Who but Mary Balogh could make a prostitute the heroine of a Regency romance, and pull it off? Well, perhaps Carla Kelly, but few others.

Yes, Prissy is really a prostitute, and has been for several months before Gerard becomes her client. He is a shy, not-very-bright young man who quite simply does not know how to relate to women and finds comfort in the routine. He doesn't know how to show love or affection either, and when he finally decides to set her up as his mistress he has to pretend it's all a business transaction; Prissy likewise compartmentalises her life because it's what Gerard wants.

Their love story is beautifully portrayed by an author who has a gift for such angsty relationship tales. The characters' motivations all become clear over time, and Balogh uses introspection to great effect in developing the relationship and the characters' personalities. If you love books which make you want to cry before you smile at the ending, you'll love this one.

I bought this book on the basis of the fabulous reviews it received on this page and was *not* disappointed. I read it straight through in one sitting, and then had to read it again the following day. It captivated me. This is not one of your ordinary "missish" Regencies, this presents real problems and a heroine who courageously (and with a great deal of dignity) overcomes them. At times she is almost too perfect, but the bittersweet quality of the story of Priss and Gerald falling in love put any complaints far into shadow. Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors, but this has got to be one of the best books I've read by her. Definitely going onto my "keeper" shelf and is sure to be a favorite edition on it. Be sure to give this book a try!

This is one of my all time favorite books that Mary wrote. Only she could write a story and make the heroine a working prostitute and make it believable. Prissy is what I like to referr to as a bloom where you are planted person. Inspite of the ugliness of what she did. She was able to keep a part her that was her own.

Whether you are a teen, adult, married or single, there is so much in this book for you.
Mary Beth Bonacci does a superb job answering questions regarding love, dating, flirting, living together, guilt, healing the hurt, forgiveness, sexual attractions, healthy relationships, holding out for the right person, knowing when you've met the right marriage partner, living the single life, fear of loving or being loved, staying married, and more. All topics are handeled in the context of authentic Catholic moral teaching.
Mary Beth explains the reason for her book by ending with Christ's words to his disciples, "You live in My love when you keep My Father's commandments and live in His love. I tell you this that My joy may be your joy, and that your joy may be complete" (Jn 15:9).
This book is so complete and valuable for anyone who wants to find true joy in their relationships and in life.
Get this one for friends, siblings, parents and yourself!

Every teenager in America needs to read this truthful account of what love and sex is really about.

I met Mary Beth at a Catholic Youth confrence in atlanta, where she was a speaker. her session was so interesting and helpful that i ran out and bought her book. it answers any question you would have and it was very helpful. unlike most of the other books out on love and sex, mary beth's book gives the catholic viewpoint of love and sex. i have passed it around to many of my friends who have also read it and they all were very pleased. you should but it..trust me, its good!

... My girlfriend recommended I read this book, and I'm glad I listened to her. If you have ever read, and enjoyed, any of the many books of Carlos Castaneda ( now passed away - ? ) about his continuing adventures with ( and without ) the Native American Indian shaman-teacher, Don Juan, then you most certainly will also enjoy reading this series of "NO-EYES BOOKS" ( as some call them ) by the gifted author, Mary Summer Rain. ... What a beautiful writer! What a wonderful story! What an amazing set of visions!

... Yeah, she touches upon many of the standard "New Age" bases as she weaves her tale: aliens, alternative medicine, angelic beings, astral projection, astrology, back-to-nature living, dream symbololy, earth changes, ecology, herbology, meditation, mind-reading, Native American spirituality, parapsychology, prophecy, psychic powers, psycho-kinesis, reincarnation, shamanism, spirit-guides, UFO's, vision-quests, et al ... but she does it in a way that has a natural flow and with a a lightness of spirit that is not overbearing or overly serious. She draws you in, instead of hitting you over the head with her insights.

... Is No-Eyes a real person? ... Is Don Juan, or Jesus, or even Socrates? ... Ultimately, who cares? So what?! Or, "What so!," as No-Eyes would say. All that really matters are the archetypal truths conveyed by the narrative. These truths, and "lessons" of No-Eyes, are deep, profound, and life-affirming - and they are there to be appreciated by one and all, thanks to the wise writings of Mary Summer Rain.

... As she quotes No-Eyes on page 61: "Now, in old days Peoples love all stuff. They love trees, mountains, grass, animals, all stuff. Sacred powers were nature forces: wind, water, fire, lightning. Peoples know Father Sky and Earth Mother parents of all life. Every creature have spirit. All nature be People's church. It be bad stuff to force Great Spirit to crouch down into one building. Great Spirit everywhere! It forever duty of Peoples to every day give prayers to Great Mystery, to be thankful. These prayers more important to Peoples than food even. All Peoples see Great Spirit in black rain clouds, hear Him in thundering waterfalls. Peoples make all acts in life a sacred act. Peoples know sacred silence is voice of Great Spirit. This silence be ultimate balance of mind, body, and spirit. Peoples give away all one's stuff! They know stuff not where Great Spirit be. Stuff not important! Summer, that true love. That pure love!"

... How anyone cannot be charmed and moved by this wonderful little treasure of a book is beyond me! If you enjoyed reading Black Elk Speaks, you will enjoy this book. Also, we have all seen those maps of what the future of the planet is supposed to look like by, supposedly, the year 2012. Right? You've seen those maps! Well, remember, that this book was first published in 1985 - way before COMING EARTH CHANGES in 1996 by William Hutton, NOTES FROM THE COSMOS in 1997 by Gordon-Michael Scallion, and many of the other "future prophecy" books out there on the market were published. Remember that the next time you see one of those maps on someone's living room wall! ... One could also say that certain Native American people might take offense to their traditional spirituality being combined with and / or co-opted by "New Age-ism." As we all know, Native Americans very much resent their genuine religious beliefs being exploited by New Agers seeking glory and profit from their ancient wisdom. Nevertheless, Mary Summer Rain writes of these ancient and perenial truths with such respect and loving admiration that one would be hard-pressed to find fault with her. She really is sowing seeds of higher consciousness with these books, and she should be commended for that. ... YOWZA! - The Aeolian Kid

This book is truly amazing. It opens your eyes to the thinks that have been closed and makes you pause to see what you have been doing in your life wihtout being judgemental. No-Eyes will win your heart and Mary Summer Rain will capture your mind and stay in there forever. Something about this book called out to me and without knowing why I reached for it and was unable to put it down. It will captivate you. I highly recommend Phoenix Rising and whatever else of Mary's you can get your hands on.

Mary Summer Rain brings No-Eyes to life with her magnificent details and descriptions of No-Eyes and the Spirit World.

I would recommend any books by Mary Summer Rain especially her Dreams Book.

Peace be with you! Enjoy!

Tangled is a beautiful and complex love story that resonates with honesty and poignancy. I never felt I was reading about Rebecca, David and Julian; I felt as if I knew them. Balogh gives a better feeling for the Victorian period than any other writer of the genre. Rebecca leaves you feeling such sadness for what it must have been like for women in that era and David is truly the most magnificent antidote to Victorian repression. We should all have a David in our lives! Balogh does not create black and white characters. The heroine, Rebecca, is flawed and the villain, Julian, does have a heart and a good soul in the end. Truly a tangled, but satisfying love story.

i could not put this one down. The twists and turns were excellent. I can not see anyone not wanting to read this book.

YOU MUST READ IT
wonderful!

Mary Balogh is one of the best writers of nineteenth century characters, and this is certainly among the finest of her books. Her descriptions of relations between married men and women of the "gentry" class are true to life, for the Victorian era.

The book itself is full of unrequited love, infidelity and loyalty beyond the ordinary. A great read;I could not put it down.

Granted (sic) that there are few serious rivals (Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia" and Eisenhower's "Crusade in Europe" come to mind but don't measure up), this is a remarkable literary achievement by an "uncommon common man." Not only is it an indispensible, if not flawless, narrative of the cataclysmic events of the Civil War, the circumstances under which he wrote make its very creation a triumph of will and ability.

As historian Brooks Simpson has noted, Grant's character was so complete that nobody could believe he was real. But he was, and the proof is in this book, which contains not only the "Personal Memoirs" but many invaluable letters revealing the man as well as the general. Though this edition lacks an introduction and other scholarly apparatus to enhance its value, the sheer scope of Grant's writings available probably make it the best current presentation of his unparalleled view of the war. Also, the early chapters on the Mexican-American War (which he detested) are most enlightening in showing some of the sources of his future greatness.

There were two great tragedies of Grant's public life. First, American Indians and African Americans suffered greatly while he was president, and it was a shame that he didn't (couldn't?) do more on their behalf. But in fairness, could/would anyone else have done better? Probably not. The earlier tragedy was that he was prevented from winning the Civil War early on, by the jealous ambition of rival generals and the circumspect nature of Union strategy. Unfortunately, the impediments that led to the slaughter at Shiloh ensured that that battle would set the tone for the rest of the conflict. If Grant had been given free rein in 1862, several hundred thousand lives would have been saved---but without the abolition of slavery and Reconstruction, there would have been a different tragedy.

General Grant made some grievous tactical errors during the war, but was able to learn from his mistakes. It's quite misleading to think of him as a heavy-handed butcher who prevailed by grinding down opponents no matter how many men he lost. By 1864 that may have been the only way to defeat Robert E. Lee. But Grant's victories before then were consistently marked by speed, boldness and strategic brilliance whenever he was permitted to act independently, as well as great sensitivity to carnage and death. Has any general ever been better at capturing enemy armies (and thus sparing lives), rather than bloodily smashing them? Perhaps the best way to compare Lee and Grant is to see the former as the last great general of the 18th century, while the latter was the first great one of the 20th century. (A.L. Conger, "Rise of U.S. Grant" helped begin the revival of his reputation; J.F.C. Fuller, "Grant & Lee" is a well-balanced comparison.) But the "Memoirs" document---with artless modesty---Grant's consummate skill at maneuver well before he introduced modern total war. They also contain the classic passage about Appomattox, wherein Grant summarized the entire war in one immortal sentence: "I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse" (p.735).

Grant's great skill at turning a phrase, along with shrewd insights and dry humor, is well-displayed throughout the "Memoirs" and letters. It's true that there are some inaccuracies, because while he did have access to important documents when writing, his race against death resulted in some errors due to haste, and some inevitably faulty interpretations. But the book's reputation for unreliability is mostly unfounded. Ultimately, it is Grant's story, not a history of the war. It is not a complete autobiography, however, since most post-1865 events are not covered. A favorite image (described elsewhere) comes from Grant's post-retirement world travels, when 20,000 English workingmen turned out to march in his honor, honoring him as the general of freedom who vanquished the armies of slavery. He did not save everyone, but along with Lincoln, he saved his country. Enough said.

Whatever history has to say about US Grant, the president, there's a reason why his NYC memorial was the most visited American landmark until the Washington Momument was completed. It should fool no one that Grant's memoirs, written under financial pressure, and completed only days before throat cancer killed him, have become part of the American canon. If you've ever seen those upright potraits of this man, his frill-less diction and clarity will not surprise. Despite hailing from another time, this is a remarkably quick read.

Grant's memoirs are the greatest books in American literature. Gore Vidal, Gertrude Stein and other literary figures have acknowledged their preeminence. Even if you know or care nothing about the American Civil War, these books are essential reading for any educated person. Grant wrote simply, yet beautifully, and he was dying in agony of throat cancer when he penned these books. The story of the writing of the Memoirs is one of the most amazing and courageous tales in American history. Imagine racing against death to complete an epic story, the proceeds of which would provide for his family after his death. What an amazing man!

This edition of Grant's memoirs is wonderful because the appendix contains several hundred letters he wrote over the years. Most of these missives were written to his wife, Julia, and they shed an enormous light upon this shy man's character. Grant's letters show him to have been a tremendously gentle, decent man, with a great sense of humor and profound love in his heart for his wife and family.

This is an excellent edition, which will bring to you only one of the greatest books written in the English language, but also a selection of Grant's letters. Both make for engrossing, gripping reading.

This slim volume does not contain advice on how to pray, nor does it represent any particular denomination or faith. Instead, it gives the reader a wonderful variety of short prayers and spiritual comments from public people around the world. On one level, it is a fascinating look at the inner lives of people that we see profiled in the media. On another level, it presents a starting point for meditation and prayer by using any one of its many entries. For anyone who wants to add some more contemplative time to your day --keep it handy at all times.

If ever we needed a book like this, this is the time. Flip to any page and you'll read interesting, comforting, engaging prayers from religions around the world. My copy is already dog-eared.

I consider this a valuable small book to have on my night stand. It is filled with prayers which famous people rely on to gain peace before sleep. It has been revealing to know in these times of unease, that public people also have a spiritual side...I am giving it for birthdays and other occasions.

Something Wicked in the Air is a wonderful and worthy successor to A Deadly Little Christmas. Nurse Caroline Rhodes is persuaded (or should that be railroaded?) to help investigate the death of Rhineburg's long-serving post-mistress. She calls on her good friend, Professor Carl Atwater of Bruck University, for assistance. Suspects are thick on the ground, including the obsessed and wonderfully named Professor Littlewort, taciturn gardener Charlie Branch, and handsome bad boy student Sid Burke. Throw in some of the colourful Rhineburg residents, especially the lovely ladies of the Rhineburg Boarding House and Home for Gentle Women, and mad Madeline, the Police Chief's wife, and you have a recipe for murder, mayhem and mirth. All this is set against Rhineburg's annual Renaissance Faire, the Festival of Knights, a medieval extravaganza that is so wonderfully described you want to join in the jousting and carousing. At any rate, I could almost smell that barbecue.

Caroline and Carl are such great characters, it's a pleasure to know them. If I was an accident victim, I would be relieved if Caroline were my ER nurse. If I were a murder victim, I would definitely want her to investigate my death. I'm already enrolling my children at Bruck University, and can't wait for my next dose of life in Rhineburg.

Mary Welk does it again. SOMETHING WICKED IN THE AIR is a perfect follow-up to the explosive debut of Mary Welk and her fantastic characters (A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, Kleworks, 1998. In this new adventure of Caroline Rhodes and her "sidekick" Carl Atwater, the tiny college town of Rhineburg loses its much-loved, but also much-underestimated postmistress to a murder over what? A runestone? Throw in the rantings of an eccentric literature professor, the antics of a spoiled rich kid, and the mystique of an ancient gypsy fortune teller, and you have the makings of another first-rate tale from this new voice to the mystery scene. Centered on the college's Renaisance Fair, the story is fast-paced, funny, and keeps the reader wanting to come back for more. Let's visit Rhineburg and good ole Bruck U. again soon!

A Deadly Little Christmas packed a big wallop. Something Wicked In The Air has as much of a wallop, if not more. The descriptions of the Renaissance Fair were so good that I felt like I was wearing the costumes with them and the story line had me in its grip from the first page to the last. I love both the familiar characters from the 1st book and the new ones introduced in this book, especially Maddie, the chiefs wife. I also loved the ladies at the Home for Gentle Women. I am waiting impatiently for the third book in the series and I feel certain that it will be going out of the park!! Mary write faster!!!!

I loved Stage Fright on a Summer Night.It's about to kids,Annie andJack who go back in time to London.While they're in London they meet William Shakespear who askes them to cover for to faries(who are really two boys.)Jack and Annie agree to cover for two faries.But Jack gets stage fright and tries not to show it,but in the end he forgets his fear and was fabulous! William Shakespear thanked them and said good bye.

I gave my book five stars ***** because Jack and Annie go back to old England when William Shakespeare time. Morgan Lefay has this magic tree house they go back into time. When they were there this man came up and wanted them to be in a play. The man was William Shakespeare. I really recommend this book for you to read.

This book is about Jack having stage fright. I found this book useful because it taught me about the history of England in Shakespeare's time. I learned that Queen Elizabeth the First had black teeth. I recommend this book to first and second graders.

This is a great book. ( Just so you know it don't have any pictures.) Mary Kate and Ashely joined the Mustangs, a basketball team, and the team was doing great. But then someone took their jeryseys, and mixed up their sign. You have to try to find out who did it. This book also comes with two detective tricks to help you be more like a detective.

This book was full of mystery. It's truly a mystery book. The clues are puzziling. It's facinating. I could not put this book down it was so great. I think you should buy this book!!!!!!!!!!!!

I COULD NOT TAKE MY EYES AWAY FROM THIS BOOK . THE BOOKS FOR MARY-KATE ASHILY AND SPORTS FANS..................... MABE EVERYBODY.

It's a shame that this book is out of print; it's a very enjoyable story that deserves some attention.

The book is divided into four sections, each of which is titled after what the main character is known as. It starts out the story of a young girl who escapes her abusive family by disguising herself as a boy and running off with a group of travelling performers...

The travelling performers are led by a mysterious dark stranger named Jack Landless. As one can imagine, the lusts and passions of a girl coming of age aren't easy to explain when you're having to pretend you're a boy. Eventually the secret is revealed, and passions ignite, but she gets left at an inn and finds herself...

Passing as a fortune teller and becoming the director of theatrical performances at an orphanage. She falls into a passionate romance with the director's attractive assistant, and discovers that the gentlemen who "adopt" these children have other things on their minds. She meets a girl destined to a training academy for ladies-in-waiting and trades places with her...

And leaps at a chance to serve as an assistant to an elderly lady whose name she recalls from the past. The mysteries unravel and a web of intrigue, infidelity, and espionage is revealed.

The book can be a quick read, with cliffhanger endings leading rapidly to the next chapter, or they can be set down and enjoyed a little at a time.

I found this book in the bargain bin of my local book store, think I'll read this when I'm bored and have nothing else to read. Not being a LOVER of Romance Novels... Well, it was a great book, good for the imagination, kept it on my book shelf, and read it again & again

i picked this book up by chance next to 10 years ago and have read it once a year nearly every year since. the characters are engrossing, the plotline interesting and fun, but it's not the ends in this book that make it so wonderful, it's the journey and the characters through it. mary brown certainly can weave a fantastic story, escapism at its zenith.