This book is a wonderful continuation of the story begun in Winterbourne. There are just a shade too many historical details for me, but it was still great. And it's a bit different from the typical romance. But not so different that it's not enjoyable. I thought it was well worth paying a bit more to get it, although it is out of print.

SHADES OF WINTER is the long out-of-print sequel to Susan Carroll's WINTERBOURNE, published under the name the author currently uses in real life, Susan Coppula. This 1988 novel, which is categorized as historical fiction, excels at bringing English feudal society to life with page-turning entertainment.

As SHADES OF WINTER opens, Genevieve de Macy, daughter of Sir Jaufre and Melyssan, is 16 years old. Her mother died seven years earlier from childbirth complications while delivering her third child, a stillborn son. After Genevieve receives a marriage proposal from the flighty Henry III and is intrigued by a wastrel knight, Sir Jaufre sends her away to her brother's French keep, the Chateau Clairemont le Fleur. Smitten by the lusty, blonde Amaury de Launville, she returns home to find her father has arranged a marriage for her with Sir Hugh of Bassenport, grandson of a wealthy merchant.

Sir Jaufre's health is teetering and he worries for Genevieve's future welfare. Without a legitimate son, Winterbourne will be bequeathed to her. The wife of his French illegitimate son has other ideas and looks to make Winterbourne theirs. In the meantime, Genevieve realizes she's pregnant and is at her wit's end wondering what she is going to do.

Not only does Coppula convincingly portray life in a medieval castle, but Genevieve's arrogance fits the character well. To portray her as sweet and submissive would be inconsistent for a successful noble during this period. Her arrogance is combined with the naiveté of a 16 year old, and her character growth as the story unfolds is well done.

One aspect this reviewer frowns on in both this novel and its predecessor is its pairing of women with men who are so much older than them. A thirty-something man who falls in love with teenagers is either emotionally unstable or looking for someone he can easily manipulate. In one case, Sir Tristan, knew his wife before she was even born, and he was over the age of 30 at that blessed event. However, during feudal society, marriage was not about fulfilling emotional attachment. For royalty, nobles, and gentry, it was about alliances and procreating. (Such train of thought even affected the lower classes, to a smaller degree.) The average life expectancy for a woman was half that of a man's because childbirth was one of the deadliest risks women took at the time. In explaining Melyssan's early demise, Coppula used the most likely scenario for a woman's premature death of the period. As distasteful as the age difference between the lovers is, it's unacceptable to fault Coppula's storytelling for this detail. Older husbands were a common practice in the 13th century because wives were so "dispensable." And today's women forget that wives were expected to be obedient in the days of yore. Despite this, Genevieve is still a strong, yet believable protagonist and the attachment she develops toward her husband does make this relationship more palatable. On the other hand, it be wonderful to see more writers defy genre conventions and make more women a little older or more experienced than their lovers.

Coppula does a great job exploiting the dangers of living in a fuedal society, especially when the people interact in court. There was always intrigue around the reigning monarch (which still occurs today to some extent, with less fatal consequences). A king's popularity was extremely critical to avoid rebellion. If their people's attention wasn't focused on an unpopular king, courtiers would plot against each other for the merest slight or royal favor.

Coppula has also done her research describing castle life. Sir Jaufre was supposed to be wealthy and indeed he must have been to have a fortress made of stone when the kingdom still had several castles constructed with timber. Terms such as a castle's bailey, donjon, oubliette, et cetera, are used as required by the story, although it's questionable whether the jailers would courteously provide their prisoners a ladder in the case of the latter. In Ireland's Leap Castle, an oubliette was found with a large spike embedded upright from its floor, indicating the cruel fate of captives thrown down these deep, narrow shafts.

SHADES OF WINTER is an excellent continuation of the de Macy saga. Too bad there is only two novels. Susan Coppula's British history, characterization, and plotting is, as always, impeccable. Fawcett is overdue in reissuing this book as it did WINTERBOURNE.

Nothing piques the morbid fascination of a dinner guest quite like a platter of veal frappuccino. Top it off with a decaffeinated stock reduction and you're a host whose meals will be recounted for decades. This book has afforded us years of excellent in-home dining, as well as cheap laughter. My wife also once used it to great effect in ridding us of an in-law babysitter that she considered too sultry and promiscuous for duty. She merely left Carmen (her young cousin, who served briefly as our sitter to my unbounded delight) with a tray of Chicken Satay Latte that she had secretly made with thrice the active ingredient. Carmen dutifully served it to the twins at dinnertime, and by the time we returned she had permanently sworn off of babysitting - as well as motherhood, marriage, and quite possibly the male gender, which she rightly surmised was in large part to blame for the scourge of children.

Okay, being the quintesential lefty feminist, I theoretically had better keep a distance from major multinational corporations, but I just can't abstain from Starbucks! Even if they are part of the "corporatization" of America, I proudly declare my love for them.

Since it first came to my hometown (to somehow tie in with the "Alterna-rock" facination with all things pacific NW) I fell in love with their coffee--and related concoctions. Following a stressful (but adventurous day) there is nothing more relaxing than drinking one of their numerous creations and feeling the world melt away.

The recipies in this book continue the romance by providing easy to follow recipies to satisfy the coffee lover in everybody. Little to no previous cooking experience is required, as the point of this cookbook is to help everybody wind down in a deliciously rich way.

I am so happy I found this book. If you are in an intercultural relationship, these are a wonderful compilation of stories from others who are going through or have gone through similar situations. I was laughing out loud at situations so similar to my own. It is a wide range of people and situations and just a joy to read. There defiantely aren't a lot of books on the subject, and this is a great addition to my library!

If you are in a cross cultural relationship, or are attracted to people who are different than you are, this is a must read book. For your effort you will have the pleasure of reading delightful and fresh accounts of a variety of relationship experiences across cultures. As someone who has read more analysis in one life time than anyone should read in a hundred, its a real treat to be shown by example what the experience is like.

Relationships require frequent communication and connection - when there are language gaps, gaps in expectations, gaps in experience, gaps in communication styles - the challenge of sustaining a fulfilling interaction is real. Go in with your eyes open, learn from the honest stories these women share.

Math is fun, but the rhetoric of most 'taught' (probably an overstatement) math (and, by extension, logic) is so incredibly dry that the forest is rarely seen for the bark on the trees. But here Carroll, with tongue lodged firmly in cheek, turns the rhetoric (and by extension, the way we think about math problems) on its ear, and the result is an often incredibly funny approach to math and logic problems which stays with you and ultimately worms its way into your quotidian. I'll also say that, as an atrociously poor student in high school, this book allowed me to ace the SATs, and then ten years later the GREs.

This book by Lewis Carroll is a wonderful source to learn the basics of logic in a funny and natural way. It can be used as a self-study guide or as a manual for educators teaching elements of logic to schoolchildren. It is very clear and consequent and gives the basic idea of propositions and syllogisms. The theory is framed in an unusual game that makes it much more understandable. As always Carroll's examples are a little bit absurdic but this is exactly what makes them humorous, attractive and involving. The book is also a great brain teaser for readers of all ages. Unfortunately it is not as well known as Alice in Wonderland but it has been translated into many foreign languages. I widely used the Russain translation when teaching logic to schoolchildren in St. Petersburg, Russia. Currently being a doctoral student in the States I try to introduce it to my colleagues.

In todays world of throw away marriages, this book forces the reader to take another look at the true meaning of marriage and commitment. It provides a better understanding of why the marriage vow to "love and to cherish" "for better or for worse" is meant to be so much more than just a legal contract between two people.

Though written from a Christian perspective, the book offers hope for any marriage that is at risk of been ripped apart by neglect, selfishness or adultery. It is also a great resource for those that may want to restore a marriage already devastated by divorce.

The book was written from a woman's perspective, but I found it insightful and very helpful in evaluating my own role as a husband and a father.

If you're looking for a way to heal your marriage, this book is a great place to start.

I've given away over 250 of these books since I purchased it in the early 80's when it was titled, "From The Brink Of Divorce." It is a book for anyone looking to save their marriage.

I found this book in the library and kept reading it so long I paid twice the cost of the book in fines. Now, I've ordered my own copy because I cannot be without it.

Written in the style of Aldo Leopold's _Sand County Almanac_, this is a focused study of stream ecology, But it is not a dry book of science. It is a story of a stream through four seasons. The author writes of a place he knows well through a lifetime of hiking and fishing, but where he can still experience childlike wonder. Through his narrative, the reader learns about the fish, the water, plants and insects, birds and beasts, and the relationships that sustain the cycles of life and death along a stream. The author offers perspectives that develops a sense of ecological responsibility.

This book is a delight for anyone interested in the outdoors & nature. The title sounds like the book would be for undergraduates in Fish Culture; however, it is a happy surprise to find that David M. Carroll has written a wonderful, lyrical account of the life of trout including the environment and all the living creatures, critters, and flora that enter the facinating world in the life cycle of the fish. His lovely drawings add to the naturalists' delight! His account of fishing for these elusive fish should catch the fishermen among his readers, too!

Wild Virginia is the ultimate hiking guide to one of the most beautiful states in the eastern US. Whether you're looking for day hikes or extended trips, this is the guide for you. This book not only offers an informative overview of hiking in the wilderness areas but also provides a description of each trail in great detail. If the authors state that the trail curves sharply to the left or there is a fork in the trail, you know it's there. The maps are also true representations, making this guide essential while planning at home or hiking on the trail. I can't wait to see their West VA guide!

Wild Virginia is a unique work that clearly presents information about wilderness areas in the state. I have been unable to find a good source to have on hand when planning trips, and now that I have discovered this book, I am excited to take it along. It is obvious that the authors have been thorough in their research, and have taken great pains to hike and explore every trail they discuss. Their presentation of each area will make it easy for any newcomer to enjoy the wilderness of Virginia.

This is a truly remarkable novel, peopled with wonderful characters who not only bring us great reading pleasure but also leave us with a wondering sense of hope.

Ms. Carroll touches readers' hearts as her tormented hero struggles with post-traumatic stress syndrome and tries to build a live with the woman he loves, the son he cherishes and the child he yearns for.

a true example of brillance, in subject matter and illustrations....!!!!!!!!!

David Carroll marvelously mixes the arts with science: true to his art, he is a refined Thoreau. His love and understanding for his subject is clearly evident.

This was a great book. action packed. Very addictive, my friends and I had a great time reading this book and its sequel, we can't wait for more.