Shana Abé - Alina Adams
Abé, Shana - ROSE IN WINTER, A (Bantam - 1998) (4)
Set in medieval times, this is the story of two young lovers who were separated by fate and reunited almost a decade later. I really liked the way the author avoided creating the stereotypical wronged and bitter hero. Damon is a dream hero and a blend of contradictions—a powerful warrior and leader, but also a tender healer. He is strong, but not too strong to admit his love for Solange...even after all he'd been through. He didn't spend the book denying his feelings and striking out at the heroine. What a breath of fresh air!
I also empathized with Solange. She was abused and understandably scarred, but she didn't use her past as an excuse to keep Damon at arm's length. Her gradual opening up to Damon's people was real and touching. I liked this book very much because the characters acted like adults and they weren't afraid to admit what they felt in their hearts. I definitely recommend this one. ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
Adams, Alina - ANNIE'S WILD RIDE (Avon - 1998) (4)
The story opens in court, where for the tenth time, Paul and Anne have returned to battle for full custody of their daughter, Amelia. The Judge is in no mood to be amicable, slams his gavel, and sticks to the original terms of the divorce. The overriding story revolves around an airplane crash in the mountains, which occurs when Anne is trying to get Amelia to her father after a ski vacation. Anne has crash landed; she needs medical attention badly, and both mother and daughter risk freezing to death. The weather is abominable and no rescue team can be sent for them. During this time of panic, both Anne and Paul experience memory flashbacks that tell their life stories.
Anne and Paul met in the Air Force Academy, where they both excelled and began a spirit of strong competition. Paul is the logical one, obsessive about being in control. Anne is a romantic, who goes by gut instinct and is willing to try anything to accomplish her goals. Eventually they are drawn together. But Paul is unable to express his feelings in word or deed, while Anne craves the reassurance of his love. He harbors many secret thoughts, revealed through his memories.
This story is not for everyone because of Paul's obsessive, hurtful behavior. He comes off as cold and uncaring; however, underneath it all he is anything but the "machine" he acts like. The author does a terrific job of allowing the reader to peek inside the characters' hearts and minds to see their tortured souls and feel their thoughts. ANNIE'S WILD RIDE is a great story with a lot of adventure, excitement, and some steamy love scenes. I had a difficult time rating this book because it didn't end as I would have liked—I wanted it to keep going toward a more positive conclusion. But this was a realistic story and a page turner for me, keeping my interest to the very end. ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
Adams, Alina - ANNIE'S WILD RIDE (Avon - 1998) (5)
The love-hate relationship of two overly competitive Air Force hot shots is realistically and powerfully traced in a series of flashbacks, as the heroine and her daughter await rescue following a deadly plane crash in the Rockies. This beautifully crafted novel, with its complex characterization and imaginative time leaps, is a real romance for grownups—one of the best I've read in a long, long time. Don't miss it! ~Elena P.
NEXT PAGE
Background provided by Judi's Doodlings
Copyright © 1997–2000 Bookbug on the Web