Customer Reviews

Beauty for Ashes (Steeple Hill, No. 9)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since others have already told what the book is about, I will just say it is a very enjoyable read and one romance historical lovers should check out. It is a book readers will become engrossed in. Dorothy also has a new book with Justin's sister as the main character entitled JOY FOR MOURNING which is a July 05 release from Steeple Hill. I have read it and it is excellent also, one that should also be picked up if you decide to purchase this one, which I really hope you decide to do!

When Elizabeth married Justin Randolph, it was strictly a business deal. She was to take care of the children, run his house, and put up a good "wifely" appearance for people in general. No intimacy. For this, she received room and board, proper clothing, and a goodly monetary settlement. That was Justin's understanding and desire.

Elizabeth`s desire was a place to escape her father and marriage to Reginald Burton-Smythe. Intimacy was not necessary. She accepted the clothing to look proper but wanted no money. "...I do not wish to feel purchased."

She thought God had forsaken her. But did she want to know a Father God who left such bad things happen to his children? Her father was a wealthy, selfish, greedy man. Money was his god and Elizabeth his chattel. Were all men like that? According to her mother, yes. But she had heard of a different relationship between her grandparents.

Justin was a ship owner of means. He had earlier been jilted for lack of money by his fiancée and later was married for his money. His wife left him for her old boyfriend. Her death left him with two babies and a bitter, battered heart.

But God had other plans. Isaiah 61:1-3 reads: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;...to bind up the brokenhearted, ...to comfort all that mourn; ...to give unto them beauty for ashes...."

Could Elizabeth and Justin learn to trust God and each other? Could God heal? Were they willing to let Him?

Dorothy Clark has woven a beautiful, compelling story of God's mercy and healing as she shows how He can draw two bruised and battered people back to Himself. Truly, God can and does give "beauty for ashes" in our lives as we yield ourselves to Him. - Linda Demorest, Christian Book Previews.com

I 've ready many historical romance books ..... and loved this one .... you'll fall in love with the characters. I wasn't able to put it down.

I enjoyed this book a lot, my only complaint is the inappropriate giggling the heroine does early in the book. She's been accosted by the man her parents want her to marry, her life is totally fraught with uncertainties (she just married a total stranger) and she's giggling...I personally found it hard to believe and very annoying but in spite of that, the book is a worthwhile read!

What would you sacrifice to escape an arranged marriage with a cruel, evil man? Would you leave your home and sacrifice any hope of finding true love? Would you trade a loveless marriage of convenience to an absolute stranger for safety from the abusive man your parents want you to marry? Elizabeth Frazier is faced with this dilemma in Beauty for Ashes. If you enjoy historical romance, you'll enjoy this story that interweaves suspense and romance with Elizabeth's growing awakening to the power of prayer and her own personal trust in God. When she discovers God is a real and loving God, perhaps she can open her own heart to love-and trade beauty for ashes.

Reviewed by: Tina L. Miller, author of "When A Woman Prays" (also available at Amazon.com)

Upon reading the premise of this book I assumed it was going to be the typical marriage of convenience turned into something more type of book just as another reviewer had stated earlier. Well, it WAS that but also much more. Despite the overused plot, I found myself glued to the pages. This is exactly what I look for in a book: Dimensional characters, likeable heroes/heroines, and an interesting plot (a little excitement and some sexual tension is an added bonus, one that is present in this book).

Like another reader, I thought the giggling early on was annoying... WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GIGGLING FOR?? I suppose because, while I do laugh when completely baffled by events, her circumstances were beyond bafflement encroaching on tragic.

One gripe which kept the fifth star off... (No longer!!! 1/08) I reread this book and found the error was mine. Too bad I can't add that fifth star. But all in all a WONDERFUL book. I loved the characters. Fun,funny, exciting... well done!

After reading many good reviews on this book here at amazon, I drove out to my library and picked up this book, expecting a well-written novel with a compelling love story. I was pretty disappointed. The story has been told hundreds of times in the Christian romance world (a marriage of convenience turning into something more), but that wasn't what bothered me. The writing was too forced and rushed, and it was hard to get invested in the story. I found myself uninterested in the characters at times, and though I really wanted to love this book, I ended up only liking it a little in the end.

Before this book, I had never even heard of this author. I got it because it seemed like an interesting plot. Well, to my surprise, I read the book in 3 days. I was completely drawn in! I loved this story. I lent the book to my sister in law who also read the book in 3 days!! I got the second book because the first was so good.

A case of mistaken identity sets us up for an incredibly suspenseful romance in 1820's Philadelphia. The misunderstandings are also great for a laugh which makes this a really fun read with a satisfying plot. Details of history are brought to life through the eyes of two desperate and intense personalities, painted in bright colours and brilliant clarity. Recommended.

You"ll love this book. You will just keep reading because you'll want to know what's next. I have not read anything by Dorothy Clark that I didn't like.