I had a very rose-tinted opinion of this novel because it was one of the first 'Adult' novels that I read as I emerged from the warm bosom of 'Young Adult' books many moons ago. To me, this novel was complex and adventurous and full of adult themes that my previous back-catalogue would not have even attempted to capture on the pages of a novel. The characters were plucky and they cursed and even ... kissed! My oh my! I wanted to have a good read and revisited this novel because I knew that it would give me that. I knew...didn't I??Oh foolish young me, if only I could go back and teach myself a lesson. Sure this was probably a good afternoon read for most people, with some funny banter throughout and some, well some... well I struggle to complete the sentence but I'm sure it was enjoyable.I felt that there were too many issues both with the characters and the main plot which just ruined the novel as a whole for me.I didn't feel as though we were given clear images of the characters both physically and personality wise. Physically then, we know that Fiona looks like a young Ava Gardner when she tries, and that was okay. But did we ever get a clear image of Ace beyond shallow observations about where Fiona rated him on the 'hottie' scale? Unfortuntaly this led my brain to take license and I ended up picturing him as Michael Douglas in 'Romancing the Stone'. Too 1980's for my liking, and far too cheesy. I knew at the start of the novel that Ace and Fiona were learning about each other, and hoped that throughout the novel we would begin to learn about them as the reader, but I actually never felt like this happened. (view spoiler)[ Sure, we learn that Ace didn't want his family's money, but WHY? Why did he feel the need to do his own thing... And sure, Fiona had a lonley childhood, so she made Kimberley to replace her father, but considering it was her entire life, she gave it up with just a few tears and a hug from Ace. I wanted to know how deeply Kimberley was a part of her and what it really felt to lose her in an instant... every description or detail about their past was purely for plot sake, and I just felt that it gave the characters a very fake, shallow and undeveloped feel. (hide spoiler)]
I like Jude Deveraux, and all of her books I've read (except this one of course) are wonderful little fantastical ghost stories, or time traveling, or something to do with knights with a sweet little love story thrown in to keep it interesting, and the end. First of all, I don't like how it took 2/3 of the book for me to figure out (or be told) who or what Kimberly is. I wasn't really even sure what Fiona did, but it was obviously something very important to her. She seemed like she was big-city spoiled, but then she didn't really act like it. I don't know if some heart-of-gold storyline was coming out, but I wasn't buying it. All she wanted to do was fight with Ace, who was actually a pretty endearing guy. And it wasn't HIS fault they were in their predicament.Ace, though, still bored me somewhat. He's a bird-man. He studies birds. He has a bird sanctuary thingy in Flordia and he wants to attract tourists so he buys a giant fiberglass alligator. He's allegedly very good looking. Of course. Oh, and Fiona is six feet tall and looks like a famous movie star. I'm not sure if 2012 is just the year of my picking books that just won't hold my interest, or if it's really me and these books are perfectly fine.I like the idea of the two accused as murderers (Teddy Bear Killers) and then on the run. I like fugitive stories. But these guys are hiding out in a run-down Florida glades cabin (cool) and also a ritzy hotel (too obvious...won't work) and there isn't much chemistry between the two anyway. They won't stop arguing...about...nothing.
Do You like book High Tide (2000)?
This book was okay up until the end, when it just kind of stopped. The epilogue attempted to sum up what had happened after the stop, but it didn't really work. Even before the end, I was having a little trouble connecting with the characters in this one, especially to Ace, who struck me as fairly flat. The romance was awkward, because both of them were involved in relationships and because the chemistry wasn't spot on. It wasn't completely off, but it wasn't great. All in all, I'm going to just say that Deveraux has many much better books, and leave it at that.
—Christine
High Tide - OkDeveraux, JudeA rising star at a Manhattan corporation, Fiona Burkenhalter is a New Yorker through and through, with a New Yorker's disdain for anywhere but the city's bustling streets. When her boss inexplicably sends her to handle a new account in the Florida Everglades, it may as well be another planet to city slicker Fiona. But this is no ordinary business meeting: Fiona is to join her client on a rustic fishing expedition, accompanied by a guide with the larger-than-life name of Ace Montgomery. More than a little steamed at this detour from the executive fast track, Fiona never imagined that she'd embarked on the wildest adventure of her life -- or that the rough-hewn, undeniably handsome Ace Montgomery from the Southern backwoods would become her closest ally. But hair-raising circumstances pull her deep into trouble from the moment she steps off the plane. Only in Florida could Fiona get arrested for smashing to smithereens a frighteningly lifelike mechanical alligator. And only in the heart of the swamplands could she get lost in a maze of intrigue and become the prime suspect for a shocking murder -- with Ace as her presumed accomplice. Suddenly, they discover that they have inherited the murder victim's vast fortune -- and they are now Florida's most wanted couple!
—LJ
I could have given this book 3star if only...After reading so many crime thrillers & mystery books my head was spinning & so I bought this book to let ease of my mind & read some light book to get relaxed. It was my first book of Jude Deveraux. The start was good till the time both the lead character Fiona & Ace were hiding in his brothers room. After that it was all blotched up with maps, ancestors, killing, adventure, treasure etc which took this book away from me. I think Mrs. Deveraux didn't spent time in writing this book in detail & just gave it to the publisher to publish it.The second half is total rubbish till end. You may not find the lead character as funny & charming as were they in first half. I wish Jude had finished this book in first half only.
—Hyderali Shaikh
