Bliss [Paperback]

To the reviewer who mentioned that Judith Ivory used to write as Judy Cuevas, thank you, whoever you were. I devoured every Judith Ivory book i could find after the delicious "Untie My Heart," and was delighted to learn there were a few more under the Cuevas name. I've begun to suspect that "Untie My Heart" was my first but her last. I hope not. Anybody know?

I had forgotten what an original she is. If I hadn't been familiar with her work, the character of Nardi would have turned me off at the beginning. I knew she'd turn him into a man worth falling in love with, and that she'd make me laugh and cry along the way. (When pain like Nardi's is written this believably, humor is essential for me. There are writers whose characters suffer quite well, but I can't read them because the anguish is unrelieved until the final pages.)

As much as I loved Nardi, I was most impressed with the unexpected reality of Hannah, a good girl whose bad reputation was earned. The sense of shame that might drive a girl to give her body away and regret is not unique in period romance, but what's most surprising about Hannah is that the author offers no artificial excuse for Hannah's remembered sexual encounter with someone she didn't love - and who happened to be the best friend of a young man who loved her. She used one man to break off with another. Not because she was misled or seduced, but because she feared her weakness for material things. She didn't trust herself to resist marrying for such a shallow reason, so she created an intolerable situation and the boy's family reacted as she knew they would.

Now she's living on optimism as the paid traveling companion to a woman who would, in the hands of most writers, have been a despicable old dragon and nothing more. That's the best thing about Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory: even her secondary characters have layers. If one appears to be a cookie-cutter "type" when first introduced, get ready for a subtle and entirely believable peeling away of layers to reveal the depth and complexity that makes us all human, for better or worse.

The most startling such person waits to be discovered and awakened by Hannah in a charming reversal of roles: it's the prince who's been cursed and banished like Sleeping Beauty. Nardi is the childhood nickname of Bernardo, who at thirty-something has still not been allowed to outgrow the childhood nickname. He's a former art prodigy whose career went down in flames. His family blame Nardi for failing to fulfill their investment in his career, a fact that seems to concern them more than his opium addiction and his untidy habit of vomiting into pianos at dinner parties. To make amends, Nardi has agreed to a marriage of convenience that will restore the family fortune - provided he can be kept prisoner until he's sober enough to walk down the aisle without embarrassing the bride's family.

Believe it or not, this is the premise of a richly sensual, wholly satisfying historical romance. Trust Judy Cuevas to deliver all the elements: the wise but tormented hero; the servant girl whose presence in his life could bring ruin to an aristocratic family; the ruthless meddler. The traditional characters emerge from unexpected sources, like butterflies from pieces of fluff. The result is a mesmerizing, grown-up fairytale.

I couldn't believe I was paying $31 for a paperback romance novel. I'll be happy to pay as much for "Dance," the companion novel.

Bold, brave and charmingly naive, Hannah Van Evan longed for nothing more than to leave her old life behind and run away to Paris. She finds her chance in the form of Madame Amelia Besom. A grumpy, yet kind old woman, Mrs Besom needs a secretary/companion to accompany her to an old French chateau. There, the two women would work to recover any valuable art that could be sold at auction.

Nardi de Saint Valliers life was a mess - it was no longer his own. A recovering ether-drinker, Nardi is under lock and key in an old cottage on the grounds of the family chateau. Here, he is watched by his older brother - Much depends on Nardis recovery. Too numb to stand up and fight for himself and his freedom, Nardi willingly(though broodingly)gives in to his familys manipulations....until the unexpected arrival of Hannah. When she comes into his life, Nardi is shocked and pleased to discover that she has brought feeling back to him...and once Nardi accepts Hannahs love and offers his in return, he is unwilling to give her up for anyone or anything - not even his own disapproving family.

"Bliss" written under the name of Judy Cuevas is yet another winner by Judith Ivory. Again and again, I pick up one of her books thinking SURELY this one cant possibly be as good as the one before it and again and again, I find myself absolutley glued to the story.

Nardi was sooo charming...Hannah was so bubbly. Yet,they were both imperfect. This is something that I love about Ivorys characters. They are never cardboard cut-outs. There are always things to make you uneasy, to make you dislike them even as you love them. These flaws make them seem SO REAL. I mean, who is perfect??

My main complaint with "Bliss" was how quickly everything was wrapped up at its ending. I knocked off half a star because I wanted more...still, this is without a doubt one more keeper written by an author that I can for sure call my favorite - Judith Ivory.

Okay, I admit it..... Sometimes I'm a little slow. I had NO IDEA that Judy Cuevas is also Judith Ivory. Ms. Ivory is one of my all time favorite authors. I have read all her books and treasured each and every one. Now I understand my fascination with the Cuevas novels.

Bliss is the first novel I read under her pseudonym. Wow!! what a great book. I wasn't sure if I would like the innocent heroine saving a "tortured soul" and falling helplessly in love at the same time. WRONG!!!

The story about a mistakenly tarnished American beauty who secures a job with an elderly lady who is in the auction and fine art appraisal business. They travel together to France to appraise and auction antique pieces from a family owned chateaux. The chateaux is in need of many repairs. The money gained will be used toward restoration. There the heroine, Hannah, meets a somber and tortured Frenchman, Nardi, who is "imprisoned in a detached cottage (by his family) while he detoxes from an Ether addiction. He is an intense, handsome young artist who became self destructive from professional rejection, self esteem problems, and family dysfunction. Hannah, impossibly naive befriends Nardi and ultimately helps him "heal".

Ms. Cuevas/Ivory writes poignentely. The characters, although flawed are complex,likeable, and compelling. Hannah's determination, loyalty, and indomitable spirit casts a ray of light upon the darkness of Nardi's soul- and ignites an all consuming passion between the two. Nardi's recovery and healing helps Hannah understand and come to terms with her own past issues. The story is uplifting and speaks to the power of love, renewel, and growth.

Don't miss this book!! Why,is it not in print??