This story is truly amazing and although it was written some time ago and ...
598096
This story is truly amazing and although it was written some time ago and now popular with the TV series, its content is very interesting and is part of the women's rights advancement and problem.  It should be read by all and given a good look at how society can dominate others.
4495125
I bought this book years ago before doing reviews but it's one I reread from time to time. I'm really surprised that I haven't reviewed it. I just finished reading 'Red Rose' by this author and was so disappointed that I turned to this book yet again. What is surprising is that it does contain elements in a story that I can't bear but are easy to overlook because Ms Balogh's writing is so superb.

+++Spoilers+++
The h is a widow and believes herself to be barren. Warning bells usually go off for me when I read this i.e. unprotected sex to follow without consequences. Very early on the H offers the h carte blanche. It's a theme I detest because I can never get past that - she wasn't good enough in the beginning what's changed. Let me tell you that the story is so wonderfully done and turned around so much because the H changed so much throughout the book. The sex scenes are not explicit and there are only 2 in total.

I cannot recommend this more highly

Audible Update: 25/04/2017 - I recently purchased the audio version and downloaded it. This is my favourite HR and so I know the story really well. I loved the narration and I will definitely be listening to this again.
4166383
So, you should read Grunge Gods before reading this one, just because I think it'd be easier to appreciate the story. But it is almost exclusively its own story, and a really amazing one at that. When it starts, it's right back in the mid 1990s, when GG&G was set, and Lana, otherwise known as The Lady in Blue, is having a conversation with her great-niece Liz. Even though Liz is actually older than her by now, but that's irrelevant. Liz is trying to solve the mystery of Lana's untimely and unsolved death, and since she can speak to the dead, she goes right to the source!

One of the hardest parts to the beginning of the story is that we know that it does end with Lana's death, so it is bound to be sad. Lana takes Liz through her last months of life in the mid 1950s, which is really eye opening. I don't think I have read about a book set in the '50s before, but I do have a grandmother that was exactly Lana's age (creepily down to the year!) and so much of what was in the book mirrored stories she's told me, so it was fascinating to see the events of Lana's time play out. I'll say it outright: I do not like the 1950s. Do. Not. Like. I suppose if you were a white, middle class man, the 1950s were fabulous but... not for literally anyone else. It's so hard to read about a beloved character being mistreated based on some ridiculous societal discriminations, but it was also incredibly riveting.

Lana was a very easy character to like: She was strong in a time when women were told not to be strong, and she was still flawed, but cared so much about those around her and her own dreams at the same time. She was being pulled one way by her own goals, and a completely opposite way by familial pressures, and that is a very hard thing to deal with, especially in a time period during which society at large was siding with her family's point of view. She has this boyfriend who... well, I don't want to say much, except that as easy as Lana is to like, he is that easy to dislike, but I even still had moments of sympathy for him as well. I had all kinds of mixed feelings about Lana's family and friends, which I won't go into in great detail so I don't spoil anything, but they were a big part of the story and very well thought out.

Since it is a novella, the book is very fast paced, and I read it almost all in one sitting, because I simply couldn't put it down. I was so curious as to how the mystery would play out, and I was not disappointed! I think it was very well done, and I didn't see the ending coming at all. And even in such a short book, the characters were extremely fleshed out and the world vividly portrayed.

A few more things I liked, perhaps? Sure!

-The musical references, as always! Each chapter begins with a song title from the era that fits with the chapter, and it is so fabulous. Some of the songs I knew, some I was a little unfamiliar with, and the last chapter's song? It is everything. Especially if you grew up in the '90s ;)
-Scranton is mentioned! I get giddily excited when my little corner of nothingness gets a shout out in a book (or anywhere else!) so that automatically goes in the plus column!
-It answers a few really interesting questions from GG&G, and I loved how it pulled both books together so well!
-Did you see the cover? I love the cover. Like, I want it as a poster.

Bottom Line: This book... I just... can I just flail now and end this? Great. I loved it, it is worth every minute of reading, and it is the kind of story you will never forget.
1339029
I read this story about 25 years ago, and I loved it so much then that I decided to read it again.  It was just as engaging and lighthearted now as it was then.  I love this story, and I recommend it to anyone who has ever loved an animal.  It will touch your heart and stay with you for a long time.
2278286
The fact that this was ebook only didn't bother me since I am an avid kindle reader. As for the story itself, it was amazing. Some have complained in the past that some or Mr Goodkinds books can be political. While this one of course supports the belief that your life is yours alone and you should rise up and live it, the philosophy takes a backseat to the amazing story. I could not put down my kindle once I started reading it. You will be able to enjoy this story without any background in the SOT series. Though if you have read the series you will get a lot of enjoyment out of reading about the backstory of the first confessor and her wizard.

I would recommend reading this ebook even for people who are not Terry Goodkind fans. If you have ever enjoyed one of his books, it is a must read.
3529531
Upon reviewing this book a little closer, I realized that I had heard of this story before, but it was worth reading again. The story is told in such a matter-of-fact manner that it is easy to mistake the incredible miracles that took place in Mickey Robinson's life. Short story: man tries to fill his life with speed and crazy dangerous stunts; has plane crash, is burned badly, God visits him in his agony and provides remarkable healing and turns him to a life of inspirational testimony to God's mercy and goodness. I felt that the writer failed to convey how amazing it is to find oneself in God's presence; Creator of the Universe; Savior! That is awesome, rare, miraculous! Don't downplay it! Mr. Robinson must be in his 60's or 70's by now, and I trust his grandchildren are now sharing his remarkable witness to God's grace and mercy. Don't ignore this book just because of the understated writing; it tells a mighty tale!
2636637
This was such an amazingly beautiful story. Very well written, and a story that really touched me. I just finished it, but I think I am going to read it again. I would definitely recommend this to anyone! <3
2765214
I LOVED this book and I am beyond sad that this wonderful story has gone unnoticed by the reading public. It is a story with a lot of depth and was one where we could have definitely had a sequel. It also seems as if, although the author has indicated she is on social media, she is not. I would love to know what her intentions were with this little gem. denise bailey
4933125
A friend recommended this book to me a while back. I still love it today. If you need to find your life, this is the book for you. I mean, the story is absolutely amazing. I literally cried reading some of the metaphors.
3608979
I absolutely loved this story and the way it was written.  Normally I don't like the books that skip around from past to present but the way the author set it up so that you were learning the past at the same time the main character was regaining lost memories is absolutely brilliant.  This was one of those books where you are saying to yourself "just one more chapter".  I couldn't put it down.

The most amazing thing is that this is a first novel for young teenage author, Maggie Sunseri.  I am just in awe and cannot wait to see more from this extremely talented young lady.

Read this book and buy it for your daughters!
1506539
The book was amazing. Its been years since i truly fell in love with a story. There was such incredible detail. You really feel like you get to know the author on a personal level and almost all can relate to this book. Once I started the book it was impossible to put down! You start reading only to continue with anticipation to know what happens next and how the author dealt with the amazing hardships he went through. Anybody who chooses to purchase this incredible brave story will not be disappointed!!! I highly recommend the story to everybody.
2315424
I first read this as a teenager and completely fell in love with it!  Some years later I went to look it up and found that it had been put out of print; very upsetting.  It has just recently become available again and I immediately downloaded it to my Kindle.  It really is a marvelous story -- funny, touching and rather poignant as these two very different groups of people try to find common ground in order to get the job done.  Put yourself back in that time and place, pour yourself a glass of wine and just enjoy!
478037
I have enjoyed this tremendously.  I want to read it again from the beginning right now. It is amazing that a book written 118 years ago is so directly applicable or life today. God is truly eternal.
4512238
We were assigned this book in my freshman honors English class in high school (15 years ago now).  I loved it then and I love it now. I have re-read it since then, but haven't since the birth of my children. Doing so now, this story is so different. I am looking at it with the eyes of a 30 year old mother and wife and not the adolescent eyes of the first time. Ayla is one of my heroes, fictional or not, and this is a book I love.
2863214
Pentermann has skilfully arranged a story in such a way, that even though I read it two years ago, I'm coming back for the review I meant to leave. This story has left an impression on me and I am so grateful to the author for sharing her talents with the world. If there is any fault, it is that there's only the one book.
3170596
As a long time lurker of the web, I need to come out of my shadow to tell the world just how much I loved this story.

It was a few years ago, I found myself digging around on Fictionpress, trying to find some random story to pass the time. Now anyone who has been on that website knows you got to dig through a lot trash of poor grammar and weak writing to find something even remotely interesting. But every now and then, you come across a gem. A story so good, that you stayed up all night to read each sentence. And when you to the latest chapter, you waited each and every week for the update. As soon as you woke up on Wednesday morning, the first thing you did was read the newest chapter. This was one of those stories.

I'll admit it, I bookmarked her storyand would go back and reread now and then. When I discovered it was taken down, I was heartbroken. I mourned the lost of reading it! But I can't put into words how happy and excited I am for this author. Truly a gifted artist. She makes the world of gods and goddesses feel real.  Never have I read a story, so deep in magic and fantasy, feel so grounded. These are real characters, who have real love. Whether you love a good history lesson or love a good, old fashion smut-fest, read this book!!
4533995
This was truly excellent writing in every way. It will stay in my memory as one of the best books I've read.  I truly loved this story and found so much poetry and skill in the prose.  I also couldn't put it down. The plot is quite difficult at times and I imagine it could go over some reader's heads.  It takes some concentration and commitment to really follow, but it's worth it.  It's a truly astonishing work and deserves to become a classic.  I loved the atmosphere and the sensuality. I would definitely read anything else written by Beatrice Hitchman.