Customer Reviews

Tender Fury

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

 

 

I'm not familiar with Ms. Mason or any of her other novels and thus, am not familiar with the quality of her additional works...but I DO know the quality of this so called "romance" novel and I must say that honestly--and I'm being kind here--it stinks! I found the actions and attitudes of both the "hero" and "heroine" of this novel so deplorable that I just had to find an outlet to vent and, thankfully, I have found one. Alot of the plots and events in this book had no relevance whatsoever to what else went on in the novel--especially the unbelievable part where Gabby gets kidnapped and drugged at the brothel. I have to say that this one plotline still disgusts me everytime I bear to think about it, especially given the descriptive, cheapenened narrative about it. It had NO PURPOSE whatsoever and didn't even tie into the rest of the story, especially considering she couldn't remember that the event even took place! A GOOD, or even a DECENT romance novel is supposed to make you feel some sort of empathy for both of the characters and make you want to literally scream for them to get together in the end. I found myself wishing these two to never set eyes on each other ever again because the infidelity on BOTH sides was beyond shameful and immature. Don't even get me started on the sexual violence and racist overtones of the novel, especially the portrayal of the slave mistresses of the "hero". He had the audacity to look down upon these women with blatant disgust as if he had no part to play whatsoever in the defilement of his wedding vows. I read this novel last year and am still attempting to forget it. I got this book at a local free booktrade and was fortunately able to return it. I only wish I could get a refund of the time I wasted.

Oh wow but this is an AWFUL book! Ok, I like soap operas, melodrama, all that jazz. I read the reviews for Connie Mason's "Caress and Conquer" and went in well prepared for what I would find. Though I didn't like certain aspects overall I liked the book. I read the reviews for this one and expected the same. IT'S AWFUL. Philippe is a monster who debases and abuses his wife extensively and cheats on her constantly. 'Course she cheats on him too but I don't really blame her as much as I do him. You'd see what I mean if you read the book but I REALLY don't recommend it. The entire plot itself is just over the top. The soap opera genre has "coincidences" all the time but this one just had too many. At one point in reading the book Philippe just HAPPENED to be in the same place as Gabby and I literally said out loud, "of course he is!" If I had been reading it in print form I might have thrown it across the room at that point but I didn't really want to do that to my laptop. Oh! And the dialogue! I have never read more contrived dialogue in my entire life! Uh, and someone needs to check their history books! I don't mind a little bit of flubbing for the sake of story when it comes to historical fiction but Mason has something happen in the book that doesn't happen until a HUNDRED years later - come on! All in all, one of the worst, and I do mean THE WORST, books I have ever read. And I have read a lot - I am getting my master's in literature. Believe me when I tell you to avoid this book - don't be stupid like me and take reviews "under advisement" - DON'T READ IT. Seriously, one star is too high.

This book was so trashy that I couldn't finish it. I admit that I sure did try. I muddled through the slop until I just wanted to scream from frustration. In the end I skipped to the end just from sheer curiosity but it ultimately was a waste of my time. The reason I picked this book up was because I had read great reviews about Connie Mason's books. But if this book is any indication of her writing style, then I guess I'll stay away. Ick.

There was not one bit of romance to speak of. The "hero" was abusive, mean and hateful. He kept a mistress throughout the book and I just don't understand how we are supposed to believe he loved Gabby when he was sleeping with this other woman in their very own bed. Gabby went through every horror imaginable from rape to being sacrificed to a snake on an alter. Not to mention the fact that she slept with several men herself. One of them... Rob, was more like the heroes I'm used to reading about and if Connie Mason had made Philippe more like him this book may have had a chance. There is also a horrific scene in a brothel that made me feel sorry for Gabby yet I lost any shred of respect I had left for her. And through it all, Philippe continued to treat her like dirt and blame her for everything he did wrong. Why on earth these two claimed to love each other is a huge mystery to me because they traumatized and abused each other from beginning to end. For truly amazing writing, try any of Judith McNaught's books. But stay away from this one. ...

WHAT WAS CONNIE MASON THINKING??

Normally, I enjoy Connie Mason's books (and I have read most of them). I don't really understand how she could have gone so far astray here....

There is a whole laundry list of things that are wrong with this book. Since I'm working with limited space...I'll try to be brief.

...The abuse that our "heroine" suffers at the hands of our "hero" and other secondary male characters is quite disturbing.

5. There are racist overtones throughout the book...

There are actually many more things wrong with the book but unfortunately, I can't specify them in this review. This is actually my second try at writing a review on this book. The first review I wrote was denied...because...I "revealed too much of the plot"...I assure you that there was nothing TENDER about the FURY I experienced from reading this book.

Since I can't be any more specific with why I hate this book, I ask that you trust me on this when I request that you not waste your time. Read this book only if you're in the mood for some outrage.

I am a very devoted fan of Connie Mason's and could not believe that any book of hers could be written so badly. I was very surprised that it was so bad. This is not a book that I would recommend to anyone. The hero rapes the heroine when their marriage is consummated. I was at a lost then. Never has the hero, in any book of hers, done that before. It was not appealing and the book just went down hill from there.
However, Connie Mason is a very good writter and story teller, so if anyone wants to read a delightful Connie Mason book try The Laird of Stonehaven, Lionheart, Pirate, Pure Temptation, A Taste of Paradise or The Lion's Bride.

I have read almost all of Connie Mason's books and love the many highly erotic sex scenes. In this book, I was disappointed that Phillipe could be so base as to passionately engage in sexual affairs with his mistress while claiming to have tender feelings for his wife until his indiscretion caused her to flee and miscarry their child. Then, he had the nerve to blame her. This is a hero you end up hating and doesn't deserve the heroine. Unusually, these characters have active sex lives with and without their destined mate. Gabby tries to flee and is befriended and ends up sleeping with her friend, but it's plain it's just pity sex. Later, she's manipulated into a drug-induced masterbation and animal sex with the highest bidder. While Phillipe can't seem to keep it in his drawers no matter who's around and likes to flaunt it by taking his partner's scent home to torment his wife. It broke my heart. The skanky hero had no morals or tender feelings for his 'victim' wife during their trials.

Ok what happened to Connie? This is not like any of her other books I've read. I hated it. I found the hero to be totally unlikeable, the heroine wasn't much better. There was no romance here, just sex and even that wasn't too hot. I didn't find any love or tenderness at all in this book. I hate to say it but this is a bad book.

I have only recently started reading Connie Mason's books and I am stating without a single hesitation that she is one of the best writers whose books I have ever laid my hands on. So, what the heck happened here?? I actually didn't want to give this book ANY stars but they won't accept my review without at least one star!!! Darn it!!

I have NEVER, ever read a book like that before in my life. If the "HERO" is what dreams are made up of, I'll gladly stay single forever...either that, or just go stand in front of a runaway bus...it would hurt less, I think. Or push HIM in front of the bus.

I felt so sorry for the "heroine"...right up until she slept with "Rob". How did the "hero" and "heroine" actually manage to fall in love, what with all the abuse and infidelities??

This book left a very bad taste with me. I alternated between anger and disgust... with BOTH the "hero" and "heroine" and I just could not finish it. I skipped pages like crazy until I finally just turned to the last chapter in the book, just so I can give myself closure with the book. He abuses her at nearly every turn, and when he wants [anything], she just gives in to him. What a wet noodle for a backbone!!

I recommend that if you want to stay Connie Mason's fan, DO NOT read this book. Maybe Ms Mason was trying her hand at other writing styles but PLEASE Connie, give us honorable heroes. I've loved ALL your books so far...except this one!!

...but it's close to a masterpiece after comparing it to Tender Fury. Seriously, I don't know why I ever picked up another Connie Mason book. I guess I keep trying to figure out her massive popularity with other romance readers.

Phillipe really is as big a slob and a brute as other reviews here indicate, and Gabby is no better as a heroine, although I have a slight amount of sympathy for her because everything she suffers dates from her connection with Phillipe. These characters have basic, simplistic, sudden emotions that go up and down like a barometer (hate-love/hate-love again, suspicion-trust/suspicion-trust again). The plot moves the characters around a great deal, probably in an attempt to distract the reader from their shallowness. It doesn't work. During the heroine's introduction to the character of the bad guy, Marcel, I kept expecting him to begin twirling his mustache at some point. (He becomes a "good" guy toward the end, however.) Phillipe's jealous mistress is an stock-figure 'evil' character, complete with voodoo use.

Luckily, I paid no money for this book. I only wasted my time reading it - and from now on, I swear, no more Connie Mason books for me. Time is just too precious to waste.

Until this book I was a fan of romace novels and Connie Mason in particular. The blatant abuse and racism in this book was shocking! Our "Hero" rapes two wives, beats his slaves, and still ends up with the girl at the end. Our "Heroine" sleeps with anybody who befriends her or for whom she has pity. I wanted to see them both dead at the end. Unless you want to be disillusioned forever, DON'T read this book!