Customer Reviews

VIOLETS IN THE SNOW

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

 

 

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.

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!!!!

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

Violets in the Snow is the funniest, sexiest take on the Cinderella story written. Isabelle is beautiful, pious and charming. John is, according to Isabelle, "no prince." How they get together is pure fun. And it doesn't hurt to have a guardian angel close by. John and Isabelle weave a tale of what happens between the wedding and the happily ever after.

Though I have to agree that the language and many of the situations in the book were unbelievable, it was very funny and lighthearted. If I were ever depressed, I would read it. However, there were some points that should have been more serious. Like the appearance of a illegitimate child in that day and age. I also didn't buy Lily's character. Children just aren't like that. There are many points I could make, but overall, the book was worth reading. I'd read it again.

Though the book contained a lot of nonsense, I really liked it. I especially liked the part where the Granny and her sister takes out their guns and threatens John's x-mistress; it was hilarious!

My first Patricia Grasso novel. I was disappointed in many historical and language mistakes. And the fairy godmother speaking and being seen by others was a bit much to swallow. But then I believe that Ms. Grasso enjoys the magical and unbelievable. Obviously her favorite fairy tale was and still remains to be Cinderalla. But the novel had comical situations and the characters were enjoyable! I truly wish I could learn more about the Dowager and her absolutely 'nutty' sister. But the novel is an enjoyable novel for novice romance readers; no explicit sexual encounters, little if any violence, and of course, an unloved child finally finding love. It is a 'feel good' novel and yes, I did enjoy the novel and would read other Patricia Grasso novels.

Whatever? In 1812, people didn't say whatever and they didn't have "situations". Whatever and situations are late 20th Century. Also, when ones brother is an earl, that mean's ones father was also an earl. Dear Isabelle should have been Lady Isabelle, not Mistress Montgomery. She wouldnt have been "Mistress" in 1812, she would of been "Miss" had she not been a "Lady"! Authors attempting to write in this time period can always read Georgette Heyer to help get the language nuances.

Now add a re-work of the Cinderella story with a mean step-mother and step-sisters, throw in a guardian angel instead of a fairy godmother...trite.

Then, the author obviously had an Anglican calendar and Dictionary of the Saints, and probably a book called Lesser Feasts and Fasts. Events were marked by saints days, not Calendar days and included obscure facts or legend about them. Add bad theology to this mix with white stones dropped on to each person's scale for good deeds and black stones for bad deeds (author may have learned about Anglican saints, but not Anglican theology of Grace!)

All of these gimmicks left little words to develop the main characters, they were weak, predictable and uninteresting. This author has gone on my "Authors To Avoid" list.

I didn't read this book but I think it's good.