Windsor Books

I reread this book and found it to be much more wordy than I remembered. It still was a good story and I enjoyed her books very much.

What an unexpected turn of events. This isn't your average run of the mill thriller. Meg fights to discover who has been sending her threatening letters and ancient pieces of jewlry before the threats made come true. The most likely suspects are not who they seem, but neither are the least likely. A must read!

I've read all of the book by Barbara Michaels that I can find and I love them all. This was the first one I read and it's definitely my favorite (and the only one I've checked out of the library 4 times). The character and plot development are terrific. The ending is unpredictable (as with many of Michaels' other books). I liked the storyline and all of the characters. Overall, this is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes mystery, romance, or jewelry.

Every novel Ms Michaels/Peters has written usually has some element that grabs my attention, whether or not I know I am interested. And I am interested in jewels ahem lots of delicious jewelry. Lovely antique jewelry. Bless my little fede ring. Uh....anyways. Little heiress Meg Venturi has a mystery on her hands---what killed her 90 year old gramps? Her Ms Danvers-type housemaid suggests one of the possible suitors for Meg, Mr Riley. A mysterious, ugly, burly typ'o'dude. You know, Ms Michaels favorite kinda man....Meg decides to enter into a business partnership with Riley, regarding jewels, which the whole town of Seldon disapproves of. Some one keeps sending her threatening rings and tries to run her and her lawyer off the road---who could it be? Sexy cousin Cliff? Surly vet Riley? Surely not sweet, passive Uncle George? Maybe Gram will message it to Meg direct from Dan,you know, Gramps, FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE--- All in all, a pretty good story. The whole supernatural element was pretty low key, darn. But the sexual attraction was there! And no food; Meg always pushes her food around her plate all upset. But she does have a piece of strawberry-rhubarb pie....

Barbara Michaels pens two kinds of thrillers -- lackluster and dull with unsympathetic characters, and sparkling, vivid and populated by "real" people. This, thankfully, is one of the latter, a delightfully twisted mystery that sparkles as much as any of the gems.

Meg Venturi becomes the heiress to a jewelry fortune when her grandfather unexpectedly dies; among the conditions of her grandfather's will are that she must take over half of the ownership of his respected gem and jewelry store. The other half is the domain of his partner, a dark, silent, mysterious man named Riley, whom the townspeople suspect of having killed the elder Venturi. Meg is unsure about Riley, but she does know that he is brilliant with jewelry.

But then strange, sinister happenings begin to occur around Meg. As she tries to unravel the dark mysteries that destroyed her grandfather before his time, she becomes the target of a killer with a mission that stems back to a scandal many years before...

"Into the Darkness" has many of the best attributes of a Barbara Michaels novel: the witty dialogue, subtle characterizations, strong heroine, unusual romance, and a wide range of supporting characters who are never what they seem. Readers who enjoyed lessons on roses, maze gardens, and old Gothic novels will enjoy the informative lessons on jewelry and gems. As she always does in her best books, Michaels includes plenty of information that will stick in the mind without being annoying.

Meg Venturi is a standard Michaels heroine: tough, no-nonsence, mildly sarcastic with a bit of trauma in her background to add extra dimension. Riley is more of a dark horse: it's hard to tell what he's thinking or why, from his first scene onward. Supporting characters like the despicable wimp Candy, her boor husband, the seemingly fragile Mrs. Venturi and hearty Uncle George are all well-rounded from the start, but with hidden depths that are revealed as the book goes on. Even the grandfather is a very alive figure, despite the fact that he dies at the beginning of the novel.

This is more of an "Elizabeth Peters" mystery than a Barbara Michaels one, as there is virtually no supernatural influence, no cults or ghosts or werewolves or anything of the sort. But it is an excellent mystery for those of you who like a little sexy pizzazz, past scandal, and a lesson or two with your guilty pleasure.

A very interesting collection from Acanthus Press: very well documented, pleasant to read with a real work of documentation from the author. If you are interested by the fabulous golden age style glam interiors, you must have this book which is an opportunity to have a look through some of the most beautiful places in the world, decorated by a company who knew perfectly how to give a sense of grandeur to the home of the happy few... This is well write and fascinating and the pictures are great and carefully choosen! A must have as Jansen was the better!

I just had to have this large gorgeous book on Jansen and the series on important decorators just had to include this famous firm. Most Americans had heard of this French firm when Jackie O used them to decorate the White House when she was Jackie Kennedy. I just returned from Leeds Castle on the outskirts of London where he was employed by the American Lady Baille. I also got lucky because a tournament was held that day-a dream castle with a royal history.

This book was a great disappointment to me. Maison Jansen completed some of the most incredible design commissions of the twentieth century, but there is little evidence here. Jansen completed three important houses for Anita O'Keefe Young, and yet there isn't even a mention of Mrs. Young, let alone photos of her apartment and houses. The Paley project is foolishly included, even though the included photos are of the rooms AFTER Parish Hadley redid them, completely changing the style and tone of the rooms.
And the photos seem tiny throughout, with too much blank white space on each page.
This book only shows that a better book needs to be done about one of the most incredible
design firms that ever existed.

This is a beautifully presented book that provides a fascinating insight into the history of the legendary design firm, Maison Jansen. The most prestigious firm of its time, and one of the longest running (over a century), and most international, Maison Jansen completed some of the most celebrated interiors for the most influential people. Clients included royalty, statesmen, the rich and the famous - the Paley's 5th Avenue apartment, the White House for the Kennedy's, the Wrightsman's home, as well as homes and projects for the Shah of Iran, King Leopold of Belgium, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, etc.
There are plenty of photographs (although some in black and white), along with sketches and illustrations for proposals and completed schemes. The only thing missing is a reference of the amazing furniture created for each of their projects, but thankfully this issue has been addressed with a follow up volume titled "Jansen Furniture" by the same author, which I hope will be just as deserving of my high recommendation.

A very interesting book and a nice follow up to the 1970's cheaply produced book called Jansen Decoration (if you can find that book you'll shell out a lotta clams). Anyway I have one of the 70's books and comparing the content (not the quality of the earlier book) against this one, I was struck and how rather bland some of the rooms were that are featured in the new book. The 1970's book is filled (black and white photos unfortunately) with really chic rooms. So I guess I'm a bit prejudiced since I already had something to compare this one to. Anyway this is a great reference work for anyone interested in the history of Jansen interior design.
Stylemaven

It was ok. Not what I had expected after reading the reviews from other people. Mortal Causes (Inspector Rebus Novels)

After a particularly gruesome murder is discovered during Edinburgh's Fringe Festival, Inspector John Rebus is seconded to the elite Scottish Crime Squad. The reason for this is that aspects of the murder make it appear that a terrorist group was responsible and Rebus's previous SAS experience would come in handy. The investigation takes him from his home base to the villages of rural Scotland and across to Belfast and back again.

Throughout the book, the Catholic versus Protestant problem is continually raised, comparing Scotland to the Troubles in Northern Ireland and suggesting that the same uprising could be imminent. While the characters were discussing terrorist organisations there were enough three letter acronyms being bandied about to make me think I might have stumbled into a Microsoft manual.

Once again we are treated to the bare bones of Edinburgh's back streets and dingy estates that have fallen into ruin. Rebus is as inscrutable and removed from his fellow officers as ever, yet, at least for me, he is becoming more and more likable. I feel this series is getting more and more enjoyable with every book I read, this one is no exception.

A boy is found tortured in an underground alley in Edinburg that is below the local courthouse. This is just the beginning of the best Rebus yet. The story itself is intriguing and thought provoking (it has to do with a home grown terrorist group that is working with the Protestant Paramilitaries in Northern Ireland). As the story builds, we meet some old friends that we didn't think we'd see again, and some new ones we hope never to see again.

Rankin always does a great job in tying in humor and the comic relief in this one is precious (not to mention with a lot of patience). Unlike the last two, this is really a one man show, and John gets beat up, beat on, and seriously pummeled. (I would sure like for Rankin to take it easy on this guy, since he quickly approaching 50). John's instincts are amazing and he is as relentless as a junkyard dog with a new bone.

A great fun read.

I have to admit that I am an Ian Rankin junkie. I have never been much of a murder-mystery devotee, but Rankin has a way with drama and putting characters together within the Edinburgh context that is exceptional. Mortal Causes is one of my favorite Rankin mysteries because it breaks away from many of his typical roles. Inspector Rebus is not called on the carpet, as usual, he is hard on the case, and we have the chance to see a bit of his own personal history. This novel is an 'easy read' and I found it thoroughly delightful.

It's a good thing that Inspector Rebus is so smart. Otherwise, drinking too much and losing every fight he gets into would surely do him in. When a brutally murdered body turns up during the Edinburgh Festival, Rebus starts our tour of the city's seamier underside. There are more than enough additional murders, beatings, pubs, slums, betrayals, and manipulations to satisfy any mystery fan. The story is taut, well-paced, and peopled by memorable, well-developed characters. Although there was a bit too much impenetrable British slang for my taste, it certainly adds credibility and color to the tale. Pour yourself a single-malt, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

No one matches Louis L'Amour for writing westerns. He is unquestionably the daddy of Western literature.

In Mustang Man, Nolan Sackett, a man on the run, helps out a group stranded in the middle of no where, only to be had by them later in the hunt for gold. Although the plot is straight-forward and a little predictable, the the first-person narrative is always engaging and Nolan Sackett becomes a well-defined and likeable protagonist.

Highly recommended.

L'Amour never really missed with any of his books. If you would like to read about the American West, a family that I wish mine was like, please read the Sackett series of books.

Louis L'Amour really was a master at his craft. "Mustang Man" is a fairly short book, but it is packed with action and intrigue. There are several groups in the book looking for 300 pounds of gold. The hero, Nolan Sackett, gets caught up in the race when he tries to help a stranded group.

The book starts off with Nolan on the run, he beat a man to the draw, and the man's friends come after Nolan intending to kill him. Nolan has a run in with another man when Nolan needs a fresh horse. A few pages later Nolan comes to help a group, and the group tries to kill him. And the story never slows down.

This is a fairly typical Louis L'Amour, a very well written story. It is a page turner, and is hard to put down. If you enjoy a good western, pick this book up; it is worth reading.

Mustang Man is the unabridged audiobook presentation of a novel of Old West in the era of gold rush fever, written by the popularly cherished, award-winning author Louis L'Amour. A part of The Sacketts series, this is the story of a man who lives by his own moral code, and finds himself caught in a crossfire between a rightful heiress, her jealous relations, and a remorseless killer. An exciting and dramatic tale of the lengths to which greed can drive human beings, Mustang Man is vividly narrated by Terrence Mann and a "must" for all who are fans of classic Louis L'Amour westerns. (5 hours, 3 cassettes).

I had read a couple other Louis L'Amour books before I found this one. It was seventh grade and it so affecimpressed me that I knew then that I would name my first son Nolan, after the main character. It was many years before I had a son, but his name is Nolan.

This book does not cover new ground (literarily speaking) from other L'Amour novels, but in this one he is at the top of his craft. An abrupt beginning and a ride that keeps you clinging to the saddle for the whole story are just a part of it. The characters are real, the locations are so cunningly described you think you're there, and the ending will blow you off the desert.

If you like LL, you'd probably also like my work (which is available at Amazon under the title "First Time: The Legend of Garison Fitch")

Where BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE and A POSITIVELY FINAL APPEARANCE are more organized as memoirs, this is simply a sequence of diary entries prepared for publication. They show a great actor, the dean of Ealing comedies and (to his chagrin) the great Jedi Master, admiring the twilight in his retirement. This is a gentlemanly, sensitive, yet vibrantly witty writer who once described heaven as sitting with one or two friends, sharing a drink and savoring the silence. There are no peekaboo stories about celebrities or iconoclastic commentaries on the state of the world; just an appreciation for an interesting life well-lived, deliciously and intimately inscribed for us in these daily entries.

For a more organized and literary memoir, the two titles mentioned above come highly recommended.

In this, the first of his two volumes (so far, I hope) based on his journal, the great actor Sir Alec Guinness makes writing and reading seem as effortless as his acting. His graceful, lucid prose is remarkable, as are his observations and ruminations on his life, on the craft of acting (he never lets one forget that acting is a craft with exacting standards of professionalism), on his reading, on his religious life, on the world around him, and on his family and friends. He is one of the sharpest yet kindest observers of the human comedy, and reading him is not only an unalloyed pleasure but nourishing to the mind and the heart. Readers of this book should scour used-bookstores for BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE and should also hunt down his new book A POSITIVELY FINAL APPEARANCE.

sir alec must have been a kind and gentle man. i found in this book that he was charming and witty and deliberately effacing. it takes us on a journey to his many memories of movies,tv,politics, and a great cast of characters that he's met over the years. it's a quiet and calm book. a very relaxing and entertaining read. and what a since of humor!

I haven't hear the audio version of Sir Alec's diary: don't need to since I can hear his voice in my head as I read. Gracious to a fault about his fellow actors, prickly about fans who invade his privacy (whether spying him at a museum or appearing in the back garden), exasperated at the Star Wars fame, he is a truly eccentric Englishman and proud of it. I love it when he admits he probably went on and on while telling a story; a common fault of the loquacious and the aging. Pokes fun at himself and endears himself all the more. Delightful.

"My Name Escapes Me" is a book of actor Sir Alec Guinness' personal diary entries from January 1995 to June 1996, which he wrote with publication in mind. I have to give Sir Alec credit: His diary is not as tedious as most people's would be. His writing has a nice pace, and the book is mercifully short. But there simply isn't anything interesting about it. Sir Alec was 82 years old and retired when he wrote this diary. He spent most of his time relaxing at his country home. If he were working, he might have had more interesting anecdotes to relate or perhaps some insight into the process of putting on a play or making a movie to share. But it takes a more talented writer to make something interesting out of the mundane. Sir Alec mentions music that he likes, plays that he sees, books that he reads, art in various forms, but he never expounds on these subjects, so we don't learn anything about the subjects or about him. He doesn't seem to be an opinionated person. Opinions, however trying, might make for better reading. All in all, "My Name Escapes Me" gives the impression of a man of moderate writing talent and moderate intelligence. It's really too bad that no publisher asked Alec Guinness to write a diary for publication earlier in his life. His style is both literate and easy-going. If it had been applied to the life of a working actor, an insightful and highly readable book might have resulted. But as it is, I think only obsessively curious fans of Alec Guinness will find anything of interest in "My Name Escapes Me".

Like reading a novel in dialect, I often have an adjustment during the opening pages - or the first few letters - of an epistolary novel. If I had not absolutely loved "Old Filth" I may not have tried "Queen of the Tamborine", but I did, so I did. Thank heavens. It is breathtakingly well written and I fell into it from page one. The protagonist, who appears smug and self-righteous at first, just the kind of person who needs to just get a life and stop interfereing with the lives of others, opens up like a flower into a complex and interesting woman.
I eagerly anticipate re-reading this novel and ferreting out more and more Gardam.

Dense with delightful detail and shot through with wit and pathos, this is a wonderful novel. It works on several levels: a caustic commentary on contemporary Britain, an unsentimental portrait of stifling Britain past and, at its heart, a moving story of a lonely woman come unhinged. No word is superflous, no character without meaning. The end was disappointing: too tidy and less than convincing, but that's a minor complaint about a startlingly fresh, entertaining and affecting story. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Gardam's work.

(4.5 stars) Eliza Peabody begins writing to her neighbor Joan, not a close friend, almost immediately after Joan leaves her husband Charles and disappears, leaving behind only a series of addresses around the world where she may be contacted. Eliza takes it upon herself to write to Joan repeatedly, offering unsolicited advice, observations (unintentionally insulting) about Joan's husband and children, and comments about her role as a woman, which she knows that Joan does not share. Joan never answers.

Over the course of more than a year, the letters become longer and more revealing, ultimately showing Eliza to be a frustrated and mentally disturbed woman who may need hospitalization. As she spirals downward and begins to hallucinate, most readers will empathize with her (as much as one can empathize with a meddlesome and impossibly tactless woman) while questioning if anything she says is the truth.

Jane Gardam, with her supremely subtle humor, creates in Eliza a character few readers will be able to resist. Thinking herself a realist who calls a spade a spade, Eliza has no clue that others regard her as rude, unthinking, and self-centered--someone whose lack of awareness leaves her open to accusations of malice. Her messages to Joan, filled with dramatic irony, show her to be far from the "helpful friend" she thinks herself. When Joan sends her a pair of elaborate earrings, resembling tambourines, she is called the "The Queen of the Tambourine" by Barry, a young man dying in the hospice she sometimes visits.

As Eliza goes about her daily life, including her hilarious attendance at a local literary group meeting, the author's ability to create clever satire and wonderful observations about love, marriage, and friendship shine with the candor of one who has little patience with pretension and a person's lack of self-awareness. Few writers can match Gardam's sense of irony, and she is subtle and clever in creating Eliza's letters.

Illustrating the absurdities inherent in a suburban lifestyle that Joan has escaped and which Eliza wants to preserve, Gardam creates a leisurely and assured novel about self-awareness, the opportunities and limitations of marriage, and the constraints of society. The liberating role of sex in a healthy relationship, and the role of fantasy, especially as it relates to sex, infuses the novel. Wry, clever, and thoughtful, this Whitbread Award-winning novel from 1991, newly republished by Europa Editions following the success of Gardam's Old Filth, should expand her literary reputation on this "side of the pond" and gain Gardam many new fans. n Mary Whipple

Gardam is amazing and this novel is one of a kind, superbly so. Just read it. If I tried to talk about it at all I'd make a mess of it.

Winner of the Whitbread Award for best novel, this is a witty and affecting journey to the brink of madness.

The narrative takes the form of letters from Eliza Peabody, affluent 50ish wife of a senior civil servant, to her equally middle-aged but less dutiful neighbor, Joan. The first letters begin as brief notes, reproaches from a stiff-necked busybody to her hypochondriac neighbor.

But then Joan absconds to wander the Middle East, leaving husband and children behind, and Eliza wonders if she is to blame. She takes in Joan's husband and encourages his attentions. The letters lengthen and become more erratic as Eliza's personality spills out on paper. Her own marriage dissolves when her husband goes off with Joan's husband, and Eliza traces the years of its unraveling between visits to a young man dying of AIDS in a hospice, long walks with the two dogs (hers and Joan's), and musings about the other neighbors.

As it becomes apparent how isolated Eliza is in her South London home, her narrative becomes increasingly suspect. It seems less certain that her husband and Joan's have any relationship other than a desire to escape Eliza. Far from being a most important personage at the hospice, Eliza is shunted off to do the dishes, possibly because she talks too much and inappropriately too.

Yet her self-revelations to Joan are plaintive, appealing and sometimes hilarious. As Eliza reveals herself less of a figure in the world, she becomes more of an individual - a wildly imaginative individual with a flair for anecdotes.

But it seems that not all of Eliza's anecdotes are real. But what is real and what is not becomes increasingly difficult for Eliza herself to determine. Meanwhile she continues to explore her deepest feelings on motherhood (Eliza is childless), marriage and social expectations.

She develops new relationships in the community, particularly with the precocious children of the overbusy curate and his wife. Or does she only wish that she has?

Midway through the novel, everything is suspect, except for Eliza's voice which grows stronger and truer as she sheds expectations- both of and for herself. Gardam brings her protagonist back from the abyss of madness at the end. She also lets the reader know where Eliza has crossed the line between imagination and reality and why.

Unfortunately, to do this, she uses a device which is too simple and detracts from the integrity of its protagonist and the complexity of a marvelous narrative. This ending mars a novel which is otherwise sharply, incisively written with an intriguing heroine balanced on her private desert of shifting sands.

"The Return of the Indian" is a very good and probably better sequel to "Indian in the Cupboard".
I loved the intense suspense in this book and the creative storyline, but I think the author rushes certain parts that are some of the main points. The summary on the back gives too much away, so don't read it. The story is about a boy with a magical key. When he uses it on a cupboard he found in a street garbage can, the cupboard makes any plastic figure inside the cupboard alive as a mini figure of the real person in time. The people that come alive are really people in time. When something happens to Little Bear, Omri has to call even more figures like a nice nurse, a marine squad with tons of firepower , and a load of angry Iroquois Mohawks who want revenge on the English for burning their homes down. If you have read the first book you'll love the second one to this magical series!

by James Lutz

"The Return of the Indian" is a very good sequel to "Indian in the Cupboard".
I loved the intense suspense in this book and the creative storyline, but I think the author rushes certain parts. The summary on the back gives too much away, so don't read it. The story is about a boy with a magical key. When he uses it on a special cupboard makes any plastic figure inside the cupboard alive. When something happens to Little Bear, Omri has to call even more figures like a matron, a marine squad, and a load of Iroquois mohawks. If you have read the first book you'll love the second one!

by James Lutz

"The Return of the Indian" is a very good sequel to "Indian in the Cupboard".
I loved the intense suspense in this book and the creative storyline, but I think the author rushes certain parts. The summary on the back gives too much away, so don't read it. The story is about a boy with a magical key. When he uses it on a special cupboard makes any plastic figure inside the cupboard alive. When something happens to Little Bear, Omri has to call even more figures like a matron, a marine squad, and a load of Iroquois mohaks. If you have read the first book you'll love the second one!

"The Return of the Indian" is a very good book, and probably a better one than "The Indian in the Cupboard". The story is about a boy(Omri) who finds a locked cupboard in a garbage can in the streets of London. When his mother gives him a key that fits no lock in his house, he tries the key on the cupboard it opens! And the story goes farther when he puts a plastic Indian he got from his friend Patric, in the cupboard, and it comes to life!! That was the "Indian in the Cupboard". In the "Return of the Indian", Omri brings back his Indian(Little Bear) and a cowboy, theres even more fun. But when something Happens to Little Bear, Omri must bring even more plastic figures to life, like a very patient and kind nurse, A marine squad with a howitzer and blazing machine guns, and a load of Iroquois tomahawks that want revenge on the English for burning their homes. I loved the action and suspense in this book. I liked the creative storyline, but I think the Author rushes a certain part of the book. If you have read the fist book in this magical series, you'll love the second!

The Return of the Indian is the second book to the sequel of The Indian in the Cupboard & at the end of the book in The Indian in the Cupboard the toys were not real anymore & Boone the cowboy & Little Bear went back home & in the second book, Omri couldn't believe he would bring them back again.

This book is alright & I enjoy it alot!

A year after Omri first meets his Indian friend, he decides to visit him again, only to find that Little Bear is close to death and in need of help.

I like the chapter called "Chapter 10. Boone's Brainwave" because it just makes me happy because of Boone the cowboy.

This is one heck of a sequel & that book The Return of the Indian reminds me of anything like Oliver Twist & Black Beauty or Son of Black Beauty.

This is just a good book & I loved it?

Like all the books in Susan Howatch's Church of England series, "Scandalous Risks" has a page-turning plot and a good dose of romance and intrigue, while also being an exploration of 20th-century Anglican theology and spirituality. In this novel, the sexual tension is between a young woman and a married Anglican priest, and theologically, it's about a certain type of liberal theology (specifically, the 1960s book "Honest to God" by Bishop John Robinson) and its potential for misuse.

The six books in the series, plus "The Wonder Worker," which might as well be part of the series, move through the 20th century and have overlapping characters, but there's no need to read them in order. My favorites are this one, "Glamorous Powers," and "Absolute Truths."

1963. Venetia Flaxton, twentysomething, from an agnostic aristocratic family has a passionate adulterous affair with Neville Asygarth, who is now Dean of Sarbridge Cathederal (In 'Ultimate Prizes' he was Archdeacon of Starbridge). Both use Robinson's 'Honest to God' has an excuse, that all are called to 'love' but this 'love' has serious repucussions that damage Asygarth's family even further, sends Venetia into a spiral of depression and addiction, and rocks the immediate Cathederal community.

It is also interesting to see the regulars again, albeit twenty years older. Charles Ashworth is now Bishop of Starbridge, and his two sons have interesting 'psyches' as Jon Darrow would put it. Jon Darrow himself is a retired 'hermit' following the death of his wife, his son Nicholas is psychic himself, but is also highly immature. The multi-faced expolation of the characters and their '3-D descrpitions of their personalities makes you eel that you know them, and you soon find yourself rooting for various individuals and even feel compassion and concern for those you dislike

Here I had just settled into the idea that the rest ofHowatch's "Church" books were going to be just 4 star reads,when I read this one, her very best. Told from the point of view ofVenetia, a 26 year old daughter of the aristocracy, we see her affairunfold with 60 year old Neville Aysgarth, the narrator of the lastbook, "Ultimate Prizes." This is a very different book fromthe other three. First, we have the feminine "I" tellingthe story whereas before it has always been a male minister or monk ofthe Anglican Church. Second, the time period shifts to the 1960s,when all bets on morality were temporarily off and were argued as suchamong Anglican theologians. One real-life book becomes the focus fordoing what you want as long as you do it with love, per a leadingAnglican bishop of the day...I was a basket case by the end of thisbook and that is the ultimate compliment. Had you given me thepremise of the book as I've written above, I doubt I would have evenread it, wondering why I'd want to read about a 26 year old and a 60year old. I'm so glad I'd made the commitment to read the whole seriesbecause this is one of the best novels I've ever read. Since thisbook packs an emotional wallop that far exceeds the first three booksin the series, and since it is the only one involving a femalenarrator, I can't help but wonder if some or all of it happened toHowatch herself.

In the fourth of the Starbridge books Howatch does it again - she proves her amazing versatility as a writer of fiction by giving us a completely new character in a completely new voice and a completely new style. It never ceases to amaze me how Howatch, in each case, actually BECOMES the narrator! Whereas the elderly churchman Jon Darrow of Glamorous Powers (for instance) speaks in a rather conservative, upper class voice, Venetia is racy, witty, full of verve and charm, and it is easy to understand why poor Neville is completely besotted with her.
In this book we have the only female narrator in the entire series, and the only non-clergyman. Venetia is a rebellious society woman who discovers a completely new dimension to herself when she falls in love with her dear "Mr Dean" - Neville Ayesgarth, the married Dean of Starbridge Cathedral. He too is carried away and it is quite alarming how both of they live in a cloud of self-deception as to the nature of their relationship... and more than once while reading this book the Clinton-Lewinsky affair came to my mind - especially when the question arises as to whether or not they have technically committed adultery.

This story takes place in the 60's, and is the first in the second trilogy; the first trilogy was set in the 30's and 40's so now the three major protagonists of those books are a greta deal older. Mr Dean could be Venetia's father, and in fact his daughter is her best friend, which only adds to the delusion (mostly HIS) that the relationship is mainly spiritual in nature.

I feel that of all the Starbridge books, this one works as well as a stand-alone as part of a series, and for anyone who would like a taste of post-saga Howatch but is not quite decided whether or not to plunge into an entire six-book series, I would recommend this one. Another great book for our online discussion group!

Though one need not be religious to enjoy Susan Howatch's work, a delight of her C of E series is that she is equal in gifts as novelist, theologian (with a Jungian flavour), and scholar. The integration of certain powerful themes is seamless with the "romance" plot, and thus painless for those without religious interests, yet, for those who have studied the spiritual life, the classic conflicts between faith and behaviour are placed into clear focus.

Neville Aysgarth is a classic study in self-deception - one of genuine faith, but blinded both by perceived personal needs and the desire to defend a Liberal Modernism credo. Susan Howatch brilliantly sets forth, in this character, how such conflict can not only justify behaviour one would insist was immoral with a clear vision, but glorify it by linking it to a supposed "higher ideal" which differs from the norm. The non-religious who thrive on characterisation will have ample food for thought in the depiction of Aysgarth's bizarre marriage.

Venetia, young, intelligent, and restless, provides the themes of the intense drives to find spiritual and sexual fulfillment. Though the reader is tempted to see from the beginning that Venetia's affair with Aysgarth is doomed to be a catastrophe, there is more to this than "love is blind" cliches. Aysgarth's intense personality, and brilliant (if flawed) integration of his self-deception with theological concepts, makes it both understandable and tragic that Venetia can both find the affair exciting and be led to believe that certain of its aspects are indicative of an extraordinary religious commitment and morality on Aysgarth's part.

The characters of Charles and Lyle Ashworth, the main characters in Glittering Images, are presented now as the long-married, wise "Rev and Mrs Bishop." Their involvement in the plot has a special dimension, showing that wise, considerate, mature advice, given with the best of intentions, often not only fails to divert misery but increases its impact.

This book's providing an engrossing tale (and, for all its bizarre turns, actually one less melodramatic than some others of the series) is enhanced by its giving one the food for thought that distinguishes the entire series.

Very good, juicey and fun. Thanks Ms. Collins for writing this really provocative and warm book about many vast experiences, and for putting a little extra spring in my step!

Joan's life has been a roller-coaster but she's managed it with grace. In this book she talks about her loves, children, career and friends with deep emotion and tongue-in-cheek humor all at the same time. It's full of beautiful pictures and is a treat for her fans.

Joan's first book, Past Imperfect, was absolutely awful! In fact, I gave it a grand rating of ONE star! So when I saw this book, Second Act, on sale at the local library, being a glutton for punishment, I decided to read it. Well, I was happily surprised as I turned the pages and read an entirely different Joan Collins. This book was extremely entertaining as Joan told about her very eventful life. All the famous people she worked with. I had fully expected another bunch of dribble like her first book which was filled with 'poor ol me' stories about her husbands screwing her over but this book turned out to be the total opposite. Maybe Joan learned by her first disasterous attempt at writing that it's not at all easy to be a best selling novelist as her sister Jackie is. This book was obviously researched and edited a lot better than her other one. So, I will give it three stars and if you're a Joan Collins fan, then this is definately a 'must read' for you.

when i started to read the book i immediately became involved with miss collins life and it was like she was actually speaking to me although some of the information was incorrect(she stated that when she brought out her signature perfume every woman wanted to be like alexis or krystle. however if one was to look in the photos of joan with donald trump and ivana trump it says it was in 1990. dynasty had finished a year earlier due to falling ratings)it was neverthe less a brilliant read.

At first i thought this memoir was a rehash of her Past Imperfect (which i enjoyed immensely), but from the beginning, it was clear that JC had plenty more to say. This is an amusing, bright woman, with keen insight. Her discriptions of her meetings with Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Mae West are priceless, PRICELESS i tell you. One must fully realize that the phenomenon known as Celebrity happens to so few people, that its fascinating when one of "them" actually talks about it. Its also hysterical when she discusses how people treated her as if she were Alexis, the conniving b#@%h, when in fact she is a nice mother of 3 and step mother of 3. Doesnt it scare you when you hear that people actually believe that the characters she performed were real. Or that she was asked to give advice (as Alexis)? The revelation here isnt that she can write (she can), its that she continues to be a interesting woman, a beauty, and is gifted with an amazing memory.

We were already on our way to an impromptu wknd @ the beach and I had to stop @ the library for a few novels.. I don't know why I chose this one. The book jacket synopsis really drew me in I guess.

This is a very awesome novel, loved the characters and remained unabashedly concerned with what would happen to them! The author's descriptive narrative of the New England coastline was mesmerising as was the story itself.

I am definitely going to read it again.

I enjoyed this book a lot once I got into it. I found the beginning a little slow and seemed not to be going anywhere, but I stuck with it and slowly a love story of kind developed. It was a strange love story between a teenage girl and a man certainly old enough to be her father. The book is well worth reading!

In Portland, Maine, last week with 4 friends from college days who wanted 'to shop,' I ducked into the nearest bookstore, bought this book, settled into a worn old leather chair, and nearly finished the book by the time my friends returned to find me. Thank god for the salvation of a good book!
It's difficult for authors to write about sex. Most of the time, they come off sounding either like a Victorian maiden or a sly pornographer. But Deborah Joy Corey has written a book with a goodly amount of sexual interaction - and not a single line comes across as crass, voyeuristic, prurient, or sophomoric. It's absolutely beautiful writing.
The central story is Elizabeth's, a girl with parents both frustrated by their own demons. Tragedy is something they can't cope with, and soon Elizabeth find herself living alone and going rapidly downhill in a small town on the coast of Maine. She falls into the arms or clutches (depends on your viewpoint) of a much older man, an architect from New York. He's running from his own demons and finds a kind of warped salvation in his relationship with Elizabeth - but he, too leaves her.
I won't say more - but there's redemption, temptation, salvation - and a quiet love overriding everything in this lovely book.

I don't know where this little gem of a book was hiding, but I certainly am glad that I found it. I was immediately drawn to the main character, Elizabeth and found myself rooting for her in her desire for a family life and then later on through her trials with love and loss. To me this book is about the choices we make and how everything that happens to us leaves it's mark on us somehow.

The metaphors in this novel are truly uncountable - but every one is aptly drawn. Combine that with a cast of characters that are so compelling and real, involved in a story with which any reader should be able to relate, and there are plenty of reasons why this novel should be widely read and lauded. The quote on the book from Elizabeth Hardwick, characterizing THE SKATING POND as `a love story' might lead some potential readers to write it off as romantic fluff - to do so would be to do this novel a great injustice. This is simply incredible writing.

Corey's main character, Elizabeth, is thrust into adulthood at an early age through a double tragedy - the death of her mother and subsequent abandonment by her father. Over the course of twelve years, we see Elizabeth go through the emotional ups and downs that would easily fill most people's lifetimes. Through it all - through her yearnings for more than a life in a remote Maine coastal village can offer her - she remains questioning. She questions the life led by those around her, and she questions herself - what does she really want out of life; what can she expect from it; what does she know of love, and what does she want from it? These are things that each of us must work out for ourselves, in our own way - and Corey's lovely writing allows us inside Elizabeth's mind and heart as she walks (and sometimes stumbles, as do we all) through life.

Corey has a way of revealing the humanity and goodness that resides (I believe) in all people - even the characters in her story that are somewhat less than likable come across sympathetically, at least in some ways. The life-lessons that her central character absorbs here are never presented as set-in-stone or rigid - as another reviewed astutely pointed out, it's all about the choices we make. Those are the ones we have to live with.

I wonder if Corey set out to write such an ambitious novel, or if it `just happened' to turn out that way. Whatever her original intentions, she has written an absorbing, rewarding and entertaining novel - highly recommended.