As an aspiring historical romance writer, I found this guide to be: short, sweet & to the point. It's short in comparison to other "guides" out there. The characterization and and Language & Dialogue chapters were particularly insightful.

Come on - How could life get worse? I kept thinking poor Hazel's life could only get better. All would be well in the end ... but no. The abyss she dropped into got worse and worse. Even her love for Black John was a source of nothing but sadness and degradation. It ended like "Gone with the Wind," -- Black John's daughter vowing revenge. The book was so well written, earthy and well paced that I was sorry I could not find any joy in reading it. I don't mind some horrible scenes and sadness (it was 1546) but I wanted to scream at no bit of happiness or hope. If you like feeling down and depressed, this is the one for you. I had to immediately read a regency novel to gain my needed happy ending. -- Reading is entertainment - if I want depressing stories, I can always read the newspaper.

When I first saw this book, I knew that I wanted it.The cover was enough to entice me in. I really enjoyed the main characters, poor little Hazel, and Black John. Hazel's story was sad and Black John's wasn't by any means wonderful.While reading it certain lines and conversations made me think this love story just cannot end right.So I skipped to the back of the book, and my heart was broken, I actually was sick for months. I can't say I would tell anyone else to read it, because the ending is hard to live with. It is a well written book and without the ending, I truly would have loved it. As it is, I just keep it put up and won't let anyone else read it. (Mary)