The Bronze Horseman is the best book I have read in a long time-possibly ever. The descriptions of war-torn Leningrad are chilling, bringing the actual privations of it's citizens into painfully sharp focus. Desperation drives them to behave in ways they could never have imagined, such as eating sawdust and gaining pitiful relief from the warmth gleaned from neighbours' burning homes. The story of Tatiana and Alexander's love is beautiful and heart-breaking. Their amorous adventures are wonderfully passionate and yet, just...normal! All the characters are so vividly portrayed that i'd recognise any one of them in the street, (and if I saw Alexander I wouldn't let him get away!). I read the book 3 times in seven weeks and got more from it each time. I shall be starting it again soon. It is just so compelling. The Bronze Horseman is one of those books that you force yourself to read more slowly towards the end because you just don't want it to finish. In fact, the only good thing about finishing it was that I no longer had the look of a slovenly, chronic insomniac, brought on by reading into the wee small hours and neglecting the housework! I'm now finding it difficult to type because I have my fingers crossed that there will be a sequel.

Upon finishing this amazing experience, I cried. I cried because there were no more words to read. I scrambled to find more pages and more words that would keep the story going and felt lost when I realised there were no more. The beautiful, yet terrifying life of a young girl, with such real descriptions of her suffering, her joys and experiences that lead her to being a woman. The book forced me to face a reality about war that I did not know existed, an horrific reality yet uplifting because it is seen through the eyes of such a powerful character. I await a sequel that will let me continue on the journey of the life of Tatiana. I only hope the sequal exists, or is in the making. I must read more books by Paullina yet would be suprised if any could match The Bronze Horseman. I have only found one other book in my lifetime that compares, and I am sure that book sold millions of copies worldwide. My advice to anyone would be to buy the book and savour it, savour every perfect word.

I have read all of Paulina Simons works and, believe me, this does not disappoint her fans, and I am sure that it will earn her a new legion of loyal readers!! I actually had a headache after reading "Eleven Hours" because I was so engrossed in the action and fast moving, exciting plot line. When I finished "The Bronze Horseman" I was stunned with the power of this love story. Shura and Tatia's story stayed with me for days during and after the reading of the book--I could not wait to pick it up and become entangled in the web of their fictional lives. The reach of Simons writing was such that they actually became real life flesh and blood beings for a time in my imagination, and I feel that is the mark of a true writer. Congratulations, Ms. Simons, on the best book that I have read in a long time, and I am an avid reader. Can't wait for your next one!!

I bought this book about a month ago and read it in two days flat. The story of Tully haunts you and makes you think of the decisions in life we all have to make. It made me think of 'The Wizard of Oz' - after dreaming constantly of ways to escape her life she discovers that the way to salvation is within her not by moving to California and starting again with Jennifer. She could not change her life because wherever she went she would still be the same person. She had to stay and face the demons. In the end salvation came through her children and her deep love for them and the constancy of Robin's love. It was only when his love for her was threatened by her behaviour that she realised who she was and what she could be. Her relationship with Jack was almost an attempt to become Jennifer because she did not believe herself worthy of love. Along the way she realised that she was indeed Tully and could never be Jennifer. In the end she chose to be herself and she chose life over death and she chose to fill that black hole which is somewhere in all of us.

Every once in a while a book comes along which has a profound impact on your life, how you view the world around you, and the quality of your relationships. Tully was this book for me. I have read this novel three times and I am sure that not much time will go by before I read it again. My heart breaks in new places each time I read Tully and I turn each page with hesitation, wonder, and admiration for the characters Simons manages to make you fall in love with. I can't rave enough about Paulina Simons first piece of literature. It is simply magical.

Tully is a fantastic, brilliant character who contains a little bit of every emotion possible. Because Tully is such an amazing and intricate character, it is easy to draw parallels between yourself and 'Makker'. Because of Tully's forgotten childhood she is constantly being torn between right and wrong. In 'Tully', Simons illustrates just how many life altering decisions a person can make. She weaves a rich tale of the destruction, hatred, and ultimate happiness that love and fate can bring. Simons shows off an extremely impressive writing style that shows how capable she is of describing emotion, by no means a small feat. This book explores true suffering whilst wringing your emotions for every last drop of water they may hold. Within 'Tully', everyone will find a little piece of heaven. Miss Simons...I applaud you. "Here lies a tear from which the glass has cut my heart out and yet i see no blood. I see a tear,disguised as a rain drop which has appeared from the mist of nothing, it cannot be from heaven or hell for they do not recognize me there." - HPCD. Inspired by 'Tully'.

I received this book as a gift, i had never heard of the author and i admit, i probably would not have bought it myself, had i picked it up in the bookshop and read the synopsis on the back cover. I found it to be very irritating to begin with, giving alot of unnecessary attention to redundant detail, i didn't enjoy the style of writing at all. But as i got into it (it took me a week to finish it) i did warm to Kristina and the story behind it and was eager to read on to findout what happens. However I found the ending to be bitterly disappointing. I thought the developments in the characters occurred too late to make it credible and only served to make the writer look like she was rushing to finish the story.

If you've read Tully and like it,then you'll definitely cherish this lovely book by Paullina Simons. I like the way she gets her readers so emotionally involved with the characters. These youngsters in Red Leaves, Kristina, Constance, Albert and Jim felt like my family, or they could have been my children for that matter. I felt especially close to Kristina, the main character as I felt her pain and her cold lonliness. With a cleverly crafted detective storyline, it has the capacity to keep you up all night long until you've turned the last page. After you've turned that last page, you can't get those characters out of your head. If you haven't bought it yet........get it.......it's worth every penny. Thanks Ms Simons

I loved: "Tully". Red Leaves is an unbelievably great book. Ms. Simon's characters are taken from life. This particular novel is set at college, about four friends and the choices they make. The novel is shocking, sad and achingly funny. Headlines ripped from today's real world.

A pregnant woman (actually, a VERY pregnant woman, just a couple of weeks away from giving birth). A psycho kidnapper. A frantic husband. A black, competent & cool cop. Helicopters. Stolen cars. A climactic scene in the end (I won't specifically mention what happens but it's easy to guess from about page one).

Remind you of anything? Yes, you guessed it. "Eleven hours" reads exactly like a screenplay, & a very predictable & boring one, too. I'm not saying it's not a suspenseful, quick read. It is, if you happen to be one of those people that haven't seen this kind of thriller in the movies (a thousand times, too) & thus if you're likely to be surprised by any of it. I wonder what Paullina Simons was thinking. I remember reading somewhere that this book was written quickly. Well, I'm not surprised: if it was indeed written quickly, it's equally quickly read & even more quickly forgotten. She probably was hoping "Eleven Hours" might be turned into a movie, & I wonder if it has or if it will...

If I sound bitter, it's simply because "Tully" has been one of my favourite books for many years, I've read it & reread it & always felt it is an extremely well written & very emotional book, with strong characters. I also quite liked "Red Leaves". So this third book was a big disappointment from an author I've grown to like & admire. Comparing "Tully" to "Eleven hours" is like comparing a good, elaborate, lovingly made home-cooked meal to a quick, greasy, unhealthy hamburger. Both serve their own purpose I guess, but there really is no comparison.

As with many of the other reviewers, I found this book a good, quick read. The fast pace and roller coaster style managed to cover some of it's flaws very well.

Once I had scratch the surface though I found the character's a little thin and lacking dimension. This I could forgive. However the major disappointment for me was the repetitive reference's to "god". This left a bad taste in my mouth to say the least. I was left with a real sense that the author had an ulterior motive when writing the novel.

I don't mind an academic "discussion" relating to religion, in fact this is an essential element in establishing a character, however if I wanted to be converted I would have read the Bible.

This book is awesome read it , it took me 3 hours to read it,it was excellent.