Rating: 
Summary: an engaging book
Review: As a newcomer to historical romance, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was pleasantly surprised. The story was richly layered, the characters flawed yet likeable, and the setting (19th century London) so well done that I was able to picture the scenes in my head while reading. Descriptions of the sounds and smells of street corners, museum basements, and dissheveled bedrooms made the story come alive. I won't describe the plot, as others have done that well already, but I will disagree with comments on the quality of the writing. Sentence structure may not be perfect, but the narrative flows beautifully. The ending was a bit rushed, but satisfying all the same. I will definitely look for Melody Thomas's next romance.
Rating: 
Summary: Magical and beautiful love story
Review: I wish it were possible to give negative stars. This would get a negative five rating. It has to be the most poorly written book I have EVER read (and I read several a week). Ms. Thomas is a self proclaimed "wordsmith", whatever she means by that. I take it to mean that she collects words without understanding their meaning. I cringed throughout this book at her misuse of words. If she makes any money from this book she needs to buy a large dictionary with which to discover the meanings and contextual use of the words she so blithely throws around. Not only are words misused but the grammar and syntax are likewise atrocious. Lady Alexandra Ware, an upper class English woman, supposedly the product of an unusually excellent education and life in a diplomatic and academic background, often speaks like an American "lower-born individual(s) " (p. 162). Historical and cultural inaccuracies abound. Please, Ms. Thomas, a knight is properly addressed as Sir Christopher, not Sir Donally.
As to the plot, I found it weak indeed. The "villain" was obvious from the beginning and it left only the motive to become clear at the end. I found Sir Christopher Donally, Lady Alexandra's ex-husband, to be an entirely unappealing character. It was hard to see why she should want to exchange life with a domineering father for life with a domineering husband. Not even the sex scenes have any sparkle.
I ploughed my way to the end of this book to determine if it had a ANY redeeming qualities and so that I could write this review warning others not to waste money or time on such a worthless "effort".
Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful!
Review: I wish it were possible to give negative stars. This would get a negative five rating. It has to be the most poorly written book I have EVER read (and I read several a week). Ms. Thomas is a self proclaimed "wordsmith", whatever she means by that. I take it to mean that she collects words without understanding their meaning. I cringed throughout this book at her misuse of words. If she makes any money from this book she needs to buy a large dictionary with which to discover the meanings and contextual use of the words she so blithely throws around. Not only are words misused but the grammar and syntax are likewise atrocious. Lady Alexandra Ware, an upper class English woman, supposedly the product of an unusually excellent education and life in a diplomatic and academic background, often speaks like an American "lower-born individual(s) " (p. 162). Historical and cultural inaccuracies abound. Please, Ms. Thomas, a knight is properly addressed as Sir Christopher, not Sir Donally.
As to the plot, I found it weak indeed. The "villain" was obvious from the beginning and it left only the motive to become clear at the end. I found Sir Christopher Donally, Lady Alexandra's ex-husband, to be an entirely unappealing character. It was hard to see why she should want to exchange life with a domineering father for life with a domineering husband. Not even the sex scenes have any sparkle.
I ploughed my way to the end of this book to determine if it had a ANY redeeming qualities and so that I could write this review warning others not to waste money or time on such a worthless "effort".
Rating: 
Summary: I just dont know.
Review: Im really not sure what to make of this book. For the most part, the first half of the book was really bad. I did not like either main character, Christopher was a jerk, Alexandra let him walk all over her, Lord Ware was not likeable either. I really did not like Ryan. I cant even use the right word to describe him. It was also really confusing. All over the place. Love scences were rushed and not all that great anyway. The end had some ok parts. It was definetly better then the first half but not by much. I really did not care for this book, I thought I would like it. I figured it would be good, I have read her under Laura Renken, but this writing was terrible. Nothing like LR. Weird. I might get the second book, I might not. I will definetly read all reviews before hand if I do decide to read it, even then, I might get it from the library. Read at your own risk!!
Rating:
Summary: Sweeping, passionate romance
Review: In My Heart is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. It reminds me of early Kathleen Woodiwiss novels. I was taken away to another place and time. I could feel the soot of London, see the displays in the museum, and could feel the tension and passion of Alex and Christopher from the moment they meet again, after a decade of separation and heartbreak. The hero and heroine have to let go of their pasts in order to find happiness in the future. I can't wait for the next book in the series to be published!
Rating:
Summary: Magical and beautiful love story
Review: Lady Alexandra Marshal lost her husband after her autocratic father decided she had married beneath her station, annulled the marriage, and shipped him off to India. But for the young Irish soldier, Christopher Donally, he never forgot the woman that he'd fallen in love with all those years before. After a chance meeting they are thrown together again in Society as Sir Christopher has now returned to England a knighted hero. Not until a theft at the British museum places Lady Alexandra in danger does she come to him for help. I found this story magical and beautiful as I am reminded that we all have the power to change our fate if we have the courage to act. The hero was a true hero willing to talk to the heroine about the past and willing to protect her at all costs. I understand how Sir Christopher Donally received the HERO KISS award from Romantic Times bookclub for April. After reading the review below, it's amazing how different people see the same story. I found this book to be a keeper. I've already read it twice and will do so again and again.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging second chance at love mystery
Review: Lady Alexandra Marshall dedicated her life to becoming a highly regarded scientist, a feat that is rarely accomplished by a female. However, her dedication, devotion and deeds have made the male dominated scientific community take notice. Of course she has no other life to speak of, but Alexandra does not care. As she attains the epitome of her lofty goal, burglaries place her success at risk and even worse, a secret she thought buried has surfaced that if exposed will ruin her regardless of her achievements.Sir Christopher Donally wants the past left buried and thought with his wealth and position he could do just that. He, like the female scientist, learns that sometimes the past refuses to remain interred. He must deal with past problems that could destroy him. Soon he and Alex will re-cross paths that both thought hidden including the resurfacing of their love for one another as the only hope to overcome the pains that threaten both of them. Fans will enjoy IN MY HEART, an engaging second chance at love mystery that keeps the audience not only hooked with the romance, but guessing on what is going on and why. The lead couple is a delight as their mutual past rears up to bring them together though neither is prepared for nor want reconciliation. Fans of historical romantic suspense tales will appreciate this fine tale of love lost and regained if the protagonists can reach out for one another before both are destroyed. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: An engaging second chance at love mystery
Review: Lady Alexandra Marshall dedicated her life to becoming a highly regarded scientist, a feat that is rarely accomplished by a female. However, her dedication, devotion and deeds have made the male dominated scientific community take notice. Of course she has no other life to speak of, but Alexandra does not care. As she attains the epitome of her lofty goal, burglaries place her success at risk and even worse, a secret she thought buried has surfaced that if exposed will ruin her regardless of her achievements. Sir Christopher Donally wants the past left buried and thought with his wealth and position he could do just that. He, like the female scientist, learns that sometimes the past refuses to remain interred. He must deal with past problems that could destroy him. Soon he and Alex will re-cross paths that both thought hidden including the resurfacing of their love for one another as the only hope to overcome the pains that threaten both of them. Fans will enjoy IN MY HEART, an engaging second chance at love mystery that keeps the audience not only hooked with the romance, but guessing on what is going on and why. The lead couple is a delight as their mutual past rears up to bring them together though neither is prepared for nor want reconciliation. Fans of historical romantic suspense tales will appreciate this fine tale of love lost and regained if the protagonists can reach out for one another before both are destroyed. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: I wanted to like it, but the writing is terrible
Review: Melody Thomas declares herself a wordsmith and dedicates this book to her 2 "goddesses of grammar." She needs new goddesses. And a better dictionary and/or a better understanding of the English language in use. She misuses an untold number of words, but even that is not as bad as her pompous and often unintelligable phrasing. I don't remember the last time I rolled my eyes or muttered "good grief" so often while reading a novel. Ms. Thomas needs to have some of her conceit surgically removed and take some writing courses. Her characters & plot were milding interesting, and there were some good moments. Indeed, the potential was there. But both leads were often as exasperating as they were favorable--sometimes more so. I can't recall a single thoroughly likeable character...except maybe Rachel (more on her later). Ignoring any historical inaccuracies, I still found the story to be somewhat plodding and decidedly uneven. The unwitting accomplice was ridiculously obvious, the villain and his motives were cliches, and the ending was somehow unfulfilling. I struggled to finish the book, and often found myself skimming. The good points simply didn't make up for all the bad ones. This book sets up a story for Ryan & Rachel. Rachel is a very interesting character in this book, very strong and capable, but Ryan is a pompous jerk (more so than Christopher, this book's hero). But I don't know if I'll be able to endure Thomas' inferior & overblown writing style in order to attempt to read it, should it ever be published. I definitely won't buy it...or this one. The 2 stars is for the good points & the wasted potential. But I think I may be being generous with it.
Rating:
Summary: I wanted to like it, but the writing is terrible
Review: Melody Thomas declares herself a wordsmith and dedicates this book to her 2 "goddesses of grammar." She needs new goddesses. And a better dictionary and/or a better understanding of the English language in use. She misuses an untold number of words, but even that is not as bad as her pompous and often unintelligable phrasing. I don't remember the last time I rolled my eyes or muttered "good grief" so often while reading a novel. Ms. Thomas needs to have some of her conceit surgically removed and take some writing courses. Her characters & plot were milding interesting, and there were some good moments. Indeed, the potential was there. But both leads were often as exasperating as they were favorable--sometimes more so. I can't recall a single thoroughly likeable character...except maybe Rachel (more on her later). Ignoring any historical inaccuracies, I still found the story to be somewhat plodding and decidedly uneven. The unwitting accomplice was ridiculously obvious, the villain and his motives were cliches, and the ending was somehow unfulfilling. I struggled to finish the book, and often found myself skimming. The good points simply didn't make up for all the bad ones. This book sets up a story for Ryan & Rachel. Rachel is a very interesting character in this book, very strong and capable, but Ryan is a pompous jerk (more so than Christopher, this book's hero). But I don't know if I'll be able to endure Thomas' inferior & overblown writing style in order to attempt to read it, should it ever be published. I definitely won't buy it...or this one. The 2 stars is for the good points & the wasted potential. But I think I may be being generous with it.
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