VIOLETS IN THE SNOW [Mass Market Paperback]

Patricia Grasso (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

He was her guardian, the duke of darkness-and desire.

She tried to drive him away from Arden Hall.  Instead, Isabelle Montgomery was charmed by the rakehell John Saint Germain, the handsomest--and most dangerous--man she'd ever met.  He said she was his ward, and he'd come to sweep her off to London and a proper debut.  Isabelle's guardian angel had promised a dark prince would be sent by destiny to save her.  But Saint Germain's scorching appraisal suggested she'd need protection from him.

No woman could refuse the dashing John Saint Germain, Duke of Avon, arrogant and dark as sin.  Saint Germain had known betrayal and vowed no woman would claim his heart again.  But he hadn't reckoned on the innocent beauty who slammed the door in his face.  Much against his will, he'd agreed to become her guardian, to prepare her for London's marriage market.  But now he was determined to claim her as his own, oblivious of the enemies he'd earned pursuing the woman who had become his heart, his soul, his destiny....

Editorial Reviews

Review

Isabelle Montgomery is a stand-up sort of Cinderella. She does not allow her greedy stepmother or plain stepsisters to get the best of her. Orphaned at a young age with only infrequent visits by an older brother, Isabelle is left to fend for herself. She receives support from her guardian angel, Giselle. Of course, no one else can see or hear Giselle but Isabelle. Giselle offers not only companionship for the young girl, but she offers Isabelle hope by showing her a vision of her Dark Prince. Isabelle dreams of the day that her Prince will arrive to take her away from her harping stepfamily. John Saint-Germain, Duke of Avon, reluctantly agrees to become temporary guardian of Lady Isabelle Montgomery at the request of her brother Miles. Little does John realize that Isabelle neither desires nor needs his help in keeping things in order. Their first meeting is explosive and the practical John is enchanted. He develops an interest in his young ward, despite her propensity for talking aloud to herself. But the way of love is never smooth and there are several people working to destroy John and Isabelle's developing romance. This was an awesome book! No doubt about it, Patricia Grasso has a wonderful way of portraying her characters with humor and grace. I loved how Ms. Grasso got her point across without being heavy handed and beating the reader over the head. Her writing style is light and quick-paced, and holds the readers' attention without losing them. If you enjoy a good laugh this book is worth getting, if only to read John's reaction every time he catches Isabelle talking with Giselle. Life would be fabulous if everyone had a guardian angel like Giselle. Violets in the Snow glistens with the brightness of the new fallen flakes being stuck by the dawns earliest rays! Ms. Grasso makes one feel as though they've been brushed by angel's wings! Ms. Grasso makes the heart smile! Gloria Lower -- Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Publisher

"Patricia Grasso is a 'not-to-be-missed' author!"
--Romantic Times

High praise for Patricia Grasso and her dazzling novels:

My Heart's Desire:
"A book to treasure...Once again Patricia Grasso enchants readers with a highly romantic, adventurous and mystical tale."
--Romantic Times

Courting an Angel:
"A magical blend of romance, humor and adventure...a heavenly read that will bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face."
--Affaire de Coeur

Love in a Mist:
"Mixing magic, romance and lively adventure, Patricia Grasso delivers an exciting tale!"
--Romantic Times

Desert Eden
"A very vividly written story which portrays the life and times of the Turks in detail and brings them to life."
--Rendezvous

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dell; First Edition edition (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044022408X
• ISBN-13: 978-0440224082
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny, enjoyable and totally unbelievable, March 12, 2002

By 

Layla Halabi (Dubai - UAE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: VIOLETS IN THE SNOW (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a Cinderella story set in Regency England, complete with the wicked stepmother and the fairy Godmother. You will still enjoy the humor and the funny, funny, dialogue in the novel despite the magic and the guardian godmother parts.

The handsome, arrogant Duke of Avon is Isabelle's prince, revealed to her by her guardian angel years ago. She hates him.. and at the same time, she's inexplicably drawn to him! He thinks she talks to herself.. that she is mad.. especially with all this talk of guardian angels.. but she is so very sweet.. so irresistible and he can't help his growing attraction to her.

The rakish Duke and the eccentric Isabelle make an odd couple indeed.. Grasso has a wonderful sense of humor and a love of the ridiculous that will appeal to almost all readers. this is a lovely book and definitely worth the few mistakes and historical inconsistencies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious book!, September 27, 2001

By 

June Ko (Anyang, South Korea) - See all my reviews

This review is from: VIOLETS IN THE SNOW (Mass Market Paperback)

Cinderella's tale couldn't be better than this one! I couldn't stop laughing until I finished the book, and when I was done with it, it was five o'clock in the morning. I really enjoyed this story, I think I've read it more than hundred times. There's lots of nonsenses but they made the story funny and delightful, I hope you enjoy this book like I did!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful variation on the Cinderella theme, November 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: VIOLETS IN THE SNOW (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1811, English aristocrat John Saint-Germain listens to his younger brother and a friend pitch a business proposition. The aspiring businessmen need the rich John to invest capital in their venture if they are to get it off the ground. In an effort to help mature his sibling, John agrees to finance the pair. However, the business moguls ask John to perform one additional favor, serve as temporary guardian to Isabelle Montgomery, sister of the friend.

Reluctantly, John agrees to watch over the young lady. While the two business associates are in the Americas, John begins to act as a guardian to Isabelle. However, he quickly finds himself protecting Isabelle from her two disgusting stepsisters, an avarice step-mother, and a oily nephew. He also wonders how he could fall in love with Isabelle, who talks with an invisible friend. Isabelle, who actually has a guardian angel looking over her, reciprocates the feelings of her aristocratic guardian. However, before the couple can see where their relationship is going, they must overcome her obnoxious family and a life threatening crazed individual, who blames John for the death of a sibling.

VIOLETS IN THE SNOW is a brilliant placing of the Cinderella story line into a regency romantic setting. The lead protagonists are wonderful players, especially Isabelle, who makes an interesting Cinderella. Step-family and Grisella (the guardian angel) add both a Regency and fairy tale feel to a moving and fun to read story line. Patricia Grasso's novel will elate fans of the sub-genre and anyone who enjoys a fairy tale romance.

Harriet Klausner