What a fabulous book of six stories set in Paris in the 1920's long before womens lib and at a time when made no bones (forgive the pun) about equality and keeping lovers just like their husbands might do.

Anne Marie Villefranche is an exciting writer (actually a pseudonym for an unknown to me British female author) and her erotic stories are actually interesteing. The discussions between the lovers have a point to them and show intelligence making the book an easy read.

The stories although told through the eyes of mostly the male hero, allows us to get the full flavour of the multifaceted female mind and her thoughts on sexuality, eroticism and all those oh so delicious sins of the flesh.

One of the best and most exquisite erotic short stores that I have ever read is in this collection, 'The Solicitude of Pauline Deveraux'. The story deals with a very young Roger takinging his date Gisele home for the night. Gisele advises Roger in the taxi that her mother is out with her boyfriend, probably for the night, and she is now ready to allow his amourous advances finally reach their goal. Once at home and on the sofa doing what comes naturally, the two young lovebirds are surprised by Giseles mom, Pauline. Mom tells her daughter to go to the bedroom as she will deal with her in the morning, and she then sits down beside Roger to give her a piece of her mind, and, as we find out a lot of other things as well.....

I loved this book and hope a reprint run is around the corner....

This is a great book and the images are extraordinary. Hedeman really knows what she's doing.

This is an amazing book. I had 24 hours to spend in Paris, it was my first trip, and I don't speak French. With the help of Paris Confidential, I stayed in a great hotel, had one of the best and most memorable meals of my life, found my 'signature scent', and bought a great suit.

The format of the book is well organized and the index is broken down by neighborhoods, as well as by subject. So it is really easy to use. Also the book is nice and slim, so it's easy to carry.

I left my Paris Confidential with a friend in Strasbourg. I'm buying another copy, although I have no immediate plans to return to Paris. I want to thank the authors for a wonderful 24 hours.

Anne-Marie Villefranche's books have been published and re-published as stand alone novels, and, most vexingly as mutliple book novels such as this book Passion D'Amour, with, a new title that has a tendency to obscure the original titles. So, if your are like moi, an afficionado of erotica the chances are excellent that you will have multiple copies of this authors' book ..... that may be the bad news, but, the good news is that her books are fabulous enough that you'll always have a copy nearby to read when you want to while away solitary moments.

This book has two full novels....

1) Palisir d'Amour 2) Joi d'Amour

In Plaisir the author takes us on a rollercoaster ride of 10 short stories with different characters, plots and settings. Each story of approximately 20 to 30 pages is so well written and so well developed that the reader does not feel cheated after finishing the story and demnding more. Each story has its own climax (so to say) and the characters are so well developed to make the tale viable.

The author very masterfully is able to tell a story without having to get into lengthly set-up before the story even begins. She does this by very deftly tying all the characters together as the sons, daughters, wives etc of a large well known and libidinous Parisienne family in the 1920's .... absolutely marvellous ....

To give you a flavour of the book, in the first story, Jeanne Takes A Lover' we find the young Christophe Brissard (some think this is the author's family) meeting the very married Jeanne Vernay (another well known Parisienne family) at a family dinner. Jeanne visits Christophe in his bedroom, after everyone went to bed, and our two lovers waste little time in tasting the fruits of the flesh. Jeanne however keeps warning Christophe that during his lovemaking he takes her to heights she has never been before and she is very scared. Their secret encounters continue while Christphe and jeanne slowly teach each other to let loose their inhibitions.

In Joie d'Amour we find a similar number of scrumptios short stories. In 'A Lesson for Bernard' a young Bernard Gaillard meets a married Simone Lebrun at a Brissard family dinner. Since taking a lover is such a very very French thing to do Simone and Bernard eventually find themselves together in bed where
Simone is more intersted in using her hands to make love to Bernard than other parts of her body. Although she gives in to Bernards requirment to complete the sex act, Simone simply explains to him that this does not give her the ultimate
pleasure she yearns for, but, she would just rather play with him using her hands. The young Bernard is so disconcerted he seeks the advice of more learned friends to be able to reconcile Simones wants and wishes to his desire to continue the clandestine affair....

Wonderfull works of erotic literature I recommend any of Veillefranches book highly ....

Since Amazon hasn't provided an editorial review for this book, here's the description from the back to help you decide if this book is for you: "The step-by-step cookbook that shows you what each dish should look like, teaches you exacltly what to do, tells you how long it will take." This book is loaded with picutres of every dish as well as some hints and techniques. A very nice cookbook no matter what your level of skill.

You like Renoir's work but also want the story behind the paintings. Search no further. This book will impress the serious collector or art historian with the in-depth research on each piece. This book will be enjoyed by newcomers to art appreciation with it's beautiful and large paintings. If you have several books of Renoir's work and haven't purchased this one yet, you don't have the best.

The authors display the artwork wonderfully, each picture's history in detail, and follow-up with extensive notes and references. Treat yourself.

This is a great book that undertakes to investigate the origins of liberalism in France and America. The French early began a process of exclusionary politics that was mitigated by the American notion of a Christian covenant. The atheistic French didn't have this, so they began to slaughter one another. The Puritanist Americans accepted the fallen nature of humanity so didn't expect perfection from one another. The French on the other hand did, and so they started up the chop chop.

Very interesting defense of the Puritan tradition in America as the source of the country's strengthn.

This book is captivating and fun to read. The stories are exciting and educational. I have a new respect for the creatures of the sea. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is amazed by the creatures of the sea and wants to learn more. Anne Collet is a very inspirational person. She has a great desire to futher the world's knowledge of the species and inspire others to follow their heart and pursue dreams of research or scientific study.

Whether or not you've ever read about the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, this comprehensive telling of her story and message will inspire you to emulate her holiness. Covering all the major events of her life before Carmel, as well as everything from the time she entered the convent at age fifteen until her death nine years later, this book also offers a glimpse at all of the people who affected Therese's life. In her strenuous efforts to offer all of her life to God, Therese took all of the trials and disappointments she received at the hands of others, as well as her own weaknesses, and transformed them into gifts of love to Jesus. Perhaps the greatest strength of this book is that it contains a generous sampling of Therese's writings, both poetry and prose, which will provide the reader with many rich opportunities for meditation.

Ann Delbee's nonficton treasure introduces us to one of the most compelling personalities of recent history. Camille Claudel was, in trite terms that fail miserably to serve her, a contemporary, colleague, and lover of the famed sculptor Auguste Rodin. Not a biography, but an unabashed dissection of the life, loves, works, and passions of a true renaissance woman, this biographical masterpiece illuminates every nuance of an exremely complex persona. Detail and development are so extensive that it is difficult to remind oneself that this is not AUTOBIOGRAPHY. We are thrust into the midst of the stormy relationship between Claudel and Rodin and learn of her influences on the great artist's life and work. At the same time, we reflect on Camille's own place in the art world. The author paints a vivid potrait of Camille's home and family life, especially the bond she shared with her brother, the poet Paul Claudel. Delbee succeeds with splendor in developing an understanding of Camille's unique position as a woman in her society. Ultimately, Camille Claudel rises from these pages both triumphant and tragic.