WARNING: Start at the present-day events first.
If you want to enjoy this book better, skip over the past events at the beginning of the book and start reading at the present-day events. That being said, I really loved the male hero in this story. In fact, I would say, if you want to be romanced properly, forget all about the storyline and pretend he is romancing you. James Daniels's reading voice was perfect for this character. I enjoyed Declan and his best friend when the two of them were leaving his friend's bachelor party. They were hilarious. I gave the story four stars because of this leading man.
The female lead, Lena, was likeable, but a little difficult to warm up to. The problem I saw was that the author's reasons for Lena's not wanting to get serious with Declan never fit in with the rest of the story, and Lena never acted like the person she had been in the past had had any impact on the person she was in the present. She was too emotionally detached.
But I did like the time-changing back and forward, and Sandra Burr's reading of the past events was oustanding. I always enjoy reincarnation stories if they are done right, and I could easily accept the idea of the different characters being brought together again in another lifetime. I thought it was bold and daring on the author's part and I liked it. I had to adjust to Declan's previous lifetime, but once I did, I just liked that the author did it that way. She had to know that it was radical.
I enjoyed the relationship between Declan and Lena. They had a strange kind of tension between them and their own special way of adjusting and interacting with each other.
The brothers in the story didn't have to be twins, and I almost stopped listening when I heard that they were, but I'm glad that I didn't. I'm not too sure about the ghost-angle. It seemed to vacillate between scary and then not. And the manner in which the ghosts finally left the house definitely needed improvement. Also, the ending was anticlimactic because the events at the beginning of the story should have been dished out little by little throughout the story with the full explanation of what happened, revealed at the end. Either that or something way different should have happened at the end. The ending was good for the hero and heroine, though not for the omniscience readers. But I don't regret listening to this story. It had a great courtship, lots of genuine humor, some really entertaining characters, and that sweetheart of a leading man.
Great Book!
I enjoyed reading this book so much that I have suggested it to my boyfriend, who is now reading it. I would definately recommend this book. The story truly captures New Orleans and the deep south.
Average romance, nothing special. Gorgeous rich guy falls in love-at-first-sight with a haunted mansion and a reluctant woman.
REVIEWER'S OPINION (WITH MILD SPOILERS):
I purchased this book because it had been made into a TV movie. I was disappointed. I was expecting more. I've liked some of her other books much better. Another reviewer stated "The rebirth and reincarnation of characters was just too far out in left field for me." That didn't bother me, reincarnation stories can be good. My problem was the modern day characters were not interesting. Declan sees a run down mansion. He falls in love with it, buys it and begins to restore it even though he is aware of ghosts' activities. Declan sees Lena and immediately falls in love with her and tells her so repeatedly throughout the rest of the book. Lena doesn't want to fall in love and tries to keep her heart safe from Declan. Lena's grandmother and mother were interesting side characters, but most of the book was watching Declan spend his money and energies on the house and Lena. It didn't do much for me. Although, at the end of the book we learn some interesting twists and connections with ghosts from 100 years earlier.
STORY BRIEF (excerpted from Publishers Weekly review):
Declan is a Harvard-educated Boston lawyer from a wealthy family. On the eve of his wedding, Declan leaves Boston, the law and his fiance, buys a dilapidated New Orleans mansion (Manet Hall) and embarks on a mission to restore it with his own sweat, blood and money. But Manet Hall comes with a dark history, and restoring it means uncovering its past, which includes rape, murder and betrayal. He often hears a baby crying and voices, particularly that of Abigail Manet, the baby's mother, who lived in the hall 100 years earlier.
DATA:
Story length: 338 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4 (includes a rape scene). Total number of sex scene pages: 11. Setting New Orleans area 1899, 1900 and 2002. Genre: contemporary fantasy romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
For a listing of my reviews of other Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb books, see my 4.5 star review of "Angels Fall" posted on 6-30-08.
Check for more reviews on Amazon.com
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