Comments on: REVIEW: Ice by Linda Howard

By: library addict

library addict — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:03:48 +0000

I checked it out from the library, so I am not out any money. But I would like my time back.

LH stopped being an auto-buy for me many years ago. But I keep reading her books, thinking the next one will recapture the magic that made many of her late 80s/early 90s books and novellas so great. And I’d be lying if I said I won’t give Veil of Night a try. But if it’s in the same vein as her last several, I think I will be done. It’s sad, and has taken many years, but I have reached that point.

By: brooksse

brooksse — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:21:10 +0000

Linda Howard used to be on my auto-buy list, but I’ve been really disappointed in her recent books. I just can’t justify paying hardback price–even $9.99 for the ebook version–for a book I’ll probably read only once. I’d rather re-read one of her old books. I’d even pay the hardback price for the reissue of Diamond Bay before I’d pay full price for her new books.

And is it just me, or do and more of Linda Howard’s books seem to be based on gimmicks that result in thin plots? Winning the lottery; getting stuck in an ice storm. Even Mr. Perfect (the last book of hers I really enjoyed) seemed gimmicky to me. Based on one of those emails that everyone and their aunt forwards to you. The only reason I enjoyed Mr. Perfect was for the relationship between Sam and Jaine. Her newer books just don’t seem to have that spark between the main characters.

By: Laura Vivanco

Laura Vivanco — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:51:59 +0000

I couldn't get past the idea that the heroine was an ice lolly. I wondered why Linda Howard hadn't noticed that Lolly was a bit of a silly name for the heroine of a book called Ice, but it seems that in the US you probably call what I'd call an "ice lolly" a "popsicle."

By: Annmarie

Annmarie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:49:45 +0000

My copy is waiting at the post office. I really don’t have $12 right now to throw away. But. But. I have ALL of Linda Howard’s books even though they aren’t what I want them to be these days. *weeps*

Come to think of it, she does seem to be using man/woman against nature plus man/woman against completely unrealistic bad guys a LOT these days. I don’t like nature as a foe. It’s why I don’t read Jack London.

Come back Linda Howard! Come BAAAAACK!

By: neva

neva — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:01:52 +0000

I didn’t mind the book however I do wish I’d read this review before I forked out the money. I was pissed about how short this book was. Just reiterating the review but the first few chapters were great and I thought finally she’s back!! Then disappointment. I stay forever hopeful

By: Peggy P

Peggy P — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:58:46 +0000

OK, I was first on the list of the library for the audiobook download – it’s only about 5.5 hours so I knew it wasn’t much more than category length. It’s a DNF at this point… it’s so repetitive about the damn ice storm, you can’t get off the mountain…because of the ice storm and it’s cold… because of the ice storm and they are outside running…because of the ice storm. After 3 hours – I can’t take any more… of the ice storm! The meth addicts are both dead now, so what’s the point of going on with this story? The apparent danger is over except for the damn never ending ice storm and these two characters have no heat (pun intended) and barely can speak… because of the ice storm.

And by the way, I love me some Linda Howard – but not this mess.

By: DS

DS — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:49:39 +0000

Wasn’t Bluebird Christmas the Christmas give away from Harlequin the year it came out? I find that far more acceptable than the short holiday hardbacks that discount and warehouse stores are infested with. I think Mary Clark Higgins actually did this before Evanovich. Still no less annoying.

By: maddie

maddie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:18:06 +0000

@ Sarah

I’m always very wary of the holiday novels that come out this time of year.

LMAO because it’s so true !!!!

By: Throwmearope

Throwmearope — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:10:26 +0000

She also did Bluebird Christmas (I think that’s the name of the novelette) about a pediatrician stranded with a pregnant woman. He delivers the baby (N.B. I know a lot of pediatricians and they would probably faint if they had to deliver a baby) and then marries the mother.

But you naysayers can say all you like, I enjoy Linda Howard, she remains an autobuy for me. And I own every book she ever wrote.

As for meth heads, I’ve met quite a few in my day and their behavior always astonishes me.

Jane is harshing my mellow again.

By: jmc

jmc — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:58:07 +0000

@Ann Bruce: Thank you!

By: Janet W

Janet W — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:37:29 +0000

Thank goodness for the library. This keeps up, though, I won’t even read them from there. Seriously, why?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:18:33 +0000

I skimmed this in the store and left without purchasing. I think I made the right choice judging by the review. I’m always very wary of the holiday novels that come out this time of year.

By: Ann Bruce

Ann Bruce — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:17:10 +0000

@jmc: You're thinking of White Out. Woman living alone in mountain cabin, finds an unconscious man in a snow storm, somehow manages to drag him to safety, they have sex, he wakes up (yes, it happened in that order), and bad guy posing as the sheriff comes knocking.

By: Kalen Hughes

Kalen Hughes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:49:46 +0000

meth addict = the new zombie?

I too saw that crazy report on the meth kids who wandered around in the snow till they died, never really understanding that it was COLD and they were in serious TROUBLE (but that returning to their car would be a good start). Makes me doubt that anyone in like condition could plan anything remotely dangerous to a lucid adult.

By: maddie

maddie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:29:46 +0000

The Meth addicts seem impervious. Where Lolly is nearly hypothermic, Meth addict is able to plot, plan and carry out an effective threat to both Gabriel and Lolly’s lives.

You’ll be surprised what drug addicts will do when high, couple of years ago two kids high on meth left their car in a snow storm and froze to death at the time they were on the phone with 911 in a rural area, making weird statements to the operator.

_________________________________________________________________

OK about the book went to Borders on the 10th and picked it up, looked at it and put it back on the shelf, I just could not see myself paying $11.88 for a hard cover that thin.

I felt like I was being scammed, I want to know who came up with the brilliant ideal of doing this book in hardcover!!

I will be waiting next year for it in paper back

By: jmc

jmc — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:15:20 +0000

This plot sounds vaguely familiar. Didn’t Linda Howard write a storm/stranded Christmas story once before? Involving criminals or hostages of some sort?