Rating: 
Summary: Smart, sexy love story set at turn of century
Review:
This book takes place in 1903 which was a little different and very interesting. Liked characters a lot. Sexy love story.
Rating: 
Summary: A Hello and an Announcement:
Review:
Thought I would mention here that my book BLISS is up
for a RITA this year, Romance Writers of America's highest honor. It has been nominated for Best Long
Historical Romance of 1995. I'm ever so proud of this. I might add that the sequel to BLISS, titled DANCE, is
also available here at Amazon. Hope you will look for
them both -- and that you enjoy them both.
All my best,
Judy Cuevas
PS You might want to see my annotations to DANCE also to
be found here.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ether Drinker and the Radish Eater (4 1/2 stars)
Review: Bold, brave and charmingly naive, Hannah Van Evan longed for nothing more than to leave her old life behind and run away to Paris. She finds her chance in the form of Madame Amelia Besom. A grumpy, yet kind old woman, Mrs Besom needs a secretary/companion to accompany her to an old French chateau. There, the two women would work to recover any valuable art that could be sold at auction.
Nardi de Saint Valliers life was a mess - it was no longer his own. A recovering ether-drinker, Nardi is under lock and key in an old cottage on the grounds of the family chateau. Here, he is watched by his older brother - Much depends on Nardis recovery. Too numb to stand up and fight for himself and his freedom, Nardi willingly(though broodingly)gives in to his familys manipulations....until the unexpected arrival of Hannah. When she comes into his life, Nardi is shocked and pleased to discover that she has brought feeling back to him...and once Nardi accepts Hannahs love and offers his in return, he is unwilling to give her up for anyone or anything - not even his own disapproving family.
"Bliss" written under the name of Judy Cuevas is yet another winner by Judith Ivory. Again and again, I pick up one of her books thinking SURELY this one cant possibly be as good as the one before it and again and again, I find myself absolutley glued to the story.
Nardi was sooo charming...Hannah was so bubbly. Yet,they were both imperfect. This is something that I love about Ivorys characters. They are never cardboard cut-outs. There are always things to make you uneasy, to make you dislike them even as you love them. These flaws make them seem SO REAL. I mean, who is perfect??
My main complaint with "Bliss" was how quickly everything was wrapped up at its ending. I knocked off half a star because I wanted more...still, this is without a doubt one more keeper written by an author that I can for sure call my favorite - Judith Ivory.
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL AND TREMENDOUSLY MOVING READ!!!! :)
Review: I absolutely adored the romance between Hannah and Nardi; it was so very honest and real! I finished this book in 3 hours and am currently scouring the bookstores for the sequel "Dance!" I truly hope that this book wins the award it's up for because I can't recall reading anything more soul moving!!!
Rating:
Summary: A very intelligent romance
Review: I really enjoyed this "romance". A great love story between two very interesting and well developed characters. Enjoyed the 1920's, art world, and French backdrop
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully human romance!
Review: I've been looking for this book for years and finally found it. Ms. Cuevas, who is also Judith Ivory, wrote one of her best books when she penned Bliss. These are two intelligent, adult people, flawed, but real, wonderfully human, with deep emotions. I loved reading it, and read it in two sittings, something I hardly ever do anymore in romance or any genre. This is truly a love story. I absolutely adored the self-destructive, ether-loving hero!!!!!!! WOW! His passion for the heroine, Hannah, brought back his passion for life. Nardi is flawed but heroic and real. He's so human, so wonderful in his thoughts and in his honesty. I love his dialogue. As I was reading, I actually wished I knew him. This is not a typical romance. No, it's one of the best romances ever to come out of the genre. It's fresh, set in France, it has great conflicts, emotional honesty, some of the best love scenes I have ever read, and two characters who fall in love in spite of their own personal passions. I could almost see this as a movie. I'd love to write the screenplay myself! It would be great, a fantastic love story, and oh, the hero as artist has never been better, and the heroine as needy but strong, has never been better. I could go on and on. Ms. Ivory. More please.........
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully human romance!
Review: I've been looking for this book for years and finally found it. Ms. Cuevas, who is also Judith Ivory, wrote one of her best books when she penned Bliss. These are two intelligent, adult people, flawed, but real, wonderfully human, with deep emotions. I loved reading it, and read it in two sittings, something I hardly ever do anymore in romance or any genre. This is truly a love story. I absolutely adored the self-destructive, ether-loving hero!!!!!!! WOW! His passion for the heroine, Hannah, brought back his passion for life. Nardi is flawed but heroic and real. He's so human, so wonderful in his thoughts and in his honesty. I love his dialogue. As I was reading, I actually wished I knew him. This is not a typical romance. No, it's one of the best romances ever to come out of the genre. It's fresh, set in France, it has great conflicts, emotional honesty, some of the best love scenes I have ever read, and two characters who fall in love in spite of their own personal passions. I could almost see this as a movie. I'd love to write the screenplay myself! It would be great, a fantastic love story, and oh, the hero as artist has never been better, and the heroine as needy but strong, has never been better. I could go on and on. Ms. Ivory. More please.........
Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss This!
Review: Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory is developing a stellar track record and Bliss is no exception. Cuevas' characters are multi-faceted and always intriguing. Hannah is an American woman pursuing her dream to become an art and antiquities appraiser. She has a love of beauty and wealth that is both exhilarating and shameful to her sometimes fueling her secret fear that she is shallow. Nardi is a Frenchman, once his country's most promising young sculptor now trying to put his life back together in the aftermath of an ether addiction. He has given up his art fearing to risk rejection in the public eye. Both characters are struggling to make their way ---Hannah with a ruined reputation must constantly prove herself to her current employer. Nardi is trying to redeem himself in the eyes of his family offering himself up for sacrifice on the marital alter while he lives a virtual prisoner under the ever-watchful eye of his older brother. With a complex cast of secondary characters and a wonderful understanding of interpersonal relationships this book delivers on every level!
Rating:
Summary: blissfully lovely book
Review: Okay, I admit it..... Sometimes I'm a little slow. I had NO IDEA that Judy Cuevas is also Judith Ivory. Ms. Ivory is one of my all time favorite authors. I have read all her books and treasured each and every one. Now I understand my fascination with the Cuevas novels. Bliss is the first novel I read under her pseudonym. Wow!! what a great book. I wasn't sure if I would like the innocent heroine saving a "tortured soul" and falling helplessly in love at the same time. WRONG!!! The story about a mistakenly tarnished American beauty who secures a job with an elderly lady who is in the auction and fine art appraisal business. They travel together to France to appraise and auction antique pieces from a family owned chateaux. The chateaux is in need of many repairs. The money gained will be used toward restoration. There the heroine, Hannah, meets a somber and tortured Frenchman, Nardi, who is "imprisoned in a detached cottage (by his family) while he detoxes from an Ether addiction. He is an intense, handsome young artist who became self destructive from professional rejection, self esteem problems, and family dysfunction. Hannah, impossibly naive befriends Nardi and ultimately helps him "heal". Ms. Cuevas/Ivory writes poignentely. The characters, although flawed are complex,likeable, and compelling. Hannah's determination, loyalty, and indomitable spirit casts a ray of light upon the darkness of Nardi's soul- and ignites an all consuming passion between the two. Nardi's recovery and healing helps Hannah understand and come to terms with her own past issues. The story is uplifting and speaks to the power of love, renewel, and growth. Don't miss this book!! Why,is it not in print??
Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: Original, intelligent and utterly captivating from beginning to end. I'm a voracious reader, not a writer so if you want details you'll have to look elsewhere.
| 
