books

[1] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.07.2010

Please feel welcome to discuss this book.  All opinions are welcome, positive or negative, but civility and polite language are required for comments to remain.  Political or religious references are not allowed, unless directly related to the book under discussion. I do answer questions but I seldom give interpretations about my books or characters, because I enjoy hearing what readers see in them.  These comments and discussions replace my old forum at The Terrace. (Note that the spam captcha is an english word interspersed with a number—this may help you tell a letter from a number.  If it’s still too hard to see, reload the page for another one.)  WARNING: Book discussions may contain spoilers. 

[2] Posted by Erin Thompson on 01.07.2010

I am a bookseller at Borders.  I just wanted you to know that I just did a staff pick display and I whenever I do those, Flowers From the Storm is my first choice.  This book is one of my all time favorites.  I don’t know how to describe how much I love this book.  It showed me that Romance can be so much more.
Thank you, Laura, you rocked my cerebral world.

[3] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.08.2010

Erin, thanks so much.  It means so much to me that this book has been ‘loved’ by readers over the years.  It doesn’t really feel as if it belongs to me, but to all the people who have enjoyed it and remembered it.

[4] Posted by Patricia Whitaker on 01.10.2010

I am an avid reader. I read a book daily. I read Flowers From the Storm 4 times and each time was as heart wrenching as the first. I am reading it again and I can’t put it down. I seem to feel what they feel and cry when they cry. What a story.  Thank you for writing it. I know I will read it again and again. I have told all my friends about you and they are now tuned in to your books.
Always a fan.

[5] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.10.2010

Wow, Patricia, a book a day! That is the best compliment for a writer, when a reader feels what the characters feel.  Thank you for telling your friends, too.

[6] Posted by hilly on 01.15.2010

This is not an easy read - it’s difficult to understand Christian’s POV, because his muddled language skills baffle our brains as much as his!  We need to be patient, as only in the smallest increments does his comprehension improve.  It’s so worth the effort!  We, like Maddy, are impressed with his determination as he regains the ability to communicate.  This is one book that gets better every time you re-read it!

My favorite quote is actually with Wellington, when Christian retorts “Wrong fire”.  I want to cheer!

[7] Posted by Susan on 01.16.2010

By this time I was a total fan, reading every word I could find anywhere about upcoming books to get a clue for your next book.  When I read somewhere, in Laura Kinsale’s new book Flowers from the Storm the hero has a stroke; I was stunned for a minute.  Really, I just paused for a minute thinking, and then I thought, it’s going to be great!  As has been said before by many, it is one of the all time best books ever.

More left handed children is an interesting factoid.

[8] Posted by Kathy on 01.18.2010

After the fun of reading French Lessons, I went back and re-read Flowers from the Storm, my original copy with its fabulous Fabio-chested cover (requiring discreet book-folding in public). I had forgotten the heroine soft but direct voice, the real tension and suspense around the hero’s recovery, and the great cast of secondary characters, who put the hero and heroine in sharp relief.  I’m glad the new novels helps re-issue all our previous fave’s.  And new reads can get the discreet pretty lilac covers—but I’ll keep Fabio, just to prove I was one of your early adopters!

[9] Posted by Fao on 01.19.2010

Of course, this book is my all-time favourite. So much so that I repeatedly said it to my family and friends and now, I find myself translating it bit by bit into French so my sister and best friend can “read” it, too. But I’m not sure I’ll be able to express Laura’s genious with words (sigh!)

[10] Posted by Joey on 01.21.2010

The first time I read Flowers From the Storm (in ‘98), our son was in a coma.  Each day when I sat by his bedside at the hospital we watched for signs that he ‘was in there’. On the weekends, when time was not as limited, I sat with him - reading a book while he ‘listened’ to books on tape or music through headphones. Researching brain injury, I discovered many of the things you touched on in Christian’s story - such as not recognizing the side of the body affected by the injury - dressing only one side of the body (they really don’t ‘recognize’ the opposite side).  At the time, it was profound and comforting as well to read a story (albeit fiction) of how it might be for our boy should he recover - to get an idea of how things would seem through his eyes/reasoning should he ‘wake up’. I was learning more about trauma to the brain and at the same time, enjoying a beautiful love story. Of course, that was the first time I read the book - I’ve read it twice since and each time it carries a personal message.  Thank you, Laura Kinsale.

[11] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.21.2010

Joey, thank you.  Your post means a great deal to me.  Thank you for writing it.

[12] Posted by Beatriz Williams on 01.22.2010

“C’mon.  I dare you to resist that eloquent beckoning hand and grocery store bouquet.”

LOL!! Seriously, though, this is about the only “reformed rake” story out there that rings true. In the real world, a philanderer doesn’t reform just because he’s met the so-called right woman (paging Mrs. Tiger Woods); it would take something as world-shattering as a stroke to re-orient his mental and emotional compass to genuine fidelity. Christian’s journey to redemption is nuanced and believable, and Maddy’s moral agony achieves the near-impossible in romance: making a pious heroine sympathetic.

Also, Christian is way hot. More geniuses, please.

[13] Posted by Ash H. on 01.22.2010

I picked this book up few years ago randomly at B&N. Even more random was the occurrence since I donot usualy read romance novels. And what a delightful surprise. For a classic reader like me, it was sort of a jolt. I thought, guess what, I would need to start looking at other ‘so called’ romance writers, one never knows what a jem might be hiding there. Since then I have read all of LK’s book, atleast the published ones. But, this one will forever remain my favourite of hers.

[14] Posted by CM on 01.24.2010

Flowers in the Storm was the first book by you that I read.  As Patricia stated on 1/10/10, I was able to feel what Christian felt.  This made rading the book difficult because it was emotionally exhausting.  However, it is one of my very all time favorite books.  I always look forward to finding one I do not have, and am looking forward to French Lessons. 

Thank you for writing books that are unique and wonderful.
CM

[15] Posted by Caitlyn on 01.27.2010

I gave this book to my mother for Christmas. She is wary, but starting it today, and I’m certain she will love it. I think any reader who is expecting a formulaic or cheesy, historically inaccurate, typical romance, is in for a huge surprise the minute they pick this one up. It truly transcends the genre and takes romantic storytelling to a whole new level.

I am so thrilled you are writing again! I’ve been desperately seeking out all your oldies, with some difficulty I might add, and was saddened by the idea of getting to the end of the pile… I can’t wait to pick up Lessons in French!

:)

[16] Posted by Dishonor on 01.27.2010

Flowers has long been my very favorite romance novel. Christian and Maddy, perhaps not the best of people on their own, are perfect as a pair; they fit together like puzzle pieces whose ragged edges fill each other out. There is the sense always of the eloquence of their story, which melds beautifully with the lean, elegant prose. Watching Maddy and Christian learn and grow while remaining true to themselves is simply…incredible.

I’m so glad you’re writing again. We’ve missed you!

By the way, is Christian influenced in any way by Evariste Galois, the 20 year old mathematical genius who was killed in a duel the day after he crafted his famous proof (which indicated that there are no general equations for polynomials above degree 4)?

[17] Posted by Dawn on 01.29.2010

I read this book after reading a recommendation by Diana Gabaldon, one of my favorite authors.  I was in no way disappointed.  Christian was my first experience with a disabled hero.  He was truely flawed and his recovery and personal growth were wonderful.  Maddy was conflicted, innocent and intelligent.  I loved her moral compass which helped Christian find his.  I’m going out to buy the rest of your books (as soon as it stops snowing!).

[18] Posted by Vikki Johnson on 02.05.2010

All of Laura Kinsale’s books are my favorites, her heroes usually tormented by inner and outer demons, but this hero was tormented by the physiological episode that left him “buffle-headed”. I felt that I could not breathe when he could not. I felt like screaming in frustration when no one could understand him. I wanted to beat the “ape” bloody senseless when he smashed him with a rod to get him into the tub of freezing water. But more—oh, far more—I felt like rejoicing when he got Churchill in his pocket. When he wept over his daughter. When he saw the legendary hound… and many other times too numerous to put here.
I loved this so much that when my husband—who reads even more than I do—asked me to suggest a good fictional novel to break the monotony of his college cirriculum, I reccommended this one. Since he is a pyschology major, I figured it would appeal to him. And it did. He carried it with him whenever he left the house until he was finished, unmindful of bare-chested Fabio on the cover. Afterward, he told me that he understood why Laura Kinsale is my all-time favorite author. She is a master storyteller.
If a historical romance can win over a man… wow. That’s great writing!

[19] Posted by Meanne on 02.08.2010

I had always been an avid romance reader in my early teens, twenties and thirties but for one reason or the other ( which escapes me at this point ), I went on a 10 year hiatus of not reading these kind of books. One serendipitous day, I found myself in the romance section of a bookstore. I think nostalgia brought me there. And this book beckoned to me ( No, it was not the Fabio cover, but the new one that spoke to me…). Hmmm, I wonder what romance novels are like these days, I thought to myself. After buying this book, I went home to read it. Little did I know that this book would open the door once again to my romance reading addiction. I felt quite stunned while reading this book and felt that the quality and poignancy of romance novels have improved by leaps and bounds. Since then I tried my best to make up for lost time by devouring Laura Kinsale’s backlist and discovering other new to me fabulous authors like Connie Brockway, Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Loretta Chase, Georgette Heyer etc…Thank you Laura Kinsale for your wonderful talent and for being instrumental in bringing me back to the fold…No matter how many other fantastic books I have read in the past, and will read in the future, FLowers From The Storm will always have a special, indelible place in my heart..

[20] Posted by Sonia Lima on 02.13.2010

Hello Laura, I’m your fan from Lisbon, Portugal.
I’m reading “Flowers from the storm” for the 4th time and I felt I had to congratulate the talented writer of my all time favourite book…a book that truly takes me away to a whole different world and it seems each time I read it, it has whole new details and new outlines I didn’t know about.
I absolutely love it.
“Flowers from the storm” was my premiere in romance reading and since then I’ve been addicted to your books.
Thank you for the wonderful book and thank you for the marvelous love story, so perfect and beautiful…in summary, thank you for your enormous talent.

[21] Posted by Hannah on 02.17.2010

I have been reading romance novels since I was a teenager. Over the years I have gathered favorite authors and will often pick up their books based on name alone, without reading an excerpt. Laura Kinsale has been added to this list. This book had me caught from the first page, I could not put this book down, it drove my husband crazy. I read the book in 3 days. I had to catch up on laundry, mail and make nice with my family for disappearing for those 3 days. If you havent read this book, GO GET IT! Be forewarned, this novel will captivate you.

[22] Posted by laura kinsale on 02.18.2010

I’ve been traveling and mostly offline, so I haven’t been able to respond individually, but thank you all for your very kind words.  I love it when readers can’t put a book down.  That makes it all worthwhile. 

Welcome from Lisbon, Sonia.  Portugal is a country I’d like to visit someday!

[23] Posted by Judy Martinez on 02.23.2010

Hello Laura!

I’ve been meaning to read your books for a couple of years now, and just never had the chance to get to it for one reason or another. I found out about “Flowers From the Storm” from other authors and have seen that its always on the 100 list for best romance novel of all time. I finally decided to get to your books and read “Lessons in French” first (which I just adored, by the way!) and I finally got FFTS from the library. It was UH-MAZING! I loved the unconventionality of the characters and situations. Thought it was very fascinating the dynamics between hero and heroine, also the journey of co-dependency to love on both sides. Very realistic and heart-wrenching. And I personally felt the frustration that Christian went through every time he realized that what had come easy to him, won’t be easy ever again. It’s very difficult to live with a disability in a world that isn’t adaptable for people outside of the norm and needing the patience and understanding from the people who might not have those to give.

Thank you so much for the wonderful read and sharing the journey of true love.

[24] Posted by Heather on 03.03.2010

I saw on the news not long ago that there have been studies showing that women who are under stress during their pregnancy tend to have a higher chance of having a left-handed child. I would imagine women whose husbands are away at sea are more likely to be stressed out. Interesting.

I have read a few of your books in the last month and have loved them. I just finished “Flowers from the Storm” and didn’t want it to be over. I really enjoy how you expose the darkness in all of your leading men. A bad boy is more interesting, as long as he is good to his woman. :-)

[25] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.03.2010

Heather, that’s an interesting correlation and very likely right!  Thank you, I’m glad you enjoy my books.

[26] Posted by rubi on 03.12.2010

I’m on page 254, this is my first LK book..i gotta tell you its a hard read, not the subject matter so far, but the read. I want to put it down, but something compels me to continue, like a looking at a car crash but different. after reading all these comments, i can’t wait to finish..Maddy just received the letter from Gill telling her to stick with Shev…..can’t wait
Kathy 01.18.2010 I was a huge fan of Fabio, wish i saw that cover

[27] Posted by eKathy28 on 03.13.2010

I can only agree with the readers here who found this book gripping and ultimately exhilerating. There literally was a sense of tensing up all over my body as Christian tried to communicate, the exhaustion others have mentioned as his frustration mounts. But one of my favorite scenes is with his dragon relative who tells Maddy that if she goes back to her Quaker lifestyle she will continue to do only tiny little good things when as a Duchess she could really accomplish good for many. What a lesson from such an ornery character.  The Laura Kinsale marathon continues!

[28] Posted by rubi on 03.13.2010

im starting to like the dragon..she just arrived and wants a baby, i think he might be thinking to blot something with a ghost..maybe?? can’t wait to find out,on page 343 but can’t read today, have to clean for company…something always getting in the way of reading. man my life..lol

[29] Posted by Liz on 03.28.2010

FFTS is my favorite LK novel of all.  (And I love them all.)  I remember exactly where I was (in an airport) when I began the book and how stunned and compelled I was by the depth of the characters and the language.  And how I kept being annoyed by bells and admonitions to put on my seat belt and was entirely surprised to find myself back in ‘real life’ when I was forced to look up from a page.  This book taught me that emotional involvement with the characters was the hallmark of a LK novel.  This book not only made me love reading, but made me want to be a better writer.

[30] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.30.2010

Hope you enjoyed it, Rubi!

Liz, I really appreciate your story about remembering where you were when you began reading the book.  That’s quite a compliment!  Good luck with your own writing.

[31] Posted by ava on 04.06.2010

i love this book.

[32] Posted by amy on 04.06.2010

My first Laura Kinsale. I love to read, I love to read great writing best! This one is on my top to recommend.
I am in a season that I have the time and the excuse to read.
The better to book, the longer I can stay on the treadmill. On this one, I didn’t even feel the burn.
As some have posted, this book made me tense. I had to finish in a day. The story drew me in because the emotions were real, the responses human.
I appreciated Christian’s battle, his trial by fire; it was almost too painful to read.
I truly understood Maddy’s struggle, to follow the road less traveled. To be lead, and not deceived. ‘No rule but love.’
One of my favorite lines for Maddy at the end:
‘It had not seemed difficult, on a small income, to know what was right to do….Now, with so much, it was daily a decision: what was necessary, what was frivolous…It was so much gray—so little black and white; for a year she’d spent more of her time questioning herself and how she lived in Truth than she had done altogether in her life.’
Thanks for writing Laura. Please continue!
Your new fan,
Amy

[33] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.07.2010

Thank you, Ava and Amy!  If a book can make you not feel the burn on the treadmill, what more could I ask?

[34] Posted by meg on 04.20.2010

Dear Ms. Kinsale,

I’m a late bloomer in the world of romance novels. A major reason is that I was intensely disappointed with the first romance novel I read back in high school (90’s) - thought it was a bunch on porn without plot.

However, I stumbled upon “Flowers from the Storm” quite recently, mainly because of its intriguing premise. I read the book in one sitting for 12 hours straight. I was that hooked. The scenes were so incredibly powerful that I could completely sympathize with Christian and Maddy - feel their pain and dilemma in every written word. No other story has moved me so much.

I just want to say that you are a gem of writer. I consider “Flowers from the Storm” as one of the best books I’ve ever read right there with Tolkien’s and Gaiman’s works.

Looking forward to reading more romance from you!

Sincerely,
Meg

[35] Posted by Denise Herron on 04.20.2010

Dear Ms. Kinsale,
I just have to tell you how much I am loving “Flowers From the Storm”.  I first read about your book when I did an internet search for the “best historical romance novels” and this was one of the top 100 listed.  Out of pure curiosity, I ordered it from the local library when I found out that they did not have a copy in stock.  I am so happy that I did.  I am midway through the book and just can’t stop reading.  I feel every emotion that you write for your two main characters in the story…just love Christian and Maddy.  At first, I thought that Christian had been poisoned until I realized that he really did suffer a stroke, or cerebral hemorrhage.  I can’t wait to find out how the story ends, but at the same time, I don’t want it to end b/c I love this story.  Does that make sense?  This is the first one of your books that I’ve ever read.  Since I’m a huge historical romance fan, I am now looking forward to reading all your other books, especially “Lessons in French”. 

Keep up the great writing.  Your words are just masterpieces!  This book is bound to become a collectors’ item.  I would definitely recommend it to others and would re-read it in a heartbeat.

All the best…

Denise

[36] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.21.2010

Meg, thank you, that is quite a recommendation! 

And thank you Denise, I always love to hear that people can’t put a book down.

I’m very glad both of you are enjoying Flowers.

[37] Posted by Denise Herron on 04.23.2010

**WARNING: IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED THE BOOK, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ WHAT FOLLOWS**

Ms. Kinsale:
I finally finished reading “Flowers From the Storm”.  I just had to share the extent of my feelings towards the end of the book.  I truly did not think that Maddy would go back to Christian, and started crying like a baby around page 500.  I knew that I had to read the last 35 pages in one sitting, so I reserved a slot of time last night to read the conclusion, and I was so surprised about the ending.  The scene in the meeting house made me cry picturing Maddy standing there with tears running down her cheeks and Christian watching her read her letter and disputing the things he knew were untrue.  I still get chills whenever I think back on that scene. First of all, I didn’t think he’d wait more than 5 minutes for her to come to him, and secondly I didn’t think that she would go back to him.  I could feel Christian’s humbling emotions when he slowly realized that Maddy could only be with him and would indeed help him raise his daughter.  What a lovely ending to a beautiful and uplifting love story.  I really wanted to keep reading about their future together and wondered how it was that Christian’s mother and sisters came to finally reconcile with Christian and accept Maddy as the duchess. 

Could you please let me know whether it’s at all possible that you may continue writing their story or perhaps one day write about Diana?  I know that some authors don’t like to write sequels to their stories, but these two characters, in my opinion, were so compelling that I would love to see them raising Diana along with their own children.  I just picture Maddy as the perfect mother and Christian as the doting father.  [If I say pretty please, would you consider it? Pretty please?]  I re-read the last 3 chapters at least 4 times!  That’s how much I loved your ending to The Best Love Story Ever Written.

All the best…
Hope you respond!

Denise

[38] Posted by Denise Herron on 04.23.2010

Two More things:
1) I loved the development and growth of the two main characters throughout the book; and
2) I think that this book would make a great movie.  Has anyone ever approached you about purchasing the rights to the book to make a movie?  Just curious.
Thank you for writing these unforgettable characters and their amazing atypical love story.  All the best…always!

Denise

[39] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.27.2010

Denise, sorry to be a little slow to answer, I was called out of town unexpectedly.  I’m very glad you enjoyed Flowers so much.  There have been occasional vague inquiries about a movie, but it’s very unusual to have a historical romance make it to Hollywood, so that’s quite unlikely. 

I know it may be disappointing to hear, but I’m not very likely to write a sequel to Flowers.  For one thing, it’s been a very long time since I wrote it, and I’m interested in other characters now.  For another, I think sometimes with a book many readers love (which makes me very glad!) I could only upset as many as I could please with whatever I did with those particular characters.  I never count anything out, but a sequel for Flowers isn’t high on the list.  If I did anything, it would likely be a short story or novella.  But since I’ve never been able to write “short” that would be unusual too!

[40] Posted by Denise Herron on 04.27.2010

Ms. Kinsale,
Thanks so much for responding to my inquiries.  If anyone ever did decide to make another historical romance movie (think “Atonement”), I think that Flowers would be a great choice.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it might happen one day. 

Also, I totally understand why you may not want to write a sequel to FFTS since it may disappoint some readers.  So, I guess I’ll just have to look forward to reading all your other great romance novels.  Right now I’m deciding among “The Shadow and the Star”, “Lessons in French”, or “The Prince of Midnight” (tough choice!).  You may hear from me again in the future.  Ms. Kinsale, you are such an amazing writer, and I am so glad that I found your books. 

Best wishes for your continued success!

Denise

[41] Posted by Jessica on 05.07.2010

Just finished this book, and I LOVED it.  I’m a nurse, so the whole time I was diagnosing Christian!  Wonderful research, I loved your portrayal, and the fact that you made him left-handed was brilliant!
The scene at the end in the Meeting House definitely had me in tears.  The whole story was beautiful. 
Also, I laughed out loud at some of Christian’s references, especially “thee-thou sugar scoop,” referring to Maddy’s bonnet :)

[42] Posted by Patricia Whitaker on 05.07.2010

Well, I have fallen totally in love with the Duke. I have just finished my 8th reading of Flowers. No matter what other book I pick up, I just can’t seem to read it. I always go back to the Duke. At this point I can pick any page and know what happened before and I can continue on from there. The thing is, I still cry just as hard or harder, than I did the first time. I find myself holding my breath when the Duke tries to talk. It is really, by far, the most touching storw��phave ever read.
  Patricia

[43] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.10.2010

That’s amazing, Patricia.  So glad you enjoy Flowers so much. 

Jessica, it makes me smile when “medical” readers wonder “what’s really wrong.”  I figure making him left-handed gave me some wriggle-room. ;)

[44] Posted by Cláudia Neves on 05.17.2010

” Flowers From The Storm ” is best romance in the word!!!
Tank you.
From Portugal.

[45] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.18.2010

Thank YOU, Claudia, that is a very sweet comment and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[46] Posted by eKathy28 on 05.18.2010

I just finished “Flowers from the Storm” again for the second time this year—and the year is not even half over. Caught a lot of things I didn’t pay enough attention to when I re-read it earlier this year. The details leading up to his attack, for one. And I read the meeting house scene very, very slowly thanks to some of the comments here. “Truth!” Whew, can still feel that one. i was not surprised he was still waiting two hours later. These two are way beyond the games characters in other books play when they are trying to figure out how to reach their happy ending. I think if she did not come to him as she left the meeting house he would have chased her down and abducted her. “Duchess on the inside.” Amen. As I was reading it I was imagining Robert Downey Jr. playing the Duke. We can dream, right?

[47] Posted by Gabrielle on 06.13.2010

Words cannot describe the depth of my love for this book. I am addicted to romance novels and for years I thought I knew what my favourite has been. But recently, I’ve realised that no book has stayed with me like this one has. It is so beautifully written and so different from anything else that I’ve read or come across. I adore every word. Christian is my all-time favourite hero and his struggle is so real and heart-wrenching that whenever I recommend it to friends, all the words get choked up and I can barely even tell them how good it is!! Needless to say, I think they get the drift. Maddy is also amazing! I love how your characters are so far from perfect and they think so clearly and consistently that it’s hard to believe they’re fictional. It never disappoints no matter how many times I read it. Thank you thank you thank you!!

[48] Posted by laura kinsale on 06.15.2010

Gabrielle, thank you!  Maybe you are channeling Christian when you can’t find the words to tell them about him. ;)

[49] Posted by Deborah on 06.21.2010

I’ve read thousands of romances over the years. I bought Flowers brand new when it originally came out and I’ve re-read it many times.  It’s a masterpiece. Some of the finest work I’ve ever read.

[50] Posted by laura kinsale on 06.22.2010

Thank you Deborah, I’m glad you remember it out of so many you’ve read.  That’s a real compliment.

[51] Posted by Joan Chin-Gasee on 06.26.2010

Flowers from the Storm is my all time favourite Laura Kinsale book. I read it over 17 years ago when I was a university student in Barbados. It was unputdownable. I had the original Fabio cover too. When I left Jamaica (where I am originally from) in 2002 I had to leave my copy. I now live in Canada. Years later I found out that a reprint was out, I had to replace it. I’ve read this book more than 20 times. The best historical romance ever!!. My other fave is The Shadow and The Star.

[52] Posted by laura kinsale on 06.27.2010

Thank you Joan!

[53] Posted by Barb on 07.04.2010

This is the first book I’ve read by Laura Kinsale.  It certainly lived up to the hype of many blogs top booklists.  The story is compelling, touching and fulfilling (as only a good romance novel can be).  Who would imagine that a stroke victim would be one of the best alpha heroes out there?  Who would imagine that a Quaker spinster would make a proud romantic heroine?  Laura Kinsale, that’s who! Thanks to you and your muse for breaking my “reader’s block”.

[54] Posted by laura kinsale on 07.08.2010

Sorry, I was out of town for the holiday.  Thank you, Barb, very glad you enjoyed it!

[55] Posted by Michele Powers on 07.16.2010

Loved, loved this book!  I really enjoyed how you showed how he heard language, and how his language appeared to other people.  Then I liked how you showed the progression of his getting better.  I’m a teacher and I work with children with language impairments, and with speech therapists so maybe this was why I especially enjoyed how you got that so perfect.  I read the book a few months ago and I still remember how he called her “thee thou Maddy girl”.  I was also touched by the end where she was reading the letter aloud and called it fornication and he said no, it was love and then he waited two hours instead of 5 min. You did a great job of showing him becoming a better person, and a very romantic love story too. My grandmother had a stroke and lost her language and became a very angry person so I really enjoyed the emotional authenticity of his character.  How original that you had him have a stroke and she was a Quaker?  I have read lots, and lots, of historical romances and this is now one of my favorites.  So well written!  Great work!

[56] Posted by laura kinsale on 07.16.2010

Michele, it’s always a special treat to hear from readers who have personal experience with some of the aspects of FFTS.  Thank you!

[57] Posted by Angelique on 07.19.2010

Flowers from the Storm…

I think Im on my 5th read. I have the NON-FABIO cover. I have a book cover that I used all the time until I realized that people probably think Im still reading the same book everytime they see me and maybe I cant read that well! I dont care, I will take this book anywhere. It has stuck with me through other reads and now I find myself comparing. What a story. Sigh….
I can visualize so much of this story. I can feel the anger and frustration, the cold and smell of the seclusion room, I can feel the pain in Christian’s back, see him handing her the flowers. I love the old aunt, fiesty thing that she is. I love the father and his interaction with the duke. The scene when he meets him again in the hall just reaches me. And then theres Maddy, strong, independent, tough, never give up on him Maddy. She encourages me to stop, think, listen, and feel. I have a much better personal idea of Quaker life and Im grateful.
Ive read your other books and enjoyed them as well but nothing beats this book. I have every single book of Stephanie Laurens and thought I would never find another I liked so much. You’ve proven me wrong!

[58] Posted by Mary on 07.20.2010

WOW.  Always on the eternal hunt for a well-written great romance.  This one is a CLASSIC.  Thank you Mrs. Kinsale.  This story is beautiful.  Your style reminds me of Laura London’s (Tom and Sharon Curtis) Windflower, and their other books.  Very dark hero saved by extremely pure heroine.  Call me naive, but I LIKE my girls to be sweet and pure, and for everybody to love them. (LOVE the supporting casts, including dogs, and their love for hero and heroine.)(Also loved the sweet and knowledgeable glimpse of a quaker’s perspective. Have very conservative spiritual views myself, and LOVED Maddy’s conscientiousness.  GREAT STORY.)  Also love feisty dowagers!  One of the most precious attributes of this book has to be the research and desire to show how a stroke victim might feel.  I will never treat one the same again. Loved all of the things mentioned above.  This book is one of my all time favorites, and I have read a LOT of books.  Thank you so much.

[59] Posted by laura kinsale on 07.20.2010

Mary and Angelique, I’m glad you enjoyed some of the secondary characters too.  Thank you!

[60] Posted by Colleen on 07.27.2010

Several years ago, I stayed up all night to finish FFtS, unable to put it down until 5 am when I finally went to bed sad and happy and tired. It was the first of your books I ever read, and it made a devoted fan of me. Last night, I was inspired to reread it after having put it aside for a few years, and I again stayed up all night. These two characters are like no one and nothing else in this genre, and I love them so much. Thank you for writing this.

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