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Title: A Glimpse Of Heaven
ISBN: 0312957149
Author:
Barbara Dawson Smith
Publicate Date: 1995-12-15
Publish: 1995-12-15
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $1.50
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Average historical romance
From the back cover:
He can see into her past...
He can see into her secrets...
He can see into the deepest desires of her heart...
Only in his dreams has Burke Grisham, the once-dissolute Earl of Thornwald, seen a lady as exquisite as Catherine Snow. Now, standing before him at last is the mysterious beauty whose life he has glimpsed in strange visions--whose voice called him back from death and the shimmering radiance beyond, on the bloody field of Waterloo. But she is also the widow of the friend he destroyed: the one woman who scorns him; the one woman he must possess.
Catherine detests Lord Thornwald as the handsome daredevil who led her estranged husband into a decadent life and a reckless death in battle. Yet now, even as she resists his strange connection to her mind, she yearns for him to conquer her heart. But does this infamous rake think her his next plaything? Or is Burke truly sent, as he vows, to save Catherine from a danger only he can see--and sweep her up in a love born of eternal light?
And my review:
I enjoy the novels of Barbara Dawson Smith. While I don't find them to be "can't put it down" or "blow your socks off" reads, her books are enjoyable diversions to pass a few hours. A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN is not one of her best works, but still a pleasant read.
I really liked the paranormal touch she put into this one, about how Burke could see flashes of memories from Catherine's late husband, Alfred. I thought it was a really interesting concept. I felt that the characters were pretty well-rounded as well.
However, I didn't feel the spark between them as much as I would have liked. When the author said that they were in love, I just didn't feel it. A minor complaint, but it is the reason this book wasn't a keeper for me.
The author wanted to show how the hero was redeemed from a drunken, wenching, gambling blackguard into a man worth marrying. But the part where (in the past), he gives a prostitute to his married friend (Alfred, Catherine's last husband) as a wedding gift almost made me stop reading the book. So if something like that is going to be a big stumbling block for you, I'd suggest you skip this one.
I think that this author has done it better. My personal favorites of hers are Once Upon A Scandal (Once Upon Scandal) and The Wedding Night (A Kenyon Family Novel). Those ones were keepers, and I would recommend them over and above A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. Buy this book if you're a big fan of the author, otherwise, I'd suggest trying to find it at the library.
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2: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This is a really fascinating story about a man who has a near death experience at the Battle of Waterloo, and afterward sees visions about a woman he's never met. It's full of twists and turns and lots of great romance. I loved it!
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3: A GOOD BOOK
I enjoyed reading this book, and would suggest it to others looking for a good romantic novel . . .If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever
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4: Insipid and boring.
I didn't find the story interesting at all. I read this book because the story outline looked appealing and because of the warm review. I was disappointed. The story has not much substance and it is loosely-knitted.
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5: A wonderful and touching read!!
I just couldn't put it down once I started. Barbara Dawson Smith is an outstanding author. I love her books. Burke is a wonderful hero, as is with all rakes, of course. But he is trying to change his ways. The fascinatind part of the story is Burkes near death experience and the strange visions he gets of Catherine, visions that soon show themselves as Alfred, Catherines dead husband's. Does he have Alfred's memory? Its a truly touching story of redemption and everlasting love. Read it, you won't be disappointed!
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