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.

[13] Posted by Eileen E. Luther on 03.14.2010

I have been a reader of the historical romance genre since I was in middle school in the early seventies, moving quickly from Harlequin romances to Georgette Heyer. As time has gone on, I have found it very difficult to find a quality read in this genre, there are only a few authors out there that I will spend time with.  Laura Kinsale is at the very pinnacle of this short list, with For My Lady’s Heart and Shadow Heart being the best romance novels I have ever read. I cannot imagine any controversy in Shadow Heart, but people always can find faults I suppose.  Why are these two books out of print?

[14] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.15.2010

Hi, Eileen, glad you enjoy my books!

I have just gotten the rights back for my Berkley books, which include Shadowheart, For My Lady’s Heart, The Dream Hunter and My Sweet Folly.  I am working now on what I am going to do with them.  I have some ideas to experiment with some of the new options in publishing, for instance designing my own epub editions.  This may take me awhile as it’s a steep learning curve!  But I hope to have some of these titles available, at least as e-books, by the end of the year.

[15] Posted by lisap on 03.23.2010

I just finished For My Lady’s Heart and Shadowheart and so enjoyed them—Allegreto is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever read.  I loved seeing how his character developed over the two books—how he still retained some of the quirks and fears he had as a young man.  The last 100 pages I re-read several times—the way he found peace with the people in his past, with Elena and with God brought tears to my eyes—some of the most affecting passages I’ve ever read.  I appreciated that you highlighted his flaws and insecurities—we can all relate to his struggles so much more that way.  So many romances make the hero indestructible and always perfect in judgement—that’s why I appreciate your books so much.  Your characters are so real to me.

[16] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.24.2010

Thank you Lisa!  I like think flaws and insecurities make even assassins interesting. ;)

[17] Posted by Lauren on 03.29.2010

Hi Laura,

I wonder if you would address the lack of Allegreto’s point of view for so much of the beginning of the book? Honestly, that’s the only thing that kept this book from being one of my all-time favorites (“Shadow and the Star” still gets that honor). Thanks for any thoughts you can share.

[18] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.30.2010

That’s an excellent question, Lauren—in fact it’s so good I’ll turn it around on you.  Where do you think his point of view should have begun?

[19] Posted by Lauren on 03.30.2010

Oh, Laura, you’re tricky! :)

I would have liked to have read Allegreto’s pov within the first fifty pages, so I could have had a sense of his “voice” early on, which would have made it more interesting (for me) to see him then fall in love. In other words, to see the defenses and the scars (i.e. the dramatic stakes) before they are dismantled/healed. And I would have liked to have read a moment from his pov when he realized his attraction to Elena, and the deeper implications of that attraction.

I do understand—or at least, it’s my interpretation—that our experience of Allegreto as a shadowy character mimics Elena’s slow discovery of his heart. But I suppose for me as a reader, I would have found the novel more fulfilling and satisfying if there’d been more of the traditional “one or two chapters her pov/one or two chapters his pov” right from the start. I hope that makes sense. Thanks for your response!

BTW, I just ordered The Dream Hunter and can’t wait until it arrives :)

Lauren

[20] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.31.2010

I think it’s too long before Allegreto appears in SH, which gives it a rather slow start.  (I did try to fix that but couldn’t seem to!)

From my angle, TBH I’m not sure I could have successfully pulled off A’s pov earlier, for several reasons—partially that he is not aware himself of what he feels until it happens to him, and partially because this is just my writing style, to view the most powerful emotional scenes from outside the character until it becomes impossible to maintain that. 

Then again, I haven’t read the book in a long time, so maybe I would do it differently now, but I tend to think not.

[21] Posted by Val on 04.02.2010

Hi Laura
Will there ever be an ebook version of Shadowheart available??  I wait and hope : )

[22] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.04.2010

I am hoping that by the end of the year there will be an ebook of Shadowheart

[23] Posted by eKathy28 on 04.06.2010

I think the theme of this book should be this too is love. For the squeamish out there (and I admit I at times I was, but it sure made me think hard about what would excite and assassin when it came to love play) I expect the problem is that your characters are so vivid that and people identify with them so closely that it is hard when they are not like us. If that makes sense. You don’t want to identify with this darkness so you reject it even though in the sense of the novel it is 100 percent consistent with the characters. I am just guessing. I love these characters as I love all Laura’s characters. They are beautifully drawn and they do such amazing things. When she believes in him and he feels the light punch a hole in him ... I can start crying all over again just typing it.
Now, if I were an editor instead of a slavish fan ... I might ask if you tried the tried and true romance device of a prologue to get Allegretto in earlier. Imagine him on the island casting the cards and seeing her on her way. I never did quite understand why all those kid were around him unless maybe it was the children he thought he would never have. An early island scene might explain him a bit better and set it up so he is not quite so severe, maybe a bit more sympathetic when we first meet him. The blue lit and cold marble Raven is not the one we love. It is Allegreto, who knew he would be feared but never thought he would be loved.
Man, I loved this book.

[24] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.07.2010

(I usually get flak when I write a prologue!) 

I’ve been thinking about Allegreto in terms of these recent comments.  I see very much what you are saying—and yet, if you had the inside of him exposed from the start, would he be as powerful a character?  I think that to understand the intensity of his internal conflicts, the reader needs to see the “cold marble” as you described it, and begin to wonder if there is more, because being “stone” is the way he has survived. 

He is an assassin.  Could there be any softness or sympathy in that, and not change him fundamentally?

[25] Posted by eKathy28 on 04.07.2010

I am not surprised to find you have tried prologues and been bashed for them. Many times they do seem tacked on to books, but sometimes (I am thinking the first two pages in G. Heyer’s “Black Moth”) they can set up a tension that carries through the book. Sympathetic was a terrifically poor choice of words in my earlier note. Sorry to go down a rabbit path. As you say ... assassins are not sympathetic. He is a strong character for many more reasons that he can kill without blinking, though. And some of the reasons are sympathetic ones. I hope it doesn’t sound like I am arguing. Just trying to think through what you and earlier people said about wanting him in the story earlier. It is truly a delight to be able to have a forum for the kind of thinking about words and relationships that your stories generate. I hope it is as much fun for you (and not detracting from other writing).

[26] Posted by starmoth on 04.07.2010

I personally would not have enjoyed a prologue as much as I did the tension produced by her abduction and the (anticipated) discovery that the pirate was Allegreto. rec77ent

[27] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.07.2010

Don’t worry, Kathy, that’s why I have the comments section, so people can discuss the books. 

I enjoy hearing what readers think, particularly when it’s deeply considered as you are doing.  I don’t think I have the definitive answers, and it’s interesting to consider alternatives.

[28] Posted by Seadhli on 04.22.2010

Shadowheart is the first of your books I have read, I actually looked up wour website so I can find more titles!

I loved it! It was darker than most romances, but more real because of that darkness!

[29] Posted by Amy on 04.26.2010

I loved this book Shadow Heart, my third Laura Kinsale. I am now an official fan.
Your characters in this book have intrigued me, and now I must read the book that precedes this one. I should have read them in order!

I love Elena and Allegreto’s story, I could not put it down.
As dark as it seemed to be, I let the story unfold and was not disappointed. Allegreto’s perceived rebellion was cloaked in his reverence. How did you do that? Yet, it makes the story more believable.

I thank you for writing their story.
I would love to see Allegreto’s legacy.

[30] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.27.2010

Seadhli and Amy, thank you!  I think Allegreto is one of the most interesting characters I’ve written.  He really surprised me in the way he came to life of his own accord—it was more as if I had to find out about him rather than “create” him.  Glad you enjoyed his book.

[31] Posted by Jessica on 05.07.2010

I love, love, love discovering a new author to add to my short list of cherished favorites, so I was thrilled to discover the name Laura Kinsale about a year back when I read Seize the Fire. 
I admit, I understand the controversy about the “S&M”-esqe scenes in Shadowheart, and they did make me a little uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t have changed them.  They fit with the characters and their motivations and personalities.  It works.  Something I have noticed as a common theme in the posts: readers tend to have personal feelings about each character (one thing that makes the books great!), and everyone’s reaction is different.  For instance, I loved Flowers from the Storm, but when Maddy was waxing eloquent about what was required of her by the Friends, I often wanted to punch her in the face and tell her she was being self-righteous (even though I totally understood her motivations).
I personally don’t think there should be a sequel.  I love Allegreto and Elena as they are!

[32] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.10.2010

Thank you Jessica!  I agree that sometimes when a reader really buys into a character (which is good) that makes the character seem particularly frustrating when they seem to be making a mistake.

[33] Posted by Giorgia on 05.13.2010

Actually, now that i re-read the book, i find it fairly intriguing, and, unlike other books I’ve read, I can read it without wanting another book, because I love it and its good literature!

[34] Posted by Liz on 05.18.2010

It is interesting to hear people’s thoughts on when we finally see Allegreto’s pov in the story.  Myself, I had to flip to the second half of the book and check random pages, without reading too much and spoiling anything, to see whether we would ever be in his head.  A tricky thing, that!  I was initially feeling impatient for it but in the end I thought it was perfect timing.  Especially because the first line of his thoughts contained the word “annihilated.”  I mean, I could feel him coming apart over Elena during that first half of the book and I felt so justified to see it in print.  What a powerful story!

[35] Posted by Liz on 05.18.2010

One and more thing - loved having Nimue in the story. I too believe life can be measured in dogs.  Yours, by the way, are GORGEOUS! We have two beautiful black Newfies and people ask me quite often… “Are those Great Pyrenees?”  Um, no.  ;-)

[36] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.18.2010

Hehe, Liz, yes and people ask me if mine are Newfies!  I love those too; guess I’m just a big furry dog kinda person.

I never count out sequels or prequels (since I wrote The Shadow and the Star many years after The Hidden Heart) but I also never make plans!

[37] Posted by Vixen on 05.28.2010

Just want to add my tuppence-worth… I’m a new reader in the UK. I’ve only just discovered your work this year, Ms Kinsale. So far, I’ve read “Flowers in the Storm”, “For My Lady’s Heart” and “My Sweet Folly”.  I’ve been bowled over by each one in turn. Thank you.

I’m a literature graduate, who has also always read a LOT of popular historical romance ‘for rest and relaxation’, since discovering Georgette Heyer, as an adolescent. I adore GH; I’ve collected and re-read her novels for almost four decades. (I’m 49.)  I’ve never collected or revered any other modern writer of popular historical romance - although I have read, and discarded, hundreds of (in my opinion, mostly inferior) writers. Until now! Ms Kinsale, I think you’re really something special. I’m keeping your books. And I’ll be leaving them around for my teenage daughters to read.  I’ve even recommended them to my partner (no higher accolade possible, I assure you). He is NOT a reader of romantic fiction but there are so many facets to your novels and they are SO beautifully written; I think he couldn’t help but be gripped, charmed, moved, thrilled and satisfied with your work - as I am. But then, he is a man - so possibly not.

I love your ability to convey the desperation and passion of your characters as they grapple with their personal demons. Love the adventure and thriller aspect. Love your forays into politics and religion. And you write so accurately, lightly and brilliantly about sex itself - a rare skill. 

I’m now eagerly awaiting the arrival on my doorstep of “Midsummer Moon” and “Shadowheart”. Particularly looking forward to “Shadowheart”, having already met Allegretto.  So far, I’ve wanted to mother him…

[38] Posted by Vixen on 05.28.2010

Apologies for mis-spelling Allegreto’s name!

[39] Posted by laura kinsale on 05.29.2010

Vixen, I’m so glad you have been enjoying my books.  I certainly could not ask for a nicer compliment than your post!

[40] Posted by Nancy on 06.18.2010

I am also new to your writing and have been working my way through your books.  So far, I’ve enjoyed them all immensely!  I think Flowers From the Storm is my favorite. 

I particularly appreciate that you don’t follow formulaic plots.  You seem to effortlessly create characters with depth and emotion, using prose that is so beautiful at times. You do a great job of making me feel the emotions of your characters, especially when they suffer a devastating turn of events.

I liked Shadowheart very much and along with the other commenters thought Allegreto was a terrific character.  Maybe I’m like an old piece of shoe leather but I didn’t think the sex scenes were over the top at all.  Honestly, what’s with all that?

I was saddened to read that you’ve struggled with writer’s block in Shadowheart and at other times. This doesn’t show at all in your finished products - everything just flows.  I’m selfishly hoping that you don’t ever stop writing! I want you to write a lot more books!
Anyway, FYI, I’m a Kindle user and look forward to your books in ebook form.  I’m sure you know this, but Amazon makes it easy for authors to self-publish ebooks through them.  I don’t think there’s too much of a learning curve.

[41] Posted by laura kinsale on 06.18.2010

Thanks, Nancy!  I guess writing is like many types of sports and performances—it should look easy.  But it’s not easy to do!

[42] Posted by k on 06.25.2010

Dear LK,
I read Shadowheart many years ago when I had just begun my journey in the world of romance novels…I fell in love with Allegreto almost immediately and for better or worse he has stayed in a corner of my heart always since then….
Today, several thousand books and characters later, nothing’s changed…it’s still love at first, second and last sight…and I’m sure that I don’t need to recount to you of all people, the infinite reasons why that is the case..

Anyway, I’m telling you all this just so you know that no matter how bittersweet the experience of putting him on paper was, it was totally, completely and absolutely worth it!

We may never get to know each other in real life but because of him, you’ll be in my heart too..FOREVER

[43] Posted by laura kinsale on 06.25.2010

Dear k,

Allegreto loves you too. ;)  He told me!

[44] Posted by Annabel Joseph on 07.07.2010

Oh, k, it’s so funny but after just finishing Shadowheart for the fourth time, I was coming here to say the same thing. I DESPERATELY LOVE ALLEGRETO! I’m lovesick for him!

What are we to do? ;-)

I think the reason Allegreto resonates so deeply with me is because he does these cold, heartless things, and yet you know that underneath he has these intense feelings and an almost feral understanding of love. He does all this evil and violence out of *love*. It’s a brilliant paradox! I have read hundreds of romance books and Allegreto still sits right there at the top of the list of “most compelling hero of all time.”

My fascination for Allegreto goes back to For My Lady’s Heart. I love Melanthe and Ruck’s story, but the poignancy of Allegreto’s story in that book just stole me away. Then, when you published Shadowheart, here you gave us this incredible backstory of who Allegreto really is and where he came from… When we finally got into his POV, I think I almost hyperventilated with excitement to be inside that man’s head. Sigh, sigh, sigh. 

In discussing Shadowheart, my fangirl swooning for Allegreto aside, I have to bring up the moment at the end when Melanthe asks Allegreto if they are even. Oh my, so much emotion and chances and near misses and risk and memories rolled up in those simple words. I say this to everyone like a broken record but seriously, Laura Kinsale = story genius. No one else sets up those cathartic moments like you.

[45] Posted by laura kinsale on 07.08.2010

He’s a sly devil, isn’t he?

I really appreciate that you “got” Melanthe’s comment to him at the end. :)

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