My False Heart

Rating:
Summary: Same worn out romance novel plot
Review: "My false heart" is a collection of romance novels clichés: Firstly the extremely tall, dark and incredibly handsome world-weary rogue who has indulged in debauchery and who had been bitterly hurt in the past. Secondly the incredibly small, beautiful and delicate virginal heroine with an artistic talent who has a heart of gold. The hero is cynical and jaded and the heroine is sweet-tempered and cares deeply for her family and others. She is an extremely gifted artist and apparently works a lot, but still she is the absolute perfect substitute mum for a parcel of brats. I have never heart about a really gifted artist who wasn't somehow self-centred and extremely involved with his or her work (not leaving much space for others). Extremely creative people simply have to put their work first or otherwise they couldn't be so productive. But she is a heroine in a romance novel and therefore she has to be terribly flawless (including not putting herself before others). To make her even more perfect she has never known desire or love or lust or at least sinful dreams before she meets the hero-a true role model for purity who makes everyone with a less than saintly disposition feel ashamed. Yet she turns out to be a sex goddess (another cliché) after the hero has awakened her slumbering passion (which has indeed slumbered for an amazingly long time!). Alas! The hero thinks he cannot love and has nothing to give (oh so tormented) and the heroine is stuck with duty and family obligations (oh so selfless) and so on and so on...I desperately looked out for something original and new to the rather worn-out concept but there was nothing. It was really a torture to read the first 300 pages and I almost gave up. Yet the next 150 pages were a bit better. Elliot suffered so much and even cried (at least something that is not often seen in romance novels)which was somehow touching. But I cannot help wishing for a heroine like Scarlett O'Hara (a bit more mature and sophisticated perhaps) who is selfish, greedy and flighty and who will be redeemed by a truly likeable and sexually monogamous family-man (Having had only one or two women in his life). I think I have to wait for that forever.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed with characters
Review: After reading a review from The Romance Reader site and seeing all the 5 star reviews here, I thought it would be an enjoyable read. The first part of the book is plausible, but the conflict was a big letdown. I hate it when writers create women characters who are unreasonable and unwilling to listen to any explanation. The "Heroine"'s reaction was completely overblown in my opinion because her background didn't support it! It really got tiring and I had to struggle through a large portion of this book and an irrational female. I can't recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Very so so
Review: After reading the rave reviews I paid full price and bought this book. I was so disappointed. The story wasn't as interesting or exciting as I expected it to be. One thing really upset me a lot was the hero's treatment of his daughter. His past didn't seem to justify his behaviour to her. After ignoring her for so many years... he can't give the time of the day to his own child! Some hero :-(

Rating:
Summary: OK if you have nothing better
Review: Although I liked the fact that the "hero" in this story has decided to turn over a new leaf I found the story a bit forced. The conflicts just didn't ring fully true and the details seemed a bit glossed over.

Rating:
Summary: MY FALSE HEART
Review: I am amazed with this debut book. Where has this author beenhiding? I was hooked from the first page. I found Lord Rannock to bethe "outlaw" of all my dreams and Evangeline to be that strong willed, self sufficient, but very feminine (read soft hearted and romantic)woman that I aspire to be. So reading this book was just like being there. And my oh my, to have been at that Pond, spying on the oh so gorgeous body of Elliot Armstrong! Not only was the sensual parts erotic and "entertaining" (read lots of cold showers here), but the mysterious plot was excellent and kept me guessing right to the end. In short I loved this book and cannot wait for the next release. If it follows the usual pattern of being even better that a first release then it will be sensational. Ms Carlyle please Hurry!

Rating:
Summary: MY FALSE HEART
Review: I am amazed with this debut book. Where has this author beenhiding? I was hooked from the first page. I found Lord Rannock to bethe "outlaw" of all my dreams and Evangeline to be that strong willed, self sufficient, but very feminine (read soft hearted and romantic)woman that I aspire to be. So reading this book was just like being there. And my oh my, to have been at that Pond, spying on the oh so gorgeous body of Elliot Armstrong! Not only was the sensual parts erotic and "entertaining" (read lots of cold showers here), but the mysterious plot was excellent and kept me guessing right to the end. In short I loved this book and cannot wait for the next release. If it follows the usual pattern of being even better that a first release then it will be sensational. Ms Carlyle please Hurry!

Rating:
Summary: AN AUTHOR TO BE TREASURED!
Review: I discovered Liz Carlyle quite by accident and I'm very happy. She is very skilled with words and a wonderful storyteller. While reading My False Heart I savored each word. I could not stop reading and at the same time I did not want the book to end. All the characters are unique and very well developed. The descriptions of the family's interactions and the hero and heroine's feelings and thoughts were a rare treat! I have a new favorite author. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: More, More, More!
Review: I found this book after reading it's fantastic reviews and from the moment I picked it up I knew it was something truly special. After a long reading slump, it was like a breath of fresh air. The sort of novel so rarely seen in romance today. The characterizations are so deeply drawn, the motivations so perfectly logical and the plot so complex you want it to never end. This book has it all; especially a dark, hunky hero to die for, elegant historical detail and period-perfect language. Discerning Regency fans will no doubt flock to this author in droves. The rave reviews have been right on target. One of them (can't remember) said that reading My False Heart is like settling down with a rich cup of hot chocolate. All I can say is, more, more, more! Please!

Rating:
Summary: Perfectly Delicious
Review: I found this rather well written and distinct improvement of the usual silly fluff. Evie, the heroine is young, but she is perfectly together and seems to know what she is doing. Her counterpart maybe world-weary and dissolute, but the chemistry between them is realistic and the reasons for the attraction are believable. The gothic mystery is an extra sweet, which may not be necessary, but still welcome. I do wish to know more about the Viscount and the Major, but we can but hope. :)

Rating:
Summary: A Lovely, Lovely Story
Review: I have just discovered Liz Carlyle and I feel fortunate indeed. I am halway through her second book, "A Woman Scorned" and I can barely tear myself away from it. This is a very gifted author and all her books should be read (I think in the order she has written them). Unfortunately there are only four books right now, but we can only hope that she is as prolific as she is gifted. Her characters are so well drawn out you can actually remember them. Her secondary characters are also rich and vibrant. Her dialogue is wonderful and her prose is unique and highly-charged emotionally whether she is describing a thought or a sensuous love scene. Buy her. Read her. Treasure her. I can't wait to read all of her books.