Sunlight and Shadow (Once Upon a Time)

Book Description

A new spin on "The Magic Flute" by an acclaimed author!

In a time when the world was young and many things were quite commonplace that are now entirely forgotten, Sarastro, Mage of the Day, wed Pamina, the Queen of the Night. And in this way was the world complete, for light was joined to dark. For all time would they be joined together. Only the ending of the world could tear them apart. In other words, in the days in which my parents married, there was no such thing as divorce....

Thus begins the tale of Mina, a girl-child born on the longest night of the darkest month of the year. When her father looked at her, all he saw was what he feared: By birth, by name, by nature, she belonged to the Dark. So when Mina turned sixteen, her father took her away from shadow and brought her into sunlight.

In retaliation, her mother lured a handsome prince into a deadly agreement: If he frees Mina, he can claim her as his bride.

Now Mina and her prince must endure deadly trials -- of love and fate and family -- before they can truly live happily ever after....

Customer Reviews:

Wow!.......2007-09-02

I have to admit, I was skeptical when I picked up this book. I don't really like romances, and I wondered if I'd be bored. I figured I'd read a chapter and put it down. I was sure wrong about that.

Cameron Dokey's got an amazing way with words and how she weaves them together: It's magical and the story flows together brilliantly. I just couldn't get over how likable she made the characters: ALL of them, not just the "good guys." The "bad guys" are not all bad, nor are they hopeless, and problems are resolved in interesting ways. I couldn't tell you who my favorite character is (though I lean toward Lapin, who is Mina's best friend and defender, player of the bells.) They have depth and their feelings are interesting, not dull or run-of-the-mill, and these characters do not have any yawn-ish conversations, either.

The story is fun and easy to follow, but it's not simple, as in predictible. In order to prove his love, Prince Tern (how cool of a name is that?) agrees to "Boss of the Day" Sarastro's conditions of a very interesting set of trials: And Sarastro's daughter, Mina goes with him. Ever wonder how mourning doves came to be? Clever Cameron Dokey tucks this into the trials that Tern and Mina endure.

I won't give away anything about the ending other than to say it is very satisfying, on more than one level. I will definitely pick up another Once Upon a Time book by Cameron Dokey!

The Magic Flute, made more magical.......2007-08-13

The Magic Flute isn't one of the classic Grimms' fairytales, so I wasn't at all familiar with it and failed to recognise it in the blurb. The story looked intriguing nonetheless: Sarastro, "Mage of the Day", and Pamina, "Queen of the Night", have a daughter who spends her life with her mother until she is 16 - whereupon she must leave to live with her father. The blurb then promises treachery and betrayal when Pamina lures a prince into a deadly agreement to win Mina as his bride.

Cameron Dokey puts a new spin on this story with first-person accounts from different - and very likeable - characters - mainly Mina, but also an orphaned girl who is brought up by Sarastro, Gayna; Lapin, a boy who owns a magical set of bells (not a flute), and Tern, the prince. Through their voices you get a glimpse of how they think and of how fate unfolds.

This is also a story of opposites. Night against day. Mina against Gayna. Mina with Statos and Tern. Gayna with Statos and Lapin. Love against hate and treachery. And of course, good against evil.

While everything seems quite separate at first, all the threads do wind together in the end quite satisfyingly. Everything that Sarastro does is based on trying to outwit a prophecy about Mina. The only problem is that, careful as he is, he may not have all the cards in his hands.

The tone of the book was refreshingly modern even though it is set in "a time that was young and many things were commonplace that are now forgotten". Sarastro and Pamina don't speak to each other, so Mina grows up wondering what her father is like. Sarastro tears her from her mother when she is just shy of 16, breaking the original agreement and causing a great deal of defiance on Mina's part. Gayna is hopelessly in love with Sarastro's guard Statos, but he's not interested in her. It makes absorbing reading.

And in the background there is Lapin, whom I count as my favourite character. He inherits a set of magical bells which can call your true love to you. While he practices listening to the music of his heart, he ends up calling birds instead. Lots of birds.

What Lapin and Pamina do after Mina has been stolen away by Sarastro is ingenious, and entirely within the rules of the game. I felt the blurb was totally misleading when it claimed that Pamina had lured Tern into a set of deadly trials. Sarastro set those trials, and Tern agreed to rescue Mina of his own free will.

Of course everything ends well and all live happily ever after. The story is shorter than I would have liked but it's very easy reading but sticks with you for a long while after. That's the best kind of story to own.

"The Magic Flute" Retold.......2007-07-09

"Sunlight and Shadow" was the first book in the "Once Upon a Time" series that I read. It wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed it.

The story is a retelling of Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute", but it still manages to be original. The author puts some nice twists on an old story that was interesting and pretty original to begin with. It can be a little confusing because there are several narrators who switch without much notice, but it's not too hard to figure out. The plot has nice pacing, and the book is just the right length.

Best of all, she gives life to characters who were previously flat and stereotypical. The characterizations are nothing really special by themselves (still better than the stereotypes, but they're pretty typical of this kind of book), but it's interesting to get insight in the the characters' thoughts about events.

The writing was well-done. The romance was all right, but it seemed a bit shallow. But it was good for love at first sight, which was what it was in the opera. The author did a good job with it considering her resources. She does include a few themes about life in general, but they were nothing we haven't seen before.

I was not familiar with "The Magic Flute" before reading this, but it was a good way to introduce myself to it. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was still worth my time.

Very mediocre for a Magic Flute fan..........2007-04-11

I was excited about this book because "Magic Flute" is one of my favorite stories. However while I did find myself enjoying it, I am not sure if I really appreciated this particular feminist take on it. Sometimes I think that a feminist take on an old beloved tale is great, however there are other times where it just distorts the story. I think that Nights Daughter by Marion Zimmer Bradley probably has a better attempt at having a feminst take on the story. And for an even better treat, score a copy of the Ingmar Bergman production of Magic Flute through netflix or your local library.

Poorly Done.......2007-03-11

The good side of this book is the writing style. It is moody, and the descriptions are interesting. On the other hand, the characters are shallow and not rememberable. The story is confusing, unbelievable, and jarring. The author attempted to tell the story from five different points of view without clarifying when this switch between people was made. The character's voices are not distinguishable from one another. The author draws you out of the main story line several times to tell you pointless back stories on other characters. Dokey's novel Beauty Sleep has the same flaws. Her best in the Once Upon A Time series is The Storyteller's Daughter and Golden.

Average customer rating:

Nora's the Winner
Story of love and magic
Lover of books
Magic has never been so mystical...
What a disappointment!

Moon Shadows
Nora Roberts , Jill Gregory , Ruth Ryan Langan , and Marianne Willman
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Gabriel's Angel

ASIN: 0515138312
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Book Description

Romance and magic meet by the light of the moon in this all-new all-star collection of Celtic tales from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts and New York Times bestselling authors Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman.

Download Description

"A Full Moon in the Sky - And Love is in the Air... Romance and magic meet by the light of the moon in this all-new all-star collection of Celtic tales from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts and New York Times bestselling authors Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman."

Customer Reviews:

Nora's the Winner.......2005-04-20

The only reason this one has 3 stars is Nora Roberts. The other three stories were a struggle to get through. I've read their other collaborations and figured this one would be equally great. I was wrong!!!!! Save your money. Borrow it from a friend or the library.

Story of love and magic.......2005-03-30

Nora Roberts and friends have writen another series of stories that you are sure to love!

Nora Roberts - Wolf Moon was a wonderful story of a werewolf (lycan) and mixed up with the strength of love. I have never read a story on werewolves and had never thought I would like it. But this was a pleasure to read.

Jill Gregory - Witch Moon was a story of a journey not only over evil filled lands, but also a journey of learning about hope and faith. A wonderful fairy tale ending that one loves to believe that they lived happily ever after.

Ruth Ryan Langan - Blood on the Moon was a wonderful story based on honor, strength of the heart, wits and love.

Marianna Willman - West of the Moon is a story based on fairytales and folklore that turn out to be more than tales. What a wonderful picture Marianna can paint in one's mind to picture the beauty! Fairies, magic, love, curses and not quite sure how it was going to spin to the end...it was great!

All four stories are a must read and I am thankful I read them!!!!!!

Lover of books.......2005-02-01

I have read the other review entries, and I have to disagree with some of them. I am an avid fan of Nora Roberts, and the other authors she coincides with. I have read all of their short story collections, and have loved every one of them! When I saw this book, I grabbed it off the shelf, and haven't thought twice about it. I do agree with the others that Nora's story was the best, but 'Moon Shadows' wouldn't be the same without the stories from Gregory, Ryan-Langan, and Willman. They are all great others in their own rite. I am looking forward for the next book in this short story series!

Magic has never been so mystical..........2005-01-20

I am one of those people obsessed with magic and all things mystical so naturally when I came across this book I was extatic. Inside this book are four relatively short stories.

The first story was without doubt my favorite. A werewolf..excuse me,lycan..infected a woman in the Italian mountians between Italy and France and now the woman is trying to cure herself. First, Roberts describes her solitude in a heartbreakingly perfect way, a way in which it seems she is all alone with no one but her dog for comfort. She falls in love with a vet, how perfect, and together they try to cure her. It's a wonderful love story with just enough mystical forces to keep you wanting more.

The other stories were just as great though now I cannot remember the order. The one with the Dark Angel whose family was slayed in the begining, oh my heart. So sad yet sweepingly romantic and rugishly barbaric. The princess has such a big heart and her Dark Angel is the kind of man you want on a winters night...I loved it.
The land on Org sounds like a horrible place doesn't it...but white magic endures, as does love of course...His family was killed by the evil witch, then he was turned down by the queen...and when her beauty and life is stolen, her sister steals his heart...how cute. I love how one minute they hate each other and the next they are in love, even in that horrible place..it's great.
I didn't like the last one so much but it was kind of sweet...I won't go into it since I have more bad things than good to say...but hey, 3 out of 4 were good to me, that earns my stamp of approval.
BW~

What a disappointment!.......2004-11-28

I was very excited when I found this book at the store. I am a huge fan of paranormal and absolutely adore Nora Roberts. Well, Nora's story was the only one that held my interest, and that was even kind of pushing it. The main problem with these books that have multiple stories and authors is that you never get a chance to really get into it when the story is only 70-100 pages. The three other authors were huge disappointments and I can say honestly that I will not be looking for their books in the future. I would definitely not reccomend this book to anyone, and would suggest that you not waste your time.

Average customer rating:

allende simply the best
the best book i've read in ages...
Not magical realism but Greek tragedy
Of Love and Shadows review
A great book!

Of Love and Shadows
Isabel Allende
Manufacturer: Dial Press Trade Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Latin American | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0553383833
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Book Description

Isabel Allende transports us to a Latin American country in the grip of a military dictatorship, where Irene Beltran, an upperclass journalist, and Francisco Leal, a photographer son of a Marxist professor together discover a hideous crime. They also discover how far they dare go in search of the truth in a nation of terror . . . and how very much they risk.

From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

allende simply the best.......2007-01-05

as always she writes a book that takes you away from the normal life that you lead and you experience something totally new to think about. she is simply the best.

the best book i've read in ages..........2006-10-27

i saw the movie before i ever heard about the book, i thought it could
never live up to the movie but i was so wrong. the book told more than the
movie did and even though i some times love the movie more than the book
this time i have to say both are amazing. i have to say even though i read
and watch movies that have war and death in them i'm not a real fan but it
takes writers like isabel to change my mind. i especially love the part
where even though their dealing with death and war all around them irene
and francisco fall in love. i think every one should read this book, it
would change their lives......i know it's changed mine because before reading this book i never knew or even cared about what was going on in
countries like chile but now after reading this book i do and i think after other people read it they will too.

Not magical realism but Greek tragedy.......2006-05-11

I loved this book. I think a lot of the low ratings are from people who are disappointed because they were expecting a magical realist novel. Allende's first novel, "The House of the Spirits," is a wonderful example of magical realism, but this is a completely different beast. While it contains a handful of supernatural events, most of them are one-liners, which I suspect may be throw-away references to other Latin American writers. There is one significant happening which can be seen as supernatural, but which can also be explained completely realistically.

I think this book should actually be read as a Greek tragedy. It comes complete with a chorus (the inhabitants of the old people's home), with a fatal flaw in the heroine's character (albeit one which would be a virtue in any reasonable society), and with a tragic ending. This book is amazingly poetic. It's about love, and living in a military dictatorship, and doing the right thing regardless. But it's not magical realism, and if that's what you're looking for, don't read it.

Of Love and Shadows review.......2006-03-16

Of Love and Shadows was a great book. I have never been to South America or known the things that took place there under a dictatorship. I love the books becuase it helps me imagine in great detail where these events took place. It takes me to this place "Of Love and Shadows". I thought it was a great book.

A great book!.......2005-09-14

I have read this book over and over again and I never get tired of it, it is Isabel's second novel and is written in a more journalisitic way than the others. The point of this novel is to understand the horrible crimes that were commited in latin america during a time when almost every country was under dictatorship. She is trying to prevent people from forgetting about the brutal represion of the people, the people who were killed, the people who dissapeared and the overall dispair of the population. I have to agree with another review that stated that there is no compairison at all betweet this book and Gabriel García Márquez's book "One Hundred Years of Solitude", but that is becuase the book that is frequently compared to it is Allende's first novel "The House of Spirits". I highly recomend this book and all others that Isabel Allende has written!

Night Tales: Night Shift/ Night Shadow/ Nightshade/ Night Smoke

Average customer rating:

an absolute pleasure to read
4 very early Nora tales that are outstanding
Four Fabulous Stories!
Fabulous book!
Not up to her usual standards.

Night Tales: Night Shift/ Night Shadow/ Nightshade/ Night Smoke
Nora Roberts
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

an absolute pleasure to read.......2007-01-15

with four distinct books all revolving around the "night" theme, nora roberts once again captures the beauty of love

in "Night Shift", you're thrust into the world of DJs and radio stations, a world most people know nothing about. Throughout the entire story, your rooting for Boyd to win over Cilla's heart and capture the person who is plotting against her.

in "Night Shadow", you see that Cilla's sister's story is just as incredible as her own, maybe better. It was amusing to see how Ms. Roberts fared dipping into the "superhero" element with Nemesis. This story has sort of a spiderman romance about it, which makes it all the more enjoyable

"Nightshade" deals with the story of Boyd's partner, Althea. She is one tough lady, but Colt Nightshade manages to romance her in time. The crime they're both investigating makes the story suspensful and interesting to follow.

"Night Smoke" certainly lives up to its name. Boyd's sister butts heads with arson investigator Ryan Piasecki. Through some dangerous moments, I assure you the ending, is indeed happily ever after.

The best part about reading all four of these is that you get to see how characters in the earlier stories develop with their marriages and children.

I urge everyone to read not only these stories, but the other two "Night Tales" books Ms. Roberts has produced in "Night Tales: Night Sheild and Night Moves", but stunning.

Once again I applaud Ms. Roberts with her astonishing series, "Night Tales"

4 very early Nora tales that are outstanding.......2004-10-07

Some of Nora Robert's Early works, the "Night" tales are hard to find. You find them in secondary bookstores used - maybe - and for very high prices. Here you have all four tales (four complete Silhouette novels) in one volume - Night Shift, Night Shadow, Nightshade and Night Smoke. They are some of the best of her early works and it's great to get them all under one cover.

Night Shift has Detective Boyd Fletcher assigned to protect Cilla O'Roarke. She is a nighttime talk Disc Jockey at a local Denver radio station whose life has been threatened. Cilla is a tough cookie, but even she knows she needs Boyd's help. While being her bodyguard, Boyd falls for her, which jeopardizes his objectivity he needs to catch the psycho. But he cannot deny the attraction.

Night Shadow is Cilla's sister's story. Deborah O'Roarke. Deborah is an assistant DA, and she gets into danger because of the case she's involved in. Gage and his alter ego Nemisis (think Daredevil with sight) see it as their duty to protect the gusty DA. The Fantasy element in this is outstanding and I love the strong leads.

Nightshade is the story of Boyd's ex-partner, Althea Grayson (we met her as she helped Boyd protect Cilla in Night Shift). She is an early Eve Dallas (...In Death Series - the "role" model for Eve?) a very independent lass, who is a by the book cop. Sexy Colt Nightshade is a Private Investigator who disdains rules, unless he makes them up. They are both strong willed detectives with their own methods, and naturally clash - on the streets and in bed - as they are forced to work together to stalk a killer.

Night Smoke sees Natalie Fletcher, Boyd's sister clash with arson investigator, Ryan Piasecki. When several of the buildings Natalie owns has fires, she and Ryan clash, soon they are proving where there is smoke, there is in deed fire!

Four early Robert's tales guaranteed to delight her fans.

Four Fabulous Stories!.......2002-11-12

After being sooo disappointed in "Full House" I had to read something to renew my faith and Nora Roberts did the trick. What an entertaining book and each story stands alone but is connected.

Each story has a great hero and heroine, pretty good mysteries and great romance. One is sort of a fantasy and that one needs you to believe. The others are full out good reads. Thanks you, Nora. I will re-read this whole book again and again.

Fabulous book!.......2002-10-25

Everyone who is at all a fan of romance or romantic suspense knows how popular Nora Roberts is. Her books sell for a reason. I think this series is Nora at her best. All 4 of the books are filled with the strong characters, sexual tension, and suspenseful moments that make her such a good writer. I also like having all the related books published together in one package.
Another thing that makes this series unique to me is how each of the books has a common element: the night, but still manages to be fundamentally different too. The first, Night Shift, is pretty standard romantic suspense, but it is also well written. Night Shadow is more fantasy with some supernatural elements thrown in. Night Shade, the third and my favorite of the series, has the most fleshed out characters in my opinion. The clash between the two main characters is what makes this story work. Night Smoke, the last of the stories, is more a classic case of rich girl meets working class boy. Nora adds suspense and good dialogue to raise it above the average romance. Be warned though. The subject matter IS a little dark in these novels. They are grittier than standard romance novels. If you are looking for light fluff, you might want to try some of her other novels. But if you are looking for good romantic suspense, you can't go wrong here.

Not up to her usual standards........2002-07-12

This is a set of four stories about the same family. Night Shift is about Boyd Fletcher and a lovely DJ who is having stalker problems, it is probably my favorite of the four. In Night Shadow Boyd's sister-in-law Deborah O'Roarke is falling in love with a man who has an amazing secret. Nightshade is about Boyd's partner Thea . Night Smoke is the story about Boyd's sister Natalie Fletcher, arson and the sexy fireman who helps find the arsonist.

As is typical with Nora Roberts series, each story can stand on it's own. However, I like the fact that you can revisit old characters and catch up on their lives through Nora Roberts other books. There is a follow up to these four stories about Boyd's daugther and a private investegator. It is a great story and out of the five stories, my favorite.

I typically rate Nora Roberts stories with fives. However, this one has a four. I found this a little bit too 'off the wall' for my tastes. The idea that some man can become invisible at will was just to wild. I think that the connection being made in other reviews between books written by Nora Roberts under the name JD Robb is correct. These books have another world/futeristic type feel to them. The cities are darker, more evil, particularly in Night Shadow. The JD Robb books are some that I do not enjoy and I'm dissapointed to see that leaking over into the Nora Roberts romance books.

However, having said that, let me stress that I find any Nora Roberts book to be above and beyond the normal romance book and worth reading.

The Shadow Side of Intimate Relationships: What's Going on Behind the Scene
Average customer rating:

Read if you are ready!

Great book!

No light possible without the shadow...

Essential for anyone who wants to sustain a relationship

This book will truly move you - I challenge you to read it!
The Shadow Side of Intimate Relationships: What's Going on Behind the Scene
Doug Moseley , and Naomi Mosely
Manufacturer: Moseley Method
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1880823225

Book Description

Everyone knows it, everyone pretends not to know it, everyone sincerely believes it's not true ©¤ everyone knows it really is true. The romantic feelings don't last. Sooner or later, partners become judgmental, fearful, critical, withdrawn, controlling, dependent, overbearing, angry, rejecting¡ªwhich really means they become fully themselves, rather than showing only the pretty parts. But these darker feelings bring havoc to romance.

Successful authors Douglas and Naomi Moseley expand their theme of the "dirty little secret" of romance and relationship in their newest book, updating their knowledge of relationships. How to deal with this inevitable tarnishing of romantic luster? Therapists Douglas and Naomi Moseley suggest some practical, straightforward answers in their masterful new book. The Shadow Side of Intimate Relationships rejects the notion that the end of romance means failure. Rather, the authors say, the romantic phase inevitably ends, but it can be superseded by a profound experience of the passionate, ongoing love that makes an adult relationship truly worthwhile.

The secret of success is found in the partners' being aware and truthful in their discovering and acknowledging the gritty truth of each other's hidden aspects: the insecure, fearful little girl and the insecure, fearful little boy who live inside adult bodies and control the adults' behavior. The inner little boy who wants mommy and acts like daddy and an inner little girl who wants daddy and acts like mommy. These emotionally young, power-hungry, control-seeking inner children will do anything to win, regardless of the cost.

These subpersonalities, declare the Moseleys, are not to be damned or expunged. Rather, as parts of the whole human being, they need to be recognized and acknowledged. When they are not acknowledged when they operate unconsciously they are certain to be destructive.

The Shadow Side of Intimate Relationships gives special attention to sexuality and anger, detailing the connection between chronically unexpressed feelings and failed sexual intimacy, and explaining the remarkable healing value found in honest expressions of anger. It also describes, in a significant contribution to the current dialogue on child abuse, what occurs when two emotionally immature partners have children, and how, tragically, the seeds of continuing dysfunction are planted in those children.

This is a book for grown-ups, to be avoided by those who are afraid of themselves, to be eagerly embraced by all who wish to explore the deep, healing truths of life with an adult partner in intimate relationship.

Customer Reviews:

Read if you are ready!.......2003-02-12

This is an absolutely excellent book about what is truly going on in relationships! The author's will probably tell you what you don't want to hear about yourself, but if you are ready to face it, this book will take you to another life. This book makes us face how our own insecurities and inferiorities are having a destructive influence on our relationships. It forces us to change for the better. If you like this book, you will also like "Rhythm, Relationships, and Transcendence" by Toru Sato. It is a great book on a similar topic but explained from a different perspective. I recommend both of them highly!

Great book!.......2001-05-03

My partner and I were stuck. After 2 years together we seemed to be at a crisis in our relationship, and we didn't know whether to get married or split up. Overall we had a GREAT relationship, but things had gotten weird lately. I'd been critical, he'd been withdrawn. What was going on? This book jumped out at me from the amazon.com web site, so I got it and read it in about a week. It was an eye-opener. So many times I recognized myself in these patterns of behavior (or, if I didn't see myself, I saw the behaviors told to me by friends who'd been in failed relationships.) I've read a lot of self-help books, and this is among the best. Clear, well-organized, concise ideas with just the right number of case studies & examples. If you're having trouble in your relationships, maybe not even "big" trouble, just nagging kinds of things.... you will be amazed by the TRUTH of these ideas & observations about relationships. (Same authors have also written "How to Make Your Second Marriage a First-Class Success" which I also recommend.)

No light possible without the shadow..........2000-08-26

What a timely book! It exposes the reality of human connection over the fantasy. And how long can the fantasy last? Powerful truth for those looking to last...as couples and as individuals in our rough and tumble world...

Essential for anyone who wants to sustain a relationship.......2000-08-21

This is an essential book for anyone who wants to sustain an intimate relationship over a long period of time. How many of us in a relationship feel we already know what the other person is thinking or feeling? Conversation becomes a series of set pieces. The Shadow Side of Intimate Relationships explains in jargon-free prose why and how we all get trapped in a particular communication paradigm. Moreover it provides the tools for exploring ways to break free of those traps, both in the way we speak to our intimate partner and the way in which we interact with each other. Doug and Naomi Moseley focus on what each of us as an individual can do for ourselves to understand why we act and react the way we do. These tools can then be applied as instruments to change our individual behavior. For me this book was like a bolt of lightning, illuminating and energizing. It has my highest recommendation.

This book will truly move you - I challenge you to read it!.......2000-08-15

Have you ever wondered why you cannot find the perfect partner or had a relationship that was really close but just not enough? Have you ever just felt "stuck"? Well, then this book is for you. I caution you though - it will be painful at first but hang in there and you will reap a much bigger reward than those "feel-good" books.

This is not a "relationship recipe" book. It will not tell you how to find the perfect partner. It will not validate your childlike views and beliefs about the "other" person in your relationship. This book will not point the finger at your partner's flaws - in fact, it is not about your partner at all - it is about you!

This book is a magnifying glass - you will discover things about yourself that will make you squirm and leave you speechless. This book is a mirror - you will laugh at the silly behaviors of the people in the examples and then feel the tears well up when you see your own reflection. This book is a bright light - you will see what has been in your dark places since childhood and finally understand what makes "you" who "you" are. This book is a helping hand - you will feel liberated from the burden of your humanness.

Customer Reviews:

Witty and Romantic... YUM!.......2004-08-20

This is another great entry into the golden chronicles, with new characters introduced who are entirely lovable in themselves.

Old favorites make an appearance, as they continue to do throughout this series. Wonderful Jamie and Haughty August come through the town and we have some brillant scenes between the two of them along with the duel threats that come whenever August is involved. (are you sensing the infatuation? My favorite character! Mandarin of Mayfair is his book)...

So we have a great pair of new lovers, and continuing relationships with our favorite people who haven't made the perfect match yet.

Down to the nitty gritty:

Jennifer Britewell is a lovely heroine & her kindness to the man who has lost his memory is entirely believeable and in keeping with her proven nature.

As he struggles to regain his memory and they are threatened by savage strangers who desire her home (which is slightly decrepit but very scenic)they are thrown together and romance developes.

One of the marvellous things about Patricia Veryan as an author is the very believability of her settings. Without boring one with the visitors guidebook, or banging us over the head with the history of a place, she manages to imbue her books with the very feel of the environs.

Windswept Cornwall descends into your living room as you read this book, and Jonathon & Jennifer are wonderful.

Romances are always incredibly touching & leavened with gentle humor:
"Jennifer, please stop! My beautiful... dearest girl... I cannot bear to see you cry."
At this, her eyes opened very wide. "You-you're weeping, too..." she gulped.
"I know," he said. And lost to everything but her grief, added with a tender smile, "You hit me in the eye."

heh heh
ABSOLUTELY BRILLANT. Read all her books. Veryan is the best regency/georgian author.

One of the best so far.......2000-02-10

I really liked this one. I thought the plot was better developed than the others I have read in this serise (Books 2&3). It was amazing really, the plot kept thickening and thickening until I thought she would never be able to pull it out but she did manage remarkably. Only the fate of Jennifer's family was left out. I enjoyed the main love interests in this one as well. I do tend to go in for tortured lovers but they were really a solid pair. I thought that the superstions of Cornwall made a nice background to the story and were a pleasent change from her usual settings. This book also answerd some questions I had after a previous book. All-in-all a good read but I would definitely recomend reading it in order in the Serise.

Son of the Shadows (Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Absolutely breath taking
Magical
Not good enough
A few too many threads - of evil
A Great Continuation

Son of the Shadows (Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 2)
Juliet Marillier
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1)
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Wolfskin (Tor Fantasy)
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ASIN: 0312848803

Amazon.com

Second of the Sevenwaters trilogy of novels about the last days of heroic Ireland, Son of the Shadows takes up the story of the children of Sorcha, who saved her enchanted brothers, and Hugh, the Briton she married. Sorcha's daughter Liadan is a gifted seer and healer who thinks, in spite of her visions, that she knows what the future has in store for her--caring for her dying mother and then an alliance marriage to Eamonn. A chance meeting on the road carries her off to care for a dying man--one of the mercenaries of the sinister Painted Man, Eamonn's archenemy and a killer for hire. Liadan discovers that she cannot choose whom she loves and that she and the Painted Man are as bound up in destiny as her mother and father were before her.

This is an intelligent historical romance in which the supernatural is a part of the character's everyday lives to an extent that makes it hard to think of the book as specifically a fantasy--these are people to whom the beings of forest speak on a regular basis and to whom sorcery is real. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

Son of the Shadows is the sequel to Juliet Marilliers evocative first novel Daughter of the Forest. It continues the saga of beautiful Sorcha, the courageous young woman who risked all to save her family from a wicked curse and whose love shattered generations of hate and bridged two cultures. It is from her sacrifice that her brothers were brought home to Sevenwaters. But not all the brothers were able to escape the spell that transformed them into swans, and those who did were all moreand lessthan they were before the change. It is left to Sorchas daughter Liadan to take up the tale that the Sevenwaters clan is destined to fulfill. Beloved child, dutiful daughter, Liadan embarks on a journey that opens her eyes to the wonders of the world around her and shows her just how hard-won was the peace that she has known all her life. She will need all of her courage to help save her family, for there are forces far darker than anyone could have guessed and ancient powers conspiring to destroy this familys peaceand their world. And she will need the strength to stand up to those she loves best for in the finding of her own true love, Liadan may doom them all or be their salvation.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely breath taking .......2007-05-26

The combination of celtic lore and romance give this book a beauty all its own. I love the tattoos and stealth around every corner and the never ending love and faith that is written throughout the pages.

Magical.......2007-05-10

This is a wonderful book, although Daughter of the forest was still my favorite. This book still stays in my top 20. I love the way Marrillier interwines magic and love all together in a historical fashion.

Not good enough.......2006-11-07

I read this book in four days and found it to be WAYY to predictable as the first one. Girl meets man. Gets pregnant. Has to save man from certain doom. Finds out she loves man. Has baby. Man finds out baby is his. Finds out girl is heir to throne. And so on. So many people told me the sevenwaters Trilogy was an excellent read. Well it wasn't due to one factor and it's called Creativeness. I recommend something else for entertainment.

A few too many threads - of evil.......2006-11-04

This book started out a little more quickly than Daughter of the Forest (Book 1), but wound itself up in too many subplots of bad people doing progressively badder things, and good people turning out to be bad, and lots of unexplained cruelty. There is some sort of resolution, but the character development of one the main characters (Bran, by his alias) is rather shallow.

Still, I had to finish it to try to see what in the world prompted some things and how it would all turn out. Mildly satisfying. As with the first book in the trilogy - good for passing the time when flying or waiting in a terminal.

A Great Continuation .......2006-09-25

With this being the second novel in the Sevenwaters Trilogy, it takes you into the next generation of the family who's linked destiny is to save the magic of the forest. Sorcha's youngest daughter, Liadan takes center stage in this well rounded story, bringing back to life the family and the previous beloved characters of Daughter of the Forest.

Liadan takes on her own voice as she details the trials of her own life, bringing readers into the bittersweet death of her mother Sorcha, the loss of her sister Niambh when she's turned out of the house, and the discovery of her heart's soulmate in Bran, the young chief of a band of outlaws. Readers who adored the first book of the trilogy will find this addition apt and satisfying.

Though Sorcha's tale is far more moving and more poignant, this one still had me crying a bit. I was moved by the sadness of Sorcha's passing, having truly enjoyed her story better. Some other reviewers stated that they felt there was a lacking of magic in this book, and I'd have to agree. It certainly didn't detract from a great story, but I think this second novel could have been more moving if it had been as magically beautiful as its predecessor. One downfall to this book was that I felt that the ending was not as complete as the first was. This one seemed like it wanted to rush for the ending and I didn't get the closure of how Liadan and Bran settle with the final choice of where they'd live. in fact, I'm hoping they marry because that never even seemed to important for the two to talk about. And since the 3rd book picks up with Niambh's daughter, I highly doubt my curiosities will be answered in the final installment. I guess I have to read it and see...

Anyway, the return of Sorcha and Red were a welcome treat along with a set of new characters and their own plot mechanations. I highly recommend this book, especially if you bothered to read the Daughter of the Forest.

My recommendations: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier, Archangel by Sharon Shinn, The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll.

Average customer rating:

Well written trash :-)
another great read
SO not Jackie....
GREATEST EVER
INDEED, A SHADOW OF THE ORIGINAL, YET...

Jacqueline Susann's Shadow of the Dolls
Rae Lawrence
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Friendship | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Once Is Not Enough (Susann, Jacqueline)
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Valley of the Dolls
Dolores

ASIN: 0609605852
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Book Description

Valley of the Dolls was sexy, shocking, and unrelenting in its revelations of the dangers facing women who dare to chase their most glamorous dreams. It shot to the top of the bestseller lists in 1966 and made Jacqueline Susann a superstar. It remains the quintessential big, blockbuster, must-read, can't-put-down bestseller.

Before her death in 1974, Susann spent many months working on a draft for a sequel that continued the stories of Anne Welles, Neely O'Hara, and Lyon Burke. Now, after nearly thirty years, the perfect writer has been found to turn Susann's deliciously ambitious ideas into a novel that matches the original shock for shock and thrill for thrill.

In Jacqueline Susann's Shadow of the Dolls, Rae Lawrence — herself a bestselling author — picks up the story in the late '80s and brings it right into the new century. Long a devoted “Valley” girl herself, Rae has re-imagined the original characters in a contemporary reality (and adjusted their ages just a bit), exactly as Jackie would have wanted her to. And if you've never read Valley of the Dolls, no matter. Sometimes the present is even more surprising and fun when you don't remember the past.

And what a story! Neely's golden voice has brought her fame and success, but now she craves acceptance in social circles where her kind of celebrity means nothing at all. Anne, born and bred in those very circles, must choose between returning home or pursuing a fabulous television career — and the kind of passion she once knew with Lyon. And Lyon, who loses everything including Anne, looks for happiness in the most unexpected of places.

Taking us behind the closed doors of New York, East Hampton, and Los Angeles, whetting our appetites for more with a new generation of young women and men who grow up far too fast, and spicing the whole story with a generous sprinkling of sex, drugs, and cosmetic surgery, Jacqueline Susann's Shadow of the Dolls is the ultimate beach read for our time. But feel free to devour it any time of the year, wherever you are.

It's been a long time since readers had this much fun between the covers. It's time to jump back in.

Anne Welles . . . She finds the courage to leave the only man who ever made her feel like a woman . . . She fights her way to the top of a television career that is even more cutthroat than she's been warned . . . She finds security and contentment with the kind of man she was destined to marry . . . Now she must choose between destiny and her dreams.

Neely O'Hara . . . Her talents take her to the top, while her troubles drag her through rehab after rehab . . . She grasps at the things Anne has turned her back on (her class, her man) . . . She always knows exactly what she wants, and will do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true.

Lyon Burke . . . He takes lovers over love . . . He hustles other people's
talent while neglecting his own . . . He always knows how to look, which restaurants offer the perfect drink and the most cachet, who to pursue, and where to find the best percentage . . . He waits so long to realize his dreams that in the end it may be too late.

Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls was one of the sexiest, most shocking, and most sensational novels ever to fly off the shelves. Now, thanks to bestselling novelist Rae Lawrence — working from Susann's own draft for a sequel — the fun has just begun.

Customer Reviews:

Well written trash :-).......2007-06-12

I LOVED Jacqueline Susann's "Valley of the Dolls", so I was very eager to read this sequel written by Rae Lawrence.
Reading this book as a follow-up to "Valley of the Dolls" might be confusing, due to the change of time and dates in this book.
But I got over it, and I'm fine with the updates.

But had Rae Lawrence changed the names of the characters here, this book could easily stand on it's own feet. And been seen as an updated version of "Valley of the Dolls", instead of a sequel.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading this book, but it left me with one question in mind: Why doesn't Anne need to go to rehab???

another great read .......2007-01-07

Another fabulous book by Jacqueline Susann. Definite follow up after you read valley of the dolls.

SO not Jackie.... .......2006-06-18

This supposed sequel is NOTHING like what Jacqueline Susann would've written!

For some reason Rae Lawrence simply did not have the acerbic but excuberant wit and taste for drama that Jacqueline Susann was so poetic with.

If you ask me I think Candace Bushnell (author of Sex and the City) could've done a better job at being Jackie's successor. This is a monstrosity. You have to keep in mind that when Jacqueline Susann wrote 'Valley' she wrote it with life experience, passion, and the intention that it would become not just a bestselling novel but a classic. Rae Lawrence and the people who hired her wrote this with the intention of it becoming a "hot and sizzling beach novel". AKA something that middleaged suburban housewives read when they can't watch their soaps during the summer vacation.

This books reads as if it was written by a complete scene poser. And that is the major difference between Jacqueline Susann and Rae Lawrence. When Jackie wrote about the subjects that happened in 'Valley' she wrote and elaborated on it because it was natural to her. This was how she thought and looked at the world. And it was only by coincidence that how she saw the world shocked people. Lawrence obvioulsy does not have the same detached perception of the world that Jackie does and alot of the subjects listed in 'Shadow' sound like Lawrence was trying really hard to shocking people. And as you know when posers try to shock people it just isn't cool and is not impressive at all.

Don't get this book. Its not worth your time. If you MUST read it out curiousity do not spend good money on it. Go to the library and all you'll have to pay is a late charge.

Go buy Candace Bushnell novel instead. Or just watch Sex and the City.

I only give this two stars because somewhere in the pages is a draft that Jackie wrote. And you can't ever say anything bad about Jacqueline Susann!

GREATEST EVER.......2006-04-20

Although I haven't read valley of da dolls, shadow of the dolls is full of modern day guily pleasure... with pigments of love/passion/success. I love how the book said that their are no friendships in show biz but onlee... relation ships , the plot was def suspensful and a page turner, the sex was lovely and I liked to see the relationships grow as the characters grew older and how anne had 2 fight her way back to the top again.. ahhh it was reallii gud.. def read it but I'm not sure it will match up to valley dolls because it seems sho gud , i realli love shadow of the dolls , it was heaps more modern too. P.s spoiler alert: Lyon get married to Neely and Anne leaves Lyon , she becomes a top television journalist but then quits her career to marry... thats all i'll say

INDEED, A SHADOW OF THE ORIGINAL, YET..........2005-01-02

I truly enjoyed this novel, despite the now known fact that it didn't follow up the chronological years left behind by the original author. Sure, Lawrence is no Susann (but has she ever prentended to be?), and her characters could have been a tad meatier (come to think of it, Susann's as well), but, hey, this isn't the work of Proust we're talking here, but a fun and diversionary follow-up to the pop lit classic of all time. Just for that reason alone, SHADOW OF THE DOLLS should definitely be read by all.-----Martin Boucher

Shadows of Truth (Shadows of Truth Series #1) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense)

Average customer rating:

Shades of Truth, Partial Truth, Some of the Truth...
An issue of trust

Shadows of Truth (Shadows of Truth Series #1) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense)
Sharon Mignerey
Manufacturer: Steeple Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Mystery | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Romantic Suspense | Romance | Subjects | Books

Steeple Hill Love Inspired | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

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General | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

Romantic Suspense | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0373442351

Book Description

Only one thing could bring DEA agent Micah McLeod back to Carbondale, Colorado: Rachel Neesham being in danger.

Months before, Rachel's antique shop had been a front for crime, and she'd been a suspect. Micah went undercover to seek the truth and found out Rachel was innocent—but not before casting a veil of suspicion that destroyed her reputation. Yet in the process, he'd fallen for her.

Now, with her business ruined and her faith shattered, the real criminals were after her and her two children. Micah vowed to keep them safe at any cost. Would Rachel forgive and forget?

Her life depended on it.

Customer Reviews:

Shades of Truth, Partial Truth, Some of the Truth..........2007-07-31

This one has a relentless villain, a predictor who plays head games. Shadows of Truths, heroine, Rachel Neesham feels completely victimized, terrified for herself and for her small children and her aging minister father.

She's being threatened, is also in danger of losing her house, and to make matters worse, the man who she believes betrayed her, the man she's in love with, DEA agent Micah McLeod has come back. Will he cast suspicion onto her again, further ruining an already damaged reputation. With all this going on Rachel has lost her faith.

Can Rachel get herself to trust God again? Can she trust McLeod, who seems to never say quite the truth? This is ultimately a story about trust, about love casting out fear. The novel is well written and fast paced. I didn't want to put it down and was sorry when it ended to say good-bye to the characters.

An issue of trust.......2007-04-23

If you've never felt God just wasn't listening, good for you. The rest of us can relate to Rachel, who has reason to be worried and afraid. She is losing her home, her family is in danger, and she believes she was betrayed by the man she loves.
Now she has trouble trusting God, but when she turns to Him, He is there.
Heartwarming and poignant, Mignerey tells a story of love and forgiveness. It's not surprising this book won a Top Pick award from Romantic Times.

Average customer rating:

Delicious!
EASY READING, UNDERSTANDABLE, UPLIFTING

In the Shadow of Love
Sally D. John
Manufacturer: Crossway Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

To Dream Again
The Winding Road Home (The Other Way Home)
After All These Years (The Other Way Home)
In a Heartbeat
Just to See You Smile (The Other Way Home)

Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0891079831

Customer Reviews:

Delicious!.......2005-08-23

This has been a delight. It's my 3rd Sally John book reading, and she has not disappointed me yet. The book is very good, easy to read and the story was great. I'll recommend it if you are in a mood for a good Christian Romance.
Enjoy!

EASY READING, UNDERSTANDABLE, UPLIFTING.......1998-11-24

SALLY JOHN HAS A GREAT TALENT FOR ENGROSSING THE READERS INTO HER STORY. THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE BETTER CHRISTIAN ROMANCES OUT THERE, AND I'M ANTICIPATING HER NEXT BOOK. THE READING IS VERY EASY, WHICH CAN BE FOLLOWED EASILY FROM START TO FINISH. I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE ENCOURAGED.

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