Editorial Review

What if…The last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to marry…is her husband?In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet tells the proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy that she wouldn’t marry him if he were the last man in the world.But what if she never said the words? What if circumstances conspired to make her accept Darcy the first time he proposes?In this installment of Abigail Reynolds’s acclaimed Pride and Prejudice Variations, Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy against her better judgment, setting off a chain of events that nearly brings disaster to them both…What readers are saying“A highly original story, immensely satisfying.”“Anyone who loves the story of Darcy and Elizabeth will love this variation.”“I was hooked from page one.”“A refreshing new look at what might have happened if…”“Another good book to curl up with… I never wanted to put it down.” ... Read more

Reviews

What if Lizzy Didn't Reject Darcy's First Proposal?
"Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy," originally published as "The Last Man in the World: A Pride & Prejudice Variation" in 2007, is an engaging and clever variation of "Pride and Prejudice." If you have not yet had the pleasure of encountering this series, "The Pemberley Variations," by Abigail Reynolds, it is collection of "Pride and Prejudice" re-tellings that asks the question "what if?" In these variations we see how one small change in the plot can alter the course of "Pride and Prejudice." This is one of my favorite variations by Abigail Reynolds, I love how heartbreaking and emotional the story is.

The slight change that sends "Pride and Prejudice" on its ear in this variation is Mr. Darcy kissing Elizabeth before she can refuse his offer of marriage and that kiss being observed by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Rosing Park gamekeepers. Now Elizabeth finds herself in a difficult situation as Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam are under the impression that she has accepted Darcy's addresses and if she were to correct their assumption it would jeopardize not only her reputation, but also the reputations of her sisters. Even though Elizabeth never gets to proclaim to Darcy that he is "the last man in the world whom she could ever be prevailed on to marry," she strongly despises him for what he's done and her outlook for her a happy future is very bleak.

In "Pride and Prejudice" the flaws of "pride" and "prejudice" are played upon. In "Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy" these flaws are still represented but added to them are "selfishness" and "deception." Mr. Darcy selfishly believes that Elizabeth's answer to his proposal could only be yes, and Elizabeth decides it best to deceive her husband into believing her happily married instead of being truthful about her feelings for him. One of the reasons I love Elizabeth and Darcy is because they are flawed and they make mistakes. No one is perfect and in the literary world sometimes we tend to idolize our heroes and heroines. It is a nice change to see them feel insecure, embarrassed, or misunderstood. I believe even Elizabeth Bennet has times when she lacks confidence or jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Abigail Reynolds is a very talented and gifted author that clearly loves Jane Austen and "Pride and Prejudice" with a passion! I am delighted to own both this book and her self-published version of it "The Last Man in the World." After reading "Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy" and scanning through my copy of "The Last Man in the World," I did not find many changes in the plot, and I would venture to say that the only changes were grammatical. So if you already own "The Last Man in the World" you might not want to buy this book, however, if you are like me, you wouldn't mind having this lovely book grace your shelves twice! In addition, I would like to warn readers who don't enjoy intimate and romantic scenes between these characters that there are a few included in this book. However, the romantic scenes are very infrequent and are not overly explicit.

I highly recommend this novel for people who are interested in seeing "Pride and Prejudice" travel a different course!

Austenesque Reviews

Compromised into Marriage
What happens if it is not until after marriage that Fitzwilliam Darcy learns that Elizabeth Bennett does NOT think that he is all that? And what if it is only after marriage that Elizabeth discovers that Darcy has some good qualities besides being an affectionate brother? And that perhaps George Wickham is not to be trusted?

In this variant on Pride and Prejudice, the overconfident Mr. Darcy follows his first proposal to Elizabeth Bennett with a kiss. Before she has a chance to express her disdain for him, this embrace is witnessed and she has the difficult choice between marrying a man she doesn't love or ruining her reputation and the marriage chances of her sisters as well as her own. It's a decision she must make in an instant, and she chooses Darcy but not without regret.

The author Abigail Reynolds uses this variation to explore the difficulties in a situation that many women of Elizabeth's time and class must have faced. Elizabeth has avoided the trap of marrying Mr. Collins, whom she cannot respect, or falling under the sensual spell of George Wickham who is clearly on the make. Darcy, of course, is an excellent match from society's point of view, but what happens in a marriage when the man chooses a wife from passion, and the woman, unable to reciprocate, tries to make the best of it? I really liked how the author shows Elizabeth and Darcy trying to make each other happy and failing until each acquires real knowledge of the other. Fortunately, neither Darcy nor Elizabeth are ordinary people and after much misunderstanding they achieve the happy ending the reader is waiting for. I think this may be my favorite of the Pemberley variations. I will be reading it again and again.

5 Star Read for P& P lovers
Fun, light, entertaining, and well written. Abigail Reynolds can write Fan-Fiction! Once you read one of her stories you will want to get the others!

Love it!
This one caught my attention from page one and held it. The plot was well developed and the characters were very believable. Abigail Reynolds is one of my all time favorites. Unlike the majority of these published fan fics, she is more like a real writer and knows how to tell a story. One thing that bothers me about most Austen spin off is that they just didn't get the original story. Ms. Reynolds gets it and you should get this book.

Personalities Match Original Austen Characters Perfectly
I love Abigail Reynold's and her P&P variations. This one was surprising and a welcome change. Most variations have William and Elizabeth reconcile and fall in love prior to marrying. This one doesn't. The author comes at the story from the angle of them marrying with the initial proposal. The characterization is perfectly matched to the original book. I love the way the author describes the reactions of the characters in the internal monologues. The steamy parts are pretty good too (wink wink). I was impressed throughout the entire read. This is one P&P sequel that I will keep on my shelf and read again and again.

Highly recommended read
Really very good. I read it straight through and I never do that with books I like (as I enjoy savouring them) but this was unputdownable. Highly recommended read and possibly the best P&P fan fiction I have read thus far. Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Please Read this:
I bought this product for the younger grandchild but found that the older one also enjoyed it.
Read more

Editorial Review

Boost Your grades with this illustrated quick-study guide. You will use it from high school to college and beyond. The full version is absolutely FREE.

Features

• Conversion of over 1,000 units.
• Metric, English, and US customary systems.
• Length, Area, Volume, Speed, Force, Energy, Electricity, Viscosity, Temperature, and more.
• List of powers of 10 prefixes.
• Explanation of SI writing style.
• Approximate conversion of units.
• Clear and concise explanations.
• Difficult concepts are explained in simple terms.
• Navigate from Table of Contents or search for words or phrases.
• Add bookmarks and annotation.
• Access the guide anytime, anywhere - at home, on the train, in the subway.
• Use your down time to prepare for an exam.
• Always have the guide available for a quick reference.
• Indispensable resource for technical and life science students.
• The full version is absolutely FREE.
• FREE updates.

Table of Contents

Conversion of units:

Length: Definition | Conversion

Area: Definition | 2-D Formulae | 3-D Formulae | Conversion

Volume: Definition | Formulae | Conversion

Angle: Definition | Conversion

Mass: Definition | Conversion

Time: Definition | Conversion

Speed: Definition | Conversion

Acceleration: Definition | Conversion

Force: Definition | Conversion

Pressure or mechanical stress: Definition | Conversion

Energy, work, or heat: Definition | Conversion

Power: Definition | Conversion

Angular momentum: Definition | Conversion

Electricity: Current | Charge | Resistance | Voltage | Formulae | Conversion

Viscosity: Definition | Conversion

Information entropy: Definition | Conversion

Temperature: Definition | Conversion

Approximate conversion of units

History: Systems of measurement | History of measurement

Metric system (SI): Definition | SI writing style | Powers of 10 prefixes

Other Systems: English system | Imperial unit | United States customary units | Comparison of the Imperial and U.S. customary systems

Reviews

Excellent Reference and Technical Refresher
I bought this Kindle book thinking it would be nice to have a little reference of conversion units handy, and then neglected it for several weeks. Today I opened it up and what a surprise!! WOW! This is a great little book, filled not only with conversion units for virtually every imaginable unit of measure, but it is a great refresher for a myriad of technical principles. It is filled with explanations of the fundamentals behind the units as well has fascinating little historical snippets about how the units all came to be. Highly recommended. We need more like this!

The book was corrected on January 15th, 2009. The new version 11.1 completely resolves the image scaling problem.
Comments from the Publisher:

The book was corrected on January 15th, 2009. The new version 11.1 completely resolves the image scaling problem.

MobileReference

Kindle book
FREE Weights and Measures Quick Study Guide

This is a very useful ebook. Works great on my Kindle!

Great Reference Work - Highly Recommended!
The "Weights and Measures Study Guide", besides being free, is a very handy collection of units, definitions, and formulas for just every field. The book has all of the units you would expect (Length, Area, Volume, Speed, Force, Energy, Electricity, Viscosity, Temperature) and also adds worthwhile sections on the various histories of systems (English, Metric, etc) and conversion guides.

While this looks good on the Kindle and formats just fine, it actually is very handy to have on the iTouch\iPhone and PC with the free Kindle App. On the iTouch it is the perfect pocket reference for when I'm working in my shop and am away from the computer.

The navigation is good, complete with a linked Table of Contents, but the only issue I found was that the "Start" page was the middle of a chapter - not the Cover Page. Once I figured that out, it was easy enough to get started.

Overall, this is a great free book with a huge amount of information that is very useful to students, professionals, and the overly curious. I leave mine "parked" on the conversion guide page since that is extremely helpful information.

Highly Recommended!

CFH

Excellent ebook for general knowledge and school work
FREE Weights and Measures Study Guide

This ebook is incredibly helpful and educational. But don't take my word for it. Give it a try and see for yourself!

The book looks fine on my Kindle.
I am not sure what the other reviewer is talking about. The book looks fine on my Kindle.

Useful
This was a freebie, so I thought why not download to have as a reference. I think my husband would use it more than I, but for free - why not? There is so much information in this book - it contains any conversion imaginable. Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Superficial!
I've seen endless amounts of episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians and thought this book might be an interesting extension of the Kardashian brand. Although I like the fact that the book has colorful photographs and many pages of text, I am unimpressed with the content. For instance I don't think it's beneficial to include a section on how to do an at-home bikini wax. I also was disgusted by one section in which one of the sisters talks about how she overdrew her bank account one time. She refereed to having lost a few thousand dollars as if it meant nothing to her.
I would not recommend teenagers reading this book. It seems to only show the superficial, fame-hungry side of the Kardashian sisters. Not to mention it seems to be written at a fifth grade reading level.
I prefer the TV show since it has actual heart to it.

Dash Dolls Tell All, Bible!
This triple mini autobiography is in fact better than I expected. We see so much of these women on television and in magazines that I thought there wasn't much else to tell, but this book instantly blew that theory out of the water. Starting out "famous for being famous" and turning that into family and individual brands takes hard work, and creativity, which whether we like to admit it or not, is something these women have a lot of. Sexy, quirky, fun, flawed, and ultimately human, these women prove tirelessly, purposely and not, that although in the lime light and living lavishly, they are just us like everyone else.

Kourtney, Kim, and Khlo� made sure there isn't a boring page in this book. The colorful pages are jam packed with photos from childhood and beyond, some brand new and some we might have already seen. For those of you that think Kim is always the center of attention, she does have a few more pages of photos but besides that, the photo layouts are remarkable fair. This collaboration is also filled with family stories, advice, beauty secrets, and keepsakes all with very modern page set ups and designs. This book reads much like a magazine, and in some spots like an actual interview. Fun and freely assembled the aesthetics are very pleasing to the eye, just like these women! This entire project seems honest, light hearted yet sometimes emotional, positive, and definitely not your standard black and white plain font filled text.

If you are intrigued by the Kardashian women and want to know more then definitely pick up this page turner for the inside scoop. (Don't expect dirty details) These three are easily relatable in so many ways, even more so now that they are aunts, a mother, and a wife. Kourtney speaks of Mason and how he has changed her life, Khlo� talks about her whirlwind romance with Lamar and of best friend/assistant Malika (<-- she should write a book!), and Kimmy cakes briefly brings up her divorce, and how she ultimately loves to be in love. They each talk about their family, each other, and of course lot about themselves. We gain insight on the dynamics of their sisterhood, and how unbreakable their bond is although they feud as most siblings do. They should be proud of themselves because at this point, whether we like them or not, it is irrefutable they are legit, respectable, businesswomen. Hollywood careers don't last forever in which they clearly comprehend, so it is understandable why these sisters are taking on so much, and work hard as more and more opportunities are thrown their way. Read more

Editorial Review

Thirteen-year-old foster kid Skye Nicholson has become an expert at being an angry, cold, and defensive teenager. After breaking more foster home placements than she cares to count, and committing numerous offenses, she's headed to her final resort --- juvenile detention. But after a court compromise, hope finds her through a beautiful sorrel quarter horse named Champ and the tough love of Tom and Eileen Chamber, who offer her another chance at their home at Keystone Stables. There she's introduced to a God who has the power to truly save her, no matter how much she thinks she's not worth saving. ... Read more

Reviews

Youth horse books
great horse book for younger girls. If you haven't read the keystone stables series you will love it. If you have...don't be misled like I was..the first four book are the same book with a different cover..although cute and more modern...we ended up with the same book. after the fourth they are new, that is just a word of wise. IF you haven't read them, you'll love them Read more

Editorial Review

Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set--has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe--a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs. ... Read more

Reviews

Scoot Over Percy Jackson, The Kanes Are HERE!
I must say, when I read the Percy Jackson series, I instantly liked it. I enjoyed the whole Greek Pantheon of ancient gods & goddesses, magic, etc. So, naturally, I wanted to read "The Red Pyramid" to see if it had the same magic. I can happily say that it does and then some. I would even volunteer that I liked "The Red Pyramid" even more than the Percy Jackson books for several reasons.

First, in "The Red Pyramid", we're introduced to two amazing lead characters who both share in the story's narration. Carter Kane, age 14, is an African American teen who has lived with his father, Julius, his entire life...due to what is described as an ugly custody battle between Julius and his former in-laws (Julius' wife, mother to both Carter and Sadie Kane, died when the children were quite young). Sadie Kane, age 12, looks caucasian (taking after their mother) with light skin, blue eyes, and hair she likes to put colored streaks throughout. Because of the custody agreement, Sadie lives in London year-round with her grandparents - seeing her brother and father only two times per year, which has resulted in the siblings being more like distant relatives to each other. Julius is an archeologist, traveling around the world studying ancient Egyptian artifacts and bringing his son Carter along with him wherever he goes. Carter, because of his father's teachings, is an awkward 14 year old boy, a bit hesitant and unsure of himself. Sadie, on the other hand, despite being two years younger than Carter, is quite a bit more bold, quick to speak her mind and very sure of herself and her opinions. I must say, I loved both Carter and Sadie Kane...for their differences as well as how they grow together as siblings! I cannot reveal much more than this without revealing too much of the book...but I think you'll know what I mean when you read "The Red Pyramid".

Another reason I enjoyed this book is because of the depth of information given to the reader. It's obvious that Riordan, in his research, learned quite a bit about the ancient Egyptian ways as well as the intricate nature of their belief system....and he definitely gets that information out to the reader in a very exciting and entertaining way.

Magic and mythology come together in a fascinating and fast-paced way in this book. Instantly, the action starts and you'll be pulled into the book. Humor plays a big role in this book as well (especially from Sadie), which just adds to the entertainment.

All in all, I'd highly recommend "The Red Pyramid". If you're a fan of the Percy Jackson series, I'm sure you'll like it. Or, perhaps you'll be like me and like it even more! :)

A parent's view
This is the first book I've read by Rick Riordan and I loved it. The combination of suspense, history, and mythology is just brilliant. I'm going to have to read the Olympian series next. I'm a big fan of young adult fiction because kids are a tough audience. They won't slog through a book like an adult will just because they bought it, and so I believe that young adult novels have to be more exciting. Riordan does not disappoint.

I read in Riordan's bio that he taught English and history. And now, through his books, he's teaching it again, only in a way that makes kids want to learn it. For any parent who wants their child to enjoy two subjects that are normally near the bottom of their list as far as what they have to learn, Riordan breathes new life these subjects. It's too bad that schools haven't caught on to this wonderful way of learning. We might have more engaged students.

I can't wait to see what other subject Riordan decides to tackle after the Red Pyramid series. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's going to be exciting and informative.

When I Dream Read more

Editorial Review

One of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of the Year

For more than four hundred years, the art of ballet has stood at the center of Western civilization. Its traditions serve as a record of our past. A ballerina dancing The Sleeping Beauty today is a link in a long chain of dancers stretching back to sixteenth-century Italy and France: Her graceful movements recall a lost world of courts, kings, and aristocracy, but her steps and gestures are also marked by the dramatic changes in dance and culture that followed. Ballet has been shaped by the Renaissance and Classicism, the Enlightenment and Romanticism, Bolshevism, Modernism, and the Cold War. Apollo’s Angels is a groundbreaking work—the first cultural history of ballet ever written, lavishly illustrated and beautifully told.

Ballet is unique: It has no written texts or standardized notation. It is a storytelling art passed on from teacher to student. The steps are never just the steps—they are a living, breathing document of a culture and a tradition. And while ballet’s language is shared by dancers everywhere, its artists have developed distinct national styles. French, Italian, Danish, Russian, English, and American traditions each have their own expression, often formed in response to political and societal upheavals.

From ballet’s origins in the Renaissance and the codification of its basic steps and positions under France’s Louis XIV (himself an avid dancer), the art form wound its way through the courts of Europe, from Paris and Milan to Vienna and St. Petersburg. It was in Russia that dance developed into the form most familiar to American audiences: The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker originated at the Imperial court. In the twentieth century, émigré dancers taught their art to a generation in the United States and in Western Europe, setting off a new and radical transformation of dance.

Jennifer Homans is a historian and critic who was also a professional dancer: She brings to Apollo’s Angels a knowledge of dance born of dedicated practice. She traces the evolution of technique, choreography, and performance in clean, clear prose, drawing readers into the intricacies of the art with vivid descriptions of dances and the artists who made them. Her admiration and love for the ballet shines through on every page. Apollo’s Angels is an authoritative work, written with a grace and elegance befitting its subject. ... Read more

Reviews ... Read more

Editorial Review

The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them. ... Read more

Reviews

Bittersweet But Satisfying Ending
In the past Rose has overcome every obstacle in her path, no matter the odds, but now she may just be facing the one thing that could bring her down. Permanently. She's to be tried for the Queen's murder, an almost guaranteed death sentence despite her innocence. Fighting for her life isn't her only challenge, she also must carry out the Queen's last mission. Rose must find Lissa's illegitimate sibling to ensure her vote before it's too late. In the end it will take every last one of her allies working together for any hope at survival, let alone a happy resolution.

Rose makes the choice between the two men in her life. I can honestly say that I was almost equally rooting for both of them. They both were good for her in their own way, but her choice really seemed to be the right one for her once all of her reasons were laid out. I felt really bad for the one that she didn't choose, but as soon as she made her choice it was really apparent why it wouldn't have worked with him in the long run. I'm hoping in the spin-off series he just might get a slice of happiness, he deserves it.

While it is bittersweet to say goodbye to Rose, I'm really glad she finally got her slice of happiness. I feel it ended well and my only possible complaint would be for the happily ever after to have been more thoroughly fleshed out. Don't get me wrong, the major plotlines are all tied up, but I couldn't help but feel I was missing something, as if there just needed to be a little more concreteness in the resolution. However, when I really think about it, the ending works as is because it fits Rose perfectly. She is always flying by the seat of her pants, and a completely planned out future just wouldn't work for her at all.

This book is one that you will definitely want to set a large block aside to read, as it will suck you right in. As I was reading it I didn't realize how absorbed I was until I looked at the clock and realized hours had passed. All of the characters have grown so much over the books, especially Rose and Lissa. In this book they really seemed to come into their own, and shine. Some of the ending events were a surprise, but I think everything worked out the way it should in the long run. At least the good-bye isn't really final as I'm sure some of my favorite characters will have a least small parts in the upcoming spin off series. All in all it was a very good book that I really enjoyed and highly recommend.

OH-MY-GOSH
After waiting for this book for what felt like a century. I finally got it and breezed through it, like the rest of Vampire Academy series. I literally went to the book store at 12:00 and got the book. Ten minutes later I was reading it in my car. It took me half the book to finally drive home, even thought my fingers were numb from the freezing weather. I was in such in haste I forgot my gloves. But to the review.

I loved the book. Rose is one of my favorite heroines in YA and it was a joy to get to read about her one last time. The book was faced paced with full of action. But we should already expect that seeing as though the main character is a bad***. If you though Rose was going to be in jail most of the book, think again. By the second chapter she's out and about. Doing what Rose does best getting in more trouble and finding the answers she needs found. She won't let someone fix her mess, no she fixes it herself. Even if it means tapping it back together with a couple of pieces missing. She won't be caged in some crappy motel in a small town that's most likely called town. Not are Rose.

The Alchemist Lindsay plays a huge role in the book. I was shocked by how much she was in the book. I'll tell you guys she's in here more than blood promise. Abe's not in here as much as I would have liked. I through he would play a bigger role. Yes, people there will be some Victor Dashkov and his brother. Then there is someone else I will not spoil it but she is mentioned throughout the books her last name starts with a K. More Dimtri, Rose and Dimtri are together a lot seeing as there both on the loose. It's really not a spoiler because it's like in the second chapter. See the action starts off insanely fast. As another review stated I do wish that there was something about Dimtri's family or a guess appearance. They didn't really mention anything about his family.

The comedy in this book is amazing. Rose has humor like me. She can find humor in opening a can of beans. It was just funny to read her snappy comments, and her banter. Plus she has it in the worst possible places. But it works.

If you're a Lissa fan there is a lot of good things that happen to her so you might like that. We don't see much of Christian and I hated that he was one of my favorite characters. His humor was always a good thing to read about. It was so dry in a good way. Rose looks through Lissa's head a lot like in Blood promise. I'm not going to lie it annoyed me not enough to deduct a star. I just wanted Rose to stay in her world.

The murder was a shocker to me. The person that killed the queen went through my brain but I wasn't really thinking. So it was a shocker not as much after I read who did it.

The illegenement Dragomiar was not so much I knew who it was when I first heard the gender. I'm just sad that he/she is in that situation.

The triangle. That's usually what a lot of people wanted to know who did Rose choose? Well I won't tell you but it was obvious. For the guy she didn't choose I felt so bad for. He didn't deserve that at all.

I heard that there's going to be a spinoff series. I can't wait to read it. I'm really going to miss vampire Academy and Rose. She was what made it. Hopefully I will like the spinoff series just as much.
Here one of my favorite lines from Last Sacrifice. A gun. I had been brought down by a gun. It was practically comical. Cheaters(See humor in the wrong place at the wrong time)
Little spoiler bit if you didn't read the book.
"Fine, I guess it's ok then. Go ahead.
Huh? What's ok?
It's okay if you marry my brother."
(If you read the book you get the person is talking to rose by the way)

I recommend you reading other Richelle Mead's work esepecially Georgina Kincaid series. She's a great author and I would like to thank her for writing such a great vampire series.
Also recommend all
-Ilona Andrews magic bites series
-Patrica Briggs Mercy Thompson series
-J.R Black Dagger Brotherhood series
-Kristen Cashore Graceling
-Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
-Midnight breed series by Lara Adrian

So much better than Twilight!
I can't even begin to say how much I love this series. I am not a teen but instead am a 30 year old teacher! I have tried reading all the other vampire novels out there and without a doubt the VA series rises way above and beyond. I wish I could give Last Sacrifice way more than 5 stars because it deserves it and then some. I have waited and waited for this novel to come out and when it did, I found I couldn't put it down. I put aside lesson planning and grading papers until I knew if Rose ended up with Dmitri. I've read a ton of books in my life but can't remember a series resonating with me and whose characters I absolutely adore. I felt satisfied when I finished the book, having gone on this journey with Rose. I am sad it has to end because I would love to read more about her and especially Dmitri!!

AMAZING
So I guess as a fifteen year old girl with all the Twilight stuff going around vampire's and their background, reason etc. have been rather overplayed. Yet here Richelle Mead offers a new view of the overused vampire's she has a plot that fills six books yet doesn't have the same kind of twisted and "this series should already be over but I am trying to continue you it on some strange idea" plot like Vampire Diaries seems to have ended up with.
It's safe to say I love this book. So much that instead of paying attention in french class I hid this book under my desk and risked the detention to follow the plot of Rose, Dimitri, Adrian (Oh! the ever present love triangle!), Lissa, and Christian. Throughout the almost 600 pages I remained hooked on the story. I would have to say out of the majority of the books I have read, and that is a large number, this would have to be one of the greatest closing I have seen. The author left the right questions unanswered, but ended up with a story that would lend to the readers imagination able to somewhat create their own fantasy ending. Read more

Editorial Review

When a modern woman goes back to Jane Austen's time, she needs to know…

Everything! Eleanor agrees to travel back in time to prevent a deadly duel, but she doesn't know how to behave, what to say, and most importantly…

How to tell a villain from a rake

The captivating, infuriating, and mysterious Lord Shermont is a renowned rake and womanizer—but is he also a dangerous cutthroat and spy? Eleanor has to get up close and personal to find out…

Otherwise, she could fall into a most shocking scandal…

Thankfully, Miss Jane Austen herself arrives on the scene, with sage guidance and a twinkle in her eye, to help Eleanor navigate countryhouse society and the dangerous terrain of her own heart…

From the author of Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake, a newtime travel romance featuring a modern day career woman swept back in time toRegency England, where she thwarts a Napoleonic spy, chats with Jane Austen,and falls in love with a notorious rake.

PRAISE FOR LAURIE BROWN:

"Highly original. If you're in the market for a differentkind of historical romance, or you enjoy stories filled with period detail,Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake is a solid bet."
wordcandybooks.blogspot.com

"Brown's ending was clever and I never suspected Josie wouldchoose the path she takes. I would recommend Hundreds of Years to Reform a Raketo anyone who enjoys paranormals, and even Regency fans who don't usually readthem. Brown did an excellent job of combining the two genres."
aladysdiversions.blogspot.com

"A very enjoyable read with Josie a feisty and independentcharacter, and Deverell the ghost and Deverell the man both also veryappealing."
curledup.com

"Humor, mystery, ghosts, history, and… pure fun."
blogcritics.org

"A fresh tale that is as charming as it is hot!"
zeekspage.blogspot.com

"You'll be transported to another time and won't want to return until the very last page is digested."
fantasybookspot.com

Reviews

Excellent !
This is a historical romance with a twist , since the reader and the main character are from modern times. Eleanor Pottinger is in England to do a seminar on Regency fashion when 2 ghosts (Mina and Deirdre Cracklebury) ask her to go back in past and stop a duel. Eleanor goes to bed thinking that she is just jet-legged but in reality she is back in the past. Once she is in the past she imbraces the era and who find yourself in a house party trying to keep Mina and Deirdre Cracklebury from being seduced by Lord Shermont. It was funny and smart and over all a great read!!!

If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest; Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake, Spirited Away, The Wedding Ghost (Zebra Regency Romance) and a classic The Mirror

whimsical time travel romance
Recently dumped by her cheating fiance, Eleanor Pottinger is an expert on Regency aristocratic fashion. She is currently working as a designer for a Jane Austen festival during Regency Week. However, she is bit taken aback to find her room at the old inn is preoccupied.

Nonplussed Eleanor meets the ghosts of sisters Mina and Deirdre Cracklebury. The trio negotiates a deal in which Eleanor will go back to 1814 to prevent a deadly duel between their brother Teddy and Lord Shermont in exchange to them introducing her to Jane Austen. As she and Shermont flirt outrageously with one another, Eleanor must decide between sense and sensibility; she needs to choose either the active sex of a lifetime or a passive meeting with a writer even as she considers WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO?.

Though Jane is a minor player, Eleanor and Shermont are wonderful leads and the ghostly sisters great support as Laurie Brown provides a whimsical time travel romance. The story line is fast-paced and filled with twists. This is Eleanor's tale as she tries to make the right choices considers her mantra: WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO? In this situation.

Harriet Klausner

Enchanting Review: What Would Jane Austen Do?
WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO?
LAURIE BROWN
Historical Romance
Sourcebooks Casablanca

Rating: 4.5 Enchantments

When Eleanor Pottinger goes to England for a regency convention, hopeful on getting a start on her costume making business she could never imagine that the hotel losing her reservation would start her on an unforgettable journey back through time. But when she wakes up to find the ghosts of two dead sisters who want to send her back to Jane Austen's time to save themselves Eleanor thinks it's all a joke, or better yet a dream, until she finds herself surrounded by either the best regency actors or she's really traveled through time.

WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO? is an entertaining and light historical read. I loved the two sisters, Deirdre and Mina, both in ghost form and physical form in the 1800s. With Eleanor banishing the ghost forms almost the moment she awakes, it's solely up to her to figure out just what it will take to send her back to her own time. There was so much I liked about this book. Eleanor is a great character, and watching her struggle with fitting in without the guidance or assistance of the ghosts is truly enjoyable. The banter between the characters was especially well done and I loved the mystery of not only who Shermont truly was, a man who was found by the side of the road with a bump on his head, but just how Eleanor was going to get back to her own time, if that was even possible.

One of my absolute favorite scenes in the book takes place about a third of the way through, when Eleanor awakes in the middle of the night. Unused to the absolute silence of the estate, she goes in search of a servant and possibly some warm milk to help her fall back asleep, but instead finds herself alone in the library with the mysterious Shermont. I loved the chemistry between the two in the scene and how they ended up sharing a sandwich. My only real issue with WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO was the ending did seem a little rushed to me, but it didn't detract from a great story.

Laurie Brown teaches writing classes at the college level, has presented seminars at conferences all over the country, and has three published romance novels. She has been a Golden Heart finalist twice and has received the Service Award from the Chicago-North Chapter of RWA. She resides in Illinois.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
January 2009

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Editorial Review

Remember the twin golden rules of hitchhiking?
# 1: Don't go hitchhiking,because the driver who picks you up could be certifiably crazy.
# 2: Don't pickup hitchhikers, because the traveler you pick up could be raving nutcase.
Sowhat if, on some dark, isolated road, Crazy #1 offered a ride to Nutcase #2?

When two of the most twisted minds in the world of horror fiction face off, theresult is SERIAL, a terrifying tale of hitchhiking gone terribly wrong. Like adeeply twisted version of an "After School Special," SERIAL is the single mostpersuasive public service announcement on the hazards of free car rides. Beyonda thrilling piece of horrifying suspense, SERIAL is also a groundbreakingexperiment in literary collaboration. Kilborn wrote the first part. Crouch wrotethe second. And they wrote the third together over email in 100-word exchanges,not aware of each other's opening section. All bets were off, and may the bestpsycho win. ... Read more

Reviews

Serial - Great short read!
I don't usually read horror so tghis was a new experience. It was way more graphic than I am used to, but the authors' distant/3rd person writing styles made it ok.

I can understand why some people disliked the story, but the blurb is pretty clear about th ekind of book it is. They received fair warning.

The story was exciting throughout and very well-paced. Towards the end, I was on te edge of my seat wondering who would win/how it would end. Perfect ending in my opinion. I hope the authors collaborate again.

Great Little Read
What a great story. The first chapter had me a little freaked out (I will NEVER judge a person by how they look EVER AGAIN) but it was a fast and fun read for a Friday afternoon. I was very surprised to learn that Jack Kilborn and J.A. Konrath are one and the same. I plan on reading "Afraid" very soon! Entertaining, but not for the weak of heart or gut.

HORRIFIED!
Of course I expected to be. This book is about serial killers. I don't know if I enjoyed it or if it was like the car wreck you pass slowly by. But I would have read more if it had been longer, and would read more by this author. Read more

Editorial Review

Bangers and mash with Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Hogwarts dining hall.

A proper cuppa tea and rock cakes in Hagrid?s hut.

Cauldron cakes and pumpkin juice on the Hogwarts Express.

With this cookbook, dining a la Hogwarts is as easy as Banoffi Pie! With more than 150 easy-to-make recipes, tips, and techniques, you can indulge in spellbindingly delicious meals drawn straight from the pages of your favorite Potter stories, such as:

• Treacle Tart--Harry?s favorite dessert
• Molly?s Meat Pies--Mrs. Weasley?s classic dish
• Kreacher?s French Onion Soup
• Pumpkin Pasties--a staple on the Hogwarts Express cart

With a dash of magic and a drop of creativity, you'll conjure up the entrees, desserts, snacks, and drinks you need to transform ordinary Muggle meals into magical culinary masterpieces, sure to make even Mrs. Weasley proud! ... Read more

Reviews

The cookbook we've all been waiting for!
This cookbook is geared for children and young adults but it will please readers, cooks, and Harry Potter fans of all ages. My kids (ages 14, 12, and 8), have finally found an activity they can all agree on - cooking and sampling savory Harry Potter recipes. This book covers every single recipe that appears in all seven of the Harry Potter books. Ever wonder what Pumpkin Juice tastes like? Or Treacle tart? Well, you're about to find out!
Just crack open this book for easy to follow recipes, that have been authenticated and thoroughly researched and tested. Adults and children will delight in tracing their favorite Harry Potter delicacies back to the original source, while recreating some of these magical moments.

Finally !!! A Harry Potter Cookbook That Covers it All.
Great and thorough book. Recipes are amazing. Includes quotes from various Harry Potter Books regarding the specific food mentioned and informative or humorous tidbits. Easy to follow recipes that even my 9 year old can do on his own. The perfect gift for ANY Harry Potter fan.

Fantastic and creative cookbook! A must-have for any real Harry Potter fan!
Who hasn't read the Harry Potter books and wondered what all those delicious foods tasted like?? This book is masterfully written by one of us- a true Harry Potter fan! Its the perfect gift for any real fan, a lot of fun, easy to follow recipes, and the results taste fantastic! A must-have!

An absolute "must" for any Harry Potter fan who loves to cook!
All you wannabe wizards and witches out there, listen up: Use your wand and point to this book in the bookstore and say, "Accio!" (The summoning spell), because you'll want this on your bookshelf in your kitchen.

This is a bewitching brew of a book, a collection of recipes by Dinah Bucholz whom I suspect has worked behind the scenes at the Hogwarts kitchen. The publisher has wisely published this as a hardback, and gone to great lengths to give it an aged look--the paper simulates parchment printing, and the sidebars are comprised of parchment scrolls. The hardback book also lays flat, which is essential: don't you hate it when recipe books flop shut?

Throughout the book, where specific dishes have been mentioned in the Harry Potter novels, Dinah explains the connection; for instance, in a recipe for Vol-au-Vents: "Mrs. Weasley is really an amazing cook. To prepare all the food for her son's wedding, especially such elegant, classy savories as vol-au-vents, is just simply, well, impressive, to say the least (see HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, Chapter 6.)"

Vol-au-Vents are puff pastry, in case you didn't know.

What makes the recipes themselves fun is that the sidebars tell the story behind the recipe: its historical basis, and some fun facts.

Dinah clearly knows her way around a kitchen and can ladle it out--150 recipes that cover everything from breakfast foods to after-dinner deserts, a mouthwatering selection of food that will leave you hungering for more. (The book is 239 pages.)

If you are a cook or know anyone who is a cook and wants to try some traditional English dishes specifically mentioned in the seven Harry Potter novels, this book is a "must" buy.

I suspect it'll find its way on Muggles' kitchen shelves worldwide, and over time their copies will be splashed upon with ingredients; it will be well-thumbed, and dog-eared, until it's worn out from use--at which time one should buy a replacement copy.

I wish the publisher's budget had included an 8 to 16-page section of color photos, but the publisher had to draw the line somewhere as to costs. (Maybe they'll eventually relent if we all send our owls with letters saying we want color photos.)

Even without the omission of photos, this is a first-rate cookbook, sure to please even the most finicky diner.

Note: I did contribute an introduction to this book because I thought so highly of it.

George Beahm, author of MUGGLES AND MAGIC, and FACT, FICTION & FOLKLORE IN HARRY POTTER'S WORLD.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this cookbook is AWESOME! it has like every single food that's mentioned in harry potter and the recipes are GREAT! its a great present for harry potter fans. if you are one you should really buy this. its so cool.

Super great read n eat!
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook is a MUST read and eat !! You cannot be a Harry Potter fan without tasting what Harry Potter ate. The collection of recipes is thorough, accurate, clear, and easy to follow.It is authentic and informative. The book is elegant and
pleasant and the very best gift for birthdays and holidays. Kudos to Bucholz for creating and sharing this book. I finally know what treacle tart is, its origin, and how tasty it is. Thank You D. Bucholz.

Great cookbook!
If you're a Harry Potter fun-this cookbook is for you! The cookbook has a lovely appearance and the recipes are mouthwatering-so even if you haven't read the Harry Potter books you will enjoy trying some of the unusual foods listed inside.

Finally!
This book is so awesome. I already tried 5 recipes and each one is better than the next!!!! Read more

Editorial Review

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Editorial Review

Sara is terrified. She's doing the one thing she cannot afford to do: fall in love with former pro-football player Adam Black, a man everyone knows. Sara's been hidden away in the witness protection program, her safety dependent on staying invisible—and lo ... Read more

Reviews

Suspense at its finest
Sara Walsh is living her present with an all too real threat from the past. As the daughter of an ambassador, she was at risk. The memory of the abduction of her and her twin sister lives on in her mind and the the threat of the kidnapper who still stalks her has made her a prisoner in her own life.

When a twist of fate lands her in an elevator with Adam Black, ex footbal star, things change. Adam is instantly aware of the connection they share and with the help of their faith, he is detemrined to have a life with Sara.

The couple are faced with more than their share of obstacles, but the they share two common bonds; love and their faith in God.

Though this is an inspirational book, it will appeal to all readers who enjoy a true romantic suspense. The characters are so vivid you should be able to reach out and touch them.

Dee Henderson has a writing style that carried her story so smoothly you won't know it isn't happening to you. I am awed by her ability to write a story so emotionally charged and yet gently inspiring. I recommend Dee Henderson as a a writer everyone will enjoy for as long as always. Danger in the Shadows is a remarkable book. Truly remarkable.

Suspense and romance finally get equal air time!
I'm officially a Dee Henderson fan, after just one book! Unlike some other reviewers, I found this to be a very quick read. It could have been shorter if some of the descriptive and introspective paragraphs were spliced out, but I personally wouldn't want them to be. Ms. Henderson uses description to enhance, rather than stifle, her story; and it's refreshing to read a novel this thick in which neither suspense nor romance is slighted by the other. She has a pleasing writing style (despite a slight tendency toward comma splices) that makes reading her stories feel like vacation, not work. In addition, both Adam and Sara are likable, decently developed characters that carry their story well. Sara's fear and flawed relationship with God actually strengthens her as a sympathetic heroine. I grew to love and understand Sara, and the two "parts" of her personality (Sara Walsh and H.Q. Victor) is a wonderfully haunting way to explain the impact the kidnapping had on her. And for those who complain that there is too much romance and not enough time developing the Bad Guy, please remember this is the Palisades Romance Series, not the Dangerous Shadows Series. Go into these books *expecting* romance, and when one of them (like this one) delivers so much more, you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised.

A perfect suspense romance--beautifully written
DANGER IN THE SHADOWS is a wonderful book. Dee Henderson has shown a strength in plotting and writing that had me glued to my seat for hours to finish the book.

Sara walsh was abducted when she was a young child, and after 9 days of captivity in a dark basement she is found. The man who kidnapped her never is, but he is still terrorizing her. She is a protected woman, living with FBI protection and moving constantly to keep a step ahead of the insane man who wants to control her.

Her life is a terror, always watching over her shoulder, always being watched and never getting close to anyone. Adam Black is a sports hero, high profile, now retired. He meets Sara and wants her, unaware of her need for privacy and security. As much as she pushes him away, he is drawn to her and her situation, but struggles to understand what she went through and how it's affecting her as an adult.

Adam and Sara are meant to be together but the roadblocks in the way of a relationship working are enormous. There is a man walking free who has put Sara through the most unimaginable nightmare and it's time she took her life back. They both have their faith, and knowing that God was watching over them gave them the strength to face the terror.

I loved this book. The terror was so subtly drawn, so carefully laid out that it pulled me in slowly and before I knew it I was jumping at shadows and suspicious of every noise. The romance between Adam and Sara had to be so strongly written to keep afloat with the suspense but Dee has done it very well.

I'm off to find Dee Henderson's other books now. Can't get too much of a good thing.
~sue
~~~~~~~~
Sue Waldeck
Road to Romance

Prequel of a series that can stand alone : )
I discovered this book about 4 years ago after starting to read the O'Malley seriesThe Negotiator (The O'Malley Series #1). I really liked it - and sorry, I'm not going to summarize the story. Just tell you that I enjoyed it - I think others will enjoy it. If it's no longer a "free" book when you read this, well I found it well worth my money when I purchased the paperback at my local bookstore.

A lot of times free Kindle books are prequels or the beginning of a series - so you get interested and want to read more. This book can stand alone (and it did until the full O'Malley series rolled out) or is a great beginning to reading Dee Henderson books.

Yes, it's a "Christian" book. Meaning the author and the publisher are Christians, and some of the characters in the book are as well. But it's not a beat-you-over-the-head-with-it proselytizing that you often find. The focus of the book is the STORY. It's gripping suspense, with interesting characters.

Just Plain Awesome...
I read Danger In The Shadows after I read The Negotiator. I was pleased with The Negotiator and I just had to read what Dave was like as a brother. Dee Henderson has a wonderful way of blending a real life problem along with romance, faith and mystery. You just have to love the way she ties all the ends together.

Danger In the Shadows is no different. I love the support Adam gave to Sara, through thick or thin. This is a must read book; you will not be able to put this book down. I was not disappointed with Dave in this book either. He turned out to be an awesome brother and if you haven't read The Negotiator please get it too. Read more

Editorial Review

"A dazzling debut brimming with passion, romance, and wit."
-Sophia Nash, RITA ward-winning author of Secrets of a Scandalous Bride

An earl who can't be bribed...

Gayle Windham, earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper...

A lady who can't be protected...

Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.

As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna's secrets threaten to bring the earl's orderly life crashing down-and he doesn't know how he's going to protect her from the fallout...

"A luminous and graceful erotic Regency...a captivating love story that will have readers eagerly awaiting the planned sequels."

• Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Burrowes' outstanding debut is a witty, sensual, Regency romance featuring complex characters who ring to to the time period, leaving readers saying huzzah!"
- Booklist (starred review)

Reviews

Refreshing Regency
Regencies that follow the typical formula can be boring or enjoyable, but Burrowes has taken some standard Regency conventions and created something truly excellent. The writing is lovely, the plot is well-executed, and the characters are interesting and likable. All together, it meets the hardest criteria of a romance novel: did it sweep you away into the story, would you like to meet these people or be these people, and would you like to read the book more than once. The answer to all of these is "yes". Publishers Weekly put this on its list of the five best romances of 2010, and I can see why.

Fabulous debut!
Terrific regency romance from a debut author. Ms. Burrowes wrote an engaging and entertaining novel that kept my interest. With her fresh voice, I never felt that she had to rely on cliches or tropes to fill the pages. (And, bonus, it was nice and steamy as well.) I've put Grace on my auto-buy list and have already pre-ordered her next book, "The Soldier."

Engaging and intelligent - romance told with fine prose and an empowered heroine
I have not read a romance novel for some time- having found them often predictable and based on heroines who are victimized. Very glad now to be back to the genre because this novel delivers a creative and surprising story of an empowered heroine.

To be sure - this is great historical romance - delicious and slowly unfolding tale of a young woman experiencing her first true and passionate love. But it is even more, because "The Heir" is very fine writing - clear and intelligent prose like that of Pat Conroy.

Best of all, in this story, the heroine owns her choices and is respected and loved despite her servant status.


Great novel - very gifted author, expect that many more reviewers will comment that they read the book all in one sitting (as I did) because writing captures you

When is your next book coming out?
4-1/2 stars

Totally enjoyed it. It had a feel to it that I would label 'earthy'. The people used chamber pots and used curse words beyond just saying 'the devil you say!' occasionally. We know that f*** and s*** are old words. They would have used them.

The actions were mostly believable and realistic. This was one time where I felt that the actions of the hero and heroine were portrayed realistically as to the seduction and the heroine giving up her virginity out of the bounds of marriage to him. These two people were in close constant proximity to each other and things got progressively more out of hand.

Both the hero and the heroine were well rounded characters. I really enjoyed how she doted on him as his housekeeper and did everything she could to make his life easy and pleasant. I especially liked the hero. I liked how he tried his best to court her and kept putting himself out there for her. But he still seemed like an ordinary falliable man.

The only thing I can really fault is that it took her so long to trust him with her story. She didn't really have that much of a reason to distrust any man other than the two who were 'after' her. I believe this is the only place that it really deviated from what would be realistic for the time. She trusted him enough to sleep with him. I believe she would/should have trusted him to help her with her problems earlier. Plus she would have been hardwired to look to a man for help. Especially one who had the power and monetary wherewithal to help and who had specifically asked to help.

Enjoyed the secondary characters. Especially the brothers and the Duke.

The ending was just a bit too 'been there, read that already.' Lack of communication as a reason for a split. Where have I read that before? It was a minor issue though that didn't really interrupt my enjoyment of this regency at all.

Happily looking forward to Dev's story.

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Editorial Review

Llama Llama holidays.
Jingle music. Lights ablaze.
How long till that special date?
Llama Llama has to wait.

If there's one thing Llama Llama doesn't like, it's waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Finally, Llama Llama just can't wait any more! It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that "Gifts are nice, but there's another: The true gift is, we have each other." ... Read more

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Editorial Review

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Reviews

Preachy re-telling of Cinderella story is nauseating
This rather over-cute and moralistic version of the ancient Cinderella story was written to emphasize, as many religions do, that virtue should be practiced because it is rewarded. Nine year old Cinderella, whose true name is not revealed, listens to her mother tells her as she is dying to bear everything with patience.

Her father decides to remarry so that his daughter will have a step mother to care for her. He chooses badly and the step mothers with her two daughters mistreat the girl badly. She has to sit among the cinders of the chimney and, therefore, she is called Cinderella or Cinder-Wench.

Nothing more is told about the father. We do not know whether he was still alive during the subsequent episodes. We also do not know how old the girl is in the subsequent episodes. Surely she cannot still be nine.

When the prince arranges a ball and invites everyone, the step sisters have Cinderella prepare cloths for them and give them advice how to act because despite mistreating her, they knew that she had good taste. Cinderella, very virtuously helps her tormentors.

The rest of the tale is well known. Suffice it to add that virtuous Cinderella merited help from the fairy godmother because she treated her well when the fairy came to her disguised as a poor hungry old lady. Cinderella, true to form, later gives her step sisters some of the food that the prince gave her. Also after she married the prince, she arranged good marriages for the two step sisters.
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Editorial Review

What readers are saying"Whoa, Darcy!""Some parts are hilarious and some a walk on the wild side for Austen characters. Curl up and enjoy!""Tells the tale I always wanted to hear...how the Darcys lived happily ever after...""The only fault I found with this book was that it ended."Every woman wants to be Elizabeth Bennet Darcy-beautiful, gracious, universally admired, strong, daring and outspoken-a thoroughly modern woman in crinolines. And every woman will fall madly in love with Mr. Darcy-tall, dark and handsome, a nobleman and a heartthrob whose virility is matched only by his utter devotion to his wife.Their passion is consuming and idyllic-essentially, they can-t keep their hands off each other-through a sweeping tale of adventure and misadventure, human folly and numerous mysteries of parentage.Hold on to your bonnets! This sexy, epic, hilarious, poignant and romantic sequel to Pride and Prejudice goes far beyond Jane Austen. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

Reviews

Unexpectedly Great!!
I love a good mystery as much as the next person. The only problem is that is it exceedingly difficult to find one. I mean, when you have figured it out within the first five chapters, the book quickly becomes irrelevant. No matter how well the characters are developed or how engagingly the book is written.

Luckily, "Face of Betrayal" was a good mystery. One that actually kept me guessing from the first page to the last. Because the characters begin to draw you in from the very beginning, where you are introduced to Allison Pierce. She is a no-nonsense prosecuting attorney who soon finds herself deeply entrenched in the mysterious disappearance of a 17-year old Senate page, Katie. With the help of her friends Cassidy (an up and coming television reporter) and Nicole (an FBI agent), Allison attempts to unravel the twisted threads of Katies life and bring her abductor to light. Over the course of the investigation, it is discovered that Katie may have been carrying on an adulterous affair with a U.S. Senator, which suddenly transforms a missing person case into the story of the year. (In fact, the entire story feels vaguely familiar. It's as if Lis Wiehl took the most sensational parts of the biggest news stories of the last year or so and combined them into one.)

I am not going to say anything that could be a spoiler, but the entire plot of the story is fantastic. Everything flows, the characters are very well developed, and all of the sub-plots are very relevant and come together in the end. (There's nothing worse than a story full of pointless filler plots and red herrings.) And you will find yourself surprised at the twist at the end when the whodunit is exposed.

Honestly, I didn't have the highest of expectations for "Face of Betrayal." I mean, Wiehl is a legal analyst for FOX NEWS. I was actually a little bit afraid (tic). But I changed my tune before I finished chapter one, and I would recommend this book to anyone. Easily 4 � out of 5 stars. And this is only book one of the Triple Threat Series. I will now be anxiously awaiting the release of book two, "Hand of Fate" in April of 2010.

terrific political thriller
In Portland, Oregon seventeen year old US Senate page Katie Converse goes home during the Christmas recess. However, when her family reports her missing, the media goes into a feeding frenzy searching for any nuance as Katie is the All American paragon; the press seeks clues to her whereabouts while assuming the worst occurred and intrudes on the law enforcement search for her.

Federal prosecutor Allison Pierce, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, and FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges uncover incriminating information that Katie is not the role model her parents and others describe. In fact the teen page was having an affair with a much older senator whose political career would be nuked if the truth came out. He will do anything including obstructing justice to conceal his involvement with Katie.

Mindful of Congressman Gary Condit and the murder of Federal Bureau of Prisons intern Chandra Levy scandal that fell off the media scope with 9/11; FACE OF BETRAYAL is a terrific political thriller with a homicide investigation as its underpinning. The story line is fast-paced but loaded with plausible twists that add taut suspense to the inquiry. Lis Wiehl and April Henry provide a superb tale that hooks the reader from the start and never slows down until the final convergence.

Harriet Klausner

Great dramatic read!
This book has it coming from all sides and you are really not sure which direction you are going to go down next and the ending is surprising. I really love each of the three female characters and reading about them as well. This has been a great read- I highly recommend it! Read more

Editorial Review

Lydia Bennet is the flirtatious, wild and free-wheeling youngest daughter. Her untamed expressiveness and vulnerability make her fascinating to readers who’ll love this imaginative rendering of Lydia’s life after her marriage to the villainous George Wickham. Will she mature or turn bitter? Can a girl like her really find true love?In Lydia Bennet’s Story we are taken back to Jane Austen’s most beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice, to a Regency world seen through Lydia’s eyes where pleasure and marriage are the only pursuits. But the road to matrimony is fraught with difficulties and even when she is convinced that she has met the man of her dreams, complications arise. When Lydia is reunited with the Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys for a grand ball at Netherfield Park, the shocking truth about her husband may just cause the greatest scandal of all ...“A breathtaking Regency romp!”—Diana Birchall, author of Mrs. Darcy’s Dilemma ... Read more

Reviews

A Wonderful Sequel
"The true misfortune, which besets any young lady who believes herself destined for fortune and favour, is to find that she has been born into an unsuitable family." (pg. 9)

The opening line of Chapter 1 of Jane Odiwe's sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice describes the character of Elizabeth Bennet's youngest sister Lydia to a tee. In Lydia Bennet's Story, Jane Odiwe brings to life Lydia's lively, high-spirited character as we gain insight to her side of the Wickham debacle through her eyes - and her heart.

Lydia Bennet's Story begins at the point where Lydia becomes increasingly involved with that dastardly rake, George Wickham. Lydia, who cares not to think beyond a new bonnet and how many suitors will ask her to dance at the next assembly, falls quickly under Wickham's spell. To Lydia, who is high spirited and wants nothing more than to be married to a wealthy, handsome soldier, Wickham seems to be the man of her dreams. But she finds out the hard way that Wickham's heart has never been hers and that he only wants her as a connection to Mr. Darcy and his money.

Odiwe weaves her fiction into Austen's story seamlessly, as we follow Lydia through the aftermath of her marriage to Wickham and the subsequent scandals she is subjected to because of him. We also watch Lydia transform from a selfish girl into a mature young woman who wants nothing more than to love and be loved - in style, of course.

I enjoyed Lydia Bennet's Story immensely. It was a fun story with everything I love about good Regency fiction - good writing, plenty of period descriptions and background information that lend authenticity, and romance that is exciting but not over the top. Odiwe did an excellent job of staying true to Austen's style while creating new characters and plots to make the story fresh and interesting. She also gave me a new appreciation for the character of Lydia. In an age of numerous Austen sequels, this one is definitely worth reading.

What a different take on Pride and Prejudice
I found this book to be enjoyable and thought-provoking! It is nice to see Lydia's side of things! I always felt bad for her, because her youth and immaturity led her astray. Glad to see her get a better ending! Read more

Editorial Review

In the Colorado mountain town of Glenwood Springs, not far from Aspen, artist/photographer Gwyn Sanders discovers a cryptic letter her sister Kelly left behind.The victim of a deadly hit and run, Kelly reveals she was sexually involved with her sister’s boyfriend and is scared for her life. Both Gwyn and her remaining sister Linda have since married their boyfriends, so either of their husbands could be guilty of murder. The sisters received a large inheritance before meeting these men, and know little of either man’s background. Worse, both Gwyn and Linda love their husbands deeply, but steps must be taken to find the truth. And the truth is complicated. Is it one of the two men, or another previous lover? Or none of them? Danger abounds and everyone is a suspect as Gwyn tries with the help of a gifted private detective to track a killer....

Her Last Letter is approximately 96,000 words long. ... Read more

Reviews

Compelling and Suspenseful
Highly recommended. Well-written and suspenseful. Johnson succeeds in balancing plot and characters, no easy feat. This story is full of people so real you feel as if you could call them on the phone and chat with them. At the same time, she seamlessly develops a very suspenseful tale for them, enmeshing them in intrigue and sometimes danger. You really feel for the main character, Gwyn, who is grieving for a dead sister. When a clue to her sister's murder pops up, Gwyn embarks upon a search for the truth that calls much of her own life into question. Can her friends be trusted? Her surviving sister? Her own husband? Did he marry her for her inheritance? There are plenty of viable suspects, and it was entertaining to follow Gwyn as she pursued -- and tried to survive -- her quest. I also enjoyed the vivid details that enrich the story, from Gwyn's art to the exciting skiing scenes. I'm looking forward to reading more of Johnson's novels.

A Cool Mystery
I read Her Last Letter during the scorching heat of summer, so the wintery setting of the book really cooled me off. The fact that the protagonist had reason to suspect all those around her of murder made for a tense plot, and the fact that she kept deciding to remain under the same roof with one suspect made me a nervous wreck! I really enjoyed this book.

A great mystery.
I knew I was going to like the book before I even started reading it. I'm always a sucker for a good mystery. Nancy gets you interested right from the beginning, and once I got started, I couldn't put it down. The sign of a good book is one that sticks with you long after you've finished reading it. This is one of those books. Oh, and did I mention I LOVE the cover. Read more