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Reviews (49)
Dec 06, 2005
A heartbreaking story
1 of 2 found this helpful "The Ruby Ring" is a love story about Raphael the famous Renaissance Painter that falls for a peasant woman. He has many outstanding commissions all over Rome that he is running behind in and Michelangelo and his protégé Sebastiano are constantly on his heels with envy and jealousy. He is in need of a muse he finds that in Margherita. At first she declines the offer to be his model because it is well known that Raphael is a philanderer and more times than not seduces his models she has a higher image of herself (her mother's influence) and does not want THAT for herself. Of course as in all romance novels the chase for Raphael is more intense because she will not agree to become his model. After he repeatedly offers money, comes to her father's bakery sends her a (respectful) piece of art -- so that she is able to understand he just wants her to model for him ONLY she agrees. Raphael is engaged to a Cardinals niece so there is a lot of political pressure on him constantly not only to complete his commissions but to honor his betrothal. Time goes by he becomes obsessed with her, they fall in love he desperately tries to get out of the betrothal, his enemies are against them at every turn. This book didn't have a lot of detail about their surroundings as you normally find in a romance novel much of the book took place at 4 locations his studio, his home, the bakery and a number of places that he was working on the art. Leonardo Da Vinci makes a few appearance and for the most part Michelangelo is in Florence not in Rome where this book takes place. Raphael becomes so consumed with Margherita that he seems never to pick up the pace when it comes to his commissions I found that frustrating because it was obvious these men didn't want him with her and kept reminding him that she was a distraction to him, I would have thought that he would have made sure to complete his jobs in a timely manner since at every turn they were constantly reminding him of his DUTIES to THEM. Granted you understand that for Raphael SHE became his duty and all else was irrelevant to him....
Diane H. is unquestionably one of the most gifted writers of Historical Romance Fiction out there. Her books are so involving that after you read the pages you still fill like there is more to learn of the individuals in the story. I should know because after reading this book I did some research of my own on the web regarding Raphael as well as Margherita to see what she really looked like in all of the paintings. The one thing that I realize in reading nearly most of Diane books is that very rarely is there a Happy Ending... but since largely what she writes is actual Historical events the reader has to understand that's the way it is, no matter how much "filler" she puts in it she always brings it back to the factual ending. I also recommend if you like this type of tale "The Girl with the pearl Earring" (a fictitious story inspired by a real work of art) or even perhaps the movie "The Kings Whore" starring Timothy Dalton and Valarie Golino (the story of a woman that unwillingly gains the attraction of a King and becomes the love of his life - everyone including family and her husband telling her she MUST become his mistress).
Respectfully Reviewed
Dec 06, 2005
Could not PUT THIS ONE DOWN!!!
1 of 3 found this helpful First of all although I really liked the book I had some hang ups My first was that I think Nora was doing a Interracial Romance on the "DL" (down low)(which will probably not bother anyone who is NOT a minority) she never clearly acknowledges that Lena is African American.... but there are other things throughout the book that leads me (who happens to be African American)to believe that she is. I guess it isn't much of a big deal as it doesn't take away from the storyline nor the plot, but their are other instances where she clearly writes in her book that someone was black yet when it comes to the leading heroine character she doesn't............ almost as if she doesn't want to acknowledge it??? I always wondered why no one had ever wrote a Romance Novel about a Slave owner and a Servant that come together in another time when their love (and subsequent Marriage) wouldn't be forbidden. Don't get me wrong Lucien was NOT a Slave owner the story that is thread to the present day one, takes place after the abolishment of slavery so Abigail is a servant NOT a Slave. My second "hang-up" was that on the Paperback copy it does not have much of a plot description on the book, so I had to come here (Amazon) to even find out what it was about.
WHATEVER on to my review.
LOVED THE STORY. If you enjoy a good Ghost story you will run through the pages fairly quickly. I don't want to give any spoilers in this review but Nora threads the glimpses from the Past into this book periodically for the reader to understand what was going on between Lucian and Abigail. I do agree with another reviewer that stated that there are some loose ends that aren't wrapped up to my satisfaction, but I leave that for the individual reader to find and decide on his or her own.
Overall the book has some Humor which had me laughing out loud (towards the end), a fair amount of Suspense and the characters are ok (though no of them will stand out in my memory) Anyone that likes Nora probably will not be dissapointed in this book. I do however recommend if the reader likes books about reincarnation to try {Susanna Kearsley's} "Mariana" excellent story of two people finding one another in a different lifetime, or if you like Contemporary Romance with a Interracial Love from the past woven in try {Ruth Wind} "In the Midnight Rain" or "Stone Flower Garden" by Deborah Smith all of the books that I have recommended have a unsuspected twist at the end as with Midnight Bayou.
Respectfully Reviewed
Dec 06, 2005
Have U ever wondered how 2 spell "hors d' oeuvre" right
Or what about how to pronounce the wine "Gewürztraminer"? Or my personal favorite "Crème Fraiche" pronounced (krem fresh)
What is the definition for Jicama or Wasabi? and where did they come from?
What is the difference between "Crayfish" and a "Langoustine" and are they indigenous to Louisiana...
WELL WONDER NO MORE!!... this book is the secret behind all of those fancy menus you read in Restaurants and Banquet menus (I should know I have had to create new Catering Menus every year since 1993)LOL
I have been in the Hospitality Industry for over 17 years this book has been in my collection since I started. If you can purchase it get it!! Definitely a must for any Caterers or students of the Culinary Art.
This book contains definitions of almost EVERYTHING Food (and some wines), the correct pronunciation, spelling and it's original origin. I can't recommend this book enough!! It is quite pricey but I have bought it at least 5 times in my career as gifts for my assistants moving on to greater positions in this Industry. They have terms (and again pronunciations) for all Culture cuisines ie; German, Cambodian, Japanese, French, Italian, Middle Eastern and Spanish just to name a few.
I also recommend the Oxford Companion for Food and Wine as well as any "Professional Chef" book from Culinary Institute of America
Respectfully Reviewed