Again, Unrequited Love!
591849
There is in the works of Carson McCullers a melancholy tone, signifying the main theme that dominates her writing. That theme is love. But it is not just the martyred longing of a poetic balladeer or the simplistic infatuation with love itself symbolized by the giving of a thorny rose; it is unrequited love, the tragic flaw of all humans to love the most that which is most incapable of returning that love. This tone of unrequited love leaves a reader with a feeling of haunting dreariness, as one would have for something unresolved.

McCullers grew up training to become a concert pianist. Perhaps one of the best analogies she uses to describe this aforementioned main theme is undoubtedly drawn from the thousands of hours she spent in front of the keyboard. In The Member of the Wedding, McCullers' heroine Frankie comments on the torture of an unfinished piano scale:

"If you start with A and go on up to G, there is a curious thing that seems to make the difference between G and A all the difference in the world. Twice as much difference as between any other two notes in the scale. Yet they are side by side there on the piano just as close together as the other notes."

Replete with meaning, this quote sums up very well McCullers' feelings concerning the tragedy of human relationships. When listening to a music scale, there is something within everyone -something universal or instinctual, perhaps - that cringes when the scale is not completed, especially if it is just the last note that is left off. This human trait is perhaps best described by the German Bauhaus art movement, which attempts to explain, among other things, how humans have an inherent need to complete all aspects of existence, most notably in the visual arts. The human brain is wired to finish that which is just barely incomplete, such as a three-quarter circle (one naturally sees the semblance of a full circle) or how the use of negative space alone can define the subject (or positive space) of a work. In the aforementioned example of the piano scale, McCullers brilliantly links the longing for love with that unfinished scale. For some reason, true love is always just out of reach, like the ascension of a piano scale that never reaches the last note. And just like the auditory incompleteness of the piano scale jars the nerves, the emotional incompleteness of never attaining true love can "drive you wild!"
2287084
After devouring both "Simply Irresistable"  and "Truly  Madly Yours", I waited as patiently as possible for Rachel Gibson's  next release. It was well worth it! "It Must Be Love" is another  romantic treasure that will find itself among the books you'll consider  your "keepers". I know for a fact that come the steamy summer  days, this will be the re-read I grab for a day at the beach! New Age  devotee Gabrielle Breedlove and  Officer Joe Shanahan are wonderfully  written characters with wit, humor and romance to spare. Ms. Gibson gives  us two radically different people (who upon their first meeting, pretty  much hate one another) and weaves an interesting story of intruige, mystery  and romance that drags us along with the happy couple on the bumpy road to  true love. Joe is the lucky cop elected to pose as Gabrielle's boyfriend  while the police try to nab her business partner for fencing stolen art.  Sparks fly left and right, and you'll find yourself wondering why the cops  in your neighborhood never seem as yummy as Joe! Note: Keep a watchful eye  and ear out for Joe's pet parrot Sam, who aside from being an avid watcher  of Jerry Springer shows and Clint Eastwood films, manages to repeat many  choice quotables from his favorite passtime - and interject them into the  story at the best possible moments!  Applause to Ms. Gibson for another  great story! I hope she's busy writing her next release. I CAN'T WAIT!!
4251525
As par for Liz Crowe, this is another roller coaster ride, with lots of ups, downs, and downright hot scenes.  Former lovers, fallen apart years earlier, have both moved on and become engaged to their significant others. That is, until the lovers meet up. This story demonstrates how one's first love never goes away completely. Can the lovers resist their identical attraction to each other once again? Pick this book up and see what a ride this story is! You will not be disappointed!
3279605
Looks like another hit!  I cannot get enough of this MMA series!  Happy to see original Uncaged Love characters have a camio.  The story is about a MMA fighter realizing that being an absentee father isn't what he wants.  Looking forward to the next in series.
335101
I was lucky enough to read this beauty early.

Where the heck do I start with this amazing journey of unbreakable love, laughter, tears and happiness that Deac and Frankie always show when near each other.
With the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers, I was so ready to find out where the author would take us. Well my heart was pounding just as hard as it was at the end of Love Hurts.
Filled with so many one-liners that Deacon started in Love Hurts, they continue in this one and once you read it...you'll understand. #ididthat
With lots of surprises and visits from characters we love and love to hate (cough Christiano cough) this was everything I had hoped for and more...so much more!!
I'm sad to see one of my all time favorite couples go but hope we hear from them in the near future!!
Congrats Mandi!!! Absolutely Amazing!!
4103853
Katie cuts to the chase again and nails it again!  You will laugh, cry a bit, and feel joy as you follow Winifred in her journey.  So many similar things to a certain love story close to my heart! Thank you for the reminders of JOY and HOPE!
4197816
- I love unrequited love stories and how time and people can get in the way of a love that is not spoken but burns deep within the gut of someone. This book captured that perfectly. What makes this story more interesting is the fact that it is the male characters best friend is the one who stands in the way of a love that we as a reader now needs to happen and that time and distance will not shake. This book is still romantic like the first book but in such a different way it spoke to me more it is great that it differs to the first book and the series is no a carbon copy of the story before.
1228542
E. Davies is back at it again, and I am so grateful! I just love these Significant Brothers. They are such a strong family, and I love how they support and accept each other and their loves.

In this book 4, quiet Dustin finally meets someone to make him take a risk at falling in love. Leo has never considered being with a man, but when he meets Dustin, pieces just click and fall into place for him. He never really questions his feelings, and is very open to all his relationship with Dustin can bring. There are little bumps in the road for them, but it is nothing that can not be overcome with communication and love. I really enjoyed sharing their journey with them.
3380425
Such a sweet and heartwarming love story!  It was a great read, and impossible not to get swept up into.  The characters are well developed, and very easy to relate to and root for!  Can't wait for the next book!
3881065
Oh my gosh, another awesome story in this amazing series! I couldn't put it down! To follow the characters on their journey of openness, trust and love along with the passion that fills them all was riveting. This will touch your heart!
483861
The review that follow is a partial review. To read the full review, please visit [...]
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When love spans hundreds of miles, across two countries, and connects two lost souls long before they will ever physically meet, you know that something special is in the works. My True Love is truly something special!

The daughter of the laird of Dunniwerth, Anne Sinclair's childhood was a bit hard, though to an outsider they would think she had it all. And in many ways she did--but she wasn't spoiled by it, and her parents taught her to be giving, to be kind, and to be a hard worker. But at times having parents that expected so much from her was hard. It was during times like these that Anne wished for someone to talk to.

One night, when Anne was only 8, she had a vision, and in this vision she clearly saw a young boy, sitting in a castle, hearing the cries of his mother laboring in another room. Soon a woman comes in and tells the boy that his mother has passed on, as well as the babe. Anne watches as this strong boy, so young and yet already so old, breaks down and cries. Touched by the emotions and the connection she feels with this unknown boy, Anne begins to cry ,too. For the rest of her life, she continues to see visions of the boy--always random, always one sided. But as she grows, the boy does too, and by the time she is in her early 20's, she's watched Stephen grow up to become a man. She loves him, yet she's never really met him, and he has no idea she even exists.

When her father begins pushing for her to marry, she decides it is time to take her life into her own hands, and off she goes to find Stephen. Even if a relationship doesn't come out of it, she has to see him, touch him, at least once before she returns home and settles into a life that her parents want her to have.

Stephen, now the earl of his family's castle is intrigued by the stubborn lass that shows up on his grounds. What is it about her that has captured his attention so? She seems to know him, recognized him first thing and knew of his childhood hiding place--is she a witch, to know so such things? He doesn't believe so, but that still doesn't explain the way she acts, nor the words he has caught her saying (such as "I've seen you my whole life", though they've never met). Regardless, he finds himself starting to care for her, and he wants to protect her, to get out of the trouble he is in with the crown so that he might have a chance at a life with her. But will her secret tear them apart--or will it be her father who keeps them apart?

I can't say enough great things about this book! It simply blew me away. Within the first few pages, I was hooked, and for the first time in a long time, I entered into a story where I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough (clich, but so very true!), and I was even teary eyed during a few of the more emotional scenes. I could feel the love between Anne and Stephen, first as she was growing up (and loved the image of the boy), then later as she finally realized that regardless of the visions she had of him, she loved the man he had become, not just the child she wanted to comfort.

The writing was excellent; Karen has a talent for words and the characters were very nicely done. I loved many of the quotes and passages from this book, and while most of them are more meaningful when reading the entire story, they are also very potent on their own. A rare treat, and something that not many authors can do.

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This review is property of NightOwlReviews
1417477
Ruth Clampett has once again delivered the HOT sex 'n' SWEET love.

When Charlie, a shy, insecure computer programmer, meets Ramon, a sexy, confident erotic dancer-bartender, the door of his closeted world is blown off its hinges. Both carry past heartbreak and trauma that threaten the future of their new romance.

I immediately fell in love with Charlie and Ramon, and became fully invested in them as a couple. (I'm a sucker for "opposites attract" stories!) I was deeply moved by each man's struggle to get his s--- together so that they could feel deserving of the other's love. For this reason, I would have enjoyed reading some chapters from Ramon's POV. (Encore is written almost entirely from Charlie's perspective.)

Shout out to Charlie's sister, Sasha! She is my favorite secondary character ever written by Clampett. Fingers crossed that she gets her own novel!
4382193
I am not even surprised that she did it again! I am so excited that Sky and Esther's story continues on. You don't always get that with stories you love. The first book, for me, was full of daydreams come true. This one, becomes more real as Sky and Esther progress in their relationship and face every day challenges that a marriage brings. I love the spiritual quality in this book. Chana takes you deep, challenges your heart and leaves you feeling full of grace and love that only Christ can give. I am thankful for their story. I am thankful for the love they have for each other that is rooted in their love for the Lord. I loved it! I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3602475
I love me some DeVon and Meagan! My absolute favourite couple. Their love for each other is such an admirable and inspirational one. This book came as a timely reminder that the love that God ordained for me, the love that my heart has been yearning for still exist! Thank u both
1166337
Gwyneth Bolton once again uses her awesome talent and genius creating the love of a lifetime with Jasmine and Troy as they "Found Love in the Most Unexpected Place"...with each other!  The love and romance in this book abounds beyond thoughts and imagination, while the antics of these two self proclaimed "Players" will have you in stitches laughing and enjoying their daily banter. Ms. Bolton takes "Love at First Sight" to another level and reveals that love has not time limit, and once love is found it can't be replaced with a substitute....only the real thing will do! Take a ride on this magical love journey with  Jasmine and Troy as their love evolves into a Love that will last forever in "At First Kiss!"  Buy it! Read it! Experience it! Believe me when I tell you, "you won't want to stop reading this book, until you've reached "The End!"
3169350
This has been my most favorite series!  I had never read this author's writings, but she's on the top of my favorite authors, now. Sweet story of love & hope that is inspiring!  No matter what, we are loved with an never-ending love.
4111605
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, "The Wild One" but I really think this second installment is even better. It is so romantic, the hero so brave and true, and his lady love truly worthy of him.

For over a year, everyone in Charles' life thought he was dead, killed in battle near Concord.  But the handsome Beloved One, an officer and one of the Kings Own, was quite alive--simply seriously wounded and under the care of an exotic American Patriot beauty.

You can't help but fall hopelessly in love with Charles.  He is so gallant, so kind--even in the face of a crumbling world around him.  If you've read the first book, you know what further anguish awaits him when he finally is able to return home to England.  By his side, holding his hand the whole way, though, is Amy.  She alone can heal him and make him once again feel worthy of his family's love.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful book.  I can't wait to read #3 - The Defiant One.  I just downloaded it and my comfy couch awaits!