Sleeping Beauty

Rating:
Summary: An unusual and enchanting reworking of a classic fairy tale
Review: A retired Victorian demi-mondaine as Sleeping Beauty! What a wonderful concept. Young, eager, on top of the world, newly knighted for his exploits in Africa and far wealthier than he ever imagined--Sir James Stoker is turned head over heels when he meets an exquisite, elusive older woman, the fascinating Mrs. Coco Wild. Coco lives on the edge of respectability, for the gossip is that in the past she has entertained lovers as varied as the emperor of France and the Prince of Wales. James knows nothing for sure about Coco, only that he cannot resist his attraction to her, even if that attraction could ruin his career.

Rating:
Summary: Actually 4 1/2 stars.......
Review: Aaaahh James, what can I say? He was everything the perfect hero should be. Perfect in his physique, his style, intelligence, coloring, he always said the right thing and loved her with no doubt in his mind or yours. Judith Ivory wove a very different tale from your usual romance novel. This book read like a waltz. I dropped 1/2 a star for the quickie ending, but I've found that to be somewhat of an Ivory trademark. She spends so much time on telling the story in such depth, that she suddenly faces a deadline and nears what should be the last page and she rushes to just settle the conflict quickly and neatly. I'm no expert, but if Ivory could get around that problem, she'd be a keeper in my book.

That being said, I still highly recommend Sleeping Beauty.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful romance
Review: After returning from an archeological expedition in Africa and coming back a hero, Sir James Stoker is on top of the world. His life is great. Then he meets Coco Wild, a beautiful woman almost eight years his senior.

Coco discourages James every step of the way, but the determined young man does not take no for an answer. Coco and James fall in love, but she's a woman with a past. Rumored to be the woman who was The Prince of Wales 16th birthday present, Coco has entertained gentlemen and made a life for herself. Now she's fallen in love.

I found this book to be wonderful. Coco was a charming character and I applaud Ms. Ivory for her ability to bring the reader to love a woman with a sorid past. James melted my heart with his love for Coco. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Compelling characters and a beautiful writing style make this a must read. The plotting is flawless; the prose is elegant; the characters are charming; and the moments of laugh-out-loud humor are serendipitous.

The best book I've read in a long time.

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Summary:
AN RWA FAVORITE BOOK of 1998

Review: Hooray! SLEEPING BEAUTY has been named one of the top ten favorite romances of 1998 by Romance Writers of America (a writers organization of 8,000 plus members). Thank you, RWA!

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book to Read over and over!
Review: I bought this book when it first came out in '98 and not only put it on my "keeper shelf" but put it in an easily accessible place. It is a joy to read and you absolutely fall in love with the main characters. If only all books made you feel this good when you've finished them. I won't go into the story, as prior reviewers have done a fine job of that, but Judith Ivory is unique in her story telling. No run of the mill stories from her! I mean her main characters meet in the Barber/Dentist office in the opening chapter! And these are Victorian times so not the most pleasant place to be with a toothache!

GET THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: A refreshingly down to earth tale....
Review: I think what struck me the most about this story, was the way that something so...whimsical, can be written so solidly. Our hero, the dashing James, is such a character, I'm almost affraid to believe in him. His struggles thru Africa, in a time when it was thought to be "the White Man's Burden" to civilize these barbarous wilds. He "goes native" and really learns how to appreciate life much like we do today, (but never would have in Victorian England). This sets the stage nicely for him to fall in love with our heroine. Coco has had to do whatever she can to raise her son, alone in a world none to friendly to women. She makes no appologies for having to sleep her way through the world and James must come to grips with this. The story was quite romantic and I loved following our characters through their path to love. Unlike in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Ms. Ivory has our African explorer make it back, though profoundly changed. I have to say, I loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: Not the boring old formula
Review: I was absolutely hooked on this novel. It's definitely a keeper. The tired old formula- beautiful, innocent, unsophisticated somewhat naïve virginal heroine falls in love with jaded rogue who doesn't believe in love and has legions of ex-lovers is reversed in a way. Sir James, 29, explorer and scientist has just returned from an adventurous trip to Africa when he runs into Coco, 37, ex-courtesan and mother of an adult son. For him it's apparently love at first sight He is the son of a coachman and far from being rich or sophisticated. He's youthful, enthusiastic, romantic and honorable. His integrity which is rarely found in a romance novel attracts Coco who is a bit world-weary and disillusioned. She mocks romantic notions and nevertheless secretly hopes they exist. Her vulnerability and genuine charm make her sympathetic, she's, though a born seductress, far from being a lethal femme fatale. She is the one who resists the temptation of an affair with James for his own sake. He needs a flawless reputation to make his way into the world and her notoriety will be only a burden to him. But James doesn't give up. He's the first to acknowledge his feelings and takes great risks to be with his beloved. Neither hero is depicted as flawless. Coco's past really becomes a burden for the two and her legions of titled and rich lovers who made her very wealthy were first shocking for me for this is usually not what you find in a romance novel. But I admired James loyalty all the more. Every man can love a woman who's young, innocent and full of virtue. But it takes a man with a heart as big as James' to love a woman like Coco unconditionally. Truly romantic.

Rating:
Summary: Slow-paced and tedious
Review: I was attracted by the raving review to buy this book but I was disappointed. The story about the romance between a beautiful older woman , a one-time courtesan and a younger man is not original and the writer did not make it refreshing or captivating.The story drags and I found myself impatiently skipping pages in order to get on with the plot.I would give it **1/2 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Unusual, Unique and compelling-highly recommended
Review: I've read literally hundreds from this genre and this is one of the most unique books I've run across. It is set in Victorian England but the psychological perspective from both the hero and heroine are easy to identify with, deep, almost profound. The struggles both emotional and mental are engrossing. I found myself staring off into space really thinking about their world views and perspectives. You care about these characters almost immediately and Judith Ivory has a gift for painting characters in such a way that you have a strong sense of not only what they look like but also how who they are inside. It's as if their essense glows from the inside out and affects how others perceive them. I really enjoyed this book. The plot is very unique and you are never quite sure (especially since the heroine is adamantly opposed to the match) how it will turn out. I can't remember liking two characters more. Highly recommend it.