Attractions Books

I bought this book after attending a great speech given by the author. I have always been interested in understanding differences between men and women in terms of dating and relationships. The author provided insights from the evolutionary psychological point of views. I particularly enjoyed to read sections containing related examples observed in animals and results from various studies. It was my first time to read such a book. It was refreshing but I think it was lengthier than necessary.

Stress in children will cause them to be promicoiuse. Sexually abused children age 9-14 have an (p.217) Amagdalya that is 10-30% under developed. This leads to PTSD not a evolutionary development. How would one fake knidness and being rich? Women are moodly because of PMS, not always a test? 3 Stars because it got me thinking.

Great proposal on Evolutionary Psychology of reproductive behavior. After a cross-cultural study, David M. Buss brings us a pleasant reading of this subject, with good, helpful examples! Find out how we "think" about a partner and what they "think" about us!

If you already have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject of evolutionary psychology, this book won't open any new doors or tackle any new interesting questions. It was written about a decade ago, and lags a little bit behind the times. However, there are a couple of interesting facts and perspectives here that you won't find in other books, so it may be worth adding to your collection for a 'used' price.

Yet another piece of faulty popular science. Although the author conducted a survey of amazingly great scope, he at times seems to even deliberaty ignore or contradict his own results. His only interest seems to be to pseudo-scientifically back up gross stereotypes of men and women. Don't waste your time or money!

I picked this book by chance and had no idea what I stumbled on.
It is my first Emma Holly book and my first erotica book for that matter. I will certainly go for more. I have to say that I was stunned by how erotic and extremely well written the sex scenes are.

First let me say that if you are not into graphic sex, sex toys, multiple sexual partners, male-on-male sex and bisexuality then read something else. I was shocked to find out that I really enjoyed all of the above. She has a real knack for describing the male on male scenes that makes them very hot and in no way putting off. In fact she made me not want to read another book that would not have bisexual male on male sex and I am a straight female!

I have to agree with other reviewers that the way to get Charity to the mansion was a half baked plot point but at the same time this allowed the story to move quickly to the interesting part.
The premise of having the 2 heroes, B.G. and Eric, run these erotic dom/sub games was interesting even though the setting is pure fantasy and highly unlikely in the real world. The concept of denied gratification made the scenes more believable and more sensual. I am not sure why she did not run with this concept and make it into a series instead of ending it the way it did.

I have to admit that I found the love story between B.G. and Eric more interesting and real than with Charity. Even though it was very clear that B.G. and Eric love each other, the author kept confusing me by trying to change the dynamics between the two into mere friendship. At the end I was not convinced that Eric can actually give up B.G. if asked to or that B.G. can tolerate that.

In terms of the sex scenes, in my opinion, the best were the ones with B.G. and Eric together. The one with Eric, Charity and the chauffer was very erotic. As well as the one with Eric and Charity that involved the sex toys, I actually learned a few things in that one!
I was less fond of the rest of the scenes with Eric and Charity, even the one with her in bondage was not that hot.
I have to say though that what I found odd with this books is that as the story kept moving along and the more feelings were involved the more prudish the sex became. As a result I found the meager few ménage a trois scenes prudish with maybe the exception of the one where they overpower B.G. for the first time. Simply put there was a lot of potential for these scenes that was lost. I did not understand why the men were not allowed to carry on together more or why was the sex with Charity of the typical type. There was a lot of potential to these scenes that even the author hints at repeatedly but never actually delivers on those fantasies or promises.

All in all, the book is quite erotic and the premise is intriguing although I wish that the sexual games continued and the love plot with Charity was not there.

This is my second Emma Holly book. I liked it, a lot. Other reviewers have mentioned the lack of plot and that's true, but it's still a good read. The thing is,I didn't really care one way or the other about the female character. The love stories involving her were shallow at best. The two male characters, however, had a really sweet love story. That one I believed with no problem and I really liked them both. Bottom line, the book is worth buying and reading. I might not re-read it, but I did enjoy it.

Most of the previous reviewers have gone into aspects of the plot and I won't retread what has already been well stated. One thing that has to be brought up is that Emma Holly can write characters. People have traumas; they make mistakes and those mistakes mark their future actions and interaction with people. What Emma doesn't write is moping.

Charity's made a lot of mistakes in her life, but when she accepts Eric's offer and goes to B.G.'s manor, she charms her way into becoming more than another guest. Her sense of humor and no-nonsense approach make her irresistible to a pair of men who've, by no coincidence, isolated themselves from the world. She is inspired by Eric and B.G. to look beyond those mistakes in the past and see herself as the intelligent, perspicacious woman both feel Charity wants and needs to become. She however, invokes a change in the lives of the men by bringing some much needed humor, kindness and warmth into their everyday existence.

It's wonderful to see the threesome falling for each other and even better to see a woman having fun with her sexuality, learning that smart girls can overcome bad beginnings and that there is a place for quantum physics in an adult story with plenty of steam. Charity/Eric/B.G. will heat up your libido and make you want to read more about paradoxical thought experiment known as Schrodinger's cat.

I don't even know where to start...I'll just say this. I had never read this kind of book and what a great way to start. I was surprised by how erotic the writing was! Even the um...guy/guy stuff was really, really hot! (and I never thought I'd enjoy that part of it) Written more like a porno movie than romance novel but still a fun read!

I love the fact that Emma Holly always comes up with something fresh and she's not afraid to tread new territory in an entertaining way. A sexy, sexy book involving m/f, m/m, and menage. The premise is somewhat slight but not annoyingly so, and the relationships are believable and so is the sex. Enjoyed it and will read it again.

If you like this one, I also highly recommend her book, Menage.

Started out interesting, an alien prince. Check. Then the prince meets a human. Check. When the ship arrives with the elders, that's when it really lost interest for me. So, I skipped ahead, hoping it would regain my interest. But to no avail. The story lacked enough depth to carry it through, unless you're looking for a very superficial story.
Sunny, Kresley Cole are a lot better than this book..

Ms. Knight is a fantastic author. The words she uses to spin her tale are amazing. I was swept up not only in the romance between Jared and Kelsey. I also found the culture of the Refarians fascinating. I am sure there is so much more to learn and I cannot wait! The intricate details were planned and I was blown away by how well she created the alien world. Having it take place in our backyard just makes it come alive.

Jared is a man full of duty and honor to his people. That was so refreshing. He also knew that he could not commit to someone he did not care for romantically. Scott Dillon, his best friend, did not understand that at all. But he had to get over it to support Jared's decision. Kelsey had so much heartache but knew someone was out there for her. Her friends thought she was silly but she knew it in her heart. That was all that mattered to her. I really felt for Thea since she had this ideal in her mind since she was a child. All the people truly loved Jared and I believed that he deserved their admiration.

This is a series that truly delights from the start. I love Science Fiction and if all aliens look like Jared. They truly sizzle. Yet the people do want to protect Earth and win their world back from their enemy. I was pulled in from the beginning. The emotions are real and the difficulties ahead for Jared and Kelsey are not easy for them to face. I just hope they continue to do well.

I would have liked to known just a little bit more about the Refarian world. But I think that will happen with each book read.

This kept me glued. Great characterizations, twists of plots, unique universe. Couldn't wait to get the next in the series. Combines the best of sci fi and romance. Alien characterization totally unique.

Even if you've never read o series before or never plan to, you must read this one because Deidra has really wrote romance for the future. I predict many awards going her way.

I'm glad I got this book from the library and didn't spend any money buying it, because this book was awfull, I can't beleive anyone really liked it. I'm a huge fan of sci-fi & paranormal romance books, but this story sucked, I did'nt like any of the people in the book and the romance was lame.

Lots off filler, but some decent info. Certainly not at the top of the list for these books. Secrets of the A Game by Logan Edwards was a much better read and far more instructive... no filler!

If you are a man, live on the planet Earth, and have any interest in dating women or catching the woman of your dreams, you had better read this book. There is a huge number of books, programs, DVD's and seminars on the subject, but they don't hold a candle to this book in terms of clearly described info, immediately useful info and researched-based information. And, it's an easy and quick read. No fluf or boring academic details; just enough academic background on each point she makes to convince you. And besides the author being a highly knowledgeable and experienced authority, she's a woman!

Read Mystery. Read Strauss. Don't read this. There are a bunch of photos of woman with come hither looks(all looking like 80s disco queens), one of which has the women showing thigh. Lowndes helpfully tells us that these looks mean a women is interested and men need to pick up on the looks. No fooling. (Although I have not been blessed by one of the looks. Guess I am toast.) One photo shows a nerdy looking guy being touched by three women and Lowndes says that women touch men they desire. She forgets to say though that many women just touch you to stress a point they are making.(Sure if they play with your hair, that's another thing.) This is dangerous advice. She has tiresome chapters on genetics and early imprinting(she tells the story of a pal of hers who falls for a guy who looked like the pal's dad). She also says us that women are always judging men so be careful what you say and how you say it. How exhausting.

Worth it even if only for 1 thought.
"I'm not looking at who I pick, it's who picks me."
Everything else was good, if somewhat repetitive.
The pictures show some points better than pages of descriptive text.

While the writing style of this book is no better than her other book "How To Talk To Anyone..", the information is. If you follow Mystery's or any other PUG really you will most likely only hear about 3 or 4 IOIs through body language. This book actually discusses and shows pictures of 26 and even sites the information present very well (a well know sociologist sat in a bar for 9,000 and studied this). It brings to light a much more rich, colorful, and complicated set of body language actions to watch for that will give you a much better understand of what she is actually trying to tell you.

The bad points. 1) The name is less than creative. 2) The cover makes the book appear sleazy and diminishes it's credibility. 3) She uses bad metaphors like a machine gun with the trigger taped down. If you took out the metaphors I am pretty sure the book would be a quarter less in length. 4) Her attempts at humor fall short. 5) Her "Men's Voice" sounds like Stallone's retarded cousin.

If you can get past the issues above the book is a great resource. The good points. 1) The information in the book is plentiful, sound, and backed up with sources. 2) She references a lot of sources that would be good for a future reading. Honestly, the list of sources alone is worth the cost of the book.

I have really enjoyed reading the Raintree series. I loved the first one by Linda Howard. This one is also really good! I liked the hero and heroine. Their chemistry was good. I would have liked to have seen the hero use his powers more. The reason I didn't give it a 5 is that I didn't like the villian and I didn't like the violent parts. It was not exactly graphic, but things were alluded to that I didn't particularly like. It was overkill, in my opinion. I felt like it was a good transition book for the third one. You definitely need to read them in order.

This is the second part of the Raintree family series. Gideon, younger brother to Dante is a cop with the ability to see and hear ghosts as well as control electrical fields.

Gideon is called upon to investigate the murder of his cousin's roommate and is saddled with a new partner, Hope Mallory. Hope is determined to learn something from Gideon's stellar record and prove to the big boys that a woman can do just as well or better.

Gideon tries to scare her away from him and off the case but both parties are too stubborn to give in. When it turns out that the intended target of the murder investigation was actually Gideon's cousin herself and that he was next in line to be murdered the partners step up to the plate to get it solved. Hope herself becomes a target as well since the murderess sees both what a distraction she is to Gideon and also how her death would harm him. The murderer is running out of time though since she must complete her family's dark plan before the Solstice.

Some other stuff happens and Gideon and Hope "find each other" and keep each other safe but the story is not quite completed. Hopefully the third book will tie it all in together. So far this has not been a great series despite my feelings about the individual authors. I guess I'll see how the third pans out.

This is the second book in the Raintree triology that was written by three women who were able to work so well together so well that this fascinating tale goes very smoothly and is a must read for good light reading. The combination of romace, phychic powers and charactors will keep you interested from page one right up until you finish the very last word.

This is the worst Linda Howard book I have read. SPOILER-In the first third of the book, the woman is mind raped, mind controlled-she couldn't speak or move, kidnapped, and her clothes are ripped off-by Dante. Ms. Howard spends the next part of the book having Dante justify what he did-although 'he would do it again'. I'm glad I have read other Linda Howard books. If this was my first, it would have definitely been my last.

This book was very good. It had great pacing and was quite good at holding my interest (which is not always easy). Although it is not the first in the series, it makes you want to get the trilogy.

This book has some decent information in it, but it is hidden within prose that insults my intelligence.

The book is an easy read. There is very little information that you will not already know but this particular diet book is funny. One thing that I found useless was the foul language and constant references to bringing home some strange guy! What does that have to do with being a hot chick? Anyway, I have a renewed appreciation for spinach (read the book) and am enjoying eating like a hot chick everyday!

This is a great book that has showed me how to eat bad and still look good. Any girl who is struggling to lose the weight or keep it off should read this book. I also liked Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World.

How To Eat Like a Hot Chick!

While perusing the aisles of the Beverly Hills library, I came across this most fabulous book!
"How to Eat Like a Hot Chick," was written by a NY publishing maven and a Los Angeles actress. Now, before stereotypes of this or that come crashing into your head like the memory of last night's Mud Slide you had before sinking into a puddle beneath somebody's coffee table, hear me out.

This book is written with savvy, know-how, common sense, and above all -- accessibility! They even cuss, which shows you - this ain't your Momma's diet book!

It gives tips, recipes and scenarios that make any 'hot chick' feel she can conquer those brow-squishing first dates; office parties; slumber parties; and live-in sichiations with men or women.

Plus, their recipes are simple, because, if you're like me, then you sort of feel put off by a book brimming over with 1/4 cup this, .8 teaspoon of baking soda that.

So, give it a shot. If you've found yourself yo-yo dieting or plagued by negative thinking, perhaps this book will be a pocket assistant along your journey to a slimmer, healthier, more fantastic YOU!*

It also promotes healthful relationships with women. Now, you can't beat that!

Yours, yours, yours,

Darrah de jour xo

*None of these statements have been approved by the FDA. Therefore, you should trust them implicitly.

...to know that this is a waste of time and money. If you want someone's opinion about what SHE does to stay slim (I get asked this ALL the time since I'm 5'10" and 130 pounds...as if there's some magic secret that has not yet been discovered), then you'd be just as well off to start asking friends, neighbors, colleagues and strangers what they like to eat. The "advice" will be just as valuable as anything you're going to find in this book.

The first red flag about their cluelessness was at the beginning of the sample text selection, wherein the authors stated "...it's okay to eat something retarded in the morning." Helllooo?? I can only imagine what parents, friends, and family of developmentally challlenged individuals think when they see that.

But I continued reading, nonetheless, to see what guidance and pearls of dietary wisdom they might impart. Basically, they're just chatting about what they--with no apparent special knowledge, qualifcations or nutritional training--do, and give basic advice that you'd find in any free magazine or newspaper column (avoid artificial, empty-calorie foods, etc. etc.).

I can give more effective advice, for free, in one sentence: go vegan, try to limit your food to organic as much as possible, limit calories to 1000/day, take high-quality supplements, and exercise regularly.

This is the third book in the series. Joanne Walker (Siobhan Walkingstick) is getting much less whiney about and more accepting of her capabilities. A good thing. There is a little too much of the formula "reaching down deep for something she never knew she had" but the author is moving beyond that. C.E. Murphy is growing as an author as her character grows as a person. A very good read for fellow "Walker Papers" lovers.

Once again, Murphy delivers an engaging tale about urban shaman, Joanna Walker. I finished it in two days.

I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I really enjoyed all of CE Murphy's books.

I was so excited when this book came out! Urban Shaman wet my thirst and geared me up for the long haul, but Thunderbird Falls was a bit of a let down. Coyote Dreams started out great and kept me reading. It definitely made up for any dislike I had for book two. This book dug so much deeper in to the characters we've all come to love or hate - I no longer wanted to reach in to the pages and shake some sense (or nonsense) in to Joanne! I gobbled up this book and couldn't wait for the next!

...but the series ended there.

Fellow readers may agree that the series didn't feel "complete." I, for one, have unanswered questions. Great read, but if you're expecting more to come then prepare yourself for disappointment. Oh well, that's what the imagination is for.

This book was BORING, I made it almost half way & gave up. The best thing about this book was the book cover, which was excellent.

Love the story. After reading Jane Austen's books several times, I was ready for another period story. This story fulfilled the need. This is the first of the deWareen Dynasty series that I read. Since reading this book, I've purchased and read 3 more of Ms. Joyce's novels--The Masquerade, The Stolen Bride, and A Lady at Last. All quite enjoyable thus far. Today I just ordered the rest of the deWareen Dynasty books.

The story grabbed my attention from the very beginning, BJoyce has done it again, it was lovely to see well developed characters. This is certainly a keeper. Please give us more of this type of reads. I always admired your style of writing and this is certainly one of your best. Thanks for keeping us well read and entertained.

This is one of the loveliest romances I've read in a long time. For once, the hero and heroine actually fall in love with one another, rather than just fall in lust, declare love, and get hitched. This is a love story. So refreshing!

The heroine, Blanche, is marvelously drawn. She is sweet, generous, mature, and truly lovely. She doesn't stamp and pout like other heroines, she isn't mean and cruel to her hero to keep the tension going, she isn't silly, she isn't stupid. She's a fantastic character.

Sir Rex is also extraordinary, to me. He truly is the tortured hero, brooding and dark, but unlike other "tortured" heroes he does not sulk or do inexcusable things and then blame them on past traumas. He is honorable and respectful and intriguing, kind and thoughtful, and very, very passionate.

I think what I like so much about this book is that the main characters are ADULTS, who act in a mature manner. And they truly respect one another, as well, and treat one another with kindness and courtesy. There's one plot point in the book where Blanche does hurt Sir Rex, but she doesn't do it out of selfishness or cruelty.

There are some problems with the book: historical inaccuracies, and there's an Other Woman of sorts in the book, which seems weird and out of place in this novel, to me. Typos also clutter up the pages. There are a few words and phrases that get repeated a little too often (people "breathe," "startle," and "cry" a lot in this novel, while "wide-eyed," and so forth) but it doesn't hurt the book for me.

But I do love this novel. Rex and Blanche are so good together, love each other so much, and are so good to one another. The plot is actually very melodramatic, dealing with hidden sons, murdered mothers, scheming maids, insanity, and combined with the bleak Cornish backdrop, it's very Gothic. It's a testament to Brenda Joyce's writing that I love every melodramatic aspect of it, and it doesn't actually feel melodramatic at all.

Wonderful novel!

The Perfect Bride's first encounter between the hero and heroine is so entertaining. Lady Blanche who (to quote Mary Poppins) is practically perfect in every way, literally stumbles into a room and sees Rex de Warenne engaged rather intimately with his housekeeper. Her sensibilities are astounded yet also piqued.

Lady Blanche is the perfect London hostess. She is totally devoid of real emotion. This was somewhat hard to believe because she seemed loyal to her friends back in London and was compassionate to others too. She suffered a trauma as a child and her coping mechanism is too feel no great emotions of love, passion, hatred and rage. Surprisingly this did not make her all together bland because she instantly feels emotional connections with Sir Rex.

Rex is absolutely brimming with emotion. He is a war hero but suffers from its trauma. He is reclusive and described by the ton as boorish. So it is with great surprise that Lady Blanche has come to his estate. She is there only because she has been duped by her well meaning friends into believing she has property interests in the area.

As Blanche develops feelings for Rex she also begins to suffer memories of her childhood trauma. Believing she is going mad she feels she has no one to turn to. She acts irrationally once or twice but fortunately, comes to her senses rather fast. Rex is loyal and kind hearted. It was easy to see why Blanch loved him.

There are some inconsistencies in this romance. For instance, Lady Blanche is totally unchaperoned at the estate. During Regency England, this would have forced an immediate marriage. However, I got past this because I genuinely liked the characters. This story is not as good as some of the other De Warenne novels but it has a certain charm. Blanche's awakening to love and passion is slow moving but believable. And Rex's determination to protect her from her memories and the horde of suitors for her hand is heart warming.

I could not get into the story from the first page, when the author states that a merchant's daughter was totally accepted by the ton due to the fact that the viscountancy was granted so long ago that everyone had forgotton. If her father died at 62, it must have been granted about 20 years before unless he made a fortune in manufacturing as a teen. Daughter of a viscount is not "Lady Harrington" (title only of a married woman) or even "Lady Blanche", have to be a daughter of at least an Earl. Also manufacturing fortunes were not made that early, much better to have her father been an East Indian Nabob.

Book would have been better set seven years after Crimea when some of the actions, woman staying unchaperoned at a unmarried non related male's house for over two weeks, for example, was not even commented on by the neighbors or anyone else. Most regency's would have her considered ruined after 1 night in such a situation.

Then having the hero when asked what he was drinking at his club, to ask for a Cabernet!!!!!. That is an American name for wine, never used in the 19th century.

Also being knighted for war service maybe, but a grant of property for service in the Napoleonic wars? No way. And what was the second son of a loving and rich earl doing being poor. Something would have been settled on him, most likely a minor property.

Plot was ok and characters interesting, but a real lack of conflict or villans made the book suffer.

Always Talk To Strangers is an excellend dating advice book which has great long term value. The 18 pages flows with valuable street smart insight on how to attract a mate.

A big part of David Wygant's approach is image. What may seem superficial in a first glnce, is relly quite sensible and important. One can vary a style a little bit but truthfully its always good to have at least one or two good suits even in todays business causal world. The mix and match apporach is very sensible. Same with a good pair of jeans.

Another good chapter is the about responding to personal ads. David gives us several written examples that emphasize being specific and being passionate with your words. The more inquisitive you are the better you will appeal to someone else. Furthermore, one can read back in these examples nd apply them directly to ones specific situation.

I could give away more eamples, but all you single readers out there need to get this book into your library. Its very valuable without being excessive.

I run a singles organization, and am constantly in search of good reference materials. I happened to get an ebook online from a man called David Deangelo who sells and markets a whole line of materials of this same genre. Part of his program consists of audio CDs with dating gurus, one of which was David Wygant. I kept this CD in my car for over a month literally laughing at that great material. In the interview David came across as confident, relaxed, and inventive. I only wish this book was as good as his interview, but it does highlight all the basics of his philosophy in meeting a partner. He covers all aspects, atttitude(sometimes called inner game), attire(what to wear), presentation(the importance of good hygiene), and more. I feel alot of people can benefit from his audacity, and mantra. However this book falls short in it's own merit from it's approach, I only wish whoever was his writting coach(since David himself is not a writer), would have brought out more of his humor thoughout the book with lots of examples or fun stories. Overall this is a good book, which will give most people the necessities they need to find their perfect someone.

It always baffles me as to the complaints about dating books. Did anyone really think there was that one book that would open up the clouds with profound dating revelations? Yes, this is coming from someone that "surprisingly" isn't the author of the book or a planted review.

At any rate, Wygant's book isn't ground-breaking and that's the prime reason for the four star rating. However, for the remaining stars left, Wygant's book packs as much useful dating advice than most books out there. Always Talk to Strangers provides much common sense such as dressing well, smiling, and not being afraid to talk to people. However, it's the way Wygant goes about all of this that's helpful since many of us weren't born with common sense or taught half of these truths in junior high.

For me, the personal grooming/hygiene sections are extremely self-explanatory and for me useless. Sadly enough, I have more than a few friends that could take a solid look at this section.

Among the most helpful sections are where to meet women, props to use in conversation, and varying techniques to "close the deal" after you've been talking to a woman for a while. In addition, Wygant poses several different questions that you should ask yourself whenever approaching a woman that you fear rejection from. Furthermore, there are great sections on both internet dating and blind dating that are definitely useful.

Is a majority of this common sense? The first few sections on hygiene, grooming , physical/mental makeover, and dating myths are. However, the rest of the book had a lot of stuff I'd given little thought to or never thought of altogether. If you call that common sense, then so be it. However, most of Wygant's advice has definitely helped improve my perspective on dating/picking up women. For the price of $3-4 on Amazon Marketplace, what have you really got to lose?

-Travis.



update (8-3-08):

I read this book again just a couple of days ago on vacation and my comments remain largely the same. I disagree slightly on the internet portion of it though. I'm no stranger to the online dating game and the fact that David acts like gorgeous women are online in every city is simply not true. It's not true in Houston (one of the BIGGEST cities in the world), anyway. Maybe I'm not in the right age range for online dating yet, but hell I'm 22. How long does one have to wait? At any rate, most of what David says is very spot on in other areas, just don't get too psyched up about his Internet Boot Camp dating ideas.

Men, cut that mullet or trim that ponytail! (p. 42) Women, teased hair is out! (p. 41) (Just in case anyone has been asleep since the B-52s debuted or models her hair style from Gary Larson cartoons.) And not only does dating coach David Wygant tell daters to put a Q-tip in your ear, he gives you step-by-step instructions on p. 44. And, men and women, for goodness sake, trim that nose hair! (p. 49.)

Get the feeling the advice in this book is rather basic, common sense stuff? You're right. Granted, it's not all about grooming, although most of those tips are common sense as well. Advice includes how to: fill out internet profiles, start conversations with anyone (and gain the courage to do so), ask for phone numbers, and tell if someone's single. Hint - that wedding ring is a BIG clue (p. 158). But Wygant goes beyond the wedding ring to less obvious clues.

I have mixed feelings about the book. It's virtually all good advice, although I know happily married guys with ponytails. And there's none of the silly dating "play hard to get" Rules type of advice. I would think a lot of people will already know most of this stuff (although I've been on some dates from hell with guys who didn't). Anyway, here it is in one place to possibly serve as a motivator or refresher to someone who is just entering the dating scene or who has been out of it a while. It's a particularly good book for folks who are shy or who have difficulty starting conversations with the opposite sex. I suggest checking it out of the library first, lest you purchase this book only to find you knew about 98% of this stuff.

Mr. Greenstein wasn't being accurate earlier with regard to the section, "The Entitlement Myth." Although we respect his opinion, we beleive he has taken our work out of context. Here are the first few paragraphs of that section for future potential readers.

"I can't tell you how many clients have come to me and said, "David, you're my last resort. I've done the right things. I've been a good person. Yet, nothing ever happens to me. I never get asked out. I'm alone and I'm tired of being alone. Aren't I entitled to a little happiness?" My response to them is a resounding, "No."

People aren't entitled to happiness. People have to work for happiness just as they have to work for a successful career, and in the very same way they have to work and save for a house, a car, a stereo, retirement, or even to maintain friendships.

When you believe you're entitled to something, you won't go after it. You passively wait around hoping whatever you feel entitled to will be handed to you on a silver platter. When no one serves it up to you, you become angry, upset, and frustrated. "Damn it," you proclaim. "I'm a good person. I do the right things. I'm entitled to this." You become reactive, instead of proactive."

You be the judge.

This is the best travel book I have ever used. Very complete and easy to use. The recommendations are flawless. If you are going to Hawaii,especially for the firt time, make your trip better and get this book.

I bought this book in anticipation of going to Oahu for a week. I have read everything in it about getting to the islands, Oahu, and Waikiki. I also read other guide books on the islands and this one has been the best. It gives pretty much any information that you might need to get there and back.

The Dummies series is known for providing practical, easy to understand information to get you started on any topic. The Dummies book for Hawaii does this same thing - black and white, highlights, with short descriptions.

It's important to understand this. This book has quality information - and they are helped out by the Frommer's team, so you are getting Frommer's advice here in the book. However, there are no lush full-color photos to help you absorb the beauty of Hawaii. There are not turn by turn directions to get to those secret locations like the Southernmost Point in the United States.

The book does shine at what it provides. If you're looking for hotels, other travel books often skim over this information. The dummies book provides price ranges, 'best' choices and explains exactly what to look for based on your needs. You get phone numbers, website URLs and details about parking and specials.

The same is true for restaurants. You're told what items on the menu are worth ordering, what seats give the best views and what is great for romantic couples vs for families. Often you are just on a given island for a day or two and don't have time to figure these things out for yourself. Following the advice can make the difference between a so-so dinner and an evening you will remember for a lifetime.

The book in general is a great reference for people who are going to stay on land, with its heavy emphasis on hotels and restaurants. People who are cruising will find it far less helpful. It's description of the famous black sand beach on the big island of Hawaii is super short. The Southernmost Point gets 2 sentences and you aren't even told how to get there. The book is thick - but all in black and white, so you miss out on the gorgeous atmosphere of Hawaii. You learn how to find a good taco, but not the meaning behind the location you are visiting.

So I'd suggest this book primarily for people who are staying on land, and make sure this isn't the only book you get. Go through this book to choose your hotels and restaurants, but get another book or two to go into the background of the location and to map out the sights you wish to see.

I purchased this book about eight months before my husband and I went to Hawaii. I read it cover to cover, and felt very well-informed about all of our travel and accomodation choices. I suggest you really stick to the hotels and restaurants she reviews - the ones not in there are not mentioned for a reason - we stayed in a bad hotel in Waikiki that she didn't mention, and almost booked a terrible luau (Germaine's) that is also not mentioned in the book. Everything we did that she mentioned, however, was great! She offers a wealth of knowledge in a very easy to read book, we would have been lost without it. I bought several other books on Hawaii, but found myself returning to this one time and again.

The book is just what I was looking for. It met all my expectations.
I am a conscientious shopper. I checked prices in Victoria. With the dollar at par I saved just under seven dollars buying through Amazon - this included the shipping. Until we start refusing to buy overpriced books in Canada we will be gouged by the retailers. Buy on line and save.

Ron