Product Description

[Siren PolyAmour: Erotic Contemporary Menage a Trois Romance, M/F with M/M/F elements, Public Exhibition]

Customer Reviews (1)

Trauma
The girl is fabulous.She is a creature focusedon her weight and not her heart.She dwells on her fat and her twisted sisters and not her happiness.I love the good guy bad guy thing, but why does the story not include happiness with her own family?.

It is a great, but so often people are left unhappy. ... Read more

Product Description
AdriftElayne S. Venton The fates are on Lorie Walker s side when she pulls long-term duty with the hunk of Space Station 5423, Dodd Henderson. Or maybe she s not so lucky. Their space capsule is drifting in a black hole and the gauges are nonfunctional. The odds of survival are slim whether they try to break free of the void or await help. Dare they take the time, perhaps the only chance they ll ever have, to explore the suppressed passion between them? Or will a diversion from their recovery efforts doom them? Passion s SongJory Strong Aria s life on the mining world of Iyon is harsh. Her future made bleaker when her father gambles her away in a dice game. Refusing to accept a prostitute s fate, she flees into the night and ends up in Raeder s and Haven s arms.They re a fantasy made flesh or a nightmare waiting to happen. After a night of unparalleled pleasure, she learns of their origins and runs from them, only to realize she s faced with a choice listen to her heart, or to the rumors about the men who call the closed desert world of Adjara home.Reader Advisory: Contains scenes of graphic male/male sexual interaction. Private LessonsSolange Ayre Lonely widow Vanessa d Aulaire reads Professor Robert Woodcock s marriage manual and marvels at its absurd, inaccurate statements. Determined to set the professor straight, she invites him for tea, only to learn she was his teacher ten years ago. Rob s schoolboy crush flares into a man s passion as Vanessa tutors him in pleasuring a woman.Vanessa s stepfather is pressuring her to marry one of his friends. But how can she consider marriage to an elderly widower when her secret liaison with Rob fills her with sensual delight? Return to XanderRowan West Mia has ached for artist Xander since she broke up with him. She never expected to find him stripping at a club. Xander isn t pleased to see Mia but that doesn t stop him from having hot sex with her. When Mia shows up at Xander s studio, she agrees to a challenge she will stay and pose for portraits. Xander plans to paint her, use her, then throw her out. But old emotions return. Mia needs to convince Xander she will do anything to be with him or they ll lose out on love. Sorcerer s SongCindy Spencer Pape When Sorcerer Cian hears a siren s song on a cool Toronto night, he has no idea his life is about to change forever. Lyra s life has been a long cycle of loneliness and meaningless encounters with mortals. One night with Cian turns that life upside down. Can their night of passionate sex turn into a love that will last forever? Together they work to find a way, challenging even the gods themselves for their chance. White ValleyLacey Thorn Dakota was devastated when she caught her fiancé with another woman, so she heads to what she thinks is familiar ground for a little rest and relaxation.Sebastian and Dimitri Cordova are surprised when they stumble upon an unknown woman bathing in the bridal pool in White Valley. The sacred waters are used only to help prepare a woman for joining with her new mates werewolf mates. Determined not to leave her to suffer a sexual awakening on her own, the brothers do what any good werewolves would do. They claim her as their own. ... Read more

Product Description
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could describe your garden as a jewel box full of beautiful plant treasures? In this sequel to the bestselling "Shocking Beauty," garden impresario Thomas Hobbs shows you how. "The Jewel Box Garden" is a luscious, full-color book that features 160 new and startling photos by renowned garden photographer David McDonald. Hobbs explains his philosophy of gardening and life, or as he puts it, "Life As We Dream It Could Be." In his own provocative and highly original way, he encourages gardeners to tap into their creativity and invest their heart and soul in creating oases of beauty—intimate spaces where they can escape the pressures of modern life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Rich photo imagery
I purchased this book after seeing it at my friend's house.I am a garden designer and love to look at the delicious photos.It is especially needed during the humid hot dog days of summer here in the South to remember how beautiful a garden can be.I'd recommend this book to all my gardening friends.

Beautiful vignettes
`The Jewel Box Garden' is not your average gardening book. You'll find no advice on composting or dealing with insects; this book is strictly about the aesthetics of gardening. Far more picture than text, it's a book of inspiration, not instruction. The book is filled with vignettes of plants that are jewels on their own, and are supported by being used in combo with other plants and with planters, statues and other hardscaping. His theme is that you want to create beauty in the garden, and not copy what everyone else is doing. I can't argue with that.

Hobbs lives, designs and gardens in Vancouver, B.C., so his palette of plants is much more extensive than what most of us have, and he's pushed the it even further by using hot weather plants that he takes inside every winter. That's more work than most of us want to do, but we can achieve the same effect with hardier plants. Hardy sedums and sempervivums can stand in for tender echevarias; there *are* hardy bamboos (and they are less apt to spread aggressively than the tropical varieties), hardy ferns, hardy variegated plants and hardy plants with dark, almost black foliage.

The photos are beautiful, but the text may be off-putting to some readers. Hobbs is snarky about the people whose gardens he doesn't like, and if you have that sort of garden you're apt to be insulted. Ignore those bits, though, and allow yourself to get caught up in his enthusiasm for what he's doing.

Jewel Box Garden a true treasurer
Everything I wanted and more from a garden inspiration book.I live in Southern CA and I want to make my garden drought friendly without going
a la natural, this book brinks a lot of wonderful ideas that I am working on NOW.

Changed my garden forever
Hobbs made me realize why I saw so many gardens that I didn't appreciate, be they well tended, stocked with plants, and groomed to perfection.Such gardens were bursting with blooms or stuffed with woody or bushy growth but again and again I left them thinking they were all the same and the unsatisfied feeling they gave left me empty and wanting something different that I couldn't explain.I was unable to put into words why I felt that way.Suddenly, the answer came in Hobbs books.His exquisitely photographed book clarified what I'd been feeling about the sameness and lack of imagination in these gardens.I had an revelation about gardening after reading Shocking Beauty and immediately bought Jewel Box Garden.I couldn't believe he could write another book that was as good as his first but he did.In fact, it will take your breath away.I've read both books until they are dog eared, given several copies as gifts, and am completely tearing apart and redoing my garden because of them.

The Jewel Box Garden
The Jewel Box Garden is a great book full of beauty and inspiration. I was looking for ideas to incorporate my talent for sculpting and the need to do something with my yard.
I also bought Shocking Beauty, it too is a wonderful book. Both are absolute keepers! ... Read more

Product Description
The Jewel Tea Company of Chicago, Illinois reached a national market for its household products through salesmen and mail order catalogs from 1901 until 1981. the company's Autumn Leaf Pattern china-featured throughout the text-was widely distributed and frequently graced dinner tables earlier this century. It is fondly remembered and sought by today's collectors. Rarely seen Autumn Leaf wares are explored along with a brilliant assortment of better known pieces. A combination of modern color and historic black and white photographs chronicle the staggering array of Jewel Tea wares including china, cookware, coffee and teapots, premium products, children's toys, and more. There is something for everyone in this impressive, photograph-filled and thoroughly researched text with price guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Jewel Tea review
This book made information available of items made in the 1940's and 50's.While searching antique shops the information enclosed helpmake wise purchases.The photographs and connected test are easy to follow.it is high quality and I would recommend this book to collectors. Jo Anne Pottle

Excellent gift book for owners of Jewel Tea Company china
I purchased this book as a Christmas present for my wife, who proudly displays a full set of "Autum Leaf" dishes in our china cabinet. My mother, who gave us the china, collected by her mother, saw the book and went throught every page Christmas morning. Need I say more.

The Jewel Tea Company, Its History and Products
Being a collector of the Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf Collection I found this book to be most awesome. The history of the company as well as the great photographs were well documented. I highly recommend this high quality book to collectors!

The Jewel Tea Company: Its History and Products
Loved the book. Very helpful in cateloging my collection and finding new pieces to search for. Anyone who has Jewel Tea would benefit from owning this book.

Jewel Tea Company, Its History and Products
A must read book for any Jewel Tea Collector.A very easy AND informative book.The author is extremly knowledgeable about Jewel Tea. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Product Description

A melancholy young Jewish gem merchant, Abraham, born in Venice, has lived his life behind the ghetto walls of that damp, oppressive city. He has lost a wife and the son whose difficult birth killed her. Now there is nothing left for him there.

Customer Reviews (14)

Love, life and spiritual awakening
Jeffrey Hantover weaves an interesting tale of a Jewish man, Abraham, whose world has collapsed around him. Both his wife and son have passed away, leaving him lost in a familiar surrounding. He decides to travel from his comfortable land in Europe to the unfamiliar area of Pegu located in Burma.

Abraham's task while in Pegu is to set up shop as a jewel trader, gain a large sum of money, and travel back with this new found fortune. Upon his arrival in Pegu, Abraham is quite closed and nearly pessimistic in how perceives what the future holds for him there. He looks at the native people and their culture as "heathens" and can't quite grasp the Buddhist customs.


As time passes, he realizes just how accepting these "heathens" are with a man like himself, who is just as foreign to them as they are to him. He stays in a home that some see as auspicious, which instantly gains him credibility among the locals. His connections, and new found credibility, help him garner good trades which in turn will bring him and his employers alot of money.

But that's not the only storyline here. One of the customs the locals have makes Abraham very uncomfortable, but if he does not partake in this ritual he may lose the favor of the king and make trading nearly impossible. He has no choice but to take part, and in the process finds what he is not looking for at all, love.

The book reads like a travel diary, detailing events of Abraham's travels as they happen day to day and week to week. As time goes on though, the writing style changes, as Abraham does. The pessimism turns to optimism and the "heathens" become teachers.

"The Jewel Trader of Pegu" is a journey worth taking, and truly makes the reader feel like they are right there with Abraham feeling all he is feeling. Jeffrey Hantover's writing is delicate in the way he tells Abraham's tale. You feel transported to a land so many of us will never travel, yet feel afterward like you've truly been there and experienced all that Abraham has.

Insightful
This book is beautifully written.The words are delicious and the story insightful.There are many levels to the story which keep you reading and reading.The story of a man's journey personally, spiritually, romantically, ethically, etc.It is a book anyone will glean a pearl of wisdom from.

Male Sexual Fantasy Palyed Out In 16th Century Myanmar Setting
This book was selected by my book club, and but for that, I would not have finished it.The whole concept of foreign merchants deflowering Peguan brides struck me as a male sexual fantasy finding a respectable home in a book about 16th century culture in Venice and Pegu.After Abraham, a foreign merchant, falls in love with one of those brides who is widowed, Mya, and when Mya asks her husband to deflower another bride, for his sake and the sake of the bride, I thought it a male sexual fantasy on steriods.

The obvious stereotypes:
1.Women who are not only beautiful and naive, but also illiterate.
2.Women who want nothing more than to serve their husbands, first by letting a stranger deflower them, and then in their total and unending servitude to the husband.
3.Men who are begged by their wives to have affairs with unknown and strange pubescent women.
4.Men who have unending riches through savvy trading of precious gems.
5.One exception to the woman as loyal servant stereotype was Win's wife who was another stereotype, i.e. a nag.
6.Men who do not have to get married to have a wife.An emotional commitment was enough.
7.The subservient Asian woman fantasy.

After the whole deal about whether deflowering virgins was respectable or an abomination, it was followed by descriptions of the coming war involving Pegu.I was relieved to start reading about something else other than virgin lovemaking.But I did keep counting down the pages until the end.

My only disappointment was that at the end Abraham dies of a disease, malaria maybe? Of course, even though it was by disease, he died so that his wife and unborn son could live.But, I was hoping that the stereotypical male fantasy would play out to the bitter end with Abraham deciding that he needed to return to Venice without Mya, his wife, and his son, because that what was best for the two of them.

Extensively researched and beautifully written
The Jewel Trader of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover tells the story of Abraham, a young man from Venice who escapes the city's ghetto and restrictions on its Jewish citizens in the fall of 1598. His work takes him to the Burmese kingdom of Pegu, which has a rather unique custom of asking foreign traders to deflower young brides (this, by the way, is historically accurate).

And so enters Mya, testing Abraham's faith, good manners, and everything he believes in. Just when he thinks he has those things figured out, Pegu goes under siege, and he has to make even more difficult decisions, including whether to try to smuggle Mya to Venice, a crime that could lead to the deaths of many.

I think because of its switching narrative perspectives, it took me a while to get into this book; at about 75 pages in, though, I was hooked, and at that point, there was no stopping me.

For several days, I took Abraham and Mya everywhere with me. I couldn't wait to find out what he was learning about himself, Judaism, Catholicism, Mya, and Pegu itself-and how he was expressing it in letters to his cousin Joseph back in Italy. And what was young Mya feeling, in this strange house with a foreign man?

The Jewel Trader of Pegu is an extensively researched and beautifully written book. It was surely a great challenge for Hantover to write from the alternating perspectives of Abraham, a 16th century Jew in Venice, and Mya, who is illiterate, but it didn't show at all in the prose-and I consider that a sign of great writing.

If you like well-crafted, well-written, compelling stories that delve into cultural differences, historical customs, and the meaning of true love, The Jewel Trader of Pegu absolutely delivers.

It wasn't a quick read for me as it had me stopping and thinking every few pages, and that's part of why I enjoyed it so much.

I give this book four espresso cups out of five.

~ Michelle Fabio
[...]

"How nature seems to reverse itself in this part of the world."


Abraham is a devout man who flees the repression of Jews in 1598 Venice. A gem trader, Abraham pursues his family's business in an exotic land, the Burmese kingdom of Pegu. Twenty-eight, Abraham has long ago lost wife and child to death, unencumbered in his new environment. Recounting his ocean voyage and the extraordinary sights along the way, Abraham's lengthy letters to his cousin, Joseph, become a repository of his ambitions, successes and moral choices, revealing the cultural dilemmas must safely navigate in Pegu, an island rich in religion, superstition and natural resources. Abraham describes his journey in detail, the strange rituals of this tiny kingdom ruled by a rigid and acquisitive king. By the end of the novel, as terrified families flee the invaders on the horizon, the king has squandered both good will and military might, able men leaving the city rather than face certain death on behalf of their king.

Viewing all around him with curiosity and wonder, Abraham believes he can remain above politics and cultural roadblocks, benefiting from a brisk trading market; but he is challenged early on by the specific demands of a common village practice, the villagers harboring certain expectations of a man of Abraham's stature in the community. After wrestling with his conscience and praying for guidance, Abraham gives way to tradition, aware that his refusal would hamper his success and that of the family investment. Rich in local color, a varied culture and Buddhist religious traditions, Pegu offers Abraham a new beginning, a future yet to be written. But nothing is as significant as the arrival of Aya, a new bride and overnight widow from a remote village who seeks shelter in Abraham's home. Falling in love with Aya changes Abraham's life, a profound experience that he describes in detail in his missives to Joseph.

The letters come to an abrupt end, Aya's lone voice telling of their flight from home and a pervasive fear of the invaders who have filled the country with the sounds and smells of death. The couple and their companions carry their meager belongings, walking into an uncertain fate, the lush country so beautifully described by the author annihilated by a marauding army. Years later, a grieving father gently unfolds the yellowing pages of Abraham's letters, his personal diaspora into an unfamiliar world where this lonely man finds completion in the arms of a loving wife. Part travelogue, part discourse on the cultural bounty of Pegu, Abraham travels a magical landscape he could never have anticipated. Luan Gaines/ 2009.
... Read more

Product Description
The plea came to Malcolm Ross the very night he'd offered to help:You said you would like to help me if I needed it; and I believe you meant what you said. The time has come sooner than I expected. I am in dreadful trouble, and do not know where to turn, or to whom to apply. An attempt has, I fear, been made to murder my Father; though, thank God, he still lives. But he is quite unconscious. The doctors and police have been sent for; but there is no one here whom I can depend on. Come at once, if you are able to; and forgive me if you can. I suppose I shall realize later what I have done in asking such a favor; but at present I cannot think. Come! Come at once!

And what could he do, once he'd read that note? The only thing that any man would do.

Malcolm Ross went to face the trial that waited in the Trelawny home. And because he did, the jewel of horror was unleashed - and that unleashed the horror consumes us all.

The horror of the seven stars.

A novel of unyielding terror from the author of Dracula. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

An enjoyable Victorian read concerning Egyptology
While I've seen just about every vampire movie out there, I haven't YET read the original Dracula, so I can't really compare Stoker's classic to "The Jewel of Seven Stars," but I can say that "The Jewel . . ." is a captivating story.

I won't rehash the plot because another reviewer has already done so. I'll just say that if you like well-written, mysterious, Gothic/Victorian stories with an archaeological/occult bent, then this novel will be right up your alley. A definite page-turner and great late-night read.

The ending of the story is, in my opinion, a bit Robert Aickman-like, leaving you somewhat unsatisfied and confused yet at the same time immensely intrigued BECAUSE you're unsatisfied and confused. If you've read "The Cicerones" by Aickman, you'll know what I mean. Mysterious endings rather than ones that are tied up in a bow.

*** Addendum ***
Well, I finally did read "Dracula" and didn't find it anywhere near as enjoyable or well-written as "The Jewel of Seven Stars" (February 1, 2009)

It's no Dracula, but it's not terrible
I was very pleased to discover this book in a used book store last month, as I had not realized that Bram Stoker had written other books which were still in print.Being very fond of his Dracula, I thought that this would be well worth my time if it even approached the level of enjoyability that Dracula possessed.Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed with The Jewel of Seven Stars, as Stoker seems to have drastically changed his writing style and reverted to writing in a way that many authors seem to write their initial books in before finding the key to success.What I mean by this is that his writing style in this book is very awkward, stilted, and forced, and the characters are rather wooden and unconvincing.This is what is often found in early works of great authors (I just recently encountered this phenomenon in Robert Louis Stevenson's Prince Otto).What is strange is that this book was written years after Stoker wrote Dracula, and it makes little sense why he would revert to this type of writing after apparently moving past it in his masterpiece.

Awkward writing is not enough to turn me off of a book, but it does detract significantly from the story.The story itself has been explained in detail by previous reviewers, so I will not repeat the plot outline yet again.The story in general, though, is gripping in places, but tends to drag unbearably in others.The first half or so of the book actually moves fairly quickly and is enjoyable, but the second half is almost nothing but dialogue, and it is not terribly exciting or interesting dialogue.It is not without reason that a whole chapter was removed from some editions because it was simply unneccesary and boring.The glimpses of promise, combined with my desire to discover how it ended and my respect for Stoker's other work, kept me going through it despite the tediousness (at times) of the reading.The ending was not a disappointment to me, though many found it to be so. I am talking about the original dark ending, not the alternate happy ending added to later editions (which I found to be terrible compared to the original, and have a hard time believing that it was actually Stoker that wrote it, especially since it appeared years after his death).It is incredibly rare for authors to have endings like this one in novel length books, and despite its abruptness and vagueness, I was more pleased with it than I would have been with a more elaborate yet typical ending.

You may enjoy this book more than I did.I certainly hope so.To me it was disappointment, especially compared to the level of greatness Stoker achieved with Dracula.To be honest, it would be a disoppointment even if I wasn't comparing it to Dracula, because it was just so tedious and boring in the second half.It would have been a legitimately enjoyable book if the first half was kept as it is and the second half shrunk by about 75 pages.As much as it pains me to say this of a Stoker book, if I could go back and do it over, I would not spend my time reading this book.While it is not unbearably horrible, it is not really worth the time needed to read it.If it's the only book on hand and you have nothing to do, then by all means read it, but I wouldn't recommend searching it out or anything.

Overall grade: C-

Stoker's second best work
After Dracula, Jewel of Seven Stars is Bram Stoker's best work. The reasons for this are obvious: It is dark and gripping while portraying a claustrophobic menace that envelops the characters at the end. Of course no one will ever accuse Stoker of being the finest stylist English has ever produced, but the writing is competent--moreso even than in Dracula. Unlike its more famous companion novel, Jewel offers us only one character's narration though, leaving us to see the other characters through his eyes alone (and groan at his ineffable stupidity in places). The action begins basically in midperiod then fills in the background before giving us the grim ending. Surprisingly this is a highly successful means of storytelling and helps maintain the reader's interest. The end itself is a curiosity in that it has an original, nihilistic ending and a later, happy ending. It can be--and has been--argued the two endings are just inversions of each other, but clearly the original ending is the stronger and more consistent. Although authorship on the second ending is unknown, I highly suspect Stoker did not write it. It lacks the feel of the rest of the book and does not seem to have the same flair as Stoker's canonical writing. Despite some reservations though, this is a hugely gripping and thrilling, if not necessarily enjoyable, book that builds inexorably to one of the most chilling climaxes of any book I've ever read. A must for fans of well done gothic horror.

Good, not as good as Dracula
Definitely not as exciting as Dracula, but this one is still a must have for Bram Stoker fans.
I enjoyed it immensely, the ending however was a little unexpected. All in all it is a a great book from the master of horror.

Persian Translation
I first read this book 15 years ago.I found it worth reading andmanaged to translate it to Persian language free of charge & publish it here in Iran so that others can also enjoy it!The outstanding feature of the book is its decent language, not practiced much in the books we see in the market these days. ... Read more

Product Description
The extraordinarily captivating memoir of the remarkable jewel thief who robbed the rich and the famous while maintaining an outwardly conventional life—an astonishing and completely true story, the like of which has never before been told . . . or lived.

Bill Mason is arguably the greatest jewel thief who ever lived. During a thirty-year career he charmed his way into the inner circlesof high society and stole more than $35 million worth of fabulous jewels from such celebrities as Robert Goulet, Armand Hammer, Phyllis Diller, Bob Hope, Truman Capote, Margaux Hemingway and Johnny Weissmuller—he even hit the Mafia. Along the way he seduced a high-profile Midwest socialite into leaving her prominent industrialist husband, nearly died after being shot during arobbery, tricked both Christie’s and Sotheby’s into fencing stolen goods for him and was a fugitive for five years and the object of a nationwide manhunt. Yet despite the best efforts of law enforcement authorities from several states as well as the federal government, he spent less than three years total in prison.

Shadowy, elusive and intensely private, Mason has been the subject of many magazine and newspaper features, but no journalist has ever come close to knowing the facts. Now, in his own words and with no holds barred, he reveals everything, and the real story is far more incredible than any of the reporters, detectives or FBI agents who pursued Mason ever imagined. Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief, expertly co-written by bestselling author Lee Gruenfeld, is a unique true-crime confessional.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

glad I didn't purchase the book
I read a copy from the local library.It was a slog to finish.A long, tedious, brag-fest.

He eventually claimed remorse for his crimes, but think about it:He wrote a book to sing his own praises and to profit from the crimes.Most people I know who are truly remorseful don't talk about the subject of their shame, but would rather move forward/beyond.

He says he's gone almost completely legit."Almost" legit???It would seem like either you are or you aren't.His "almost" is that he's still hiding stolen goods and fencing them when his chosen lifestyle exceeds his income (pg 356).

Please learn from my mistake and don't bother reading this book.I can't remember reading a book with a central character that I disliked as much.

One of the most interesting books I've ever read
Bill Mason had me in his book's prologue, in which he describes at length how he stole a fortune in jewelry from Armand Hammer's Fort Lauderdale apartment. The job entailed a harrowing walk--in the dark, during a storm--along the slippery ledge that skirted Hammer's building, 18 inches wide and 15 stories up. This particular heist is just one of many carefully planned, often extremely dangerous, and highly lucrative robberies that Mason details in his autobiography, Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief, which was first published in 2003 (and was co-written with Lee Gruenfeld). For much of his life Mason was a sort of gentleman thief, who pocketed the jewelry flaunted by the rich and famous--the list of his victims reads like a passenger manifest from the Love Boat--and who never carried a weapon or took part in violent crimes. Mason lays bare his criminal record in Confessions (the statute of limitations has run out on all his crimes), but he also discusses the uglier side of his lifestyle, the effect that his avocation (he never really needed the money) had on his family.

Simply put, this is one of the most interesting books I've ever read. Mason's discussions of his various scores are riveting, inherently dramatic and very well told:

"I'd envisioned the whole trip with my back to the wall, but after about ten feet of futilely wiping rain from my eyes and imagining my feet sliding out from under me in a heel-to-toe direction, I turned around and hugged the wall instead. I wiggled my feet slightly with each step, feeling for any changes in traction, and the way my shoes were sliding on that slick surface started up a sickening feeling in my belly."

The details he provides about the logistics of his criminal undertakings are also fascinating. He writes about picking locks, for example, and "prospecting" for leads and negotiating with fences. And I love the book's prose style, which is straightforward and lucid.

One of course has qualms about what Mason did, not only to his victims but even more so to his family. But the author has qualms too. His book is a thoughtful, very honest consideration of the life he's led, and clearly the product of a great deal of painful introspection. Nor does Mason make any excuses for his actions: he's one of the bad guys, and he says as much. But he could have been worse.

Confessions drags a bit in its final chapters, but that's the only negative in an otherwise extraordinary book. This one reminds me of how rewarding a great piece of nonfiction can be.

-- Debra Hamel

An inside look
It's rare to get a look inside the mind of a successful solo operator like this guy. It's well written and engaging. Maybe it's not 100% true; I wasn't there so I can't say. But it certainly has the ring of truth, and even if it's all fake it's still a fun read.

Memories of a pathetic liar....
I read this book mainly because I was involved in an important aspect of Bill Masons life, his arrest. I think the co-author did a good job of putting the events as he knew them down on paper. However much of the information was not true.. Therefore I see the book as being partially fiction.. The author Bill Mason has either a poor memory as to the facts of his arrest, or like in so many instances in his book he blames everyone else for his lack of integrity.. In a true, and honest account of his arrest, try reading Badge 149, Shots Fired, by retired Captain Gary Jones, these facts are undisputable and documented.. Overall the book of course is interesting and exciting until you factor in the lives of family and friends, and others that he harmed. I reviewed his book in a local library, not wanting to contribute to his continued lifestyle .Justice in his case is still pending, I bet his father if real proud of him..(hic).

Strong start, weak ending
The first half of this book was very entertaining. I loved the descriptions of the heists Mr. Mason pulled. The last half of the book was tedious. Mostly how he was in and out of jail.
Still a good overall read. ... Read more

Product Description
Edward, Marquess of Foye, would have been happy to continue his life as an unmarried gentleman rake, until his brother's death changes everything. As the last of his line Edward must now marry. Having already had his heart broken by a capricious young girl, he vows to find an older woman who is seasoned, mature...and no threat to his feelings. Then he meets a woman who will require him to risk everything for their love.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

4 Hearts from TRS!
Ms. Carolyn Jewel was a new author to me. I was impressed with her work. The book was a little slow in the beginning. However, it drew me into the storyline about a quarter of the way into the book. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. This story was full of suspense. I usually don't prefer this much tension. However, it worked with the plot and her writing style.

The two main characters were so vulnerable. They were both so hurt from past happenings that they were afraid to trust. Their actions were so believable. It was impossible for me to remain unaffected when the two were so plagued with problems. There were many additional cast members used in this book. From the "enemies" to those who supported Sabine and Foye's interest in each other, we found multiple tidbits which made the book a stand-up success.

I recommend this book to others. Even though (to me) it started out a little slow, the storyline changed my mind. Good job, Ms. Jewel. - Brenda Talley

Great story!
Really enjoyed this book. The hero was not the drop dead gorgeous Greek god look alike that most historical romances portray and the heroine was not the typical bluestocking leading lady that runs roughshod over the hero and causes all her troubles with too stupid to live moments.

another great winner for carolyn
i dont know what i could add to all of the other great reviews of this book but to say that i too loved foye.at 6 foot 6 inches andunattractive and beastly looking he becomes very attractive and beautiful in character when you get to know him.he is one of my favorite heroes of "all-time".i too fell in love with him.i have everyone of carolyn jewel's books.i thought LORD RUIN was my favorite book, until i read scandal and now indiscreet.i am anxiously looking forward to her next release.hurry carolyn.

Nearly perfect
Carolyn Jewel's Indiscreet follows Edward Marrack, the Marquess of Foye, and Sabine Goddard through the sands of Turkey and Syria during the early Regency. Foye became aware of Sabine a year prior to the start of the story, via a boast by his friend, the Earl of Crosshaven, that he had seduced Miss Goddard. As the novel opens, Foye meets Sabine and her uncle on their travels in Turkey.

Foye is surprised upon meeting Sabine. Instead of a shattered girl mourning her lost reputation, he finds a strikingly intelligent woman fiercely loyal to the uncle who raised her. Sabine also finds Foye contrary to expectation. Where she supposed him to be arrogant and waits for him to proposition her on account of her low status and reputation, she instead discovers he knows Crosshaven lied and that he is drawn, rather than repelled, by her intelligence.

Despite a fifteen year age difference and a large height discrepancy, Jewel created a romance between two equals. Their banter is smart and mature, and neither ever seems to have the upper hand on the other. Even when Foye must rescue Sabine from a deceptive pasha, the rescue depends on her competence at behaving as a boy. Yes, Foye is the rescuer, but he trusts her with so much responsibility that still they remain equals. Sabine is neither too feisty, nor is she meek. She is simply capable.

Jewel also breathed fresh air into the cross-dressing mechanic. Rather than treat it as farce, she spent some time exploring Sabine's thoughts on gender and privilege. We get to see her worry about all the tiny things that could give her away, from not knowing how to mount astride a horse to realizing she had to schlep her own belongings.

As much as I enjoyed the intense rescue, I did feel that the romance was a bit short. The hero and heroine admitted their love and agreed to marry in the first third of the novel. All that separated them from their HEA was the resolution of the rescue plot. A bit more holdout, with more character and emotional development taking place during the journey, would have added a fifth star in my mind.

One Of the Best Heroes I've Read This Year
After having read Scandal by Carolyn Jewel, I was beyond excited to hear that she was coming out with Indiscreet.

When it comes to her tales, it's not just the language the characters speak, or the scenery that draw you in. Every aspect of her stories, down to the narrative, literally makes you feel as if you are transported back in time.

*****

Wrongfully thought to have had an indiscretion with a member of peerage, Sabine Godard's once immaculate reputation is left in tatters. Disgraced by his niece's behavior, Sabine and her uncle depart from England.

Years pass, and now living many miles away from London's gossip, Sabine feels safe in the belief that the company she keeps now is not the least bit aware of the scandal she left behind. She is comfortable until one day, the Marquee of Foye walks into the room.

Edward, the Marquee of Foye is left astonished that off all the people he should run in to miles away from home, Sabine Godard is sitting mere feet away. Although never formally introduced, Edward and Sabine both share an intimate connection. Both were wronged by the same man, the Earl of Crosshaven.

With the only woman he had ever loved stolen away from beneath his nose, Edward has sworn never marry. His attraction to Sabine is immediate, but he does his best to ignore it. Having started her life anew, the last thing she needs is more unwelcome scandal. Yet, with each day that passes, and the more time he spends in Sabine's presence, the more difficult it becomes to deny his affections for her.

What had been a mutual respect and understanding of each other soon grows in to a passionate and all consuming love affair. But can both Edward and Sabine find a way to forget the past and finally find true love within each other's arms?

*****

First of all, Carolyn Jewel knows how to pen my kind of hero!! Edward, the Marquees of Foye was so not perfect, that he was perfect. To me, he was a MAN. Unbelievably tall, masculine beyond belief, with a head of unruly hair and gorgeous blue eyes framed by thick dark lashes...*drooling*

Jewel goes to great lengths to make the reader understand that Foye would be considered by most women as anything but attractive. In my eyes, that just made him all the more attractive. I want my heroes brawny, strong, hell...even beastly for all I care, so long as they are gentle as a kitten when it comes to their woman. The heroine has to be the one person who can bring him to his knees.

I also liked Jewel's heroine, Sabine, a lot. I think mostly because she was able to truly see Edward. In her eyes, he was absolutely beautiful. Sabine was intelligent, and far from a push over. I thought she suited Edward perfectly.

The dialogue in this tale is phenomenal. This author can pen some amazing dialogue between her characters.

The plot...that's where I was left a teeny bit disappointed. The actual romance--IMO--took place the first half of the book. I felt, honestly, that if it wasn't for the setting of the story, the conclusion could have come much earlier on.

I think I wanted a little bit more than what I got, but because I was so completely besotted by the hero and thoroughly enjoyed the heroine, I was willing to look beyond it. I just kind of wished she would have saved such wonderful characters for a different plot line.
... Read more

Product Description
     In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, devotion to one's guru or spiritual master is considered to be of the utmost importance in spiritual practice. The instructions of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, based upon the teachings of the great eighteenth-century saint and visionary Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa, focus on the devotional practices of Guru Yoga, "Merging with the Mind of the Guru." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

agree with "a customer"
This is a sweet book by a wonderful teacher.If you are drawn to it then it is a good book for you -- and "a customer" gives a good description in his/her review.

The best one
Simply the best book I've ever read. It's seems that we are part of the audience, receiving the most profound and precious teachings from the ultimate wisdom Buddhanature of the peerless master Dilgo K.Rinpoche. Really awesome!

Excellent Guru Yoga Text
This is the best book available on the practice of Guru Yoga.Essential reading for Buddhist practitioners with an affinity to this practice.

A Practice Handbook
I agree completely with the two previous reviews, and have only one point to add.For students of Tibetan Buddhism who are actually doing the Guru Yoga practice of the Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro, this is a pricelesshandbook to suppliment and remind them of their own teacher's instructions. It makes an excellent companion to "Words of My PerfectTeacher", Patrul Rimpoche's guide to the entire Ngondro practice.

A book, a friend, a guide
Whether a newcomer to meditation, or more specifically to guru yoga in the Tibetan Nyingma tradition - or a somewhat more experienced practitioner, this book is extraordinary. If you are new to this kind of mediation, I would say it is one of the best guides into it (as a follow-up to yourmaster's introduction and empowerment, of course). If you have practisedguru yoga for a while, you have in your hands a treasury of inspiration.You will be able to dig into it again and again, and still go deeper.If abook can transmit the wisdom-mind of a buddhist master, this is it! H.H.Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche is right there with you. ... Read more

Product Description
Providing an extensively illustrated account of Queen Elizabeth II's personal collection of jewellery, and published with the co-operation of Buckingham Palace, this book includes stories and pictures of items worn by members of the royal family for over 400 years. The anecdotal text which accompanies the wealth of photographs is based on close examination of memoirs, photographs and documents in the royal archives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a wonderful, visual view into the English monarchy jewels. There is so much to see and so many jewelry pieces that they are atored in a huge apartment and are never worn. They are passed down from monarch to monarch and there are millions of loose stones, as well as pieces that are priceless. You will be amazed by the qwealth and splendor that is sitting in a vaulted room. A must have for Anglophilles.

BUYIT&DROOL !!!!!!!!!
This is a great book for the Royals-obsessed "Anglo-crowd". (ME!)Andyou sure can't beat the price on Amazon. I recieved my "used-like new" copy that surely had never been cracked open--probably sitting in Granny's attic for the past 30 years...... and under six bux!

I'd been a tad harsh in my review of ANOTHER book , "The Royal Jewels" by Suzy Menkes, which I had purchased before THIS book....for over $40!A fine book , well researched etc. but way too few color pictures ...and incomplete.

"The Queen's Jewels" is a good companion book for the other because it showcases the Queen's PERSONAL COLLECTION . And most pictures are in color.

Both books are circa mid-eighties so an update would be nice.Both have well-written histories & scads of pictures. But, if I were only buying ONE book I guess it would be the Leslie Field book.

By the way.....I did some checking on UK AMAZON & was surprised to see that the Menkes book was the CHEAP one and the FIELD book wasEXPENSIVE...something like THIRTY-FIVE POUNDS!!! So don't hesitate. Snap it up!

Magnificent
After reading this book and salivating at the photographs, I'll NEVER lust after anyone else's jewellery again. Apart from the sheer magnificence of the stones and the settings, the provenance of the pieces and just how they happened to be in the possession of the various members of the royal family, is completely fascinating. It's also a very interesting look at the social mores of the various eras. In Queen Victoria's time, she tended to wear more modest jewellery, much of which had a sentimental value to her, and so the ladies of the day tended to follow her example. In the following reign, that of Edward V11, the upper classes of the day followed the example of Queen Alexandra, who was a beauty and who dressed lavishly in her own particular style, which was followed by ladies of the court and which featured high necklines, decorated heavily with diamonds and precious stones. In the following reign of a very rigid George V and Queen Mary, the court seemed to be bolstering the idea of an unapproachable royalty, above the touch of scandal and to foster this idea by literally covering the Queen in jewels from head to toe. Today's monarch jewels up only on the most formal of occasions, but it's thanks to her and to the Queens of the past that this amazing collection has been built up over the years to amaze and bedazzle lovers of beautiful jewellery everywhere.

will not disappoint!
Field has produced an excellent balance of text and pictures and has done an exceptionally thorough job of documentation.I was fascinated by his descriptions of how the jewelry was modified over the years to accommodate the fashions of the day and the taste of the current owner.The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was due to the pictures.Most are black and white (for obvious reasons), however some were of very poor quality, and very few taken with the intention of displaying jewelry.There was one delightful story of a gift to the young Princess Elizabeth, a necklace and bracelet, which the Queen now refers to as "my best diamonds".But do we get to see the diamonds?No, the only available picture was a distant news photo of the young Princess sitting at an angle and the jewels nearly impossible to see.For Princess Diana fans, don't bother buying this book.There are less than a half dozen images of Diana, and nothing you haven't seen before.And just a reminder, this is her personal collection.You won't see any of the crown regalia.

A stunning and informative book with gorgeous photos
Leslie Field's "The Queen's Jewels: The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II" is a splendid, splendid book in every way.Field has gathered together hundreds of important photographs (of the nearly half million she saw altogether) of Queen Elizabeth's jewels.These are shown both in their cases and being worn by various monarchs, and we see how different royal family members have altered the look or the purpose of pieces as fashions and times changed over the years.Field has complemented these photographs with her outstanding, meticulously researched text.Even if you purchase the book mostly to drool over the photographs, you will end up being both captivated and educated by the accompanying text.

Field begins the book with the ascension of Queen Victoria to the throne.Because of the Salic laws passed by the House of Hanover in 1833, Victoria was prevented from becoming ruler of both the United Kingdom and Hanover.The kingdoms were split for the first time in well over a century.Immediately, King Ernest of Hanover--an uncle of Queen Victoria--demanded his share of the royal jewels, arguing that since the kingdom had been split, so must be the gems.Victoria disagreed, and the argument went on for two decades before finally being settled in favor of Hanover.Subsequently, Victoria gave up several important pieces of jewelry to her uncle's descendants--but was already well on her way to amassing an important collection.

Victoria was the first British monarch to make clear that some pieces belonged to the Crown and were for use by any Queen to follow her--and that some pieces were her personal property, and hers to dispose of as she saw fit.British monarchs have followed in her footsteps ever since and although Field showcases many sumptuous Crown pieces in the book, the bulk of what we see are the Queen's personal pieces.And what a collection it is!

The collection is vast and jaw-droppingly beautiful.Field wisely divides the book into types of stones, from diamonds and pearls to emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, turquoise, and more.We see everything from parures
(i. e., complete matching sets of everything from necklaces to brooches to rings to earrings and more) to necklaces and tiaras which were gifts from other governments or from such quaintly named organizations as "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" to pieces designed by Prince Philip expressly for his wife.

Among the many stand-outs in the book are:

- Queen Elizabeth's three-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring, designed by Prince Philip for his wife and set with a handsome diamond taken from a tiara belonging to Philip's mother (p. 85);

- The Godman Necklace, which had been bought by an English naturalist in the 1890s while on holiday in Bavaria.His daughters, many years after his death, wrote to the Lord Chamberlain saying that they felt they owned jewelry once owned by Empress Josephine of France and that the Queen might be interested in it.Although it turned out not to have been of this provenance, it was undoubtedly a stunning and valuable piece, showcasing seven large emeralds and three smaller ones, and surrounded throughout with an encrustation of diamonds and platinum filigree (p. 95);

- The Cambridge's Lover's Knot Tiara, shown being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge in 1818, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in the 1890s, Queen Mary in 1926, Queen Mary again in 1935 (this time without the upright pearls which originally adorned it), Queen Elizabeth in 1955, and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985.This is powerful testimony that good design and fine jewelry are both timeless (pp. 113 - 115);

- Queen Mary's "Rose of York" bracelet, which is a breathtaking ruby and diamond pendant which was eventually turned into a bracelet (p. 143).

Of course these are but a few of the many treasures in the book.It is a fascinating read, and a wonderfully complete and detailed account of what is probably the finest jewelry collection in the world today. ... Read more

Product Description
Alaghôn -- The Jewel of Turmish

Preserving the balance of nature is a way of life for Haarn Brightoak, no matter what the cost, but even his dedication to the customs of the druid is put to the test when a long-dead evil returns to the world of the living. As this vile creature gathers its undead army, Haarn must decide if he will compromise his way of life to defend the city that has never welcomed him.

The third title in the swashbuckling The Cities series, this novel explores the Vilhon Reach, an area of the Forgotten Realms world that previously had little information written about it.

The Jewel of Turmish is the first Forgotten Realms novel from popular author Mel Odom since his trilogy of titles in The Threat from the Sea series.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

"I side with the balance that Silvanus struck when Toril was made." (p. 103)
The book is set in the city of Alaghon a.k.a. the Jewel of Turmish a.k.a. the Throne of Turmish (p. 9), on the southwestern shores of the Sea of Fallen Stars a.k.a. the Inner Sea in the region known as the Vilhon Reach, where it deals with the main character Haarn Brightoak, a half-elf druid, whose devotion to Silvanus and the preservation of the balance is unquestionable.
As he sets out to find the poachers responsible for the killing of a she-wolf he meets Druz Talimsir, a Cormyrean mercenary from Suzail, who will make him look at life from a different perspective. Things will become more complicated when an undead follower of the evil god Malar is freed from his eternal prison and embarks on an unholy crusade to overwhelm Alaghon and the entire Vilhon Reach region...
The Jewel of Turmish is the third in the Cities series which consists of The City of Ravens (set in the city of Ravens Bluff), Temple Hill (set in the city of Elversult), and The City of Splendors (set in the city of Waterdeep), though as other viewers have accurately pointed out there is much more wilderness than city in this novel.
The plot as a whole is very good. Mel Odom's descriptions are accurate and vivid and subsequently, help the reader produce mental images with great ease.
Mel Odom sheds light, albeit a small dose, on the Forgotten Realms when he briefly describes the blue dragon Anaglathos, and Malar's appearance during the Time of Troubles. (p. 9)
Moreover, the dream sequence described in chapter 9 was intriguing. Was the voice, however, that Tohl heard really Eldath's or was it one of her adversaries'?
In addition, the author's words ring true when he states: "Nature doesn't bargain. It is neither merciful nor merciless and only requires that the strong survive. Whether you are strong enough to survive is up to you." (p. 66)
Mel Odom also provides some adult themes which were interesting such as: "You'll be back hiring yourself out to them old sailors." (p. 32)
Furthermore, the following description is as good as any I have seen when describing an Entangle spell: "She watched in amazement as the trees around the slavers came to life, twisting and writhing like arthritic snakes." (p. 64) "Tree branches reached down and caught the man up, curling around him and ripping at his clothing and skin with rough bark." (p. 65)
Finally, Mel Odom does a good job of conveying the sheer power of Evil vis-à-vis Borran Klosk: "His tongue opened the woman's midsection like an overripe tomato and spilled her entrails before her" (p. 164) and "Barnaby saw the old sailor's brain's break through the back of his skull, propelled by the monstrous tongue." (pp. 237-238)
On the down side, why didn't Malar send any of his priests and/or elite warriors/hunters to aid Klosk? Why did the wizards that control Allis never make their appearance in the book or intervene in the final battle? We only know that they worship Malar, they created the coral artifact, and they control Allis. That's it.
Moreover, how did the bear destroy two super enhanced skeletons and damage two more so easily, when previously one of them had been enough to create so much trouble for the adventuring party? Why did the bear survive its run-in with Borran Klosk? Its "return" was unexpected, unexplained, and unlikely.
Also, Klosk being played for a fool with the deactivated jewel was rather weak.
Furthermore, how could this major threat to the city and the entire region not be enough to bring in any of the region's big names; the city's leaders were completely absent, as were Alaghon's temples and clerics apart from the Emerald Enclave.
Finally, I wish someone had told me beforehand to read The Threat from the Sea trilogy so as to be familiar with Iakhovas, the Serosian War and the destruction of the Whamite Isles, and Myth Nantar among others.
Overall, I was very excited that the setting for this book was that of the Vilhon Reach. I wish more novels would be set in that part of Faerun, as well as Chessenta, Threskel, Unther, and Mulhorand, as opposed to the usual, Waterdeep or Western Heartlands locations.
If you love Turmish, Sespech, and Chondath, try and get your hands on a copy of the Vilhon Reach Accessory (it is Second Edition AD&D, out of print and it will take a bit of searching, but it's well worth it). For an updated version of events in the Vilhon Reach, see the Third Edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, which even though is quite expensive, is still very useful to all FR fans.
In conclusion, despite its flaws, The Jewel of Turmish is a book highly recommended to all Fantasy and especially Forgotten Realms fans. Those with a soft spot for the Vilhon Reach should also try Lisa Smedman's House of Serpents trilogy. 4 Stars

NOT Worth the Time
This book took a looooong time getting to its point.It begins with Druid, Harn, looking for the killers of wolves in his forest.After a while, he ends up chasing a wolf of his own accord, and this takes up over 2/3rds of his story.Personally, the story fleshed out his character, but did little for excitement, as you pretty much knew the outcome long before the pair ever faced one another.By the time he goes head to head with the villain you really have to wonder about his ultimate motivation, and exactly why things are happening.

The Villian never really gives a reason for his quest, aside from the undead standard "I hate all living beings" spiel.Klossk pretty much is played as pure evil, with no redeeming qualities at all (you never even feel like his attacks are somehow justified in his own mind).As an aside, his werespider compatriot is the only really intersting character and I would have loved to have seen her fleshed out more. Also, the Klossk is some rare type of undead, but no explanation of how his being such a creature differentiates him from other more well known undead types.2 paragraphs and all the confusion over his Morgh status would have been resolved.

At the end of it all it all comes down to the question of whether the book is worth reading.If you like really well fleshed out characters, with no real background then you'll love this book.Looking for a fun interesting read?Pass.

The other complaint about this book isn't that it is part of the City Series, and 90% of the book is set in the wilds, but rather that it had no sense of where it was located.This story could have taken place in any world setting.This one really dropped the ball.

2 stars for characterization only.This could have been a terrific read!

The title was a misnomer, but it was a nice story
Ignore the introduction on the backcover of the book, it is misleading.Exacting readers could also ignore the title.

Unlike Temple Hill and City of Ravens, the Jewel of Turmish did little to explore the city of Alaghôn, nor justify the city its name nor the book its title.The story was divided between two threads, the druid Haarn and sellsword Druz in the wilderness, and the ancient evil Borran Klosk escaping from his captivity to spread terror in the Vilhon Reach.While both threads were properly developed in their own right, their intertwining was almost accidental and had no element of a plot at all.

The author planned well the series of events which gave the readers an intimate insight into the character of the druid hero. He did not do so well with the villain Borran, readers were left guessing to Borran's actual motivations.

There were numerous references to events in the From the Sea trilogy by the same author, I guess Mel Odom just couldn't resist.Though there was *some* connection, the repetition just gets on the nerves after a while.

As mentioned by a previous reviewer, the author appeared to find too little pages to do justice to the climax after a skillful build-up which took 262 pages (the book had 311).The element of intrigue deftly introduced by Allis, the liason officer assigned to Borran Klosk by shadowy masterminds working behind the scenes, simply evaporated.It could have been put to better use, the additional pages would have been justified by a stronger storyline.

While I have no real complaints about the hero and the villain having only *one* showdown, it was brilliantly done and flowed very well with the story (who needs recurring encounters anyway), I was rather disappointed that it did not bear any significant impact on the hero; emotionally, intellectually or otherwise.

Not so great
The first half of the book has great development of the lead character and went at a nice pace.However, things start to fall apart as Mel seemed to realise that he only has very few pages to continue the story.So everything went hyperspeed, from the sudden emergence of Haarn's father, to the final meeting between Haarn and Borran (which was finished in less than 50 pages).I get a very dissatisfied feeling after reading this book.My personal opinion is that this should have been a thicker book, with the final portions of the story fleshed out.I've read the other 2 Cities book, the both are better than this one.

Well-written, but, well....
This fast-paced novel, the third in the alleged "Cities" series has little in common with the other books in the series except that they all take place in the "Forgotten Realms" (a shared fantasy world) and that all show journeyman-level prose, plotting and editing. I'm not really sure why this novel was included in the "Cities" series when it would have just as well made a solo novel (from a content standpoint). Perhaps the submittals crossing the desk of the series editor were a little thin and... what the heck, even though only about 30 pages actually take place in a city, we'll put it in the series (ah, the marketing standpoint!). You learn very little about the city of Alaghon other than it has a port, some taverns, and a lot of graveyards. This book should be part of the "wilderness" series.
That minor quibble aside, what you have here to look forward to reading is an action-packed (definitely rated R for violence and bloodshed) roadtrip by Haarn, a half-elf druid and Druz, a mercenary swordswoman to stop an ancient evil from annihilating one of the cities of the Forgotten Realms.
The characters are well-drawn and just enough complexity is added to make you care about them but Odom shows his strong point as a writer by capulting you through the action to arrive at a climax that takes place five pages before you close the book. The supporting cast of minor characters is well described (even though most are killed) and the numerous plot strings are well-woven into the storyline. Along the way he alternates characters and locations, draws out the suspense and most importantly, makes you ask :"what happens next?"
A few minor 'huhh??'s':
In an interesting exchange with a man-killing wolf, the druid Haarn is able to exchange complete sentences (who, what, why, etc.) but is unable to communicate with his bear sidekick and aide-de-combat in other than feelings. Why one animal and not another? I know, the animal sidekick thing is a staple of fantasy literature, but it could have used a little more fleshing out.
The ancient intelligent evil was trapped, not in stasis, but incarcerated for a hundred years in a tomb, yet he emerges with motivations of bloodlust and conquering that are cardboard caricatures. This would have been really interesting if Odom had elaborated on an undead creature with motivations born of a century of conscious imprisonment, but it's only glanced upon. Instead we hear plenty about its brain-piercing tongue. ... Read more

Product Description
A mysterious attack on Margaret Trelawney's father brings young lawyer Malcolm Ross into the Egyptologist's bizarre home, and the couple soon find they are battling ancient forces greater than they previously could have imagined. The Egyptian queen Tera has been awoken, and is coming to take what she believes to be hers - whatever the cost to the Trelawney family. Set in London and Cornwall, and written at a time when a fascination with the East pervaded Victorian England, "The Jewel of Seven Stars" reflected the perceived contrast between the Orient's savagery and moral degradation, and its exotic beauty and opulence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Another overlooked classic by Stoker. Will be enjoyed by any reader
This was my third Stoker novel, after Dracula and The Mystery of the Sea, and I really enjoyed it just as much, and possibly more than, those other two great novels.In many ways, this one is more simple, or at least more direct, than the others, being wholly predictable and telling a fairly straightforward story.But that doesn't take away from the overall enjoyment of reading this well-told tale.The use of first-person narration works really well here, with Malcolm Ross being a rather ordinary character but for his remarkably astute observations and well-described and believable emotions.His obsession with Margaret Trelawny and his curiosity and misgivings about the plan to resurrect Queen Tera, are effective at giving this story life.The focus on Egyptology and the mummified Queen Tera (as well as her mummified tiger-cat), give THE JEWEL OF SEVEN STARS a sense of mysteriousness and mysticism that will really bring back nostalgic feelings from your childhood, from back when such wonders really captivated the imagination. That, and the easy to read nature of this novel, mean that this one will be enjoyed by almost any reader.

One major thing to consider when reading this is to check out the original ending to the novel.Most of the current versions include the second edition's ending, in which everything turns out more or less happily, but that isn't how Stoker had intended it.After reading your version, look up the original and check it out.I think most readers today will be more attracted the darker ending originally intended.If you Google "Bram Stoker" you can find a fan site with free transcripts of most of his work.

In all, a very enjoyable story, one that deserves more attention than it typically gets as one of Stoker's best works.Highly recommended for those looking for a simple and enjoyable classic.

An enjoyable Victorian read concerning Egyptology
While I've seen just about every vampire movie out there, I haven't YET read the original Dracula, so I can't really compare Stoker's classic to "The Jewel of Seven Stars," but I can say that "The Jewel . . ." is a captivating story.

I won't rehash the plot because another reviewer has already done so.I'll just say that if you like well-written, mysterious, Gothic/Victorian stories with an archaeological/occult bent, then this novel will be right up your alley.A definite page-turner and great late-night read.

The ending of the story is, in my opinion, a bit Robert Aickman-like, leaving you somewhat unsatisfied and confused yet at the same time immensely intrigued BECAUSE you're unsatisfied and confused.If you've read "The Cicerones" by Aickman, you'll know what I mean.Mysterious endings rather than ones that are tied up in a bow.

*** Addendum ***
Well, I finally did read "Dracula" and didn't find it anywhere near as enjoyable or well-written as "The Jewel of Seven Stars"(February 1, 2009)

Not Dracula, but still entertaining
None of Bram Stoker's written works ever received the same attention and acclaim as his famous Dracula (one of my all-time favorite horror novels), including this 1903 tale of Egyptian mummies, mysticism and mystery, which is a shame because it's a really fun and decent example of the Victorian "sensation" mystery that was so popular during this era, a la Wilkie Collins and the like.In fact, this book is so similar in style and structure to Collins' "The Moonstone" it's as if Stoker was channeling Collins, whose novels he was known to have admired.With Jewel, Stoker no doubt hoped to cash in on the immense popularity and obsession with all things Egyptian, still raging years after Napoleon's notorious expedition there.

I really like the narrator in this story.One of the most appealing aspects of that genre to me is the tendency to tell it in the first-person narrative, a trend that has returned to the book world with a vengeance in recent years, I've noticed.I do love it when it's done right, and for some reason I especially favor the male point of view when reading from a first-person perspective.

Young barrister Malcolm Ross is summoned in the middle of the night by Margaret Trelawney, a woman he'd only recently met at a party but had become immediately intrigued by.When Malcolm arrives at the Trelawney estate he finds that Margaret's father has been stricken by a mysterious coma-like illness and lies in his rooms among the treasure trove of Egyptian artifacts he has collected over the years.He has left very stern but mystifying instructions about what may have happened to him and what Margaret needs to do (and more importantly, what she must NOT do) until, and if, he awakens.Margaret is in despair with worry and has no one she feels she can turn to except Malcolm.When another attack and then a theft takes place the next evening, the doctor and police detective who have also by necessity been called in are inclined to think Margaret herself is the culprit, which Malcolm feels in his heart cannot be true.

Another man soon appears and tells a long, fantastic story about he and Mr. Trelawney in their younger days, which they spent traveling in Egypt and combing tombs, especially that of Queen Tera of the Theban dynasty.This remarkable queen had been a visionary of her day and a powerful sorceress as well, and her knowledge was so feared that upon her death her name was erased from Egyptian history and her tomb in the Valley of the Sorcerers hidden away (this is all fictional as far as I know).But Queen Tera had the magic to allow her to live beyond the grave, and a crucial element of that magic was a great ruby jewel that contained seven stars within, correlating precisely to the constellation under which she was born ¡V the jewel that Mr. Trelawney now has, along with at least part of the knowledge key to unlocking its magic.

Needless to say, Miss T reeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally doesn't appreciate the tomb raiders' sticky fingers all up in her magic bling.

Trelawney isn't out to rob the great queen, though.Actually, he wants to help her by deciphering the messages and items she left behind to achieve what she wanted most - immortality.

While there's a good bit of Egyptian lore and mysticism here, there's also a very healthy dose of philosophy, science, and religion in the discourses between the characters, and I can only imagine how sensational those exchanges must have been to a reading public in that particular era.Stoker's knowledge of all manner of things mystical and quasi-scientific is pretty impressive, I must say.

Of course I won't give away the ending, but one of the most interesting trivia bits about this book is that when it was first released in 1903, it was at the reluctance of the publishers because the ending was thought to be too depressing and the chapter on religion a little too controversial for the general reader.They agreed to publish it only because Stoker was fairly well-known by then for Dracula.However, upon seeking re-release of it a few years later, Stoker was told he had to change the ending, as well as remove the one offending chapter completely, or it was a no-go.He agreed, and that watered-down version was the only one available for almost 100 years.I read the original version first, then the revamped ending via the Gutenberg Project online.Both endings are disappointing, frankly!The original ends bleakly and in a hurried, unexplained fashion, and the revamp, while doing a bit more in the 'finishing out', left me thinking "well, what was the point?"

Still a fun read, though, and I liked it.Not on par with Dracula by a long shot, but enjoyable.
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Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Book
A good selection of prose and short aphorisms. The kind of book you can reread many times. The sections make it easy to dip in and out of. Sri Chinmoy writes with great clarity and simplicity, nice intro by Desmond Tutu too. A good way to start the day. ... Read more

Product Description
A look at Queen Elizabeth II's personal jewelry collection offers a four-hundred-year survey of the monarchy's jewelry, organized by type--from bracelets, to brooches, to necklaces--and discusses their value and history. Original. Lit Guild & Doubleday Alt. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Loved This Book
If you love royal jewels like me then you need to get this book... the pictures are fabulous. There is not a whole lot of text and explanation about all the pieces you view in the book but there is enough for you to get a general history of most of the pieces. I highly recommend this book!!!!!

The Queen's jewels are astounding!
"Amazing" is the only word to describe the impressive array of jewels in Her Majesty's collection. Tiaras, bracelets, earrings... all delicately made and intricate in their structure. Whether they are gifts from other heads of state, inheritance, or personal presents from her parents, the Queen's jewels will take your breath away.

Now when you see pictures of the Queen and her female relations - whether on television or in magazines - you'll be able to name the tiara, place the bracelet, identify the earrings, and swoon over the plate-sized gems pinned to dresses. Brilliant!

© 2005 www.mandysroyalty.org

Fairly thourough look at an extensive collection
A well written guide to QE II's elaborate collection of precious stones.Comes complete with her family tree as a reference, which you may find handy to refer to as the author traces back how most of the pieces came tothe Queen through her ancestors.Many pictures, however, there are almostas many of Queen Mary as there are of Queen Elizabeth II!I especiallyliked the way it was discussed how some older pieces have been taken apart,reset, and reconfigured to make them do duty in the 20th and 21stcenturies.A very well researched book that any royal watcher will enjoy. I would love to see the author devote a publication to the jewelry (realand paste) of the late Princess of Wales. ... Read more

Product Description
In her rare free time, newlywed Lee McKinney Woodyard works on TenHuis Chocolade's newest offerings, chocolate jewels. But soon the town of Warner Pier has its very own jewel heist, and then a body is found in the lake. Lee can't help but wonder if the crimes are related. Maybe if she digs up some dirt, she'll hit the mother lode. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Great book in a fantastic series
I love these books and order each one as they come out.Fun and easy to read series.

Transparent while being light
In this volume, Lee is in her third month of marriage to Joe and has a house full of guests. Why would any newlyweds put up with this? Especially since this is a very old house that has only one bathroom and anyone can hear anything that takes place in it?

If that's not enough, Lee is taking care of the chocolate business on her own as her aunt is off in Europe enjoying her own honeymoon. This takes out two of the main characters in this series (Aunt Nettie of course, as well as her new husband who'se the chief of police). For some unknown reason, other characters that typically make appearances in this seris are not there. No explanation given.

On the other hand, there has been a rash of burglaries in town - right after a certain neighbor showed up! Hmm, imagine that. Of course, that neighbor happens to have been hit first, so he is out patrolling the neighborhood with his dog every day - besides, he is a gossip monger.

Then Lee and Joe go to visit neighbors that have just shown up for the first time in many years, and immediately they get involved in an armed robbery. A bit earlier than that, Lee is approached by someone who claims he is Joe's father. But, Joe's father died 30 years before! More and more strange behaviors surround Lee - who seems like a huge magnet for trouble, until she starts noticing the links between the various people and their professions and figures out the whole chain of crimes.

The plot was rather thin in this book as it was easy to understand who was doing what on the side almost from the beginning of the book. The mastermind behind the whole series of crimes stuck out like a sore thumb almost from the beginning of the book and it was only a matter of time before that was confirmed.

What bothered me most though, was that Lee decides that she will solve the crime and she does. Even though there are at least two police forces operating in the area, as well as private detectives and others. The last scene, where Lee gets personally involved in bringing down the master mind was totally unnecessary and even more unbelievable than most.

This is not on the list of good books in this series. Let's hope its a momentary aberration and not the signal of a good series going bad.

Sigh.

The Chocolate JewelCase
A fast read; very enjoyable and typical of the author. A very difficult book to put down...........

Mrs. Toby Brust

Pleasant jaunt with a favroite character
Unlike the other reviewers, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest addition to the fun chocolate series.

I enjoyed seeing Joe and Lee as a married couple, coping with life's problems and multiple guests while still coming together as a couple.It is nice to read a mystery author who doesn't have to kill off the hero in order to keep the series going ala Charlaine Harris and Dana Stabenow.

This book is a light, fun read which is what I expect from a cozy.Yes, I did spot the villain early on, but then I have read so many cozies it is rare I am totally surprised by the villain.

I also love Lee's tongue twisters and sympathize as I have been known to either blank or say the wrong word when stressed.I think the author is keeping these malapropisms to a fair minimum, as there is a fine line between fun and annoying and I don't think she crossed that line.

For me this was a light, fun read in a series I have enjoyed completely.

Still good but...
I have read all the books in the series and was anxiously awaiting the chance to read this one. Unfortunately, this is still a good book but definitely not up to par with the rest of the series. Too much time is spent with the murder mystery and too little on chocolate facts and, most importantly, the many interesting residents of Warner Pier. ... Read more

Product Description
This is one of the best-known plays by Africa's major dramatist, Wole Soyinka. It is set in the Yoruba village of Ilunjinle. The main characters are Sidi (the Jewel), 'a true village belle' and Baroka (the Lion), the crafty and powerful Bale of the village, Lakunle, the young teacher, influenced by western ways, and Sadiku, the eldest of Baroka's wives. How the Lion hunts the Jewel is the theme of this ribald comedy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

old dog.....really?
the story is a cleverly written satire. it shows the avarice of the old guard in the country. despite the fact that baroka has everything anyone in the village could ever want, he desires more. he must have the jewel at all cost and employs trickery to get Sidi into his arms. most of Soyinka's plays have a bit of a sting and i imagine it gets the message across to the ones that they are intended to reach.

Yeah, Wole Soyinka makes us proud!
I read this book as a compulsory read for all Junior Secondary 3 students way back in Nigeria, and I and my friends had fun with it. You know discussing the plots and characters for tests and exams was fun.

The book centres around a young maiden, Sidi. What is really memorable about the book is that she was trying to act all smart and she got her fingers badly burnt for that. As the other reviews have said, it has tonnes of lessons in it. Excellent read.

Wole Soyinka, the first Nigerian Nobel Prize winner in Literature(or any category I think, for that matter) really shows his worth as a writer and as a traditional and cultural Nigerian. Little wonder that he gets the respect and admiration he receives back at home.

A Great Play
When I read this play as part of a World Lit. class in my high school it changed the way I look a literature. To that point I hadbeen mainly interested in history and politics. In the Lion and the Jewel, Soyinka combines his political ideas about colonization, cultures, and gender roles in to this vivid play. He creates multiple conflicts between the very well-defined characters and over the course of the play the conflicts evolve into macrocosmic conflicts that readers and audiences alike can relate too. The themes in this play are very strong and speak loudly when juxtaposed against current world events.

I cannot recommend this play enough!! Check it out.

Excellent Excellent Excellent
Thumbs up to the author. He is one of my favorite author. He writes well. The book is perfect.

Excellent Excellent Excellent
Thumbs up to the author. He is one of my favorite author. He writes well. The book is perfect. ... Read more

Product Description
"I'LL TAKE TWO!" That's what Bibi Branchflower says about everything. She has two houses, two hats (exactly alike), and two silly dogs. But she doesn't have a single friend. When she comes across a beautiful jewel box, of course she wants two of them. Though there's only one like it in all the world, inside two dancers spin. Perfect! The shopkeeper explains that the box is enchanted - all who look on the ballerinas will see sorrow in their faces. Soon Bibi becomes more concerned with her sad ballerinas than with worldly riches. What will make them happy? It is her love that finally transforms them into living, breathing, happy children - and gives Bibi two real friends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Lovely book
This is a very well-written book with lush, detailed illustrations, telling an eternal story of the power of love. Each reading, viewing seems to reveal something more, my almost 4-year-old has requested it nearly every night for a month now.

Sweet Book
My daughter (almost 5) just loves this book. The illustrations are wonderful and it does seem like you see something different each time you read it. It is such a sweet story that reminds us all that people are more important than the things we surround ourselves with.

Has two of everything - except friends
Monique de Varennes & Ana Juan's THE JEWEL BOX BALLERINAS tells of one Bibi who has two of everything - except friends. But when she buys a magical jewel box with two ballerinas inside, something changes.

Cute book for little girls; great illustrations
My little girl (almost 4) loves this book. It is a cute story and the illustrations are charming. She received it for Christmas and loves it--it has become a fast favorite.

The Jewel Box Ballerinas
In The Jewel Box Ballerinas, Bibi Branchflower is so rich that she has two of everything--two houses, two limos, and two little pugs that, in the book, look kind of cute and insane at the same time. The only thing Bibi doesn't have is a friend. One day she happens upon a tiny little shop and finds a beautiful jewel box that contains two tiny ballerinas. Before she buys them, the shopkeeper warns her that the box is cursed and everyone who has previously bought it has ended up returning it. Bibi, who would never believe in such rubbish as curses, buys it anyway and names the ballerinas Miranda and Mathilda. But Miranda and Mathilda look extremely sad, so Bibi sets upon a mission to cheer them up. When all of the gifts and entertainment in the world won't even produce a smile from the ballerinas, Bibi thinks a change of scenery will do the trick. It's on this journey that something magical truly happens, changing Bibi's life forever.


My favorite part in the book is when Bibi decides to kiss the ballerinas in an effort to cheer them:


"`Is that a smile?'" she asked, for it seemed that their faces brightened. Then she shook her head. `Oh, piffle, it's only my old eyes making a fool of me. All the same, dear dancers, I'll kiss you often, for that felt wonderful indeed.'"


Here, we realize that Bibi is not the cantankerous old spinster others may make her out to be. She does have feelings, and she's lonely. The ballerinas are not the only ones in need of cheering up.


Juan's striking and detailed illustrations make Bibi's quirkiness come to life. Each time I read the book, I find a new illustration I hadn't noticed before, from two snow globes atop Bibi's sled in Alaska to the hilarious expressions on Bibi's pugs' that will have your child (and you) laughing with glee.


This enchanting picture book reminds us that people are more important than things but in a lighthearted way that won't make kids think they're being taught a lesson. They'll be too focused on Bibi's wild hair and her pugs jumping with merriment at the end of the book to notice.


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Customer Reviews (24)

Way, way to much "Katie"
I will not repeat the story line of this book because other reviews have done a good job of that. No one has mentioned that the lead male, Ruan, has a mistress, by the name of Katie Forrest, that we first hear about early in the book on page 54. Ruan marries Anne and then Katie is an ex-mistress, however she never leaves the story, she is mentioned on at least 39 different pages and she is mentioned on each of the last 5 pages of the book as Ruan and Anne declare their love for one another. On one of those last pages, Ruan even asks Katie if she will have him back if he is a divorced man in love with another woman. In a book with 342 pages that means she is mentioned on one out of each 10 pages. I was very tired of reading about Katie. I think this book has a good story line, however I thought there was way, way to much about Katie in it and she is why I only give this book two stars.

Likable characters
Pretty good story. The love scenes were a little more graphic than I expected--ok, a LOT more--and I was a little disappointed in who the villain turned out to be since I kinda liked the person. But it was surprising, so I can't complain about the suspense. The characters were all very likable and I wonder if there are (or will be) stories involving certain minor characters. :o)

Well, at least they seem to suit each other
Rakish Duke of Cynssyr has decided it's time for him to get married. Since he only gets the best of everything he's settled on Emily Sinclair, the beautiful youngest sister of mousy, bespecled Anne Sinclair, the sister he actually winds up married to after he accidentally debauches her. How does one accidentally debauch a woman? When circumstances contrive to have her in his bed and flying high on laudanum after she hurts her foot. Neither of them want to marry the other but they both decide to make the best of things, and it certainly helps that they constantly lust after each other.

** This is the second Carolyn Jewel book I've read and it has many of the same problems - the hero has some real character (even if it's an unappealing one), but the heroine is a complete cardboard cutout; flat, boring and lifeless. And while the Ruan (the duke) may have some character it's not the kind that you really want to spend several hours with, being arrogant and thoughtlessly high-handed but without any traits like humor or compassion that would soften his arrogance and make it endearing rather than annoying. As for Anne she's the classic Mary Sue - Jewel constantly writes Ruan thinking about how comfortable he feels with her while providing no reason for him to feel that way. All she ever does is act like a doormat while he makes his dictatorial pronouncements.

It's too bad - I like stories about rakes and bluestocking spinsters but this particular spinster was boring and the rake a real jerk. Although in all honesty I have to say they suit each other perfectly.

Flawed and still a 5? Because it's a keeper
This is by no means a perfect book, but it's on my keep and re-read shelf. The hints of the characters' backgrounds are so rich and complex, you want to know more than Carolyn Jewel can give you in the length of this book.There is material and characters enough here for 3 books.

The premise is pretty well-worn and quite an old one in the romance genre: Nobleman has his way with a gentlewoman and marries her to save their honor -- his as much as hers because he is a duke with an excellent social and political reputation as well as a notorious sexual one. The initial sexual encounter is not a rape; it positively sizzles. Though (or perhaps because) the heroine is under the influence of laudanum, an opiate, she lose the constraints of her inhibitions. Georgette Heyer's The Devil's Cub (1932)is the most famous and perhaps the first Regency/Georgian based on a potential rape. Laura Kinsale is the only other author I know of to turn a potentially cringeworthy "rape" scene (her hero in Midsummer Moon is the drugged one) to such advantage.

Anne Sinclair is the eldest and plainest of the 4 beautiful Sinclair sisters of Barclay Green -- 1 widowed, 1 married, the remaining 2 spinsters. Ruan Bettancourt, the duke of Cynssyr, is interested in courting Anne's younger sister, Emily. He barely noticed Anne 4 years ago at the wedding of her sister to his good friend Baron Aldreth. They meet again at the country estate of Devon, Baron Bracebridge, alsoa close friend of Cynssyr.

The day after her sexaul encounter with Cynssyr, during which they were discovered in flagrante delicto, Anne is confronted by her brother-in-law and Cynssyr with a proposal of marriage. During this formal encounter in a country estate drawing room, Anne begins to remember in flashbacks what happened. She is forced to marry the duke of Cynssyr. Jewel doesn't hide the duke's basic selfishness or cynicism nor Anne's surface passivity.And all this happens while Anne has yearned for years for another man who is Cynssyr's best friend, and he for her.

The charm of this story is that so many of the characters are totally surprised by the directions of their feelings, and take each other by surprise.The contrast between the Regency's rigid social structure and the characters' sensuality is emphasized here and elsewhere in the book. The complexity of the relationships is fascinating. Another fine little fillip of sexual tension is the hint of exhibitionism/voyeurism present -- so many of the sex scenes happen in their home's public rooms with potential for discovery by servants.

It is years since this was published and I still wish there was a sequel that gave us more information about the relationship between selfish and somewhat authoritarian Thomas Sinclair and his daughters, Devon Baron Bracebridge's past and future, Thrale and Lucy, and how Mary and Aldreth met.Jewel should spend more time writing historicals than paranormals.

A Jewel of a Romance!
Only the second of Carolyn Jewel's romances I've read but certainly ranks as one of the best of this genre. The reader is immediately swept up in the trauma of a forced marriage.The atmosphere is gloomy/tense as the woman faces a future of an enforced marriage or banishment to a bleak existence out of the life of a lady of the Ton. Even though the hero/lover is honourable the lady is reluctant. However, the grim future holds true for him if the marriage does not go forward. The heroine succombs. The hero (Lord Ruin) comes to find that his lady wife is unusual, not the typical woman of his choice, there is something about her which he finds intriguing and her wit and pragmatism in running his homes gains his respect. She is swept away by his charm and beauty as he comes to appreciate her unique beauty.
Most satisfying to read about leading romance characters who,while reluctant at first, help each other towards a loving partnership, restoring the spirit that has become lethagic with the sameness of life as members of the Ton.
Ruan is a worn-out hero of the Napoleonic Wars and has a reputation as London's pricipal Rake-hell. However, there is more substance to this hero as he take his role in Parliament seriously, wanting to push through reforms which will improve the lives of Britons. Famous men of the time cross his path and this gives historical context and credibility to the story.
Anne is the older of five sisters,considered plain/homely least likely to make a match. Her sisters love her, her father finds she is lacking in the virtues much admired by the males of their society. She dresses accordingly and is therefore overlooked by most in her society. Her unfortunate forced marriage gives her the chance to blossem, her physical beauty to shine through.
Meanwhile there is a mystery to solve about the disappearance and violation of several blond ladies of the Ton. Our hero and his friends together with his wife work hard to apprehend the villains. Red herrings add dimension and build tension. Ruan's last lover complicates matters. Anne faces a challenge which will either resolve the mystery and her marriage or destroy all.
Carolyn Jewel's writing captures the sounds,colour and drama of the Regency period. Her characters are believable and the plot interesting. Once begun this novel is compulsive reading. The love scenes are well written and while erotic show the redemptive qualities needed for Ruan to truly become faithful and for Anne to place her trust in her husband.

... Read more

Product Description
TEMPTED BY REVENGE...

Grayson Spencer is hellbent on killing the dark mage who destroyed her life.But when her attempt fails, she is forced to turn to Durian, a feared demon and expert assassin.Newly armed with powerful magic she's barely able to control, she'll do whatever it takes to complete her mission--even surrender to a dangerous fiend whose eyes promise unimaginable pleasure.

BOUND BY DESIRE...

Sworn to protect all mages, Durian can't let Gray threaten the uneasy peace among demons, humans, and mages.So he proposes a deal:He'll train Gray to master her gift if she'll bind herself magically to him, submitting to his control.As Gray's powers intensify, so too does Durian's hunger for this fierce, irresistible woman.When the dark mage makes a final play for Gray, will the passion she and Durian share be the key to their survival or the seed of their destruction? ... Read more

Product Description
This work represents the cutting edge of a new generationof Afrocentric scholarship whose mandate it is to provide a clearerpicture of Africa's true nature and of its genuine contribution toworld civilization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not terribly helpful
I wish that this book did what it said - reconnected the root system of African civilization.This book is in the same vein as Cheik Anta Diop's African Origins of Civilization, but unfortunately she seems more interested in rehashing the same arguments and counters from the 1960s and '70s than she is in writing a concise, African-centered history of Kush and Nubia.I guess I'll have to keep looking...

Objective Afrocentricity vsBiased Eurocentricity!
Any objecive, unbiased and well argued book on African civilizations or history deserves a 5 star for me: the reason being simple, there are not many of such books in the world! Ms Monges has presented both sides of the argument (an art of arguing) and has logically and objectively rejoinderedsome of the eurocentric views and arguments very well. I have read 3 otherbooks on Africa and Kemet (Egypt) and all share to a great extent the samewell argued, objective and afrocentric view as potrayed by Ms Monges. Ihave always asked myself what do european anthropologists or so-calledegyptologists mean by: 'negroid', but not 'negro'; to rephrase, black butnot black enough? Indeed I have found several of the their arguments veryirrational, absurd and illogical. Indeed Ms Monges does well to deal withmost of the misconceptions surrounding Kemet, Kush and Africa. She seekspartly to adduce evidence for the Blackness of Egypt by comparing it toother cultural practices in modern Africa. Something which she does verywell! Jesus said: there is nothing that is hidden that will not berevealed. Thank You Ms Monges for you objective Afrocentricity! ... Read more