Customer Reviews

A Handful of Heaven

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

 

 

After reading "On Mystic Lake" and "Angel Falls" I became an instant fan of Ms. Hannah's books, thus prompting me to read her earlier works, of which "Handful of Heaven" is her first.

This is a classic example of the old cliche, "never judge a book by it's cover". When I see a book cover showing a semi-clad man and woman in a moment of passion, it gives the implication of a hot, passionate romance from beginning to end. This is indeed a story of romance and passion, but it is also the story of two lonely people, Stone Man and Devon, who have suppressed their respective painful pasts, while co-existing in the adverse elements of a brutal winter in the Yukon, in the late 19th century. As the story evolves we come to know these two people's inner thoughts and desires through how they relate to one another.

This a book to be read by the fireside or snuggled in a warm blanket, lest you get chills (literally) while reading Ms. Hannah's vivid descriptions of the Yukon wilderness in winter.

A warm hearted amusing book about an old grump who owns a store in the Yukon terriory. Since he hates people and their chatter, he advertises for a partner to watch the store so he can be free. Devon O'Shea is the only one to answer the add and he is thrilled - UNTIL Devon arrives and he finds out he has hired a woman. This book is warm hearted plus a fun book to read. I've read it 3 times and will read it again. You won't waste your money on this one.

1896 Yukon Territory

This delightful and sassy tale is about two lost and lonely souls that eventually find a meaning to their lives-together. Their amazingly detailed story is told with feeling with bits of humor thrown in to make this a 5 star read!

This is one of the most heart-warming romances ever! Kristin Hannah really knows how to write!! Stone Man MacKenna is the perfect name for this recluse who is running away from a past that is only filled with past pains and betrayals. Devon O'Shea has finally seen her sister, whom she raised, married and now it is time for her to enyoy the world. Only where she ends up and whom she ends up with is not what she expected. This is a truly wonderful, heart-warming story! So treat yourself to this gift of a book and enjoy!!!!

A Handful of Heaven is Kristin Hannah's first book, which won several awards. Since I have read all but 2 of her books, I can say that I enjoy her later novels so much better than her earlier works! Hannah's writing embodies that magic which draws readers into the heart and soul of the characters and this can be seen in her earlier novels, but it is more explosive in her later works! Everything about her later novels cries "believable"! I found this book to be not as believable as her other novels and became bored reading it during several parts of it. It was an OK book, but then again I am not much of a reader of historical romance.

Hannah writes of strong heroines who seem to overcome adversity resiliently and are very much in control. Still, I just could not get into this story. Sometimes I felt like I was reading a Harlequin romance, which is not what I was seeking to read - oh well. I felt that Ms. Devon was not quite the believable character I had come to expect from Ms. Hannah.

I have quickly become a die-hard Hannah fan and eagerly await her next book due out early next spring. Hannah's books will not disappoint you and it just depends what kind of "love-story" one is seeking to read. But nonetheless, Hannah remains a true hopeless romantic and this shines in all of her books!

What a lovely book. It was very reminiscent of LaVyrle Spencer's writing. I must admit that it was one of the best I've read, and I've read quite a few. I love that it was unglamourous and so real. I read it again right afterward. Wonderful.

Heroine Devon is so optimistic, spunky, driven and talkative that it is almost impossible not to like her. She is a woman with no prospects for marriage, so she answers an advertisement in her hometown of St. Louis for a store partner in the Yukon Territory. She jumps at this chance at adventure and is absolutely astounded at the mud, tent, miners and lack of facilities in her new surroundings. But mostly she does not know what to think of her partner, Stone Man.

At first, I had the same impression of Stone Man as Devon did, a Neanderthal who was misogynistic, overbearing, crude and basically disheveled. I did not like him at all and wondered how the author would ever transform him into a sympathetic hero.

Stone Man wants Devon gone but she cannot leave until next Spring so they are stuck together running the store. Devon is fastidious, a real lady and the changes happening in Stone Man's life are overwhelming. She has cleaned his store and his tent which the two share. She's even gotten him to use a napkin at dinner time.

Gradually Stone Man comes to care for Devon and she for him but he is terrified of any commitment due to his past heartbreaks. Here is where the reader begins to understand this big gruff man. He is isolated from civilization to protect a wounded heart.

Cheery, sunny Devon is determined to change all that and she sets about it like she is on a military campaign. This novel flows well and the dialogue and antics between these two are both funny and touching. When they open up to each other about their pasts it is truly moving. The secondary characters add much to this novel also.

2 1/2 stars. I was only reading this because I've decided to go back and read all of Kristin Hannah's books and this is the first one she published. The story was ok, not great. I had a hard time relating to the inner turmoil felt by the two main characters which meant there were times I felt myself frustrated by the interaction between them. This is the second book I've read by Hannah and I definitely liked the other one (Between Sisters) a lot better. But, for a first book, it's not too bad. I was able to read through it quickly enough to be satisfied. The main thing I disliked about the book is the overuse of curse words. They felt unnecessarily abrasive. I understand that they were used to show Stone Man's abrasive personality, but to me, vulgarity is a cheap way to express a point. I'm hoping that as I continue through Hannah's later works I will see that her talent to creatively express such ideas has improved with practice.

With dreams of finding gold , Devon O'Shea heads to the Yukon territory & a business partnership with Stone Man MacKenna. Devon finds that the business is little more than a tent in the wilderness & her partner is an ill-mannered baboon. Stone Man is not at all pleased to find that Devon is a "chatter-mouthed woman" & not a Mr. Devon O'Shea from Missouri. Despite his misgivings, Stone Man allows Devon to stay but the two must share living quarters. Eventually, they end up sharing a whole lot more. This is a fast-paced read with many entertaining secondary characters.

This was a good book, easy to read, and very entertaining . ..Good job. If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.