Customer Reviews

Precious Heart (Arabesque)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. In a mere 376 pages, Ms. Johnson skilfully wove an entrancing tale with well developed, complex characters, an interesting plot and thought provoking themes. The story took me through a wide range of emotions - I laughed, cried, sighed and ranted and raved through the story. Diamond and Steven are going to be heroes for me for a long time to come. Diamond - who chooses to face her fears head on and come to grips with them, who cares enough about a young stranger to want to befriend and help her, who gives her all to the one she loves. Steven - who is haunted by the memory of a lost love, who overcomes his fear of that kind of commitment and resulting pain to truly love again, who takes on the burden of trying to hold together a family bent on destruction, who cares about his loved ones even when they appear to do everything to push him away. The story touched on social issues like class prejudice and dysfunctional families as well as organ donation. And in spite of all that, it was an amazingly wonderful, passion-filled romance. The issues were all addressed in a way that made them real and not superficial or secondary, but at the same time the story was not heavy or depressing.

Kudos to you Ms. Johnson. I am now an avid fan!

"Precious Heart" was an eye opener. It was a good book. This was my first book by Doris Johnson. Ms. Johnson expressed the issue of organ donation from two views -- the importance of organ donation, as well as the negative views regarding organ donation.

Diamond was a sincere person. She had negative views against organ donation, but proceeded to see how an organ recepient lived after being awarded a precious gift and given another chance to survive.

"Precious Heart" was a learning experience. Not only did Diamond have to cope with losing her beloved mother, but with knowing the receipient of her mother's heart. Diamond became embroiled in the receipient's family's matters. Diamond and Steven fell in love. She became a mentor to Steven's teenage niece, and an assistant to Steven's mother, the heart receipient.

"Precious Heart" was about life, caring, and most important of all -- love and the gift of sharing.

Good book, Ms. Johnson. I look forward to reading other books by you.

I have had the pleasure of reading all of the books ever written by Doris Johnson and the one under Gloria Greene. I always appreciate reading books by Doris Johnson, because she develops strong women who can not be just pushed around, she does not take all day to get to the outline of the story, both major characters usually develop their feelings early enough in the story so you can enjoy the relationship developing before you get to the last chapter. In saying this I truly enjoyed a story of how one feels when an organ from a loved one goes to someone else. It was a hard thing to take for Diamond to have her mother be an organ donor, especially since she did not agree with this decision. But Doris has presented us a story by showing us the impact of Diamond's personal investigation of who received her mother's heart. The storyline was very well done, I liked seeing it taken in Charleston, South Carolina and the awareness it gave me about the organ donor program. Besides the main subject of this story, I truly enjoyed the chemistry between Diamond and Steven, the way they communicated with each other and of course the intimacy that took place. It occured to me as I was reading this story just how important it was for Diamond to be present in the Rumford home, not only did she bring peace but she forced this family to deal with issues they may never have done. It is clear to say that everyone does play significant roles in our lives as Diamond did so in this book. But this book is a very easy and enjoyable read plus it is an excellent means of awareness of the organ donor program. Doris, you did a fantastic job with this story and we look forward to your next project. Check out Doris's other recent novella book, Cupid's Arrow, "A Passionate Moment". You should enjoy this one also.

This was my first Doris Johnson book, but it won't be my last.

The storyline enveloped me from the beginning, and I was no less engrossed by the time I finished the book.

The author uses a dysfunctional family(to say the least) to bring out some real life issues/concerns. Her delivery is strong, and the characters that she uses to bring the story to life are PERFECT! You won't soon forget any of the players in this novel.

Yet, even with all the sidebar melodrama, Ms. Johnson still presents a sizzling romance between Steven and Diamond. She has proven that a romance novel can still have some "depth"

Read it, you won't be disappointed.

This is one of Doris Johnson's best book she has ever written. There are many issue's that make you sit and think but you will not lose interest in the story line. Diamond and Steven were made for each other. Cecelia was a character you will never forget. You must read this book. Doris good job!

I couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed it. Diamond Drew was a wonderful girl. She was devasted when her mother was struck and killed by a car. By the time she got to the hospital they had taken her mother's heart and given it to another. Diamond couldn't understand why. She then found out that her mother had signed her donor card. Diamond wanted to find out who had her mother's heart. She found her and sought employement from this rich widow woman. She was not at all like Diamond's mother. Her mother was a kind spirit, this woman was contrary and mean. Her son was a doctor and he was attracted to Diamond when he first met her. Steven tried to pursue Diamond, and Diamond tried to resistant him. After a while she couldn't anymore.

There are so many things going on in this book with Steven's family. This still didn't take away from Diamond and Steven's story. There is an inside look at the reactions of families of people who have donated and received organs. Great book Doris. I really loved it.

In my opinion this book shows Doris Johnson at her best.This book covers all ground Anger,Betrayal,Heartbreak and most of all Love and committment true to form.Mrs. Johnson does not dissapoint fans with this story.The way she combines the heartbreak and tragic losses of both Diamond and Steven and mixes it with newfound hope,love and compassion not to forget the dissapointments that both feel with growing relationship.This book shows what a truley gifted writer Drois Johnson really is.

Precious Heart was a good read. I enjoyed the characters a lot. The novel was a little long for me and it seemed like the story was being forced to make the 377 pages of the book. Well, all and all it was an okay story!

Precious Heart was a book that I could not put down. I, myself felt as Dimond did about the subject of organ donation, after I read this book I have come to the understanding that one life maybe gone but another can live on. This book was well written and a great read.