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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I hate to be a slight dissenter here but this is how I saw it., October 7, 2009
This review is from: Love's First Light (Paperback)
Love's First Light starts out with an intensely emotional and graphic scene that made me wince, but I couldn't stop reading. Carie did an excellent job with realism. As I read along I realized how many morbid sayings come from that era like, "Should I stick my neck out?" and "Some heads are gonna roll." Ew. That time period was downright brutal and unfair to the innocent. I loved how well the author played this theme out even if it did gross me out a bit at times.
This started out as a really good story but there were a few things that didn't sit right with me from the middle to the end. The hero's dialogue sounded a bit more like a woman than a man for much of the second half of the book. It could've been because he was a scientist and artsy sort, but I'm not inclined to think the author made the man seem effeminate on purpose. Maybe it's just me, but I also felt like I was slipping in and out of the time period, too. It's hard to explain. Maybe the voice wasn't consistently French- Revolution-sounding. That's the only thing I can think of that would explain why I didn't feel immersed in the story from the middle of the book to the end.
One more sort of humorous comment. On page 263 one of the characters references when the French gave the Statue of Liberty to America after they won their freedom from England. Well, I'm not a huge history buff when it comes to the picky dates and details but even I knew that event occurred in the 1800s. It bugged me so I looked it up and the date was 1886 to be exact - a full 100 years later. One historic site wrote... The Statue of Liberty was given to America by the French in 1886 and has been a symbol for America ever since. So there is no possible way that the character in 1794 could have know about something that took place almost 90 years in the future. That was a big whoops on the author's part. History buffs are sure to notice. Sheesh, I hate to be critical because I'm a big Jamie Carie fan, but this did throw me for a loop to the point of distraction.
In some places the words the author used were so beautiful and poetic, but in other places the dialogue threw me off because it didn't seem to fit the era. And the romance between two older secondary characters seemed a bit plastic to me. I wasn't feeling the love like it was a real thing. It also seemed like the color and prism theme in the story was a bit disjointed. But I am still a big Jamie Carie fan and I loved The Duchess and the Dragon and Wind Dancer. This book...not so much. Sorry!
On the more positive end, I have to say the author has a way with words when it comes to romance and kissing. That's definitely her strength. I loved the forgiveness theme in the story as well and how the author showed that sometimes the people who have every right to be bitter are the ones God uses to set the example (if they are willing) by their love and demonstrated forgiveness. That was very well done. So, that said, for the above reasons this was not my favorite book by Carie, but if you like reading about the era and the issues surrounding the French Revolution, you would still enjoy this story.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful read, June 9, 2009
This review is from: Love's First Light (Paperback)
I love the setting and the plot of this book. The 18th century France, is a subject I have never read about before and it was fun to get to know some of the issues that people faced at that time. I worried that I would be overwhelmed reading a 'Christian' novel. I was pleasantly surprised that the religious mentions where not as abrupt and distracting as I thought they might be. Actually, the people of that time were much more religiously aware then the people of today, so it fit quite well. The only negative comments that I might add were that I wish some parts had been developed more, for instance when Christophe makes his decision it seemed so hasty. Otherwise, a solidly written book. If you enjoy historical romance this book is worth your time.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Action Packed with Twists and Surprises, October 10, 2009
This review is from: Love's First Light (Paperback)
Young Christophe, the Count of St. Laurent, was brutally left alone in the midst of the French Revolution. Fearing for his life, escaping from Paris was his only hope...
Knowing all he ever loved is gone forever, Christophe retreats to the old family castle in the medieval town of Carcassonne. Consumed with research, experiments and writings he thinks of little else. Years pass unnoticed, like the blowing of the wind.
Unable to sleep he wanders about late at night. One evening, clad in disguise, he finds a beautiful young woman visiting a grave. He tries to speak with her but she is withdrawn. A spark of hope is ignites in Christophe's heart with the prospect of future encounters.
Beset by the trials of poverty, life for the commoner grows more difficult each day. Self-reliant and resourceful, Scarlett, a recent widow, her sister and mother have survived fairly well. However, their resources are rapidly depleting and drastic measures must be taken. A plan is set in place.
The ensuing story is about the reawakening of two broken hearts amid the devastating circumstances of the French Revolution. Will they fall prey to the devious plans of the revolutionists?
Jamie has done it again. Love's First Light is action packed and emotionally charged from beginning to end. The characters are fully developed and become ingrained in your minds eye. The writing is so vivid you will feel their pain, experience their struggles, and smile at their peaceful moments.
Love's First Light is the best romance book I have read in a long time. I was enthralled, addicted, and couldn't put it down.
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