Persuasion will take your breath away
599248
Take this opportunity to read Persuasion, it will take your breath away.

Anne Elliot was "forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older." She was not given the choice by her family and friends to marry the man that she loved and who loved her. She sent Fredrick Wentworth away to the navy with no promise of ever having their love renewed. Fredrick spends his time in the navy honorably, becoming a captain, and tries his best to forget Anne. Anne, left at home, realizes what a mistake it was to ignore her heart and follow the advice of those who she thought she trusted.

Persuasion takes place almost ten years after these events when fate pulls these star-crossed lovers together again. They must find a way to forgive each other, one for being sent away, and the other for never returning.

Jane Austen wrote Persuasion at the end of her life, and thus had a different perspective while writing it then she did when writing all the rest of her books. This is the only Austen book written after the two protagonists have met and fallen in love. Austen pulls you into Anne's story, demanding that you stick around until you know what happens between Anne and Wentworth. The reader can easily see the emotions that both Anne and Wentworth feel, while both characters are blind to the feelings of the other.

Anne taught me that I have to trust my heart. I can listen to the people in my life that I trust, but they will not be able to tell me what to do to be happy. Anne becomes miserable because she followed the advice of those she loved, but she doesn't blame them because she realizes that they told her to do what they thought was best. I enjoyed watching Anne grow and become an amazing woman who knows what she wants and is willing to stand up to the people in her life.

One issue that I had with this book is the language that is used in it; it was not written for our day. The language is archaic and difficult to decipher. It is best to know the basic plot before reading this book or else you will get lost in the details of what is happening. However, the joy that is elicited from being part of Anne's life is without a doubt worth the effort.
4651055
I could go on and on about this book, the deliberately misleading tone of the prologue ("Mouthy"'s false bravado); the vacillations between pride and shame and the vacillations between lust and romance; the portrait of the many faces of desire; the use of loneliness as a character; the subtle motifs of keys and magic; and the juxtapositions between "Knives and Flame" and "The Trouble with Resisting Temptation" and between "Dirty Thought III" and "Lonely Plays with Mirrors" (the tone changes and interplay between these pairs on facing pages was just genius).

I loved the thesis of being handed hearts and not wanting them, of needing the heart, like the body, to be taken, and I loved that for such a confessional theme, the voice remained restrained and just the perfect amount of elusive.

Mouthy reads like a spiral, constantly expanding and folding in on itself.
4366441
Vera's life is in pieces.

She has been blackballed.  She has given up on her heart's desire.  Never mind the mountain of student loan debt and the fact that she has to make it.  HAS.  TO.  MAKE.  IT.
But, with little savings and an ailing father to care for - can she do it?

She no longer trusts herself or her abilities.  She knows she must rebuild her life and take control.  She tells herself that this is the only way.  It is her only option.

Enter Killian.  He IS the know-it-all.  He is the master - opinionated, confident, and utterly maddening.

Can Vera pull it together and make it, or will Killian be just who he is supposed to be?

Let me be clear - Rachel Higginson is the master.  Her ability to weave a story that sucks you in is unbelievable.  She is entrancing, addicting, and amazing.  Her characters will make your heart break and soar.  You will connect to the story line no matter you circumstances.  You will laugh (sometimes too loudly and inappropriately - which will make your family wonder about you sanity), you will connect to Vera's plight, and want to throw parsley.  You will read her books over and over again.
3989564
I love Persuasion and really liked how the author took the story and made it modern and her own!  Ava Elliot as a musician was an interesting twist.  I liked that Eric had become a major star but was still rather humble....and in love with Ava.
This was my favorite JAFF Persuasion read!  Well done Ms Stanford!
4238752
The art of persuasion is a keen interest of mine. I've read somewhere between 15-20 books on the subject ranging from war, seduction, non-verbal communication, sales, alpha male status, and more. Pitch Anything is one of my favorites. I marked up the whole book with notes.

Hey publishers!: Readers like me are ready to buy an Audible or Audio CD version so that we can listen to the book again and again!
847417
Jane Austen is famous for her English dramas of marriage, love and societal acceptance.  Her latest novel Persuasion continues the theme of society, love, and marriage and how money and jealousy interferes.  Published posthumously, Persuasion is a dramatic story about persuading others of love, adhering to wishes of family and society, and the subtle hints that foretell every climatic chapter.
 Widower Sir Walter Elliot lives on his Kellynch-hall estate with his two daughters Elizabeth and Anne.  Both girls had unsuccessful chances at marriage: Elizabeth was turned down by Mr. Elliot, a family cousin and heir to Sir Walter's estate who married a plain woman of fortune instead; Anne had a great affair with a Mr. (now Captain) Wentworth, a naval officer who had nothing--and was therefore ineligible--to marry Anne.  As Sir Walter falls deeper into debt, the Elliot family leases the estate to an Admiral Croft in order to save money.  And Admiral Croft, naturally, is a great friend of Captain Wentworth, who reappears eight years after he and Anne parted.  Can Anne persuade Captain Wentworth to lover her once again?  The answer lies in the story.
 Like in her other novels, Jane Austen incorporates the manners and social customs of the early 1800s in her novels.  The novel speaks of the "great war" with Napoleon that the British Navy fought, and the characters are forever thinking about money and royal connections.  Anne very much wanted to marry Captain Wentworth when the first fell in love.  But English custom demands that a couple gets approval of their marriage from the bride's family.  And as Captain Wentworth was poor at the time, the Elliots strictly forbade Anne from marrying him, and she didn't.  Throughout the novel the characters also maintain an air of sophistication and elegance--an air required of everyone in the British court.  And as Sir Walter Elliot was known in court, the whole family had to behave with "utmost decorum."

 "It was impossible for her to have forgotten to feel that this arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them together again." (Austen 197).

 Foreshadow is prominent in the novel.  In Chapter 2 both Captain Wentworth and Mr. Elliot are mentioned, assuring the reader that they will be prominent main characters.  It was not until the end that the characters discover the reason behind Mr. Elliot's first marriage, but one character hinds that "money, money was all that he wanted" (Austen 178).  After page 17 it becomes obvious to the reader what would happen between Anne and Captain Wentworth, for "repeating his name so often...was a new sort of trial on Anne's nerves" (Austen 44).  Little hints along the way suck the reader deeper and deeper into the story.
 Although "Proper English" is intimidating when reading Jane Austen's stories, her plots are classics in love and marriage.  Anyone who has gone through a painful break up or a dramatic relationship knows just how much money, family and jealously can ruin a relationship.  Austen dramatically tells the stories of her heroines while maintaining a 19th century setting, and drops subtle hints along the way to keep readers hooked.  Persuasion is a classic that is understood and loved by all who read it.
767333
Re-read Persuasion on the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death. All these centuries later the dialogue sparkles and Austen sets a scene so clearly we can see it. Then she blows it all up with a funny comment.
1138736
I can see why a few people would be a little weary going into Adrienne Monsons, Eyes of Persuasion, as its a weird mesh of New Adult, Romance, and Historical fiction. But do not let the weird genres keep you away from reading through this novel. Monson creates a stunning work of fiction by using attractive characters and accurate historical evidence.
Isabeau Maybrick, is a mysterious character who youll have trouble not becoming invested into her story. After the death of her parents shes forced into the home of her abusive uncle, but she uses her hidden secret gift to keep her out of trouble. But its Everett Radcliff whos the main male character thatll woo the hearts of many readers with his charm, whit, and his feelings towards Isabeau. Its the ageless story of love in a new package.
Being a new adult novel first you wouldnt expect Eyes of Persuasion to have that much historical back ground, but Monson does a great job of making sure the novel stays historically accurate.
I would recommend this novel to anyone whos looking for a great novel to read on the weekend, as its a quick steamy ride to the end. As you read uncovering more about the two protagonist, you become truly invested into their relationship.
384338
Can someone please help me pick my jaw up off the floor?

From the first heart pounding thuds of the horses hoof beats to the sigh of the last page of the book, this story will have you in its grips and will not let you go!

Rachel Garnet has a tough row to hoe when it comes to loving her enemies. Her and her brother make the toughest decision of their lives, especially after their father and many of their neighbors were just killed in the battle of Mohawk Valley.  When the decision is made, it means their lives could be at stake. They could be considered traitors to their country.

As the story continues to unfold, things happen. Rachel tries to do the right thing by agreeing to court someone else. Pressures continue to mount. A traitor is in the midst. What will Rachel do with her heart? Who will she give her heart too?

An amazing story of love, forgiveness, and faith! I highly recommend this book!

Disclosure statement
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
50544
Slater's Leverage took my imagine to the edge with the layout of this story line. I recommend anyone who likes to be taken off guard with excitement to pick up this book and be prepared for events to unfold as you turn each page. You will want to read the whole book in one night.
4685709
I have had this book on my TBR list for awhile now and it was finally time to read it. I have to saw this was a great lead up to Persuasion from the Wentworth/Croft standpoint.

It starts with Sophia, Frederick, and Edward becoming orphan when their mother died, and thank goodness a great uncle on their father's side was marked executor of their mother's small will instead of their 2 frumpy aunts. It goes on to tell of how Frederick went onto the Navy while Sophia worked where Edward was being educated. It shows how close the three were, yet how as time and life changes happened they grew apart, yet still stayed close as kin. We learn of the friends that Frederick makes and how a certain friend comes into their life and is able to offer more.

I just adored Croft as he rises from a Lieutenant to a Captain to an Admiral. How he was fascinated with Sophia from the start and how he never had a change in heart. I adored how he did not let money and connections stand in his way especially since he himself could not bring those as well. I love how he chose to call her Sophy so that he alone would,be the one to call her that and that she would not think of her brothers when he said her name. Though Croft was a bit rough around the edges being a naval man, he was a romantic at heart when it came to Sophy.

One of the things I loved about Sophy in this book is how perceptive she was when it came to her brothers and how she could read them. At times, I felt her anguish when she felt so alone when the boys were growing up and experiencing things she as a female could never experience, especially when it brought the boys friends which her situation did not allow. I loved how with very little information she was able to figure out Frederick's heartbreak and was resolved to do what she could to bring happiness to the situation.

The chapters that start after the Elliots come to play takes after the 1995 movie adaptation with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds.

I will definitely, highly recommend this book to any JAFFer who loves Persuasion.
893844
It was so easy to dislike Ambrose, except when it wasn't. Contradicting statement? Yes, but that is the way that I felt. He hid his heart well, but when it came out to play, it set the whole novel on fire. Arrogant, decadent, seductive and brooding this man thrived on being a walking contradiction. When a secret bet puts Alexandra in his sights, his heavily guarded heart may not survive the blow. Alexandra at first glance seems naive in her views, but underneath all of the surface optimism lies a woman with an inner strength and hidden fire just waiting to find it's target. Ms. Smith loves to dole out surprises and with The Rakehell's Seduction she not only gave an enchanting story, she delivered characters that were as mesmerizing and complicated as the writer herself. Well done.
97009
The Missionary begins with a stark realization from the heroine, Wren Morgan. She is slowly realizing she's been kidnapped, bound, and drugged. Jack doesn't ease you into this story. It's a sobering slap in the face, as should be. Immediately, you realize this will not be your typical hearts and happy romance read. Stone Pressfield, a former Navy Seal honorably discharged from service after a debilitating injury. Stone finds solace in LifeBridge, a nondenominational Christian church. Stone plays guitar for their church band. Stone is a bit unsure of his faith and where he fit into this new life. His demeanor is aloof and quiet. He's just going through the motions of life until he lays eyes on Wren for the first time. She exudes a life and joy that draw him in. But because of his past he restrains his interest in her, despite her advances toward him. When the pastor at LifeBridge decides to take on a mission in Manila, Philipines, Stone vehemently requests that they do not go on this mission. His advice is ignored and he decides to travel with the group to keep them safe. Stone's gut reaction to this situation is correct and Wren is kidnapped in plain sight.

Jack Wilder had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read The Missionary. He really puts you through the paces as you watch Wren and Stone fight for their lives. What Stone does in order to rescue Wren is so heart wrenching and amazing. He is the ultimate good guy-loyal, strong, persistent, and tenacious. When you first get to know Wren, you don't think she can handle what's about to happen to her. I was pleasantly surprised to see how wrong I was. She was incredibly strong and brave despite what was happening to her. I really admire Jack's characters and you bond with them almost immediately.

Because of the subject matter in the book, I didn't think I would get the typical steamy sex scenes. But Jack seamlessly worked it into the story. We see Stone and Wren bond in a way that shows you their strong attraction and connection to each other. The sex scenes aren't overdone, not distracting you from the serious nature of the story. He communicates their relationship when their situation is at it's most desperate. They come together after ignoring the attraction they've long suppressed.

I really enjoyed The Missionary by Jack Wilder. It's a darker read and includes a message I won't easily forget. Living in America my whole live, I tend to forget that I'm a very fortunate person. Human trafficking is a huge problem in our modern day world. And if books like The Missionary keep these important issues in the forefront of our minds, I think that is a great thing. I give The Missionary by Jack Wilder 4 out of 5 stars.

Written by Dee McGee - Booze, Bookz, and Bad Boyz
3624125
Ultimate Pleasure, that's how I would describe this book. Oh my!! Be prepared to have your breath taken away (as long as your 18+).

Amanda has revised her seduction bible ''Release Your Hidden Temptress Handbook' so much that she has now gone from theory to red hot practice at a masquerade bar crawl with the aim to attract exciting men into her life, one night at a time. And so the temptress game begins, she soon singles out Mr Hot, who by the way has had plenty of pleasurable experience, and they take their love dance elsewhere until he suddenly stops and arranges a meet up the next day but why? She soon finds out that her delicious Mr Hot is her boss Mick, both have had serious hots for each other for so long without the other knowing. Now the truth is out Mick offers to give her the hard pleasure she craves while keeping her safe so no harm comes to her, with a 'no strings attached' for 'one night only' offer then back to the office Monday. Seems a fair offer ;-)

Let's just say that those amazing chapters were quickly read, making my heart pump that bit faster, I couldn't wait to get back to my, I mean Amanda's sexy training! BUT to tease us even more the 'one night only' turns into a whole weekend as Mick offers to also show her the real ways to seduce a man while staying out of danger, for the girl he cares so much about. More sensational hot reading to be had!

There's two sides to this instant hot blooded man, he is smooth, caring, gentle and affectionate yet can melt a women's heart in an instant as the words slide off his delicious tongue and let's not even get to the spine tingling bits. I was totally in awe and in parts I totally forgot I was actually reading. With a lifetime of hurt and sadness, no longer believing in love, switching back to reality on Monday is no problem for Mick, is it? And what about Amanda, when Monday comes can she really go back to her dull, loveless life after such a fantasy?

This has been an unmissable serving of strong tasting Love Pie and I am now holding my breath for the next one. I've got to say that Melissa writing the 'Release Your Hidden Temptress Handbook' would be an absolutely amazing addition and so much fun!
1668302
This book is about an attraction so strong that you just can't fight it because what the heart wants, the heart wants. The characters are likable and the plot is good. I'm  not a big fan of not saying things that need to be said out of fear, but this book did not do this to the point that it ruined the story for me. Well worth reading.
4348672
If you love to read romances with brooding heroes and smart, sassy heroines, run, don't walk, to your local bookstore and pick up A Heart Most Certain. If you love to read historical novels, ditto on the running. If you love books with suspense, yeah, you're getting the picture. This book has it all and then some. To say I loved this book seems pretty tame. This book grabbed me with the giggles, reeled me in with that brooding hero and sealed the deal with that historical suspense. I spent WAY too many nights reading just one more page (alright, I mean chapter) and endangering first my Sunday morning alertness for the sermon and then my Monday morning work performance.  It was worth it, though  so, so worth it.
Lydia King is given one task by the leader of the Teaville Moral Society: get a donation out of the towns richest man, Nicholas Lowe. She joined to make a difference for the poor and shell do everything she can to get that donation out of Lowes miserly clutches. From what she can see, he doesnt even tithe to the church he attends. What hope does she have of convincing him that the Moral Society is a worthy charity for his donations? Poor as a church mouse herself, Lydia really has only three things going for her: beauty, tenacity, and intelligence. Will any of those traits sway Nicholas to see things her way?
Nick learns pretty quickly that Lydia won't take a simple NO as an answer. Her tenacity in pleading the Moral Societys case chips away at his equally stubborn stand against making any contributions to the group. When he finally agrees to make a bargain with her  granting three charitable wishes, as long as none of the three go to the Moral Society  he is stunned to see that all three are actually worthy of his attention. As they work together, they find that they agree on far more than just how to help the poor.  Can Nick show Lydia the error of the Moral Societys methods while helping the downtrodden in his own way? Will Lydia be able to escape the future her father has essentially sold her into through his gambling?
Expect to be challenged. Expect to see yourself, even in some of the more undesirable characters. Expect to learn something as you read. Expect frequent bouts of laughter but do NOT expect to come away from this book unchanged. You will find that your capacity for compassion  especially for the outcasts of society  has expanded with each page you turn. Dont wait to start the journey! This book rates among the best Ive read this year (and according to my Goodreads Challenge that total is up to 118 for the year.) I highly recommend A Heart Most Certain. Its a 5 star read all the way.
2252662
Being ill with the flu was the best excuse to read Persuasion in all forms and sizes. So I enjoyed Melissa Nathans razor-sharp analyses of human interaction, the more narrative style of Juliet Archer. After these two books I started browsing for more and found this LDS version. I had to look up what this abbreviation meant, but I discovered it had to be a Mormon version. I don't know much about Mormonism (Is that a word), except the people who are on mission here in Holland: terribly polite en kind, terribly badly dressed. One time it was raining so hard and these very kind boys were standing at my door: if I wanted to talk. What could I do, it was raining horribly. So we talked. Though it was a bit Sartre-an, we didn't have a conversation. They talked to me and I tried not to be offensive. And I pitied them so much because the thought crossed me that they would have preferred to talk about normal things too: how it was so far from home in a country that was in no need of spiritual guidance whatsoever. How they experienced the loudness and directness? But we didn't talk about these things.
The conversation kept me wondering about their quietness and politeness as opposed to their fiery mission. In some ways it didn't at up for me.

So after reading the raving reviews I bought the book. In the first place to have a good and easy read en the second place to learn more about these people: were they really this bunch of sectarian polygamists that my friend in Utah says they are? Someone said once: We read to know we are not alone. I always red this as: We read to learn we are all human. And a good writer is capable to create persona who are complex. And if that character belongs to a specific group with set norms and values the writer must be capable to show the tension that can exist between norm/ dogma and experience of the character in question. Rebecca Jameson is capable in doing that. Her characters are no (or hardly ever)a mouthpiece for the dogma of the LDS. She had created characters you can relate to. And that is an achievement in itself. I think.

Especially the first third of the book is captivating. It tells the story of the reacquainting of two former lovers. And since the courting takes place in the Mormon environment it is slow and gentle and somewhat old fashioned in a good way. The real thing is at stake here. And while reading I thought how much of that is lost in de modern day version of dating. It reminded me that boundaries and discipline are not such bad things. The book talks about the books of Chaim Potok. In a way this book has something in its tone that reminded me of these books. The quiet dialog, the importance of family, the ever pregnant women.

The last two third of the book could have been A LOT shorter. The overstretching relationship building I found tiring. So was Anne. She was supposed to have a college education and a brain to match that. That didn't translate itself in her actions: she was so passive I could kick her. Well maybe that has something to do with the very fixed roles for man and women in the Mormon world. I don't know. Sometimes I wanted to scream: Just tell him you love him, forget the mascara, the wide hips and the lip-gloss. Go for It! Kiss him. She became a bit whiney and that didn't suit her at all.

But what the hack, it was a nice read where words as quietness and gentleness spring to mind and that isn't a bad thing. And I came to understand what people find in the church of the LDS: friendship, connections, strong values, and the importance of family. As someone who exited the womb a feminist I am glad I don't need to be in that group. I like my woman vicar, and am glad to have my gay friends at my side in church. The whole roll for women in the book wants me to rebel. But I know that lots of people don't want to rebel, they want quietness and a things they can hold on to.

This book has tought me that in every group however strict there are people who think dogma is important but that the love for human beings surpasses even that.