Untie My Heart

Perfect, heartwrenching, exquisite...All of these words could be used to describe "Untie My Heart", but truly - None of them are enough. This book simply blew me away. Stuart Aysgarth, a stranger to his country - England, has through the death of his father become the new Viscount Mount Villiars. While en route to his newly inherited home, he unknowingly offends Miss Emma Hotchkiss. Emma Hotchkiss is not one to take offense lightly. However,when she comes to Stuart, demanding justice for the wrong he has done her, Stuart learns that this is no ordinary woman...Emma has a colorful past and some surprising talents that Stuart realizes could be quite useful to him. After some inventive persuasion, Emma reluctantly agrees to help Stuart with a personal problem he has been struggling with and the two of them cook up a clever scheme of revenge that forces them together and ends in the sweetest way possible. "Untie My Heart" is without a doubt one of the most entertaining books I have ever gotten my hands on. I was hooked from page one. Stuart - ooooooohhhh Stuart. The man was to die for with is funny little ways and his beautiful-sad eyes. He was so taken with Emma. And the things he said to her! O-M-G. And Emma. She was hysterical. She was such a strong character. I adored her. I havent loved a couple as much as I loved Stuart and Emma in forever. Judith Ivory..My God, can the woman ever write. The first kiss that Stuart and Emma shared was so wildly erotic I almost died right then and there. Truly - RUN out and get this book. There is not one thing I can find to complain about except that I wanted more more more...oh and wow...the ending... A DEFINITE Keeper. Read it.

Judith Ivory, is by far one of my best discoveries of 2002. My first book purchase of 2003 was "Untie My Heart" and as per usual Ms. Ivory weaves the type of unusual romantic tale that is both humorous and passionate, sweet and enthrallingly erotic. Once again, her skill at creating unique characters (that are entirely different from those in her previous books) who are intriguingly flawed and still completely likeable make her books a joy to read. "Untie My Heart" is a great deal of fun from beginning to end where the accidental killing of a sheep sets off a string of events that kept me grinning from ear to ear. Likewise, the somewhat nefarious history of the female lead, Emma, adds a twist that I'm sure many readers will greatly enjoy. My review would not be complete if I failed to mention that Ms. Ivory has once again created a male character to make one's heart beat double time. Dashing, uninhibited, powerful and simultenously vulnerable at the same time, Stuart has you imagining all the fun and pleasures of nudity! Ms. Ivory writes the prose of romance between these two, quirky yet charming characters, in a fashion that convinces you that you're watching her prose play out on the big screen. Her execution of romantic love scenes will leave one absolutely breathless, and her talent for writing a character's thoughts puts the scene directly in the reader's mind. With such exceptional talent at her disposal, Ms. Ivory had me riding the same emotional wave that swept up the characters. She does this with such ease it's impossible not to notice the quality of her writing is not that which is typically found in the Romance section of your local book store. I enthusiastically look forward to her next- sure to be fantastic- novel.

I'm only writing this because someone gave this three stars and it would be a shame to miss this book because it didn't get universal rave reviews. It is one of Judith Ivory's finest books, and all of them (including the ones she wrote under Judy Cuervas) are exceptional in the writing, the characters, the desciptions and details. She is a master story-teller and this book is hard to put down and hard to forget. Go with it. Go with the Chair Incident. Enjoy it. The characters are charming, interesting, complex and delightful.

I cannot believe that anyone would not like this book. I guess it just illustrates the fact that everyone has their own unique tastes. For instance, many rave about the Christine Feehan books and I find them to be poorly written and overly melodramatic."Untie My Heart" is an unspectacular title, I'll give you that, but there is substance to this book and as soon as I cracked it open I dove deep into these characters, their chemistry, and the wonderful texture of the writing.These are NOT typical romance characters and for that very reason this novel is stand-out. It reminds me of Black Silk, originally published under Judith's pseudonym.If you're the sort of person who enjoys romance but grows weary of the routine genre romance, this book will be refreshing delight.The sexual tensions are electric and to the snapping-point. The characters are well-drawn and interesting. There is also a wonderful dash of zany humor spicing up the sizzling sexual undertones in many of the scenes.This book, in short, is so hot I heartily recommend it with no reservations.I'm just sorry that others don't feel the same as I do.Please give us more like this one, Judith!

Ivory continues to write beautifully crafted stories with unusual, complicated characters and believable love stories. She manages to create unique stories in a genre that thrives on formula and hackneyed story lines; the imperfections of her characters (both in body and in character--a refreshing change from overwrought femme fatales with 18-inch waists and bounteous, heaving bosoms!) make them more real and endearing to the reader. She even manages to make the developing relationship between Emma and Stuart believable, despite the signficant class/social differences. A few criticisms, however: I have to agree that Leonard was too one-sided (too greedy, too lecherous and too gullible) to be believable. It was hard to believe that anyone would fall for such a half-baked scheme--especially someone that is as bright as Leonard purportedly is--and then flee overseas when told to go. I guess I prefer my "villains" with some redeeming qualities. Still, overall, a very satisfying read that I was sorry to see end. I can't wait for her next effort!