Iron Lace

Rating:
Summary: Better than Calgon
Review: I am admittedly a Richards fan ever since I picked up Prospect Street by her and this book, while older, did not disappoint. I am also a fan of family sagas ~~ and this one did not fail me!

This is a tale about Aurora and the choices she made in her life. Facing her death, she tells Philip, a reknowned reporter, her story. And what a story it is! From the lush tropical days of the late 1800s to mid-1900s ~~ Aurora lives a life of regret, love and sorrow. She gave up her daughter at birth to her lover and repined over that choice for years even as she went on to marry and had two more sons. That single choice affected not only Aurora, but the daughter she gave up and her sons as well.

If you like stories with a Southern twist to it ~~ this book is it. It's a quick but heartfelt read. Richards delve into each character's heart and mind so intimately that she is able to draw the reader into their stories. It's a great read ~~ escapism read as well. Richards continue to impress me with her writing style and ideas. Rising Tides the sequel does not disappoint as well.

11-9-03

Rating:
Summary: A great find
Review: I usually do not read romance novels, but I couldn't put this book down. The chapters go back and forth between two stories that are somehow connected. You find out why at the ending of the book. This book made me feel all of the emotions under the sun, and I was upset when it was over. The sequel Rising Tides, is a great ending to this suspenseful and heart breaking story.

Rating:
Summary: A great find
Review: I usually do not read romance novels, but I couldn't put this book down. The chapters go back and forth between two stories that are somehow connected. You find out why at the ending of the book. This book made me feel all of the emotions under the sun, and I was upset when it was over. The sequel Rising Tides, is a great ending to this suspenseful and heart breaking story.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Book
Review: Iron Lace is a very entertaining book. It is set in the 1960's with many flashbacks into the late 1800's and early 1900's. Aurore Gerritsen is an elderly lady who wants to let go of her life's secrets. She hires a black jouralist, Phillip Benedict, to write her story. Phillip really doesn't want to write Aurore's story but he agrees to anyway. There are lots of surprises along the way. The storyline is strong and very well written. The characters are well-defined. This book is a combination of Gone with the Wind (as far as characters are concerned) and The Ghost (all the flashbacks). It is almost like two books in one. Ms. Richards had done an excellent job in writing this book. You will be kept on the edge of your seat and will have to stay up all night until you get it finished. And then there's the sequel....

Rating:
Summary: fascinating characters have interesting lives in New Orleans
Review: Iron Lace takes place in New Orleans in the 1960s, but most of the story is told in flashbacks of earlier times. An old white woman convinces a successful young black male journalist (who has a commitment problem) to write her life's story. The first hundred pages or so take place when the old woman is a little girl during a terrible hurricane. I am a sucker for a story about a good storm, so all of a sudden, I was 150 pages into the book. I can't tell you much more without revealing some of the surprises. The book has fascinating characters and exciting plot developments. It makes you feel like you are in New Orleans. The problem with this book is that when you finish it, you realize you have to read the sequel (Rising Tides) because there are still some loose ends. The sequel is more than 400 pages long, and I have to read it right away before I forget who is who. Fortunately, the sequel contains another hurricane so I'm looking forward to it.

Rating:
Summary: Iron Lace
Review: The first book I read by Emilie Richards was Whiskey Island, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was not disappointed when I read Iron Lace. The story is done mostly in flashbacks, but very easy to follow.