Customer Reviews

Forever Waiting: Colette's Appeal

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't give this trilogy enough praise. All three books are wonderfully written and I highly recommend reading all of them. The authors have a way of making you fall in love with the characters and you become part of the story. I own all three books, and now that I am done reading all of them I go back and reread all of my favorite parts. I hope that the authors write more because this trilogy was amazing!

I would highly recommend this trilogy to anyone who likes to read for escape. Deva Gantt writes stories that take you away.

This book completes the trilogy begun in A Silent Ocean Away and Decision and Destiny. In the first two, Charmaine Ryan was employed as governess to the Duvoisin children on the family's private island in the West Indies. It doesn't take long before she becomes involved in the family's secret past as well as being romantically drawn to Frederick's two sons - John the embittered legitimate son or Paul illegitimate but oh so devastatingly handsome and charming. As this book begins the family is just beginning to heal from the unbearable loss they suffered at the end of book two. Frederick is preparing a huge bash to celebrate Paul's business successes and John returns from his self-imposed banishment, Frederick's evil wife Agatha continues her schemes and Charmaine must finally chose which of the two brothers she loves.

While not the greatest works of fiction, I did enjoy the two books a lot - I love big old family sagas with lots of secrets, intrigues, deception and treachery - although this one was so OTT with it all that except for the fact I wanted to find out how things turned out with Charmaine and ---- (no I am not spilling the beans like another reviewer did) I would have sent it flying. The constant switching of POV's was very distracting, the twins at ten were just waaaaay too precocious and much as I liked John's character his cynical jokes were very off-putting and downright rude at times.

Worst of all though was the melodrama and flashbacks. I felt like I was in an episode of Days of Our Lives with Charmaine and the Duvoisin family suffering every possible set-back outside of being possessed by the Devil. The bad guys were all very very bad and of course Charmaine was very very good - no shades of gray here. There is so much great story potential and I'd love to see what like Mary Stewart of Daphne Du Maurier could have done with it. In the end, I'm glad I read the series and I'm glad I now know the rest of the story. Sorry, but I'm calling this one at two stars.

I fell in love with this trilogy from the moment I started reading the first book. All of the characters came to life for me and became part of my world! I am thrilled with the ending of this trilogy and was so very eager to get to see how it would all unfold. I am sad it is over and wish the story could go on forever!

Loved spending time with the Duvoisin family in these three books. If you enjoy an epic family saga definitely take some time with this set. As mentioned in my reviews of A Silent Ocean Away: Colette's Dominion and Decision and Destiny: Colette's Legacy, the authors do a fine job of balancing historical facts and settings of the island plantation along with some action moving back to Richmond, VA and New York, NY in this installment. While I enjoy this genre very much there are times when descriptions and facts distract from the the story - none of that frustration here. You can practically feel the tropical sun and hear the palm leaves rustling in the wind.

Of the three books, this was my least favorite but it did bring this family a new beginning. It concludes approximately three years after Charmaine's arrival on the island. This final book felt a little rushed to me, especially the plot line with Paul and Rebecca which may have fared better had she been brought in earlier, in book two maybe. I can understand the intent, perhaps Paul's drawn out indecision with Charmaine causing him to overcompensate this time. The re-emergence of John Ryan and his escapade with Father Benito also so-so for me.

Overall, a wonderful story to savor. I have recommended this trilogy to all my reader friends. The Duvoisin family will stay with you for some time. Would make for great summer reading on the beach or poolside.

Terrific book in a great series! Book was in excellent condition....shipped quickly...
throughly enjoyed the read and have shared with friends.

In order to truly enjoy this epic tale, you will have to read the series in its entirety. This book concludes a journey of characters that you grow to truly love and admire. You follow a young lady from Richmond to a beautiful island of Charmantes and you read about her struggles and that of the family she works for and watch and she grows and matures, as well as those surrounding her. The story will take its time and give you all details, so much that you feel as though you are actually apart of this tale experiencing it together. This journey really plays with every woman's romantic side and you find yourself truly captivated by the characters and the world surrounding them, their triumphs, misfortunes, sorrows, and joys. Its not just a romance, but an adventure, comedy, and mystery. This final book in the trilogy left me wanting for more and I truly hopes the story of the Duvoisins continues.

The conclusion of this trilogy is just as captivating as the first 2 books were.
Any one who is a fan of historical fiction should have this series on their must read list. Kudos to the authors! This saga should be made into a movie.
The series would be a great holiday gift for any book lover.

In 1837 Virginia, Governess Charmaine Ryan fears the Duvoisin family empire will soon collapse. The aging patriarch widower Frederick struggles to keep the plantation and shipping empire afloat, but increasingly believes his efforts are futile as it seems too little too late. His son John left insisting he will never step on the Duvoisin Plantation again. His illegitimate son Paul wants to be the head of the shipping empire, but Frederick has doubts that is enflamed by his second wife Agatha who wants everything with no rivalry from his sons. Meanwhile Paul also insists he loves Charmaine while John comes home reluctantly. Although unsure how she feels about the two offspring, Charmaine will not allow the shrew to destroy her beloved Duvoisin clan as she promised Frederick's first wife Colette that she will tale care of the men.

The final tale in the Colette's Prayer Duvoisin family saga (see Decision and Destiny: Colette's Legacy and A Silent Ocean Away: Colette's Dominion) is a fine sweeping nineteenth century Americana. The story line focuses deeply on the interrelation extended family dynamics of the Duvoisin brood using flashbacks to inform newcomers how the clan reached that point of implosion. Although the finish is too emoting and melodramatic, fans of the saga will relish the heavyweight championship battle between Charmaine and Agatha with the stakes being the souls of the Duvoisin family.

Harriet Klausner

The finale of this beautiful trilogy was as good as the two previous books. I loved how Charmaine and John married halfway through Forever Waiting and he realized she was the love of his life and not Colette. It was also great to see Paul and George fall in love and get married as well. Although I was not too crazy over Rebecca, the young girl, who ended up marrying Paul. The villains, Agatha and Robert were true monsters and ended up getting what they deserved. Most if not all the questions posed in the two previous books were answered and it was marvelous to see John and Frederic bury the hatchet. Finally, it was sad to read the conclusion to these fabulous books but the authors are hinting of a new book, which will delve into the past during the Colette, Frederic and John triangle era and then jump a bit into the future around the 1840's. I hope they will be able to publish the novel because I want to continue reading about the Duvoisin clan.