Romance Books

This book is an excellent foundation for your new (or renewed) adventures in BDSM. Clear, well written and truthful about the risks, this book provides safety tips, insightful psychology and hands-on ideas for BDSM play. Thank you authors! This is a must-have for any start-out players, I'm going to give it as a gift to newbies and any new subs.

Everything was great with this transaction. I only got to read a little of it before Sir whisked it away with him. He is working out of state so I won't get to finish until I am able to reunite with Him.

I have read many books related to the Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism (BDSM) lifestyle and over the years Screw The Roses... is still the first book I recommend for all newbies to read. The authors are factual, concise, humorous, and thorough in their introduction to the various aspects of BDSM. Additionally, the contents offer just the right mix of information to picque the reader's interest into taking a deeper journey into reflection and self-analysis and continuing the exploration of BDSM.

This book seems to cover it all. Would help a newby like myself. Or a veteran in bdsm lifestyle. It explains most lifestyles, bondage, toys. Explains emotions love how you can live the life with it. And all in a funny way so not boring or put you to sleep. A must have for all new people into bdsm lifestyle. The authors are male (Dom) female (slave) so written with that in mind. For the ease of having to write everything W/we S/she. so on. Dont think would offend anyone. For me awesome read.

While the content/hard facts supplied and ethos of this book is great (which is why it has had so many good reviews I guess), the proliferation of super-daggy b/w pictures from the late 80s really makes me cringe a bit (they are are not funny-daggy, just daggy-daggy) and I am not too comfortable with the baby-boomer-and-proud "offbeat" humour littered throughout the text (my parents are baby boomers; the thought of baby boomers doing BDSM is a real turn off for me). Jay Wiseman's SM101 is much the better book (the information is similar, but without the wisecracks, bad pics and smug references to whatever generation it is that he belongs to). I kind of regret getting this book and I would not recommend it others (unless there really were no other good BDSM books on the market) - but, to its credit, the information seems trustworthy and credible (which is why I do not regret buying it altogether). It's just that, had I known about its pitfalls I would have stuck to Jay Wiseman, the Knotty Boys and surfing the internet.

This book was a little different from the other anita books before it. I liked it alot. very detailed, and gory.

Looking for a good vampire book after reading Stephanie Meyer's Breaking Dawn, I dove headlong and joyously back into Anita Blake. This one was excellent, again, though it moves more into the long-term action of a series, rather than a one-shot stand-alone as the first books were. Being an epic fantasy fan, I prefer this kind of thing, because it helps keep the characters moving and growing and changing, but doesn't have to have them do it at too frenetic a pace, as happened in, say, Rachel Caine's Weather Wardens series.

This book focuses on three long-term plot threads, one past, one present, one future. For the past thread, it closes the circle started in the third book, Circus of the Damned, because Anita and Jean-Claude have to answer for killing the Earthmover, Mr. Oliver. The rule is that whoever kills a member of the vampire ruling council takes that council member's seat; since the only way to get on the council is to kill one of the current members, only Jean-Claude can take Oliver's place. However, he doesn't want to, and even though he declares it is because he knows he isn't strong enough and would only become the main target for anyone itching to get a seat (which is certainly true), I think his main reason for not wanting it becomes clear almost immediately after we meet two of the council members, the Traveler and the Master of Beasts. Jean-Claude doesn't want to be on the council because these people suck. They are horrid. They are cruel, they are obnoxious, they are arrogant beyond all measure, and worst of all, as Anita points out, they are petty: they worry overmuch about small issues of precedence, they take umbrage at any word that is not purely sycophantic, they attempt to dominate and control and degrade anyone and anything around them. They are the ultimate bullies, but sadly, they have the power to back it up -- power they waste almost completely, because all they do with it is run their petty little games and try to get a leg up in their eternal squabbles. This is the perfect example of the corrupting influence of power.

It was fun to read because Anita has a very salutary effect on the council members: she intimidates one, and manages to find and bring out a shred of decency and honor in the other, and she keeps them from doing too much harm to the supernaturals in Jean-Claude's domain -- which might as well be called her domain, as she continues to take on the role of protector for more and more of the supernaturals, which is the second major long-term plot thread this book follows. She becomes the official leader of the wereleopards, and takes on more of the role of lupa for Richard's pack, a role that gives her the power to fight off the council and be of some use to the werewolves when they need her. And they need her, because Richard has finally turned completely into a petty, vindictive shrew. Okay, okay, she dumped you. She wouldn't sleep with you, and she slept with another guy, a guy you don't like. It hurts, I understand. But come on, already! Richard is so bitter that he is enraged by everything that has to do with Anita; he keeps trying to flaunt himself in front of her -- one of those, "See what you're missing, baby?" posturing things -- and yet the slightest hint of Jean-Claude in her life throws him into a complete hissy-fit. He can't stand the idea of anyone trying to help or control his pack other than himself, and yet he is not capable of handling his pack, because he can't face his own beast and he's turned into such an angry, screaming rhymes-with-witch that he is a terrible leader. One who uses cruelty to get his way, despite all of his high morals, because he is taking out his own pissiness on everyone around him -- I feel bad for the students in his class. The future plot thread sets up the theme of Richard trying to deal with his role in the triumvirate, although all he really tries to do is make them hate him so much that they'll throw him out of the triumvirate and he can go wallow in his self-pity forever and ever and ever. It's pathetic. Anita actually helps him deal with his beast at one point, and she tries again and again to deal with his immaturity, but he won't let her, and he won't let go of any of his rage. Frankly, I can't wait until he is put in his place. They seem to be leaning towards replacing him, which would probably make everyone happy -- except Richard, of course, who will never be happy, never ever ever because Anita didn't sleep with him and that ruined his whole life -- but for that to happen, Richard would have to leave St. Louis or die, since I can't see the triumvirate including any were other than the leader of the pack (vroom vroom) and that has to be Richard, who can't handle either his responsibilities as pack leader or as Jean-Claude's wolf. Unless Richard abdicates -- which he won't, the arrogant putz -- or gets killed. Which would certainly make things easier.

But then, that is one of the most attractive things about this series. Things are not easy. It's kinda like real life, that way. So, here's to Anita, and I hope she muddles through. And personally? I hope Richard gets put down, hard. But I want him to live, shamed and humbled and broken. I want his outside to be as weak and childish as his inside. But maybe I'm just being petty. Oddly, I don't feel bad about that.

Anita Blake books are so good I updated my collection to the hardcovers because I wore my paperbacks out. This is a great series but it is for adult readers.

I love the Anita Blake series, so far each one is better than the last

Laurell K Hamilton certainly has a way with words - her books draw you in and the reader never knows quite where the story is going next. These books are all very unpredictable with unexpected events unfolding and an ever-widening cast of characters.

The ever-widening epithet also describes Anita Blake's powers and responsibilities. Not content with 'merely' being a necromancer, as the books in this series have unfolded she has gained position as a lupa (female alpha wolf), leopard pack leader, vampire human servant and more. However this reader has found that the more this series continues, the more abstract and distant Anita Blake seems. In the first few books it was possible to identify with her as a woman trying to hunt monsters and not to become one. However at this point in the story I have found that Anita has become someone fairly unlikeable with her idiosyncratic set of rules that just don't work for this reader.

This story contains all the complexity of the previous stories, if more. The love-triangle is settled for the moment so more time is spent on the difficulties of Anita's life as she juggles her varied tasks. She is asked to investigate a possible supernatural firestarter, she finds herself getting involved with were-leopard and werewolf politics and her lover, Jean-Claude, needs her help with the European Vampire Council. The level of violence in this book seems rather over-the-top at times and some aspects of the plot seem rehashed from previous books, plus I have serious doubts about Anita's sanity and her self-awareness as to her limits. The author's skill in telling the tale lift this book above many in this genre but I didn't feel it was a patch on the first four in the series.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

If Adele Harris has to endure another bad date she will scream. What is wrong with the men she dates? They suddenly go stupid, crazy or just plain crude. That probably explains why the sci-fi fantasy novelist is still single at thirty-five while all of her fellow authors friends have met gorgeous men and gotten married. Her luck might just change when she travels to Texas to look after her very pregnant sister after her husband dumps her for a younger model. Zach Zemaitis, former pro-football hero turned high school football coach, now lives in town, having to raise his teenage daughter after his wife dies. Zach had broken Adele's heart while in college. Sparks fly between them when they meet again. But why can't they get it right? They have no idea that Zach's late wife is doing whatever possible to keep Zach and her childhood nemesis apart. She might also be the one responsible for Adele's lousy dates during the past three years...

Rachel Gibson has delivered yet another cutesy contemporary romance with Not Another Bad Date. Too bad that this novel, like Not in the Mood for Love, is so formulaic and predictable it feels as though the characters and storyline had been sketched out. Romance isn't passionate these days. It appears that most authors, especially bestselling ones, are churning out uninspired stories to meet a deadline. The stories are uninspired, the protagonists lack depth, and the authors don't even put any sort of passion or enthusiasm into their writing. Gibson has fallen into this category. Sex, Lies and Online Dating was the last novel of hers that I enjoyed. If this is the direction her writing has taken, then I won't bother reading her stuff anymore. I recommend this if you're a big fan of Gibson and don't mind stilted, predictable writing. If so, enjoy.

Rachel Gibson was born to entertain. I have read nearly all of her books and with perhaps one exception, I don't think I've ever put any of them aside with disappointment, doomed to collect dust, undisturbed for all literary eternity. Let's not exaggerate here folks...'Not Another Bad Date' like all contemporary romance novels is NOT literary rocket science. It is what is is..a fun, feel good, lol beach, bed or bathtime read. It creates a little tug of nostalgia in wondering what it would be like to revisit our youth and the one we might have loved and lost. To recapture the magic in present day. Unfortunately, for those of us who aren't 'storybook' bombshells like Adele, the outcome might not be so happily ever after, but it's still fun to dream. Especially to delight in imagining our arch nemesis taken out by a garbage truck and doomed to the bargain bins of Walmart for all eternity. LOL Gibson rarely disappoints with her plotlines and characters. There's never a "carbon copy" passed along from book to book. There's never a stale moment. Her characters are always funky and fun. Just what readers expect for their hard earned money.

Have read all of Rachel Gibsons book, and would recommend them all. She makes you care about all of the characters, injects humor and just tells a good story.

I like Rachel Gibson. She's one of the few writers out there who allow their female protagonists to be successful in their chosen field. She's funny. She can write a great love (i.e. sex) scene. Her male protags are appealing. But she can't seem to come up with any diversity in the development of a love story. Girl hasn't had a man in ages (read: desperate). Boy is extremely active in regards to women (read: really just wants in girl's pants). Girl tumbles in lust "But it's only sex". Boy eagerly complies with girl's stated rules. Girl then changes the rules on boy, and gets her feelings hurt when he doesn't ante up. Boy, for no apparant reason, then tells girls he really does love her and will she marry him. To me, this makes for a very unsatisfying and unbelievable love story. Gibson does great with the fun, funny, sexy stuff. She falls down on the job when it comes to the love stuff. I'd also like to see some different personality types. That would be novel, no pun intended.

OK, for light while away the time reading, its hard to beat Rachel Gibson. Lots more men read her works than you might imagine. In fact at the lumber camp in Montana where I work (I'm a skidder) most of us guys are always talking about her latest book. Its almost a book review club of sorts though testosterone drenched men who love hearing words like "shaft" "mouth" "suptle" 'killer robots" would never admit that.

Having said that, and having praised the book - well I'm hardly a prude but . . . Why can't her characters practice safe sex?

On page 306, there is an unsafe sexual encounter and THEN they use a condom . . . bad timing (unintended I'm sure)

ciao // gurkha
not so much prudish as wise

I really enjoyed reading all of the series, and this was my first time reading anthing by Susan Mallory.

What a great feel good book. You really can connect with the characters and can't wait to find out more about them and their lives. If you haven't read all 4 of these in the series you are missing out. This is the perfect rainy day read.

I love Susan's other books on the sexy Buchanan men but this one just didn't move me like the others. First the Matriarch of the family does a total 180 which is crazy becauseI love to hate Gloria. Then the heroine Lori just doesn't seem right I mean can ordinary people be just that self conscience and then become a vixen all in one book. Overall it was alright but the ending could of been better

To make a broad, sweeping generalization here, I'll state quickly that Susan Mallery can do no wrong. From category to single title, her romances ALL sizzle, and SIZZLING is no different. Nearly every Mallery book winds up on my keeper shelf.

In Sizzling, Mallery creates a hero with such dramatic character flaws, I honestly didn't think I could ever get past them enough to enjoy the book. I mean, a guy whose reputation states he's bad in bed? A self-involved jerk? ICK! But with Mallery's writing talent, it didn't take long at all to unravel all that junk to reveal the gem of Reid Buchanan truly is. And yes, he did some pretty jerky things, but half of what's been said about him is simply false -- most of which would never have come to light if not for the guidance of home-care nurse Lori Johnson, who's the first person he's come across who doesn't swoon at his feet. More than Reid, I enjoyed this book for Lori. She was 100% human, real, loveable. Her personal journey in Sizzling is stellar.

When a local newspaper reporter writes an article disparaging the bedroom skills of retired pitcher and playboy Reid Buchanan, Reid is embarrassed. Then the national media picks up the story and Reid's embarrassment amplifies 100%. To evade the press, Reid takes refuge at his grandmother's home. His 'difficult' grandmother with the broken hip and around the clock nurses home.

Day nurse to Gloria Buchanan, Lori Johnson is the only nurse of the three hired to care for the cranky patient that didn't sleep with Reid Buchanan during the interview process. Not that she would. Lori is immune to womanizers. Well...normally she is. But for some reason, Lori isn't immune to Reid.

I love this series. I was especially eager for Reid's story. I have this thing for reformed womanizers and boy did Reid need reforming! I can understand why Lori found Reid impossible to resist. By making Reid see his weaknesses, not like them and try so hard to change himself for the better, Ms. Mallery made me weak knee'd for Reid. Just weak knee'd!

Not only does Reid change, but Lori undergoes a transformation herself and I was really moved by Lori's back story. In fact, I cried like a baby reading about Lori's sister, Madeline. Susan Mallery can make me a blubbering mess or she can make me squirming, sighing and crazy in love. In Sizzling, Ms. Mallery did it all.

In this latest installment of the Buchanan series, Sizzling, Susan Mallery penned a sexy and romantic story that just made my heart sing.

Annmarie reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This is the second story in the Men of August series. This is about Brock and Sarah. This one to me was a little bit more believable at how much Sarah wanted Brock, but not her brothers. In the end it was pretty much if you want me, you have to have my brothers to. I know being in a relationship is about give and take, but man that is a biggy. I did like this one the best out of all, Sarah seemed to have a little bit more of a back bone than the others. Yes it continues with creepy bad guys, and yes she gives in for her man to be with his brothers, but I think Ms. Leigh also shows a side to these ladies how they deep down want to experiment with their own sexuality and try this. Over all hot and sexy, and really that is why we buy an erotic book. Keep the fan on high!!!

This installment was better than Book 1, Marly's Choice, but not by much. I was glad to see that the reasoning behind the August Brother's choices sexually were explained a bit. It made the hero's (Cade, Brock & Sam) a bit more likeable. But the heroine, Sarah, was just plain annoying. It was really hard at times to hope that Brock would be successful in his seduction. But, like with Marly's Choice, there are enough unanswered questions that I have no choice but to forge on to Heather's Gift.

I have read all the books for the Men Of August series and I love them all . I really liked the story line and I loved the characters . All the books deal with the love of family and what 3 brothers will do to reamain close after a very tragic event takes place that can drive them apart If you decide to read "Sarahs Seduction" then you might want to read "Marly's Choice" first this is book 1 and "Heather's Gift" is book 3 . If you buy 1 you might as well buy all 3 Because after you read the first one you will be hooked .

Three brothers had been abused when in their teens. The torture caused them to lose their brotherly bonds. (Caution: There is torture and sexual abuse in the book.) Now, the only way they can feel partially healed and calmed down from the nightmares is to share a woman in bed. Marly has been in love with Cade and has been having sex with all three brothers for years. This story is mostly about Brock who has fallen in love with Sarah and wants her to join their family and do the same thing. Most of the book is about Sarah's reluctance to be shared with the brothers and to share Brock with Marly. This same conflict continued through most of the book, which became tedious. I would have preferred not dragging out this conflict so long. Sarah was not very smart or rational in some of her actions, which took away from the story. If you're just looking for "wow" erotica and don't mind a slightly annoying story, then you might like this. There is a stalker threatening to kill the brothers and women, who is still on the loose at the end of this book. There are four books in the "Men of August" series. This was book 2. I assume books 3 and 4 may finish the stalker part of the story.

Sexual language: erotic. Number of sex scenes: at least sixteen, many lasting several pages. Setting: current day small ranching town in U.S. called Madison. Copyright: 2003. Genre: erotic romance.

For a listing of my reviews of other Lora Leigh books, see my 4 star review of "Tempting the Beast" posted on 6/30/08.

At least for me, Sarah was soooo annoying it ruined the entire book for me. Her constant whining about the sharing was very repitative and made the book drag. I could barely finish it. Also, since I read Sarah's Seduction and Heather's Gift back to back, I felt I was reading the same book about the same annoying heroine again. Like another reviewer mentioned the August Men tend to find the most prudish unaccepting women. I really feel like the brothers deserved better.

I was also skeptical about why the brothers needed to share but that did not bother me all that much. The sex scenes were very well written and steamy hot!!!! I just wish Lora Leigh would actually vary her heroines a bit because in a lot of her stories the heroine ran away because of or constantly complains about the hero's need to share (the August series, Nauti Nights, most of the Bounded Hearts Series), which always leaves me with the feeling that the heros deserve so much better.

After reading her other works, this one has the least sex scenes and is the best book in the series.

I really liked this entry in the series. Edward has always been my favorite character (besides Anita of course), and I'd missed him in the recent books, so I was glad to see he had such a huge role in this one. In this book, Edward calls in his favor from Anita and she travels to Arizona to assist him in investigating a series of mutilation murders. We get some insight into Edward's character and a glimpse at his long-buried human side! Jean-Claude only makes one brief appearance in this book, and Richard doesn't appear at all other than in conversation. And quite frankly, I did not miss either one of them! Terrible, I know, since Jean-Claude especially is such a central character, but I've never much cared for him or their relationship. In Arizona, Anita meets another of Edward's occasional back-ups, Olaf, who is a cold-blooded serial murderer who starts out hating Anita but comes to respect her in a creepy way, and I suspect that he will show up later in the series as well. An interesting character.

So, the title says it. I'm done with Laurell Hamilton. Honestly, I did not even finish this book. I stopped with about 100 pages left. I'm sick of the author's fixation on sexual assault. In most of the books she's either had someone get raped, or attempted to be, or put in a porn film against their will. I was well aware that there was some sexually explicit content in these books, but there has been to this point, so little actual consensual sex. So I'm finished.

Other gripes about the book: the werewolf politics yet again. "You came in to my territory without paying me tribute" *snoooooze*

As a medical professional: When Anita was injured in the hospital and hurt, they said her blood pressure was 60/80. Not possible. The numbers can potentially be equal, but the second number cannot be higher than the first. Maybe I'm just nitpicking here, but that's how it goes.

Also irked by one of her lines when Anita was referencing women's weight: "Anything under size 5 isn't a woman, it's a boy with breasts"
Wow. Pretty insulting to your female readers who happen to be petite. Just like,oh your own main character endlessly is described as being so. That's a very catty line and I found it very insulting.

So enough Hamilton for me.I'd rather read an author with either less sex or more HEALTHY sex than this endless victimization of her characters. I'm just glad that this book was borrowed and I've never paid a dime for one of Hamilton's novels.

In this book, Anita goes to help out her old fried-Edward. The book takes you to New Mexico where an Aztec god/monster is skinning people alive or ripping them from limb to limb. Throw in a rapist who gets his kicks by hacking his victims into pieces note:he's on the good side; A nursery ward where the babies get eatten and instant mumification and you have a thriller that keeps you on end! Yes, this book is dark and gory, but it showed a side of Anita and Edward that they thought they had long forgotten. If you hunt and hack monsters all the time, do you become one yourself or is there still some humanity left that is capable of love?

For a few of her previous books, Hamilton has started taking Anita on more philosophical paths, and the story line tends to be overtly sexual. This novel, however, puts Anita right back up there, fighting with the bad guys! We get to learn a lot more about Edward's life, as well as visit some different aspects of the paranormal realm. Some of the descriptions of the victims are horrifyingly amazing! It was nice to see Anita in action again, rather than mooning over one of the many men in her life.

Let me start off by saying that the ratings on this book says something. I've seen items where the five stars and four stars well outweigh the lower rankings. On controversial books, the sign of it being effective is a lot of five stars and a lot of one stars, with little in between. While I'm in the largest group (I'm #22 of the five stars), the smallest group (the two stars) has a respectable number.

What does this mean? If you are one who relies on reviews to decide whether to get this book, read ALL the reviews. Don't base your decision on just mine unless you happen to be a fan of my reviews and consistently trust my opinion.

This is the third Catherine Coulter FBI thriller I've read. It is not Pullitzer prize writing, but it keeps my interest. I like the characters in her books, though for some reason I picture the leading men (Judge Ramsey Hunt here, James Quinlan from "The Cove", and Miles Kettering from "Blindside") as all looking the same, and I just realized I see them all looking like Barry Van Dyke (Dick's son) from Diagnosis Murder.

This book is more disturbing than the other two I read because of its child molestation story-line. Also, one thing I'll give away is that the molester is a former priest. This is the first Coulter novel I read that does not have a protestant minister as one of the bad guys -- this time it's a former Catholic minister. (I wonder if Coulter has any books where a minister is a good guy, or at least, where none of the villains are connected with Christianity.) Maybe the preachers she knows are all child molesters and child kidnappers and murderers, but most real preachers are nothing like that.

Also, this book does have some erotica which I skimmed over, and which is not necessary. Also, there is some cussing which I never consider a positive, though I'll add that it is not pervasive in this book.

One thing that cracks me up is the long distance mob battle between Mason Lord and Rule Shaker. With names like that, I wonder if Coulter read Dick Tracy comics or watched James Bond movies for research.

In her plot description, she promised a twist at the end that even the best mystery solvers would not expect. I don't consider myself great at solving mysteries, but I successfully guessed what that twist was. Maybe I would have been surprised if she didn't warn me of the twist.

This is not a perfect book. Many have pointed out the illogical way the judge acts in the situation, though if he did what he was supposed to there wouldn't have been a story. Having completed a novel, I noticed that Coulter is not always consistent with the point of view. But if you want to entertain yourself, this would work.

One other note. The other two books I've read in the series (and I'll add Hemlock Bay, which I started and decided to read later, maybe) had two different stories going on ("Blindside" had a third little situation unrelated to the other two); this one focuses on the main story.

I will conclude by saying that I do like the way the book ends.

When a kid is smarter than the adults fiction is in trouble. Kidnapping and child abuse are tough subjects, but a Judge who doesn't notify the police and a mother who isn't hysterical are hard to swallow. I've enjoyed Coulter's stories in the past but THE TARGET never worked for this reader.
Savich and Sherlock do stop by for an encore, but without their normal punch. If you are a fan of her writing you may enjoy it, but for others pass this one by, Ms. Coulter can construct a better story.
Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

This book had a refreashing plot. It keep you thinking. But,I really don't think men are that mesmerised by a woman that easily. I give them more credit than that. I received it in great shape.

I have read several of the reviews and everyone has their own thoughts but I liked the book but not as much as The Maze. I think I liked the humor and romance between Sherlock and Savage more than the characters in The Target. One Reviewer talked about Ramsey being obsessed with Emma and even said he touched her too much and etc. I didn't see that. He saw her at the worse time right after she had been beaten and abused by this horrible person. I thought he handled it well, gaining her trust and protecting her. If police and therapists had been brought into it at the beginning, she would probably have been more terrified. Ramsey and Molly did seek professional help later. I thought the author's idea for Ramsey was a sensitive caring man and he was devastated by the ordeal of Emma. He indeed did love her and was protective of this little girl who had been wonded physically and mentally. I think Ramsey did love Molly but the author leaves you thinking he marries her just to get Emma, but still think he was in love with her and she him. I have noticed in Catherine Coulter books, she seldom has the romantic characters say "I love you". I kept looking for it in "The Maze" and believe I saw it once from Sherlock. The characters have other ways of dipicting they love the other person but kept wondering why they doen't just say it. Interesting! If I had a problem with the book was a Federal Judge being able to accept the Crime Lord's way of killing and getting away with it. I'm sure that is the way of real life but I had a hard time dealing with that. However, I found the book a "Thriller" and kept my attention from the beginning to the end.

I just finished the hardback version of this novel (and because it is the only Catherine Coulter book that I have ever read) I thought I would check out what she has going on Amazon. Admitted, I cannot compare it to her other "better" works, but I must say that I found this book to be very touching. I'm actually very surprised at some of the reviews that I have read of this book.

I won't rewrite a synopsis as this has already been done below but I do have several issues in support of this book to point out to other readers.

There is a tad of the unbelievable in the fact that Ramsey didn't immediately take the child that he found to a hospital; but that is a sign of our too cynical hearts. The reason that it is unbelievable is because most people would be afraid of the consequences of being blamed for molesting her themselves and would therefore have immediately turned her over to the nearest "authorities", felt sorry for her and been done with it. But that is not the nature of the "hero" of this story.

What makes this understandable is the fact that Ramsey is a federal judge who knows very well the system that Emma would be going into once he turned her over. As a federal judge he IS one of the "authority figures" and immediately takes responsibility of a child whose situation has touched his heart. He feels that he is more capable of being sensitive to her situation and caring for her than would male complete strangers in some podunk town in the Rockies. [I don't know about any of you readers - but have you ever had to deal with sheriffs in small rural towns on sensitive sexual issues of rape involving children? Guarantied that most of the people involved would be men, and loud, and insensitive to the fear they inspire in the child just by being men. Just imagine how much more trauma could be caused by this to a child.]

Now, you may then bring up the point that as a federal judge he would know about things like destroying bodily evidence from the child when he bathed her, etc. instead of taking her directly to a medical facility. Remember another thing, they were in a very rural, very isolated location with no phone and Ramsey Hunt was in seclusion over what he claimed was the paparazzi chasing him after having to kill some drug dealers in his courtroom. But in reality he is having nightmares, etc. of guilt over having taken a life and doesn't feel good about being considered a hero because he lost it to his anger and killed someone. He was also having feelings of impotence over the fact that because the system was so overcrowded criminals would walk free in too short of a time period anyway. Emma's situation was one he had control over. He felt that he could do a better job than the local authorities who would hurt her feelings and didn't want to turn over the responsibility of her too quickly.

As for the comments about him being almost as sickly obsessed with Emma as the pedophile - again I must point to too cynical hearts. Have any of you ever been exposed to a truly caring male? Not a homosexual with feminine tendencies but a heterosexual man with a caring soft heart? I feel sorry for our society if you haven't. I have. I was raised by one. I was married to one. I have uncles and cousins who are just as family oriented and nurturing - who take on half the care of the kids especially if their wife is pregnant again. Who would be just as outraged to their souls by what happened to that child as Ramsey Hunt's character is. Who may be just as deadly and want to take care of it on their own. (my late husband was a professional martial artist)

Especially if it's a male Cancerian and Ramsey Hunt's character reads like a male cancerian. A male cancerian would be capable of taking a look at a poor, beautiful, abused baby and adopting her. He'd want to be her father and take her in, want to care for her, "mother" her in a male fashion, feel responsible and think that no one would be able to do the job as well as he would himself. He'd take over her life and would then extend that love to her mother. (I remember a male friend telling me once that the way some men find their mates is that they see a beautiful child and then want to meet its mother because the woman who produced such beauty had to "fine" herself.)

So he never says "I love you" to Molly but he does admit, as far as he is capable, that he more than likes her. He comes to appreciate her qualities as a unique person and begins to picture them as a family. He shows her how he feels in his actions towards Emma and Molly. He takes them in and takes them over and nurtures them and lets himself be mothered by the women in his life at the same time. It's typical cancerian.

As for Molly, she comes to appreciate him and his strength and his love for her daughter. He's a handsome, caring, successful, strong, man who will care for her and protect her without patronizing or smothering her. What sane woman would pass that up? She doesn't need money she's rich. What she needed he provided. It's a formula for successful marriage more enduring than the raw "passion" of most romance novels. It's a love story of a family who comes together and of love that grows between them after they have come to appreciate one another, their strengths, and their weaknesses.

I found this book to be very touching. It left me with a bittersweet smile on my face for them as a new family and for the road that Emma would have to travel in life in order to be whole again. The mystery surrounding who was really behind the plots, them on the run, and the chase for the child molester, etc. was pretty good and kept the pages turning. Other commentators were right - it wasn't the most suspenseful book that I've read but it was a very good read. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Any other comments I make would be spoilers - and I hate spoilers. So I will leave you with a strong recommendation for this book as I really enjoyed it. The male character is not the typical stubborn, brooding Alpha man but caring and sensitive while still being strong and decisive. I will definitely be looking into more of Catherine Coulter's books. Ciao.

This book is a mix of paranormal and chick lit, so if you don't like either genre you need to avoid it like a vampire avoids garlic. Oops, sorry about the slip into lame similes. I thought this was pretty good. It was cute, almost precious at points, but I liked Betsy's no-nonsense reaction to waking up and discovering that she's now undead. My one complaint is that I found the language to be rather crude at at times. I'm no prude, but the sudden switch to almost vulgarity during the sex/feeding scenes was rather jarring. But it was a fun diversion and the reader of the audiobook was a perfect fit, so I'll definitely be listening to more in the series.

Just the right amount of funny, sexy, and wit! I found this book in the most random of ways.
The main character is a hoot, as are all of her friends and surrounding characters in this book. I was in a book rut... seeming to read everything that sounded the same so this was a nice change. Am glad to have stumbled on this series. I will definitely have to read up on the continuation of it...
This book made me laugh, got me all hot and bothered, and again, laugh, laugh, laugh. You'll love it.

This book was recommended by a friend so although I rarely read fiction, I thought it might be a nice change.

Didn't like it. It's basically a romance novel with some quirky characters and a different type of story line. The main character gets fired, gets killed and turns into a vampire... one who can walk around in daylight. I did not like the main character as although I'm all for shopping and shoes, she got on my nerves. Maybe it's my age (over 50)

But I know people who rave about the entire series.

The day Betsy Taylor died started out bad (waking up late, sitting in gum) and got worse (getting fired from her job and then dying from a car wreck). Or maybe waking up in the morgue in a cheap pink suit and her step monster's tacky knock off shoes was it... Either way, she's not dead. As a matter of fact she's having trouble staying dead. She jumped off the roof of the morgue, stabbed herself with a butcher knife, drank a bottle of bleach, electrocuted herself, tried to drown herself and tried to get herself murdered by a group of would be rapists.

The only thing all of that resulted in was a hole in her shirt, a case of dry mouth, some bad hair and some dead rapists. Oh and the six year old who's mother she saved, telling her she was a vampire. Yeah, told by a six year old what she now is. Taking this information, Betsy goes back to her life and tries to get back to normal. It's not exactly normal, when a pair of vampires she meets insists that she is the foretold vampire queen, and that she is the one that will overthrow the current ruler.

Maybe she was better off dead...

I love this series and author, I highly recommend her if you're looking for a funny and chick lit look on vampires.

I decided to try this book because I was looking for something to tide me over while waiting for the Sookie Stackhouse book. I had a little bit of trouble with the first couple chapters. I thought, I'm not going to enjoy this at all. Boy! Am I ever glad I stuck it out. Once i got into it, I laughed and laughed. What an enjoyable read. I can't wait to read the rest of them.

This book is EXCELLENT for beginners and good for dominants who have a little more experience. I would also recommend for subs to read most of this book, it would be helpful in deciding and telling your significant other what you want and what you would like to try. VERY good book, in depth, and it reads very well.

I was a bit doubtful when purchasing this book. But it turned out to be a well written, informative guide to Domestic Dominance.

It's difficult to write a BDSM book that will be liked and praised by everyone. Kink is, after all, a very personal and intimate thing. However "The Mistress Manual" is a book I would recommend to every girl and woman who is fascinated by the subject and want to find out more about it.
Unlike many books on the topic, "The Mistress Manual" does not focus on describing all the fantasies connected to Female Dominance. Nor does it claim to be the ultimate guide.
However it's full of useful tips and advice, not to mention some of the technical aspects of BDSM.

To the author I say: Great job!
TO all the potential readers: This is worth your time.

Innocent, sweet, wholesome small town girl....now a whip wielding, thigh high leather boot wearing dominatrix....!!!! Get your lady a copy!

I was very pleased with this book, especially after my husband had read it and to my surprise, my pleasant surprise, showed a great interest in the subject. He came out, if that is the correct expression during dinner a couple of weeks ago.His inhibitions loosened by the wine, he said, if I was interested he would like to try out some of the techniques in the book. Boy oh boy was I interested. My glass stopped half way to my mouth and I just looked at him and he just smiled shyly. That opened the flood gates, I gulped down my wine and dragged him up to bed. We never finished dinner that evening, but we had our fill of something better. We have progressed further in our love making and now and our fifteen year marriage has been elevated to another level. We have not considered seeking out others to join in the fun, but if John suggests it, I am open to experimentation. Its amazing what a book can do for a relationship, I bought him a copy of the very excellent and fantastically sexually charged 100 Percent Erotica by Suzie Van Aartman not long ago and the explicit but tasteful erotic antics really turned us both on tremendously, I can highly recomend both of them

Most of this book is tainted with this woman's petty revenge fantasies. She can't seem to seperate the idea of a well balanced BDSM relationship, founded on ideas such as trust and respect, from her indignacy at her perceived "second class citizen" status because she is a woman. I know several very self possessed dominant women in my circle who were aghast at the lack of respect represented in this book for the submissive partner.

My husband Wiley writes waaaayyyy better love letters than this. Many are not even "love letters" they are just stupid, poorly written notes. Save your time and money.

I personally was not a fan of this book. I was excited to get it because I thought it may be interesting. While there were a couple cute letters, I particularly did not feel it was worth the money, and was boring.

i got this book for valentine's day and i found it really interesting. the best part is the descriptions at the end of what happened with the people who wrote and received the letters.

I found this book in my 14 yr old daughters room. She thought it ws OK because it saied "family" on the side. DO NOT LET CHILDREN READ THIS! This is not romance. It is sexually descriptive and innapropriate for children. Want to read descriptions of a mans c***, then enjoy. Want to see crudely drawn pictures of naked people? Again, enjoy, but it is definately not "family" reading.

I really enjoy this book. There is something both sweet and scandalous about the idea of reading snippets of other peoples' love letters. Each time I pick it up I find something new that I hadn't noticed the last time I read it. The imagination whirls wondering about the writers and the recipients. It's the perfect Valentines Day!