Books Heart of the Matter
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - A good effort
I was a little disappointed in this one, as I thought "House of Clouds" was much better written. I appreciate the effort to develop two characters with serious issues...one recovering from a debilitating car crash, and the other with self esteem problems from being overweight, however, both characters could have been developed a little more. Also I thought the dialogue was stilted at times and didn't always ring true. The POVs alternating from paragraph to paragraph is a pet peeve. I look forward to KI's writing developing because I think she has great potential.

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Rating: - Average; nice characters, run-of-the-mill plot
I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I didn't like this book as much as House of Clouds. It didn't seem as well focused. The characters too often created their own drama through reacting badly to situations, or poor communication, which gets old. They also seemed to tread water a lot on their issues through the book. For instance, Ellen doesn't seem to make any progress as things go along on her self-esteem issues. So it was a touch frustrating. But these flaws weren't horrible. There was a lot to like about this book too.

The characters were sympathetic and human. I thought that Kate's post-traumatic stress was fairly realistically handled, or at least not just glossed over. Ellen had some drive and verve herself, despite her low self-esteem, and it's fun to read about people successful at the top of their field who are also just really good, nice people. We're all confident about something, I guess. There were some intriguing bits regarding Civil War battlefields and research. And the way the tables turned, or at least the way the field was leveled as Kate began to deal with her own self-esteem issues post-accident was intriguing.

Ultimately, it didn't grab me for some reason. It didn't feel fresh to me. The whole thing wrapped up very quickly, suddenly everyone had issues illuminated at the end that had just persisted all book, and it all seemed rather suddenly pat, given all the text devoted to character waffling and angst. But this book is still a fair way to spend a couple of evenings. I just wish there had been a bit more creativity, overall.

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Rating: - She does it again!
I couldn't wait to get this book after having read KI Thompson's House of Clouds (which is stupendous by the way). I had loved the historical setting of HoC and was wondering how she would do with a story set in present days. I totally enjoyed reading this book! I started it and couldn't stop until I was done.

Ellen Webster, who is a history professor at Georgetown University, has a condo next door to formidable TV Newscaster Kate Foster. Ellen is a sweet soul, someone who everyone loves, who's self esteem about body image gets in the way of who she really is. Kate has everyone jumping, and for good reason, she's good at what she does and is responsible for a huge rise in the station's ratings.

So what happens when tables are turned and a high powered newscaster must face recouperating from an accident alone? Can someone who's self-sufficient and very proud accept help from Ellen, her next door neighbor? What about Ellen? She must leave on a sabbatical to tour Civil War sites for a book that she must write. [and here the author shines even brighter with her knowledge of the civil war bringing battlefields to life].

Buy this book, enjoy this book and then read it again in a few months. You know you want to! Right? It's a great read.

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Rating: - Another Great Book from KI Thompson
I have yet to review any of the books I read but I just had to share with everyone how wonderful this book is. I love this genre and read at least two or three books a week.
I believe that KI Thompson will be one of the greatest lesbian romance authors ever. She has such a soft touch with her characters. It feels as though you are the character---Amazing.
"Heart of the Matter" is a wonderful love story that will stay you with you long after you've finished. I too stayed up til 2 in the morning because I had to know what happened to these lovely characters. Ellen will make you laugh, cry and fall in love.
Do yourself a favor and buy this book to read and reread. Thank you KI Thompson for this story and I hope to read many more of your works.