Once upon a Star

Amazon.com

From the same authors who brought you Once upon a Castle comes Once upon a Star, a welcome addition to romance anthologies. Not only are the four tales extraordinary (linked together with the common thread of magic), each contains an element of enchantment. In Nora Roberts's "Ever After," the gift of an ancient pendant belonging to a fairy changes two lives forever. Jill Gregory's "Catch a Falling Star" finds a princess forced into a political marriage with a wife-murdering barbarian, while Ruth Ryan Langan's "The Curse of Castle Clough" offers a ghost who helps save a castle from the auction block and its owner from a life without love. Finally, a burned-out American tourist travels back in time to be rescued by--and to rescue--a handsome sailing captain in "Starry, Starry Night" by Marianne Willman. Sit back, put your feet up, and travel to distant times and places with four of romantic fiction's best authors. --Alison Trinkle

Customer Reviews:

Jill Gregory's Story was the best..........2007-01-21

*** NORA ROBERTS-EVER AFTER- I assumed her story would top the others but I found it rather bland. I must give this author her due, however; she has an uncanny ability to give depthful insight into the careers of her heroines, whether it's a chef, an artist, a dancer, or in this case, a homemaker, Allena's true calling. Conal was okay, but this guy was supposed to be a famous painter yet very little was said about it; one line only, I think. Allena was a wonderful girl with a sparkling personality, the only saving grace to this story.

***** JILL GREGORY-CATCH A FALLING STAR-The best of the lot, I was hooked from the first sentence. Ambrose was a true hero, vulnerable yet strong, and extraordinarily handsome to boot. Princess Lianna was quite the heroine, she would have done anything to prove her love to Ambrose. I truly didn't want this one to end.

****RUTH RYAN LANGAN-THE CURSE OF CASTLE CLOUGH-I liked the premise of this story; Estelle goes to Scotland and gets to live in a castle surrounded by fabulous, historic antiques, and is rewarded with a magnetic hero, a handsome lord named Rob Cameron. But...as adorable as Jamie was, the heart and depth of this story came at his expense; his existence was sad.

****MARIANNE WILLMAN-STARRY, STARRY, NIGHT-This was a really good story; Rees was moody, but I didn't find him offensive in the least. Lily was great, half the time she didn't know if she was losing her mind, though! There was no great mystery here and the love scenes are definitely more detailed compared to the other 3 stories.

I loved this book!.......2006-03-15

I am a huge Nora Roberts Fan! Plus I love the fantasy -romance novels. This book, by 4 fantastic authors, offers 4 great love stories each with an extra twist. I liked the idea of four shorter stories because then I was able to get in my reading "fix" during my limited free time.

Wonderful collection of stories.......2005-03-10

I had already read the Nora Roberts Spellbound in another book, but the additional stories were absolutely wonderful. I am glad I bought the book. Now I want all of the Once Upon books!

A Truly Wonderful Anthology!.......2002-07-30

"Once Upon a Star" is a delightful anthology filled with four fantastic tales of magic and true love. Every story is well-written and utterly enthralling, making it nearly impossible for me to pick a favourite. Each of these four talented authors shines in the original and intriguing stories they have created.

"Ever After" by Nora Roberts tells the story of Allena Kennedy, who just can't find her place in the world. While in Ireland helping her stepsister Margaret run her tour company, Allena buys a beautiful star pendant. The next thing Allena knows, she has missed the ferry she was supposed to be taking, but then finds a boy with a boat to take her where she needs to go. But Allena ends up on Dolman Island, miles from where she should be, in the midst of a wild storm.
Reclusive Conal O'Neil finds Allena out in the storm and reluctantly brings her back to his home. Though at first he is rude and standoffish, Conal can't resist Allena's charms, as she makes his house feel like a home for the first time in years. But Conal knows from the star pendant around Allena's neck that she is the woman the fates have chosen for him. Determined to make his own destiny, and not allow his life to be dictated by fate, Conal tries to push Allena away, and may just be throwing away his one chance at happiness and true love!
Being a Nora Roberts story, "Ever After" is undeniably a fabulous read.

"Catch A Falling Star" by Jill Gregory is a wonderful historical romance with just a dash of magic thrown in. Princess Lianna of Penmarren has promised to marry Ambrose the Barbarian to keep peace in her father's land. But Lianna is terrified by the prospect, as Ambrose is a ruthless warrior who supposedly murdered his first wife. The day before the wedding is planned, Ambrose arrives in the middle of the night demanding Lianna marry him at once and return to his home at Crow's Keep. Ambrose's homeland of Blackenstar is once again under attack, and he must go at once to defend it. So Lianna marries Ambrose, counting on her father's promise that a great army will come to rescue her soon.
But as Lianna gets to know Ambrose, she finds he is not the heartless monster she has heard about. Lianna discovers the real Ambrose, a fair and compassionate man who his people regard with affection and respect, forced to defend his lands against a never-ending onslaught of invaders. Lianna finds incredible passion and tenderness in Ambrose's arms, and falls deeply in love with him. But soon the day Lianna has dreaded comes, when she learns the attack on Crow's Keep is imminent. Will Lianna find a way to save Ambrose's home? And will Ambrose believe that Lianna truly loves him, or will he be too shattered by her apparent betrayal to see the love she feels in her heart?
This was an excellent tale, that had me really caring about Ambrose and Lianna, and praying for a happy ending.

"The Curse of Castle Clough" by Ruth Ryan Langan tells the story of Lord Robert Cameron. Rob's heartless and incredibly wealthy ex-brother-in-law, Griffin Mackenzie, lent his late father fifteen million pounds for his many debts. Knowing Rob will never be able to come up with that much money, Griffin gives him one month before Castle Clough becomes his. Desperate to keep his beloved home from Griffin, Rob hires a highly regarded auction house in the U.S. to sell his precious family heirlooms in hopes of raising the money that way.
When Professor Estelle Sinclair arrives, she is in awe of Castle Clough's beautiful antiques. But when she finds out about Rob's plight from a helpful spirit, she joins him in his fight, and falls head over heels in love. As Estelle and Rob search for a way to save Castle Clough, they get a glimmer of hope from their spirit helper, the ghost of a young boy named Jamie. If Jamie can just lead them to the "Star of Scotland", a priceless diamond lost hundreds of years ago; their problems would be solved. But does the Star of Scotland really exist? And if so, will they be able to find it before Castle Clough is lost to the Cameron family forever?
This was a heart-warming tale containing a truly lovely romance and just the right dose of fantasy. I loved everything about it!

"Starry, Starry Night" by Marianne Willman is an excellent tale that rounds out the book perfectly. Lily Kendall is on a much-needed vacation in St. Dunstan's village in Cornwall. When she takes a nighttime walk along the beach, she gets caught by the rising tide, and narrowly escapes a watery grave because of a star-shaped window and the help of a handsome and mysterious man. The man, Rees Tregarrick, takes Lily home, leaves her with his housekeeper then rudely disappears. But when Lily awakes the next morning, she is no longer in Rees' home, but instead in a museum where Rees Tregarrick lived over a hundred years ago. Confused and off-balance, Lily is convinced it was all a dream.
Several more encounters with Rees, however, convince Lily that she has somehow found a doorway into the past. But Lily has fallen deeply in love with Rees, and wants to spend her life with him. Are Rees and Lily destined to spend separate, lonely lives yearning for what can never be? Or is their love strong enough to overcome time itself?
This is beautifully written and captivating tale that left me sighing over the magic of true love.

"Once Upon a Star" is a superior romance anthology that doesn't contain even one poor story. I loved all the tales in this book, and I highly recommend it. This is a terrific read and one you definitely don't want to miss!

Interesting Stories.......2001-11-17

There are a couple good and very descriptive in depth reviews written already, so this is just my opinion:

Ever After by Nora Roberts
It's Nora. Excellent as usual.

Catch A Falling Star by Jill Gregory
An historical. Not my genre, but this story is very good. I liked the female lead.

The Curse of Castle Clough by Ruth Ryan Langan
My favorite and an introduction to Ms. Langan. Since reading this book, I have read other novels by her. I wasn't disappointed.

Starry, Starry Night by Marianne Willman
Passionate love story. Beautifully written.

All in all you will read these stories again.

Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations
Average customer rating:

great introduction to some of the great stories

Great introductory book
Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations
Jacqueline Mitton
Manufacturer: National Geographic Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations

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A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky

Find the Constellations

The Kids Book of the Night Sky (Family Fun)

ASIN: 0792263324
Release Date: 2004-02-01

Customer Reviews:

great introduction to some of the great stories.......2007-01-28

Across each two page spread Once Upon a Starry Night introduces a different constellation, gives a brief synopsis of the story, and provides a beautiful illustration with foil stars imbedded. The first four constellations are linked by story line, which also draws the children in (what happened next...?). A great book for preschool up and coffee table beautiful.

Great introductory book.......2005-09-29

This book was read to my 4 yo at preschool and she absolutely loved it. This book was all she talked about that night so I bought this book, Zoo in the Sky, and Kingdom of the sun. She loves looking at the pictures and discussing which constellations we can see here in NJ. Unfortunately, the one she wants to see the most, Hercules, is in the southern sky so I guess we'll have to take a trip south of the equator!!

Once Upon a Time in Texas: A Liberal in the Lone Star State (Focus on American History Series,Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin)

Average customer rating:

Texas in the Rearview Mirror
Once Upon a Time In Texas
Shaggy Dogs Do Exist
Required reading for insight into Texas politics and culture

Once Upon a Time in Texas: A Liberal in the Lone Star State (Focus on American History Series,Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin)
David Richards
Manufacturer: University of Texas Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

"[David Richards is] one of the best civil-rights lawyers and one of the best all-purpose battlers for justice this state has ever produced. . . . One man/one vote, school desegregation, freedom of speech, the list of cases with David Richards' name on them as attorney for those getting shafted by unfair and unconstitutional laws goes on and on. So many of them seem self-evident by now. The shame of legal segregation is so clear to us at this point, we forget when it was worth a person's life to work to change it." --Molly Ivins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Once upon a time in Texas . . . there were liberal activists of various stripes who sought to make the state more tolerant and more tolerable. David Richards was one of them. In this fast-paced, often humorous memoir, he remembers the players, the strategy sessions, the legal and political battles, and the wins and losses that brought significant gains in civil rights, voter rights, labor law, and civil liberties to the people of Texas from the 1950s to the 1990s. In his work as a lawyer, Richards was involved in cases covering voters' rights, school finance reform, and a myriad of civil liberties and free speech cases. In telling these stories, he vividly evokes the "glory days" of Austin liberalism, when a who's who of Texas activists plotted strategy at watering holes such as Scholz Garden and the Armadillo World Headquarters. Likewise, he offers vivid portraits of liberal politicians from Ralph Yarborough to Ann Richards (his former wife), progressive journalists such as Molly Ivins and the Texas Observer staff, and the hippies, hellraisers, and musicians who all challenged Texas's conservative status quo.

Customer Reviews:

Texas in the Rearview Mirror.......2002-06-11

There are a lot of reasons to read about the recent political history of Texas. To understand the current winners in American politics and where they want to take us, you've got to understand their financial, cultural, and political lineage. Dave Richards' book about Texas from 1954 to the present is a story of the dominant conflict in America today, the war between the extreme right and the moderates. It's a cautionary and instructive tale.

Richards is one of the lawyers who changed Texas from a one-party, racist fiefdom to a two-party political moiety with a less tilted playing field for Hispanics, Blacks, students, women, nature-lovers, and other ordinary people. In 1954, Richards came of age in a segregated Texas with a poll tax and no Republican party. Conservatives voted in the Democratic primaries, maintaining the white, racist, oil-field culture's hold on the state. He and his cohorts, a coalition of Hispanic and student labor, labor unions, Blacks, and women, determined to redistribute the power. With the aid of new federal laws and the fortunate appointment of a new crop of federal judges, the populist, progressive coalition were able to solve problems that had throttled Texas for a hundred years: unrepresentative voting districts, disenfranchisement of students, censorship of the press, disenfranchisement of Blacks and Hispanics, and unequal public school financing.

There have been lasting effects of the effort to remake Texas. There is no longer a poll tax, there is a Republican party, there is desegregation, and women, Hispanics, and Blacks hold office at every level of government.

But Nixon promised to turn the Supreme Court so far right we wouldn't recognize it, and with the Reagan and Bush appointees the federal courts are no longer reliably part of the solution. The Dallas east Texas oil field crowd has prevailed again, despite all the coalition building; to read Richards' book is to follow how and why.

One familiar trick, the disenfranchisement of voters who are putative "felons," played so effectively in Florida in the year 2000 presidential election, was first pulled in Texas in 1982. That time, the trick was played long enough before the election that Richards was able to get a federal injunction requiring the withdrawal of the "felons" list and prohibiting the secretary of state from doing anything that would interfere with or violate the right to vote.

Look for this trick to return to your polling place soon. For other Texas tricks, read Richards' book, and prepare to hire good counsel, or give otiose assent to the current winners.

Once Upon a Time In Texas.......2002-04-19

This book is well-written and compelling reading. It provides a overview of the politics in Texas from the time of the "Shivercrats" in the 50's through the upheaval of campus protests in the 60's to the current landscape where Republicans occupy the majority of statewide offices. The author is an attorney who was engaged over his career in Texas in a number of lawsuits seeking equity in voting rights for minorities and in funding among public schools, among other social justice issues.

The autobiographical structure of the book provides an engaging contrast between the (potentially dry) discussion of litgation and the personal growth and escapades of the author and his rowdy and adventurous friends. The legal points are explained in terms that non-attorneys can easily grasp and the outcomes of the cases demonstrate that progess can be made, bit by bit, in dragging civilization forward to a more progessive place if you are clever and persistent and sometimes just downright lucky. It is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the political history of Texas, or for students of public affairs seeking insight into the realities of how policies are made and changed.

It is also a very enjoyable read for anyone wanting to get a feel for Austin during its best years -- when the music was great and the living was laid back. Some of the anecdotes made me laugh out loud, which is one of the greatest compliments a book can elicit from me. The fact that there is much to be learned from reading it, and that it is a delightful read to boot, earned it a 5-star rating.

Shaggy Dogs Do Exist.......2002-04-19

How is it that Texas politics could give the country Lyndon Johnson and George W. Bush, Ralph Yarborough and Phil Gramm? When Ann Richards became governor, the prison system, the juvenile justice system, and the mental health system were all to some degree under the control of federal courts because of state defaults. After her administration, all those systems were back under state control, employment was up and crime was down--yet, she got voted out. Why?

If questions like this hold no fascination for you, pass on this book...unless you are up for a string of hilarious shaggy dog stories involving the movers and shakers and noisemakers of Texas. The acid test for humor is whether you will laugh out loud when nobody else is in the room. This book passes so clearly that you might want to take it in small doses if you are prone to aches caused by belly laughs.

The reason why a first rate academic press would publish a memoir full of political anecdotes is because those anecdotes illustrate important strategy and tactics in the struggle to drag Texas toward the 21st Century. Where is it writ that you cannot learn important things and have fun at the same time?

Required reading for insight into Texas politics and culture.......2002-04-19

David Richards is a legend in Texas legal circles, and anyone looking for insight into the lone star state's political culture and history would be hard pressed to find a better introduction. Texas politics has been called a contact sport, and David Richards has been an active participant for a lifetime.

The book is filled with insider stories involving everyone from President Johnson and a string of Texas governors (including his former wife Ann Richards) to farm workers. Richards has often taken on powerful interests as a lawyer for labor unions and minorities fighting for civil rights. This is by no means a dry lawyers' casebook, however. Richards has been at the epicenter of liberal culture in Texas; a patron of the long-gone Armadillo World Headquarters and friend to artists, musicians and writers.

It is also a memoir of a leader finding balance and enjoyment in life. This is a fun, enjoyable read that personalizes the turbulent times of the last half century in Texas.

If you've ever chuckled or been provoked by a Mollie Ivins book or column, you'll want to savor this book.

Once Upon A Star: Ever After / Catch a Falling Star / The Curse of Castle Clough / Starry, Starry Night
Average customer rating:
Once Upon A Star: Ever After / Catch a Falling Star / The Curse of Castle Clough / Starry, Starry Night
Nora Roberts , Jill Gregory , Ruth Ryan Langan , and Marianne Willman
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Once upon a Castle

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ASIN: 0739406736

Once upon a Secret (Five Star Romance Series)
Average customer rating:

Author Breaks Publishing Rule

Hidden shame can control your life, if you let it.

MyShelf.com Book Reviewer

Thoughtful novel

Conservative Chiroprator meets Rocks Sexiest Bad Boy
Once upon a Secret (Five Star Romance Series)
Catherine Andorka
Manufacturer: Five Star (ME)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786246014

Book Description

Contemporary Romance-

According to the tabloids, Brad Daniels is "Rock Music's Sexiest Bad Boy!"

Talented, Successful, rich, good looking and charming, he seems to have everything going for him.

Doctor Tori Glenn, Chiropractor and caretaker for her teenage brother, Kevin, doesn't know much about rock music, but even she has heard of Brad Daniels. While meeting him backstage during an interview Kevin is conducting for his school paper, all hell breaks loose.

When Brad suffers an injury that keeps him in town, he uses it as an excuse to get closer to Tori. She wants nothing to do with the infamous big city playboy, but her brother is thrilled.

Only after Kevin makes a rash move that will affect his entire future, does Brad realize what an influence he's had on the boy. And only then does Brad take drastic measures to free himself of the restrictions that the secret has put on his life- and that of the woman he loves.

Customer Reviews:

Author Breaks Publishing Rule.......2003-01-29

For a long time now, publishing houses of category romance have stated vehemently they would not publish books whose heroes were musicians or rock stars.

Catherine Andorka has not only made a clean break of the unwritten rule, but has done so with excellence in her novel entitled, "Once Upon A Secret."

The hero, Brad Daniels, is "Rock Music's Sexiest Bad Boy." He seems to have everything going for him, talent, success, money, good-looks and charm. But Brad has a secret.

The book does not dwell on a rock star's life, though it does give a glimpse into the hectic, fast-paced, lack-of-privacy lifestyle of the music industry.

The painful secret Brad Daniels has carried with him and how he has managed to keep it from others for years is an examination into the hero's character and intelligence. Insight is given into the way people compensate and mask-over flaws, defects, and imperfections, and the lengths they will go to camouflage or conceal them even if not necessary.

Brad discovers the effect he has on the heroine, Tori Glenn a strong-willed chiropractor, and the powerful influence he wields over her teenage brother Kevin. Drastic measures must be taken to free him of the restrictions his secret has imposed on his life, and that of the woman he loves. How he deals with the hidden information and the manner in which he frees himself of its restrictions is a credit to the creative talent of author Catherine Andorka.

The book is compelling, informative, touching, and eye opening. The depth of each character sets the stage as the true focus, Brad's secret, impressively unfolds through the pages of this novel.

For a superior read that will tug at your heartstrings---become spellbound by the tale of "Once Upon A Secret" by Catherine Andorka.

Published by Five Star, 2002 ISBN 0-7862-4601-4

Hidden shame can control your life, if you let it........2002-12-14

I hated for Once Upon A Secret to end because I had bonded with the characters, except Leona Farnsworth, of course. Although I never thought I would have much concern for a rock star, Catherine Andorka created a very endearing character in Brad Daniels. Chiropractor, Dr. Tori Glenn, was instantly captivating. I found it refreshing to read a 'Romance' novel
that had deep family values and a well written love scene allwrapped up together. Ms. Andorka has managed to write an exciting and caring book which she magically centered with a very serious and painfully difficult issue. I recommend this book to all who love romance but also desire to expand their understanding/empathy of the sometimes painful parts of life many keep hidden from others. Very well done, Catherine!!

MyShelf.com Book Reviewer.......2002-12-06

After the death of her parents, Dr. Tori Glenn assumed the responsibility of caring for her younger brother Kevin. She instilled in him the high educational standards her parents would have expected if they had lived. She is very proud of his latest accomplishment of winning the statewide contest for young journalists. His prize included an interview with famous rock star Brad Daniels. Although a rock star with the reputation "Rock Music's Sexiest Bad Boy" is not the type of ideal role model she would have picked to influence her brother, she still shows her support by accompanying him to the concert and interview. Upon meeting Brad, she is surprised that he is nothing like she had envisioned him, his kindness to her and her brother is very heart-warming.

Brad Daniels was on top of his career as one of rocks leading male vocalists. He felt that he had the world at his fingertips-but something was missing that would make his life complete. When eager fan injuries his hand, and endangers him canceling the concert in steps in Dr. Tori Glenn to the rescue. Tori is a Chiropractor who has come to his concert with her younger brother, who is schedule to do a backstage interview with him. Her kind and compassionate nature appeals to his baser senses. Could she be what his life is lacking? Will he be able to convince her that his lifestyle and image is nothing like the tabloids have fabricated

Catherine Andorka is the type of author you know you are going to enjoy within minutes of reading the first few pages of her latest novel. It is rare to find an author with talent and ambition to write "outside the box" themes that bring to light characters that are facing very real and emotional issues. From the moment I first read the blurb of ONCE UPON A SECRET, I knew this was a novel and author I must track down. I am pleased that I listened to my six sense, for it has led me to not only a book to treasure, but an author who I feel is one of the most talented in the industry. Her flawless writing style is to be admired and commended.

Thoughtful novel.......1999-12-13

Once Upon a Secret is a very satisfying novel that goes beyond the standard romance and touches on other issues in people's lives. Her characters are alive and the dialogue is moving. It's refreshing to read about a rock star and a small-town doctor and how they negotiate the differences in their diverse lives.

Conservative Chiroprator meets Rocks Sexiest Bad Boy.......1999-10-18

ONCE UPON A SECRET Catherine Andorka ISBN 1-8932108-16-3 Neighborhood Press Available now

Contemporary Romance Location: Chicago

Tori Glenn is a Chiroprator who is raising her fifteen year old brother Keven after her parent's death. Brad Daniels is a famous rock star who is performing in concert in her area. Kevin won a state-wide contest for young journalists and has an interview with Brad Daniels. He and his sister attend the concert and have back stage passes. While Tori is a conservative woman, she finds herself immediately attracted to Brad. She holds herself back believing he has plenty of women throwing themselves at him. She's suffered a broken heart once and is afraid to open herself up to be hurt again. Besides, they are complete opposites with different lifestyles. But Brad is not the typical rock star. He is not a womanizer and has many of the same values as Tori. Her skill as a Chiroprator comes in handy when Brad is injured by over enthusiastic fans. The first thrust of infatuation grows swiftly into love but along with their closeness is his fear that she'll find out his secret. He uses various ruses to cover up the problem which he is afraid will put an irreversible rift in their in their relationship. Even though he's a success as what he does, his self-esteem in certain areas is low. They are two wounded souls finding love and fullfillment in each other. Despite the difficulties they encounter it is obvious these two are meant for each other. Major publishers have expressed their prejudice against rock stars in romance books claiming the readers can't identify with the life style. Perhaps that is one of the reasons this author chose epublishing. however, Catherine Andorka bridges that gap by creating a female protagonist who approaches the rock scene as we might have. Brad is not the usual coke head, ego maniac star either but a man looking for acceptance, love, and family. As I read the book I was charmed by the characters, and pleased by the flawless writing style of the author. As with so many of the ebooks I've reviewed lately, I'm amazed at the quality of writing. I hope that epublishing achieves the success of traditional book publishing so that talented authors like Catherine Andorka get the recognition they are due.

Customer Reviews:

An improbable delight! -- highly recommended.......2001-03-16

THE STAR-CROSSED BRIDE is the third novel of the Once Upon a Wedding miniseries by Kelly McClymer. The Fensters separate themselves from Victorian society in one distinctive way -- rather than adhering to the grim convention of marrying for wealth or title, they choose to marry for love.

Three years ago Valentine Fenster and his beloved Emily Wertherley attempted to elope because her family would not have considered Valentine an acceptable match. Indeed, Emily's mother has her eyes set on becoming a marchioness, at the very least. Valentine, as only a Viscount, did not possess a sufficiently powerful enough title. Unfortunately, when they stopped for a bite to eat, Emily's cousin Simon stood before them. Admitting that he'd rather die before he heart Emily, Valentine allows Simon to lead her away. Emily believes his words indicate that marrying him would hurt her; inferring that her reputation has more value than her heart.

Emily's first two betrothals ended when the men died before reaching the altar. Now she's engaged to Lord Granbury, the wedding waiting until her year of mourning for her father has passed. Lady Granbury does not welcome Valentine's arrival at her castle, and resents his intrusion. Further, she does not listen to Valentine's warnings regarding Emily's intended husband. Lady Granbury believes desire for Emily overrides Valentine's concerns, and will not hear the truth of his message because she believes this to be the last chance to restore her daughter's reputation and position in society.

Determined to warn Emily himself, Valentine watches the castle and contemplates how to reach her. Not knowing he waits below, Emily makes a rope from her bed sheet, exciting the castle through her window. When she lets go to drop to the ground, she lands in Valentine's arms. He tells her they cannot run away together, however, because it would ruin her reputation. He convinces her to sneak back in through the kitchen, accompanies her to her room for a moment, and eats food she refused earlier. Too bad they didn't know the beverage had been drugged. As the impossible situation goes from bad to worse, the reader cannot possibly refrain from thoroughly enjoying their escapades.

Book Description

The Soddit, The McAtrix Derided, and the aptly titled The Sellamillion:
The parodies are hilarious, but the numbers are serious, with millions of copies sold. And now, in our very own time and galaxy, Star Wars finally gets its comeuppance-just in time to coincide with the release of the 6th and final film. The force is with us!

This is a satire well and truly earned: with the last chapters in the Star Wars' saga reaching new lows, the movies that have dominated popular culture for more than three decades deserve a little tweaking. Oh, sure, a long time ago, in what seems like a galaxy far, far away, there was a very good and thoroughly entertaining SF film. But that's long gone. So here it comes, a six-part mock-epic that begins in the middle of the action, pits good against evil, and features hairy co-pilots, green gurus, bizarre hairdos, steel bras, and campy robots.

In addition to his bestselling parodies, Adam Roberts has written a SF novel, Salt, which was nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, as well as a number of academic works.

Customer Reviews:

very funny.......2006-03-02

A.R.R.R. Roberts always writes funny parodies, but this one is especually good. and as always, its very clever without being too crude.
jim

Average customer rating:

Good Book

Child Star (Once Upon America)
Lydia Weaver
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0670840394

Customer Reviews:

Good Book.......2006-02-28

This is a really good book. I read it and then bought copies for my cousin and nephew who both loved it. Well written.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - And Other Stories: Once Upon a Time in Toronto; Red Wagon; Little Stars of Bethlehem; The Second Coming of Ordinary Angel Blobs; A Prairie Boy's Christmas, 1933; The Boy Who Threw a Snowball at Santa; Chez Claus; Night After Christmas

Average customer rating:

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - And Other Stories: Once Upon a Time in Toronto; Red Wagon; Little Stars of Bethlehem; The Second Coming of Ordinary Angel Blobs; A Prairie Boy's Christmas, 1933; The Boy Who Threw a Snowball at Santa; Chez Claus; Night After Christmas
Scott, Young
Manufacturer: Macmillan of Canada;
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0771596332

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