Love Lessons shows you how to believe in love by offering 12 true love stories. The stories span from twenty-somethings to retired widows finding the love of their life. It's the perfect gift for someone who is looking for love, just found love, newly engaged or going on their 20-year anniversary. Just gives you the warm fuzzies! I can't wait to read more of Lois Smith Brady's books.

I love this book! I just recieved it as a gift from my husband and look forward to reading another story every evening. The people that Lois Smith-Brady features are REAL, and each story of how they found love is different. It is a positive affirmation that there is love out there, and there is a soul mate for you. Read it!

This anthology centers on true stories of love. The real life people come from varying walks of life. They find love in all the right places as they connect with the right relationship in different ways. The stories are simple, but well written and uplifting (each ends with a hope for happily ever after lifetime).

Lois Smith Brady, the author of the popular New York Times "Vows" column, provides readers with a warm short story collection. Each tale is enjoyable as they answer the age old questions of what is love, where does one find love, and how to make love last for a lifetime? The tales are more than lessons in love. Instead the stories provide inspiration for those already in love and anyone who believes that love is only found in romance novels because these narratives are the real thing. This anthology is entertaining, inspiring, and worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

This book is #2 in Brockmann's first SEAL Team series, and it is an absolute joy to read. This re-issue of "Forever Blue" proves that Brockmann's tales of military-men-in-love are timeless stories, that can still entertain. Blue McCoy is a SEAL returning to small-town America, to bravely face an uncomfortable situation: his step-brother is about to marry his high-school sweatheart. Trained to tackle trouble with a team, he's forced to face a personal crisis without his SEAL teammates when he becomes the prime suspect in his step-brother's murder. Blue finds a new partner in a now-grown-former-tomboy named Lucy, a faithful childhood acquaintance... and Lucy finds out that the "hero" she had a crush on long ago is really just a "man" worthy of her heart's love. All-in-all, Forever Blue is a simple love story with a bit of adventure and mystery thrown in.

For those unfamiliar with Brockmann's SEAL books, she has written two separate series. "Forever Blue" is book #2 of her first SEAL Team series, which is not as complicated as her new SEAL Team "Troubleshooters" series. The first series (beginning with #1 "Prince Joe" reprinted last year and continuing with the coming soon re-release of #3 "Frisco Kid") is made up of 11 shorter novels, each focusing on one member of the team and his path to true love. I'm personally thrilled to see these books making a reappearance on book-store shelves! The newer series (beginning with #1 "Unsung Hero") contains 5 books to date --all still in print-- that are longer more in-depth novels. Unique to this new series is that each book contains a main plot involving the hero (a member of the SEAL Team) and his lady love, but each book also has another love story expertly interwoven within the pages that flashes you back to WWII. An additional bonus is the on-going personal adventures of the SEAL from Texas, Sam Starrett, whose tumultuous love interest in FBI sharpshooter Alyssa Locke makes for a roller-coaster story line providing plenty of cliff-hangers that won't climax until book #6, Gone Too Far, which is coming out mid 2003!

For light reading, I recommend the first series, although admittedly, getting through the whole series is made tougher with some of the 11 books being out of print.
For in-depth, more for your money, adventurous love stories, try the new series. Either way, I highly recommend reading both in sequence.

I waited eagerly for the second book in the tall dark and dangrous series, after Prince Joe , and I was not dissapointed. It countinues the story of Seal Team Alpha Squad, another one of its elite members,Blue McCoy. It was everything I wanted in the hero the strong dangerous silent type and the heroine gutsy intelligent and she knows what she wants she is not afraid to care and love. Blue McCoy and Lucy Tait have unfinished business between them. One has a crush the other remembers how tough the other was .The same crush is now in the guise of friends , loyalty and trust is there when the chips are down and Blue is accused of murder and Lucy is there believing in his innocence even though when all the evidence points towards Blue .From there on every thing heats up between them and the chase to catch the real killer. For me this was a enjoyable book, Like I said I eagerly waited for the second book and was not dissapointed.and I am waiting for the next book by Suzanne Brockmann in the tall dark and dangerous series.

Suzanne Brockmann's sophomore re-issue with Mira after the hugely successful Prince Joe is foremost a crackling romance and a passionate salute to the Navy SEALs of America at its core like its predecessor. However this time round in Forever Blue, Ms. Brockmann notches up this saccharine romance with elements of small-town murder and mayhem when the hero, Blue McCoy is suspected of killing his stepbrother Gerry after his wedding reception. It reveals later to be a decoy to frame McCoy given his former attachments to Gerry's soon-to-be-wife Jenny Lee. Lucy Tait, who harbours a teenage crush on the SEAL is implicated when she is assigned to investigate. She takes him in when the community at Hatboro Creek repudiates him and accuses him of cold-blooded murder. Sexual tension arises with their closed proximity and as Blue comes to terms with his love for his ardent tenacious worshipper. Yet Lucy is reluctant to believe that this fairy-tale romance could ever come to fruition with the more beautiful Jenny Lee as a rival.

This wildly schmaltzy tale, coupled with a to-die-for brooding hero and a feisty rookie, is a top-notch dazzling romance. What with the frenetic pacing of action and twists to compliment the soaring romance, this book under Brockmann's glorious pen vows to enthrall and leave you swooning with passion.

Georgia Bockoven has done it again! She's created wonderful characters and a world the reader is able to immerse themselves in completely.

Catherine Miller seems to have it all - a luxurious house in a trendy subdivision, a successful fiance, and lovely teenage daughter. It all comes crashing down on her one night when her daughter, Lynda, is burned in a tragic accident. Her fiance isn't able to cope with Lynda's problems, leaving Catherine just when he needs her most. Rick Sawyer, the firefighter who is a volunteer support person for burn victims, and is assigned to Lynda's case, is there to pick up the pieces, not only becoming a support for Lynda, but a confidante for Catherine as well.

This book truly took my breath away. It really put me in Catherine's world and made me feel a part of it -- feeling her pain and sorrow -- and finally her need and her love for Rick. This is a book readers won't be able to put down once they start. If you enjoy the works of such great authors of relationship novels as Barbara Delinsky or Kristin Hannah, you are sure to enjoy this outstanding story from Georgia Bockoven, the master of the relationship novel.

I must exist on another planet because I have never read anything by Georgia Bockoven before today. If her other books are anything like this one, then I have a treat waiting for me. Disguised Blessing is a book that keeps you wanting more and more. Catherine's 15 year old daughter is accidentally burned at a party. She is taken to a burn center where she is assigned a mentor by the name of Rick who is a captain in a fire department. Rick is a fantastic leading man. We all know men like him. He is truly a good man who does whatever it takes to make the world a better place. Meanwhile, Catherine is dumped by her fiance who can't handle anything that doesn't fit into his perfect world revolving around himself. Lynda is a teenager who goes from having it all to learning to cope when life deals her a cruel blow. I expected light reading, what I got was a wonderful story with characters that leave an impact on you. I would really love a continuation of these characters in another book. How about it Ms. Bockoven?

Disguised Blessing is a deeply emotional book that really touches your heart. It seemed as if this book was very special to the author and she lavished loving care on every word. A very special read.

I got this book for my 13-year old son, but we both enjoyed reading it. The prose is wooden and we learn little about Aaron's personal life. But as a depiction of what he went through as part of the "second generation" of black baseball players, this is great stuff.

Aaron was one of the last great players to start in the Negro Leagues. He was also one of the players who helped break the color barrier in the minor leagues in the south. We learn the many hardships and dangers he faced long before his historical chase of Babe Ruth's record.

Aaron also "tells it like it is" about the great and not-so-great men with whom he played. If you admire men like Stan Musial, you won't be disappointed.

Aaron also tells a compelling story of how the white media consistently misportrayed him.

Finally, this book has a lot to offer about baseball. You'll read impressive testimony from men like Eddie Matthews why Aaron, and not Willie Mays, was the greatest player of his generation.

This is a terrific autobiography that transcends the classification of sports writing. It is written in a style and format that that is compelling and informative. The typical sports biographies tell a series of funny and dramatic inside stories around memorable moments in sports history that the subject participated in. When well done, the reader gets what he or she is looking for and then some. When poorly done we get some stale jokes, old stories and an inept attempt at describing the true meaning of courage. In "I Had a Hammer" Henry Aaron and Lonnie Wheeler have given us a glimpse at a young black man growing up in the Deep South to become the greatest home run hitter of all time. In the odyssey we see the elements of society alternately denigrate and celebrate this gifted athlete. We are given these insights through the co-writer's preambe to each chapter and the personal recollections of key players in the life and career of Hank Aaron. This array of perspectives is excellently done and gives the book a good flow. What gives it the greatest impact is the candid personal recollections of Mr. Aaron. He is outspoken in his contempt for the elements of racism that followed (or is it lead) him every step of the way to the top. Yet he is forgiving of many who may have slurred his race in the past and then later learned to overcome their biased opinions. Much of that transition came through their experiences with him and other early black major league ball players. This is a book about our nation's racial attitudes as seen through the experiences of the author.

Don't be mistaken, this is still an excellent book for the sports fan. The casual fan will come away with a greater sense of sports history. The Braves fan will really enjoy some of the historic events recreated in the middle chapters. The Milwaukee fan need only read the last paragraph of chapter 7 and a tear or two will likely fall. The Atlanta fan will come away with a challenge to accept the validity of Aaron's view of his experiences in that city. Some will and some won't. However, all sports fans will come away with an excellent education on race relations in America from the 1930' to very recent years. They will gain this insight not through a lecture by the authors but by the very human expressions of a man telling his own compelling story.

The book is a must read. It shows Aaron fight against prejustice to evenutually break a record that he would be scorned and have his life threatend before he could break it. Also his triumph of breaking Babe Ruth's all time career home run record also winning in a white man's world.

Gabriel's Story was one of my favorite books of last year. Walk Through Darkness looks like it's gonna be a favorite for this year. This book will probably end up getting compared to other books about slavery, but to me it was more like Cold Mountain - but where the main character is a runaway slave instead of a runaway soldier. There's a similar voyage across a troubled landscape. There are meetings with a variety of characters. Like Charles Frazier's character, William in this novel is on a trek to reunite with the woman he loves - and as such it's a love story. The other main character, Morrison, is one of the best I've come across in a long time. He shows that white immigrants to America also had a tough time of it. He carries internal wounds that come to light only slowly but that build up to a helluva ending.

I'm ashamed to say that when I used to think of great American authors I tended to think of white writers. Not anymore. Mr. Durham is fast earning himself a place among our best. Color has nothing (but also everything) to do with it. Based on the strength of these two books I'd read whatever he writes next. If his third novel was about a mouse trying to chew through a paper bag I'd give it a try... Which is my way of saying that he's really quite good.

As he did with his first book, Gabriel's Story, Durham has provided readers with a book that works on many levels. First of all it's a hell of a story. This is an exciting adventure, an intelligent page-turner. Interesting, well-drawn characters, who, like people in "real life," can act in unpredicted ways. These characters rank with those created by Charles Frazier in "Cold Mountain."
If you've ever grappled with imagining the lives of slaves in 19th century America, their struggles and the response of whites to them, reading "Walk Through Darkness" will help.
The story concerns a slave, William, escaping a cruel master and his search for his pregnant lover. Durham intersperses this tale with relentless pursuit of the protaganist by a tracker.
While spinning this fascinating yarn, Durham offers a hard look at a time and place not so distant and the attitudes that pervaded American life.
This is Durham's second book, following the fantastic "Gabriel's Story". He is two for two, having hit both out of the ballpark.

Not every book has the ability to affect the reader as deeply as Walk Through Darkness affected me. David Anthony Durham, author of the critically acclaimed Gabriel's Story, has written a haunting novel about William, a fugitive slave. One may surmise that the force behind William's escape is freedom. Freedom is, of course, part of the reason William flees his harsh laborious conditions. But even moreso is his desire to find Dover, his wife, who is pregnant with his child and has moved North to freedom with her mistress. The story alternates between William's point of view and Morrison's, a Scottish slave tracker. Somehow these three people, who are separated by miles and life experience, are connected.

Durham's writing is refined, articulate, and descriptive. He makes you feel the fear, terror, relief, pain, joy, and a plethora of other emotions felt by the protagonists. The characters are in no way shallow, instead powerfully constructed with a certain profundity. The author uses a historical setting and breathes new life into it, providing the reader with a raw, fresh story in lands never traversed. Transcending race, time, and status, this Walk Through Darkness will make anyone see the light...

This novel is about the trials and tribulations of a woman who is being divorced by her ex-husband.

Central character Claire Raphael seems pretty passive and simply stands by while her husband takes custody of her kids and takes her to the cleaners because she has her own business and earns more money than the ex-husband.

There needed to be more conflict and drama. Maybe, Claire could have kidnapped the children or taken revenge on her ex, for the sake of plot suspense and momentum. Instead, poor Claire waits for the legal system to dole out what little she does end up with.

Also, Claire has to deal with her aging and dying mother, Connie. Why do characters in Barbara Delinsky books call their mothers by their first names always?

Coming off the surreal and mystical "Three Wishes" by Barbara Delinsky, "A Woman's Place" was a let-down, due to the central character's (In "Woman's Place") inability to take action, no matter what it was, regarding her sad situation.

The book just plods along while central character, Claire waits for her situation to change. This novel comes closest to repetitive Danielle Steel novels, since much of "A Woman's Place" is taken up by Claire doing nothing but endlessly and incessantly complaining about her lot in life instead of pro-actively doing something about it.

Bravo for Barbara Delinsky. A Woman's Place captures the real-life trauma one woman faces when her world falls apart. This book is smart, thoughtfu, realistic and, for me, portrayed each character with balance and tolerance. I was struck particularly by the main character's strength and how she was able to negotiate and survive one of the most difficult experiences a woman can face. As a reader, I felt her horror and her confusion; this is the sign of a well-crafted and successful book. I heartily recommend A Woman's Place and look forward to Barbara's next book

I love this book because the writing is excellent but the story is one of the most compelling I've ever read. Delinsky made me care about the characters, to the point where I wanted to cry, laugh and scream at times. I can honestly say I hated being interupted when reading it and couldn't wait to get back into it. I think this is the best Delinsky book I've read thus far.

Sunshine And Shadow by Earlene Fowler is the best Benni Harper novel yet. Not only does she manage to use TWO types of quilts metaphorically [the sunshine and shadow quilt of the title AND the crazy quilt], but she also juggles two different [but related] stories from two different time periods [the current period of the novels and early in Benni and Jack's marriage]. The plotting is tight and the mysteries are intriguing. First and foremost, the novel is about relationships. Benni and Gabe, Benni and Jack, Isaac and Dove, Gabe and his old partner, author and reader, and many, many more. Regular readers of the Benni Harper series should read this novel with relish. Newcomers will enjoy the novel, but I would suggest that they start with an earlier novel. I am also pleased to say that due to Ms. Fowler's newest book deal, we have at least two more Benni Harper novels to look forward to [and a non-series novel that will be set on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas].

Earlene Fowler can be depended on for a good story with interesting characters, and the beautiful background of the central California coast. In this, the 10th. book of the series, she tells parallel stories of heroine Benni Harper. One of the stories takes place in 1978 when Benni is married to young rancher, Jack Harper, and the second relates incidents in 1995 when Benni is married to Gabe, the local chief of police. Prominent in both stories is Emma Baldwin, an author whom Benni had admired in her younger days, and whom she interviewed for
a paper when she was in college. Another character is Luke, a friend of Gabe's whom he used to work with and who is back in town to visit. Fowler carefully weaves these stories together, much like a quilt pattern, and emerges with a well-told tale which has unsuspected connections at the end.

SUNSHINE AND SHADOW is a little different from the other books in this series. Earlene Fowler takes us back into Benni's early life and her first marriage to Jack. The author switches gears often and intertwines some of the story of Benni and her life with Jack with what's going on today in Benni's life. This is the tenth book in this series and there are many parts that make up SUNSHINE AND SHADOW.

The story begins when grandmother Dove marries Isaac. Her new husband moves in with lots of stuff and Dove asks Benni to take back the boxes that she had stored at her grandmother's home. Many of the items are things that had belonged to Benni's first husband, and they lead to Benni's reminiscing about Jack who was killed in an accident. As she sorts through the material, she comes across a journal that Jack had kept and she receives a startling revelation.

Emma Baldwin, an old acquaintance and famous author returns to San Celina and she and Bennie resume their friendship. She also agrees to lend Benni a wonderful old crazy quilt to display in the folk art museum where Benni is the curator.

Gabe Ortiz, Benni's husband who also happens to be the local police chief, continues to be devoted to his new wife, but the marriage is still a little shaky. The mystery comes into the story when an old friend of Gabe's from the LAPD is killed in San Celina. After that, someone starts harassing Benni, and Gabe is convinced it has to do with an incident from his own past when he was a drug enforcement officer.

I was really looking forward to reading SUNSHINE AND SHADOW, but it was not what I was expecting. STEPS TO THE ALTAR, the previous story in this series, left me in a state of uncertainty as to what would happen to Benni's marriage to Gabe and I approached this book expecting a resolution to that problem. At first I felt that this story skirted that issue; however, the more I thought about this book, the more I realized that the author knows that a troubled marriage is not cured overnight. I believe that she decided to give her characters time to work through their marital problems. After all, everyone's life is filled with sunshine and shadow.

As usual, this author delivers another good book and tops it off by giving the reader something to think about. This is a skillfully written and very clever story.

Agatha Raisin returns in the 5th book in the series, and is finally going to realize her dream of marrying James Lacey, her next-door neighbor. However, just before they can say "I do", her long-lost husband, Jimmy Raisin, returns to stop the wedding. James is shocked, having thought that Agatha was no longer married, and refuses to speak to her. However, James and Agatha must team up to find a murderer when Jimmy is found dead and they realize that they are the police's prime suspects. When each of the people they question ends up dead, it is a race against time to find the identity of the killer before he/she strikes again.

I adore this series set in the Cotswolds of England, and I cannot get enough of the character of Agatha Raisin! She has charmed me from the first book on, and I personally have felt that she was much too good for James Lacey. It is almost pitiful how Agatha has chased him only to loose him each time...although it is part of the fun of each book to see what antics she will be up to next. As Agatha grows as a character, I feel she only gets better. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, start reading this series today.

The first book in this series is "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death". Enjoy!

Another good one by M C Beaton. I have enjoyed all the Agatha Raisin books I have read. In this one Agatha is finally getting to marry James Lacey. But, her first husband Jimmy Raisin shows up at the wedding. Agatha thought he was dead. Later Agatha pushes Jimmy into a ditch and he is found dead in the ditch. Agatha is suspected of murder. She and James Lacey start their usual round of questions and callin on people to try to find the killer. Other people start ending up dead after talking to Agatha and James. After another close call the killer is found. Will Agatha and James ever get together again. I guess we will have to read another book to find out. Beaton can write so that the people and the village come to life in your mind. You can just see the things as they happen. Am looking forward to the next one.

I have enjoyed the character development in this series. It helps to read the Agatha Raisin books in sequence although it is not necessary to enjoy each story. Agatha and James are complex characters and M.C. Beaton does an excellent job in their delineation. The villagers in this cozy mystery are lovable and reading the book is like living in a small village.
The plot of this book was interesting and the action well-paced. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. The relationship of James and Agatha has reached a different level in this story. Being middle-aged, independent and set in their ways, their feelings for each other are bound to be mixed. They are likable and you care what happens to them.

Catherine Anderson has written a top-notch novel as far as keeping the reader's interest goes. The characters are believable and so is the story. The scene-stealers, however, are Sammy (the child) and especially Goliath, the Rottweiler. He is some dog! Anyway, the book is a good one, so sit back and enjoy.

Not only does Catherine Anderson do a great job creating wonderful characters and a very moving love story, but she also tells a great tale. She has a particular talent for creating great heroes that seem like ordinary guys, but when it comes time to protect or defend their mates, they show an amazing depth of caring and commitment without turning all wishy-washy. Heath Masters is a perfect example. "Forever After" is about Meredith and her daughter, Sammy, who are in hiding from some shady characters from their past. They happen to move next to Heath, a very sexy small town sheriff, and his dog. Meredith's stringent refusal to accept his neighborly advances only whet Heath's curiosity. Little does he know that Meredith and Sammy are going to lead his life in all sorts of unexpected directions. The rest of the story is so good that I don't want to give it away, so just do yourself a favor and read this book!

When Meredith married Dan Calendri, she did not realize how abusive her spouse was. So when he dies, Meredith feels that she and her little girl are finally safe. That illusion is quickly shattered when Dan's father Glenn decides he wants to raise his granddaughter and will go to any length to obtain his desires. Glenn, who has mob connections, works behind the scenes to get Meredith declared incompetent so that he can gain custody. She knows that she is going to lose. Fearing for her daughter, who was abused by Dan, Meredith and Sammy flee into the night.

The pair moves to a remote area of Oregon where her nearest neighbor is Sheriff Heath Masters. However, Sammy fears all males and Meredith is afraid that Glenn will find her so both of them try to avoid Heath. The frightened females never counted on Heath's canine Goliath, who adopts the little girl as his own. Soon Heath finds himself falling in love with the two vulnerable females. However, Glenn is closing in on them and Heath has dedicated his career to a strict interpretation of the law. Besides having to risk his life for love, Heath has to sacrifice his ideals as a dedicated law enforcement official if he wants to save his beloved women. However, this is something he is not sure he can do.

FOREVER AFTER is a superb adult fairy tale romance that will excite fans of suspense. The lead protagonists are wonderful characters, though at times they are exceeded by the brilliantly developed Goliath and Sammy, whose fear of men seems so horrifically genuine. Catherine Anderson is truly one of the great writers of romantic suspense on the market today.

Harriet Klausner

First let me just start by saying that I absolutely love Anne Stuart. I have a mission in my life to read every one of the boooks she has ever written. And I have read quite a few. But so far, I think this is the least likeable one. I have never read an author that can do better Historical Romance than Anne Stuart. She is brilliant. So, when I read this I was expecting something great. I will admit I was a tad bit disappointed. The main characters were somewhat weak and frail, though the story line was good. And the mystery behing the truth was great...the surprise ending was splendid. Leave it to Anne Stuart to make great surprise endings in anything she writes. But all in all, this book kind of dissapointed me. It was so hard to get into from the beginning that I had to force myself to keep going. I was glad I did, though, because the ending was good and the solved mystery was good...with a few last minute added mysteries of its own. I guess in the long run, this was not Anne Stuart material. I know she could have done better, and she has! But as you can see from the other reviews, everyone loved this book. Do not let mine discourage your need to read this novel, for I could be the reason I did not like this so much...it could just be me. :)

This is the first book by Anne Stuart that I have read. This was a good book and I intend to read more from this author. This was a very intriguing story. Carolyn saw her often-unkind stepbrother, Alex, murdered when she was a girl. Eighteen years later he shows up at the family home just in time to claim his place as the legal heir to a huge family fortune. Is this Alex or an imposter? This was very captivating story. The only problem I had is that if Alex was so terrible to Carolyn as a child, how could she remain so devoted to him?

Is he or isn't he who he claims to be? Is Alex really dead or not? Did Carolyn really see Alex murdered on the night he left? Is the man claiming to be Alex an imposter trying to get his hands on his "mothers" millions, or is he really the son he says he he is? This book has it all - suspense, mystery, intrigue, danger and above all romance. Anne Stuart is the undisputed Goddess!I could not put the book down. Thank you Ms Stuart for another terrific read. Five stars is not enough for this book!