Her Knight in Black Leather by J.M. StewartMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Stewart's best book to date. It has the usual elements of romance the back and forth, drawing in closer, pulling away, the pain of parting and the realization that they can't live without one another. Love conquers all.
There were a couple of themes that Stewart dipped her toes into that I would like to see her develop more fully in future novels. One is the spirituality of sexual union, the meeting of Souls. It was very brief, a casual mention in a few sentences on the first time the couple made love, but it got my attention because I fully parallels my experience in life. Making love to my wife has elements of Sacred spirituality. It is something well beyond simple sex. I hope she explores this in deeper detail.
The other aspect that she hinted at ever so slightly but again paralleled my experience with my wife and grabbed my attention is the idea that marriages are really made in bed not at weddings. I consider my real wedding with my wife was the first time we made love. It was then that I committed to that woman for the rest of my life. It was also a ceremony that was attended only by those who genuinely loved us. Can't say that about the church wedding 2 years later. Stewart's love scenes are erotic and sexy yet not vulgar or over-flowerly. They mix the perfect blend of eroticism with love and allow the idea that this is not simply a hookup. There is a wholesome quality to Stewart's love scenes that puts one far more in mind of a wedding than sweaty lust. This is another theme I hope she will expand on in the future.
The other thing I liked about this novel was that there were no silly overblown fights based on dubious misunderstandings between the protagonists. They both seemed destined to face their destiny apart with stoic sadness, not petty anger. It seemed to me more of a reflection of an adult love and respect for each other than some romances where the main characters act like they are in junior high school.
This book had great character development. The characters had believable problems in their past and an interesting shared family history. I really enjoyed this book.
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I don't usually read romance, to date - I think I am wholly unromantic - however lately I've been delving into some light romance books. I enjoyed reading your review of this book.
ReplyDeleteDaystarz,
DeleteI never read them until I got a Kindle to hide them in! I don't read many romances but I do like one every now and again. I don't like them too trashy and on the other hand I don't like them too flowery. I think you might like Stewart's books, she seldom uses any obscenities, none of the heavies, and damn few (I couldn't resist) of the light weights including damn. She has a remarkable ability to describe love scenes depicting the action in detail without it sounding like pornography or a trip to the gynecologist. Her scenes are very vanilla and the sex instills love rather than serving lust, a view that very much parallels my own. However it is romance ergo you do have the molten heat, chills running up and down their spines, pounding hearts, roaring in the ears, and the air electrifies between them. Stewart is evolving so it will be interesting to see where her books go next.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
This is not an author on my radar, but I will check her out based on your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteIts romance, somehow you don't strike me as the type. I imagine you reading only the finest of "literachaw". This stuff is eye candy for twits like me, although generally female twits like me.
Always an honor, Olga, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I'm not a big romance fan so I will probably never read this, but I always love reading your reviews. You not only tell us whether you like the book, but also why and what would have made you enjoy it more.
ReplyDeleteAlicia,
DeleteThanks for the kind comment and not making fun of me for reading romances! I think I agree with your Dad, you got a bigger set than most of us dudes--even if you do carry them in your purse! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Awwww shucks....that's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me :)
DeleteA very thought-provoking review, Sextant. It's refreshing to see romance reviews written by a man. I think it means you're very confident in your masculinity, and very brave. Anyway, why should women have all the fun? I'm a big fan of well-written romances, though I usually prefer historicals. Still, I'll give this one a try. One of the best thing about romances is you can always count on a happy ending, and I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
DeleteDonna
DeleteThanks for the kind vote of confidence in my confidence of my masculinity. However, I must offer the modest alternate suggestion that it could well be advanced senility.
Always an honor, thanks for stopping by.
Kindles are great for letting you explore areas of writing that you normally would not entertain. I like sitting on the train reading something outside my comfort zone and nobody needs know what I am dipping my toe into.Your reviews are very enjoyable, it's good to get a view from somebody who has enjoyed a work rather than someone hired to sell it.
ReplyDeleteWhite Elephant,
DeleteIndeed Kindles are nice for presenting a plain brown wrapper to the world, in fact I have read that part of the success of 50 Shades of Grey was attributed to the fact that it could be hidden in e-readers.
However, they can also come to bite you on the behind. I had an appointment with my financial advisor, and I took my kindle with me. I get called into her office. She spots my Kindle and said "Is that a Kindle?" "Why, yes." "May I see it? "
I was reading something safe so I turned it on and handed it to her. As it is leaving my hand to her's, I note in horror that the cover to Sex At Dawn (written in gigantic font superimposed over a nude shot of Eve from the belly button down covered by a leaf in un-charistically clear graphics) is now being displayed on my Kindle's screen. I read that book a year prior what the hell is the cover doing on my Kindle screen? She gave me a wry look, and giggled at my obvious embarrassment and handed it back.
Thanks for stopping by and your kind comment regarding my reviews.
Hi! I don't read novels anymore, but if I did, I would read this one. I am fortunate that I was always an avid reader, and I have read all the great writers -- Steinbeck, Maugham, O'Hara, etc., but I prefer non-fiction now. I love biographies.
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved your comment on my blog yesterday, and there was no need for you to delete it. Never pay attention to other silly people...!
Cheers!
Jo
Jo,
DeleteI used to read almost exclusively all non-fiction...but since I retired I have lost my discipline, and have moved more toward novels. I like biographies, history, and popularized science books, but find myself easily distracted.
Regarding the comment, I tend to forget although one can make fun of themselves, it must be specific to the individual and not to genders, preferences, ethnicity, or racial groups--even those of which one is a member. I thought the analogy was cute, and didn't notice the sexist and racist overtones until it was pointed out. However, change two words in that quote and I would have never used it. I need to learn a greater awareness to be more sensitive to all areas of possible offense.
I appreciate your sentiment, and tend to agree, however I did not want to create a flame fest on your blog and felt that deleting the comment and apologizing was the best solution. It was not my intention to offend anyone.
Hi, came over from A Majority of Two b/c I was impressed by your last comment. I'm not really into romance books, but I do find your musings on marriage interesting. Also, I AM into humor ... and your posts on the CRV are hilarious!
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog and your kind comment. Romance novels are sort of like eating candy, a little won't hurt but too much will give you diabetes!
Marriage has been the most important factor in my life, so I write about it now and again. Glad you enjoyed the CRV post