Customer Reviews

Reap the Wind

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is one of a trilogy, but the rich historical background in the novel has been made very real by the author; her characters are alive, vibrant, and people from other ages and times leap out at you from the book.

The Wind Dancer is symbolic of not just a priceless, much-sought-after statue--it is something that calls to mind a pure transcendant beauty that an artist's hand has realized and that nobody else can copy--something so powerful that an identical copy of the same piece cannot fool even a man whose eyes are going blind. The image evoked of the Wind Dancer is special beyond description.

Admittedly the visual painting of the Wind Dancer has to be helped by the imagination. But trust me, the hero and heroine and the fresh style in which the story is portrayed will keep your eyes open--no lengthy, flowery passages as if the thing was an epic, just a gorgeously written plot, and with the romance thrown in, the whole thing is very nicely spiced up.

These are not the only things in the book. I read it years back, and am looking for it again, and still I cannot ever forget it. The story is well researched, but the skill with which the knowledge of the time is made three-dimensional does the historical background more justice than ever. Those who know of this book will know what I mean. You won't forget the hero and heroine long after their names have faded from your memory--they have a staying power, and they blend to fit into their world despite of differences.

Keep writing, Johanssen--you have got the gift.

I had a difficult time putting this book down. The author has obviously spent time researching her history and she had me on the edge of my seat for the entire book. I look forward to reading the rest of the Wind Dancer series. If you like romance intermingled with mystery this book is for you. The secrets will suprise you!!

This book was revised.

I should have read the author's note which was at the back of the book and paid closer attention to the front cover that had "revised" on it because indeed, this novel is revised from the original novel that was released before Johanseen went to bestselling stardom with her suspense novels. Before suspense, she wrote romance, historical romances at that and was pretty good at it. Since Long After Midnight and Ugly Duckling, she's now writing straight suspense.

Reap the Wind is the third book in the Wind Dancer trilogy that is set in contemporary time. It has a very lovely romance in it with various love scenes that today, with the revised edition, the author saw fit to edit out a couple of them. Also, what's edited and changed are the actions of the characters from the original publication. As I was reading this book again (as I had bought a new copy to be put up with my other keepers) I started noticing differences that I didn't really care for and thus I quit reading it out of fustration and anger. I went back to find my original copy and indeed, the author made changes that really bothered this reader---a lot. Why certain scenes/characters/ending needed to be changed is beyond me and I didn't find that it was all that necessary but that's me. If you've already read this book, and had previously read this book when it was first published, you will be disappointed. If you've never read Johanssen, this book will not disappoint you. This book was a keeper for me so I was horrified that the author went back to make some key changes that affected plot and character.

Reap The Wind is a favorite of mine so I strongly disagree with the changes but to each his own. Just to note that this is a really big peeve of mine when authors go back to their previous books and make changes that they feel, may give them a wider audience, but meanwhile, your angering your previous audience with the changes. Go figure. I still read Iris Johansen. I just don't like what she did with Reap the Wind.

This is my first time that I've read Iris' book. So when I saw it, I didn't think that I would finished this book because it's 600 pages total! But once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down ( I finish this book in 3 days!) Every page is full of surprise and it just keep you guessing what would happend next.

Mrs. Johansen's style of writing is so unique but what I love about her the most is how she cares about each character in the book. Each of them has a very own unique way to express themselves and also a dark secret that hidden inside each of them. Take Alex as example, I love him! I love how he lives his life, "Give them want they want and they'll give you what you want."

I also love the relationship between him and Caitlin. It might seem a little confuse to me at first of how their relationship goes because they both don't know what they want until it has been explained everything in the end; and I love it because it is some kind of relationship that very deep and special for them.

Great work, Mrs. Johansen! Now, I can't wait to read "Storm Dancers" and "Wind Dancers."

I have certain criteria which needs to be met in order for me to give a book an excellent rating. One of those mandatory items is good editing. The author could write a fantastic story, filled with intrigue and characters that burst out of the pages at you, but if the editing is substandard, then I can't get past it. Thus causing my rating of the book to go down a notch. This was the case with Reap the Wind - those glaring typos and a couple of minor storyline errors jumped out and spoiled the scene in my eyes. Of course, this book is a reprint of an earlier work by Iris Johansen and I'm thrilled that her editor is either now more efficient, or she has a new one!

Reap the Wind focuses on Caitlin Vasaro, a woman who has always had a love for the Wind Dancer. The Wind Dancer, an antique statue shaped like a Pegasus, is said to possess mystical powers. The statue has been passed down in the Andreas family for many generations and is often fodder for rumor and speculation, as well as plots for stealing it. The myths surrounding the statue include stories of untold power for anyone in possession of it.

Caitlin, as a distant cousin to the owner of the Wind Dancer, had studied the statue's history while in college, and pours over a family journal, which contains portions focusing on the statue. She currently has returned to oversee and run the family flower farm in Italy and has produced a perfume that will "rock the world". She always seems to be one step ahead of the bank mortgage and worries about them repossessing Vasaro (the name of the farm). Vasaro is depicted as Utopia - fields of flowers, fruit trees, vineyard, mansion, and various outhouses. Yes, sounds like Utopia to me!

Caitlin's life is high stress constantly wondering if the elements will destroy the flower crop, and if so, how she'll make the next mortgage payment or payroll. Then an opportunity that's too good to be true walks into her life. That opportunity comes in the form of Alex Karazov, a wealthy businessman, ex-CIA/KGB man, who makes her a business proposition she can't refuse. He's willing to put up his money to market her perfume, thus paying off the mortgage on Vasaro. She enters the deal, knowing there is more to it than she is being told.

Most people can see where this story is going. Yes, Caitlin and Alex begin a mad, passionate love affair (and some of those scenes in the book are very steamy and not for those that blush at the mere mention of sex). But the surprise is the mystery that comes along with the romance. It seems others of a more evil nature are planning to steal the Wind Dancer while on loan for the perfume advertising campaign.

(NOTE: This section contains key information about the plot - skip if you are planning to read the book)The story takes you on a wild run through Europe in a chase to get the Wind Dancer back once it's stolen. At times the action is a bit far-fetched, but it will definitely have your heart pumping. The identity of a key villain, The Gypsy, was predictable, but the ending had a few twists and turns to keep it interesting.

There were also scenes that are definitely overkill, such as guys repealing out of helicopters to torch Vasaro with flame-throwers. Another hard one to fathom is the scene where the captain of a whaler shoots his harpoon at the people on the ship trying to save the whale. But hey, there are only a few of those type scenes and it doesn't take away from the overall good story.

This book is definitely one to read, as long as you don't focus on the typos and can get past the site seeing/shopping adventures. Never mind, don't ask about those! And if you blush at romance scenes, you'll want to skip over the few very erotic, xxx, love scenes that will leave you wondering how Iris Johansen comes up with this stuff!

I read the wind dancer trilogy 10 years ago and I loved it. Iris Johansen is one of my favorite story tellers. Her name is the guarantee.

The trilogy was well researched. When I read the winddancer, I really got hooked up and could hardly put it down. After reading it, I really went out of my way just to search for a copy of the Storm Winds and Reap the Wind.

Now that I am 10 years older, I would like to read the Trilogy again.

The third in the four books about the Wind Dancer, Final Target is the last in the Wind Dancer series.
I loved this book, the characters were great, the main ones Alex and Caitlin were fabulous together. I could not stand it if they were not on every page and when they were it was hot , hot and more hot. I could not put this book down! I loved the plot , the twists and the turns. Added to the list of my all time favs! Alex and Caitlin left me wishing for more and she did not give much about them in the Final Target, I am still thirsty! Fatal Tide another IJ book is the story of Melis the orphan that was rescued by Kemal and Caitlin in Reap the Wind. Kemal and Marisa(Chelsea Andreas daughter, Reap the Wind) also have a mention in Fatal Tide. I feel like I am a part of this journey with all of these characters. Keep them coiming IJ!

DGW

If this had been the first book by Iris Johnason I had read it would have been the last. I have read many of her books. This one is at the bottom of the pile! It was to long and drawn out. I thought it would never end. Several times I almost didn't finish it but thought it would pick up at some point. I was just boring

This book is horrible! I'm not sure why it is rated so high. I have not finished the book yet. I am having to force myself to finish it. Thank goodness I am checking this book out from the library and did not buy it.

My best friend knows me well. The connection created between the two lead characters is very strong and compelling and the sex scenes were very vivid. The story intertwined around the relationship was very mysterious and detailed. I had never considered what it would be like to make my own perfume, but after feeling like I was in the leading female's shoes I think it would be exciting. Coming up with the perfect combinations of scents after growing them in my own fields, producing the actual product, and the marketing that gets involved. I will never look at a perfume bottle the same again.