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mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
5.0
5++ Stars Historical Romance
The fact that I am starting out the year 2011 with the review of a story that played with all my emotions in a good way is a cause for celebration in itself. Ellen O’Connell who published her first romance “Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold” earlier in 2010 shot right into my auto-buy list with the style of her writing and her ability to spin a romance totally different from what you normally read about. In her stories, the tragedies are real and heartbreaking; you don’t just read a narration of a life changing event for the hero/heroine but rather you experience the events right along with them which makes the story seem that much more real and in the end leaves you with its remnants long after you are done. So when I found out that her newest book had been released around 2 months back, I nearly jumped up and down with glee and I didn’t even hesitate to buy myself a copy and lose myself in the story of Matt and Sarah; a story that is so damn quotable that I raged an internal battle to keep the quotes at a minimum.
I Liked:
1- Sarah Hammond. She is hands down the best thing about this story. She is sweet, gentle, kindhearted with a backbone of steel which Matt eventually shows that she has. She is equal parts stubborn, loyal and loves Matt so much that she is willing to go to any lengths to finally be with the man that completes her. The fact that she doesn’t give up when life throws its harshest challenges at her is what makes her my most favorite heroine of all time. There are so many endearing qualities about her that I don’t know which ones I should start naming first. Though Sarah has had a pampered life which her well off parents had bestowed upon her, when the rough and tough times comes calling, with Matt by her side Sarah faces each and every challenge head on and wins them over. Her docile nature fools a lot of people into thinking that Sarah needs to be cossetted and directed towards the path on which she should walk on. But when it does come to stuff that really matters to her like her daughter Laurie and her beloved Matt she is like the fiercest of warriors protecting what is rightfully hers. Needless to say, she has earned the role of my favorite heroine and I loved her character to bits in this heartwarming romance.
2- Matt Slade. He is handsome, utterly charming at the beginning of the story and later towards the end and has a sense of humor that touches something deep inside of you as you read along. Macauley’s vicious plans nearly ends Matt’s life before putting him in prison for 3 years of hard labor from which a harder and a more vital Matt emerges. Not knowing that Sarah had borne their daughter Laurie, Matt refuses to subject Sarah to his presence even though he knows that there would be no one else for him. Even though that part of his character which believed he is no good for Sarah rankled, I still could not help but fall for him because Matt demands nothing less but just that from the reader.
3- Ellen O’Connell’s evocative characterization and style of writing. Though she has just two romance novels to her name, her writing style just draws you in and keeps you in the throes of the story refusing to let go. I would say that her stories are just pure magic – yes, they are that good. If you don’t believe me, I dare you to pick just one of the two and indulge. ^_^
4- How Sarah tries to seduce Matt at the beginning. With Sarah being a virgin and Matt with practically zero experience, it was heartwarming and quite humorous at the same time to read about how Sarah tries to seduce Matt into giving her something even which she cannot understand what it is that she actually wants. Though not explicit in nature, their journey of sensual discovery was one of the best parts of the story worthy of revisiting from time to time.
5- The unique marriage proposal almost at the end of the story. I have never come across a marriage proposal quoted from passages in the Bible, maybe because I don’t read Christian romances, but the way Matt proposes to Sarah is just perfect for this story.
I Disliked:
1- Even though I loved this story to bits, I didn’t care much for the conflict between two ranching businesses which was the main focus of the latter part of the story. Though it was this conflict that enabled Sarah’s friends to bring these two together in the hopes of getting Sarah over Matt once and for all, I didn’t want anything to take my attention away from the beauty of the love between Sarah and Matt even for a second.
2- This story tends to end a bit abruptly until you read the Author’s note to discover that she has an “Afterword” available for download on her website which is the actual conclusion of this beautiful story. All in all, for me, the story would have been more complete if the afterword had been included in the original story. The afterword is a fitting end to a love that held me captivated right from the very beginning.
Quotes
He held himself above her on his forearms, still looking at her with that narrow-eyed intensity, his eyes darker now in the shadows with the light behind him. She pushed her hips up, dug her fingers into his back, tried to make him give what she wanted without speaking the words.
Matt did speak. His voice, barely a breath across her lips, vibrated through her.“Sing, Sarah. Sing my name, Sarah.”
He moved then, and Sarah sang.
Note: All the while that I was reading this story, I couldn’t help but think that the song “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars effectively sums up all the feelings that courses through Matt whenever he sees his beautiful Sarah whose mere presence is enough to keep him happy for the rest of his life. So I’ll end my review by including a snippet of the lyrics that just brings a smile to my face, and Sarah and Matt to my mind as I listen to this song each and every single time.
When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are
Full review with quotes: http://bit.ly/e2yHJi
amyleigh22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
suzysuzy34's review against another edition
4.0
Western Historical. kindle unlimited. Very good story, sometimes I like to read something different other than contemporary all the time and this one had me gripped. Great characters, rich in detail for the time period and a wonderful love story about two people struggling to try to be together despite all the obstacles in their way.
happilywilted's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Probably my least favorite out of the three books I've read by this author. I think it was too much pinning for me, and the townsfolk were super annoying.
Overall, it was still a great read, but it was just too ages for this couple to formally get anywhere. There were a bajillion pages where they didn't even see each other, which I didn't realize was such a ick for me.
Nonetheless, it is still very entertaining, romantic and immersive.
maggytoilee's review against another edition
2.0
Sorry, no. How could I have loved Eyes of Silver Eyes of Gold so much, but hated this one? Took me a few weeks to get through it. Way too many cringe cliches and honestly, the story just seemed to go on and on.
dxk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great Western story, with a lot of characters that one would expect to meet in such a setting. Worthy of a great classical Western movie.
valerigail's review against another edition
5.0
I loved O'Connell's first book "Eyes of silver, Eyes of gold." It was one of my favorite reads for 2010. So when I saw that she had a new book out, I grabbed it immediately.
With EOS, EOG, I devoured the book within 2 days, only putting it down to sleep. With Sing my name, I found a huge desire to read it slow and long. To sit with it for days, having it wrap me it its story. I thought about it while doing my normal daily stuff. The story entering my thoughts, hanging there and making me think. When I was finished, I found it impossible to start another story. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Sarah and Matt.
It is a different story from that of her first book. In EOS,EOG the characters are slow to fall in love, and are shocked by the realization. In Sing my name, the characters fall madly in love swiftly and strongly. They embrace it and hold it close, absolutely sure that they will love forever. Even though forever might mean a forever apart.
The heroine, Sarah Hammond, is a woman that learns the hard lesson of taking care of oneself after everyone she's ever loved has abandoned her. She starts out life as a pampered Daughter of a prominent family, but underneath all the pretty skirts and fancy hair, lays a Woman stronger than she herself believes. How does one who's been protected and sheltered her whole life live completely on her own? She learns very quickly that when things get tough, you have to get tougher. I love the female characters Mrs. O'Connell creates. They are strong, deep, and real. They are not the usual romance novel heroines. They are far better, far deeper and complex. There are people in my life right now that I can say "oh wow, she's Sarah".
Our Hero, Matt Slade, is stubborn and simple and amazing. The unjustness of his life seems overwhelming at times. Born to a farming family in Texas, he loses his entire family to the "fever" before he even hits puberty. He has seen death and destruction through the war, and is only in his early 20's when we meet him. Having lived through such harshness usually creates a vengeful angry man, but Matt is neither of those. He is the most sincere character I have ever read. When I say that he is simple, I mean that what you get with him is simply him. There is no hidden anything. He lays it out there for all to see. He is Matt, and he is amazing. He loves hard and fierce. Too hard and fierce. His sense of protection for those he cherishes is extreme. He will do anything to protect those in his life. From Sarah to his "Family" of gunslingers. My absolute favorite line in the book is "What did you do with a man who loved you too much to love you." I think it absolutely describes Matt. He loved too much to actually let him self love completely.
This is another stunning novel by O'Connell. I highly recommend it to anyone that loves western and/or historical romance. The first section of the book had me spell bound. As they tried to stay safe and hidden, I was right there hunkering in the bushes with them. The second part of the book, with them separate going through their own struggles and desperately missing each other, I longed for them to meet again. In the third part, I sat in anticipation for the face to face confrontation and read with hope that it would all finally turn out well. I was not disappointed, and am hoping that O'Connell offers us more books like this and EOS,EOG to read in the future.
With EOS, EOG, I devoured the book within 2 days, only putting it down to sleep. With Sing my name, I found a huge desire to read it slow and long. To sit with it for days, having it wrap me it its story. I thought about it while doing my normal daily stuff. The story entering my thoughts, hanging there and making me think. When I was finished, I found it impossible to start another story. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Sarah and Matt.
It is a different story from that of her first book. In EOS,EOG the characters are slow to fall in love, and are shocked by the realization. In Sing my name, the characters fall madly in love swiftly and strongly. They embrace it and hold it close, absolutely sure that they will love forever. Even though forever might mean a forever apart.
The heroine, Sarah Hammond, is a woman that learns the hard lesson of taking care of oneself after everyone she's ever loved has abandoned her. She starts out life as a pampered Daughter of a prominent family, but underneath all the pretty skirts and fancy hair, lays a Woman stronger than she herself believes. How does one who's been protected and sheltered her whole life live completely on her own? She learns very quickly that when things get tough, you have to get tougher. I love the female characters Mrs. O'Connell creates. They are strong, deep, and real. They are not the usual romance novel heroines. They are far better, far deeper and complex. There are people in my life right now that I can say "oh wow, she's Sarah".
Our Hero, Matt Slade, is stubborn and simple and amazing. The unjustness of his life seems overwhelming at times. Born to a farming family in Texas, he loses his entire family to the "fever" before he even hits puberty. He has seen death and destruction through the war, and is only in his early 20's when we meet him. Having lived through such harshness usually creates a vengeful angry man, but Matt is neither of those. He is the most sincere character I have ever read. When I say that he is simple, I mean that what you get with him is simply him. There is no hidden anything. He lays it out there for all to see. He is Matt, and he is amazing. He loves hard and fierce. Too hard and fierce. His sense of protection for those he cherishes is extreme. He will do anything to protect those in his life. From Sarah to his "Family" of gunslingers. My absolute favorite line in the book is "What did you do with a man who loved you too much to love you." I think it absolutely describes Matt. He loved too much to actually let him self love completely.
This is another stunning novel by O'Connell. I highly recommend it to anyone that loves western and/or historical romance. The first section of the book had me spell bound. As they tried to stay safe and hidden, I was right there hunkering in the bushes with them. The second part of the book, with them separate going through their own struggles and desperately missing each other, I longed for them to meet again. In the third part, I sat in anticipation for the face to face confrontation and read with hope that it would all finally turn out well. I was not disappointed, and am hoping that O'Connell offers us more books like this and EOS,EOG to read in the future.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Great leads, wonderful secondary characters, lots of highs and lows.
tucker4's review against another edition
3.0
I love all of Ellen O'Connell's other books, but this one didn't quite do it for me.
One was the writing style at times, I don't remember this from any of her other books, but in this one she had a habit of hinting at something, but not fully explaining it for a few more pages. This threw me a few times. And in a similar way there were times when things just weren't explained well in general. The ending in particular comes to mind here as the final confrontation was written a little vaguely. I had to read it a few times to get the gist of what had happened.
These other two things that bothered me are just my personal preferences. One was that I didn't fall in love with Matt. Of all of O'Connell's leading characters I found him the least consistent and believable. However, the dialogue between Matt and Sarah (which is one of the author's strengths in my opinion) was still good. Not quite up to par as her other books - which are often knock-you-on-your-ass romantic - but still frequently better than most.
The last point is that most of the book is rather on the sad side, IMO. Its heartbreaking most of the time that forces keep these two apart. I like my romances to be a little happier. Also, what I loved in O'Connell's other books was that the hero and heroine spent the majority of the book falling in love. It always felt believable to me that her characters would get to know each other over many months and then fall in love. This book doesn't follow this formula.
Still a book by Ellen O'Connell is still better than most. She has a way with words at times that speaks to the heart.
"One thing about it, staying awake all night making sure she didn't talk or cry out in her sleep was going to be easy. No power on earth could make him sleep through one moment of holding her."
"I forgot that happiness isn't just a quiet, passive thing. It isn't just the lack of unhappiness. This is happiness, this wild, delicious feeling fizzing inside me."
One was the writing style at times, I don't remember this from any of her other books, but in this one she had a habit of hinting at something, but not fully explaining it for a few more pages. This threw me a few times. And in a similar way there were times when things just weren't explained well in general. The ending in particular comes to mind here as the final confrontation was written a little vaguely. I had to read it a few times to get the gist of what had happened.
These other two things that bothered me are just my personal preferences. One was that I didn't fall in love with Matt. Of all of O'Connell's leading characters I found him the least consistent and believable. However, the dialogue between Matt and Sarah (which is one of the author's strengths in my opinion) was still good. Not quite up to par as her other books - which are often knock-you-on-your-ass romantic - but still frequently better than most.
The last point is that most of the book is rather on the sad side, IMO.
Spoiler
For the first 30% they are fighting for their lives escaping Comanches and traveling across the Texas desert. Then, when they are rescued, they are separated and Matt goes to trial and then jail for 3 years. Sarah has a baby on her own and has to learn to survive and Matt gets so beat up he loses an eye and is severely scarred. Then Matt is released and they spent the next four years apart for no good reason. When they are finally reunited (60% in) Matt is determined for Sarah to have a life without him in it.Still a book by Ellen O'Connell is still better than most. She has a way with words at times that speaks to the heart.
"One thing about it, staying awake all night making sure she didn't talk or cry out in her sleep was going to be easy. No power on earth could make him sleep through one moment of holding her."
"I forgot that happiness isn't just a quiet, passive thing. It isn't just the lack of unhappiness. This is happiness, this wild, delicious feeling fizzing inside me."