Header PromotionZoe by T.A. Ford
From the moment I saw the cover for Zoe by T.A. Ford, I was entranced.
The rich pastel textures reminded me of sweet confections reminiscent
of beautiful previous century tapestries. The fact that a beautiful
girl with smooth coffee skin instead of the usual porcelain complexion
graced the cover made me sit up and take notice along with the laced
title.
I don't usually read historical romances, mainly because
the heroines were of the run of the mill same variety without much
difference between them. Thus I couldn't find much interest. I did read
historical fiction, like the Feast of July & Legends of the Fall,
and many movies that took placed in the previous century that were
adapted from books still grace my shelves to this day.
However Zoe has helped introduced me to a new love in a genre I hope to find more of in the coming days: IR Historical Romance.
And yet it's so much more than that.
From
the moment we're introduced to Zoe, her sister Marianne and her
stepmother Madame we enter a world of rare privilege and high society.
Where women's futures are defined by the men they marry. Marianne is
set to ride this path as she is to meet with the Count Julien La Roque
de Toulouse as they enter his home. But once the Count sees Zoe, he is
entranced by her and sets to make her his.
Most of the synopsis is in the back of the book so I won't recount it. I'll share my thoughts on the book instead.
In
a word, this book is magnificent. A richly described novel that takes
you into the depths of the character's turmoils, loves, frustrations
and fights as they interact in early 19th century Toulouse, France.
Author T.A. Ford takes you on a journey of the self discovery of her
title character as she leaves childhood behind and enters womanhood.
There were so many beautiful descriptions and wonderful quotes. One in
particular stands out:
She reached down and pulled up the covers. She
understood now that being a woman was not losing her virginity.
Being a woman meant understanding her heart.
Zoe
is definitely a strong independent female character forced to grow up
wiser than her years due to the inhumanity she grew up around as a
child and that she was reminded of by her stepmother everyday. Even
through all the atrocities she faces and as she fears the loss of her
family and her loves heart, you can't help but love her and keep
cheering her on as she struggles to survive a cruel world.
Count
LaRoque is a complex romance hero that defies mere terms like that of
alpha and beta. He lives and breathes right off the pages as he goes
from cold hearted womanizer to lovelorn hero within the pages. Once his
past is revealed, it all becomes clear.
Author T.A. Ford said
this book is part factual and part fantasy and I can see where some
liberties may have been taken. But overall the book feels like it could
have taken place in a very real time not too long ago. The descriptions
of the scenery as well the character's dresses and actions made it seem
like a period movie played out in my head as I read. I wished all the
more that my dreams for directing had already come to light as this
would definitely be a story I would be more than eager to adapt for the
visual medium of storytelling (with the author's consent and guidance
of course ;-) ).
I can't say enough about Zoe and I can't
remember when a book last had me cheering out loud one minute, crying
the next, and yelling in surprise the next minute after that. I started
reading the book late last night with only the idea of reading one
chapter and ended up reading until the sun started rising outside my
window. Tonight I finished the second half of the book and haven't
remember plowing through a good book in that short amount of time since
I was thirteen reading Jurassic Park in three days.
This book
has definitely made it to my keeper shelf and I can't wait to reread it
again later. The book may seem rather costly but do not let that sway
you. It is an amazing, entertain and beautiful read that you should
definitely check out.
Zoe has earned it's way as number 1 on my
best reads of 2008 list and I can't wait to see what else T.A. Ford has
in store for her readers. I hope IR Historical Romances start popping
up like Zoe, because if they do, I'll definitely be eating them up like
hot cakes!
A highly recommended read.
Everyone needs a lil romance & adventure in their lives. ;-)
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