Monday, January 23, 2012

eBook Review: Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold

4.5 out of 5. I want to give it 5 stars- because it was amazing, and there's little I would change, but some technical flaws won't let me, however minor they may be.

I happened upon this author when her story, Dancing on Coals, hit everyone's fav list a little while back and everyone who read it raved over it. I, of course, had to try it for myself and, much to my delight, found it to be an incredible tale as well!

I actually think I like this story better...

As always with a one I truly love, I'm struggling to write a review on Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold. (Perhaps Ellen O'Connell's first historical romance novel? Have to confirm that one.)

The characters, :sigh:. the characters- I have not come across a couple in a romance novel in quite some time, where I fell so completely in love. Cord and Anne's deep affection for each other- with no struggle and no doubt- radiated from the pages from word one.

Perhaps it was because we joined their story when everything became "you and me (and thereby us) against the world" for them? My guess is yes, because I gotta tell ya, there is nothing that cements a couple together quite like that. (In real life and in fantasy.)

SO the story begins with the heroine, Anne, fleeing from her parents because her ignorant and cruel father for some reason thought it wise to lock her up until such time as she capitulated to an arranged marriage. Somehow she manages to escape and ends up cold and starving on the farm of Cord Bennett, a half white/half Native American whom she once called friend when they were both children. Cord warms her up and feeds her but is determined to send her on her way, because he knows if she stays with him, someone of mixed heritage, trouble will come down on her head like rain.

Only before he has time to send her off, her father rides in with a posse.

Things get out of hand quickly and both are brutally beaten and left for dead, after a bizarre twist of events leaves them married by the cowardly reverend who just happened to be in the posse.

But they survive- much to Anne's grit and determination.

Now all they want is to be left alone and a chance to make their marriage real, but narrow-minded townsfolk- including their own families- have other ideas, and her deranged father will not let it go until his daughter is back under his control- and Cord Bennett is dead.

I can't tell you how much I loved this book. Sure it's overly melodramatic at times and the ending is a tad deus ex machina- the major conflict is miraculously solved by the father committing suicide and some scenes are indeed confusing due to referencing rather than showing, but because of the deeply empathetic characters it's fairly easy to gloss over. (Its a debut- some grace should be given, imo.)

But as a whole? Srsly- This is one author to watch. If you are a historical romance reader- you really need to try it! ;)

Labels: Authors, Book Reviews, Books

Posted by Zeek :: 1:18 PM :: 0 comments

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