Now Face to Face

To me, Through a Glass Darkly is one of the most remarkable historical sagas ever written. I loved the novel so much and I kind of agreed with the comparisons to Gone with the Wind, except that Through a Glass Darkly has its own unique voice in historical fiction. I had looked forward to reading Now Face to Face and I couldn't believe that I had finally got my hands on a copy. This novel was not easy to obtain, but I'm glad I went the extra mile to get it. Barbara Devane has a legacy of debts left by her late husband, Roger Montgeoffry, which she decides to leave behind for the time being as she oversees her grandmother's tobacco plantation in Virginia. There she meets various people, namely one Col. Perry, who becomes her protector. Stronger and more determined, she returns to London to tighten the loose ends she's left behind. However, she will have to deal with various issues, such as her mother's pregnancy, her best friend Jane's involvement with the Jacobite uprising, and the biggest loose end of all, having to meet again with her cousin, the Duke of Tamworth, and his undying love for her. There are various twists throughout the novel. The most impressive part of Now Face to Face is the historical aspects of the novel. I love just how realistic and to the point the author addresses slavery in the southern colonies. There is no romanticizing or cushioning the atrocities that occurred with the slaves. That is truly one of the most captivating parts of this novel. I also enjoyed the backdrop of the Jacobite Uprising. That has been one of my favorite historical backdrops since reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. As for the characters, they are as wonderful and three-dimensional as ever. Diana is still infuriatingly self-absorbed and Tony still touches me with his unrequited love for Barbara. Barbara has grown a great deal as a character. She is stronger now, more determined to face whatever comes at her, and she is more likeable as a result. There are characters from the first novel that I wish hadn't died, like Roger. He was such an amazing character, so wonderfully complex, and I feel that the author could have done so much more with him. Alas, the character of Laurence Slane is a good addition to the story, though he by no means replaces Roger. I loved this novel through and through, though not as much as Through a Glass Darkly. The ending isn't very satisfying. It felt too abrupt and rushed for my taste. I hope there will be a third installment of this wonderful saga soon. I know Karleen Koen will release a novel called Dark Angels, but I don't think it's the third part of this series. In the meantime, I recommend Now Face to Face to those who loved Through a Glass Darkly.

Reading Now Face to Face was like being among old friends again. I just loved this book. I thought that it was the perfect continuation to Through a Glass Darkly. This story picks up not long after TAGD. It follows Barbara and her family as we watch them grow and change through love and loss. I enjoyed every moment and cannot believe the talent of Koen. Her writing is gorgeous and the emotion she conveys is just unbelievable. I have found that while reading these two books of hers that you can never really feel safe. There are so many deaths and even prominent characters arent left untouched. I hated the deaths, but at the same time, since things were not always worked out neatly, it made the story feel more realistic IMO. My main regret with Now Face to Face was Tony. I wanted so much for things to go in another direction with him. As for Slane, I liked him, but I felt like we werent given the chance to know him well enough. I felt like his and Barbaras love just sort of materialized out of thin air. This made it hard to believe their devotion at times, but still...Im not disappointed. These two books were just amazing reads and I would recommend them to anyone in a flash.

Now Face To Face is another great work of historical fiction that is wrongly categorized at historical romance. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much, for the purely historic aspect. Having read several books, roughly set during the same timeframe which revolve heavily around the Jacobite cause, I appreciated the level of detail Koen paid to this subject. I also appreciated her frank approach to the sensitive subject of slavery, allowing readers to get a first hand look at the atrocities associated with such a brutal practice. That said, Barbara Devane continues to mature as a woman. During her time in the colony of Virginia, she oversees the running of her grandmother's tobacco plantation, making bold decisions which gain her both admiration and criticism from her peers. A stronger Barbara returns to London, ready to face the legacy of debt left to her by her late husband Roger. She also returns to a home where much has changed. Her mother, Diana Alderly, is pregnant, her best friend Jane and her family are heavily involved in the Jacobite plotting, as well as her great aunt Shrew. One of the few things that hasn't changed is her cousin Tony, Duke of Tamworth's, love for her. But, alas, it goes unrequited due (in part) to the appearance of a handsome actor, Laurance Slane. Of course, Slane is not what he appears at first, and Barbara find herself in yet another unfolding drama as she discovers his true identity as a key Jacobite plotter. I thought the ending was a bit rushed, with many loose ends tied up in the wool gatherings of Barbara's grandmother, the Duchess. Still well done, the ending leaves me longing to know more about the outcome of the main characters. There is enough meat in these two books to easily allow for at least 1 or 2 more in the series, as in Gabaldon's Outlander series or Donati's Wilderness series. I find myself wondering about Barbara and Slane in France, Jane's Gussy and the children, Tony and the Duchess. I would love to know if another book is in Koen's plan. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to those who appreciate well-written historical fiction, not romance.

I just read Now Face to Face yesterday, in one sitting--I couldn't put it down. After loving Karleen Koen's first book Through a Glass Darkly, I expected to like this book--I am happy to say that I loved it and can't stop thinking about it. It's almost unfair to characterize this book as historical romance--it is so much more than that-- I like the author's statement that the book is about a woman's search to find who she is, and not define herself by who she loves. I cried, tears rolling down my face--at the losses suffered by the heroine--and at the beauty and depth of the story, the langauge and the writing.The book does indeed contain romance, in addition, although I was unconvinced by the romance that the heroine finally embarked upon--I wanted to see more of the relationship between Barbara and Tony,Duke of Tamworth, explored and defined. I have many favorite books, that I periodically reread such as Jane Austen's novels and Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte--both Through a Glass Darkly and Now Face to Face join that list. Magnificent. I fervently wish that Ms. Koen will write a third in this series--I want to know what happens next to Barbara and Tony and Therese and Hyacinthe (yes, as in the best of books, I know and love these characters).

On the surface, Karleen Koen's books may appear to be nothing more than historical romance fluff. You know, the typical muscle-clad hero meets independent but distressed damsel; the two parry and thrust (if you will excuse the phrase) and then, finally, succumb to the throes of passion. Natuarlly, this all occurs in some exotic, historical loacle. Koen's books have the fluffy exterior but the interior is much,much meatier than any historical romance I have ever read. "Through a Glass Darkly" is set in 18th century England and France. The main character, or heroine, is a young girl in love with an older, fatherly type gentleman. As is the case with most young , headstrong girls, the heroine's passions rule her actions and cloud her judgement. After marrying the man of her dreams, she learns the shocking and devestating truth about his character. Because I hold this book in such I high esteem, and because I would like you to enjoy it as heartily as I did, I will not divulge any more of the plot. I will say that there are more turns and twists in this novel, and the sequel "Now Face To Face," than the most harrowing and breathtaking of rollercoaster rides! As trite as it may sound, expect the unexpected in these books. The hero and heroine's are not nearly as pretty, the locales not nearly as exotic. Nevertheless, there is more substance to this book than any fluffy Harelequin. If you love history, and Koen loads her books with fascinating historical anecdotes and trivia, then you will love these books. However, if you are looking for the formulaic boy meets girl and lives happily ever after in fairyland, don't even consider these books. The characters are colorful, diabolical, interesting, and admirable...far from formulaic. Happy Reading. Let me know what you think.