The Savage Heart

This is one of the novels that hooked me on Diana Palmer. Her voice in this novel more closely resembles her writing voice as Susan Kyle. Unfortunately,Diana Palmer (a.k.a.) Susan Kyle seems to have two types of heroines: the virgin-martyr, wall-flower/door-mat/bloodless/I-don't-wear- white-before-Easter-or-after-Labor Day-primness, and the 100% red-blooded, all-woman,gutsy, sensual, independent, intelligent, you-and-whose-army type of woman. I guess you can tell which one I prefer. As a reader, Tess, represents one of Palmer's best heroines, just as Matt represents one of her best alpha heroes. The heroines in Magnolia, Cattleman's Choice, and her Susan Kyle novels know who they are and have self-respect. They truly help their alpha male lovers evolve into better people. Too many of Palmer's heroines take too much from their heroes. Also, being an alpha male does not equate being cruel. Palmer steps over the line too often, and her heroes say and do unforgivable things to the heroine. When a hero knowingly and repeatedly strikes at the heroine's weaknesses, it makes me sad to see them get together at the end-- sort of like seeing your best friend or sister marry a real, toxic jerk. Plot-wise, romantic novels are odd in that the heroine's antagonist often is this larger-than-life alpha male hero (dragon with a belly full of fire) that has to be slayed or civilized by the romantic heroine. Over and over again Beauty has to humanize the Beast. Unfortunately, Palmer's novels in the last ten years have falled to show heroes with truly redeeming qualities. As a long-time fan, I urge Palmer/Kyle to re-read her earlier novels and find that magical voice again.

This is by far the best book that Diana has ever written. I have read it many times and will read it many many more times.

I know this sounds cliched, but it is truly the most moving, beautiful, emotional and breathtaking book I have read. I picked the book out simply because I liked the cover, and when I started reading, I couldn't put it down. What I love is the story of the interracial marriage. How two people from two worlds could come together as one. Simply beautiful.

I could not put this book down for anything. It was funny how Diana Palmer made her characters act and behave. The twist in plots kept me interested until the end. I loved this book.