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 Giorgia on 01.16.2010

This book is wonderful and I wish that there would be more books for the series, Maybe with Allegreto and Elena, did the ever have children? Its something that want to know about, What happens afterward, So, another book, would be AWESOME!

[3] Posted by PG on 01.18.2010

I was surprised to read in the Author’s Note at the end of “Lessons in French” that there had been so much reader controversy about “Shadowheart.” I thought it really was Allegreto’s story as the story for such a man would have to be told: often angry, violent, tormented and having to break through those aspects of his past in order to establish any kind of Happily Ever After. I suspect that people may have interpreted some sexual activities through the prism of how we categorize them today (“S&M,” “kink,” etc.) in which they are part of people’s identification.

[4] Posted by Vikki Johnson on 01.22.2010

I was mesmerized by Allegreto in “For My Lady’s Heart”. The thing about Laura Kinsale’s novels is that you can feel so much emotion for even secondary characters. But Allegreto was not just a secondary character—not by a long shot. Of course, I had no idea just how deep he was. It gets pretty dark, the deeper you go. That darkness, however, is essential to who he is, balanced by his fear of damnation. When he walked into the church, for example: I, personally, almost felt at the point of a panic attack for him, it was written that well. By far, my favorite Kinsale male character, darkness and all. In fact, it was the darkness that cinched it for me! ;P

[5] Posted by Gwyneth on 01.22.2010

I totally agree with the above comments. The sharp edges of their relationship made this story feel more real and more romantic, at least for me. Sometimes love in romances can feel a little too sickly sweet - too good to be true - and I just stop believing. Shadow Heart and The Shadow and the Star are my favourite Kinsale books. I love them dearly. (They both have ‘shadow’ in the title… Coincidence? I think not. I wonder if Laura would consider renaming her new book “Shadows in French”? Yeah, probably not the best idea *sigh*)

[6] Posted by Shauna on 01.23.2010

Shadowheart is my all-time favorite book.  The depth of the characters, their struggle with themselves and the others around them, their growth, is deep and beautiful.  I have never read another book like it.  I think that it is a shame that this book has had controversy surrounding the love scenes because they work perfectly in this book in a way that wouldn’t make sense in most others.  I wouldn’t change a thing.  Thank you so much Laura.  You should be proud of this book, as well as all of your others.

[7] Posted by mrs.mj on 01.27.2010

I think this is my favorite as well. There are times I wanted to smack both of them around a little! But that’s just great writing, making me feel emotions for fictional characters.

[8] Posted by PG on 02.08.2010

I’m listening to the k.d. lang version, and I realized how perfectly the song “Hallelujah” written by Leonard Cohen fits _Shadowheart_.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYiMJ2bC65A&feature=player_embedded

[9] Posted by laura kinsale on 02.09.2010

Thank you.  Astonishing performance.  Between the singer and the composer…anybody who doesn’t believe in the living presence of muses should watch and listen.

[10] Posted by Hannah on 02.17.2010

I enjoyed Shadowheart, the story was well done.

[11] Posted by starmoth on 03.01.2010

Many thanks for Shadowheart and the kd lang video.
I have been tired of the romance genre’s restrictions for many years. The love scenes in Shadowheart were appropriate to the characters and erotic. There are plenty of writers who stick to the formulas for those readers who are troubled by less conventional sex.
Ms. Kinsale, you have always been one of my favorite writers because of your willingness to go further—with whimsy, plot, characters, humor. I’m delighted that you are writing again.

[12] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.01.2010

Thank you, Hannah and Starmoth! 

I have just gotten the rights back to Shadowheart and For My Lady’s Heart.  I’m not quite sure of my plans yet, but I hope that soon they’ll be in print again.

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