Although I'm a huge gymnastics fan, this book got boring rather quickly. Most interesting to me was the level of dedication which Shannon exhibited at such an early age---Claudia Miller sounds almost breathless in her recitation of the awards Shannon racked up. Unfortunately, this is little more than a blow-by-blow account of Shannon's competitions---it's far more interesting to watch them on TV than read about them! The author fails to show us anything deeper than Shannon's gymnastics and doesn't follow through with what could be interesting information (for example, the relationship between Miller and her coach as well as how Shannon's siblings dealt with her fame).

Most shocking to me was the unbelievably juvenile and controlling attitude of Steve Nunno (her coach)---Claudia Miller simply dismisses his irrational actions, often resorting to "we eventually smoothed it over".

While a dedicated Miller fan might love this book, the rest of you might just want to skip it.

As a gymnastics fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It covers Shannon's career and home life through the 1996 Olympics. Reading about the conflicts with her coach was very interesting. It also covered how Shannon's faith helped her through the tough times. I'd highly recommend it for any Shannon Miller fan!

This book by Shannon's mom was really interesting! It was a lot like her biography by Krista Quiner, except it had a lot more detail about relationships and the life of an elite level gymnast. It also talks about how having faith in her religion helped get her through the many rough times she's been through. This book had a lot of good pictures! I would recomand this book for anyone involved in gymnastics!!!

My first Drake novel, I didn't know what to expect and didn't expect too much, as I am extremely selective in romance taste, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a realistic, restrained yet still quite romantic story. Waiting for 2/3 of the story for the two lovers to come together was a bit of a trial but worth the wait. I am glad I did not get to know Margot and Eric in the previous novel in the series, since I believe romances, being the realm of fantasy, should stick to one shot deals in love matches (the ones portrayed, anyway). Yet knowing his previous relationship helped me to understand why it takes this knight so long to respond to Igrainia. Each is an interesting character in his and her own right, but he is particularly engrossing, with deep loyalties that are attractive yet still exciting! I wish Drake had put us inside his brain to build up the romantic tension while we wait for the delayed get together--so we can see the "he thought/she thought" along with "he said/she said" that is shown. His mind was worth probing. I wanted more!

Shannon Drake does it again with this extraordinary book! I absolutely loved this book. I felt so heartsick for Igrainia ans Eric, both at opposite ends of a terrible war and such heartache to overcome! I almost came close to tears when Igrainia was in the crypts, trying to explain her feelings to Afton. What a heartbreaking chapter! It was almost like I was there, that is how very well the book is portrayed. This is a keeper, and I will probably read it a thousand times! Now.......on to Jamie's story, The Lion in Glory!!

I started not to read this b/c it didn't sound very appealing to me, but I am so glad that I did b/c I would've missed out on one of the sweetest romance stories out there. I am also very selective about romance novels, but adoring medieval novels like I do I read it. I have NEVER cried while reading a romance novel, but I had tears running down my face reading this one. I really can't understand the negative reviews for this book. This book is so well written. Shannon Drake writes like she lived in that time period. It wasn't repetitive in any way, and they didn't keep throwing things up in each other's faces. The only thing I can see that might be negative to some is the slow paced beginning. But after about page 100 it sped up and never slowed down. It was so worth the wait. The book is so good, that I wasn't even bothered that there wasn't a love scene until 2/3 into the book. I loved Eric's character. He is so strong. Igrania is great as well. This is one of the most realistic medieval romances I've ever read. I was so sad when I was finished reading it. I hope Drakes's other romance novels are this good. One more thing.......what Eric and Igrania have both been through and lost makes their love even more true.

All right, I admit I'm new to the world of "Secrets." Volume 5 is the first I've read and the first two authors (Shannon Hollis and B.J.McCall) wrote top quality stories with racy plots, in-depth characters and red-hot sex ... a bit more than I expected. If you want to read sizzling scenes spiced with romance and excellent writing, keep your eye on these two!

Wow - I've now read all 5 volumes of Secrets and they just keep getting better and better! And one of the novellas is set right here in Toronto - thank you Chevon Gael! Read these stories with someone you love - or someone you'd like to.

Cold showers are in store for anyone who reads Shannon Hollis' Strictly Business. The sexual tension between Garret and Elizabeth begins at fever pitch and rises from there! Not for the shy at heart, this novella will make you re-think the office taboo of "frisky business." Shannon Hollis' engaging writing and vivid characters will have you groaning when the end comes way too soon.

I generally enjoy Hank's essays on rock contemporaries and/or elder statesmen of whatever genre he sets his sights on, and while I had actually read many of these collected articles (from Details, RayGun, Vox, etc.) beforehand, I found re-reading them quite enjoyable anyway.

His diatribe on David Lee Roth is worth the price of the book alone, but his Lollapalooza Tour Journal is also of interest. An in-depth look at Jerry Lee Lewis, a sparse (but fun) interview with John Lee Hooker, and a superb chapter on Phil Lynott are only a few of the gems within.

Vol.3 of the BCB series is also good, but offers less of interest about the music industry.

Interesting book by an intriguing man. OK, Henry is not a college professor, he does not write in a style in this book which is wordy or hard to get. He's going for something else, if more people had his edge this world would be a hell of a lot more interesting. Why people don't get excited about him or his band is saddening because people like Eminen, a real whining Yank if there was one, are vicious bastards who ought to get some brains. PS. Whatever man.

This was an amazing book, I could not put it down. I finished reading it within a day. Henry is a fantastic writer and he shares so much of himself in his writing. I feel like I know him. Some parts of the book are a little sad but then you start to realize that is just how Henry's writing is. When you finish reading this book you will feel like you just borrowed Henry's personal journal to read. I highly recommend this to any Rollins fan!! ~~Niki

My two boys, 2 and 3 1/2, LOVE "No! David!". They start laughing on the first page, and are delighted all the way through. This second book just isn't funny for this age group, with the exception of just one or two pages. I think that my children, who thoroughly enjoy the naughty antics in "No! David!", and probably relate to them, just don't understand what David is up to in his "big kid in school" setting (arriving after the bell, cutting in the lunch line, having to use the rest room repeatedly, etc). If possible, borrow the book from the library and see if your child appreciates David's new situations before purchasing the book. For an older child, it may be one to read over and over.

I mainly bought this book because my little son is named David, but it quickly became a favorite in our family. My older children 9,7 and 4 also love it. It doesn't matter how many times we all read it, we still laugh out loud every time. Adults I have shown the book to cannot get through it without laughing either! I recommend this book to evryone, not just parents of children named David because everyone has a 'David' at one time or another!

I recenctly checked this book out of the library for my 2 year old. She loves David's teacher always saying," no david !" We also love the very vivd illustrations depicting David throughout his day. It is a book that kids will find an easy read in and also laughter while relating to David. As a parent you will delight in hearing your child request this story again and again, and will read it just to see the teacher say, "Good Job David."

This was the first Shannon Drake novel that I have read cover to cover and I was emensly pleased. My favorite romances are the ones set in the medival era with both the bride and the groom being forced into a marriage of convience niether of them wants. I believe it adds spice to the story and makes the ending all the more romantic when the hero and heroine finally admit their love. However, though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I was a little annoyed in some asspects. For one, it resembles its preceeder, Come the Morning, too much. Basically, both novels are about two pawns caught in a war of kings and power and through all the lies, betrayels, and danger, the two vowed foes fall in love. Though each pair of characters have different motivations and directives, the basic story is there. Even an entire line and action seemed to have been cut out of Come the Morning and stuck into this novel. Despite those little dissapointments, I loved this book to the extremes. Kyra was stubborn but not to the point that you wanted to strangle her. Arryn was charming and stubborn as well but Mrs. Drake balanced his personality out so well that you couldn't help but love him. It's definatly a story you can fall for and I would recommend it to anyone.

This book is definetly been put on my "keeper shelf!" I enjoyed this novel so much, I read it in one sitting! Shannon Drake kept me interested from the very first page. The book is set in the late thirteenth century in Scotland. (ever seen Braveheart?)Edward of England is trying to subjugate Scotland, while the commoner William Wallace is commanding the resistance against the English invaders. Sir Arryn Graham leads an attack against Seacairn Castle south of the English/Scottish border. His pregnant wife had been violated and killed by the forces of Lord Kinsey Darrow, and Arryn is seeking revenge. Lady Kira is the bethrothed to Darrow. Arryn (what a cute name) invades the castle where she is. And from there begans a contest of wills between the two. Arryn intends to 'violate' her in hopes of hurting Darrow. But things backfire as they grow more and more attracted to each other . The scenes between the two were sensual and fun. You just had to love Arryn and Kyra was the independent woman. I adored it! The way Shannon Drake wrote the novel was like watching an Action Packed, Sensual, Historical romance that seriously kept you Captivated from beginning to end! And some may say it was included much history, but it was history that kept you interested (definetly no yawns! ) It will keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this novel for a read that will have you sigh with contentment in the end!

Once again Shannon Drake strikes gold! The story she weaves will keep you glued to the book. The story of Arryn Granham and Kyra Beniface in my opinion is one of Ms. Drake's best. Ms. Drake weaves a story of two people caught up in turbulent times in Scotland. A time when people like William Wallace, Andrew deMoray fought England's Edward I for freedom. Skillfully she has told a beautiful love story mixed in with true historical facts. Yet not once has this story compromised historical facts nor the purpose of the story of two strong-willed people. You will not be bored with facts, dates and such. Yet the story flows through events; such as, Berwick, Stirling Bridge, yet remains true to the romance novel we want to read. Here is a story of a man, Arryn, hurt, bitter, wanting revenge against Kinsey Darrow, who destroyed his home, his people, killed his wife and his unborn child. Kyra who is to marry Kinsey, is taken prisoner by Arryn and is to be used as a tool for revenge. Yet though all the hurt, bitterness, misunderstandings, a love is born that will survive. This may sound like your typical medieval romance story, and to some degree it is (so what, I love that type of story). However, it is more than typical. It is an excellent written story. I highly recommend this book. Now I have to wait for next year for her third installment of the Granhams.

I have read several good Shannon Drake novels in the past and had high hopes for this one. However, the highlight for me was at the beginning when Warwick saved Ondine from being lynched. It all went downhill from there in my opinion.

Drake was very accurate in her historical detail, and I did enjoy that. However, I grew tired very quickly of the sparring between these two characters. I really didn't see what either one of them saw in each other.

I liked the "gothic" element of the plot, but it wasn't terribly original.

All in all, a disappointment.

It seems to me that Shannon Drake is using the same plot in most of her books: heroine and hero are enemies, they are forced together, they fight for most of the book, and right when you are about to burn the book in frustration, they FINALLY realize that they love each other. A prime example of this is Princess of Fire.

Ondine, however, was, in my opinion, Drake's best book. It had a plot to it that supported the characters, versus a watered-down plot held together soley by the characters. It had the perfect mixture of plot, mystery, romance and history. There was character conflict, but not to the extent that she sometimes gets carried away to. I would definitely reccomend this book.

What an excellent book! I had bought this book along with The King's Pleasure and was so disgusted with that book that I had to make myself pick up Ondine. But, am I glad that I did!! Now, this is the Shannon Drake that I am used to. What a beautiful love story! The love scenes were even touching. It left me wishing that the story would go on and on, but, then again maybe it is good that it ended when it did. I read the whole thing at work!! I couldn't help it, I couldn't put it down!!

Boy was I disappointed! After reading "Beneath a Blood Red Moon" I thought I'd found a new author to collect. WRONG. I might read another of her books just to see if this one was a fluke, but I'm liable to be gun shy for a few months.

This book was one stress after another. It was one of those overdone story lines in which the heroine obstinately refuses to accept the fact that she has feelings for the hero. In fact, she's nice to everyone but him. By the time she begins to come around (and this is three quarters of the way to the end of a 500 and some odd paged novel), the hero goes off to the crusades.

After she FINALLY accepts the fact that she loves her husband, she goes to the holyland to try to find him. In the mean time, he's "slaked his lust" with another woman, even though he thought of his wife the whole time. (Pleeeez!)

When she gets to the holyland, she is then abducted by an Arabian prince, thereby setting off an entire new set of stressors.

I feel that the author was trying to use all of this friction as sexual tension, but she missed her target completely. Unless you like inflaming your ulcer, chances are you will find this book stressful instead of sexually and romantically intense.

All of this was stress was then woven throughout an incredibly slow-paced book with way too much historical detail. I'd go sit in a history class if I wanted a dissertation on medieval life.

Perhaps it's just me, but when I read a romance, I want to feel good the whole way through. Reality provides enough emotional rollercoasters. I give this two stars only because it was well-written. Otherwise, this is a big thumbs down.

Wow, what a story. I was up until 2am two nights in a row reading this book. Great love story with lots to twists and turns....if you love simple love stories...this isn't for you. DRAMA....conflict...passion are just some of the emotions running through this story. It was so sad to finish the book, I became enthralled with the plight of Bryan and Elise. Can't say enough on how compelling this story was. Enjoy!!!

I love this book! There was never a dull moment, from the beginning to the end! Drake uses historical details to make this book more real and myth to give this amazing love story a sense of the magical. If you're looking for a PASSIVE love story, where the hero and heroine falls in love at first sight and lives happily ever after, then this is NOT the book for you. However, if you're looking for a book that will keep you entralled by the hero and herione's clash of wills and sexual tension, then this is definitely the book for you! Drake takes us along w/ Bryan and Elyse on a emotional rollercoaster filled w/ adventure, denial, betrayal, loyality, and finally true and lasting love. From England to the Holyland, Drake leaves us gasping for more!

If you're expecting a gothic that keeps you flipping the pages to experience the fear and desire the heroine has for the hero until the very end, look for another book. The beginning was promising enough, as Lil (kept seeing a little old lady with this name...) arrives in Cornwall, a fitting location. Quickly enough, we get into the murder of the previous heiress, a curse, some shady neighbors and a darkly sexy hero. I settled in, more than ready to be enthralled. Then a funny thing happened. Lil and her man/wolf Ian had sex. Next thing you know, they are a bonded duo, fighting the reality of the curse together. They are in LOVE. Don't get me wrong. I want romance to end this way. I just don't want to read 200+ pages of love joining their fates so they can overcome the curse together. I suppose some will find that romantic. I simply found it dull. Gothics are supposed to be about uncertainty and danger and razor tension. I just didn't get that here. Besides, it was a tad unbelievable that Lil didn't freak out when she realized the guy she loved had a part-time gig as a wolf. That would be too weird for me...

One of two lead titles, The Wolf of Haskell Hall is a promising start to the new Candleglow gothic line form Love Spell.

A failed love affair, a premature child, an untimely death, and a gyspy curse set things in motion pitting Griffith males against Haskell heiresses for neigh a century. Now the last remaining members of the two families have come together at last, will this be the end of the line or a new beginning?

Cornwall 1878: The grizzly death (by wolves) of her predicessor finds young American heiress Delilah Haskell Trent the new owner of Haskell Hall where she meets her groundskeeper Ian Griffith for the first time. She is not yet aware of the history between the two families, however he is. A clash is inevitable for she is arrogant and he is insolent. The combination fires a passion between the two but Ian has a secret that could tear them apart. Lil is in his blood but so is the call of the wild! Lil is certain she can find a cure, but can she find the key to atonement before it's too late?

The story contains an interesting group of side characters, a banty former sailor, and a female horsemaster/detective by the very appropriate name of Holmes, several judgemental members of Cornish society, and two very soulless villians, who will stop at nothing to keep Lil and Ian from breaking the curse.

A good blend of romance and horror, with a prevailing theme of redemption. Readers anxiously awaiting the return of gothic romance will not be dissappointed.

Leslie Tramposch ~ Managing editor PNR

A super romp. She is the heir to Haskell Hall, a forthright American. The LAST Heiress. Her fate is tangle with Ian Griffith the last of his line as well. Both are bound by a 100 year old curse that says Ian will stalk the night as a wolf and will kill the Heiress of Haskel Hall - just as his ancestors killed all the others - unless Lil can find away to leash the heart of the wolf and set them both free.

Ian is a brooding character that will live on in your mind, long after the book is put down.

An absolute super read!!!

Generally speaking, Shannon Drake is one of my favorite authors. One where - if I see her name on a book, it is an automatic purchase. Her historical research for the background is excellent, and her characters and storylines, normally engaging. Mostly, her books are a Good Read.
This one just didn't seem to measure up to her previous efforts. It is a follow-up book to Knight Triumphant, telling the story of the Jamie Graham a cousin mentioned in that story.
I found myself skip-reading large sections where she got way too wordy and involved in details that did nothing to advance the story. It seemed like she was trying to stretch out the story to make the book longer (500 pages or bust!)
Parts of the dialog between the main characters, I had to re-read trying to figure out what they were really trying to say because the dialog got lost in between the wandering character musings.
Where, normally, we would have been made sympathetic to the heroine/hero - or at least made to understand their point of view; the heroine, Christina, was too self-absorbed and the hero, Jamie, did nothing but be irrationally angry for the length of the book. Even the bedroom scenes fell short of interesting.
Don't let this review keep you from enjoying her other books. Knight of Fire and Blue Heaven Black Knight (just to name a couple) are both good books - and her vampire series is outstanding. I highly recommend them. But this one needs editing - and shortening.

In July 1307 the mighty King Edward I died just prior to leading his Army against the upstart Scots. His son Edward the Second did not carry out his sire's wishes having to deal with civil war with his barons. The Scottish rebels led by King Robert the Bruce interprets the non-attack of Edward II as an opportunity to regain occupied land back from the English.

Under the Scottish reclamation program, Jamie Graham takes Hamstead Heath, but has to deal with the chatelaine, Christina Steel who will do everything including selling herself to keep her brother Steven safe. The English monarch believes Steven allied with the seditious nobles so Christina throws her lot in with Jamie offering to become his hostage. Jamie has no use for a hostage, but the intrepid Englishwoman intrigues him as he tries to learn why she is so willing to do his bidding. As they fall in love, he wonders if she will prove traitorous, but against which side.

THE LION IN GLORY is as much an interpretive historical tale as it is a medieval romance. The story line is loaded with historical tidbits and historiographic explications that paint Robert the Bruce as an incredible leader and Edward II as a hedonistic individual who does not have nearly the strength of his father or his Scottish counterpart. Sort of like Khrushchev may not have been Stalin, but without his courage there is no Gorbachav (this reviewer's explanation for the tumbling of the curtain). Still that aside, readers obtain a deep star-crossed historical romance that displays Shannon Drake's talent with the latest glorious Graham gala.

Harriet Klausner

THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT BOOK!!! I LOVE THE GRAHAM'S. I HOPE THAT SHANNON DRAKE CONTINUES WITH THIS FAMILY. THE MEN ARE WONDERFUL. BIG, MUSCULAR, MANLY MEN WHO ARE CAPABLE OF LOVE. SOMETHING EVERY WOMAN WANTS. THE HEROINES TEND TO BE A BIT SELFISH AND AT TIMES FRUSTRATING, BUT, THAT DOES NOT KEEP THIS FROM BEING ONE OF THE BEST SHANNON DRAKE BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ. WELL, ALL OF HER BOOKS ARE GREAT, BUT, THE GRAHAM SAGA IS EXCEPTIONAL. FOR ANOTHER GOOD GRAHAM NOVEL, TRY ERIC'S STORY THE KNIGHT TRIUMPHANT.