Reds Books

I love poetry of all kinds, and French poetry is certainly no exception. I picked up this book my freshman year of high school and it is now significantly dog-eared, written on and generally abused!

My only qualm with this book (and the reason why I give it four out of five stars) is that, with the exception of "La Chanson du Mal-Aime," the Apollinaire translations are lacking. I can't pinpoint any exact errors at the moment because I don't have my book, but Donald Revell's translation of Alcools is, in my opinion, a much better introduction to Apollinaire.

I'm not a fluent French speaker, but I can read it competently with a dictionary at hand, and I noticed that the translations in the Anchor Anthology lacked the spirit I found in Revell's work...however, this could simply be a matter of personal preference. To me, this spirit was refreshing, but to others, it may seem that Revell took too much poetic license in his translations. I enjoy his version of "Zone" much better but I was more impressed with the version of "La Chanson du Mal-Aime" in the Anchor Anthology.

Either way, this book is definitely worth buying if you are looking for a good introduction to French poetry, but if you find yourself interested in any particular poet, I would suggest doing a more thorough search and finding a translator whose work impresses you.

I like most of the Mallarme translations in the Anchor volume better than those in the Collected Poems by Weinfield, a volume to be shunned. ("The flesh is sad, alas, and there's nothing but words" (Weinfield) utterly misses the irony, indeed the entire point, of "La chair est triste, helas! et j'ai lu tous les livres"---"The flesh is sad, alas! and I've read all the books.")

As with any grab bag of translations, some are better than others, but (1) you can always check the French and (2) there's a great advantage to choosing amongst the work of different translators, picking the luckiest version for each poem.

This is an excellent anthology of French poetry starting
with the work of Gerard de Nerval (1808-1855)and going
through Paul Valery (1871-1945). The book is in two major
sections: pp. 3-185 contain the English translations
of the French poems (each poet has a section of poems--
and the poets are presented in chronological order of
their birth years); and pp. 289-443 present the same
poems in the same order, but in French).
There is a very good Table of Contents which tells
the titles of the poems and the name and date of
the published edition from which the poem comes, or
the date of the individual poem itself. In the back
of the volume there is an exceptionally good Bibliography
with both General citations, as well as specific essays
on the particular poets. Each poet also has listed
the best edition of his works in that Bibliography.
The poets presented in this anthology along with
very good selections from their poems (and short
biographies) are: Gerard de Nerval; Charles Baudelaire;
Tristan Corbiere; Paul Verlaine; Arthur Rimbaud;
Stephane Mallarme; Jules Laforgue; Guillaume Apollinaire;
and Paul Valery.
The English translations are by various people, some
famous by name, others not so well known to the general
reader. Apparently...not surprisingly...the more
provocative and interesting the poet and his poems,
the more variety of translators and the more engaged
le traducteur et la traductrice travaillent.
My own personal favorites from this anthology are
the poems of De Nerval, Mallarme, and Valery. Here
is a bit of Mallarme's "Weary of Bitter Ease..."
["Las de l'amer repos..."]:
* * * * * * * * *
And by my lamp which knows my agony at last,
Would imitate the Chinese of limpid, delicate bent,
Whose purest ecstasy is but to paint the end
Upon his cups of snow new ravished from the moon
Of some exotic flower that constantly perfumed
His life, transparent flower he smelled in infancy,
Grafting itself upon the soul's blue filigree.
-- Stephane Mallarme. [Trans. Hubert Creekmore]
________________________________________

Frankly speaking, I was not very familiar with French poetry till I bought a copy of this book recently in Paris. This book, which was last published in 1958, has been out of print till now. In fact, book was in the wish list from my brother who is a professor onf English in India and who read a copy of this anthology long time ago. According to him, it was the best anthology of French poetry he had ever read. After reading some of the poems, I not only discovered the beauty of French poetry, but also could understand why my brother has been after this book for a long time. Patty Smith, who wrote the introduction to the new publication of the anthology, like my brother, read this book long time ago when she got a copy of the book on her table by stroke of luck in 1964. She now writes, "I must admit that I pocketed the book as my own, and it bacame the bible of my life. Edited by the aptly name Angel Flores, this anthology introduced me to some of the greatest poets in French literature .... It is my pleasure now to reintroduce this humble yet significant volume, so long out of print, to you now. And may I use this as an opportunity to salute and thank that unidentified soul who left this book upon my table in 1964."

French poetry has influenced not only people like Patty Smith or by brother in India and many throughout the world, but it has also influenced famous poets like T. S. eliot and many others. I am very happy to see that this valuable anthology of French poetry has now been published again. Besides my brother, I am also happy for me who is not deep into literature for living, because it has introduced to me the beauty of French poetry for the first time. When you read poets like Baudellaire in lines as follows, you can immediately see that attraction of French poetry.

"Be drunk, always. Nothing else matters; this is our sole concern. To ease the pain as Time's dread burden weighs down upon your shoulders and crushes you to eart, you must be drunk without respite.

Drunk with what? With wine, with poetry or with virtue, as yopu please. But be drunk." (Baudellaire "Be Drunk")

Or in," Life is hospital where every patient longs desperately to change his bed. ..." (Baudellaire "Anyehere Out of this World") etc

The anthology contain not only famous poets like Baudellaire, but all the important modern French poets from Nerval to Valery. Now I know that like French wine the book has addicted me with French poetry. I think everyone who like poetry should have a copy of this valuable anthology of French poetry in his or her personal collection. Rajen Barua, Houston

Being a Steeler Fan, I have read both Terry Bradshaw's and Rocky Bleir's books, and while I found them interesting, I didn't get quite the feel for the individual as well as the game from their books as I did from Andy Russell's. I am not just a fan of the sport of football, but a fan of the players. As a fan of the individuals, I like to know as much about them as possible. Everything from their childhood and family life, through high school and college, because all of that has an effect on their football career and what they bring to the game. Andy's stories about his life after football give us a perspective on the good effects that the commraderie and competitiveness of football can have on the rest of your life. I particularly enjoyed the chapter which tells of his visits to combat areas in Vietnam. The American soldiers in the various hospitals had the same reaction to American football players. I totally understand that reaction - meeting A Pittsburgh Steeler so far away from home helped the soldier forget the harshness of war for just a few moments and go back to all that is good in the world - good old American Football!

Being a Steeler Fan, I have read both Terry Bradshaw's and Rocky Bleir's books, and while I found them interesting, I didn't get quite the feel for the individual as well as the game from their books as I did from Andy Russell's. I am not just a fan of the sport of football, but a fan of the players. As a fan of the individuals, I like to know as much about them as possible. Everything from their childhood and family life, through high school and college, because all of that has an effect on their football career and what they bring to the game. Andy's stories about his life after football give us a perspective on the good effects that the commraderie and competitiveness of football can have on the rest of your life. I particularly enjoyed the chapter which tells of his visits to combat areas in Vietnam. The American soldiers in the various hospitals had the same reaction to American football players. I totally understand that reaction - meeting A Pittsburgh Steeler so far away from home helped the soldier forget the harshness of war for just a few moments and go back to all that is good in the world - good old American Football!

Being a Steeler Fan, I have read both Terry Bradshaw's and Rocky Bleir's books, and while I found them interesting, I didn't get quite the feel for the individual as well as the game from their books as I did from Andy Russell's. I am not just a fan of the sport of football, but a fan of the players. As a fan of the individuals, I like to know as much about them as possible. Everything from their childhood and family life, through high school and college, because all of that has an effect on their football career and what they bring to the game. Andy's stories about his life after football give us a perspective on the good effects that the commraderie and competitiveness of football can have on the rest of your life. I particularly enjoyed the chapter which tells of his visits to combat areas in Vietnam. The American soldiers in the various hospitals had the same reaction to American football players. I totally understand that reaction - meeting A Pittsburgh Steeler so far away from home helped the soldier forget the harshness of war for just a few moments and go back to all that is good in the world - good old American Football!

This is the story of a former NFL All Pro linebacker going on a journey of self discovery after retiring from the game. Along the way he reminisces about his famous teammates: Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Ham, Rocky Bleier and others. He and his Steeler pal, Ray Mansfield, take Lynn Swann and Mel Blount around the world, giving speeches from Hong Kong to London, and sports clinics for young people from Singapore to Jeddah while still finding time to develop his international investment business. Two stories tell of dodging bullets on a USO tour of Vietnam and Thailand with ex-congressman Jack Kemp, Bobby Bell, John David Crow and Bill Brown. Along the way the adventurer team of Russell/ Mansfield test themselves on a wilderness canoe race in Canada, on mountain tops in Nepal and barely make it out of the Grand Canyon. The writer, a sensitive sort, who struggles to find himself after leaving the game gives the reader a first hand look of what it was like to be on the field with the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers. This book is an easy read--one that will keep the reader rivited to every story.

While it will probably never be considered a literary masterpiece, this compelling non-fiction story manages to transcend even it's author's self-conscious, documentary style. A real "truth-book", it is a narrative account of J. Jaye Gold's several years of association with his unlikely and unusual friend/guru as they traveled around the Western U.S. playing poker tournaments together.

Lest one be put off by that description, let me also say that what happens in the story, ultimately, is nothing... except a gradual transformation of the author to a radically different kind of consciousness through dialogues with his friend- a transmission of flame which he is clearly trying to ignite in the reader.

I worried at first that such a straight-forward recollection of conversations and experiences might prove to be a stale exercise in reading somebody else's devotion to something I don't really care about, but the surprising truths, probing questions, and unexpected discoveries he presents turned out to be more intriguing to me than my skepticism about his writing skills. Although I have read a lot of enlightenment, Buddhist, and non-dual spirituality books, I was pleasantly surprised that I had never encountered many of the fresh and unique ideas presented in this book.

I loved this story, in part, because it is such a great example of a non-religious enlightenment transmission, a kind of Dharma that is far more common and often more accessible than traditional religious awakening, and yet so often overlooked or dismissed... and so also rarely described or discussed. This story also describes a journey that reminded me of my own experiences and conversations with a similar friend/mentor that completely changed my life over several years. This book is a testament to the potential of true friendship, philosophy, and ordinary moments to radically change the world, one person at a time.

I rated the book five stars not because it's Catcher In the Rye, but because it succeeds on its own terms and fulfills it's basic goals and intentions to shake the reader out of some of our very basic human assumptions and comfort zones. It won't make you smarter. It's not really going to entertain you. It's probably not going to help you improve your lot in life. But it seemed to me, to the ripe reader, it could be the spark that ignites a mundane life of struggle and transforms it into a life of great beauty and mystery.

P.S. The author's full name is Justin Jaye Gold and he is a spiritual teacher with a community of students living outside Nevada City, California. To my knowledge he hasn't published any other books.

This is a truly unique book full of many life- lessons on different levels. The author presents a rare wisdom contained within an intriguing story, touching the reader's heart in many ways. I would recommend this book for anyone who is tired of typical "self-help" books, and is ready to go deeper. A different book each time you read it.

This is an excellent book. It is spiritual without dogma or religion. I would strongly recommend this book to any truth seeker. Surprisingly and unfortunately, the author has not produced any other works.

There are small, yet important, universal truths exposed in this book which aren't discussed or considered in other similar books. This book could change your life!

This book reminds me of The Way of The Peaceful warrior. It is very special and very profound. I am thankful that I stumbled upon it.. It holds answers to many areas of life and living that I question. It is an important book to me. I will read it again and again. I wonder if J.Jaye Gold has wriiten more, can't find any other books by him. This book is important to me determining my vision and life purpose.

I graduated from high school and in my IB Psychology class we used this book. It is the best psychology book out there. It's easy to use for advances and beginning psychology students. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

As the Californian listed before me on this page, I have used this text as part of a College course (IB/AP) while in my Senior year of High School. The writing style makes reading quite fast, but Glassman ensures the reader a true grasp of both the overriding essence and various nuances of each perspective. An excellent resource!

William E. Glassman's textbook "Approaches to Psychology" (3rd edition) is an invaluable book for anyone hoping to learn about psychology. I am a year 11 IB student currently studying Psychology and I have found that although this textbook tends to lack when it comes to pictures and diagrams, the content is not only detailed but direct. Other textbooks devoted to Psychology have been more difficult to read, as the majority of information is provided in a roundabout manner.

One of the outstanding aspects of this book is the layout. The IB student is expected to be competent at explaining the historical and cultural aspects, methodologies, theorists etc. for each of the perspectives. This book makes this much easier to accomplish and studying is much more productive!

I highly recommend Glassman's book to anyone with a genuine interest in Psychology.

I'm in high school but enrolled in a college level Psychology course. So far, we've used about 5 different text books and I think this has been the best. It's easy to understand, brief, and to the point. This book has a overview of the five perspectives, which is vital to understanding psychology. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to know the basics but not too terribly much detail. It's been a real help preparing for the IB and AP exams I'm taking this spring!

Ordered these books for my 11 mo. old granddaughter.
They are great and I think she will love them,
as her favorite game is Peek-A-Boo!

Although my two year old is not really into 'baby' books anymore, she still loves the occasional touch-and-feel book, and this has been one of her favorites.

My 18 month old son loves, loves, loves this book! We read it at least once during the day, if not more! He enjoys stroking and kissing the various textures on the animals, and the high-contrast illustrations really hold his attention. It just makes for a sweet story-time when we go through the book kissing all of the animals, and then at the end, we add a big kiss for Mama!

I bought this book for my daughter when she was just a few months old. Now that she is two she still periodically drags it out for me to read to her. Each page features a different adult animal and baby animal kissing with a touch and feel component to the page. After I read the simple text on each page I lavish my own kisses on my daughter which makes her laugh. This book gives you a great excuse (like you really need one) to kiss your own little one.

My literary introduction into turn-of-the-century New Orleans, specifically Storyville, was a novel by Frank Yerby entitled "The Girl from Storyville; A Victorian Novel". On the cover of that particular edition is an artists rendering of one of Bellocq's Storyville photographs. The images of that book have remained vivid in my mind for more than 20 years, and when I saw the photos in this book, I was once again taken back to a life and time so long ago, and yet so real. The stark, poorly lit images extoll the gritty, decidedly non-aesthetic world in which these women lived. It is, at times, disconcerting to view the gay smiles on their faces, knowing , or at least supposing, their misery. The history of that place and time will continue to fascinate me as will the very real record preserved for us by E.J. Bellocq.

One of the most extraordinary collections of photographs ever published. I suppose I still prefer the original 'Storyville Portraits', but it's certainly good to have so many extra photos, hitherto unpublished. It's so difficult to describe the unique qualities of these strange, compelling images. They seem suffused with pathos, sometimes simultaneously grotesque and romantic. I love the photo of the naked girl scratching a butterfly into wall-plaster. She seems almost to be a pinned-up specimin herself, flattened across the space of the wall. But the lighting - here and in all of the images - so lovingly sculpts the figure that all feelings of exploitation vanish.

Susan Sontag's introduction is a big disappointment. She seems to have little to say and shows very little real feeling for the photographs. For much more sensitive insights you need to find the original introduction - consigned to the back of this edition - or read Michael Ondaatje's 'Coming Through Slaughter' and Brooke Bergen's 'Storyville: A Hidden Mirror'.

A lovely book, and one you might appreciate if you: a) Enjoy beautiful photography, b) Find prostitutes romantic, c) Are excited by plump women, or d) Are interested in offbeat and surreal images. Many of Bellocq's photographs are truly odd. For example, the one of a woman whose face is bizarrely hidden behind a too-large Zorro mask, slumped awkwardly in a wooden chair. Or the one of a woman wearing only a sly smile and high heeled shoes, her elbow propped uncomfortably on a window sill, armpit cheerfully thrust outward. Or the one of a woman in a weird full body stocking. Some of the pictures are weirder still for having the faces of the subjects crudely blacked out, or for being blotted with corrosion and cracks. Of course, these were not due to Bellocq, but they do contribute to the surreal, almost Joel-Peter Witkenesque look of his photographs. Wonderful all the same.

New Orleans' Storyville was prior to it's closing in 1917, the only legalized red-light district in North America. The photographer Bellocq (inaccurately portrayed in the film "Pretty Baby") recorded it's woman in a series of mesmerizing and touching portraits. In 1970 New York's Museum of Modern Art put on an exhibition of the long forgotten, recently re-discovered photographs (painstakingley reprinted from the original negatives by their rescuer, the noted photographer Lee Friedlander)and issued an accompanying book. I borrowed the book from the library while in art school several years ago and have lusted after it ever since. Long out-of-print, but recently reissued and expanded, I found the book at Amazon.com. Beautifully printed and presented, the photographs still retain their hold on me...

Jamie McNamara lives and breathes business. When she finds herself seducing staid business mogul Andrew Brooks in the back of a Hummer limo she's shocked at her behavior. And if that isn't bad enough, it isn't long before the whole episode is chronicled in an online column, Red Choo Diaries, using fictional names. Andrew has wanted more of Jamie since the steamy Hummer incident but now one night's drunk rambling to his brother and his sister's column may have ruined any chance he has with her. Can Andrew convince Jamie to take a chance on him?

Beyond Breathless is perfect for the beach or any lazy day! Jamie and Andrew couldn't be more made for each other and each page turned only makes this book a definite must read!

Kathleen O'Rielly's Red Choo Diaries should be on every romance reader's summer reading list!

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Jamie McNamara, a client services manager, has always been very career oriented. Her social life has been nearly nonexistent since her boyfriend dumped her for his secretary, so now all she has is her career. After a lot of work, she finally has a meeting in Connecticut with Mr. Newhouse. This is a meeting which could be very beneficial to her already successful career. However, Grand Central Station is shut down, making her late for her meeting. So she is desperate to get a ride to Connecticut.

Andrew Brooks, a very wealthy partner in the Shearson, Brooks, Panhower and Bloom firm, also has an appointment in Connecticut. Since Grand Central Station is closed, he needs to find an alternate means of transportation. While attempting to do that, he strikes up a conversation with Jamie. Exchanging first names only, they agree to share a ride in a white Limo Hummer, which is the only transportation they can find on such short notice. Up to now, his whole world has been his work and his family. In fact, he has practically raised his two siblings, Jeff and Mercedes.

Jamie has no idea who Andrew is, but the chemistry between them is strong. Deciding to give in to her impulses for once, she seduces him in the Hummer. This is not her normal behavior at all.

Andrew is charmed by her, especially after the Hummer experience, and wants to see her again. However, the story of their intimate encounter finds its way to Andrew's younger sister, Mercedes, who is trying to establish a writing career. Not believing the story about her brother, she shares the tale in her online sex blog, The Red Choo Diaries, which causes quite a stir. It even gets a mention in the New York Times! Unfortunately, this is information neither Andrew nor Jamie want anyone to discover.

This is a fun, steamy story. The ongoing chemistry between the characters is explosive and the fast paced action and witty dialogue will keep you reading. I have not read anything by Kathleen O'Reilly before, but this one has made me a fan. I cannot wait for the next installment of The Red Choo Diaries. Anyone who likes their stories really steamy; this one is for you. The story is hot from the beginning to the end. I can see why it was included in the Harlequin Blaze series.

Dottie Jones

Kathleen O'Reilly starts The Red Choo Diaries with a breathless bang. Jamie and Andrew are instant chemistry and explosive heat. They both discover so much about themselves, surprising themselves as much as each other, and are more alike than either realized. It's an incredible journey to share with them.

Andrew's siblings, his sister is the writer of the "Red Choo Diaries", add a rich quality of humor and family ties that enrich the story. Beyond Breathless is written with an earthiness and a spontaneity that draws a reader in, hooking them until the very end.

Ms. O'Reilly is an author I've read again and again, and I haven't been disappointed yet. Witty, fun, fast-paced, great characters and a sensuality, Beyond Breathless is a contemporary romance that has it all, everything a reader is looking for.

Looking forward to more of these diaries. This is another hit for Kathleen O'Reilly.

Jamie McNamara is a client services manager extraordinaire. She finally has the job she has been working so hard for, with Bond-Worthington on Wall Street. After lots of sweat, Jamie has gotten herself on Mr. Newhouse's calendar. She plans to take the Newhouse account away from Goldman-Sacks, earning another star in her crown. Yet thanks to trouble at Grand Central Station she is late. Jamie ends up sharing a White Hummer Limo (the only thing available) with "Andrew". Whether from stress, her starved love life, or just a case of the "I wannas", Jamie ends up seducing Andrew en route to her important business meeting. But Jamie has no idea exactly WHO Andrew really is!

Andrew Brooks is part of Shearson, Brooks, Panhower, & Bloom. He got to where he is today by sheer determination and his personality disorder. (Hey, Andrew will be the first to admit that the disorder is very useful in the trade!) Andrew practically raised his younger brother and sister. When Andrew wants something, he goes after it; nothing is held back. And ever since his mind-blowing experience with Jamie in the Hummer, Andrew wants her again. Problem is that after a little too much alcohol Andrew made the error of telling his brother, Jeff, about his Hummer experience. Then Jeff tells their sister, Mercedes, because she has received another book rejection letter and he is hoping the story will cheer her up.

Mercedes goes to The Red Choo Diaries online and writes the HOT scene up for all to see. Coming from Jeff, Mercedes never believed the Hummer story to be true! Even the Wall Street Journal mentions the story of two Wall Street execs in the Hummer. The story is a hit! Everyone wants to know who Bull Market Jack and the Hummer Honey really are. People are even willing to pay for any information.

Should anyone learn that the Hummer Honey is Jamie McNamara, she will be ruined (much to a particular intern's delight) and Andrew may never get the one thing he wants more in his life - Jamie.

***** Wow! This story starts out hot, with the Hummer experience, and the heat blazes until the very end. Harlequin Blaze romances are for readers who enjoy more than a single love scene in their stories. Let me tell you this, author Kathleen O'Reilly delivers! You are going to L-O-V-E this tale. A successful hero who desires the love of an up-and-coming successful heroine, a believable plot, and a romance you will never forget. I am more than ready for book two! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Jeff Brooks has a chance that will make or break his career as a publicist. He's been hired to do whatever it takes to clean up Sheldon Summerville's bad girl reputation. Sheldon's father has a huge company merger coming, a merger that includes Sheldon's marriage to the son of the other company's owner. Sheldon has known for years that the marriage was coming, so she's been living it up until the day she will be forced into marriage. Jeff finds that taming Sheldon is more difficult then any other job he's ever had. Especially since he's falling in love with her.

Beyond Daring is the second book in Kathleen O'Reilly's Red Choo Diaries and you don't want to miss it! The passion between Jeff and Sheldon singes your fingers as you turn the pages along with a love story that will leave you sniffling.

Melissa reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Publicist Handler, Jeff Brooks gets more than he can handle in the form of spit-fire and scandal-maker, Sheldon Summerville. Jeff is hired by her wealthy father to mold Sheldon into the quiet society wife that she'll one day be when she marries the son of another wealthy family. Jeff must keep Sheldon in line, out of the spotlight and make her father happy with the results. Unfortunately for Jeff--who is trying to straighten out his own playboy image--the headstrong rich girl fights him at every opportunity, making his body yearn...

Public relations take on a whole new meaning in Kathleen O'Reilly's hot and spicy sequel of the Red Choo Diaries. Beyond Daring, book two, brings readers the sexy and bad-boy Brooks brother, Jeff, whom we met in Andrew's story (Beyond Breathless). This sequel lives up to its predecessor, fulfilling the readers expectations of sweet and stormy romance and mixing delectably well with the steam and sensuality we've come to hope for. Sheldon and Jeff have a bumpy and difficult road ahead of them as they battle their feelings for one another. Sheldon has a bad girl image with a soft heart within. She wants more out of life than what her father wants of her, but she'll do anything to ensure the Summerville name lives on, and that her father is happy. She's screwed up so much in the past, it's time for her to step up to the plate so to speak and do her parents proud. Jeff wants to make a life of his own, not falling back on the Brooks money, nor does he wish to follow in his brother's footsteps. He wants out of the shadow of his brother's success and has tended to goof up in spite, staying outside the mold of what is expected of him.

Kathleen O'Reilly does her characters proud in her latest romance. Jeff and Sheldon are so right for one another, their tumultuous relationship rolls off the pages in waves. The reader can feel their inner turmoil, their attraction, the love growing and the respect they come to have for one another.

Another enjoyable facet of Beyond Daring is the humour and family ties. Andrew and Mercedes (sister) are ever-present, ready to give Jeff a hard time and then some. But the familial bond is in attendance and the read is that much more enjoyable. I am extremely anxious for Mercedes' story (coming in May 07). The tease that we receive in Beyond Daring for her story is just the beginning and has me eager for more.

Beyond Daring is another hot, steamy, and chalk-full of romance delicious read by Kathleen O'Reilly. She is an author that delivers time after time and has earned her place on my keeper shelf. Readers won't want to miss it!!!

Sheldon Summerville, the wealthy "Toothbrite King's" daughter, feels worthless. She believes she is a disappointment to her parents, unlike her med student sister. Sheldon is afraid to let anyone see what she is really like, so she puts on a simpleton/party girl act, performing or seeming to perform scandalous acts in public, which appear in the newspaper to her parents' dismay. Finally, in an attempt to show that she can contribute something to her family, she agrees to become engaged to Josh of Con-Mason, USA. The marriage in reality would be a merger.

Jeff Brooks, the younger brother of a highly successful Wall Street Exec, is working for a public relations firm, happily just getting by, or so he lets on to everyone else. His brother has supported him most of his life, but he wants to make it on his own. Then he is assigned to makeover Sheldon's image. While he is trying to improve her image, he is fighting the attraction he feels for her. He is the only one who can see through her act to the real person underneath.

Sheldon botches up every PR opportunity Jeff sets up for her. She is attracted to him, but she can't get him to let down his guard.

Jeff finally lets loose after a Fourth of July party in the Hamptons. He and Sheldon share an intimate evening, which ends disastrously. To make matters worse, Jeff's younger sister, Mercedes, shares the tale of their encounter in her online sex blog, The Red Choo Diaries.

This is a funny, passionate story about two people, who have a lot in common. They both refuse to let the world see them as they really are. As they get to know each other, they discover themselves. The sexual tension is highly charged throughout the story. I could not put the book down. I am looking forward to the next installment of The Red Choo Diaries. I loved the first book in this series and I feel the same way about this one. The witty dialogue, fast paced action and the situations they find themselves in will keep you reading. If you like your storylines steamy, this one is for you. You may also want to read the first book in The Red Choo Diaries series, "Beyond Breathless."

Dottie Jones

Corporate America is not for the faint of heart. It's a tough no nonsense business, where money trumps all else. Jeff Brooks has been told that by Andrew, his hugely successful hedge fund manager of a brother, before. Jeff may not be a billionaire like his older brother, but he is earning his own way. In fact, when it comes to the public relations business, Jeff is the ultimate miracle worker. He is the best PR man at Columbia-Starr Communications. That is why Jeff is chosen to handle the Wayne Summerville account. Jeff is to help Wayne transform his wild daughter's image. This is the BIG time! Wayne Summerville is the head of Summerville Consumer Products, the Number Two consumer product conglomerate in the world. In just a few more weeks, Summerville CP will sign all the papers to merge with Con-Mason USA. Then Wayne's daughter, Sheldon, will become engaged to the Con-Mason heir, Joshua Mason. Oh yeah, this is the big time. This would make Jeff's career! All Jeff has to do is keep his hands to himself.

Sheldon Summerville is a party girl, socialite, and professional shopper. She is blessed with a face and body that no man can resist. The tabloids continuously print Sheldon's latest wild and scandalous actions. To the world, she seems to be the ultimate empty-headed blonde of jokes. She shares her body with someone new every night. And Sheldon wants people to keep on thinking that the image is her true self. No one has ever gotten close enough to see through her simpleton act, until Jeff Brooks. Mister PR Man has a five step plan to reform her public image, but Sheldon wants nothing to do with it. All Sheldon wants is to push Jeff's hot button and see if she can seduce him into her bed. So far he is resisting, barely. However, the more time Sheldon spends with Jeff, the more in love she falls.

***** Those who read Andrew's story in BEYOND BREATHLESS, get to see how he and Jamie are doing. Even though Andrew is a secondary character this time around, his romance with Jamie goes a little further. You will have to read to understand what I mean though. In my personal opinion, Jeff and Sheldon's story is even better than Andrew's. Saying it's "H-O-T" is putting it in an extremely mild way. As I have said before, Harlequin does not call this book line BLAZE for nothing! (So if you do not enjoy peeking in and seeing the realistic things that happen between two lovers when they let themselves go, then do not bother picking up any book in the BLAZE line.) And of all the BLAZE novels I have read, author Kathleen O'Reilly is one of my favorite writers! Kathleen's husband must walk around with a big smile on his face all the time, because this author has an outstanding and passionate imagination. Very recommended reading here. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I received an advance copy of this book and devoured it in one sitting. Now I've put the book on a syllabus for a course I teach in creative writing and am ordering it for all my writer friends. Bonni Goldberg's practical, inspirational and fundamental approach to writing will get you started and keep you going. Her take on such critical topics such as writer's block, revising and going public are so practical I wanted to cry. Before I read this book, I'd been in a writerly slump for several months. No more. If I get stuck, I pick it up and read it all over again. One of the best books on writing I've read ever (and I've read quite a few!)

This book is like an "I'm OK, you're OK" for writers--it discusses all sorts of topics, like getting input or not getting input, writing every day or not writing every day, going public or not going public--and makes you feel okay about whatever it is you're doing: for every thing there is a season. It's just what you need if you're having any doubts or experiencing rejection (or, for that matter, selling everything right and left!). It helps you get in touch with a lot of wisdom about why we write and how to nurture your writing self, whether you are having "success" getting published or not. I read it right after a big agent turned down my manuscript, and it really helped me put the whole thing in perspective. A wise, engrossing, touching book, like having a good friend at your side. Along with If You Want To Write and Bird By Bird, it offers inspiration about writing, creating and life. Go to books like Self Editing for Fiction Writers for the craft.

This book is like an "I'm OK, you're OK" for writers--it discusses all sorts of topics, like getting input or not getting input, writing every day or not writing every day, going public or not going public--and makes you feel okay about whatever it is you're doing: for every thing there is a season. It's just what you need if you're having any doubts or experiencing rejection (or, for that matter, selling everything right and left!. It helps you get in touch with a lot of wisdom about why we write and how to nurture your writing self, whether you are having "success" getting published or not. I read it right after a big agent turned down my manuscript after reading it twice, and it really helped me put the whole thing in perspective. A wise, engrossing, touching book, like having a good friend at your side. Along with If YOu Want To Write and Bird By Bird, it offers a lot of inspiration about writing, creating and life. Go to books like Self Editing for Fiction Writers for the craft.

I borrowed this book from a friend, and then bought a copy to send to another friend. It's one of the most helpful books I've read, suggesting that the key to successful writing is looking at how writing is incorporated into one's life. It's not just percolation, writing, revising, and publishing, but the balance between these elements. Buy this book and begin to enjoy your writing life in new and unexpected ways!

THIS BOOK ABOUT FRANK MAHOVLICH IS WELL WORTH READING. THE BIG M WAS ONE OF THE BEST AND CLASSIEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME. HIS GRACE AND POWER ON THE ICE WERE A THINK TO BEHOLD. HIS SON TED, DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING HIS STORY AND HITS ON ALL 8 CYLINDERS. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE PARTS CONCERNING PUNCH IMLACH AND HIS DICTATOR WAYS AND THE VARIOUS OTHER COACHES AND PLAYERS THAT THE BIG M PLAYED FOR AND AGAINST. A GREAT READ FOR ALL HOCKEY FANS.

This book has been very enjoyable. Ted Mahovlich has done an excellent job in telling us the interesting story about his father. He showed us the Punch Imlach lacked class and Frank Mahovlich had a lot of class and finally enjoyed his career when he joined the best organization in sports at the time the Montreal Canadiens. I would recommend this to any hockey fan or sports fan in general

Frank Mahovlich was one of THE great players in the history of hockey. This books gives a thoughtful and intelligent insight into the mind of the quiet giant who won four Stanley Cups with the Leafs and two more with the Canadiens.

Told alongside the biographical narrative of The Big M is the author's experience of going on the road with his father, in the touring team of NHL past masters. Not only does this expose the reader to some beautiful anecdotes about other former stars of the game, but also captures the bond between father and son in a most moving way.

Ted Mahovlich is a very accomplished writer, telling his father's story with compassion, respect and honesty in a fine style that makes the book hard to put down. A must for any fan of hockey and/or good writing.

This book is great, not your normal biography. Ted Mahovlich captures a seldom read about side of his father Frank, along with the exploits of his spectacular career. The author spent considerable time traveling and playing with the old-timer greats while interviewing them as wells as capturing moments the common fan is not privey to. If you are a hockey fan -- this books for you. (Yes I know I live in Texas, but I moved here)