Zebras Books

Laughs, adventure, romance with a questionable rogue, a delightful story that is thoroughly unique. I could totally see the entire book as a cinematic feast! The best of Bollywood and Hollywood. Read it, you won't regret it!

I loved this book--one of the funniest I've ever read. There were times I wasn't sure about character motivation(Why, exactly, did she dance at that club?) but it didn't matter because I was just there for the fast and very amusing ride. And I loved the hero!

I have read all of Flo's books. She has a gift. This is a wonderful fun romp though India. I can see this as a movie! Are you listening Hollywood?

Hot Stuff is an adventure of a lifetime. Tempe Walsh, is an interpreter with a secret dream of being an actress. The hero is one Briggan "Brig" O'Brien who seems to be a man with a shady past. The two them are thrown together by the Shiva's Diva statue that everyone wants and they have.

Brig and Tempe are shot at, have knives thrown at them, as they dodge the bad guys while also doing flips and somersaults. When they are not avoiding weapons, they are working on a movie directed by one of Brig's friends. In the movie they are dancing, doing flips and somersaults on top of Ferris wheels and other things I wouldn't do. It seems they are on the move all the time.

Flo Fitzpatrick has a great talent for telling a story. It kept me entertained and held my attention. I loved this story, and if you enjoy adventure with some comedy thrown in it is a story you would like also I am sure.

A delightful book I am very happy to recommend coming from Flo Fitzpatrick. This one amazing tale from start to finish that will leave you clamoring from more from this new writer.

Tempe Walsh is a translator. She has a job with client Ray Decore. Sounds simple enough. She is to translate from Hindi to English and back again as needed as part of a deal with Kimali Khan, brokering a sale for a stature. Tempe might raise eyebrows at the setting - Hot Harry's Bar in Bombay, but hey, a girl has to live a little! Only trouble ensures when Tempe spots the statue is a fake. Suddenly all hell breaks loose, resulting in her client getting killed. Instead of standing and screaming, our intrepid heroine uses her lithe bod and her trusty earrings to escape, taking one "Strider" O'Brian (this is the third book I have reviewed this month with "Strider" heroes, glut from LOTR!), with everyone chasing in their wake.

This is one delightfully wild, tongue-firmly-through-cheek tales that takes off and never lets up from start to finish. It's seasoned with a wickedly funny sense of humor, that has a touch of movie adoration tossed in. It is madcap comedy reminiscent of Hollywood romps of the 40s. A great aim, but can the writer pull it off? Yeppers, big time! Hot Stuff is absolutely dead bang on target from the homage to films past to romance lovers at heart and those of us who enjoy a good belly laugh along the way.

Iwo tells the tale of the battle for Iwo Jima, as a veteran of the battle, Mr. Wheeler was in an excellent position to tell us about the battle that few historians would be able to meet. Mr. Wheeler opens his book by describing the Japanese leaders and preparations for defending Iwo Jima. This is rapidly followed by the American preparations and the initial landing. The center piece is the assault and flag raising on Suribachi; concluding with the Americans taking Iwo Jima

My Likes
Mr. Wheeler tells this in a very gritty way, that of a Marine who was on the beach and tasted the sulfur in the air and dirt. When reading this book you can almost feel the shells crashing around you and know that someone is watching each move you make up the beachhead. I particularly love how Mr. Wheeler provides nice details about each of the Marines he covers; a little more than most historians would provide you. Another love is the details on E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division; his old unit. When describing his unit, Mr. Wheeler provides excellent background and feeling for the men. Particular attention is paid to the two flag raisings. Another great addition Mr. Wheeler provides is on the Japanese, their preparations and their leaders; something just starting when this book was originally written. The additional pieces about the Japanese help us to understand more about the battle.

My Dislikes
Maps. The few maps in the edition I have are of lower quality. I would have loved to have seen some nice maps included in the book that showed where the Marines were on at the end of the first day and other significant days. I also would have enjoyed having a nice breakdown of what the Japanese bunker networks looked like. This would have been great for showing readers how terrible the fields of fire were. I also wish the Navy would have been included a little more than they were (they're there, but more to take the Marines to Iwo, prep the area, and then support them). My other desirement for the book was focusing on the other Marine units as well as he did his own.

The Rating
A very solid 4 star book (going rapidly to 4.5 stars). The writing is nice and clean as it's told from the Marines perspective. There's also excellent photos. This made me lean to 5 stars, but with the lack of maps and the coverage of the other Marine units not being as good as the assault on Suribachi I'm rounding to 4 stars. That said, I seriously doubt that any book can describe the valor of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines as well as this one did. A very good book!

We were searching for books that would depict the true situation on Iwo Jima during WWII. We were thrilled with this selection. We found two pictures we believe to be my husband's father. We have looked for photos where my mother-in-law could see well enough to say if it was her husband. These photos were excellent.

written so excellent, one will hardly ever forget. Dramatic, shocking and sad book about proud not afraid to die but nevertheless doomed Japanese soldiers and desperate, brave, pushed to the limits Marines, all dying for..(?!). Books about Stalingrad and Monte Casino come to my mind and "Iwo" should be on your shelf together with them. Maybe your children will read it some day and try to ponder nature of wars decided by individuals (rulers/politicians) and resulting in tragedy for many; as
Bertrand Russell noted: "war does not determine who is right, only who is left".

I am a USMC veteran who reads extensively about WW II. This is the best book about Iwo Jima I have ever read and have recommended it to my old buddies.

IWO is spellbinding. Written from the point of view of the Marines that fought, it tells their story and keeps the reader glued to the pages. Graphic discriptions of life and death hold the attention and provide a new insight to this battle. A must read for anyone intrested the military and war history.

Wow! Kathern Shaw writes a great book. I've never read this author before, but she made this story fun. Winning the lottery and then getting a hunky guy to watch over you--this heroine has all the luck!

Having fifty million dollars in the bank should have solved all of lottery winning Annie Brown's problems. The trip to Paris was great. So are the new clothes. But the stalking definitely has to stop. Men in tuxedos hanging from trees in her backyard is not only unacceptable, but also terrifying.

When the call comes regarding a jackass hanging from a tree, Detective Ryan Armstrong couldn't resist. He had to see this one for himself. When a goddess wearing a terrycloth towel opens the door, it's all Ryan can do to keep his mind on business. It's very clear to him that Comanche Spring's lottery winner is in over her head.

While Annie's determined to preserve her lifestyle and independence, Ryan is equally determined to make her understand that she is at risk. So Ryan decides to become her unofficial personal watchdog. When he rescues her from a would-be suitor in a movie theatre, Annie's thrilled. His kiss is pretty thrilling, too.

When Ryan continues to rescue her from frightening situations, they finally agree to a plan. They will pretend to be married, thereby discouraging all the would-be suitors. If it works for Cary Grant...but their pretense eventually poses a problem, because now they have to find a way past the pretense to be honest about their feelings.

Katherine Shaw's voice is light, pleasant, sexy, and great fun, making MAKE-BELIEVE MATRIMONY a fast paced, wonderful afternoon's read. With just the right touch of sensuality, these characters sizzle! This lovely romantic romp with the heat and flair of the classic Cary Grant movie Indiscreet is Very highly recommended.

This story was such a fun read. From the first page I was laughing at the suitor who was dangling from the tree to the food fight in the restaurant. Ms. Shaw has spun a story that is a unique "pretend marriage." I would highly recommend this book and look forward to her next one.

Annie Brown won the lottery for fifty million dollars six months ago and has not had a moment of peace since! Now she had men fighting over her and doing outrageous things in hopes of getting married to her.

Detective Ryan Armstrong was aghast at how Annie lived! She had no security alarm or even a dog. After pulling her out of fist fights and riots (that always began whenever two or more men were around her at once), they decided to use strategy. Annie and Ryan pretended to get married so men would stop trying to cozy up to Annie and her check book. But there was apparently one stalker out there who was still determined to get Annie, husband or no!

***** A passionate romance that is unforgettable! Chances are that you will never find this one in a used book store. It's a definite KEEPER! To be read over and over again! *****

Having fifty million dollars in the bank should have solved all of lottery winning Annie Brown's problems. The trip to Paris was great. So are the new clothes. But the stalking definitely has to stop. Men in tuxedos hanging from trees in her backyard is not only unacceptable, but also terrifying.

When the call comes regarding a jackass hanging from a tree, Detective Ryan Armstrong couldn't resist. He had to see this one for himself. When a goddess wearing a terrycloth towel opens the door, it's all Ryan can do to keep his mind on business. It's very clear to him that Comanche Spring's lottery winner is in over her head.

While Annie's determined to preserve her lifestyle and independence, Ryan is equally determined to make her understand that she is at risk. So Ryan decides to become her unofficial personal watchdog. When he rescues her from a would-be suitor in a movie theatre, Annie's thrilled. His kiss is pretty thrilling, too.

When Ryan continues to rescue her from frightening situations, they finally agree to a plan. They will pretend to be married, thereby discouraging all the would-be suitors. If it works for Cary Grant...but their pretense eventually poses a problem, because now they have to find a way past the pretense to be honest about their feelings.

Katherine Shaw's voice is light, pleasant, sexy, and great fun, making MAKE-BELIEVE MATRIMONY a fast paced, wonderful afternoon's read. With just the right touch of sensuality, these characters sizzle! This lovely romantic romp with the heat and flair of the classic Cary Grant movie Indiscreet is Very highly recommended.

When I first started the book, I didn't know if I would like it but ending up LOVING it. I loved "Skiff" & "Schooner". They were such a refreshing addition to the book, and Westies are such little hams anyway.
A truly amazing debut book, as one reviewer said, seems like a seasoned author writing it. Am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. Reading it now.

This is a really fabulous book - well-written, with a novel twist on an amnesia premise and thoroughly engaging characters. It's so good, it's hard to believe this is a debut book. I look forward to many more titles from this author. If you like Jane Feather, I recommend Lisa Manuel.

Setting - St. Abbs, Scotland and Wakefeld, England 1823 --- As Lucas Holbrook, Duke of Wakefield emerged from unconsciousness, several things were not making sense - one of them being why he was smelling sea air in his home at landlocked Longfeld Park. The other thing was why the lovely green-eyed naked `goddess' sharing his bed was berating him for fighting and carousing the night before, and why on earth was she calling him Luke Martin instead of `your grace'. As Lucas became more and more confused, Charity, Luke Martin's wife, began experiencing her worst nightmare. There had always been the chance that the half-dead man her family had fished from the sea would regain memory of his past, but that he could forget her and the idyllic life they'd made, loving and working together in the past year, was horrifying especially now that she was certain that she was carrying his child! She had planned to tell him about the babe, but this just didn't seem to be the time - when he couldn't seem to remember who she was or what they had meant to one another.

Charity realized that Luke, the man she'd loved and married, was much too honorable to ignore his former life and had to return to his family to let them all know he was alive and well, including his fiancé, Helena. Charity had no choice but to let him go back to his world but she couldn't give up completely her hope of seeing him remember the life they'd shared together - the past year of paradise and dreams. She concocted a plan to slip into his realm, emerging as his families' newest and dearest friend and neighbor, Miss Charity Williams. Lucas, would be torn between the two women, one he had loved so well like a sister, and one whose fragrance and body he was beginning to remember so well!

Readers will be impressed and delighted with this outstanding debut novel of an author that I predict is a new star in the making. Her well-developed characters sprang to life in this novel as the author gives us two compassionate, loving and totally honorable protagonists that you simply have to love as they both try to determine the right and honorable path to take over their respective emotional turmoil. She liberally sprinkles in amusing and lovable and some villainous secondary characters, and keeps up the suspense of how and why this landlocked Duke ended up being fished out of the sea. The love story is a joy and you will be entertained and satisfied from beginning to end! I suggest that lovers of this historical romance genre put this author on their `watch' and `buy' lists! --- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

No wonder Lucas can't resist Charity! She's funny, feisty, smart and gorgeous. And what red-blooded woman wouldn't want a man like Lucas? Okay, so the plot's a little outrageous and some of the situations a bit unlikely...but I couldn't wait to see what the characters were going to do next and the outlandish premise just made it all more fun. Lisa's dialogue, both spoken and internal, sparkles. I fell in love with the people in this book and can't wait for the rest of the series.

I had stoped reading Historical Romance and then I found Mostly Married by Lisa Manuel.

Mostly Married engages the way I remmembered a good Romance novel should. I can best compare her poignant writing to that of Judith McNaught.
Iam really looking forward to her next novel!

Highly recommend it.

If the weather outside is frightful, grab a copy of NO PLACE FOR A LADY and curl up near the fireplace for an evening of reading bound to take your mind off the double-digit negative wind chill factor.

Molly Riordan's employer, Lady Elizabeth Summersby is in a bind. Literally, her clothes are getting tight and reason for this will make itself known in about 7 or so months. Seems Lady Elizabeth had a brief lapse of descretion at a masked ball and now must face the prospect of traveling to America to wed her partner in imprudence. She insists on taking Molly with her, a decision Molly rejoices in when she discovers that Lady Elizabeth is to travel to the region Molly's father fled to years earlier in hopes of making his fortune.

Our travelers encounter problems and setbacks, compounded by the fact that upon reaching their destination, they are set upon by murderous bandits. The stagehand, mortally wounded, intentionally misrepresents Molly as Lady Elizabeth and thus begins an adventure to unravel the mystery surrounding the two women.

There are several simultaneous misunderstandings, but the biggest is in regards to Molly's real identity which, when all is revealed, sounded completely plausible to me. In the cast of secondary characters, Lady Elizabeth and Ray Lovejoy are the most enjoyable and the hero's brother, Lance (afflicted with Down Syndrome), is lovingly portrayed.

I closed the book with a good feeling; it was definitely not a waste of time to have read it. It is the first book by this author that I've read, but it won't be the last.

Molly gave up the green isle of Ireland years ago to become a lady's maid when fate intervened in her dreams. In service to a selfish, spoiled woman, Molly endures careless abuse at the hand of her lady. But fate intervenes again when Lady Elizabeth becomes pregnant as the result of a tryst in a carriage with a mysterious man with strikingly green eyes. Now she will forsake the glitter of London to become a rancher's wife in the wilds of Colorado. Molly holds her own dreams of Colorado, the land where her father disappeared many years ago.

The journey is uneventful until the final leg when highwaymen overtake their carriage. The Lovejoy Gang robs them, and murder several witnesses, including the driver who dies in Molly's arms. Lady Elizabeth is kidnapped by Lovejoy to be held for ransom. Molly doesn't know the driver Slim is actually her father, and his well-meaning aid results in great confusion. As she lays wounded nearby, Molly and Lady Elizabeth's identities are reversed. With a concussion and dosed with laudanum, it takes a while to correct the mistake, by which time she's married to Dirk Ballinger, Lady Elizabeth's betrothed.

The high mountains and passes of Colorado are NO PLACE FOR A LADY in Deb Stover's latest achievement. Webs of deception and delightful conundrums result in a passionate romance with marvelous depth. The secondary plots weave a complexity that reflects and strengthens the main plot with powerful characterizations and startling details. Indeed, Stover is a writer of graceful imagination and intense passion, creating masterful work romance lovers will find enchanting. Sexy and irresistible, NO PLACE FOR A LADY comes very highly recommended.

Set out west in the late nineteenth century, Molly Riordan accompanies her employer, Lady Elizabeth Summersby, to meet her husband-to-be, Dirk Ballinger. Lady Elizabeth is eight months pregnant following a tryst in a carriage with a masked man claiming to be Dirk. When Lady Elizabeth's father writes to Dirk about his daughters condition, Dirk offers to marry her to prevent another illegitimate Ballinger from being born. Lady Elizabeth and Molly are not aware that the father of the baby is Dirk's illegitimate half-brother, Ray Lovejoy. The Lovejoy gang ambushes the carriage in which Lady Elizabeth and Molly are traveling. The driver and the other passenger are killed, and Lady Elizabeth is kidnapped. Molly survives but she is unconscious when Dirk arrives at the scene. Mistaking Molly for Lady Elizabeth, Dirk weds her when she is unconscious. After Molly recovers, she and Dirk agree to continue masquerading as husband and wife while searching for the real Lady Elizabeth. The story also follows the dealings of Ray Lovejoy, the housekeeper and her endearing son (who has down's syndrome), an old wrangler on the Ballinger family ranch, and Molly's search for her father.
This is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. What an enjoyable read! The action is not hard to follow and is broken down in a way that all the story lines are resolved together in the end. The number of long-lost relatives is improbable, but provides for a satisfying, though far-fetched, conclusion. 5/5.

With its wonderful characters, interwoven storylines, and sizzling sexual tension, Deb Stover's NO PLACE FOR A LADY is a thoroughly satisfying read.

First off, I have to say this book has one of the nicest romance novel covers I've ever seen. The picturesque setting of a farmhouse in a tranquil valley in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains invites the prospective reader to pick up the book in order to ascertain if what's inside can possibly live up to the beautiful cover. I'm pleased to report it does. In spades.

Molly Riordan has come to America as a maid accompanying Lady Elizabeth Summersby who is with child and has been brought to America to marry the child's father, Dirk Ballinger, in Colorado. Molly also sees this as an opportunity to find her father, Niall Riordan, who had left Ireland for America years previously. The stage carrying Lady Elizabeth and Molly to their destination is held-up by outlaws and when it is found that Lady Elizabeth is to marry Dirk Ballinger, Lady Elizabeth is taken hostage.

Meanwhile Dirk Ballinger comes to the rescue just in time to hear the mortally wounded stage driver say that Molly is Lady Elizabeth. Molly figures he must just be confused. Dirk thinks Molly is the one is confused and believes her to be Lady Elizabeth, the woman who his half-brother, outlaw Ray Lovejoy, got in a compromising position when he was in England masquerading as Dirk. Dirk is ready to do the right thing and marry Lady Elizabeth in Ray's stead to give the child the Ballinger name. Dirk is also convinced that it's Lovejoy and his men who have taken Lady Elizabeth.

After some convincing Molly is eventually able to convince Dirk that she is not Lady Elizabeth. But in order to help him find Ray Lovejoy and his gang, he asks her not to reveal her identity to anyone for the time being and she agrees. He embarks on a journey into the mountains to save Lady Elizabeth and Molly when she hears that he is going towards the town of Serendipity, Molly pleads with him to let her accompanying him as this was the town her father was last known to be. On the trip into the mountains Dirk and Molly cannot deny their attraction for one another even though they know he must marry another.

Ray, it appears is pretty much a reluctant outlaw and readers eventually see his softer, more human side. But no so for "Desperado" an outlaw who accompanied Dirk and his gang in the stage hold-up and who has more sinister motives.

Deb Stover has gifted readers with a fabulous story full of sexual tension, passion, and poignancy. Her secondary characters are as real and fully developed as the main characters and it is wonderful to see several additional romances emerge.

Particularly touching is the romance between Lance, the son of Dirk's housekeeper, and Elena, the daughter of his cook. For Lance, although a bit "slow" is a high-functioning young man afflicted with what we know today to be Down Syndrome. Their relationship is sure to put a smile the face of readers.

At a time when many have heard cries that the western historical romance is dead, Deb Stover has given us a story that certainly proves this is not the case. This is one of the best western historicals I have read in a very long time. I enjoyed everything about this book from the setting to the characters to the love scenes. The plot moves along in such a way revealing secrets just a bit at a time in order to keep the reader turning pages to find out what the characters' reaction is going to be to certain secrets already revealed to the reader.

Put quite simply, this is an outstanding read, one that happened to get this reviewer out of her reading slump. Brava Ms. Stover. Long live the western historical romance!

I just loved everything about this book. it is so unique. i was so into the characters (hero and heroine) that i felt what ever emotioned the felt. this is one of the best books i have ever read. i have re-read it countless number of times.
F. Rossane Bittner is just an amazing author.

Story takes place near the Pine Ridge Rez in S.D. about the time of the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre. Finally a story not about a sassy white virgin that is captured by a lusty Indian Warrior. Instead Ms. Bittner spins a heart wrenching tale about a young settler named Katie whom endured a childhood of abuse from her father and is later forced into a loveless marriage to a man whom mentally and physically abuses her. Katie is someone today's women can relate too.
The answer to her prayers appears the day, Tohave; a handsome half Lakota half Cheyenne warrior, decides to play an intimidating prank on her husband's wagon finding her hidden in the back. Tohave resides in devastation watching helplessly as the government starves his people, rapes their women, as his pals hang themselves to escape the endless torment.
Tohave takes one look at Katie and knows she is an abused wife, despite the fact he should abhorred the white race, he pities her and seeks to take her to his heart. He finds someone to give him a reason to live and she finds a man who can offer true love.
The story is filled with romance, adventure, and heart breaking scenes especially during the recreation of Wounded Knee. This story is very much an original as it takes many surprising turns of events.

This is a beautiful and touching love story. You cannot help but to fall in love with Tihave and feel heartache at Katie's plight. My only complaint is that I wish they could have had more time together in the middle of the story and that she had included epilogue about them. Lawless Love is still my favorite but this one, and Sweet Mountain Magic are close runners up.

Gentle readers might need to keep a box of kleenex handy as this is a real tearjerker.
Young and beautiful Katie journeys west with her much older abusive husband.Tohave an Indian brave meets katie and there mutual attraction grows into forbidden love.He comforts Katie as her husband becomes increasingly brutal to her and the two make plans to run away together.But there is much heartache in store before the two lovers can finally be together.This is a wonderful love story which shows the triumph of the human spirit over hardships how and heartache and how love conquers all.Tohave and Katie's love saw no color or race.This is a must buy for lovers of Indian romance.I re-read this book several times each year.My very old copy is falling apart so I will have to buy it again.

Katie age 19 and Tohave age 27, two forbidden lovers that crossed lines to be together!
By a chance meeting Katie and Tohave fall deeply in love. When Tohave first spots the wagon on "private" property he and his friends decide to scare the whites off. Unfortunately when Tohave sees Katie it changes his entire world. Both are awestruck by each other. Obstacles hinder their love as Katie is married to an old, mean, abusive, cruel man who beats and rapes her at every chance, and Tohave is Indian. Although turmoil flows freely around them, Tohave and Katie are determined to be together. They stand firm against others... his friends and even her pregnancy by her husband. Once they consumate their love they decide to run away together. As the time draws near for Tohave and Katie to run away, the hatred between the white and red men crash into their world. Tohave is shot and presumed dead! Katie devastated by believing her love is dead, decides to stay in her loveless marriage. Katie also suffers a tragedy when her husband dies by cutting off his on foot! A colonel name Will convinces Katie to stay in Nebraska and he falls in love with her. Katie doesn't return his feelings. When war breaks out against the white and red men, Tohave is found to be alive! Katie gets word of this and goes to him. When they meet they realize that even through a year of separation their love is still as strong! Finally the star-crossed lovers are happy... together!
This is my favorite book! I've read it so many times and never have become tired of it. I cry each time I read the ending. This book is a keeper!

An absolutely fascinating book detailing all that happened in front of and behind the CBS cameras of the ill-fated Judy Garland Show. Also, every episode of the show is examined in detail, and the author takes a straight-down-the-middle approach to the book's subject matter.

The Judy Garland Show consisted of twenty-six shows that aired in the CBS Sunday night line up in the 1963-1964 season. The network considered it an immediate and expensive failure and the series was canceled as soon as contractual obligation allowed. Isolated exceptions aside, the series was neither syndicated nor re-run and, with the exception of various "art" screenings it seemed to vanish completely.

Nonetheless, The Judy Garland remains one of the single most discussed and written-about series in broadcast history. Garland biographies aside, it is inevitably touched upon--and often focused upon--in histories of broadcast television, where it is usually held up as an example of how even the greatest talents, biggest budgets, and best intentions can be exploded by mismanagement, network politics, and in some instances pure spite.

Two major publications have focused on the series. The first was the 1970 OVER THE RAINBOW WITH JUDY GARLAND ON THE DAWN PATROL by Mel Torme, the respected singer-songwriter-composer, who contracted to write and arrange special musical material and make three guest appearances during the first season. Torme places blame for the series' failure squarely upon the shoulders of Garland herself, painting a frightening portrait of a greatly talented but extremely unstable and often vicious star self-destructing through booze and pills and determined to drag all those around her down with her. Although denounced as grossly inaccurate by many associated with the series, it was for many years generally accepted as authoritative.

The second was 1990's RAINBOW'S END by Coyne Steven Sanders. Amassed from meticulous research and seventy-five interviews with individuals directly involved in the series, it explodes DAWN PATROL with the force of an atomic bomb. Sanders freely acknowledges that Garland was a tempestuous individual with profound chemical dependencies--but his interview subjects note that, far from being difficult, she actually withstood a great deal more unpleasantness from others than she actually caused herself.

What ultimately emerges is a story of Garland's mismanagement, first at the hands of agents Begelman and Fields, then at the hands of such employees as Mel Torme, but ultimately and most destructively at the hands of CBS executives James Aubrey and Hunt Stromberg--each with their own self-serving agendas and all determined to drain The Judy Garland Show to further them. It is also a story of great talents and opportunities simply thrown away.

With the advent of DVD, The Judy Garland Show at last began to reach a wide audience, and the actual product bears out Sanders' contentions. At its best, it was extraordinary, offering not only Garland very near the peak of her vocal talents, but a host of great performers that read like a Who's Who of 1960s show business--June Allyson, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Bobbin Darrin, Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Peggy Lee, Jane Powell, and Barbra Streisand, to name but the most obvious, most of whom Sanders interviews to great effect. But the program was "fiddled to death" by constant CBS reformatting, too often saddled with inept writing and insipid guest stars booked on studio demand, and ultimately unable to establish any consistent formula acceptable to both Garland and CBS.

According to Sanders, Garland did indeed spiral out of control toward the end of the series--but given the madhouse into which she was thrown it is amazing that she did not run screaming down the street at the very beginning. And, as Sanders so astutely points out, she has had the last laugh after all. Few series television programs of the early 1960s, including those that bested The Judy Garland show in ratings, have survived in the public memory. But The Judy Garland Show, for all its flaws and faults, seems to become more greatly respected with each passing year.

After reading Sander's meticulously documented assessment of The Judy Garland Show, you'll never again look at broadcast television with quite the same eye. Very strongly recommended, not only for Garland fans, but for any one with an interest in the medium.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Over the years I have read every book about JUDY and excluding the 'book' written by Mel Torme' many have been decent. But, not until this book has the talent, the class, the POWER that was JUDY GARLAND been properly conveyed!The book is informative about what went on in front of and behind the scenes of THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW. But also, it shows how at certain points JUDY wanted certain things done a certain way for a specific reason!!! Case in point, her singing 'THE BATTLE HYMM OF THE REPUBLIC'. She knew why it had to be done, she knew how it had to be done, and she knew that it had to be done!!!! AND SHE DID IT!!!! And what 'we' see on video during that performance is what JUDY was, is, and always will be!!! A performer who should have been left to do what she did-SING!And reading this book, you'll see why she is what she is, and how she got what will always be hers! LEGEND!!!!

This book, which accompanies the box set (Vol 1) of Judy's TV series, is an invaluable resource for any serious Judy Garland fan. The writing is clear and concise, the approach is objective (but with great empathy for Judy), and the research conducted by the author is impressive. Until this book was written, the only documented history of this landmark TV show was the book written by Mel Torme, which was mean-spirited and by no means a balanced account of what really went on. Congratulations and much gratitude to Mr. Sanders for a very memorable read.

Coyne Steven Sanders is, undeniably, _under_ the rainbow with this treatment of Ms. Judy Garland. In a good sense. First, one must respond to the treatment here of Micky Rooney, without whom we would still probably be responding to Ms. Garland in the same way. In the birth of the cliche, there is a moment when the idea itself is not a cliche but is instead an archetype. In this way cliches are to be honored as original ideas so fitting to such a large number of {events} that they become, through no fault of their own, a cliche. Sadly, this treatment of Micky Rooney in relation to Ms. Garland does not recognize the fact that Mr.Rooney was a cliche _from the beginning_. He personified the cliche by occupying one from the moment he embarked on his character--the same wide-eyed, over-eager, lifelessly hyperbolic grating dunce he dusted off every time the cameras were stupid enough to have him within their frame. If only Steven Sanders would have bitten into this none-too-tender tendril of the gas that was Micky Rooney! Instead, it is waived away like a bad odor that the reader imagined should have dissipated 5 minutes earlier. By failing to contextualize Ms. Garland within this necessary border, Coyne Steven Sanders renders a full quarter of this book into a wide pie of plums and pits; into a full line of outergarments best suited for intemperate climes. Three cheers for Coyne! Because, after all, this author is able to, in this book, show us why we should all, as I do, love Judy Garland with each breath we take. I love her. Yes. I love this book, and I love Judy Garland.

When i read the first book i felt like i realy new abby and zeke it was a great love story.

It's been a long time since I have read a book like this, I put down my reading materials for awhile so glad I renewed my reading by picking up this book. Abbie had a lot of sad happenings in her life, I wish the book dealt more of what happen with her sister but yet glad it did not in away for I don't think I could of read how she was put to death by those evil men. Zeke was very spell bound, a truly love story the more I read about Indian love stories how I wish I could of been there The Indian's are truly from the heaven and the earth may their spirit's live on forever how I wish the white man would of accepted them we would of learn from them alot. A must to read for all.

I read this book years ago and fell in love with it. Abby and Zeke are two characters I will never forget. Their trials and love are brought out in this book wonderfully. Abby goes through some very hard times and you can just feel Zeke being pulled towards her even though he doesn't want to. When I finished all seven I felt like I was losing a good friend so I just started over again!! :)You will laugh and then cry and then laugh again. The series has a special place on my bookshelf where it will always stay. Thanks Ms. Bittner for a very special series.

This book absolutely consumed me from front to back. Unfortunately, it being just the 1st in a series, I am going crazy waiting for the second one to arrive, and knowing I will have to read the whole series, I dread knowing there will be a last one. I can not stop thinking about Abbey and Zeke since I finished this book. I just don't want to believe they don't really exist. What a great book!!

Wow!
I bought Sweet Prairie Passion 6 years ago and it's still one of my all time favorites. The entire Savage Destiny series is a classic. The story of Zeke and Abby will never grow old. If you
haven't read the entire Savage Destiny series, be sure that you do so because you wont want to miss out this great series!

With this second book (after "Somebody wonderful"), Rothwell managed again to provide a outstanding romance book. In this love story between the stern powerful Griffin (Tamina's brother) and the proud energetic Araminta, is nothing conventual. Not the historic background (NY at end of the 19. century) and not the looks of the protagonists.
Araminta is a mulatto kitchen chef and Griffin's description reminded me of a young Robert Redford (never thought I could find a moustache that nice). ;)
This book has drama, romance and wit.
I can't wait with what Rothwell will come up next!

Liked it alot. Can't wait to read Kate Rothwells debut novel Somebody Wonderful. Couldn't put it down even tho I had to go to work. I liked it in all respects. Definitely kept my interest with strong, likeable characters, and plenty of sexual tension to go along with it.( I didn't skim over those parts...ya know after reading So many romance novels... those parts get kinda old..) And to think I had this book sitting around collecting dust ,hesitant to try it ,even tho it got glowing reviews like her first book. Glad I picked it up. Read it, savor it. You will not be disappointed!

This second novel by Kate Rothwell carries on with two characters she introduces in her debut "Somebody Wonderful." These protaganists face darker and more troubling issues. The novel succeeds in that we care about them, and their connection seems real. I miss the humor that enlivened the first novel, but found this story equally compelling. Highly Recommended!

A guest review by Danielle Hill

Heroine: voluptuous

British ex-patriate Araminta Woodhall is working as a chef in the gambling establishment of Linder Kane, a man whose shady business is best overlooked, until she becomes aware of his abuse of her young, vulnerable friend and his mistress, Olivia. Araminta has a soft heart for the less fortunate because of her gentle mother and cannot ignore the plight of a person in need, especially the young woman who so reminds her of her mother. The situation is escalating rapidly, and Araminta fears for her friend's safety. She finds an unlikely ally in Griffin Calverson, the brother of her friend and former employee, Timona (the heroine of Rothwell's previous novel Somebody Wonderful). She is not exactly eager to seek out the help of the cold as ice, but devastatingly attractive businessman with a reputation of being dangerous to those who cross him. But she knows that she needs to fight fire with fire. Although Kane is a long-time enemy of him and his business associates, Griffin is motivated to help the fiery and voluptuous chef for more personal reasons. He figures the closer he gets to her, the easier it will be to seduce her into his bed, where he can exorcise himself of his obsession with her. What starts as a light flirtation as they join forces to help the young woman who is hiding secrets about her past, becomes a struggle not to fall in love. Love between a chef of mixed race and an aristocratic businessman is not a good idea, but it blossoms as they spend more and more time together. But if they want to spend their lives together, they have to conquer their lifelong fears about giving into their love for each other.

What worked for me:

I enjoyed this book because I love stories with an interracial spin. I also liked the feisty heroine who takes charge of her life despite all the obstacles that she has faced. I enjoyed her tendency to be a mother hen, and the fact that she has not become bitter despite the prejudice that she has faced. The descriptions of the food that she prepares are vivid and mouthwatering, giving a believability to her being a chef. The hero is also very charming and has a vitality that leaps off the page at the reader. He comes off as being a man of contrasts: born upper-class and very polite, but with an inner fire and dangerous edge that is very appealing. From the beginning the reader than see that Araminta is very special to Griffin although he started out wanting her to be his mistress. He always showed respect and caring for her, and embraced her racial heritage instead of looking down at it. There is also an interesting supporting cast of characters that add to the vividness of the story, including a rough-edged bodyguard who is smitten with Araminta.

Size-wise Araminta was described by Griffith as having "the voluptuous hourglass figure of a Bowery actress".

What didn't work for me:

I felt that the suspense thread could have been a little more compelling. It seemed very thin although it did lend credibility to the reappearance of the main characters in each others' lives. It may have been intentional but I found Olivia annoying and somewhat prejudiced in her attitude towards Araminta, who was going out of her way to befriend and help her.

Overall:

It was an enjoyable read with interesting characters who won me over. I especially liked Araminta for her feisty, passionate, and caring nature. Griffin was very appealing and sexy, and I enjoyed watching him fall desperately in love with Araminta despite his efforts to the contrary. I enjoyed the cross-cultural romantic aspects as well. I would give it an A-.

Warning: Issues of racism are touched on in a very light but realistic manner. I found this to be refreshingly honest. The author dealt with the heroine's mixed race and showed the obstacles that she faced in a way that made you only admire her more. There is some very mild violence. The sensuality level is pretty light but enjoyable.


If you liked "Somebody to Love" you might also enjoy "Slightly Wicked", "Only in my Dreams", "Miss Carlyle's Curricle", "Into Temptation", "Suddenly You", "The Accidental Bride", "The Bride and the Beast", "The Fire-Flower", "The Last Days of a Rake", "Cat and the Countess", "The Courtship", or "Enchanting Pleasures".

Kate Rothwell's "Somebody to Love" follows the exploits of the Calverson family, this time centering on Timona Calverson's worldly and successful brother, Griffin, and her best friend - Araminta.

Araminta Woodhall, the Calverson's family cook, left to work with Linder Kane, a wealthy, albeit cruel man who keeps his mistress, Olivia, captive in his house, one he repeatedly beats into submission. Araminta realizes Kane's treacherous side all too soon, yet stays for two reasons: one is to save enough money to open her own restaurant; the second is her desire to help Olivia escape Kane. If she can only convince Olivia to leave...

Griffin Calverson has his reasons for being isolated. He has no mother. His father hunts dinosaur bones and has no interest in overseeing the family wealth. It was up to Griffin to keep a watchful eye over his younger sister until she married. A man of many worldly successes, Griffin learns that Linder Kane, a deceitful man, might be trying to steal his company.

Since the two of them have not met, Griffin visits Kane's home, presumably to dine and gamble, but secretly to learn what he can about his ruthless business opponent. The rumor that Araminta had become Griffin's cook becomes truth when Kane insists his cook make an appearance to accept the crowd's compliments.

Griffin, who can't afford to have her reveal his identity, seeks her out. When he confronts her, Araminta recalls the growing attraction she had for the handsome brother of her best friend when she worked for the Calversons. And although Griffin was also attracted to Araminta, he knows society would frown upon his marriage to a woman of color and develops his own agenda - that of wooing the sultry beauty into becoming his mistress.

Araminta, a strong willed, independent woman, will do whatever it takes to help the people she loves. Her desire to aide her helpless friend, Olivia, forces Araminta to seek Griffin's help. Despite her growing attraction to Griffin over the course of several meetings, she refuses to become his mistress. She wants marriage, though she too realizes the impossibility of achieving that goal with Griffin.

Deceit and danger from Griffin's competitor, Kane, quickly ensnares the young couple. When Griffin is attacked by Kane's henchmen and recovers at Araminta's home, he learns the truth of her parentage, the obstacles she has overcome, and begins to realize how much she means to him, especially when one of Griffin's friends, a police detective, proposes marriage to Araminta.

Will Araminta and Olivia escape Kane's clutches? Will Kane destroy Griffin and his empire? Most important, will Araminta sacrifice her long-standing principles to remain by Griffin's side, reach her goal of owning a restaurant, or settle for marriage to a policeman?

"Somebody to Love" is a well-written novel of two people who share a common enemy. The plot is swift-paced, the characters fully-developed with individual challenges and goals that slowly merge to a thrilling ending. Kate Rothwell's "Somebody to Love" is precisely that - a wonderful tale of love, pride and greed.

Linda Morelli
Award-winning author of FIERY SURRENDER and SHADOW OF DOUBT

I enjoyed this book TREMENDOUSLY. I was sorry to see it end. I liked the main characters and the entire supporting cast, which brings me to the question I posed in the title of my review: Did Maggie and Michaela have stories written about them before this book was written. The characters are so well developed and their stories seem so well established, I can't help feeling they might have been told in an earlier book. If so, I want to find them and read them.

Highly recommend this book and all others past and present written by Judith A. Lansdowne. She is very imaginative. Not only does she write romance but also adds intrigue, mystery and comedy.Her characters seem to come alive.Please do read her books and you will see what I mean.

I have enjoyed all of Judith Lansdowne's books and novellas, but "Balmorrow's Bride" was the best of all. It is very refreshing to read a story where the characters (especally the hero and heroine) actually like each other. The only thing that would make it better is another 100 pages or so--I didn't want it to end!

Once I started reading Balmorrow's Bride, I could not put the book down. It carries you along the story line so well that I could not wait to turn the page to see what would happen to the hero next. I really enjoyed the love story as it developes between the two main characters. The tenderness and humor was outstanding. I found myself laughing out loud when the author had the characters laughing. Yes, I received a few strange looks at the pool. The supporting characters were great, too. This book should be a series so you could find out more about them. I highly recommend this book.

This is *by far* the best Regency I have read in a very long time. The characters are well drawn, there is laughter and love, intrigue and adventure. My only wish is for more Regencies like this one!