Waltzing in Ragtime

Like most of us, my TBR (to be read) pile is high enough that it's starting to tumble, and so it's rare for me to reread a book. But Waltzing in Ragtime is a rare book and well worth reading a second or even a third time.I became hooked on Eileen Charbonneau's books with her YA trilogy and was delighted when she moved to adult fiction. Her stories are not for everyone. If you prefer simple characters, predictable plots and ordinary prose, don't expect to like Charbonneau's books. But if you enjoy rich prose and plots that take unexpected turns along with characters who are not easily categorized, then Waltzing in Ragtime as well as The Randolph Legacy and Rachel LeMoyne are for you.

Although some of the criticism of this book is right on, there is also something about this book that transcends historical and transcends romance. The hero reminded me of the hero of Cold Mountain. I fell in love with him and his appreciation of women. The book wasn't terribly strong on history, but if you aren't familiar with this time and place, it works just fine. I liked the somewhat magical realism of the writing and am very glad I read it. Usually I go right on to the next book, but I'm rereading parts of this one first. I don't want to leave and I wish I had read more slowly.

Eileen Charbonneau provides a fabulous, pithy read with WALTZING. She writes with a poetic, sensitive, compassionate hand. In this and in her other books, including her YA novels, her characters are finely drawn, deeply emotional, and often spiritual and kind. These are people you will wish you knew, wish you had in your own life. What runs through Charbonneau's work like a golden vein is her remarkable ability to convey a sense of love in and through her characters, providing warmth enough to wrap around the reader, too. Cosy up with WALTZING. You will be glad you did. Then rush out and look for RANDOLPH LEGACY and her new one, RACHEL LEMOYNE.

Mathew Hart is a wonderfully non-stereotypical hero, and his relationships with his mother and daughter are as compelling as his relationship with Olana. The story is fresh and the time and events obviously thoroughly researched. A winner for anyone who likes to curl up and get lost in a good, rewarding read