Customer Reviews

The Gold Coin

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I just discovered Andrea Kane recently, and I truly cannot wait to ready ALL her books. For those of you, like myself, who are TRUE romantics--you will LOVE Andrea Kane!! She combines romance and mystery in an exciting and heart-melting manner, in which I was not able to put her book down even for a minute. I am an AVID reader of romance genre, but lately have become rather bored with the average romantic tale. Andrea Kane's, The Gold Coin, was the first book in a long time that helped me remember why I love these books so much. Thank you Andrea! You are by far one of the best I've had the pleasure to read.

I feel as though I need to respond to all of the reviewers who have trashed "The Gold Coin." Yes, it may not be as historically accurate as other Regency romances and yes, the mystery dominated the second half of the book, but I found it a truly entertaining weekend read and a nice break from the typical story! Damen was the perfect male lead. He was intelligent, honest, witty, romantic - and he treated Stacie as a human rather than a pretty face. I wa relieved that he didn't have mistresses on the side and that he worked for a living rather than just living off his title. Their love was refreshing, real and entertaining. This novel isn't going to strain your mind, but it's a very enjoyable novel to lose yourself in for a few hours.

This was the first book I read my Andrea Kane and I couldn't wait to read the next one-- "The Silver Coin." Now I've read many of her books and enjoyed them all, but the "Coin" books are still my favorite. They're great stories with great characters and extremely hard to put down once you pick them up.

I found this book disappointing regarding the romance aspect. I will give the author the benefit of the doubt seeing as how this is the first novel I've read from her, but overall, this one did not hold my interest. I found myself skipping pages throughout the whole thing. Almost too much intrigue that I couldn't keep up with, and really, didn't want too. The characters didn't grab me either.

This is my first book of Andrea Kane. My brother bought me this book (and the Silver Coin) from my Amazon Wish List. I have this book in my list even after reading the reviews because I find the title & the book descripton interesting, also the picture cover is quite intriguing. I wanted to judge the book by myself that I wasn't one bit discourage by the low reviews here in Amazon. Ummm, now however, I wish I just picked this book up in the library than having it in my Amazon wish list (worst, among the 26 of my list, this is what my bro picked) - just my luck. I am in the process of reading the Silver Coin. I am crossing my fingers & hoping it's better than this one.

The plot & the mystery puzzle of this book is quite interesting. However, there is so many inaccuracies in this book to make me enjoy it to it's full content. The conversations of the character's doesn't sound like the 18th century, let alone their gestures & the actions. There is also so many contradictions in the character's descriptions. A.K described one thing yet the conversation & the actions says another.... For instance, Anastasia is supposedly a virgin yet she's the one who initiates most of the intimacie's ; she seems to know what to expect & what's going to happend next. If it's the 19th or the 20th century then it is understandable since sex is often talked about. But in 18th century? I would guessed she'd be a bit naive when it comes to this topic no matter how well informed she is in terms of investing & business ventures. OR perhaps I am just old fashion & prefers the heroine as naive/innocent when it comes to this area. The hero, Damen was initially described as a rake, or many woman tossed themselves to him yet there was no scene that showed so nor was there any particular name or woman linked to him, no mistress or even a woman he escorts, etc.... Of course, this are only few of many contradictions and my opinion.

The romance of Anastasia & Damen wasn't detailed nor fully developed. The hero/heroine accepted, acknowledge their feelings of love for each other rather too quickly for me to find it exciting. The declaration of their love was just too simple & ordinary. Their love/romance/relationship simply didn't convince me nor did it leave any impression... There was no fire nor challenged whatsoever. After their meeting & falling in love, the rest of the book then concentrated on solving a mystery. I felt that this book is more of a mystery novel than a love story. As for historical romance? umm, don't think it exactly qualifies as such - maybe a bit of historical but more of contemporary... confusing, isn't it?

I am a new historical romance novel reader but I have read more than 40 books in this gender for the past three months ( mostly written by Julie Garwood's, Judith McNaught's, Jude Deveraux's & Jill Barnett's). In this span of time, I found out my own preferences. I have learned to know exactly what I like and what to expect in a historical romance stories. This book simply didn't even come close to that expectation of mine. Compared to the books of the authors I mentioned, this book looked inferior. Sorry, nothing personal! .......HOWEVER, these comments are only my opinion. Everyone have different taste & preferences. I read some 5 stars rating here in Amazon about this book too, So...it is always best to find out for yourself. I suggest you barrow this book in the library to be on the safe side. Then buy your own copy afterwards - if u find it more than what I have said. Good luck!

This was the first book I've read written by Andrea Kane; and I enjoyed it tremendously! The Gold Coin is part of a 2-set, with The Silver Coin being its sequel.

In this story, we read about our heroine Anastasia who is travelling back from America to the Colby mansion in England, after her parents' death. She meets up with her identical cousin, Breanna, whom she's always been close to. They grew up together, and both had a strong relationship with their grandfather. When they were only six years old, their grandfather gave them each a coin; Stacey received a gold one and Breanna received the silver one. Both were promised to keep it forever, and when they turn 21 they will both received a huge sum for their inheritance. Now returning back to England, a few months before her 21st b-day, Stacey meets Damen, the Marquess of Sheldrake and a good friend of the Colby's and who is also their accountant. He becomes Stacey's personal accountant, and aids her in organizing her inheritance. However they never believed that they would fall in love. Soon, Breanna's father is up to a scheme to get rid of Stacey so his daughter can receive all the inheritance money. And it is up to Damen to save Stacey before they can have a chance for ultimate happiness.

The cover art for the twin set novels are gorgeous! If you can get your hands on either novel, check out the pictures, they are lovely.

The story plot was O.K., but I agree with the readers that said there were too many inaccuracies. The vocabulary was modern and the societal rules were not accurate. Stacie's behavior at her coming-out-ball would have been considered scandalous. Also, society would not have accepted Stacie or Brenna after George was arrested. There was little suspense, and neither women seemed to really be in danger.

This reads more like a contemporary than a historical novel, with the characters all speaking and acting as if they walked in a modern city, not 1813 England. It was blatant, not something that was only occasional in the text, and I find it stunning and more than a little disappointing that an editor would read and approve of publishing a book that so badly misrepresents the Regency period. It wasn't even a good read because the very incongruity of the modern actions of the characters with the historical period was constantly distracting. It's writing like this that will end up ruining the Regency subgenre.

I fell in love with this book and turned around and read the sequel in record time. I imagined myself as the characters and could see and feel what they did. That's all I ask for in a book--to make me forget my own reality for a short time and let me live in theirs.

The author should do a lot more research into the Regency period before she attempts such a novel. I find the historical inaccuracies very distracting (to put it mildly). Some examples: Noblemen of that period did not earn their living through trade. They were the landed gentry class and derived their wealth from their landholdings & estates. Anastasia was refered to a number of times as Mrs Damen Lockewood when she should in fact have been addressed as the Marchioness of Sheldrake. Ms Kane is also obviously not conversant with the mode and speed of travelling in those times. How can the villian who is in Kent and his informer who lives in London meet on such a regular basis late at night when the informer has to be back in his office by the next morning? These irritatating inaccuracies have spoilt my enjoyment of an otherwise interesting story.