Product Description
The vampire Lestat, bestselling author Anne Rice's chilling creation, is back...in a graphic novel adaptation of The Tale of the Body Thief, part of the bloodsoaked Vampire Chronicles. Immortalised on screen by Tom Cruise in Interview With a Vampire, Lestat is the decadent, corrupt night dweller with a craving for human blood and the ethics of a snake. Now, transformed into a Dark God, Lestat embarks on his most surreal journey into the heart of darkness, wherein he must confront his own cursed immortality and the terrifying emptiness of his own soul. This time, the hunter has become the hunted! A horror classic, presented in graphic novel format. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tale of the Body Thief graphic novel
Being a life-long (or so it seems) Anne Rice fan, I recently went on an internet quest to find every book she's written that's been turned into a graphic novel or comic book series.The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned were excellent in graphic novel form, due to the artwork and the general action of the plots.The artwork for Body Thief isn't quite as well executed, I don't think, as the other two, but by no means is it bad.Also, if you've read Body Thief, you know although there is plenty of action in the book (especially after the "boys" make it to the QEII), the graphic novel is a very abridged version of the action (and some important plot points).Still though, the graphic novel (which is much shorter also than The Vampire Lestat) is a worthy prize for any fan of the amazing Anne Rice.4 out of 5 (actually, I'd give it a 4 and a half if that were possible). ... Read more

Product Description
CLUB REVIEW Give in-there is no point to resisting. Anne Rice's vampire novels are nothing less than ravishing. Now The Literary Guild has collected these modern classics into a single elegant volume-from our first mesmerizing "interview" with the seductively cruel Louis to our last breathtaking encounter with the ancient (and very testy) mother of all vampires, Akasha. In between we tag along as Lestat-Louis's mentor in dark deeds-struts his stuff as a 1980s rock star. Transporting us from century to century, and from New Orleans to Paris and back, Rice's vampire fiction is "unrelentingly erotic, sometimes beautiful, and always unforgettable," says The Washington Post. Explicit sex, violence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Vampire Chronicles
Terrible!Book had a very bad smell.I returned it and have not receive my money back yet.

Used Hardback Book
I ordered a hardback book in very good condition.The book arrived on time as scheduled in the condition I expected.I am pleased.

The Vampire Chronicles
The Vampire Chronicles are the most intriguing books in the vampire category. Customers that buy this book are sure to enjoy it, starting with "Interview With The Vampire" you will slowly sink into the world of Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt. From there the excitement spreads and the intensity of the story is like a roller coaster ride. Then you get further into it by reading "The Vampire Lestat" and you learn more about the Brat Prince. Soon you will be mesmerized by the whole series of books that come afterward. Meeting the Body Thief and meeting the devil in the flesh. I give Anne Rice Two Thumbs up on the Vampire Chronicles and I would recommend them to my friends and anyone I meet.

But you never know if you like the Vampire Chronicles unless you buy it and try it on to see if it fits. I say go for it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Witching Hour comic
Great comic, great artwork, great source material.I suppose until Hollywood wakes up and realizes what a great movie this story would make (or a mini-series on HBO?), we'll have to settle with the comic.Great fun, though! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

Still a good read...
I bought a copy of this book about 15 years ago and read it many times. Unfortunately, I loaned it to a friend and never got it back, but also never forgot it.

A few weeks ago, I was on a message board and this book was mentioned. I decided I had to read it again.

It was a treat to read again after all these years. Ms. Rice does a brilliant job of relating Lisa and Elliott's feelings to the reader. My heart was breaking for Lisa as she came to terms with her feelings and realized all the problems they would bring about. Elliott is so charming, sexy, and intelligent that you can't help but fall for him!And New Orleans is described in such detail that I felt like I was there.

This book is the perfect mix of eroticism and romance. I'm sorry that Ms. Rice didn't write more in this genre.

An S&M romance? Not so much...
This book was marketed as an S&M romance... but instead it is the fear and process of returning to normalcy. Romantic-- yes, erotic-- no. I was very disappointed!

Interesting Book
I had never read any romance or erotica books before this one, so it was shocking and intriguing.I have read it again through the years, and I find, for myself anyways, that this is a 1-time read only, but that's ok.It was fantastic the first time I read it.It has very interesting characters. Forbidden love, erotica and bondage, a fantastic plot, and strong characters.

Exit to pleasure.
I guess you know by now that Anne Rice doesn't just write vampire stories. Well, Exit to Eden is anything but that and it is a delight to read. I liked the characters and it just flowed well for me. The bdsm wasn't too overdone and the sex was red hot. I am a fan of the authors and have been for some time, though I've mostly read her paranormal stuff. So glad I took the chance. I am looking forward to reading more of her erotic work, among them Beauty's Release: The Conclusion of the Classic Erotic Trilogy of Sleeping Beauty.

Only if you liked the Movie
If you have watch the film based on this novel more then once, then you'll find this book an interesting read. As usual film is very different from the novel, but this only makes it a good read if you are into S & M.

Spoiler warning.




Many of you probably want to read the chapter when Lisa was having sex Elliot. This is very different from the movie. In the novel Lisa is "doing him". ... Read more

Product Description
The Road to Cana, Anne Rice’s second book in her hugely ambitious life of Christ, begins before his baptism in the Jordan and concludes with the miracle at Cana. It is a novel in which we see Jesus, the man, living quietly in Nazareth as he has for many years. He is still known as Yeshua Bar Joseph. And he is enduring a winter of no rain, endless dust and looming trouble in Judea.

Legends of a virgin birth have long surrounded Yeshua, yet for decades he has lived no differently than the others who come to the synagogue on the Sabbath. All who know and love him find themselves waiting for some sign of the path he will eventually take.

And at last we see this quiet man emerge from his baptism to confront his destiny–and the Devil. We see what occurs when he takes the water of seven great limestone jars and transforms it into cool red wine; when he is recognized as the anointed one; when he is urged to call all Israel to take up arms against Rome and follow him as the prophets have foretold.

Like Out of Egypt, the first novel in Anne Rice’s series on the life of Christ, The Road to Cana is based on the gospels and on the most respected New Testament scholarship. The book’s power comes from the profound feeling its author brings to the writing and the subtlety with which she summons up the presence of Jesus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

another great novel about Jesus
I pre-ordered at my local bookstore, received yesterday, and couldn't put it down until way too late last night, and finished it this morning over breakfast after delivering a baby.Mrs. Rice brings us a portrayal of Jesus as a feeling, caring, joyful, sad man, who knows he is God, and is awaiting his time to begin his ministry.The story is reverent and real, not preachy with King James speech, as some otherwise good historical novels of the early church are.She brings to life the Jewish communities and cultures of the time, all from Jesus' point of view.You feel his love, joy, anger, and questioning, and that of his family and friends who know he is the Messiah, but wonder when he will live out that destiny.She gets you inside Jesus' head - what does it feel like to be in the desert after baptism, and all of a sudden have knowledge of EVERYONE's feelings and lives, that had only been hinted at before, and questions of fate and God, things like that. The theology is from a Catholic perspective, but if you didn't know that, you wouldn't feel it.(Mary is really neat, not preachy)

Get this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Anne Rice's fame rests on her supernatural tales, but she is far more than a horror novelist. She goes beyond the genre by changing the classic horror stories into myths, fairy tales, and nightmares in order to explore philosophical questions of life, death, evil, and the meaning of existence. This is the most up-to-date analysis of her work and includes individual chapters on each of her vampire, witch, and mummy novels, including her most recent, Memnoch the Devil (1995). This study also features a biographical chapter and a chapter which discusses her use of the supernatural, horror, and fantasy genres. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent Treatise
This is an in-depth look at Anne Rice's novels from an analytical perspective.Not only did it give me more insight into one of my favorite authors, but it was written in clear-sighted prose by another of my favorite authors.

Take a course on Anne Rice, you'll love it!
What a great book.I felt like I was in class taking Anne Rice 101!Great insights on her books especially on "Interview with a vampire".Great reading.

Indispensable!
No serious Rice scholar can miss this thoughtful treatise on the novelist's art, life, and oeuvre.Less serious readers will also enjoy the concise, lively prose and clear-headed insights from Crusie, famous on herown for genre-bending novels of love and life.Highly recommended.

It was an excellent book, I recommend it to everyone.
This was an excellent book and couldn't put it down ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

Still a good read...
I bought a copy of this book about 15 years ago and read it many times. Unfortunately, I loaned it to a friend and never got it back, but also never forgot it.

A few weeks ago, I was on a message board and this book was mentioned. I decided I had to read it again.

It was a treat to read again after all these years. Ms. Rice does a brilliant job of relating Lisa and Elliott's feelings to the reader. My heart was breaking for Lisa as she came to terms with her feelings and realized all the problems they would bring about. Elliott is so charming, sexy, and intelligent that you can't help but fall for him!And New Orleans is described in such detail that I felt like I was there.

This book is the perfect mix of eroticism and romance. I'm sorry that Ms. Rice didn't write more in this genre.

An S&M romance? Not so much...
This book was marketed as an S&M romance... but instead it is the fear and process of returning to normalcy. Romantic-- yes, erotic-- no. I was very disappointed!

Interesting Book
I had never read any romance or erotica books before this one, so it was shocking and intriguing.I have read it again through the years, and I find, for myself anyways, that this is a 1-time read only, but that's ok.It was fantastic the first time I read it.It has very interesting characters. Forbidden love, erotica and bondage, a fantastic plot, and strong characters.

Exit to pleasure.
I guess you know by now that Anne Rice doesn't just write vampire stories. Well, Exit to Eden is anything but that and it is a delight to read. I liked the characters and it just flowed well for me. The bdsm wasn't too overdone and the sex was red hot. I am a fan of the authors and have been for some time, though I've mostly read her paranormal stuff. So glad I took the chance. I am looking forward to reading more of her erotic work, among them Beauty's Release: The Conclusion of the Classic Erotic Trilogy of Sleeping Beauty.

Only if you liked the Movie
If you have watch the film based on this novel more then once, then you'll find this book an interesting read. As usual film is very different from the novel, but this only makes it a good read if you are into S & M.

Spoiler warning.




Many of you probably want to read the chapter when Lisa was having sex Elliot. This is very different from the movie. In the novel Lisa is "doing him". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

Still a good read...
I bought a copy of this book about 15 years ago and read it many times. Unfortunately, I loaned it to a friend and never got it back, but also never forgot it.

A few weeks ago, I was on a message board and this book was mentioned. I decided I had to read it again.

It was a treat to read again after all these years. Ms. Rice does a brilliant job of relating Lisa and Elliott's feelings to the reader. My heart was breaking for Lisa as she came to terms with her feelings and realized all the problems they would bring about. Elliott is so charming, sexy, and intelligent that you can't help but fall for him!And New Orleans is described in such detail that I felt like I was there.

This book is the perfect mix of eroticism and romance. I'm sorry that Ms. Rice didn't write more in this genre.

An S&M romance? Not so much...
This book was marketed as an S&M romance... but instead it is the fear and process of returning to normalcy. Romantic-- yes, erotic-- no. I was very disappointed!

Interesting Book
I had never read any romance or erotica books before this one, so it was shocking and intriguing.I have read it again through the years, and I find, for myself anyways, that this is a 1-time read only, but that's ok.It was fantastic the first time I read it.It has very interesting characters. Forbidden love, erotica and bondage, a fantastic plot, and strong characters.

Exit to pleasure.
I guess you know by now that Anne Rice doesn't just write vampire stories. Well, Exit to Eden is anything but that and it is a delight to read. I liked the characters and it just flowed well for me. The bdsm wasn't too overdone and the sex was red hot. I am a fan of the authors and have been for some time, though I've mostly read her paranormal stuff. So glad I took the chance. I am looking forward to reading more of her erotic work, among them Beauty's Release: The Conclusion of the Classic Erotic Trilogy of Sleeping Beauty.

Only if you liked the Movie
If you have watch the film based on this novel more then once, then you'll find this book an interesting read. As usual film is very different from the novel, but this only makes it a good read if you are into S & M.

Spoiler warning.




Many of you probably want to read the chapter when Lisa was having sex Elliot. This is very different from the movie. In the novel Lisa is "doing him". ... Read more

Product Description
Ramses the Great has reawakened in opulent Edwardian London. Having drunk the elixir of life, he is now Ramses the Damned, doomed forever to wander the earth, desperate to quell hungers that can never be satisfied. He becomes the close companion of a voluptuous heiress, Julie Stratford, but his cursed past again propels him toward disaster. He is tormented by searing memories of his last reawakening, at the behest of Cleopatra, his beloved queen of Egypt. And his intense longing for her, undiminished over the centuries, will force him to commit an act that will place everyone around him in the gravest danger..."Rice succeeds masterfully in blending horror and romance. Ramses is a fascinating character, heroic, yet tragically flawed by his human desires" - "Atlanta Journal". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This is spellbinding !!!
This book was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Ramses is a figure to be reckoned with and quite the charmer. Julie falls in love with him from the begining and cant hardly resist him. Read this novel and you wont put it down.

A great ride!
It took me a while to get through the first few pages, but after that I could not put it down!A fun read- intrigue, romance, the works!

Okay
This book was not to bad. But after reading The Witching Hour...... Over all this book is pretty good.

The mummy walks
Sexy immortals with angst to spare are the cornerstones of Anne Rice's fiction."The Mummy or Ramses the Damned" takes a different direction, mixing romance with horror and supernatural thrills. It has its flaws, but the raw energy of the book keeps it roaring up to the finale.

Lawrence Stratford uncovers the mummy of Ramses the Second, or "Ramses the Damned." But before he can unravel the mysteries around the mummy, he's murdered by his amoral nephew Henry, and the mummy is shipped to England. Lawrence's daughter Julie takes possession both of the family fortune and the mummy -- only to have the mummy revive when exposed to sunlight, and try to kill the murderous Henry. He's Ramses, an Egyptian king who drank an elixir of eternal life taken from a Hittite priestess.

Long ago, he faked his own death and wandered the world, eventually returning to Egypt and becoming the mentor/lover of the legendary Cleopatra -- only to lose her first to Antony, then to death. At first, Ramses is thrilled by the early-twentieth-century England, and he and Julie start to fall in love. But on a trip to Egypt, he comes across the mummy of Cleopatra, and revives her with a vial of the elixir. Except that this Cleopatra is mad, murderous, torn by her old loves and hates -- and unkillable.

This is not your parents' "Mummy" story. Except for one mildly funny scene where Rameses first revives, there are no stumbling mummies covered in bandages. Instead we have a tortured immortal who wakes up into a new world, while still being rooted in the Egypt of three thousand years ago.

Rice's lush prose is well-suited to the splendor of early twentieth-century England, when Egyptology was the fad -- she has lots of fun with the lace, pearl buttons, and opera houses. Her most awkward points are when Rameses is marveling at/criticizing 1914 England. At the same time, she gives new twists to the tale of the mummy, such as having him romance Cleopatra.

Ramses gives a slightly new twist to the tormented, lonely immortal, by having his almost childlike response to things like faucets and shoes. Julie falls for him a bit too quickly (yes, he's gorgeous, but what else?), but a good love interest. The other characters -- the youth-craving Elliott, his clueless but sweet son Alex, and the money-hungry, evil Henry -- are all intriguing and fully explored. But Cleopatra is what makes the book -- she's seductive but mad, tormented but still loving. Dislike her, but Rice will make you pity her too.

"The Mummy or Ramses the Damned" gives new twists to the story of a mummy come to life. Rather than an undercooked horror novel, Rice gives a thrilling, chilling look at immortality, and how what you want is not what you get. ... Read more

Product Description
Al principio oia la voz de su padre. Emaleth"", le susurraba junto al vientre de su madre mientras esta dormia. Luego le cantaba largas canciones sobre el valle de Donnelaith, el castillo y el lugar donde un dia se encontrarian ambos. Le aseguro que naceria sabiendo todo cuanto el sabia. ""Asi somos nosotros"", le dijo su padre en el rapido lenguaje que los otros no comprendian. A los otros les sonaba como un murmullo o un silbido. Era su lengua secreta, pues eran capaces de oir unas silabas pronunciadas rapidamente que los otros no captaban. Ambos se comunicaban por medio de ese lenguaje. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Oh to be lifted by Angels
Toby O'Dare, brother, son, assassin.
Troubled by the death of his mother, brother and sister, Toby O'Dare - Luck the Fox - finds solace in his most prized possession, his lute. Busking on the corner of a restaurant, the owner, Alonso, entranced by the beautiful music produced from this young man, offers Toby work in his restaurant; the two quickly becoming close friends. But this harmony is not to last. The Russian mafia take all that Alonso has and threaten to kill him and his mother. In the early morning, Toby takes his revenge on the mafia, on God. Later, he seeks the approval of Alonso, who is grateful and introduces Toby to `The Right Man'. This new relationship would forever change Toby's life.

Guilty for the life he has led, Lucky the Fox seeks comfort in the form of a room rented at the Mission Inn, only to find he has one last `job' to do there. It is here that Toby is visited by Malchiah, an angel of God and God has a new mission for Toby.

Anne Rice is a master of fantasy. From the author of the Vampire Chronicles, comes a completely new series to entrance readers of all ages. Readers will enjoy this new compelling novel of angels and humans.
... Read more

Product Description
La septima entrega de las Cronicas Vampiricas nos presenta la historia de Merrick, una bellisima descendiente de les gens de couleur libres, una casta orientada a las practicas del vudu y surgida en Nueva Orleans del mestizaje entre las mujeres africanas y los colonizadores franceses. La joven ignora que ha heredado los extraordinarios poderes que dieron fama a sus antecesoras, las brujas de Mayfair. A ese mundo de oscuros exotismos llega el vampiro David Talbor. Es el quien relata la fascinante trayectoria vital de Merrick y nos lleva desde la Nueva Orleans del pasado y del presente hasta la selva guatemalteca, y de las seculares ruinas mayas al corazon de civilizaciones todavia ignotas. Un relato cautivador en el que los fenomenos sobrenaturales se dan la mano en un baile de seduccion, muerte y renacimiento./Heres the story of Merrick, a beautiful descendant from the gens of Free Colors, a caste-oriented to practice of voodoo in New Orleans, born of miscegenation between African women and the French colonizers. The young woman ignores she had inherited the extraordinary powers given to their famous predecessors, from the Mayfair witches. To this dark world comes the exotic vampire David Talbor. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

simply amazing
this is a book about a vampires life. it was anne rices first attempt at a novel and it dosent get any better than this. you meet up with the vampire in the 1990's being interviewed(hence the name) by a young man. the vampire, Louis tells his tale to the boy. ... Read more

Product Description
Now completely updated, here is the fascinating biography of the woman behind the most richly conceived "children of the night" in the history of vampire literature. Includes new material on the writing of Lasher and the filming of Interview with the Vampire. 16 pages of photos.Amazon.com Review
Given the macabre and often lurid subject matter of AnneRice's fiction, one would imagine that a good biography of her woulduncover some pretty spicy details, and, in fact, Katherine Ramsland'sPrism of the Night does a pretty good job of balancing analysisof Rice's work with a probing and revealing investigation of herlife. Ramsland, a professor of philosophy at Rutgers University,extensively interviewed Rice for the book, and Stan Rice (Anne'spoet-husband) read the manuscript. Throughout, Ramsland fulfills thepromise of her introduction: "My approach combines psychologicalinterpretation with philosophical themes.As I read the novels, Ilooked for qualities that transcended genre, while also developingautobiographical sketches.... This book is the result of an involvedand sincere attempt to trace in her writing elements of literarycreativity manifested in psychological sources." Often, close readingsof the fiction are coupled with commentary about the key events(emotional, personal, literary, etc.) in Rice's life that likelyimpacted her characters and plots. The section on the death of Rice'sdaughter as it manifests in Interview with theVampire is especially wrenching. The book will be appreciatedby fans for its extensive direct citation of Rice and her closestfriends and relatives, and for its diverse collection ofphotographs. --Patrick O'Kelley ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Non Fiction
Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice
by Katherine Ramsland is an interesting look at the well known writer, about where she grew up, went to school, and the influences of her upbringing and surroundings.

For fans of the Vampire books etc. you will probably find something of interest here.

anne rice
was disappointed...thought would be more on anne rice not rehash of her books.

More psychology than biography
A common adage for writers is "to write about what you know."Given that, Ramsland doesn't so much as give us a run-down on Anne Rice's life as give us an explanation of how her life has affected her stories.Not only does Rice consciously write about the things she has studied, but she subconsciously tells us about her life.

Ending just after "The Witching Hour" was published, this book is a little outdated.The final words from the author discuss some of the projects that Anne Rice was working on.From what is said here, Rice was not thinking about spending as much time with the vampires as she eventually did.She also was thinking of returning to the mummy; however, I have yet to see this happen.

The text gives an account of Anne Rice's childhood and influences, her relationship and marriage to Stan Rice, her daughter who died of leukemia, and her son.It also discusses some of the work she has done once she began to create a name for herself.As mentioned, this isn't the meat of the text.

The meat of the text is in showing how she is resolving personal and subconscious issues in her writing.She is also sharing her memories of New Orleans and San Francisco.Many of her characters reflect herself and people in her life.

Although this is fascinating, it leads to a "bogging down."To ensure that the readers remember the characters, Ramsland provides long summaries of the key texts from this time, including the Anne Rampling and A.N. Roquelaure novels.This disrupts the narrative and keeps the readers from truly connecting with the flow of Rice's life.

Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to young writers and fans of Anne Rice.

One of the best biographies ever

This book is a wonderful examination of Anne Rice's life and works.I only wish this book were updated to her more recent books.Every Anne Rice fan should read this book.

A MUST OF RICE FANS
This is a very good. IF you are a Rice fan and you dont have this, you will be sorry. The author writes with the cooperation with the family and Anne Rice. A very in-depth look at Rice's life and major events. A very in-depth look at the motivations of Rice what devices she uses for her books. A MUST FOR RICE FANS ... Read more

Product Description
packed with eight all-new enticingly erotic tales,secrets:vol.9&10 will surely become a fast favorite! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

mixed bag
Secrets, Volume 9.

*** "Wild for You" by Kathryn Anne Dubois.

College intern Georgie gets lost in the Congo and is rescued by a modern-day Tarzan (Mark) who's never seen a woman before. Despite that, he's a pro at foreplay. She helps him remember how to talk; he teaches her about sex.

It gets a little more far-fetched when they get "rescued," with a strange interlude with a native tribe, and then when Mark is reintroduced to civilization.

It's a cute story, but required too much suspension of disbelief for me.

***½ "Wanted" by Kimberly Dean.

Dani is wanted for stealing computer codes, and Reno is the FBI agent on her trail. Think The Fugitive. She's innocent, but is on the run until she can prove it. She and Reno have been emailing each other during their chase and have formed a connection.

It's a fun, exciting story, but again, there were some things I just couldn't buy. And the scene where Danigives Reno a lap-dance when she's working as a stripper to get some quick cash and neither of them recognized the other just seemed gratuitous and hard to believe.

***½ "Secluded" by Lisa Marie Rice.

Quick giggle: this story starts with the sentence "I want your daughter." We just watched The Blues Brothers, and I flashed on the scene with John Belushi in the restaurant.

Nicholas is no longer a gangster, but he's got a very dangerous enemy, so he's come to terms with the fact that he can never have a long-term relationship because anyone he might be close to would become a target. So he has a series of short affairs.

Isabelle is different--Nicholas actually feels something for her. He tries to stay away, but when she's mugged, he rescues her, stays with her until she's healed, then takes her to his secluded hideout, fully expecting to give her up after 2 weeks.

It's a very sweet story, but I really questioned the premise. There didn't seem to be any danger when he was staying at her house, and then at the end, it made no sense that they'd have to go into hiding at that point.

**** "Flights of Fantasy" by Bonnie Hamre.

Journalist Chloe has been "invited" on a cruise on a yacht, the Fantasy. Her boss essentially told her to go or lose her job, but she has no idea why, as the yacht's mysterious owner "doesn't do interviews." The plot thickens when she discovers two ex-lovers on the cruise, with orders not to talk to her about why they're there.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story--figuring out what was going on, and just who was supposed to be the hero. I'm a big sucker for intrigue. And there was some pretty steamy sex.

But the hero was a pretty major stalker, which spoiled some of my enjoyment of the story. If he'd even talked to her before, I'd have been fine with it.
_____
Secrets, Volume 10.

** "Private Eyes" by Dominique Sinclair.

I guess the story itself is pretty entertaining--private eye Nikki specializes in catching cheating husbands, and between that and her mother's past, she has a low opinion of men and of relationships. But a mysterious man keeps running into her, and there is a pretty clever misunderstanding-type plot between them.

However. I absolutely could not get past the writing. I wanted to take the author's (or the editor's--I'm not picky) thesaurus away and bury it. Seriously purple prose, and some misused words that set my teeth on edge (the heroine thinking that "her body was scintillating after a night of vivid dreams"? I don't think so.)

**** "The Ruination of Lady Jane" by Bonnie Hamre.

This was a sexy Regency romance. Lady Jane's guardian has arranged a marriage for her with and old, thrice-widowed man, and she, quite sensibly, IMO, has run off. The guardian asks his younger brother Havyn, who remembers Jane as a teenager with spots (zits, for those of you unacquainted with Regency lingo), to go find her.

He does find her, and she's definitely improved with age. What's more, she begs him to "ruin" her so she won't have to marry the old man.

It's a nice story, particularly if you enjoy the Regency period--it's just a little predictable, also particularly if you enjoy the Regency period. The sex scenes were quite sensual, even though I found the Kama Sutra references to be a little self-conscious.

***** "Code Name: Kiss" by Jeanie Cesarini.

Wow. This novella pushed every one of my buttons: spies, and friends turning into lovers, plus a hefty emotional punch. It was well-written, and I was on pins and needles through the entire story.

Lily is a spy, and her mission is to infiltrate a terrorist camp as a sex slave, make contact with a double agent, and through him get close enough to the leader to plant a tracking device on his skin.

Seth is the agent in control of the mission, which he's leading via video feeds back at headquarters. Both Seth and Lily have a thing for each other, but due to their positions, neither has acted on it.

The story alternates chapters between Seth and Lily, keeping track of the mission time, which adds tension. Lily's chapters are in first person and are very deep POV, which is very affecting. Even though Seth's chapters are in third person, his emotional turmoil as he's forced to watch from a distance as the woman he's realized he's in love with has sex with another man is vividly clear.

"Code Name: Kiss" is emotionally wrenching, and better yet, the sex is an integral part of the story.

I was surprised to see in the "about the author" that Jeanie Cesarini = Jeanie London. I guess I'm going to take those recommendations for Jeanie London's books seriously now.

***½ "The Sacrifice" by Kathryn Anne Dubois.

Anastasia is about to become a nun, but she has definite ideas about those vows. She believes that for the vows to truly be meaningful, she has to know what she's giving up. For example, she was raised in a wealthy family, so taking a vow of poverty has meaning. However, she has no knowledge of carnal pleasures, so taking a vow of chastity is, to her mind, meaningless.

So she sets out to change that by going to the castle of the notorious debaucher Count Maxwell. It's a bit of a goofy premise, but I do rather like her reasoning about the meaning of sacrifice.

The first half of the story is sensual and sexy, but then it turns into something else.I found myself irritated that the oddly principled, determined young woman of the first half of the story turned into such a coward in the second half. It ended well, but I didn't quite get over that. ... Read more

Product Description
Hardcover Knopf Publishing ... Read more