This is the first time I read Marsha Canham's book. It's simply mind-blowing! I wish I read The Pride of Lions before I picked this up from the library for a more complete experience but nevertheless, I enjoyed the book thoroughly; the story and characters will linger in my head for many days to come.

This is a very well-written historical romance. Technically, her description is vivid; so many ways to describe the changing colours of the sky, landscape and weather. Historically, this book is rich in history; its accuracy amplifies the tragedy and emotional roller-coaster ride of the characters. Romantically, the love between Catherine and Alex, Deidre and Aluinn, are heart-wrenching. It contains separation, reunion, steamy love-making and courageous determination. Creatively, the plot twists are spellbinding and masterful; giving some examples would spoil the fun.

Words are not enough to praise this book. I was simply transferred into another world. This is a long story, not easy to read in some parts but at the end of it I feel thankful for the experience and sorry that it has ended. That's what a good book is about.

Sarah and Cahill are a match in combat, marksmanship, wit and passion. There is a lot of chemistry between them that you could feel the charged atmostphere when both of them are in the scene. The plot is reasonably convincing to support the romance (this is a romance novel first of all). Judge Roberts is such a dear that I am sorry he has to die in the story. I like that the author allows Sarah and Cahill to date a bit before falling into bed, well, not really a bed but an exercise mat. Their first sex scene is hot! The part of how the murderer keeps Sarah captive is a little chilling but a great built-up to the climax. We only hear about the family of Sarah and Cahill indirectly, I would prefer that some of them actually appear on scene. Overall, an enjoyable, above-average romance from LH.

Another quote which I like:

"It's always necessary to know when a stage of one's life has ended. If you stubbornly cling to it after the need has passed, you lose the joy and meaning of the rest."

A thoughtful book with a few inpiring quotes. A simple story to send the powerful messages. But I wish for a bit more depth and character development.

This is a part travelogue, part social political commentary, and also sort of an assortment of methods of fortune telling in Asia. I have mixed feelings about this book. It is a good travelogue. Terzani paints vivid accounts of his encounters, what he sees, smells, feels and thinks. I enjoy the historic background he included about the places he visits. Terzani also provides some thought provoking insights about his view on history, humanity, economic and political development. He has interesting and rare interviews with a few people, including the drug lord Khun Sa. However, the credibility of this book suffers from his apparent condescension, selective belief and prejudice. For example, Terzani is openly critical of the desire and diligence of the Chinese to improve their life. He scorns globalisation and everything modern. He romantises living in a hot, humid, dirty and basic condition and criticises aspirations for more comfort. Granted that some ignorance of the Asian rulers have made the process of modernisation somewhat intrusive and destructive to their heritage and environment. A civilisation takes time to evolve and learn from mistakes. But Terzani fails to see the need or consequences if nothing is done instead. In his view, backwardness and poverty appear more deserving of celebration than success stories. He lacks objectivity and he chooses to believe more in the romantic versions and the underdogs. Some of his ideas are simply ridiculous and extreme. He proposes to isolate Cambodia from any external help and influences so as to let the country 'heals' on her own. Granted that globalisation is an enormous homogenising factor, but perhaps one should look closer at how to harness the good and minimise the bad instead of writing it off. Because of Terzani's long working and living experience in Asia that his words are believed to be credible and accurate, the more important it is to expose his selective information and prejudiced judgement.

I love this book! The plot differs from The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loves Me, which makes it very refreshing, less predictable, yet still so charming and romantic. I can't help to sympathise with Philip, about being lock in the responsibility of a title he doesn't want, being lock in a loveless and passionless marriage, being feeling trapped of how to be a good father to his children. He is also so honourable and kind. Yet he certainly has a devilish charm too, especially how he shows Eloise why they are suited for each other - by pleasuring her on impulse! JQ did it again with her trademark witty dialogue and clever plot twists. I simply adore the bickerings of the Bridgerton brothers! Finally, the ending of how Philip expresses his love to Eloise is sooooooooo romantic!

I have read Warrior's Woman first, Heart of a Warrior next and now Keeper of the Heart. I enjoy Keeper of the Heart most. I love the determination of Falon to pursue Shanelle and make her his, his tenderness and his good measure of reasonableness as compared to Challen and Dalden. Shanelle is kind-hearted but with a temper (not excessively). I like this book better also as it has much follow-up of Challen and Tedra. The verbal battle between Martha and Brock is amusing too. It does not have excessive explanation of the background and history unlike the first and the last book. Readers who have read the first book could follow it easily and should love it too. Heart of the Warrior is the most disappointing of the lot. The possesiveness and protectiveness of the warriors are quite endearing. I enjoy reading how Falon tried to make up for his initial lack of sensibility, with a blend of determination and self-control, to gain Shanelle's trust. I like Falon character to be capable of jeolousy and frustration, he is the most expressive of the 3 warriors, and I think the most likeable.

This is just an okay romance. The first part when Marcus wanted to take care of Duchess and second half when they were at Chase Park was more engaging. As expected, Marcus was quite a jerk until Duchess was hurt, the more serious her injuries, it flashed out more feelings he had for her. As for Duchess, she was quite annoyingly frigid in her responses, not enough initiatives to say what was on her mind until being thoroughly enraged by Marcus. Still, it was had for the reader to understand when they started to feel for each other. Marcus seemed not to care much about Duchess' feelings by continuing to see his mistress, by saying all the hurtful things and using her body to satisfy his lust and then scorned her after. But it must be frustrating to deal with Duchess too; she built a wall around herself. There were some romantic moments towards the end, but it felt kind of too late in a way. Furthermore, the peppering of political characters during that time throughout the story could be confusing and distracting to the story. The ending felt like an anti-climax too, who cares about the outcome of Maggie's romance, which was barely mentioned earlier anyway. Also, I found it a bit stretched for Trevor to smuggle two unconscious human beings out of the mansion without rousing anyone.

I can't finish the book. There are parts of good writing by the author but the story is unnecessarily draggy and depressing. Alice always just look at the negative side of things, bemoaning her life and that people around her has robbed her of something. For example, she would notice how ugly a person is than anything else. I find her attitude to Nellie particularly selfish and rude. Her daughters are supposed to be difficult to handle, yet Nellie has helped her while she drowns herself in self-pity. I just feel that I have better way to spend my time than to read and feel annoyed and depressed about Alice's life.

Really, this is disappointing! I wonder if this is a romance novel or a fantasy narration. Brittany and Dalden barely interact enough to fall in love. In fact, there are more ink of Brittany interacting with the computer Martha than with Dalden. There is virtually no sex scene, which makes this book unbearingly dull. Brittany is not an impressive lead character, rather stupid and stubborn. How could she keep convincing herself that she is in some fantasy programme?! This romance just doesn't hold water.

Setting a romance in a futuristic fantasy world provided sky for the limit to imagination, plot twists and humour. The first part before Tedra appeared before Challen was a little confusing and far-fetched. But the moment the 2 characters met, the sparks and chemistry were keeping the reader well-entertained. It was very sensual. The barbaric rules of Challen's world provided many erotic scenarios for sex scenes, sexual stimulation and sexual punishment. Very tantalising but reasonable from the Challen's point of view in an imagined world. From teasing her sensually while Tedra was hand bounded to the lovemaking to make up for his guilt, Challen was powerful, domineering and tender in his own exciting ways. I like the part when Challen tried to correct his mistake by being as reasonable and tender to Tedra. It is always heart-melting to watch a strong man moved by strong emotions by loving his woman. I enjoyed the verbal sparring between Tedra and her computer Martha, as well as those exchanges between her and Challen. But the rescuing of Tedra's planet part was rather sloppy. It is forgivable since the main plot was the romance. The time, space and foreign elements were just to stretched the emotional threshold of the characters.