I admit being moved to tears several times throughout this book. Karen Ranney has a talent for transforming a simple romance into an endearing love story.
I've read several romances that lay claim to a "scarred" hero but the extent of the scars may be nothing more than a limp or a single scar running along the side of the hero's face. I must admit that when I first read the full extent of Alex's scarring - I was shocked to the point of almost not reading the rest of the book. In my shallowness, I couldn't fathom how the heroine could possibly look past his numerous disfigurements to see the man beneath the "monster". That's when I discovered that "Tapestry" is more than a romance - it is a story about love - pure love. By the end of the book, I had fallen in love with Alex myself.

Why didn't I give it a 5 star rating? I tend to save this rating for books I would read again and again. Although this was a beautiful story illustrating the power and endurance of love - there were times when it was heartwrenching in its sorrow evoking very strong feelings of grief and loss that I care not visit again any time soon.

Romance, laughter, pain and loss - still love abounds in this masterpiece!!!

Loved this book! A beautiful story - just when I thought it would get trite and very predictable, the story changed. A must for romance readers.

Beautiful yet heart wrenching love story. Great characterizations and believable plot. There were many times that I couldn't put it down, but I couldn't go on yet I needed to know what happened next. An especially poignant scene had me tearing up but I was at work--it was very hard to put it down, but can't have the clients seeing me cry!

Since childhood Lady Laura Blake has loved one man, Alex, the Earl of Cardiffe. When no one could ease her fears, he would. But then he left to fight and her dreams almost died.

Suddenly Laura learns that Alex has returned to Hedden Hall, a mere shell of himself. It is rumored he wears a mask to hide his hideously scarred face and shield his embittered soul. Desperate to return some of the love he gave to her, Laura plots to save Alex from himself.

Disguised as a servant, she invades his home and heart. Alex does not recognize her, but he is tempted to take the love she offers. One night in his arms seals their fate, but with the morning come new problems.

Torn between his obligations, Alex leaves on a dangerous mission that threatens to destroy what they have just reclaimed. Once more Laura's love is tested. She finds the strength to fight against the treachery and betrayal that conspire against them.

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I think the story idea for TAPESTRY had great potential, however this is one of Ranney's earlier books - it was her first to be published but the second one she wrote - and it shows. In my opinion, she just wasn't as good a writer or storyteller as she has now become, because I have absolutely adored the more recent books of hers that I have read.

MAIN CHARACTERS, Alex and Laura:
*SPOILER STARTS* The hero was heartbreakingly wonderful and the heroine's despair when she thinks Alex is dead and then miscarries was poignantly written and extremely tragic. Pre-tragedy Laura was a little too sugar-sweet for me; at the beginning of the book when she undertakes the charade to get into his household, she seems to have real backbone and be very courageous, but once they marry, I found her somewhat boring. *SPOILER ENDS*

OTHER CHARACTERS:
The added character of the evil stepmother was unnecessary in my opinion - Alex suffered SO much before the story takes place and then Laura suffers even more during it, so I felt that there were enough obstacles and tragedies without adding in a cruel, promiscuous, unfeeling backstabbing ... witch. I loved Laura's uncles; Dolly, who is a late addition to the cast of characters, was a treat.

CRITICISM:
I actually (GASP - seriously, this is extremely rare/unheard of for me) found myself skimming through portions of the book in the middle; I can't really explain why, except for I was somewhat bored by the story and didn't really find it compelling anymore - there was nothing to really grab you and make you *need* to read what happens. *Extremely annoying* was Ranney's POV shifts - they were not at all done smoothly and went back and forth so much that I found myself very confused, feeling like I was watching a doubles tennis match with three balls in play.

BOTTOM LINE:
Unfortunately, although it did have some great parts - the beginning and the ending were very strong, compelling, and emotional - it just isn't really worth plodding through. Instead, read some of her more recent books that truly show her talent: TILL NEXT WE MEET is fantastic and AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS is highly enjoyable.

(http://historical-romance-heaven.blogspot.com)

Emotional roller coaster romance novel. Make sure to have some tissues handy, this book will make you tear up....

Delightful!! A real romance/love story. One that you don't want to put down and one you don't want to end.

Karen's books always have unique characters. This is a beauty and the beast with lots of nice twists and turns. A little meloncholy in the middle. Love it!

Their destinies were found by a shimmering thread of desire...

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