HeartBeat   

Spirited conversation about reading romance 

ALL ABOUT LOVE

Susan: This is Stephanie Laurens last installment in the Bar Cynster series. According to the information in the back there will be more but this ends the original group.

Ann: Yes, there are plans for the twins and a few cousins to get their own stories.

Susan: Ann, I've read several of these and to be honest I didn't care as much for this one as I had the others.

Ann: What parts of it caused that reaction Susan?

Susan: For me there was too much emphasis on the mystery angle and not enough on the romance. I found the "mystery" elements detracted from the story for me. I would have liked more "why". One of the aspects of Laurens books that I have trouble with is the "I see you, want you, your mine" angle. I want to see those elements develop as the story progresses.

Ann: This book did have more of a "suspense" or mystery then the others. But I didn't find it to be detracting. Was it detracting to you as a reader because you were trying to figure the mystery out? Or because you were annoyed they were wasting time on it rather then on the evolving relationship?

Susan: I figured the mystery out relatively early - so no that wasn't it. I was annoyed because in my opinon, neither of the main characters was very well developed.

Ann: I can understand that, but I think that Laurens has pretty well established that the Cynsters have that "I see, I want, I take" mentality in the previous books so I wasn't too bothered by it.

Susan: I agree as far as what Laurens has done with the other books in the series. For me, the mystery was the story and the romance was an added element - not the core, which was where I had a problem.

Susan: Ann, what did you think about it?

Ann: Hmmm, well, I do wish I knew more about Phyllida's character - she seemed to sort of pop up fully developed, and I never really got into her the way I do with other Laurens' characters.

Susan: I assumed it was because she was older? She did seem a tad too good for my taste.

Ann: Well, I liked the way that Phyllida made Alasdair work for his "prize" for lack of a better word. She definitely had a mind of her own and used it. (Much to his chagrin!) But I will admit, I never really bought the entire "accidentally knocked the halberd over and knocked him out" thing.

Susan: Laughing - neither did I! I thought it was a device to put the two together.

Ann: I am willing to accept elements of the paranormal which have shown up in past Cynster stories, and I have thought they were well done and worked really well in the stories. But, I found the opening sequence to feel stiff.

Susan: I found the opening sequences to be amongst the weakest in the book. Did you find there to be much tension in the story?

Ann: I'm not sure. I felt there was almost too much tension - I felt the threat to Phyllida to be very dark compared to the rest of the plot. Almost out of place - because the intention to do great physical harm was so overwhelming.

Susan: Do you think this book would have worked better as a straight mystery with a little romance thrown in?

Ann: Nope. Because Alasdair's feelings for Phyllida drove his efforts to help her solve the mystery. If you make the mystery the plot, then what is the motivation for Alasdair to help Phyllida ? The mystery (and it's details) by itself wasn't complete enough for me.

Susan: You don't think his affection for his friend played a part in wanting to solve his murder?
I think this is where the problem for me comes in. To me this was a mystery for the most part.

Ann: I think his friendship would have played a part - but my question is, would he have worked with Phyllida? Or just along side - separate but at the same time. Does that make sense?

Susan: I think he would've worked with Phyllida - I just wish the romance hadn't revolved around the threat and solving of a mystery.

Ann: Well, this book has brought up the need for a NEW kind of Heart for me! (Laughing)

Susan: I really enjoyed the first few books of the series but unfortunately this one was hard for me to finish. Parts of it I did enjoy - but there were elements I didn't. I'm a big fan of Laurens - unfortunately this book just didn't work for me. I'm giving it a BROKEN HEART.

Ann: I need a heart with a band aid! I've enjoyed all the Cynster books, and I also enjoyed this one. But maybe more for the mystery then the romance between Alasdair and Phyllida. (Laughing) I think I will go with a BEATING HEART though unless we get the band aid by publishing time because I did enjoy it, and even though I had a few points that didn't completely satisfy me as a reader, the overall story did work for me. I think in some ways it almost stands apart from the rest of the Cynsters in my humble opinion.

ALL ABOUT LOVE Stephanie Laurens ISBN 0380812010 Avon Books

Susan Gives This Book A

Ann Gives This Book A

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