Customer Reviews

Passions of Chelsea Kane

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

 

 

The title is a bit misleading in that it is not about sexual/sensual passions per se (although that plays a part in the story). It is more to do with Chelsea's life's passions, mainly her obsession in finding her birth parents. While on her search she encounters many adversities, including being shunned by a reserved New England community that does not condone her free-spirited lifestyle, including a pregnancy without a father in the picture, a love affair with one of the town's available and handsome men, and a business partnership in the town quarry.

As the story unfolds, we learn that Norwich Notch has some hidden secrets and "skeletons" of their own that they don't want uncovered and disclosed, which include illegitimacy and domestic abuse. In other words, they want to give the appearance that they are a quaint, New England community... "appearance" being the definitive word. Thus, it is easier for them to hold Chelsea Kane in judgment rather than admit their own shortcomings.

I gave the book 4 stars because I thought it was a bit too long. I would have left out the lengthy descriptions of the quarry business. Aside from that, it's one of those books that will grab your attention from the beginning and keeps you hooked right up to the end.

I have enjoyed reading Barbara Delinksy's books, and this is very much one of her best. She seems to be able to take various subjects and flesh them out with characters who are true to life. While I enjoyed very much reading about Chelsea's search for her birth parents, the subplot about Donna and her situation (spousal abuse) was equally compelling. I agree with the other reviews that the conflict of the family heirloom was left unresolved and should have been dealt with, as well as the relationship between Chelsea and her adoptive (read that "real") father, Kevin. But, in spite of that, Barbara Delinsky has written a book one will not easily forget, with characters you will remember for a long, long time.

I loved this book! The twists and turns keep you entrigued. There were plenty of times by jaw dropped. I was disappointed to finish reading. It is definitely a book that keeps you guessing.

Chelsea Kane always realizes that she was adopted but her family didn't want her to know anything about her biological parents. They destroyed all the records. When her mother dies, her lawyer gives to Chelsea an envelope postmarked Norwich Notch, New Hampshire. Before she makes the decision to go to the town of her birth, she makes love with her best friend and business partner Carl Harper.

She becomes pregnant but before she can tell Carl, he informs her he is marrying the woman who is carrying his twins. Needing a place to escape to and wanting to find out about her biological roots, Chelsea moves to the small conservative village of her birth, buys into a business and meets Judd Streeter who is Chelsea's foreman on the quarry site. While the two fight their growing feelings for one another, someone in town attempts to scare her into leaving, going so far as to trying to run her over and burning down her home.

It has been over eleven years since THE PASSIONS OF CHELSEA KANE was published but classics such as this stand the test of time and remain a strong read when reprinted. The relationship between the heroine and her love is so dynamic and explosive, sparks fly off the pages. The townsfolk are an interesting group who give color and atmosphere to the plot and demonstrate that even in a small hamlet, there remains a huge gap between the classes.

Harriet Klausner

This book tells the story of a woman, Chelsea Kane, who, after the death of her adoptive mother, decides to "discover" herself by looking up her biological parents. She moves to Norwich Notch (her birth place) to start her search. The book is slow and other than Chelsea, the character development lacks some. But after finishing the book, I decided the slow moving pace of the book represented the slow pace of life in Norwich Notch. Ms. Delinsky starts the book out with a family squabble over a divided set of jewelry, which leads the reader to believe this is one of the conflicts Chelsea has to resolve throughout the book. While the other conflicts resolve in a satisfying way, this story line has no closure.

One of the only books I truly love, I have read my copy so much it is falling apart and I have to buy a new one. I have read other books by Barbara Delinsky, but this one, in my opinion, is one of her best.

I became a huge fan of any romance novel written by Barbara Delinsky after reading this thriller. This was so compelling and erotic that I just couldn't put it down. I went back and reread some of the amorous scenes just to relive them. This is a great read, the tree seen is very erotic. Enjoy!

This book really grabed me from the start. I think it is one of the author's best novels. Don't be thrown off by the size of the book... it is a very fast read. Overall it is a very pleasant and heart warming book. My only negative comment is I found the sub-plot about Donna a little depressing. But I am sure a real critic would say that Donna made the book believable.

Don't pass this one up!

I just finished reading this book. It is my favorite Delinsky book and that is saying something. She has written so many outstanding novels. I loved this one. The characters are so real, so natural, so human. Just wonderful. Chelsea Kane and beautiful Judd and Hunter will always be with me. I was bereft when the book ended. Very satisfying book. Full and developed story. Love, romance, suspense, and beautiful writing.

I was pleasantly suprised, upon my first reading of a book by Ms. Delinsky. I was rewarded with suspence, romance, and great characters. Although slow in some parts, the story line was strong and full of twists and turns. If you're looking for romance, with suspence and family conficts this is a good read. I was disappointed however, that she didn't finish the conflicts by the end of the book. I would have liked to have seen her resolve the conflict of the heirloom ring and the conflict between Chelsea and her father. I will definetly be reading more of her books in the future. An entertaining read that kept guessing!