set in a tragic period like the Civil War.

Alaina MacGaren and Cole Latimer are just wonderful together. She is such a strong heroine - brave and courageous, clever and witty. I absolutely adored her antics while pretending to be Al and loved how she tries to outwit Cole. But the most appealing aspect about her character is simply her will to survive and right the wrong that was done to her and her family. As for Cole, I don't think anyone would have been more suited to Alaina than him. He is a man of honor who takes responsibility for his actions. I was quite angry when he was forced to marry Alaina's manipulative cousin Roberta, and sad for how heartbroken it left Alaina. That's why I couldn't wait to get to the part when he finally finds out who Al really is. I was practically holding my breath.

With such fascinating characters, a well-developed story and dramatic setting, ASHES IN THE WIND is another enjoyable Woodiwiss novel. Yes the purple prose get a little too much sometimes and the narrative is rather lengthy, but the entertainment provided by Cole and Alaina, not to mention the sensual romance between them, makes up for these.

I enjoyed "Ashes" immensely and can't wait to read more of Kathleen Woodiwiss' books. She has a wonderful, flowery writing style and vibrant characters that keep you hooked, page after page. At first I was a bit disappointed with the switch from Civil War New Orleans to Minnesota (!), but KW's sense of storytelling, atmosphere and suspense (for awhile it felt like a Victoria Holt gothic!) made this book such a treat, I couldn't put it down. Isn't that the joy of reading? For no other reason, let this book entertain you, which should never be underestimated!!

This is one of her best stories ever. I read it for the first time in high school (15 years ago) and read it again within a year. I go back to it every few years just to indulge myself in the history and romamnce of the story. If you at all are interested in Civil War history and the history of New Orleans, mixed with romance, this book is for you.

This is by far the BEST book that I have ever read, and I have read a lot of books. I could not put it down. I have since read it over 10 times. My mother read it when she was pregnant with me, and named me after the loveable heroine: Alaina. She suggested that I read the book about 4 or 5 years ago, and it got me hooked onto romance, Woodiwiss in particular. I have read all of her novels, and love them all. This is a superbly written love story, and never will be topped. Overwhelming each time you delve into the world in which only Kathleen E. Woodiwiss can create.