Customer Reviews

The Gold Coin (Sonnet Books)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is supposed to be a romance, but there is no romantic tension between the hero and the herione. Two people fall in love, the rest of the book is filled with a second-rate mystery. Gold Coin is also supposed to be an historical novel, but the author knows nothing about history. She begins by having the daughter of a viscount adressed as Lady Breanna and the granddaughter of a viscount as Lady Anastasia. within a few pages, she has had riding habits for the implausibly rich heroine made up in muslin and forced her to pick up her skirts ever time she wants to walk across a ballroom. It gets worse. The plot, such as it is, hinges on an innovation in the banking system, about which Ms. Kane knows less than she does about women's fashions of the period. Why should we trust an author to spin a good yarn when she knows nothing about the period she pretends to write about? I would be willing to overlook a good deal of ignorance if the author sould spin a good yarn, she does not. Her ignorance of the human heart and of how people actualy speak and relate to one another rivals her ignornce of the historical period. She fails to make us care about the characters or want to find out how their stories end. I couldn't be bothered to finish this one, I don't recomend that you bother to start it.

I read both books within a couple of days. I loved that they focused on the two cousins looking so much alike, that they could be sisters. There was so much danger, mystery and intrigue, PLUS romance for both cousins. I passed these books onto my Sister and my Mom, they loved them! Please....more books like these!

"Passion and intrigue to new heights"? Maybe, but the writing and research are the pits.Clearly Ms. Kane should stick to writing contemporary stories, for she has no gift or feeling for the past.This was my first book by her, and my last.

The author should do a lot more research into the Regency period before she attempts such a novel. I find the historical inaccuracies very distracting (to put it mildly). Some examples: Noblemen of that period did not earn their living through trade. They were the landed gentry class and derived their wealth from their landholdings & estates. Anastasia was refered to a number of times as Mrs Damen Lockewood when she should in fact have been addressed as the Marchioness of Sheldrake. Ms Kane is also obviously not conversant with the mode and speed of travelling in those times. How can the villian who is in Kent and his informer who lives in London meet on such a regular basis late at night when the informer has to be back in his office by the next morning? These irritatating inaccuracies have spoilt my enjoyment of an otherwise interesting story.

I just discovered Andrea Kane recently, and I truly cannot wait to ready ALL her books. For those of you, like myself, who are TRUE romantics--you will LOVE Andrea Kane!! She combines romance and mystery in an exciting and heart-melting manner, in which I was not able to put her book down even for a minute. I am an AVID reader of romance genre, but lately have become rather bored with the average romantic tale. Andrea Kane's, The Gold Coin, was the first book in a long time that helped me remember why I love these books so much. Thank you Andrea! You are by far one of the best I've had the pleasure to read.

I found this book disappointing regarding the romance aspect. I will give the author the benefit of the doubt seeing as how this is the first novel I've read from her, but overall, this one did not hold my interest. I found myself skipping pages throughout the whole thing. Almost too much intrigue that I couldn't keep up with, and really, didn't want too. The characters didn't grab me either.

Great characters, good suspense, great love scenes

I am kicking myself for buying "The Gold Coin" and "The Silver Coin" at the same time. After forcing myself to get through the first awfully boring book I have no desire to read the second.

This is my first book of Andrea Kane. My brother bought me this book (and the Silver Coin) from my Amazon Wish List. I have this book in my list even after reading the reviews because I find the title & the book descripton interesting, also the picture cover is quite intriguing. I wanted to judge the book by myself that I wasn't one bit discourage by the low reviews here in Amazon. Ummm, now however, I wish I just picked this book up in the library than having it in my Amazon wish list (worst, among the 26 of my list, this is what my bro picked) - just my luck. I am in the process of reading the Silver Coin. I am crossing my fingers & hoping it's better than this one.

The plot & the mystery puzzle of this book is quite interesting. However, there is so many inaccuracies in this book to make me enjoy it to it's full content. The conversations of the character's doesn't sound like the 18th century, let alone their gestures & the actions. There is also so many contradictions in the character's descriptions. A.K described one thing yet the conversation & the actions says another.... For instance, Anastasia is supposedly a virgin yet she's the one who initiates most of the intimacie's ; she seems to know what to expect & what's going to happend next. If it's the 19th or the 20th century then it is understandable since sex is often talked about. But in 18th century? I would guessed she'd be a bit naive when it comes to this topic no matter how well informed she is in terms of investing & business ventures. OR perhaps I am just old fashion & prefers the heroine as naive/innocent when it comes to this area. The hero, Damen was initially described as a rake, or many woman tossed themselves to him yet there was no scene that showed so nor was there any particular name or woman linked to him, no mistress or even a woman he escorts, etc.... Of course, this are only few of many contradictions and my opinion.

The romance of Anastasia & Damen wasn't detailed nor fully developed. The hero/heroine accepted, acknowledge their feelings of love for each other rather too quickly for me to find it exciting. The declaration of their love was just too simple & ordinary. Their love/romance/relationship simply didn't convince me nor did it leave any impression... There was no fire nor challenged whatsoever. After their meeting & falling in love, the rest of the book then concentrated on solving a mystery. I felt that this book is more of a mystery novel than a love story. As for historical romance? umm, don't think it exactly qualifies as such - maybe a bit of historical but more of contemporary... confusing, isn't it?

I am a new historical romance novel reader but I have read more than 40 books in this gender for the past three months ( mostly written by Julie Garwood's, Judith McNaught's, Jude Deveraux's & Jill Barnett's). In this span of time, I found out my own preferences. I have learned to know exactly what I like and what to expect in a historical romance stories. This book simply didn't even come close to that expectation of mine. Compared to the books of the authors I mentioned, this book looked inferior. Sorry, nothing personal! .......HOWEVER, these comments are only my opinion. Everyone have different taste & preferences. I read some 5 stars rating here in Amazon about this book too, So...it is always best to find out for yourself. I suggest you barrow this book in the library to be on the safe side. Then buy your own copy afterwards - if u find it more than what I have said. Good luck!

For once the hero and heroine do not fight their love for one another. I didn't have the urge to strangle the characters for denying their emotions, like I do in most romance novels. Overall, a wonderful book. I can't wait for Breanna's story.