Authors Books

I bought this book based solely on the reviews of the other readers since I had never read anything by Francine Saint Marie. After reading the book I had to wonder if I had read the same book as everyone else. The book did not keep my interest at all. I forced myself to finish it hoping it would get better. It didn't.

First of all, a book with no chapters is distracting and needs to hold the readers attention. This one did not. When I buy a book with a lesbian theme I want to read about the interaction between the women. The book was 309 pages and it was 150 pages before the two main characters even spoke to each other. This book is not a mystery or a thriller and as a romance novel it is lacking.

If it had been a period piece I could have tolerated it better because in the 1800's or early 1900's it was costly and dangerous to be open about being a lesbian. But this is not a period piece and these two women are independent and well off financially. One is a doctor and author, the other is a well sought after corporate executive. The book was boring and the theme overplayed.

The fact that it was given 5 starts by everyone who read it makes me no longer trust the review process. When you have a book that EVERYONE thinks is 5 star material then it's time for that book to cross over to the NY Times Best Selling List. I don't think there's any danger of that.

I bought "The Secret Keeping" about a year ago and immediately fell in love with Lydia and Helaine ... and Delilah and Paula ... and all the other wonderfully drawn characters in The Secret Keeping. I also fell in love with the author's prose ... I can't remember the last time I read a novel where the words jumped off the page and drew me in so quickly! If I had to describe the book in three words or less I'd say it's saucy, sexy and smart!

I recently bought the Special Edition to see if Ms. Saint Marie could improve upon perfection ... and, surprise, surprise, she did! The book is even tighter and wittier and this cover does the story justice, unlike the original.

If you're sick and tired of reading flat, simple, dull lesbian romance novels where the characters have as much depth to them as a piece of paper and the stories are as predictable as the sun rising in the east, then I suggest you buy this book, pour yourself a glass of wine (I prefer a nice, light, red), find a comfortable spot, and be prepared to be entertained and wowed!

And when you're done with this novel, the author's second offering, "Keeping Mr. Right", awaits ...

As with the other reviewers here, WE LOVED THIS BOOK and this new author's compelling voice. Saint-Marie joins the ranks of Sarah Waters and Rita Mae Brown in bringing quality fiction and romance to an ailing genre, perhaps even surpassing them in presenting one of the most unique and outstanding epic love stories we've come across so far. No, The Secret Keeping, with its extraordinary prose and its unabashed tenderness and sensuality, doesn't neatly fit into any particular genre, but then who says it really has to? It's breathtaking...and that's enough.


Fortune Is a Woman THE STOLEN KISS

Like many of the reviewers listed above, I found Francine Saint Marie's novel to be quite unique. I had no trouble getting into the almost stream-of-consciousness flow of the dialogue and I very much enjoyed the electric pace of the book. Writing from the inner perspective of the characters was entertaining and employed a clever technique in storytelling.

My original title for this review was going to be "raising the bar for lesbian fiction", but then I thought, well that's just not saying enough, considering where it sits. Francine Saint Marie has not just raised the bar, she's taken it to a different planet. I am currently packing up and planning to move there.

As readers of lesbian fiction, especially romance, we have come to expect, well, not very much. Even when something's good, (i.e. the writing doesn't make us cringe every few pages or so), it's really only mediocre at best. So we settle for second rate, keep our jugs of salt handy as we attempt to maneuver our way through all the 5 star reviews some of you seem to hand out like they are Halloween candy, and keep trying out new authors. Hoping and praying that one day, our luck will change, that out of the abyss will emerge someone with keen discernment and extraordinary talent, ready and willing to indulge us thoroughly. Well, that day has finally arrived, ladies. And what a glorious day it is...

Imagine, if you can, a work of lesbian fiction that leaves nothing to be desired whatsoever... that challenges your intellect, reaches into the unheralded parts of your psyche, and whispers sweet promises to your heart. Imagine prose that is masterfully subtle and invigorating, at times even intoxicating. Imagine dialogue that is intelligent, quick-witted, and never uninspired. Imagine descriptions of love-making that aren't overstated, flagrant and embarrassing, that actually leave something to the imagination but are no less titillating. Imagine having that routine cringe replaced with a contented sigh and an irrepressible grin. Indeed, you can expect no less from Francine Saint Marie's first novel (first novel?!), THE SECRET KEEPING. I haven't read anything more compelling and personally satisfying (from any genre) than this book and its sequel, FORTUNE IS A WOMAN. I am completely addicted to the author's writing - and to her leading ladies. Truth be told, Helaine and Lydia are as real to me as most of the people I encounter daily in 3-D. They are certainly far more appealing! Some might find that strange, but all I can say is it feels perfectly natural. When our outer world seems so stripped of its imaginativeness, we can, hopefully, rely on our inner world to pick up the slack.

So, thank you Francine, for such a stunning offering, for spoiling us so utterly. I am sure we could get used to it.

Not being a connoisseur of the spanking genre, I wasn't sure what I was going to think of Rachel Kramer Bussel's latest anthology, Spanked- which is exactly why I wanted to read it. What I found was a uniquely balanced collection of short stories ranging from innocuous introductions and creative play to stories where the characters dove headlong into places both physically and emotionally challenging. Would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely. Whether you're a spanking aficionado or simply curious what the fuss is all about, this book will definitely provide a happy ending.

Spanked is a compilation about the naughty, thrilling, blissful act of giving and receiving a paddling on the hind quarters. The stories are all so authentic in tone and delve so deep into the characters that one can't help but experience the anticipation, and release, along with them. Spanked allows an intimate peek into the pleasures of bottom-flogging from various perspectives, but all equally intense and riveting, whether bottoms and palms are covered in flour, enveloped by typewriter ribbon or simply tingling with desire. While different fantasies are described in these pages, they are all connected by a string of emotion, a factor vital to the act of spanking which elevates it from purely sexual to the fiercely personal and urgent need that it is. All the stories are smart, candid and provocative without being indulgent. Spanked is both an exploration of physical pleasure as well as the mysterious and exciting bonds that form between the participants of such a union.

Rachel Kramer Bussel's anthologies are always a hot read, you can count on that. I've read several of them: Dirty Girls: Erotica for Women, Tasting Him: Oral Sex Stories, Tasting Her: Oral Sex Stories, and now Spanked: Red-Cheeked Erotica. Each time I'm impressed by the variety of authors and their unique writing styles. In Spanked you'll find 20 very different erotic tales that are all centered around spanking, as the title implies.

What I really like about this anthology in particular is that it gives insight into a topic that once was very taboo and now is a mainstream fetish. All kinds of people like spanking for all kinds of reasons. Each person has their own payoff from the experience - not only do I mean the spanker and the spankee, but each pair has their own experience and each person uniquely in that pair has their own experience. No two spanking sessions are the same, and as in real life, no two spanking stories are the same in this book. Some you will like more than others, because they appeal to that part of you. Some you may like less because they just don't resonate with your curiosities and desires. As a whole, the book will entertain you and give you plenty of motivation to play around with spanking.

I recommend this book especially for those couples who are curious about or into spanking, especially if you are trying to introduce the topic to your partner for the first time. It is a nice way to ease into the subject - as a couple you can read a story, have one person read aloud to the other, and open the door to a topic that may have otherwise been awkward to bring up. For monogamous couples, I think it's the intellectual equivalent to spicing up your sex life with a naughty movie.

This book is great. I sped through it in a week or so. It's prefect for those that are looking for an introduction to spanking and for the more seasoned in the art. Every single story illustrates why spanking can be hot. A great read.

It would be easy to write a book about spanking that comes off "over the top" or simply paints the authors as hyped up freakshows with bizarre fetishes and/or unresolved childhood issues. "Spanked: Red-Cheeked Erotica" is a collection of diverse, interesting, funny and sexy pieces of erotica that provide readers' preying eyes a peak into the complex world of erotic spanking.

I have about 5-10 books teetering on my bed at any one time, each one clamoring for attention, and I have to say this is the one I reached for in that precious half an hour of chill time before sleep every night. It was so refreshing to read a genuinely funny book that is NOT SNARKY (it's so easy to be a snark, harder to be funny and human). I really look forward to Mitchell's next book!

Kudos to Mary Mitchell for sharing Starting Out Sideways with all of us! Her first novel is both funny and heartwarming! Ms. Mitchell does a great job capturing the audience's attention by giving life to some wonderfully likeable characters. Her Long Island descriptions and characterizations were right on the mark and I loved the opportunity to see glimpses of many real life people that I've known in her characters. She weaves a delightful tale that is bound to make you smile!
Best of luck to you Ms. Mitchell! I look forward to what you might have in store for us next!

Mary e. Mitchell's novel `Starting out Sideways' is not just a fun book to read but a book that makes you think and wonder why things happen in your life. I could relate to this story, of love, anger, anxiety, confusion and humor. I read of towns I know and have lived in. Rosie Plow reminded me of me, even when it came to her weight problem. Her character development happens so easy that you don't know it's happening, until you say, "Well, son of a gun I didn't know that was going to happen." She has twists and turns with every chapter keeping the reader wondering and asking questions in their mind, then she ties those loose ends up toward the last quarter of the story.
Her way of handling the mentally challenged person is done with grace, comedy and deep down emotion. Thank you for reminding me what it's like to be in a `real' family. Kudos' to you Mary e. Mitchell. Hurry up, I want to read your next novel.
Rose Marie /rm Lamatt

How to describe this book?.....The characters are so diverse and all of their experiences so easy to relate to....as someone said, you feel that they are, or have been, a part of your life/neighborhood at some point in time.

Rosanna's "chosen" surname (Plow) was appropos, for she seemed to be "plowing" through her life, with all it's twists and turns, and yet, learned invaluable lessons along the way. Mary Mitchell dealt with common life issues (death, the mentally challenged, infidelity, divorce, conflicting family personalities, etc.) with UNcommon insight. The issues were deeply moving, but handled with the ability to see the humor in even the most difficult situation.

An easy, enjoyable read.

Roseanna Plow is one of the wittiest, wisest, most enjoyable characters I have read in ages. With humor she tells her tale of her cheating husband leaving her for Inga, her best friend. Roseanna's Ma vexes her with the most hilarious antics that are to "aid" Rosie. Her clients, mentally disabled people being acclimated to life in the main stream, all provide hilarity as well as warmth. She discovers a very hidden secret that totally unnerves her and yet the book never bogs with "woe is me" ideology. The cast of characters that support Rosanna are truly just that....eccentrically funny characters.

This is such a wonderful read; if you need your attitude adjusted, need a good laugh and a solid lesson in accepting life, or if you just want to have a breezy time putting your life on the back burner, then this book is tailor-made to fit.

Wonderful story that you should treat yourself too.

Pastor Rudy's account of his ministry style reminds readers of the hands-on approach that I believe Christ intended. He provokes one to think twice about judging those who don't look, smell or behave the way "church folks" should. "Touch" is the answer to WWJD!

Have you ever thought to yourself "how can I help someone?" Touch is a practical guide assessing a persons ability to understand that "you really have the LOVE factor to affect and infect another persons life." By simply not being afraid to embrace and "touch" a person, this book embodies spiritual, as well as scientific proof (read the testimonies in the book) that the greatest single emotion that humans experience is to touch one another. It was proven long ago that children thrive by a physical "touch" (i.e. hugs and kisses), but Pastor Rudy expresses that this "touching" does something else for a persons soul as an adult. IT GIVES THEM HOPE!

My husband and I were members at Pastor Rudy's church for three years. What you read about in the book is just what you experience at St. John's. We experienced a wonderful healing in our lives as we were accepted into the faith community and loved unconditionally. This book will make you think about how you deal with others, as well as validate your own desires for unconditional love and acceptance. God truly is in the business of transforming lives. Pastor Rudy is certainly part on staff in God's workshop!

Rudy has done an outstanding job of bringing to life the ministry of Christ in the hard places. His approach is authentic and inspiring with visions of hope for the world. It's definitely not only worthwhile reading, but offers transformation for all those willing to do the gospel of Jesus Christ in a hurting world.
Rev. Dr. W. Earl Bledsoe

This warm, wonderful, down-to-earth book has something for everyone. Pastor Rasmus is not just a born storyteller but a true philosopher who will make you think differently about every aspect of your life. Reading his words is like sitting down with an old friend and having a deep, enlightening conversation.

Great book with really practical, usable advice. Wonderful those who struggle a little, or a lot with social cues.

This is a great book. I haven't finished it yet, but it has already given me many ideas. Unlike so many "self-help" books out there, this book actually gives you small, specific steps that you can take to change certain behaviors that others might find annoying (such as practical ways to teach someone about "personal space").

My 6 year old son and I read this book together. It was very helpful to him. The book is written in "kid friendly" stories. They are easy to understand and make it easy for the parents to explain.

Very well thought out, expertly written and easy to apply in a myriad of social situation that may have you and your child puzzled.
I found it to be very helpful and have been able to apply its lessons.
It could even help adults a little in hindsight and will certain benefit your child.

Finally a book with some answers. Up until now, they all seem to describe the problem, but offer little in the way of solutions. This one has really been helpful.

I purchased this book based upon reviews. I was not disappointed. I'm a advid/electic reader (2-4 novels a week, and I work 40+hrs/week). These stories, all of them, really moved me!! Each one prompted an intense emotional response (literature doesn't get better than that!), some stronger than others...but I'll let you decide which stories move you most. Defintely worth your time/read! Definitely!

A collection of eight stories! Each story is unique and the writing is very, very modern. Throughout the book, he mentions things like Sam's Club, Pearl Jam, etc., and many other places/things that actually exist! No one story in the book is overly long or drawn out, each one seems to be the perfect length to explain the story completely.

"When the Nines Roll Over: And Other Stories" is one not to miss if your a fan of Benioff and/or witty short stories! The writing is excellent, very vivid descriptions and characters. Unfortunately this book is out of print, but it is very easy to find elsewhere online.

The eight short stories are:
(brief descriptions without giving anything away)

When the Nines Roll Over~
(the story of a punk band's lead singer and her boyfriend and a business savy talent scout that wants to sign them)
4 out of 5 stars!

The Devil Comes to Orekhovo~
(the story of three Russian soldiers, sent out to occupy a supposed empty house in enemy territory)
5 out of 5 stars!

Zoanthrophy~
(the story of a lion hunter in New York City, his son and the worlds greatest lover)
4 out of 5 stars!

The Barefoot Girl in Clover~
(my personal favorite, the story of a high school football star who steals a car and sets out for California, but only makes it to Pennslyvannia and meets a girl he will never forget)
5 out of 5 stars!

De Composition~
(the story of a man who makes an elaborate bomb shelter in his backyard, he thinks the world is coming to an end and locks himself inside)
3 out of 5 stars!

Garden of No~
(the story of an aspiring actress who is about to get her big break)
5 out of 5 stars!

Neversink~
(funny story about a man who meets a girl that talks endlessly about her amazing deceased father, who she happens to have cremated and keeps his ashes in her apartment)
5 out of 5 stars!

Merde for Luck~
(the story of a man who has a very awkward bathroom accident while aboard a plane, he flashes back and tells the story of how he got to this point in life)
5 out of stars!

*****
Author David Benioff is married to actress Amanda Peet(Martian Child, Griffin & Phoenix, The Whole Ten Yards, A Lot Like Love, Saving Silverman), his first book, "The 25th Hour" was a huge success and was turned into a movie with Ed Norton! His new book "City of Thieves" has gotten great reviews and is on my list to read soon!

Short stories, by their very nature, do not often lend themselves to detailed character development or complex plot. This book of short stories by David Benioff is no exception. Most of the stories provide brief glimpses into fractured pieces of lives: "Zoanthropy" is the story of a young man whose father, a fabled big game hunter, has come to Manhattan to dispatch one of the lions that periodically roams the city; "De Composition" has as its main character a man who has built a bomb shelter in his backyard and is now in residence, pending the destruction of civilization; "When the Nines Roll Over" concerns a rock band, its drummer, and a female singer.

One story in the collection, however, "The Devil Comes to Orekhovo", is a stand-out. Set in Chechnya, it centers around three Russian soldiers, sent to secure a mansion thought to be an outpost for Chechen rebels. At thirty-six pages, it is the longest, and most developed, story in the collection.

A writer friend of mine has a completed novel and a collection of short stories to his credit. He believes the novel is "not bad" but his heart and soul can be found in his short story collection. While he believes his novel will not have too many problems being published, he has less hope for his short story collection. The popular theory in the world of publishing is that short story collections do not capture the reader's attention and the market is very limited. Short story collections do not get the attention or press they often deserve and David Benioff's WHEN THE NINES ROLL OVER & OTHER STORIES is a case in point. This is a great collection of well written and captivating stories but it has hardly received the attention it deserves.

Benioff, who is known for his novel THE 25TH HOUR, his adaptations of books for film (he is currently working on a screen version of THE KITE RUNNER), gives us eight short stories that can engage a reader. The stories are varied and include tales about a recording exec who falls in love with a punk rocker, a man who searches for a girl he met briefly who mesmerized him in high school, a man who is battling AIDS and the moral implications of being a part of a research study as well as other beautifully told tales. Benioff's gifts as a writer are evident throughout, but his ability to create distinct voices in his main characters and tell eight very distinct stories is amazing.

Since Benioff is a young writer, we are certain to be hearing more from him in the years to come, or at least I hope we hear more form him in the future. He has a gift for writing and a voice that is certain to entertain and challenge readers.

I generally do not enjoy short stories and abhor authors who write a collection of short stories after sucess with a novel. However, David Benioff's When The Nines Roll Over is an excellent collection of short stories. I couldn't put the book down and it is the only book of short stories that I own! Benioff is a master story teller who tantalizes the reader and intrigues you so that you have to finish the story in one sitting. Each story provokes some thought as well as discussion. Many authors short stories are a collection of the same themes and at times seem as though they are the run-on thoughts of the author. This is not true in When the Nines Roll Over, as all the stories vary in theme, setting and have a great diversity of characters to keep one entertained for hours. My personal favorite is The Devil Comes to Orekhovo and I still mull over it now and then! Each story is diversely entertaining and I give this work two thumbs up!!

I really enjoy the way Chenowth writes. He has a distinctive voice which carries his stories along. All nine revolve around various members of the Goodpasture family, starting in the mid sixties, and moving along through to present-day.

Each story focuses on a different member, although some are more represented than others. Most of the stories have a different location, ranging from Cape Cod to Jacksonville, FL. In each we read of the inner hopes and fears of a character, and explore their lives as they live these out.

If you enjoy books with wit and humor, depth and exploration of the relationships between family members, you'll be pleased with this collection.

These stories gently drew me in: to a world of dwindling privilege; to a family losing its way as a family yet still finding something to love in one another; through writing that is charming, heartfelt, and evocative. These stories profoundly affected me.

It's a treat to feel a story is shared rather than told and a credit to the author who can bring you fully into his world. Old world charm, contemporary prose, patience for detail and a candid, genuine voice make this collection well worth owning.

I was pretty sure that I liked this book when I finished it a few weeks ago. I realized the other morning that I've continued to think about the characters during my morning commute, considering the main character's situation closely. Most books leave my head the moment that I close them; this has held on for many days.

The main character in this collection is believable and bold in revealing himself, even when his behavior and motives are less than admirable. The style reminded me of Peter Taylor. The stories are humorous ones, about a dysfunctional and divided family, with love and pain which show through the humour.

I can't say more than I love Jessica! I was first introduced to her back in 1998 at my step mother's college graduation. I was only 16 and fell in love with her style, her words inspired me in so many ways and she has been my idol ever since. I recently met her at a barbecue and I was for the first time in my life star struck. My admiration for Jessica is limitless and I am patiently waiting for her to write another book. Good Job Jess...

Jessica Care Moore is the best, I am a huge fan. Not only are both of her books awesome, but she is unbelievably down to earth person. I met her a few years back when she made one of her very few visits to SF. Both of her books are great buys, I have tremendous respect for her DIY spirit. The closed-minded mainstream was not publishing her so she started her own publishing company. Go Jessica!!:)

Thanks to everyone who supported this book and other work from jessica Care moore. The new book is coming soon, The Alphabet Verses The Ghetto!
The Words Don't Fit In My Mouth saved my life. If you enjoyed this read, I would suggest reading Fast Cities and Objects That Burn By Sharrif Simmons. Peace.

Moore blows up the spot with her poetry! She speaks her mind and speaks it well. Her nonchalant attitude towards political correctness makes her thoughts more outrageous and vivid. The next Sanchez is on her way, so move!!!

Pure Passion and Perfection. Jessica has her own
Poetic Perfection. As a fellow writer from the
midwest, I applaud Jessica's passion, perseverance,
reverence for her art and love for her people. She's
a ball of fire, and God made her that way! Her words
jump out at you, they fill your ears, they dance around
you, dare you to question them. Sounds like truth, her
truth and the truth of so many of us: Black folks, women
folks, women artists, passionate people, visionaries and love makers. From one poetess from the midwest to another, Jessica, may your life be long, fruitful and ever
exploding from your creative vision! One love

Anything by Andrew Murray is great, deep reading. This is no different. Abide in Christ is a reminder of what our life in Christ is supposed to be like, we are to "abide in Christ." In a very readable manner, Murray sets out to show us we are worthy to live a life fully connected to Christ. It is God who grafts us (our branches) onto the vine (Christ). he nourishes us and provides for us and loves us to help us become faithful followers and doers, which leads to us becoming fruitful and prodcutive for the kingdom of God. An excellent, must read.

This is such a precious book! It's one to read in small bits, because it is so chock full of simple wisdom. Love it!

Outstanding treatment on communion with Jesus. Very practical, accurate, useful in helping disciples to walk daily with the Lord.

Andy Murry has a close relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He makes the point that we can only experience Christ by accepting that Jesus paid the price IN FULL for our unclean natures. Keeping rules of conduct is only a product of our FAITH. We are saved by GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST. GRACE IS AN UNEARNED AND UNDESERVED GIFT FROM GOD THROUGH CHRIST. AMEN!

Review by Richard W. Kelsey, PE and Author
Search "Powerful Wisdom for Powerful Writing,"
Amazon.com or AuthorHouse Publishers

I am a great fan of great devotional writing and Andrew Murray's "Abide In Christ" is one of my top choices along with a few, time-tested others (Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly, The Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon, The Spiritual Guide by Michael Molinos, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer).

I know of no other lesson that is as crucial to every child of God than learning to "Abide in Christ." And yet there is nothing easier than drifting along on a thousand other spiritual currents than "the one thing that is needful." Our lives can thus be so fragmented and parceled among so many competing demands that we have lost sight of Jesus Christ. And to no longer fix our eyes on Him is to lose sight of everything.

One of our greatest lacks today, both individually and corporately, is authentic, intimate, sustained encounter with Jesus Christ. We think all things are well as long as we are continuing to learn more "about" Him rather than "from" Him.

The bible itself has become an obstacle rather than an avenue to greater intimacy with our Lord. Again, we think all things are well as long as we are continuing to learn more about the bible rather than the One whom the bible writes. We think learning biblical principles for living is somehow adequate and what we are called to. But this is not the call of Jesus Christ on our hearts. "You search the scriptures," He said, "thinking that in them you have eternally life, but you won't come to Me that you might have life." But in many instances, just like our forebears, we think it sufficient to eat from the tree of the knowledge of "good and evil" rather than coming to Jesus, our tree of life, our bread of life, our water of life, our "all in all." And on the road to Emmaus, Jesus "pointed out to them all things in scripture that pointed to Him." In all of our bible reading, do we fix our eyes on Jesus?

The deepest longing of Jesus Christ is for closeness with us. In one place it says that Jesus cried with a loud voice saying "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest!" We need to be reminded of this, often and daily.

Murray writes:

And observe especially, it was not that He said, "Come to Me and abide with Me," but, "Abide in me." The communion was not only to be unbroken, but most intimate and complete. He opened His arms to press you to His bosom; He opened His heart to welcome you there; He opened up all His divine fullness of life and love and offered to take you up into its fellowship to make you wholly one with Himself. "There was a depth of meaning you cannot yet realize in His words: "Abide in me."

Just what is this "depth of meaning?" What is this "unbroken, intimate, and complete" fellowship with Jesus Christ? What is this call to "inner communion" into the heart of our Lord? Do read this classic devotion "Abide In Christ" and discover some of the answers. Rediscover the ultimate call and central message of Jesus Christ to all those who have lost their way.

This is a fascinatingly detailed, engrossing account of the brilliant, eccentric Potter's life, whom the author describes as a determined yet vulnerable woman ahead of her time. Who would have known she was a scientist, stockbreeder, and conservation pioneer as well as her familiar role as beloved artist? The stereotypical portrait of shy recluse due to enforced imprisonment by her parents is examined and put into proper perspective, and the familiar tragic love affair with Norman Warne and the later marriage to William Heelis are both sensitively explored, but the writer doesn't allow these emotional ties to overshadow Potter's individuality and accomplishments. Illustrated with many photographs and samples of unpublished Potter artwork. I think it's the best book yet on the subject and well worth the price.

If you are familiar with the English Lake District or just an Anglophile you will enjoy this wonderfully detailed book on the life of Beatrix Potter. I wizzed through it's over 400 pages. Potter was an amazing woman who lived an interesting life and left an extraordinary legacy both in literature and property. You will never see "Peter Rabbit" the same way again!

I think other reviewers nicely report the life of Beatrix Potter as very interesting. The categories included in the "Select Bibliography" show the breadth of further investigation that can be stimulated by the book: Biography and Criticism; Agriculture; Children's Literature, Art and Photography; Contemporaries; Environmental History; The Lake District; Mycology, Paleontology, and Archeology; Religion: Unitarians and Quakers; Science and Natural History; Women.

I have never read any of Beatrix Potters books and never really knew anything about her. One day I discovered the movie Miss Potter with my favourite actress and I felt I wanted to know more about Beatrix Potter. I bought this book and it was quite boring! I think to relly enjoy it you have to have a true interest in B.Potter. This book bored me. Personally I thought it was a 3-star but give it 4 since it written extremly well.

A highly detailed account of the entire family of this great writer/painter. Very complete and entertaining.