Elizabeth Berkley Books

I love this book! I simply couldn't put it down until I finished it

going into al's past was great...I loved this book! Read it

I just could not put this book down. If you are a fan of the Quantum Leap series on television then you will definitly enjoy this book.

This is by far the best of the Quantum Leap novels that I have been able to read. I couldn't put it down. (I recieved a detention for reading it while I should have been working in class) I have always wanted to hear more about Al, as he is never really the focus of attention, and this is just the book I was waiting for. I reccomend it to any Quantum Leap fan, especially those of you who think Al should get some more recognition. The plot is involved and very well written. One of my favorite books ever!

I just recently re-read this book for the 4th time and it brought my close to tears again at the depths of Al and Sam's friendship. While it is not necessary, I would reccommend seeing the folowing epsiodes before reading the book: Starcrossed, M.I.A, The Leap Home, and Vietnam. It will bring more enjoyment to the book. Storm was able to play off these episode emotions throughout the book and she did a great job of keeping the characters true to the Ql universe throughout the entire book. If you are not a QL fan now, you will be after reading this book.

If you're a fan of the televsion series Quantum Leap, this original Quantum Leap novel is the best of the bunch.

A sequel of sorts to the episode, "Another Mother," it provides an enjoyable follow-up to the classic episode.

A great book that included some old favorites from the TV series. Storm did an excellent job with all the stories that were going on at once. A Must-Read book for all QL fans.

You would think being able to write a pre-existing character and doing it right, knowing what they would or would not say would be easy. But I've read books based on series' where you wonder if the author ever watched the show or read up on the characters or anything before taking the job (My main beef being with the Star Trek Voyager book Homecoming. Could barely get through the first few chapters. Truly aweful) But there are those, like the DS9 relaunch series of books and this book that truly capture the essence of the characters and you can picture them very vividly as they say their lines; as if you were watching it as a brand new episode, after all these years.
**(Spoilers)**
I gotta say, the ending was bitter-sweat. I would have preffered Terressa ending up working for the project, especially with them making a big deal about being this genius, akin to Sam. Sure, it would have had shades of Sami-Jo Fuller working for the project, but that just plays into the other coincidences and similarities with other leaps.
For some reason, I would have liked to have seen more happen with George; him being drugged and found passed out seemed, somehow, anti-climactic.
All and all, though, it was really well written. And I loved the running gag of Sam never getting to eat. You never really think about it and in a television show, seeing them eat or perform any other necessary vital functions (like sleeping; we never saw Sam have any down time in the show) and the author worked it in well and made it very real.

This book was wonderful. I really liked the episode and the fact that there was this wonderfully written sequal...
There is too much to say and so little room. It's very inspirational.

Although this book may seem a little slow and boring at first, keep reading! If you remember the Quantum Leap episode "Another Mother" and it touched you, this book will do the same, as it is a continuation of Al's promise to a little girl that someday, he'll come back to her. It has everything in it, from suspense to comedy, while still maintaining the important elements of a good Quantum Leap Novel. This book would make an excellent movie. Don't miss out!

I really like Mansfield's books. I loved the characters in this book with "Harry's" wooden leg and his shame about it and "Artie's" head strong manner. It was a different approach than a lot of regencies. I would definately recommend reading this book.

This was the first book of Elizabeth Mansfield's I read. As a self-proclaimed Georgette Heyer snob, I thought no one could write as vividly about the Regency period as she could. I was wrong, and I'm glad! Elizabeth Mansfield has a truth about her characters - so much truth, you want to invite them to tea! I read and re-read all of her books because it's like visiting old friends!

this is one of my favorite books of all time ...the emotions are so real and its nice to see a book where the guy is so sweet ....a great read ...

I bought this book after reading a couple of Elisabeth Mansfield books. I was kind of "turned off" by the title at first, thinking this was going to be some sort of sappy ghost story. It turned out to be more light-hearted than some Mansfield stories, in that there was a lot of humor--I particularly loved the funny dialogues between the heroine and the "phantom." But, it was also serious in the way it addressed the issue of how having a physical disability can affect the way a person views themselves and how others view them. This was a funny, sweet, and touching book. I loved it and it will definitely be on my "keeper" shelf. By the way, if you are looking for a "sensual read," don't look here. This book is so "clean" you could let anyone you know borrow it without blushing, yet there is no doubt about the potent physical attraction between the main characters. To top it all off, the hero and heroine not only love each other, but they have fun personalities and appreciate each others sense of humor. Great feisty heroine and tender hero! Highly recommended!

Another good book by Mansfield. It's a fun story and worth the read.

First of all, thank you to Berkley/Jove for continuing to release the wonderful, older books by Elizabeth Mansfield, as well as bringing out the occasional new one. This book dates to May, 1980 in its original version, but it is still a delight to read. The authors tell-tale skill with witty dialogue is present in abundance in this tale of a spirited young woman and the quiet young man she encounters. Each encounter is more hilarious than the last, as Sophie Edgerton creates disturbances without even trying. Of course, when she does try-sparks fly all over the place.

Unable to live with her father and step-mother, Sophie has come to live with her widowed grandmother, Lady Alicia, in London. But Sophie's escapades begin to wear thin when she enthusiastically greets a gentleman at a ball. Truly, she thought she was greeting her cousin Bertie, who has just returned from several years away. Unfortunately, she guessed wrong, and the unsuspecting gentleman who received the hugs was the retiring Earl of Wynwood, Marcus Harvey.

As is usually the case, after this first meeting, subsequent ones also tend toward disaster, leaving Sophie determined to take a repairing lease to the country, even if it has to be at her own home. But then Lady Alicia shows the girl an invitation she's just received. It's for a two-week house party, from Lady Alicia's dearest friend. Not until later does Sophie discover that the dearest friend is also the Mama of Marcus.

Unsettled by the growing attraction Sophie feels towards Marcus, she still also has the inclination for mischief, especially when Marcus announces his engagement to the eminently suitable Miss Iris Bethune. Unable to appreciate the impending marriage, Sophie runs away to her father's house, and the religious step-mother.

Rescued by Marcus, who neglects to tell her that his betrothal has been called off by Iris, Sophie is distant and cold to him, causing more misunderstandings. Eventually, however, all things turnabout, and the resulting Regency Match is more satisfying than most. Great fun!

He's a very proper and somewhat stiff gentleman while she is impulsive, emotional, and prone to become involved in catastophes of one sort or another. They meet when Sophia throws her arms aruond Marcus at a ball, thinking he is the cousin she has not seen for many years. Their second meeting is just as embarrassing for him and leaves Marcus sure in his mind that she is nothing more then a shatterbrained hysteric. And when she happens to over hear his comments, her indignation for his slurs on her character prompt her to concoct a plan to teach him a lesson when she and her grandmother, along with a handful of other guests, are invited to his estate by his mother.

It is to be a celebration as her son is soon to be married to a docile miss he considers just the sort of woman a man should marry. Definately, not like the disastrous Miss Sophia. As evidenced by her catching fire to his property and causing him(quite inadvertantly) bodily injury. But feelings soon change and the sparks fly.

The resulting story is a witty, humorous, and quite entertaining romp into the world of Regency England. The two protaganist are true to their characters. The plot moved the story continually forward making one eager to see what was going to happen next.

I thoroughly enjoyed her book and have read it three times already. It has never failed to make me laugh despite the familiarity. I recommend it to anyone.

I highly recommend this one. Our intrepid heroine contrives to be the "shatterbrained hysteric" that the hero thinks she is.

I'd been trying to find this book for ages to give to friends and people in my work who could benefit from its wisdom. I am delighted to see it on Amazon again. (Maybe the drug companies were worried that Tune Your Brain works better than their products to improve mood. Better get it quick before they find out it's here.)
Need to relax, to focus, or to cure the blues? This book can help you do all that and more. All you need is a CD player, MP3 Player or a tape deck and some music you like.
I work with two groups particularly helped by the Tune Your Brain message: foster kids and law students. Foster kids suffer from loss, grief, fear and anger. Music, especially if kids have a role in the choice of which music, is an amazing tool for bringing them reassurance, calmness and joy. Through music, kids can learn to use their minds to create a space all their own where they can be happy, no matter what life throws at them. For kids facing uncertainty (which is nearly every kid everywhere), this book is a lifesaver and should required reading for any parent or foster-parent. Oh yea, it's good for coping with the stresses of parenting, too.
Students have to focus to study, they have to sleep and they have to deal with testing anxiety. Tune Your Brain is the answer. It shows you how to pick music for each situation that achieves the desired effect. It is also encourages taking regular mental breaks to crank up the volume and just have some fun. This is the best study guide you'll ever buy.
This is how I see the book, many people in other situations will find it is just the thing to rejuvenate, feel better and work smarter.

I checked out this book because I was mentioned in a footnote and wanted to know what she said about ME. It turns out that she not only summarized my work well but took an incredibly clear and interesting sweep across the field of music/brain research. It actually works as the utilitarian self-help book but also is an astonishingly useful guide to opening specialized personal inquiries in musical psychology. It's like a survey course you can actually use in real life. I know this stuff, but I'm actually trying it her way and it helps! I wish there were a money book this good so I could get rich--for now I'll have to settle for getting saner and happier. One step at a time, eh?

I found this book to be well researched and written well! But do not buy it if you are looking for a bedtime book to read. It's very thorough and the few funny one-liners won't keep you awake. This is for the serious scholar or possibly CAM practitioner. Overall, it's really good though. She really did her homework and it came across well! Buy it if your a musician too, I'm sure you'll get something out of it as well. Good job Elizabeth - give us more!
Dr. Joseph Jacobs
Ohio

Excellent, absorbing book for anyone who wants real-life experiences of those who lived through WWII. Slightly disappointed that a brief update on the participants was not given in all cases (family information and careers after the war). I wanted to read so much more and wish the writer could choose people from other cities in the United States (large and small). Highly recommend it.

War Stories: Remembering World War II

This is an excellent book. One of the best WWII books I've ever read, and I've read a lot of them! Each chapter is the story of an individual (real) person from New Orleans... each chapter provides a brief recollection of the impact of the war on that individual. The stories range from the memories of an artillery soldier recalling storming the beaches on D-Day to a Jewish child ousted from their farmhouse in rural Poland forced into hiding. War impacts us all, even those not on the front lines... this books tells those stories. A book about bravery, camaraderie, patriotism, and human nature. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This collection of eyewitness accounts of the years between 1939 and 1945 manages to personalize the years between 1939 and 1945 war as no history book could. Using experiences of people from all walks of life (most of whom were teenagers or in their twenties during the war), the author has managed to skillfully craft a very readable and poignant collection. Recurring themes of courage, resilience, love and family carry the reader through the war from start to finish.

If you haven't met Peaches Dann, an amateur detective with a memory problem, you are in for a real treat. I would, of course, suggest that you pick up the first books in this series as well. When an reclusive multi-millionaire dies and leaves his fortune to various members of the family to the tune of fifteen million each. Deaths begin to occur even though it seems each member of the family is satisfied with the portion received. A friend of Peaches asks for her help in uncovering the killer. The family must make a joint trip to England to satisfy the terms of the will. When Peaches' friend is almost killed, Peaches flies to England to come back with them on the ship. This is no "Love Boat" cruise. Attempted poisonings, near misses on pushing members of the party overboard and a most humiliating, but hilarious, attempt on Peaches' life add to the non-stop excitement and fun of "Where There's a Will." This is a must-read for all cozy fans.

Elizabeth Daniels Squire's new Peaches Dann mystery, Where There's a Will, has everything: the beauty and danger of a high mountain setting in western North Carolina; a hazardous trans-Atlantic voyage on the fictional British luxury liner, the Ocean Queen; and a motley cast of newly made multimillionaires, one of whom may be out to murder the others. To this mixture is added a baffling plot with more twists and turns than a DNA helix. The result is an exciting adventure in mystery reading, especially the climactic scene in which Peaches, at the risk of her own life, solves the murder of handsome, charming Wingate Scott. When you start reading Where There's a Will, be prepared to read it straight through to the end, because you won't be able to put it down.

Suffering from a terrible memory, Peaches Dan takes lessons to learn a few tricks that will help her survive in the everyday world. She writes a book, How To Survive Without A Memory, to help others with similar afflictions recall critical things. Surprisingly, Peaches also solves murder mysteries by using her tricks to help her recall the clues.

Marietta, a high school friend, asks Peaches to investigate the death of her brother Winston, who allegedly jumped off a cliff. Marietta insists her sibling would never venture near an overhang because he deeply feared heights. Money could be a motive as Winston and his relatives recently came into a $15 million inheritance each. On a trip to England, someone tries to kill Marietta, who immediately persuades Peaches to join her. On the luxurious return trip by sea, several other murder attempts occur, including one on the sleuth. Peaches knows she must identify the culprit rather quickly before someone else dies at the hands of the unknown assailant.

Elizabeth Daniels Squire has created a near perfect sleuth in Peaches. The middle aged person with a faulty memory refuses to allow her ailment to stop her activities. WHERE THERE'S A WILL is a who-done-it loaded with misdirection cleverly executed by the author. Anyone who reads this novel will search for the previous five books in this humorous series with a deep message.

Harriet Klausner

'Death of the Duchess' is the first novel by Elizabeth Eyre, which is the pen name of two London-based authors, Jill Staynes and Margaret Storey, who also write under the pseudonym of Susannah Stacey for another mystery series.

This novel is the first of a series, and it introduces the main detective character, Sigismondo, a shadowy, moral character of the early Renaissance in Italy. Sigismondo has an unknown background, high in mystery, travel, education, and experience. Equally at home among the street urchins and the courtiers, the politicos and the clerics, he seems to move with ease to find the information he's seeking, and acts with skill (both physical and intellectual) to avoid or, when avoidance doesn't work, escape problematic situations.

Sigismondo is joined by Benno, a character reminiscent of Sancho in Don Quixote. Benno provides support, a 'talking point' (much like Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes), and a bit of comic relief.

The story begins with a kidnapping. There is a long-standing feud between the di Torres family and the Bandini family, both noble families whose continuing feud threatens to destabilise the region. The handmaiden of the kidnapped daughter is discovered dead. As the story progresses, the duchess herself is discovered stabbed to death during a wedding feast, and accusations fly back and forth between di Torres and Bandini family members.

Sigismondo, not one to take anything presented at face value, searches neighbouring villages, monastic centres, and noble houses to search for the truth behind the kidnapping (which seems odd, given the state of preparedness of the house, which seemed set up to be ripe for a kidnapping) and the murder of the duchess, a bold act to take place in the midst of a crowded house during a banquet by a member of the Bandini clan who was bound to be recognised and caught.

During the course of his investigation, in which Sigismondo shows himself witty, skillful, a master of disguise and of discerning subtrefuge and double-dealing, he discovers cracks in the supposedly loyal internal family structures, which serves to heighten the mystery and intrigue. Is the kidnapper also a murderer? To what end was the daughter really kidnapped? Was the marriage between the duke and duchess of Rocca as faithful and happy as had been publicly presented?

In the end, Sigismondo puts together a strange alliance of enemies who had been set against each other to uphold an unlikely ruler and thus solve the mystery, which impacts on the larger ambitions of foreign princes--but, I get ahead of myself here. I mustn't give everything away.

One of the things that makes Eyre's story so appealling is the attention to detail, both in physical description and in political and psychological motivation. Great care has been taken to thoroughly immerse the reader in Renaissance Italy, and Eyre's research has been very good to discover details of menu, house operation, church and monastic life, city life, and minor family political nuances. (The book is dedicated to Niccolo Machiavelli, of fond memory.)

Complete with a down-to-the-wire, suspenseful conclusion, this is a great story, and a perfect introduction of characters who continue in other alliterative mysteries such as 'Poison for the Prince' and 'Curtains for the Cardinal'.

Historical mysteries have seemed to appear with a leap and a bound over the past several years, due to the amazing fascination that readers have with this genre. And Elizabeth Eyre's contribution in 1991 with "Death of the Duchess" is a welcomed--and respected--inclusion. The first of the series, "Duchess" introduces us to Sigismondo, an independent solver of crimes. Set during the Italian Renaissance, the book quickly captivates the reader as the daring Sigismondo is commissioned to find out where an abducted daughter of a local aristocrat. The daughter is from one of the leading families of duchy (a di Torre) and it is suspected she is the victim of a plot by the other leading family, the Bandini, due to an ages-old hatred. Earlier, the daughter, Lady Cosima, had been betrothed to young Leandro Bandini, as per the Duke's command so that the feud could be ended once and for all.

Not that it is so easy, however, for the Duke's own wife is found murdered in her chamber. Young Leandro is found unconscious in her chamber and it appears that he is guilty of the crime. Thus, the plot unravels at an alarming rate from this point on. The authors introduces us to all kinds of people, and red herrings and other points of confusion abound. It is left up to Sigismondo to solve the mystery and to restore peace once more to the duchy.

A man of mystery himself, the muscular (and handsome) Sigismondo is also quite intelligent, witty, and capable of taking care of himself in the martial arts (a true 'Renaissance Man'). He early on picks up Benno, a slow-witted ragamuffin, as his assistant and servant. Benno proves to be more than his appearance allows, however. The two, and Benno's dog Biondello, will appear in the next Eyre novels.

This book, while taking on some very recognizable traits from another Renaissance mystery of "two houses divided," is a delight to read, no matter how familiar the plot. The author (actually a pseudonym of Jill Staynes and Margaret Storey) seems well versed in the period and there is no problem of verisimilitude!

The storyline moves quickly and the characters are convincing. There is enough action, romance, and, yes, even murder to propel the book to its exciting finish, naturally with a surprise or two in its conclusion. It's worth one's time!

I found this book drawing me to it, and hard to put down! an excellent story, sad but full of hope and courage! a shockingly eye opening book!-in that NO-ONE was doing anything for kids-like the glaser kids, or any others who have/had this awful disease!! a very informative book about the disease and how it affects people, especially kids. I highly RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

Elizabeth Glaser wasn't famous until she met and later married Paul Micheal Glaser of tv's Starsky and Hutch. She wsan't used to fame and notoriety, but she became accustomed to it. At the opening of the book, Elizabeth begins by telling us of complications she had when her and Paul's daughter Ariel was born. She needed many blood tranfusions from many different donors. It was in one of those transfusions that the AIDS virus was hiding. Elizabeth was infecting and she didn't even know it. She passed the deadly virus onto her daughter through breast feeding and later to her son, Jake, while he was still in her womb. In the Absence of Angels is more than just Elziabeth's story. It's the story of her children, her husband, and their struggle to find courage in the face of a losing battle. It's the story of how Elizabeth, with the help of friends and support of her husband, formed the first charity for funding research for Pediatric AIDS which until Elizabeth brought the spotlight to it because of the death of her daughter Ariel, was untouched by doctors and charities alike. It's the story of a family having to cope with the death of a very young, beautiful and precious daughter in 1988 and the inevitable death of a loving, caring wife in 1992, but it isn't a sad book. To me, it's a book of hope and strength. I highly recommend it to any and every one

I bought this book when I decided to go back to work after a couple of years at home with my kids. I was honestly a bit scared about selling myself and convincing an employer to take my skills seriously, but The Mom Economy gave me the tools I needed to prove my worth, which also gave me confidence. I started a new job recently, and so far, it's all manageable. Anyone who's going back to work should use this book - it will make you feel like you have support in the process.

Elizabeth Wilcox has managed to address almost every issue that faces a mother who needs or wants to work. After reading this book, I was able to come up with an unusual way to make my job fit with my family obligations, and my boss ended up being impressed with the way I handled the discussion. I could do it because the book gave useful tools and taught me how to be prepared. It is rare to find books that are actually practical and how-to in this area, so this one really stands out.