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FT-DEEP PURPLE
The young schoolteacher, Catherine Howard, travels to Arizona in search of adventure and struggles against the lawlessness of the frontier to build a life for herself
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 1982
About the author
Parris Afton Bonds
75 books53 followersI am dancing on sunshine that you are visiting my little part of Parris's paradise here on Goodreads.
I write for the reckless at heart Not surprisingly, I identify with my novels' characters, both the protagonists AND antagonists. I suffer with their angsts and bewilderments and rejoice in their joys and triumphs.
And I believe that if we heroically hold fast to our own vision for ourselves in our journey’s confrontations and challenges, Life WILL surely manifest our dreams and goals and visions, as it does for my characters in my novels.
***
Parris Afton Bonds is mother of five sons and author of nearly fifty published novels. She is co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America, as well as, co-founder of Southwest Writers Workshop,
The Parris Award was established in her name by the Southwest Writers Workshop to honor a published writer who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers. Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.
Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.
I write for the reckless at heart Not surprisingly, I identify with my novels' characters, both the protagonists AND antagonists. I suffer with their angsts and bewilderments and rejoice in their joys and triumphs.
And I believe that if we heroically hold fast to our own vision for ourselves in our journey’s confrontations and challenges, Life WILL surely manifest our dreams and goals and visions, as it does for my characters in my novels.
***
Parris Afton Bonds is mother of five sons and author of nearly fifty published novels. She is co-founder and first vice president of Romance Writers of America, as well as, co-founder of Southwest Writers Workshop,
The Parris Award was established in her name by the Southwest Writers Workshop to honor a published writer who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers. Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.
Declared by ABC's Nightline as one of the three-best-selling authors of romantic fiction, the award winning Parris Afton Bonds has been featured in major newspapers and magazines as well as published in more than a dozen languages. A New York Times best seller, she donates her time to teaching creative writing to both grade school children and female inmates ~ both of which are captive audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 27, 2022
HAIKU BOOK REVIEW: Deep Purple, by Parris Afton Bonds.
Grandmother, mother,
Daughter, three generations,
All of them stupid.
Grandmother, mother,
Daughter, three generations,
All of them stupid.
January 27, 2018
This story has lots of turns but holds your interest. Parts of this book you can't put down. Enjoy
September 14, 2011
Wonderful story and great story telling. Not usually my type of book, but glad I read it.
December 28, 2013
STUPID
September 22, 2018
“Deep Purple” took me awhile to finish because I found myself having to re-read parts for better clarification. It isn’t an easy read. Part One has many unfamiliar Spanish words. And I tried in vain to picture “The Stronghold”. Picking it up, then coming back to it took me about 17 days. Many reviewers say they couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t one of them.
It is an unusual “happily ever after” historical romance, a saga in three parts spanning the lives and loves of three generations of women (the grandmother, mother, and daughter). And instead of a British/Regency location, it begins in mid-19th century Arizona and ends during WW II.
The author manages to include pre-martial sex, drugs, rape, infidelity, adultery, discrimination, homosexuality, the Japanese interment, and even the death of not one, but two of the novel’s three heroines. And it was published in 1984!
I admire this author’s writing and will read more of her works. But I haven’t figured out why it is entitled “Deep Purple,” a song sung by the heroine. And I have a problem with the Kindle addition. Why no “Table of Contents”?
“Deep Purple” is unlike anything I’ve ever read. But I enjoyed it!
It is an unusual “happily ever after” historical romance, a saga in three parts spanning the lives and loves of three generations of women (the grandmother, mother, and daughter). And instead of a British/Regency location, it begins in mid-19th century Arizona and ends during WW II.
The author manages to include pre-martial sex, drugs, rape, infidelity, adultery, discrimination, homosexuality, the Japanese interment, and even the death of not one, but two of the novel’s three heroines. And it was published in 1984!
I admire this author’s writing and will read more of her works. But I haven’t figured out why it is entitled “Deep Purple,” a song sung by the heroine. And I have a problem with the Kindle addition. Why no “Table of Contents”?
“Deep Purple” is unlike anything I’ve ever read. But I enjoyed it!
March 8, 2019
Bittersweet romance
I first read this book in the 80’s when it was originally published. My copy was dog-eared and well used.
As a teen and an adult, I have loved Bonds artful weaving of historical events with complex characters. The flawed heroes and heroines that she creates are relatable and touch your heart. This book is filled with just such characters.....situations that are unpredictable and unique.....and a journey that you will be happy you took.
I first read this book in the 80’s when it was originally published. My copy was dog-eared and well used.
As a teen and an adult, I have loved Bonds artful weaving of historical events with complex characters. The flawed heroes and heroines that she creates are relatable and touch your heart. This book is filled with just such characters.....situations that are unpredictable and unique.....and a journey that you will be happy you took.
November 26, 2017
4 stars
A high review for me. I liked the continuity between generations, the history lessons and some of the secondary characters. When the story seemed to drag I just skipped a few pages.
A high review for me. I liked the continuity between generations, the history lessons and some of the secondary characters. When the story seemed to drag I just skipped a few pages.
June 18, 2021
Back to the Land
What a wonderful historical romance novel about three generations of women trying to get their land back the was stolen by a mean old grandmother. Great read and highly recommended.
What a wonderful historical romance novel about three generations of women trying to get their land back the was stolen by a mean old grandmother. Great read and highly recommended.
November 29, 2017
Could not put it down
One of the best books I've read. From beginning to end, the story kept me wondering what would happen next
One of the best books I've read. From beginning to end, the story kept me wondering what would happen next
April 30, 2018
Wow
I couldn't put the book down. It made me laugh , and boy did it make me cry. I recommend family and friends to read it!
I couldn't put the book down. It made me laugh , and boy did it make me cry. I recommend family and friends to read it!
January 22, 2021
W.T.H.
The first two stories were excellent, but the third and most important story was so sadly lacking I skipped to the end to just find closure.
The first two stories were excellent, but the third and most important story was so sadly lacking I skipped to the end to just find closure.
May 17, 2016
Very good read
Couldnt put it down. I already am a fan of Parris Afton Bonds, and this book is a good example of her fine work.
Bonds has the wonderful ability to write historical romance novels that use accurate historical events as a structure for her plots. This book is segregated into three parts...three stories that intertwine. The political and legal events in this book based mostly on three women is brilliantly developed. I ran through every emotion as I continued reading...anger, anxiety, shame, sadness, etc...as the story covers topics of land ownership rights to constitutional law.
I was very touched by the actions of the US Government during WWII and the Japanese internment camps where American citizens of Japanese ancestry were uprooted from there lives and forced into basic concentration camps on the West Coast. I have a sister-in-law who was born in such a camp, and Bonds does a masterful job of describing the atmosphere and ugliness of that period of US history as she covers the fear, depression, prejudice, hostility and shame while detailing the policies of a government gone insane...our government.
From a romance aspect, Bonds captures the relationships of three separate women who can only be described as brave, independent and adventuresome as she relates each of their stories. Have your tissue box handy....you'll probably need it!
Of course, I highly recommend this book.
Couldnt put it down. I already am a fan of Parris Afton Bonds, and this book is a good example of her fine work.
Bonds has the wonderful ability to write historical romance novels that use accurate historical events as a structure for her plots. This book is segregated into three parts...three stories that intertwine. The political and legal events in this book based mostly on three women is brilliantly developed. I ran through every emotion as I continued reading...anger, anxiety, shame, sadness, etc...as the story covers topics of land ownership rights to constitutional law.
I was very touched by the actions of the US Government during WWII and the Japanese internment camps where American citizens of Japanese ancestry were uprooted from there lives and forced into basic concentration camps on the West Coast. I have a sister-in-law who was born in such a camp, and Bonds does a masterful job of describing the atmosphere and ugliness of that period of US history as she covers the fear, depression, prejudice, hostility and shame while detailing the policies of a government gone insane...our government.
From a romance aspect, Bonds captures the relationships of three separate women who can only be described as brave, independent and adventuresome as she relates each of their stories. Have your tissue box handy....you'll probably need it!
Of course, I highly recommend this book.
June 2, 2016
OMG! There are three parts to this book. The last page of part one stopped my heart. That actually happened many times during my time spent reading this fabulous, epic novel. I don't leave spoilers but try to let you know what you'll be missing if you don't read. I discovered Parris last year and am trying to read everything she writes. So far I have not been disappointed. You will find yourself, not breathing, catching your breath or just pure sighing. The endings are always perfect for the novel and leave you knowing the reasons why. And the characters in Parris Afton Bonds books become family and live forever with you.
July 20, 2016
This was an interesting read spanning three lifetimes. I liked the history that played through their lives through the generations.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews