The Sound of Snow

The Sound of Snow is the first book I have read by Katherine Kingsley. It was a very intriguing story with sound likable characters. I usually savor the better books - not wanting a great story to end. However, I read it in record time and now eagerly look forward to reading more of Kingsley's books.Guy de Salis, Marquess of Greaves, the hero, appears in the beginning of the book as an authoritative man with few emotions. He is dictatorial, curt and hurting behind a facade he has constructed to conceal the many disillusionments he has experienced in his life. Guy has not given much of his attention to his five-year-old son, Miles, and it seems as if he doesn't care much for him. But fortunately, that is not the case. Regrettably, Guy and his deceased wife, Lydia, had not had a good marriage in the least. Lydia had used Miles as an emotional crutch and a weapon against Guy. Now that she is gone, he knows he really loves his son but just doesn't know how to reach out to him. Since his mother's death a year previously, Guy had unknowingly given his son's care over to a woman who abuses him emotionally, physically and mentally. Miles has withdrawn into a shell and doesn't speak or respond to another.Joanna di Capponi had fled England at the age of twenty-one after a scandal erupted when a gentleman tried to trap her into marriage. She emphatically refused to accept a forced marriage to a man who had been found with her partially dressed in her bed. He had come to her room while she was sleeping and intended to compromise her and marry her. When her aunt and uncle insisted Joanna marry the man and she refused, they disowned her. Joanna had no choice but to move to her grandmother's small estate in Italy. Now, six years later, she was returning to England. Her dear cousin, Lydia, had written her over the years telling her about her awful marriage to Guy de Salis. She asked that Joanna come rescue her son Miles from his father if anything should happen to her. Now Lydia was dead and Joanna was in England at Wakefield, the country home of the Marquess of Greaves.Guy responds to Joanna's visit with little graciousness. Soon Joanna finds herself very confused and hurt as Guy informs her of the many awful stories about Joanna that Lydia has relayed to him. Although Guy realizes he is hurting Joanna, he believes he must let her know that Lydia was not the faithful, loving cousin Joanna believed her to be. In turn, Joanna now questions if Lydia had told her the truth about her husband's supposed awful behavior. Although offended at Joanna's silent accusations and verbal questioning of his care of Miles, Guy finally decides to allow her to stay with his son in the position of governess.Joanna is a woman with a pure heart who knows how to love selflessly and give joy to those around her - not only Miles but the household staff as well. After working with Miles for a couple of months, Joanna gradually begins to see Miles evolve, once agai

Chapter 1 is not the most spellbinding chapter, but it is needed background information. From page 25 on this is a book it is truly hard to put down -- you find yourself reading "just one more chapter" late into the night. This is the first book I've read by this author, but I will definitely read anything else she has written!

With each book I read of Katherine Kingsley I become a bigger fan. This book was no exception. It is so nice to read a story where the characters react to a difficult situation the same as your instincts dictate. This book was full of fun, laughs and a few cries, all in all very well worth the time.

I read all of Katherine Kingsley's books and this one did not dissappoint! I couldn't put the book down and finished it that night. Ms Kingsley puts a lot of focus on making sure her characters are original and Guy and Joanna are that. The story is fantastic and you get involved right away. Her sub charcters are also crucial to the story especially Miles (Milo), Guy's 5 year old son. The book has the crucial romance criteria which to me is both laughter and tears. A definite must have!!!