VIOLETS IN THE SNOW
Isabelle Montgomery is a stand-up sort of Cinderella.  She does not allow her greedy stepmother or plain stepsisters to get the best of her.  Orphaned at a young age with only infrequent visits by an older brother, Isabelle is left to fend for herself.  She receives support from her guardian angel, Giselle.  Of course, no one else can see or hear Giselle but Isabelle.  Giselle offers not only companionship for the young girl, but she offers Isabelle hope by showing her a vision of her Dark Prince.  Isabelle dreams of the day that her Prince will arrive to take her away from her harping stepfamily. John Saint-Germain, Duke of Avon, reluctantly agrees to become temporary guardian of Lady Isabelle Montgomery at the request of her brother Miles.  Little does John realize that Isabelle neither desires nor needs his help in keeping things in order.  Their first meeting is explosive and the practical John is enchanted.  He develops an interest in his young ward, despite her propensity for talking aloud to herself.  But the way of love is never smooth and there are several people working to destroy John and Isabelle's developing romance. This was an awesome book!  No doubt about it, Patricia Grasso has a wonderful way of portraying her characters with humor and grace.  I loved how Ms. Grasso got her point across without being heavy handed and beating the reader over the head.  Her writing style is light and quick-paced, and holds the readers' attention without losing them.  If you enjoy a good laugh this book is worth getting, if only to read John's reaction every time he catches Isabelle talking with Giselle.  Life would be fabulous if everyone had a guardian angel like Giselle.   Violets in the Snow glistens with the brightness of the new fallen flakes being stuck by the dawns earliest rays! Ms. Grasso makes one feel as though they've been brushed by angel's wings! Ms. Grasso makes the heart smile! Gloria Lower  --Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times