Passion The Books

Jacqui Belpre is one busy woman. She's almost single-handeldly running the home building business left to her by her parents. At least, until her brother, Kyle, is old enough to pass all the necessary tests and takes over. Until then, she runs the business and keeps her brother and sister in line - there is no time for romance or anything feminine. Running from one job site to another constantly requires real work clothes and a hard hat.

Christopher Warden runs a local resort hotel. He also has his younger sister, Alaine, staying with him due to their parent's divorce. With his resort expanding and Alaine's recent involvement with Jacqui's brother, Christopher uses the guise of getting a bid on the new project to attempt to have Jacqui keep Kyle from Alaine. The result? Not what he was expecting.

Jacqui is extremely busy getting ready for the Parade of Homes scheduled to take place in only four weeks. When Christopher arrives in all his pompous glory, he first mentions wanting a bid for the Egret Island project. Jacqui informs him that she couldn't possibly have a presentation ready to meet their deadline. Christopher then brings up the real reason he's in her office, to discuss his sister's involvement with Kyle. Jacqui becomes quickly offended at his impression that Kyle can't hold a job and therefore isn't good enough for Christopher's precious sister. He soon learns that Jacqui will not interfere in her brother's affairs and that he couldn't have been more wrong about Kyle. Jacqui tries very hard not to like Christopher, but something about him attracts her. She'd been determined not to have anything to do with him, but couldn't resist taking a look at the plans for Egret Island. Once Kyle sees the plans, he talks Jacqui into planning the layout better than what was planned . . . just for fun. Jacqui never intended to actually submit a bid for the job and definitely doesn't want to get involved with Christopher, but some desires are just too powerful to resist. On top of Jacqui's confusing feelings for Christopher, there's a reoccurring pain in her shoulder that she's doing her best to ignore as well as the worries over the thefts happening on construction sights all over town.

Jane Bierce's BUILDING PASSIONS is a wonderfully addictive story. The family dynamics among Jacqui, Kyle, and Janice is simply wonderful to picture. They're all so supportive of each other, even if things don't go exactly as planned. Christopher and his sister, Alaine, have never been very close. He's trying to step into a fatherly type roll and Alaine rebels by spending time with someone whom she knows Christopher will not approve. Ms. Bierce takes us on this couple's journey to finding trust and love despite their initial mistrust. I adored Kyle and Alaine as a couple and would love to know more about what happens with them as well as what Janice decides to do with her future. BUILDING PASSIONS has a great plot filled with fun characters. This is definitely a book I'd recommend reading.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This is the story of a wagon train on their way to California who first suffer their way through the desert and then get stuck in the winter in the mountains without food. You feel as if you are suffering with them. It can be gruesome but always a page turner. I have read it twice and am buying it. It is the first in a three part series and I recommend them all.

This novel examines the relationship between doctor and patient. The illiness is sexual dysfunction.

In the mid-1950's, Doctor Richard Masters met Virginia Johnson and formed the now famous "Masters & Johnson, Institute For The Study Of Human Sexual Behavior". Their stated goal was the study of the 'Human Sexual Response'.

To accomplish their purpose, Doctor Masters installed one-way glass inside the Institute behind which he and Virginia were able to watch volunteer couples engaging in sexual activity. When news of this new `therapy' leaked out, the medical community greeted it with shock, dismay and disapproval and the two researchers became virtual outcasts in society; yet, they didn't let public opinion deter them.

Sometime after the introduction of this practice - and some say because of it - Doctor Masters divorced his wife of many years and married his co-researcher (and co-voyeur), Virginia Johnson. This news too was greeted with derision and disapproval but it was their collaboration that helped launch the field of sex therapy.

"The Caregiver" - explores the dichotomy present in sex therapy. Doctor Phillip D'Anese, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializes in the treatment of sexually dysfunctional woman. In his practice, he is expected to share the deepest sexual experiences and fantasies of these vulnerable women while maintaining a professional detachment from them.

This is the story of one man's failure to maintain that delicate balance.

In many poetry collections of the past decade, the overwhelming mood in these books has been a languid despair bordering on nihilistic obsession. Opal Palmer Adisa's, Caribbean Passion, defies this trend. Indeed, the emotion that shapes every syllable in this collection is a fervent love that celebrates its expansiveness. Throughout the four movements of Caribbean Passion: Mento Ska, Reggae, and Dancehall what emerges is a portrait of a woman and poet who is unabashedly erotic and boldly passionate about her home, life, and culture. And at a time when some Caribbean poets, artists, and intellectuals may be tempted to turn away from the Caribbean and its landscape as a proper subject of artistic or intellectual meditation, Adisa's poems pull our attention back to where it rightly belongs: our homelands in this archipelago of islands.

Thank you for the fast service. Book arrive in excellent condition = was all I expected. I'll be sure and order from you all again.

The Cavendish family from middle England (Sheffield to Sherwood Forest to Nottingham), knighted, rich, powerful, and land entitled, is the focus of this recently issued study of an English family both pre and post civil war, one losing almost everything in their support of Charles I.

This book may be a little known one at present but for any interested in the English Civil War years of 1642-1660, it offers an in depth view of one family during those years. This family loved horse, castles, great estates, Charles I and family, and just plain high living whenever possible. A book not soon to be forgotten, but very enjoyable as the reader moves along.

The author has spent nearly 10 years researching and reviewing extant written materials from the family, with the book indeed giving evidence of that study. William Cavendish left many writings and a diary covering almost every topic of his personal life. Several color photos of the lands and houses left by these people are dutifully included. By books end the reader fairly well comes to know this cavalier family in specific and many other cavaliers in general.

This is a definate addition to English history during these years, for both major figures and minor alike. Check this one out you lovers of Roundheads versus Cavaliers.

Recommended.

Semper Fi.

Don't be put off by the crude typeface that suggests "self-published!" Cherici crafts a fine book that charts the sexual decline and fall of a Celtic folk. The author clearly implicates the RC Church and discusses the more relaxed Irish manifestation of Catholicism. Most remarkable are the descriptions of female sexuality and socio-political power in the pre-Xian Celtic world. Ultimately, one is struck by the high psychosocial "cost" of Xianity in Europe in general. *Celtic Sexuality* is a rare book, scholarly, thought-provoking and entertaining!

It's just so refreshing to see so many touched by Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. I know I was! It brought to light just how much Christ suffered for us and to come out of that and have love and of course, he rose again. He is so precious to me. It strengthened my relationship with the Lord. The Miracles of the Passion are uplifting to read. I would recommend this to ANYONE!!God lives and He loves ALL of us and wants us to be healed and come to know Him.

Another great book of stories about horses & how they have affected the lives of the humans that care for them!

I bought this book for my second grader. It is a wonderful children's story of Easter. It starts with a brief review of Jesus helping and healing people. It tells of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem and starts to tell of how the chief priest and elders started watching Jesus.

The story proceeds with Jesus chasing the moneychangers out of the temple. Judas and his betrayal are discussed. Although not called the Last Supper, the meal and washing of feet are presented. Jesus praying in the garden, His arrest and sentencing by Pilate are addressed.

Following the story, Jesus carries his cross and dies. His body is placed in the tomb. Sunday morning the women find the empty tomb and tell the disciples. Then Jesus appears to the disciples. It concludes with a brief summary of the Easter celebration

For those concerned about graphic details: When Jesus chases the moneychangers, he uses a whip and the illustration includes the whip. There is reference to people "plotting to kill him", "death on a cross" and "terrible way to die". There is also mention of swords and clubs, a crown of thorns and His hands a feet being nailed to a cross. I thought these are necessary points to be made in the Easter story, but they are not over emphasized. There are no illustrations of Christ on the cross.

Amazon lists this as a baby/preschool story. I really think it is more appropriate for a slightly older child. I would strongly recommend this book for the early grade school child (a mature kindergartener thru 3rd or 4th). It has been a step up from preschool level Easter books without being too overwhelming. It has also helped foster questions and discussion.