This book is very poorly organized. It is divided into public and private trails, instead of by region. The index only contains the names of trails, not the names of the parks or places the trails are located. Some things which were missing from the book include a large map of the region with numbers indicating where the major trails are located and a listing of the trails with length and difficulty. If you can find the trail-heads the maps are very good and there are nice descriptions of the trails. This is not a good book if you are not familar with the area.

My husband and I bought this book last year after we found ourselves looking for a new place to walk. We had been frequenting the Chapel Hill Greenway, and, well, it's just not very challenging. So, we picked up this book.

It's a very informative book. There are maps of most of the trails, which really helps you get a feel of the lay of the trail. Each trail has is accompanied by a lengthy description which include items such as:

*driving directions
*flora on the trail
*total distance of the trail
*distance of trail segements
*types of trails (dirt, gravel, footbridges)
*geography of trail (hills, streams, roads to cross)

The only issue we really had with the book were the driving directions. We were trying to get to a trail at Jordan Lake during the summer, and we weren't totally familiar with the area. We were following the directions in the book, but we really needed a few more geographical points to help us find the roads. Also, once we got to the trail area, we couldn't find the trailhead. The state did not do a good job marking the head, but it would have been nice to have known this in the trail description.

However, we did "discover" the Duke cross country trail from this book. We enjoy this trail- it is the perfect length for us and it's difficult enough to be a challenge. We also discovered that if you get caught in a rainstorm out there, there's absolutely nowhere to go!

If you like to walk in the Triangle, get this book!

Cunning Treatment is a legal thriller set in a richly detailed Southern backdrop, reminiscent of the early efforts of John Grisham. A rigged election and blackmail storyline weave through this story of corrupt, power-hungry movers-and-shakers. I thought there was too much changing of POV, and the reader is left with no real sense of justice or triumph.

In "Child of Her Heart", governess Caroline Morton returns home after 5 years abroad. Her charming French charge, Marguerite, injures her arm--and reunites Caroline with her former fiance. Reynaud (or "Reynie," as Caroline used to call him) has missed Miss Morton, and must convince her that they are meant to be together--with a little bit of help from Marguerite. But first, Caroline must learn to accept her past... This story receives 4 stars from me. Interactions between Reynaud & Marguerite were sweet, and the characters were warm and convincing.

In "Rescuing Captain Rocher", French sea captain Bastien Rocher finds he knows nothing about giving his daughter a proper come-out. His neighbor, Lady Anne Westhaven, is growing quite frustrated with her troublesome son. And while they don't get along at first, Rocher & Lady Westhaven eventually decide to join forces. Anne will chaperone his daughter, and the captain will give her son the disciplining he needs. ...Actually, I didn't really like this story. Within 20 pages, I think Anne & Marie (Bastien's daughter) had wept about 6 times. I prefer my heroines to have a bit more backbone. Also, I thought Bastien's character was fairly inconsistent. The only redeeming factor was the interesting brother-sister relationship between Marie & Matthew Westhaven (the son). 1 1/2 stars from me.

In "A Mother at Heart", Julius Sutton never expected to be an earl. And he never expected his mother, who abandoned him 22 years ago, to show up at his doorstep. Since he stumbled into his fortune, Julius has had to deal with several money-hungry "supposed" relatives--none of which he believes. This woman is no different, he is convinced. She AND her pretty companion, Miss Charity Smith, are out to dupe him... even if the pretty chit is one of the most desirable females he's ever met. I give this story 4 stars as well. The ending was surprising and touching and very sweet. I would've liked to read it as a full-length novel, however.

The cover & title of the novel are a bit misleading. The picture represents none of the stories. And only one lead female is actually a "mama."

Overall, the book is worth your time. Mostly sweet, cute & enjoyable. If you're looking for a quick, noncommital read--this is a good choice.

The original publication by David Beers Quinn is regarded as one of the more scholarly works on the subject. It therefore is a pity that the present offering comprises only Volume 2. The page numbering starts on 497 and runs to 1004 and a great deal is clearly missing. The promised map "Raleigh's Virginia 1584-90 In pocket at end" is missing and there is no 'pocket at end'. I await the production of Volume 1 with great interest.

It is important to understand from the beginning that Sir Walter Raleigh's mother was burned alive(when he was a child) for being a Protestant. So early in his life he developed a hatred for King Philip and the Catholics of Spain.

The legend of Sir Walter Raleigh begins with his love for the sea. When he started his navy career he moved quickly up the ranks. It was not long before the young handsome gentleman was noticed by Queen Elizabeth I herself, who soon grew found of Raleigh, taking him as her favorite. Being the favorite meant being hated by all the other replaced favorites. He was knighted and named Captain of the Guard. Queen Elizabethh awarded Raleigh with the estate Sharon for his quick thinking making a faile mission look noble and heroic. Even though Sir Walter Raleigh was loyal and true to his queen he did marry her maid of honor. He paid for it by being imprisoned in the Tower but was soon restored to his position by the Queen's side after she realized she needed his leadership and advice. She trusted Raleigh and adored him vey much butI'm not sure if there was ever more there. This book does not give an opinion.

Later on Raleigh wanted to go on a quest for El Dorado. The Queen granted him this. He returned empty handed but then aided his country in a battle against the Spanish at sea.This was only one of themany victories he had over the Spanish. These were the times of happiness for the bright sailor, nothing would be quite so right again. As Queen Elizabeth I grew older she fell ill and eventually died. King James from Scotland then took the throne. He was soon to take Robert Cecil as an advisor, an enemy of Raleigh. It was not long before Raligh found himself in a mess. He was accused of treason, secretly plotting with Spain. The man whp ushed the trial forward to guarantee Raleigh's fall of glory was none other than Sir Robert Cecil. Raleigh was condemned to the Tower. There he grewq elderly and weak but he didn't justlet himself rot away. He started to work medicines and finding cures to sicknesses. Many held him infavor because of his miracle working potions. Prince henry, son of King James, was a hpe to Raleigh. He had won the boy's favor. It was a soon thing that Raleigh would be let out of the TOwe, wehn unfortunately Prince Henry became ill. One of Raleigh's potions was given to the prince but Raleigh said it would only work if the boywasn't already poisoned, as he had been. So, Raleigh's hopes were dashed. He was released finally(under trial) to go on another quest for El Dorado. The KIng thought this was an easy way to rid hmself of his problems with Raleigh because Raleigh was too popular to be executed. On this voyage, he lost his son and the lyalty of his men. His ships disobeyed his orders and broke the peace treaty with Spain. The ships had been under his command, but he had never given the command to attck. Although, many made false accusations stating it was Raleigh who had ordered the attck. Even thought Raleigh had the opportunity to flee to the America's and escape these charges, he was a noble man and chose to return to face his adversaries. When Raleigh unexpectedly returned he was epty handed and Cecil tried him again with treason. His fate would be execution. Sir Walter Raleigh never gave up hope and alwayskept his courage, even to the death. He gave such an astounding speech before his beheading that the executioner wouldn't strikeuntil Raleigh yelled to strike. There was no cheering at the death of such a man. A man who had a key role in developing England's trade, navy,and the New England colonies. His love for the sea could onlybe described by one of his best poems: But love is durable fire In the mind ever burning Never sick, never old, never dead From itself never turning

There are so many wonderful tales of Raleigh's adventures that they alone make this book worth reading. Such a wonderful man, such a wonderful story.

Yet another regency with a rake who is obsessed by a wife who is a shrew and vastly immature. There is no earthly reason why Lord Claredon, Julius, would find Victoria mallory attractive. Her personality fails on all accounts. Debbie Raleigh takes great pains to paint a vivid picture of all the attractive physical qualities of Julius. And also lets the reader in on why perhaps Victoria is such a managing female. But no rake of Julius's stamp would take Victoria barring him from the marriage bed. Pages of the story are devoted to Julius lusting after his wife, going crazy at the sway of her walk. How stupid. Again, her personality, her over the top poor treatment of him lends the reader to ask what in the world would he find attractive about her to begin with? She is not an incredible beauty, he notes. Just a silly ploy by the writer to keep her heroine a virgin.

Yet another married, virgin bride. It is just not believable that any noble would marry and have no plans to having an heir. Any regency gal who was raised in the Ton would know that is almost her primary role. Both Victoria and Claredon would know that any marriage not comsumated would not be binding or legal. I wait for the day when some smart regency writer will incorporate that certain truth into a much better story. Also - Victoria's constant anger towards Claredon was overdone. He did not know who she was when he went to her room; she was the one using a false name and he did marry her. She was the real problem. Again, regency authors try to make their chits feisty, like that is supposed to make them interesting or smart when all it does is make you want to cringe!

When the rakish Lord Claredon is found in Miss Victoria Mallory's bedroom (he had made his way into the room thinking that it was her cousin's), they are forced to marry in order to avert a scandal. It result is not a happy one. Victoria had made up her mind to marry the gentle and romantic Thomas Stice, and angry and bitter about her thwarted dreams has been taking her resentment out on her new husband. The situation is hardly any better for Clarendon either. Although something of a rake, Claredon had always believed that he would one day marry the lady of his dreams and lead a happy and contented life as a faithful and worthy husband. But while he is not at all happy about being forced into marriage, neither can he deny that the fiery and strong-minded Victoria does fascinate him quite a lot. But how to get his prickly and angry wife to lower her guard and give their marriage a chance? Help, unexpectedly comes from two different fronts. First, Victoria's old parish priest, Vicar Humbly, comes for a visit, and gently (and subtly) begins to counsel the couple; and secondly, the physical threat from a masked villain pushes Victoria and Claredon to reexamine their relationship, and come to some rather startling conclusions...

This is the third and final installment in the Marriage trilogy, and really fits right in with the other two novels in the series. Like "A Proper Marriage" & "A Convenient Marriage," "A Scandalous Marriage" is a thoughtful novel that focuses on an unhappy marriage, but, thanks largely to the authour's light touch, the book is not heavy going at all. Debbie Raleigh does a first rate job of fleshing out the characters of both principal characters and of showing us both Victoria's and Claredon's anger and frustration about the state they find themselves in. I liked that she had Claredon realize first that theirs was a marriage that was meant to be, and that if Victoria were to give things a chance, that they might actually achieve the happiness and contentment that each was looking for. Also nicely done was how the authour paced things so that Victoria's change of heart towards Claredon didn't feel forced or hurried. "A Scandalous Marriage" tied the trilogy up nicely, and lived up to the expectations raised in the first two. Definitely a novel worth the read.

Generally I enjoy anthologies and am willing to forgo deep character development which is not something that is easily done in the shorter format of 90 to 120 pages or so. Also, I am partial to "rogues" - so why the two star rating? I found myself very bothered by the lack of understanding of the Regency period displayed to some extent by all the authors!

**Lady Jane's Lover - Candace McCarthy**- Jane Graham, niece of an Earl, acting as his daughter's companion, is stranded when said daughter runs away with the "coachman"! Ambushed and then rescued by a passing horseman who is wounded in the action- the rest of the story involves Jane nursing her rescuer back to health in a convenient (and unexplained) well stocked empty "cottage". Turns out she knew him from her childhood. I actually liked Jane and Broc and enjoyed their relationship - however I found it impossible to believe that 1) Broc (son of a Baron) had been cast off by his father because of an amorous adventure (his father might have paid her off IF he believed her) that 2) Jane would not have been severely blamed for her cousin's actions by her aunt and uncle and 3) that said cousin would expect ever to be forgiven for her action, let alone be accepted..... ah well. Plus titles were a bit muddled. (one star)

**Beyond Temptation - Linda Madl** - Eden Roseby youngest of seven daughters of a clergyman has (as the youngest) been Chosen to care for her clergyman father in his old age. Arranges a single night of passion with an initially reluctant "rake" - Anthony, Viscount Romleigh. The romance between Anthony and Eden is well done; Eden's father is unexpectedly intriguing and likeable. Problem? Mr Roseby is the brother of a Duke - so he is really the Rev Lord James Roseby - why doesn't he use his title? Never explained. Also the villain of the piece is the local baronet who controls the vicar's living and threatens him with losing it. I don't think so!!! If one's brother was a Duke, the ducal family would have arranged the living! Just do away with this connection and the story would be a lot more believable. The "duel" is a treat!!! (two stars)

**Night of Seduction - Debbie Raleigh** - Charity Malone, spinster daughter to a scholar, long time friend to Anthony Lord Caldwell - occasional neighbor (when he wants to escape society) wants to find a way to comfort him when he starts drinking heavily and threatening suicide on blaming himself for his younger brother's death. She accidentally catches his attention when he finds her in his garden "veiled in the mist" and doesn't recognize her.... Once I could get beyond the improbability that Charity and Anthony had ever developed a friendship - this is a pretty good read. Charity's background and situation (as daughter staying at home to care for her father) are realistic and matter of fact; also Charity recognizes her feelings for Anthony are largely (in the beginning) based on the fact that she has met no other really eligible gentlemen. She also has a perfectly good reason for sneaking through Anthony's garden in the dead of night! (three and a half stars)

A disjointed and often innaccurate study, it draws heavily on Trevlyan's own experiences at Anzio.

While there are some interesting insights into small unit actions, the quality of the book is best reflected in the fact that he quotes a writer of pulp war fiction, Sven Hassel, as a historical source.

1 Star is generous