Customer Reviews

Untie My Heart

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Perfect, heartwrenching, exquisite...All of these words could be used to describe "Untie My Heart", but truly - None of them are enough. This book simply blew me away.

Stuart Aysgarth, a stranger to his country - England, has through the death of his father become the new Viscount Mount Villiars. While en route to his newly inherited home, he unknowingly offends Miss Emma Hotchkiss.

Emma Hotchkiss is not one to take offense lightly. However,when she comes to Stuart, demanding justice for the wrong he has done her, Stuart learns that this is no ordinary woman...Emma has a colorful past and some surprising talents that Stuart realizes could be quite useful to him.
After some inventive persuasion, Emma reluctantly agrees to help Stuart with a personal problem he has been struggling with and the two of them cook up a clever scheme of revenge that forces them together and ends in the sweetest way possible.

"Untie My Heart" is without a doubt one of the most entertaining books I have ever gotten my hands on. I was hooked from page one.

Stuart - ooooooohhhh Stuart. The man was to die for with is funny little ways and his beautiful-sad eyes. He was so taken with Emma. And the things he said to her! O-M-G.

And Emma. She was hysterical. She was such a strong character. I adored her. I havent loved a couple as much as I loved Stuart and Emma in forever.

Judith Ivory..My God, can the woman ever write. The first kiss that Stuart and Emma shared was so wildly erotic I almost died right then and there. Truly - RUN out and get this book. There is not one thing I can find to complain about except that I wanted more more more...oh and wow...the ending...
A DEFINITE Keeper. Read it.

Ivory continues to write beautifully crafted stories with unusual, complicated characters and believable love stories. She manages to create unique stories in a genre that thrives on formula and hackneyed story lines; the imperfections of her characters (both in body and in character--a refreshing change from overwrought femme fatales with 18-inch waists and bounteous, heaving bosoms!) make them more real and endearing to the reader. She even manages to make the developing relationship between Emma and Stuart believable, despite the signficant class/social differences. A few criticisms, however: I have to agree that Leonard was too one-sided (too greedy, too lecherous and too gullible) to be believable. It was hard to believe that anyone would fall for such a half-baked scheme--especially someone that is as bright as Leonard purportedly is--and then flee overseas when told to go. I guess I prefer my "villains" with some redeeming qualities. Still, overall, a very satisfying read that I was sorry to see end. I can't wait for her next effort!

I'm only writing this because someone gave this three stars and it would be a shame to miss this book because it didn't get universal rave reviews. It is one of Judith Ivory's finest books, and all of them (including the ones she wrote under Judy Cuervas) are exceptional in the writing, the characters, the desciptions and details. She is a master story-teller and this book is hard to put down and hard to forget. Go with it. Go with the Chair Incident. Enjoy it. The characters are charming, interesting, complex and delightful.

I cannot believe that anyone would not like this book. I guess it just illustrates the fact that everyone has their own unique tastes. For instance, many rave about the Christine Feehan books and I find them to be poorly written and overly melodramatic.

"Untie My Heart" is an unspectacular title, I'll give you that, but there is substance to this book and as soon as I cracked it open I dove deep into these characters, their chemistry, and the wonderful texture of the writing.

These are NOT typical romance characters and for that very reason this novel is stand-out. It reminds me of Black Silk, originally published under Judith's pseudonym.

If you're the sort of person who enjoys romance but grows weary of the routine genre romance, this book will be refreshing delight.

The sexual tensions are electric and to the snapping-point. The characters are well-drawn and interesting. There is also a wonderful dash of zany humor spicing up the sizzling sexual undertones in many of the scenes.

This book, in short, is so hot I heartily recommend it with no reservations.

I'm just sorry that others don't feel the same as I do.

Please give us more like this one, Judith!

This is my second Judith Ivory (my first was the terrific "The Proposition") and another enjoyable read.

Stuart was dreamy! Handsome, moody and slightly dark - maybe a little scary, but definitely desirable and a nice (sometimes odd) sense of humour. He's trying to untangle his messy financial affairs since recently inheriting his title while also fighting with his uncle over possessions Stuart believes Leonard stole from the Yorkshire estate. On top of all that, a local woman has been harassing him over a lamb she claims his carriage ran over and killed! Why must things be so difficult?!

Emma was smart, independent, pretty in a sturdy kind of way, and very likable. I loved her tenacity in pursuing justice for her dead lamb. She certainly threw herself completely into everything she did and she refuses to let this lordly snob get away without paying for her loss. She's no typical sheep farmer - she had another life years ago in London running con games with her recently deceased husband. She's not afraid to take him on - viscount or not!

But when she can't get satisfaction through the courts, she reverts to her old ways and scams him for it. Unfortunately, Stuart is not the easy mark she thought and she is caught by him. To avoid prosecution, she reluctantly agrees to help him scam Leonard out of a statue and earrings he stole.

But as things progress toward London and the scam, Stuart discovers that he cannot stop thinking about Emma and he wants her badly. Emma tries to resist, but eventually succumbs to his seduction. She finds him a bit frightening. He likes power and control - even in bed - and admits "I play. I have no shame. Only imagination." Wow. Emma's not sure what to make of all this, but she doesn't want to be just another quick tumble for him. She knows there's no future for a sheep farmer and a viscount and tries desperately to protect her heart.

A fun read with some sweet and some very sexy moments. Like others, I felt the scam was a bit too easily accomplished, but on the whole I really liked this book.

I don't know how I managed to avoid reading Judith Ivory for so long, but I regret all that lost time. This book was really top-notch.

It is really amazing how she has managed to write a hero that is emotionally articulate, intelligent, likable and attractive while at the same time forbidding, frightening, and a little violent. The secret, I think - or at least part of it - is the stutter. He has a stutter that he works hard to cover, and that little twist of vulnerability makes it so easy to fall for him.

The heroine, at the same time, is just wonderfully smart and spunky. Ivory apparently specializes in fairly dominant heroes, and it's really difficult to pair a dominant male with a really strong female. It requires a lot more character development. Ivory succeeds here.

There was a part of me, when I bought the book, that thought: sheep farmer? How dull. I don't want to read a book about a sheep farmer. I ordered it because the reviews were so good & I'm glad I did. It's not dull at all. Two thumbs up!

It *amazes* me that anyone who enjoys historical romance would give this book anything less than 5 stars, but I guess that everyone has his or her own taste. In my humble opinion, Judith Ivory is a nonpareil as a writer in this genre, and this book is one of my favorites.

Judith Ivory is a master at drawing sexy, memorable, three-dimensional heros and Stuart Aysgarth, the new Viscount Mount Villiars, is no exception. Gorgeous, bright, mysterious and *imperfect*, Stuart returns home from self-imposed exile in Russia after his estranged father's death in an effort to keep his inheritance from being usurped by his uncle. When his carriage accidently runs over widow Emma Hotchkiss's prize ram, she relentlessly seeks economic compensation--and the fun begins!

Emma is a delightful heroine--clever, funny, vulnerable and attractive without being physically perfect. The sexual attraction between Stuart and Emma crackles off the page from their first meeting and the romance between the two is beautifully and believably developed.

Judith Ivory definitely pushes the envelope of historical romance, and clearly (from some of the reviews here) is not for everyone. Her writing is far more intelligent and polished than that found in the average historical romance, her characters are more complex and her plot lines are unusual and uncompromising. If you like Laura Kinsale and Julia Ross, you will probably like Judith Ivory's work.

A FABULOUS, well-written book that is a delight to read (and re-read!) My favorite of Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas's since "Sleeping Beauty".

Very, very highly recommended!

Wow. The chair scene may offend some readers, but I rank it among the most erotic "love" scenes ever written. The sexual tension between these people begins - believe it or not - long before they actually meet. His carriage runs over her lamb; she seeks recompense and is rebuffed in the most arrogant manner; she seeks revenge using con-artist skills she learned from her late husband. And when her "victim" realizes he's been conned, he sets his own trap - and the stage is set for one of the sexiest relationships I've ever read. This was my first Judith Ivory read, and I immediately bought everything else I could find. Ms. Ivory, please write faster - and don't back away from the bondage! You're duty-bound to write more scenes involving chairs.

What a pleasant improvement on some of the other books by this author. Her writing style seems to have improved tremendously and in some scenes you practically feel like you are there. Well done detailing. The elements of the Sting operation were new and unusual in a Regency. Nice touch. I have to agree with the other reviewers though that Stuart was a bit of an anomaly. Initally the dark mysterious hero battling a stutter (I loved the scene where we first see him) he suddenly turns into a blase brash young man who is not too appealing. All in all a fine read if you like romances.

Emma had a little lamb...well, she did until Viscount Mount Villiar's coach ran over the mite. Barely eking out a living at her farm, the furious widow demands compensation for the loss only to be thwarted time and time again by the new lord's minions. Now, Emma Hotchkiss hadn't always been a sheep farmer. There once was a time when Emma and her late husband had run a few confidence scams in London. Stifling her conscience and determined to get what is due her, Emma decides to use her nefarious "talents" to get the money she is owed. After all, the new viscount is said to be rolling in money. Surely he won't miss a few pounds?

Stuart Aysgarth is up to his ears in problems. He had been living in Russia when he received word of his father's death, and that his uncle had taken the title, declaring Stuart also was dead. Now back in England, Stuart is busy untangling the affairs of his inheritance and uncovering his uncle's treachery even as he waits for his personal wealth to arrive from Russia. When the viscount discovers Mrs. Hotchkiss's larcenous actions, he decides to use her services to get back at his uncle. Caught between blackmail and an undeniable attraction, the viscount and the con artist begin a scam.

Marching to the beat of a different drummer, Judith Ivory's UNTIE MY HEART is sheer delight! Stuart, the new Viscount Mount Villiars, is definitely not your average hero. He's whimsical and charming yet displays flashes of heartbreaking poignancy when tidbits from his childhood come to light. With a less than spotless past, Emma Hotchkiss is not your average heroine either. She's gutsy, smart and a perfect match for Stuart, regardless of the difference in their stations. The tale moves at a brisk pace with sparkling bits of dialogue and seduction. Those looking for something unique will enjoy this excellently written story.

TheSchemer