News and Media Books

C.S. Lewis's "English Literature in the Sixteenth Century (Excluding Drama)," first published in 1954, was part of a multi-volume series, The Oxford History of English Literature, and perhaps its most distinguished contribution (but see below). It also doubled as an installment in the Clark Lectures series (for 1944), which contributes an additional subtitle in some listings.

For reasons not immediately apparent, Oxford University Press has reissued this book in a "New Version" as "Poetry and Prose in the Sixteenth Century." As the same fate has overtaken E. K. Chambers on "English Literature at the Close of the Middle Ages," probably the other outstanding book in the series, which is now called "Malory and Fifteenth-Century Drama, Lyrics, and Ballads," there seems to have been a policy of titular refurbishing of at least some of the volumes in the series (once known, in an unfortunate acronym, as the O.H.E.L.).

The current titles are accurate enough, although "Poetry and Prose" should have included a warning that Elizabethan drama was covered in a different volume. (Due to the facts of human biology, Lewis' book not unexpectedly covers a slightly longer period than either title indicates.) Still, the changes can cause confusion for anyone not aware of them; given the current prices, this may be more than a little annoying to some people. If you have one version, you probably don't need the other!

Lewis on the "Sixteenth Century" was the product of enormous labor, including actually reading a huge body of writing generally ignored in literary histories, or customarily treated without much firsthand knowledge. Acquaintances -- not all of them friends, or even especially sympathetic -- described Lewis spending his days doggedly reading sermons and polemics, minor poets and bad poets, over the course of years. (He came to refer to the effort by the "infernal" acronym for the series noted above.) The result is a treasury of first-hand information, and with it Lewis' often-witty summations. It is engaging reading, even for those who disagree with Lewis -- and he seemingly set out to overturn most critical orthodoxies established between about 1900 and 1950, as well as a few older ones.

For example, he treats Elizabethan literature as an extension of medieval culture. Humanism, in its period sense of concern for a classicizing Latin style, and the disparaging of the immediate past, is treated as an often-harmful interruption. This reverses a judgment that actually goes back to the period -- but a judgment originally made by self-styled Humanists themselves, of course. And he includes the literature of Lowland Scotland, often ignored, or treated as something apart.

"English Literature in the Sixteenth Century" also appeared as an Oxford paperback under the original title (1973), unfortunately without the bibliographic supplement in which Lewis discussed textual histories and modern editions, if any, of both the well-known and the more obscure English and Scots literature of the late fifteenth through early seventeenth centuries. This portion is, of course, half a century out of date, but Lewis' observations are still of value. Even without this section, the paperback is worthwhile, and may be a good, reasonably-priced, alternative, but anyone familiar with the original form may be disappointed.

Those interested in Lewis as a Christian apologist will find here his considered reflections on many of his predecessors, not all of them flattering, but his comments on doctrine are pretty strictly limited to explaining the issues debated. It may seem odd to see the Reformation through the lense of literary history, but Lewis avoids open advocacy, unlike his "Preface to 'Paradise Lost,'" in which (it seems to me) his concern that readers take Milton seriously tends to blend with a concern that they take seriously their own salvation.

Lewis was also a poet, novelist, and occasional short-story writer. Here he occasionally briefly retells a story, with his usual skill, but, except for some overlapping topics, connections to his own fiction are less obvious than in some of his writings on the Middle Ages. There is a section on the Scots poet Sir David Lyndsay (d. 1555), who provided the epigraph to Lewis' novel "That Hideous Strength" (1946). And, somewhere it includes, as others have noted also, a quotation with the words "Stygian puddle glum." They undoubtedly lurks somewhere behind both the Marshwiggle named Puddleglum and the visit to the Narnian Underlands in "The Silver Chair" (1953, written 1950), although Dante, Virgil (of course), and a host of others, are under contribution there as well.

I was under the impression, from my first reading of the book decades ago, that it was given as a quotation from Gavin Douglas' Scots translation of "The Aeneid" (1513; Lewis describes it with enthusiasm); but I have never been able to locate it in the appropriate section. A recent search of my old copy of the shorter paperback has revealed that it was indeed quoted from a translation, but as an example of bad one, and English, not Scots; of the dramas of Seneca, not Virgil. On page 256 (where I had marked it thirty years ago), "Tacitae Stygis" in "Hippolytus" (line 625), rather weakly rendered by the utterly obscure John Studley ("which cannot now be read without a smile").

Perhaps establishing just how much Lewis read, and with what close attention, no matter how dreary.

(Reposted from my "anonymous" review of September 10, 2003)

Whether you rate this a 10 or a 2 depends on your reading tastes. No doubt many people would find the topic uninteresting, and if the topic or the author are not subjects you enjoy, then don't bother to buy it. Not being a lit. buff myself, my attraction for the book was the author's commentary, with the goldmine of quotable material found therein. This is an impressive volume of literary history, and I doubt that anyone else could have done such a thorough job and still made the topic come to life with such vigorous exposition. Opinionated? You bet. That's part of what makes it enjoyable to read. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the book, you may want to contact Oxford University Press directly. As one of the twelve volumes constituting the "Oxford History of English Literature" series, they have continued to print it over the years.

Tolkien, in a letter to George Sayer as recorded in his biography JACK: A LIFE OF C. S. LEWIS, says that this is "a great book, the only one of his [Lewis's] that gives me unalloyed pleasure." Coming from Tolkien, this is very high praise indeed. Originally published as ENGLISH LITERATURE IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY EXCLUDING DRAMA and for some inexplicable reason recently renamed, this book, Lewis's longest work, will not be found in the libraries of the causal C. S. Lewis fan for the simple fact that it is a textbook and is aimed not at the general reader but instead the academic world (even in those days there was that damned phenomena of `publish or perish!'). For those who are studying this material, however, will find the book a very remarkable one at that. As a previous reviewer noted, Lewis began referring to this text as "O Hell!" as the writing process became very tedious to him. This book was ten years in the writing, and by the time it was ended Lewis wanted to concentrate more on theology and Narnia than this "critical nonsense." The end sections of the book do not shore this weariness, however, so have no fear.

Although books of this sort always, by necessity, impose artificial time lines on literature which, in the long run, do not have a lot to do with the true literary history. To study literature in the sixteenth century, one should not confine oneself to going behind or in front of the time line to get a fuller understanding of the significance of the text. However, this is not really a fault of Lewis and it is a very difficult error to correct for literary historians. However, Lewis pulls off this artificial time limit very well by clearly illustrating the many strenghts and the many weaknesses of this century's literature.

Because it is for the student of literature, much of the more radical elements of this text will be lost without a general knowledge of the preconceptions the academic world has in regard to the literature in question. The opening chapter ("New Learning and New Ignorance") stands as one of Lewis's most famous academic writing because of the sheer implications and challenges set forth in the chapter. He debunks many of the fashionable scholarly trends, focusing on how much of what the scholars say is off base. Lewis argues that the during the sixteenth century much of the literature proved extremely dull, saying the authors wrote like "elderly men". Toward the close of the century, however, something radical began to take place. There was a renewal and an elevation in quality from drab to gold, as Lewis puts it. Most literary scholars and historians think the Renaissance is responsible for this, but Lewis says this theory has no truth, because the humanists who were responsible for the Renaissance were terrible scholars and brought death to the literature they presented, presenting the classics' virtues as ills and instead focused on the way the classics said what they said. The humanists focused on the language and left the literature itself alone. Everything else about the literature they hated. Lewis continually attacks the humanists, stating that "the new learning [that of the humanists] created the new ignorance." His belief that the Renaissance never occurred in England, and if it did it was of no literary importance, is as radical a literary belief as accepting the Book of Mormon to the Bible would be to a Christian.

The rest of the book reads as a survey of the literature of the period. All major and quite a large number of minor authors are represented in this. As a textbook, this stands as fascinating reading, for Lewis constantly illuminates the strengths and weaknesses of whoever he is dealing with, and his numerous quotations from the texts dealt with show the true skill of selection to prove a point. All of the quotations give a further understanding in context of Lewis's prose. If all textbooks were written with such skill and wit, there would not be the incredible resentment (myself included) of the price tag on most college text books.

Lewis's 1938 on Donne, published in SEVENTEENTH CENTURY STUDIES PUBLISHED IN SIR HERBERT GRIERSON has made him the heretic and central enemy of all Donne scholars and fans. Here he does not attack him but helps readers deal with Donne's metre. However, Lewis only gives five pages to Donne, and he was fond of saying that "Donne's place is that of a minor poet."

The reception of this book was fair, although the most resentment came from the academic circle. People accused Lewis of, as Sayer says in his biography, grossly oversimplifying by presenting only two classifications: drab and gold. Yvor Winters goes to the extreme when she says that "Mr. Lewis has simply not discovered what poetry is."

Of all the volumes in the series this still sells the most. Sayer notes in the aforementioned biography that "many Oxford tutors still warn their students that it is `unsound but brilliantly written.' Nevertheless, or perhaps partly because of this warning, it outsells all the other volumes in this series." While it does not enjoy the monumental place in criticism of THE ALLEGORY OF LOVE, which many would argue is Lewis's most significant piece of criticism, partly because of the radical ideas mentioned above, this work stands as one of the most brilliant and enjoyable survey books every written.

Commissioned as a volume in "The Oxford History of English Literature", "English Literature in the Sixteenth Century Excluding Drama", as it was originally titled, proved such tedium to write that Lewis took to referring to it by the acronym "OHEL". The sixteenth century ends as one of the great ages - arguably the greatest - of English literary genius, but it began dismally. Except in Scotland, where a vigorous Medieval tradition lived on, "authors seem to have forgotten the lessons which had been mastered in the Middle Ages and learned little in their stead. Their prose is clumsy, monotonous, garrulous; their verse either astonishingly tame and cold or, if it attempts to rise, the coarsest fustian. . . . Nothing is light, or tender, or fresh. All the authors write like elderly men."

This period of "bludgeon-work" gave way to something almost worse, "the Drab Age" - "earnest, heavy-handed, commonplace", a time when England did not shine and the peripheral light of Scotland guttered out.

The story would scarcely be worth telling, save for the happy ending, a true eucatastrophe: "Then, in the last quarter of the century, the unpredictable happens. With startling suddenness, we ascend. Fantasy, conceit, paradox, color, incantation return. Youth returns. The fine frenzies of ideal love and ideal war are readmitted. Sidney, Spenser, Shakespeare, Hooker . . . display what is almost a new culture: that culture which was to last through most of the seventeenth century and enrich the very meanings of the words England and Aristocracy. Nothing in the earlier history of our period would have enabled the sharpest observer to foresee this transformation."

Had the scope of his labors not been set by his commission, Lewis would doubtless have preferred to skip the clumsy and drab, to delve into the riches of the Age of Gold. Still, despite his preferences, he was an apt choice to mine the less precious veins. Unlike many of his academic colleagues, who then as now regarded literature as merely a "job", Lewis read avidly in the most obscure corners. Little though he admired the early and drab writers, he was familiar with their work and could tease out virtues as well as point to flaws.

Three points about this history stand out as unexpected or significant. First is the fine opening chapter, "New Learning and New Ignorance", which contests the commonplace view that the medieval period was a vale of ignorance from which mankind was happily rescued by the Renaissance. That opinion is no longer prevalent in scholarly circles (where Lewis is now sometimes derided for expounding the conventional wisdom - much like accusing Shakespeare of writing in cliches!), but most general readers take it for granted. Lewis' presentation is one-sided, but it is a side that needs to be heard.

Second, Lewis devotes considerable space to Scotland, a territory absent from most of our literature classes. Though the Scots dialect is not easy to parse, Douglas and Dunbar and Lyndsay and their ilk are worthy of acquaintance.

Third - a slighter point than the preceding but interesting in its own right - there is Lewis' treatment of John Donne. As a young man, Lewis wrote a notorious essay on Donne, dispraising the quality of his love poetry and hinting that his vogue was due more to fashion than merit. For these heresies he became the stock villain of every introduction to Donne's work.

The "OHEL" volume takes a different tack. Lewis' appreciation of the "Songs and Sonnets" is warm and perceptive, with a useful disquisition on how to catch the rhythm of Donne's eccentric versification. It was not only, apparently, in matters of faith that Lewis was capable of casting off his youthful skepticism.

Within its genre - the comprehensive academic history - Lewis' effort is as good as a single mind and hand can produce. Similar tomes are nowadays parceled out chapter by chapter, gaining no doubt in narrow expertise but losing personality and perspective. Both are present in plenitude here.

One of the primary pleasures of reading literary criticism is to hear someone intelligent talk about books you both have read. This book, then, couldn't be better. Erudite, controversial, innovative--whether you approve of Lewis's opinions or not, they're always good reading. If you're like me, and haven't read many of the sixteenth-century works Lewis discusses, then this literary critical history will give you the related pleasure of hearing someone intelligent talk about . . . anything. Lewis could blow your mind and change your life if he wrote an essay on tying shoes; thankfully, he wrote instead on ideas underpinning the Western world.

In this volume, his work on poetry is especially good. Highlights include the stylistic acrobatics Lewis put himself through to avoid saying 100 times of Drab Age poetry: "I don't like it; you won't either; read something else." Cranky? Yes, but insightfully, entertainingly cranky. Then, when he actually turns proselytiser and suggests you read something--well, I'll admit this volume practically by itself has gotten me interested in early Scottish poetry and the great Elizabethans, not to mention equipped me (almost as an afterthought) with more prosodical knowledge than I received in any of my creative writing classes.

This book is good enough to read all by itself. If you have knowledge of the period, so much the better. Lewis has spoiled me as a literature grad student, permanently I hope; no other critic measures up to his combination of insight and memorable prose.

This is a great reference about the meanings of the seasonal cycles. It gives the reader greater understanding and reverence to mother nature. I think even non-wiccan readers would enjoy the history and lore covered in this book.

This book has a lot of great information concerning the Sabbats including zodiacal, astrological and history of each Sabbat. Also has good information pertaining to the Esbats and a few great tables of timeframes and correspondences. It is a fun read, offering many examples that will get you on your way to performing your own rituals for the Sabbats. The only drawback for myself was that it is mainly written for the female audience, as all the rituals are written in the female perspective. It can be easily changed around for the male reader however being overlooked is not something I take lightly. All in all it is a good book of information in the areas it touches on.

As the introduction to this book explains, "there are many ways to acknowledge the passage of time." The Wiccan Year presents "spiritual expressions grounded through clear intentions and repeated on auspicious days at carefuly chosen times so that we may attune with the power of the changing Earth and allow this Power to transform our lives."
This book provides an orientation to some of these "chosen times" according to the cycle of the year. It gives an overview of legends and folklore associated with each season, meditation, spellwork, chants and ritual suggestions for each.
It would be a helpful reference for a novice, as well a a more experienced person looking for some ideas to add to their ritual practice.

What an awesome book! It's definately one of my very favorites. There is a great deal of information that is new. There are meditations and other great ideas and information for each sabat. It's a very unique book, I love the pages! Get this one for your collection.

This book really gives you some great tips and tricks to help you plan your sabbats -- whether you are solitary practioner or a coven witch, you will find great material from in this book which will in turn help you write great rituals. I find myself referring to this book for ideas when each sabbat rolls around.

Much Love & Many Blessings,
Thorn Nightwind

I would recomend this book to anybody it teaches you some great family morals and you learn alot from it. I would not recomend this for little kids because there is a lot a talk about sex so don't give it to any young kid. but it is a very awesome book.

I found this book very interesting. I watch the Tv series every day, it is my most fave show. The books are great because they are the same as the show and keep me reading. I recomend this book to everyone 10 and over. One thing to say BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

As a loyal watcher of the show 7th Heaven and a dedicated Christian; I only wish their were more books like this out there for young readers. The show 7th Heaven has always been about a real family dealing with real issues in the real world; this book which is part of the 7th Heaven Series of books based on the popular WB show shows all of the values and expands on many of the same situations as the show does. In this particular book Mary and Lucy Camden show how being "Sibling Rivals" who are constantly bickering can have an affect on the entire family, and on themselves. Again I say if only there were more series like this one out there, our world would be a better place.

I think that it talked a lot about family and love.It was the best book I read on the subject. It was a great book that I say everyone should read it.

Rivals is based on a great episode of 7th Heaven, but the book goes into more detail than the show. I also recommend Mary's Story and Matt's Story!

I teach Pre-K, and used this book along with other books by Kate Waters (The Mayflower,Sarah Morton's Day, and Tapenum's Day)to teach my November unit on the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. The photographs, which I primarily used, are an excellent source for my young students to visualize how things were. (I also left them in our library to look at at their leisure.) The text, which is understandable for this age, was a bit long for them to sit for during circle time. However, I wish I had these books when my own children were younger, because they would have had no trouble listening to them one on one. I remember how excited my children were when learning of this era. These books would have been some of their favorites, and I highly recommend them.

I used this book as part of the third grade curriculum. We are studying Massachusetts History. This book and its partner books about Sarah Morton, a Pilgrim Girl and Tapenum a Wampanoag Indian boy were excellent!!
The texts and pictures were well researched and presented. Plymouth Plantation and the reenactors there provide an authentic setting. Homes, clothing, work and play of children during this period are acurately shown. These books should be in every school library.

This is a wonderful, wonderful book. It will help you teach your children about hard work, perseverance, and family. My children want it read to them again and again.

Young Samuel Eaton (a historical character) is looking forward to his first chance to help his father bring in the crops. He finds the work incredibly hard, and the coarse grain raises bad blisters on his hands. But he perseveres, and at the end of the day when his father tells him "you did a man's work today, Samuel," we feel his pride.

Masterfully written, beautifully photographed, this is a gem in every way.

I am continually amazed at how children's books offer detail and insight into daily life that no stout history book can provide.

Writing the same review for the other two in this trilogy. Excellent all!

This book took us back to 1627. We learned all about Samuel Eaton's first day as a man. He told us all about the hard work he had to do in the fields. It was so interesting to read a story that used different words from long ago. The pictures were awesome! They showed us the clothing the pilgrims wore, what their house looked like, and the hard work everybody did. We thought it would be difficult to be a pilgrim boy! We think everyone should read this book because you can learn a lot about how the pilgrims lived. Read this wonderful book!

Smaller book than I expected. My son likes it, I just thought the flash cards would be something besides a page in the book.

My 4 year old loves all of these Scooby Doo Picture Clue books. I like them too since I grew up with Scooby Doo it makes me feel like we have something in common other than DNA.

My twins love Scooby doo. Anything with Scooby on it they will use over and over. They read it over and over even though they don't know all the words.

Cute book for Scooby lovers! Has little pictures to give clues to the words for beginner readers.

Book Review By MENDIOLA ROOM #B1 a
Scooby Do The Search for Scooby Snacks

If you like cartoon books you are in the right place. You'll like reading this book.
I like Scooby do because it is very, very funny book.
This story is about Scooby and Shaggy looking for their food that was lost. A bear was eating it. In my opinion this book is very good because you will laugh all through and enjoy the book from beginning to end. This book showed me not to leave my snacks on the floor because someone could come and eat them. This
Book is very funny. YOVANI

Iam half way to chapter two.I really love this book!It is amazing! you would always want to read those books! the book is about kids looking for secret adventures !I like the characters a lot!By how they talk,act,or sound!
THE SECRETS OF DROON is a really good book series!I would always
pick these books!

Its about these three kids who find something in the basment and there is a girl who flys on a carpet and they go somewhere to find the prize but some people arn't playing fair the three kids names are eric,julie,and neal can they stop the other racers from stealing the victory.I like these book because it as lot of adventures,excientment,and experince.

This was a great book about the kids quest to be the first ones to make it to the island with the prize that will be recieved by the deserving winner of race. However the kids run into trouble when they find that Queen Relna has been captured by 2 evil magicians sent by the evil sea wizard Demither. Will that kids get to the island in time to get the prize that will save Queen Relna? I highly recommend this book to any age group because it really is very enjoyable and fun! Thank you Tony Abbott!

I have read every one of the books from this series with my kids and this one does not disappoint - they are already clamoring for Book 11. This book and the whole series is great for reading to kids (my 5 and 8 year old) and for early reading (my 8 year old is always re-reading them). Highly recommended.

The tenth installment in the Secrets of Droon series was a huge hit it my home. Granted, my son (now approaching five) loved each of the preceding nine Droon books and remains intolerant of my inability to force Tony Abbott, the author, to write and publish with greater frequency. My guess, however, is that The Quest for the Queen will satisfy both new readers and faithful followers of Eric, Julie, and Neal, as they team with Princess Keeah to combat evil in the magical world of Droon. Children familiar with the earlier books will perch on the edge of their seats (or your lap) awaiting the fate of the shape-shifting Queen Relna (Princess Keeah's mother, the wife of the Viking King Zello), and they won't be disappointed. New readers will be at less of a disadvantage here because Droon's predominant villian -- Lord Sparr -- remains in hiding (although there is a cameo of his nemisis, Gaelen, the grand wizard of Droon) -- nonetheless, the series works best if you begin with The Magic Staircase and meet the colorful characters in order as this grand, dense saga evolves. Consistent with most Droon adventures, this book crackles with magic (even in the forest where magic has been banned), adventure (a pilka chariot race -- oh my!), and teamwork (with both girls (Keeah and Julie) and boys (Eric and Neal) chipping in and sharing the glory). Again, I applaud Tony Abbott for doing what only the best children's authors can -- making reading (and listening) fun!

Daniel O'Sullivan became a widow seven years ago, on 9/11. He still wears his wedding band. He still misses his wife terribly. He is still unable to move on. Quite frankly, Daniel has no interest in moving on. Until her death, Michelle and he were soul mates. The chances of meeting a second soul mate in a single lifetime is slim. Most people never even find one. The odds are against him and Daniel has no intention of ever searching. However, his brothers have had enough of Daniel using work as a crutch. If Daniel is not busy with the accounting firm, then he was helping out at the family bar, Prime. His brothers, Gabe and Sean, and even Tessa, Gabe's girlfriend, join forces and use guilt to get Daniel to take a three-day weekend off at the summer time-share beach house in the Hamptons. From the moment Daniel hits the beach, he is counting down the minutes until he can return to work. The beach house time is shared with two other people (lawyers) and their dates. It is all snack foods, alcohol, and wild times. Daniel spends most of the first day on the beach of the house next door to get away from the others. When Daniel realizes that the house next door is currently occupied, and the lovely lady is sitting outside, he approaches her to make sure it is okay for him to sit on her section of the beach.

Catherine Montefiore can tell the handsome man wants to get away from the others. After chatting awhile, Catherine is amazed to hear herself offering one of her spare bedrooms for him to sleep in. He agrees. It is all meant to be very chaste. Yet they end up in one bed. Doing something totally new for her, Catherine decides to have a hot affair for forty-eight hours and then return to her normal life. When the two days are up, Daniel returns to his life and Catherine returns to her family's exclusive auction house. She is hardly back into the swing of art appraising when the family's business is hit by a very public scandal. The board believes her grandfather, who actually owns the auction house, of collusion with another business. The board insists on an independent audit. Daniel is part of that independent audit team. As Catherine and Daniel hit the invoices in an attempt to prove her grandfather innocent, they find themselves unable to keep their hands off each other.

***** Harlequin BLAZE is called that for a HOT reason. Expect some hot bedroom scenes with light erotica. Nothing hard core, but still designed for ages seventeen and up. Consider yourself warned. Having said that, I wish to go on record as stating that author Kathleen O'Reilly is one of the few BLAZE authors that I have come to thoroughly enjoy reading. This is the second O'Sullivan man's story. Daniel's story has a sound plot, engaging characters, and focuses primarily on the romance between the main couple. Be sure your beau is within reach as you begin this tale. This is the perfect way to heat up an otherwise chilling winter evening. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Oldest O'Sullivan brother Daniel is a widower. Having married and lost the love of his life, he has no time for romance. That part of his life is over and done with because no one will ever be able to take the place of his deceased wife. But everyday Daniel finds it getting harder and harder to picture her face which in turn depresses him further. When he is coerced into taking his brother Sean's timeshare condo on the beach for a weekend, Daniel figures he can at least be alone in his thoughts. Fate is a trickster, because in his loneliness, Daniel finds a woman named Catherine who rocks his world on its foundation.

Heiress Catherine Montefiore is spending the weekend at the beach. Somewhat shy but very observant, she can't help but notice the rowdy bunch next door partying and having a good time. The more she tries not to watch the harder it is not to, especially when she sees the enigmatic man sitting by himself. His features are striking and Catherine finds herself sketching him. Gathering courage, she and the seemingly lonely man share conversation and laughs, and when it is time for him to return to the loud house next door, Catherine blurts out an invitation that she might just live to regret. Especially when the weekend is over and she notices the man's wedding ring on his luggage.

Having read Shaken and Stirred, the first installment of this delightful series, I was instantly hooked on Daniel and his story. His mourning grabbed my attention and I knew that whatever his story was, it would be a tear jerker. Sex, Straight Up was that and more. The plethora of emotions that Daniel and Catherine experienced was amazing. I felt as if my heart would break when Catherine felt the same way. Her anger and hurt at Daniel's supposedly married state made me wince and I silently urged Daniel to come clean with his story.

Kathleen O'Reilly has a fan for life just because Sex, Straight Up was brilliant. I am hooked on these totally sexy O'Sullivan men and can't wait for the next installment. Consider Sex, Straight Up Joyfully Recommended because I adored it!

Talia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

While reading book 1 of "Those Sexy O'Sullivans" (Shaken & Stirred) a couple months ago, I have to confess that though I loved Gabe madly, I was intrigued the most by his brother, Daniel.

The loss of his wife was something that Daniel couldn't reconcile with. This loss changed Daniel, changed his relationship with his brothers and friends, made him retreat from the world he once knew. In the first book Daniel compelled me to know him better despite his gruff exterior. And with SEX STRAIGHT UP, I'm so glad that I took the time to get to know him.

Meeting Catherine Montefiore on the glorious Hamptons beaches introduces us to the touching man that he is. Daniel is sensitive yet savvy and intelligent, powerfully driven and cares more than anything about those he loves. In "Sex Straight Up", Daniel comes out of his shell and with many touching scenes, excellently written characters and pure romance, Kathleen O'Reilly delivers one of her best stories yet.

Ms. O'Reilly writes a grief-stricken hero who wants to live in the past, but also deep down, wants to move on. Especially after meeting Catherine. But Daniel makes this story for me. He's the heart of it, the power behind each compelling word and finally finds the peace that he's really been seeking that could be felt even in book one. Daniel calls to the heart of the reader, makes a woman fall a little bit in love with him and is a character that will be remembered as one of this author's endearing heroes.

With recurring characters, some laughter, sexual tension and a whole lot of soul-searching, "Sex Straight Up" is a highly recommended read. From start to finish, Daniel draws a reader in and never lets go. I know I'm smitten!

Kathleen O'Reilly just gets better and better!!

I work across the street from the World Trade Center site, and I usually avoid any entertainment related to 9/11. In a moment of boredom, though, I read an excerpt and bought "Sex, Straight Up," anyway.

I'm glad I did. The book is tastefully done. I don't think I could have read it if Daniel relived that morning in graphic detail or if he was guilt-ridden for surviving while his wife died. Luckily, the author focuses instead on what it's like to move on after a sudden loss. The book is more about the people than the tragedy, which I needed.

Also, the writing is much better than the average Blaze. The characters stay true to themselves -- no overnight personality changes or descriptions that could come from any other romance book on the planet. I love her description of Daniel the accountant sorting photographs until the two stacks balance, or Catherine the art appraiser thinking of their romance in terms of art movements.

Bottom line: This short little book is definitely worth the time. It's sexy, of course, but it's also engaging as a story. And it's packed with emotion (not the over-the-top, rage and wail, TSTL emotion, either).

I really liked Catherine. I really, really liked Daniel. And I'll definitely read through the series after this.

Daniel O'Sullivan, an accountant and part owner of the bar known as Prime, lost his wife seven years ago when she was killed in the twin towers. To him, love should be forever so he has been unable to date anyone feeling he would be cheating on his wife. Now Daniel is starting to forget what she looked like and it scares him. Gabe and Sean, his brothers, have been trying to get him back into society and dating again.

Catherine Montefiore works at her grandfather's auction house with her grandfather and mother, her only living relatives. Although she has a degree in art, she feels like she is a disappointment to her family since she does not possess her mother's style or her grandfather's showmanship. Insecure in her artistic skills, Catherine secretly draws the male form. With two disastrous past relationships, she sticks to drawing men during the day and dreaming about them at night. Whenever she can, she escapes to her grandfather's beach house in the Hamptons.

Daniel, manipulated by his brothers, is reluctantly filling-in for Sean at a summer share in the Hamptons with a group of lawyers. When Catherine spots his gorgeous form sitting alone on her beach, she cannot resist drawing him. When they meet, the attraction between them is instantaneous. As they prepare to return home - after spending the weekend together - Catherine spots Daniel's wedding band. When he does not explain about his deceased wife, they part on bad terms. Upon returning to work, Daniel is sent to audit an auction house where financial misconduct is suspected. Coincidentally, it is the place where Catherine works. The suspect? Her beloved grandfather. Will Catherine and Daniel be able to get beyond their personal feelings and work together to solve the scandal at the auction house? Is her grandfather guilty?

SEX, STRAIGHT UP, the second book in the Those Sexy O'Sullivans trilogy, is an entertaining read. This heartwarming, witty romance is filled with interesting, well-drawn characters and a touching, intrigue-filled plot. Readers will find themselves caught up in this steamy story of a man who finds love again after a major loss in his life. I highly recommend SEX STRAIGHT UP. Readers who like this story will also enjoy the first book in this series, SHAKEN AND STIRRED.

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com

If you have every been a New York tourist, cluelessly wandering the streets looking for a cool bar in which to hang out only to end up in a cheesy "Night at the Roxbury" reenactment, you must buy Shecky's. The guide has never failed me. You can find a bar for any occasion or mood, with helpful information such as which places sell the strongest drinks. I only wish they'd write one for San Francisco!

I once was lost but now I'm found.Accurate, outragiously funny reviews. A must have if you're going to assume the overwhelming task of finding the best spots in town. Great value if you're looking for the perfect gift.I Love Shecky's!

This book is a great idea, simply because New York is one of the world's great drinking towns and hasn't had a very good guide (if at all) to put it all together. This guide can only get better, since there are some notable omissions, but the task is indeed daunting so I can understand how difficult it is to include everything. For instance, New York City does comprise of FIVE boroughs, not just Manhattan.

My only other criticism is that it is a bit biased...you can clearly tell by reading the descriptions and classifications of the various bars, clubs, and lounges what type of people are contributing to all the reviews. That being said, the "Shecky's Picks" denoted by a happy face next to the name of the bar generally are excellent choices.

Definitely worth buying.

Shecky's really spells it all out.With all of the bars listed in this book, I was able to pick out a perfect spot to have a large group for some drinks. The reviews are hysterically funny, and the descriptions are right on the money. Essential for any one who goes out at night. Anyone.

Shecky's Bar, Club and Lounge Guide is the greatest. Before SHecky's, there was no guide to drinking in NYC, and lets face it, NYC is a nightlife, drinking town. All of Shecky's reviews are right on, funny, hip and always accurate. The icons are great as well as the lists in the back of the book. All of my friends love the guide and we all live by Shecky's Bar, Club & Lounge Guide.

The are three great storie in the 7th Heaven book, Ruthie Goes To Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through The Season. in Ruthie goes to hollywood, she has wone a trip to go to hollywood and see her favorite actor but when she gets there she finds out he is really mean so she has to get to the bottom of this mistery. in The best oktoberfest Simon, Robbie, Mary, Lucy, and Ruthie got to the anual Oktoberfest in the mountains of Callifornia and Ruthis pulls a lot of pranks on Simon and Robbie and on the las prank she gets them lost in a forest at night and no one can find them until.... In Sisters Through The Season Mary and Lucy goes to visit a friend of marys and she gets drunk in a bar, what will the sisters do next? This is a great book it is a great gift for any 7th Heaven Fan.

The Camden sisters go on adventures of their own in this 3-story book. Ruthie goes to Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through the Seasons are all enjoyable and is a good extension of the Camden family saga, that has become a hit long-running television show. Other recommended books: Wedding Memories (7th Heaven) and the Gilmore Girls series.

This Book Is great,Every 7th Heaven Fan Should Own A Copy!!

WOW!!!! i am a true 7th Heaven fan, and i have all the books, never miss a episode on tv!!!! and i'm not lying. this is like one of the best books i have ever read. i mean i personally like 7th heaven, mary-kate and ashley, sabrina, lizzie mcguire, sweet valley books. and i loved harry potter, but i think these books are a bit better, i enjoy them more. but i reccommend this book (and all 7th heaven and sweetvalley (all listed above) for people 10-11 and up!!!!!

If you like 7th heaven you are in for a treat. Mary and Lucy are off to New York. Mary's friend gets drunk! What a dissater! Robbie and Simion are going to a big/little compition place. And there is a surprise going on in the Camden house. BUY IT NOW!...

This is a special book... it contains stories that will inspire you and encourage you to look for small miracles in your daily life. I have this book is sitting on my breakfast table and when I need to feel uplifted or inspired, I read one of the stories. I now have finished the whole book and plan to buy another by the same author. Reading these types of books, makes me feel hopeful and encourages me to look beyond my circumstances. Recommend highly!

Extroidinarily uplifting stories of God's amazing goodness. I personally believe that we women have highly tuned spiritual awareness, each uplifting story will increase your awareness. This collection of stories will make you smile, laugh, and even cry. With every story you will feel as if your soul has been nourished. By the end of the book you will be looking for God's fingerprints and goodness in your own life.

I love the stories because they're uplifting for the spirit and are truly a joy for the soul! The human condition is such that it needs a small miracle to get us through some difficult times. Here there's proof that there is some wonderful force out there that comes to us just when we need it the most. It happens to other people, and surely, it can happen to you and me. The book is a companion for me, to turn to and share precious moments that are heartwarming and lasting.

I really loved this book! If you need to be reminded of all of the wonderful things that happen to people and to remind you of the good that surrounds you, this book is definitely for you. This is a really special book!

The more I kept on reading, the more I loved this book! Even if it were but one story so amazing and uplifting for the soul, it'd be a blessing. The authors do justice to their wonderful reputation for the three earlier books in the Small Miracles series. "Small Miracles for Women" took a much shorter time for me to finish reading than anticipated. I was resolved to have it on hand while traveling on the bus and on the subway, but then something happened, and I just could not put the book down. The stories are amazing and inspiring and bring hope and have a calming effect for as the small miracles unfold, it becomes obvious that we are watched over just when we need it the most, and blissfully, we are not alone.