by Barbara Berot
Paperback- $18.09
When Europa Rode the Bull is an erotic tale of betrayal and loss that spans two decades and traverses two continents. It is a suspenseful, ...
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I enjoyed reading about Annie and all her adventures. The book kept me interested and I thought it made a good group discussion.
Although a lengthy tale of our main character, Annie, we explore a past which shaped her present and her need to relive, revisit and recall her life thus far, taking us into her present and the motivations to her future. Become acquainted with characters of Annie's past and present and become part of her quest for answers, recollections or maybe more questions. Full of life events that become pathways, the adventure will lead you to recall your own journey to adulthood and the cast of characters you meet along the way, shaping your choices and challenging your hopes and dreams.
This engaging first novel is the story of unfulfilled love and is the perfect book to curl up in a comfy chair with a glass of wine and lose yourself in. This is a real page turner and you'd better expect to pull an all-nighter because you won't be able to put it down. It captivates you from chapter one until the end, and I must warn you that this is only the first installment of a trilogy. Barbara has done a brilliant job of portraying St. Andrews and the Scottish highlands, and you feel you are right there with her. We were lucky enough to have the author, Barbara Berot, whom I met at one of her book signings, come to our book club meeting and I think all of our fellow bookies will agree that it was the most lively and exciting meeting we've ever had. We are all anxiously awaiting the second book in the trilogy so we can find out what happens to Annie and Andrew, and you will be, too!
This book started out in a suprising way and continued to unfold and turn to places I did not expect. This made it a very enjoyable read. Our book club actually discussed this book twice! The second time we were lucky enough to talk about it with the author! We had a Scottish dinner of Shepard's Pie and Scotch for our theme dinner and I'd love to visit Scotland now.
We all had our opinions on why the book took a particular direction and what meaning it had. One thing we all agreed on was that we want to read the next book and see where Annie d'Inard goes and what she does. I would highly recommend this book for those readers who enjoy a rich story with interesting characters and not the typical story line. ENJOY!!
I met the author, Barbara Berot at B&N where she autographed her book Saturday, Sept. 24. I started to read it over the weekend -nearly 700 pages, and I did NOT want to put it down!!! It's a romance, graphically explicit, with well drawn characters. Romantic and sexual complexities abound amongst a number of college age kids growing up in the 70s who face tragedies of unrequited love, tragic accidents that separate families and lovers, intrigue, secrecy that tears lovers apart, and woven through it, a lyrical love expressed for Scotland, St. Andrews in particular. You'll want to go to Scotland after reading this book, and Barbara has a sequel ready to come out! I can't wait for it to be published, as it follows the story of Annie D'Inard and her complicated life. One of the best romantic, historic novels I have read in a long time.
I read very little fiction because I haven't found an author who writes literate, mature page-turners anymore unless they're filled with name dropping shopping divas who wear Prada, and dine at the restaurant du jour. Barbara gets to the heart of love, loss, depression, warmth, fun, character and a darned good read!!
Europa is such a wonderful historical romance that takes you on an emotional and intoxicating ride. We have 10 people in our club and we unanimously agreed that this is our favorite read of the year! The book has it all, love, betrayal, euphoria,tragedy, sacrifice, honor, guilt and above all beautifully complex and flawed characters. Our group discussion was truly amazing and took us to a new level of intimacy. This is a book that stays with you and leaves you wanting more. It is hard to believe this is Berot's first work. This is a must read for any book club!!!
Great book. A page turning, interesting story over a 20 year + history. The characters were all very interesting. For a 600+ page book, it was a FAST read. Very hard to put the book down. Detailed descriptions without theh fluff. Great trasitions throughout. Definitely on the mark with the time-periods. Acurate descriotons of what it was like to be in LOVE at 20 and beyond. The begiinging of the book grabs youand you instinctively hold on until the end.............
The beauty of Scotland, the complexity of characters, both past and present -- truly an engrossing story told in a can't-put-it-down style. Barbara makes you care about them all and wish you were there. I kept telling people about this book!
I have visited Scotland many times, including St. Andrews, and Barbara Berot does a great job of capturing the essence which serves as a platform for the intense feelings of the characters. Everyone in our book club liked the book, a rarity! Its surprising twists and emotions caused you to keep on reading and wondering....
Anyone who has traveled Europe as a young adult can relate to Annie's escapades - including the steamy ones! There was much to discuss. This is a nust-read.
I am not a book club member but this was the most brilliantly written love story I have read in a long time.
It shows wonderful characters, adventure and so many significant meanings portrayed throughout this book.
I believe Opra Needs to include this in her book club!
This book was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed the adventures of Annie through Scotland and Europe. But most of all, I relished sharing the emotional struggles of Annie from her youth well into her marriage and through her return to Scotland. The emotions are so strong and well described, I could feel her tears. The love scenes are juicy and at the same time terrifying as Annie submits to lovemaking she sometimes needs but does not want. Or wants and cannot get. Will she be able to consummate her love affair with Andrew? I cannot wait for the sequel. Will it be available soon?
Thank you for this journey into the heart and mind of Annied"Inard.
I really disliked this book from the first chapter - couldn't like the main character Annie at all since she was cheating on her husband. Later events made me understand why, up to a point, but not enough to ever make me sympathize with Annie. And what else could happen to her and her family? Plus the writing, and punctuation, just didn't seem to make the story flow. Was there a semi colon anywhere in the whole book? Or ellipses? (Sorry, that's just the English minor coming out!) The whole story could have been at least cut in third and been enough. Plus, there's going to be TWO more books, not just a sequel??? Annie and Andrew, get over yourselves!
I could not put this book down. Loved her writing, so easy to read. My mind did not start thinking of something else, she never bored me. Plus, she made me forget whatever I had to feel sad about in my own life. My husband has Parkinson, and I need a book that does that for me. I hope she writes forever. I will buy them all. I have bought several of both her books to give to friends, and they felt the same as I. Can't wait for the one she is writing now. I give it 5 stars!!!!!!!
I was loaned this book for a trip I was taking out west. I couldnt' put the book down. I became enveloped in a fantasy world wishing I was Annie D'Inard; the good parts only. If you haven't bought the sequel, do it today. It was great yet it too will leave you hanging. Can't wait for the next one.
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