books

[1] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.08.2010

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 Michelle on 01.15.2010

This is my all time favorite book, I’ve read and re-read it several times. I love the hero’s cynicism, humor, sexiness and his fate of doing the right thing despite himself. The chemistry between Olympia and Sheridan, and especially how their ability to drive each other nuts keeps you riveted. All of their adventures and tragedies build a true understanding between them, and I’m always sad when I turn the last page. The sign of a classic love story!

[3] Posted by Brooke on 01.15.2010

I have to agree with Michelle.  Olympia and Sheridan are both fascinating and unusual protagonists, yet stunningly relatable and endearing.  Plus any novel that can rock a penguin, a shipwreck, and a displaced princess—and still make me cry and squeal—is an unbelievably rare gem.

[4] Posted by Susan on 01.16.2010

My first Laura Kinsale book, and I was blown away by how amazing it was.

[5] Posted by Scorpio M. on 01.16.2010

I have to give this book a thorough re-read. It didn’t grab me as much as Laura’s other works initially yet, I keep seeing all this great reader feedback.

[6] Posted by Vikki Johnson on 01.22.2010

Yes! Definitely re-read it. And re-read it again and again, as I have. By far one of her finest!

[7] Posted by Lauren on 03.29.2010

I just finished this book for the first time this morning and had to post. I was enthralled from start to finish. It’s really an amazing achievement—the writing is so graceful even when grappling such complex and heady issues and far away locales. My only quibble? No epilogue! I would have loved to see Sheridan and Olympia more at peace, although the ending as it is is also quite beautiful. Thanks for a wonderful read!

[8] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.30.2010

Lauren, I’d have to go back and re-read it myself to see if I could write an epilogue.  Thank you!

[9] Posted by Barbara Dan on 05.01.2010

Laura, as I wrote you when “Seize the Fire” first came out, Sheridan Drake is the ultimate wounded warrior, far surpassing anything else I’ve read. I am delighted to hear that it’s coming out again. As for an epilogue, who needs it? The lovers’ total acceptance of one other leaves readers with the assurance that healing will continue.
Dedicating their story to our Vietnam Vets at the end, instead at the front of the book, has even more impact after living vicariously through Sheridan’s complex and often murky struggle not to give up on himself and life. Who but Olympia could bring hope and unconditional love to the scenario?
This has to be my all time favorite. Thanks for your superlative writing.

[10] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.05.2010

Thank you Barbara, for your comments both now and when the book first came out.  I think the dedication is one of the more important elements of the book in this case.

[11] Posted by Debbie on 05.07.2010

What I enjoy about Laura’s heroes is they are recognizable in the men we love in our own lives.  The husband who stands at your side when times are hard, the son who holds the restaurant door while 15 people walk through without saying thank you, the neighbor who mows the yard of the soldier pulling extra duty, the teacher who stays after hours to tutor students not even in his class…I could go on, but you know who they are in your life.  Also, she has somehow captured the essence of the fear we all have when we make that commitment to love someone, to let them into our lives and to allow them to really see who we are.

[12] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.10.2010

Debbie, that’s definitely what I hope readers will feel.  Thank you!

[13] Posted by Lauren Mease on 05.19.2010

I found this book at my local library and I was dazzled be just the cover of the book. Yet I’m not a person that usually judges a book by its cover, I couldn’t help it. I finished this book in just one day, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the chemistry between Sheridan Drake and Olympia, all the twists in between them finding an understanding and a true love of each other. My favorite part of the novel was the island when Olympia tells Drake that she would stay here to be with him! The book has flair of Gone with the Wind; it is such a classic romance! I hope for a movie and a sequel that would be so wonderful.

[14] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.23.2010

That would be quite a movie, the location scout would be busy. ;) 

Thank you, Lauren, glad you enjoyed the book.

[15] Posted by Cami on 06.03.2010

I adore Seize the Fire, my hands down favorite book. Though we fans are in good company. I was reading a Q&A with author Anne Stuart and she states that Sheridan Drake is her all time favorite hero!

And while I agree with the earlier post by Barbara that the ending is powerful as is, especially with the dedication afterward, I also am on team Lauren’s post and want an epilogue!! Really. More Sheridan.

Since this sections says we can discuss the book… I had an idea. While the adventures of Sheridan and Olympia are over, I think the “nonsensical count” who shows up at the end of Seize the Fire would make a good hero of his own book.

We don’t know why Raban is out of money and willing to do all sorts of shady things on his path to riches, but that reminds me of Sheridan’s predicament at the beginning of Seize the Fire. When Raban arrives, Sheridan has already had this huge emotional journey since the time when he was in cahoots with Julia and asked the princess to marry him, then agreed to sneak Olympia into Oriens with the main goal of saving his hide and getting her jewels. Yet Raban is the same sort of rascally character that Sheridan was and somewhat still is.

With your genius, Laura, Raban too might have a back story leaving him filled with inner demons that only the right woman can heal. LOL! Plus, If you wrote a book for him, we might get to see Sheridan and Olympia since Raban was still somewhat involved with Sheridan at the end of the book when he was sent to Madeira to look for Olympia.

I can’t be the only one who wants another hero like Sheridan and I think Raban is our best chance. Please. Pretty please… :)

[16] Posted by laura kinsale on 06.11.2010

Yes, we do love those soft-hearted rogues, don’t we?  LOL. 

I don’t have any immediate plans, but you never know.

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