Customer Reviews

Stealing Heaven

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

 

 

This book was a truly enjoyable! I came to write my review and saw CKINGLUV's remarks and thought he/she could not have read the same book as me. Then I went and saw that CKINGLUV seems to make an occupation out of writing nasty reviews for talented authors like Jill Barnett and Mary Jo Putney! I wholeheartedly disagree with her comments about this book especially. STEALING HEAVEN was a delightful adventure with a wonderful romance between Gillian and Dante. The addition of the characters from the earlier stories was an added feature. The interaction between the two characters was well-written, especially the dialogue. The description and narrative more than enhanced the story and the sub-plot about the plague in England at this time was truly interesting. If you ask me, CKINGLUV, your saying you won't read Ms. Reding's work again is really doing her a favor. She doesn't need a reader like you, and neither do all the other authors whose work you have criticized unjustly.

On his return to his home, Dante Tremaine, discovers a young girl lying in the middle of the road, unconscious. From the moment he commits to helping her, his heart is lost to the mysterious beauty who can't remember her name or where she's come from. When the truth comes out, he's helpless to walk away, even though there is a bad history between their families. What ensues is pure adventure, pure romance, and truly a great read. The dialogue sparks, the setting comes alive, and in the end, you will find yourself putting this one on your keeper shelf like I did. Dante is one of my favorite Reding heroes and Gillian is his perfect match. I'd give this ten stars if I could.

**edited from original***

I pulled this book out this weekend and gave it a re-read in an effort to save some money. (Any of you book fanatics out there know what I mean!) I hadn't read this book in a couple of years and I brushed the dust off and sat down for a refresher. Wowser! I recalled I had given this book a 4 star review and I came back to edit it and upped it to a 5 star.

This novel was even better the second time around. Young heiress Gillian is absconded from her bed in the middle of the night by a pair of dandies in an attempt to spirit her off to Gretna Green in order to gain her substantial dowry. This somewhat cliche beginning has surprises in store for you as this abduction has more than one motive. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for Gillian, she manages to escape her abductors only to be left for dead, unconscious on a road in the icy rain. The injury she sustains has robbed her of her memory, not only of who she is but of the people who have caused her this harm.

Along comes Dante, the Rakehell Earl of Morgan, whose carriage nearly runs over the fallen lady. He gathers her up in an heroic display and takes her to his manor, where he restores her health. Dante has the reputation of a womanizer, but a heart of gold. He's taken with Gillian immediately and swears to protect and honor her, while getting to the root of her abduction. Dante is truly the charmer in this romantic tale.

The pair have a lot to conquer in this story- a murderous plot, a meddlesome family, the rules of society and layers and layers of greed and corruption. Dante and Gillian manage to develop a beautiful loyalty to one another and a friendship based on knowledge of one another. I loved the dialogue between them and found their relationship to be most authentic. The passionate build-up is quite something, as the Rakehell Earl has sworn not to dishonor his lady despite her attempts to weaken him with scorching kisses and play.

I highly recommend this romantic tale!

Time Period: Restoration (mid 17th century). Plot devices include: abduction, damsel in distress, amnesia, a roguish hero and... there is a small side plot of a long lost child (for those of you who hate this plot device). Sexual scenes: About 25 pages of 375.

This is one of Jaclyn Reding's earlier books, and though she has gone on to later time periods since this one,her Restoration series is excellent. Every book I've read of hers shows careful research and strong writing. I read historical romance as much for the history as for the romance, and this author delivers both, always in interesting ways. Her history is accurate, and her characters have real, complex, intense emotions, all of which I think are part of a good historical romance. STEALING HEAVEN is well written, as all of her books are, and the story is compelling. Gillian and Dante are well defined characters, and very likable. Ms. Reding always writes with intelligence and sensitivity, which are important in a great romance. I enjoyed this story very much, and I will definitely read other books by her. This is an author to check out, and an author to remember!

Ohmigosh! Was this book good! Ms. Reding has outdone herself this time. I cannot wait for the next book. Hey, everyone out there! Read this book! You won't regret it! I promise! Order it right now! Do it! What are you waiting for?

I gave this book two stars, because Ms. Reding did take the time to think up a story and write it down. I don't want to sound ungrateful for the effort. I truly had to force myself to finish it though. I am one of those readers who feels a certain commitment to a novel once I've begun it. I feel this novel was so very basic in its expressivness as well as its descriptivness. There was so much chit chat among the characters, I felt bored with them. This droll chit chat carried through even into the characters' thoughts. I think this in turn severely damaged the chemistry of Dante and Gillian. Frankly there was none. Gillian was portrayed as, before her time, highly curious and bright. Honestly, could not her dialogue have reflected this. Dante was toted as a Rakehell Earl. How very silly, his past truly was not well established enough for you to even begin to have this image of him. Sorry Ms. Reding this the second novel of yours that I have read and it is most likely my last.