Used price: $64.18
Buy one from zShops for: $49.95
List price: $13.95 (that's 20% off!)
Used price: $5.99
Buy one from zShops for: $6.45
Used price: $7.24
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $1.08
Buy one from zShops for: $0.39
There's some irony in the title. Although Stuart is known for her 'dark' heroes, she's no stranger to more light-hearted capers, while Wilson's tales are unerringly dark and humorless. In this collection, Wilson's 'Day' is substantially darker than Stuart's 'Night,' something that shouldn't surprise readers of their Harlequins. In Stuart's tale, cat burglar Michael Blackheart decides to make his final heist by stealing a priceless collection protected by the father he never knew. He doesn't expect to meet Isabel Linden, a woman he would risk everything for, or to find himself facing a deadly conspiracy. In 'Day,' Duncan Cullhane agrees to help Andrea Sorrensen recover the music box her grandmother lost in World War II. Duncan has always loved Andrea, his best friend's widow. Can he protect her when the search leads them to a deadly plot that threatens the world?
I must admit to dreading 'Night,' despite my love for 'Catspaw' and 'Catspaw II.' The idea of Blackheart and his Francesca (Ferris to everyone else) being pushed into middle age to accommodate a new, younger generation held little appeal. I should have had more faith in the author. Stuart dodges the issue by producing an illegitimate son Blackheart never knew he had in Michael, who's been unwittingly following in his old man's footsteps. 'Night' seems to take place in 'real time,' about thirteen years after 'Catspaw II,' appropriate enough since that book came out 13 years ago, keeping the couple from the earlier books in their prime of life. Ferris and the elder Blackheart are as delightful as ever, their chemistry is still potent on the few pages they appear, and I have to admit my favorite parts of the story were theirs. Some readers may have difficulty believing Michael and Isabel are able to fall in love for keeps in one night when they don't spend that much time together. However, the story is still loads of fun, packed with steamy romance, plenty of action and truly evil villains to keep you desperately turning the pages. This is one of the more purely "fun" stories Stuart has written, with one of her patented bad boy heroes. Readers will likely enjoy reading this short novella so much that any concerns about whether this love will last will pale compared to how entertaining the story is.
Fans of Ms. Wilson should find that 'Day' delivers what they've come to expect from her. Strong romance, a somewhat slow start, and a stunning finale in a world made plausibly real. 'Day' actually takes place over several days, allowing Wilson to develop more of a full love story than Stuart could. It's also interesting to note that 'Day' has as much plot as most of Wilson's Intrigues, but the shorter length prevents her from dragging out her story (meaning the endless narration and introspection her characters usually indulge in has been cut), resulting in a faster, more relentless pace. The 140 or so pages will fly by. Her heroine is also wonderful, strong and couragous, though some may find her hero overly familiar. Wilson seems to enjoy maiming her heroes more than any villain does, and Duncan with his prosthetic hand is yet another of her blinded, scarred, and other physically battered heroes tormented by the past. However, this story also features one of her trademark explosive finales that will leave readers gasping for air and simply stunned in the end and the love story is genuinely moving.
Both stories are good. Together, they're great, complementing each other perfect in an ingenious and original plot unlike any you'll find in most romantic suspense novels. This is one of the fastest reads I've had this year. I finished it in one nonstop setting, unable to put either story down. It's a good thing there was that brief break between them so I could catch my breath. For once, Intrigue more than lives up to its name for "breathtaking romantic suspense." "Night and Day" is a treat not to be missed.
Used price: $3.95
Collectible price: $14.95
List price: $49.95 (that's 30% off!)
Used price: $20.12
Buy one from zShops for: $33.92
History, population, urbanization, and economy are transforming forces that molded North Carolina into what it is today. Each of these sections are clearly laid out so that the reader can make a critical analysis of the change and form an assessment of the coming changes that the future may bring.
Especially interesting are the sections that deal with quality of life in North Carolina. Crime, education, health care, water and air quality, cultural arts and outdoor recreation are profiled and supported by scores of maps, charts and diagrams. This is a book I would especially want in my possession if I was considering moving my family and business to this State. Highly Recommended.
Subjects matter includes the natural environment, history, population, urbanization, economy, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, trade, politics, air quality, water resources, crime, health, education, arts, and recreation. I found these topics to be presented in an effective manner and certainly more enlightening than the statistical record one might imagine.
I also discovered, before I placed my order, that I was able to preview some of the book's illustrations at the UNC Charlotte Cartography Lab web site.
I would recommend this text not only to students, researchers and teachers, but anyone interested in a comprehensive and knowledgeable summary of the diverse state of North Carolina.
Used price: $1.00
Collectible price: $2.38
Francey Neeley's life is turned into a nightmare because she thought she loved the wrong man. She fell for The lilt of the Irish voice, the dancing blues eyes and the charm of a man from Ireland, but learn all that was a facade, a mask to hide his real purpose in marrying her - to gain her fortune and use her to get back into Ireland. He planned to kill her afterwards. Francey learns this from his 'sister' who was actually his lover. She tells Francey of the plot to kill the Queen of England when she is visiting the United States, but says someone has blow his cover - she believes it is Francey and both rush to see if they can stop him from the suicide mission.
They arrive just in time to see her attempt to kill the Queen, but she is saved by her guard who takes several bullets before killing the Irish Terrorist.
Now months later, Francey is hiding out on a Jamaican island trying to heal her soul, when her cousin says he is sending a man to stay with her. A man supposed hurt in a car accident, named Michael Dowd. She instantly sees the man is weak and recovering and her heart feels for his pain.
He is recovering all right, but not from a car accident, but the bullets her boyfriend pumped into him while he nearly gave his life to save the Queen. He has come to find Francey, find out what she knew about the incident, how much she is involved. Make love to her to get the information, and then kill her if he discovered she is one of the terrorists.
From the instant her arrives on the island, it is clear someone is trying to kill them both so they must run from their lives.
This again is one of those beautiful gems that Stuart conjures so well!! Another of those Gamma rogues with black hearts and even blacker souls that you cannot help but love!
Francey Neeley's life is turned into a nightmare because she thought she loved the wrong man. She fell for The lilt of the Irish voice, the dancing blues eyes and the charm of a man from Ireland, but learn all that was a facade, a mask to hide his real purpose in marrying her - to gain her fortune and use her to get back into Ireland. He planned to kill her afterwards. Francey learns this from his 'sister' who was actually his lover. She tells Francey of the plot to kill the Queen of England when she is visiting the United States, but says someone has blow his cover - she believes it is Francey and both rush to see if they can stop him from the suicide mission.
They arrive just in time to see her attempt to kill the Queen, but she is saved by her guard who takes several bullets before killing the Irish Terrorist.
Now months later, Francey is hiding out on a Jamaican island trying to heal her soul, when her cousin says he is sending a man to stay with her. A man supposed hurt in a car accident, named Michael Dowd. She instantly sees the man is weak and recovering and her heart feels for his pain.
He is recovering all right, but not from a car accident, but the bullets her boyfriend pumped into him while he nearly gave his life to save the Queen. He has come to find Francey, find out what she knew about the incident, how much she is involved. Make love to her to get the information, and then kill her if he discovered she is one of the terrorists.
From the instant her arrives on the island, it is clear someone is trying to kill them both so they must run from their lives.
This again is one of those beautiful gems that Stuart conjures so well!! Another of those Gamma rogues with black hearts and even blacker souls that you cannot help but love!
List price: $75.00 (that's 30% off!)
Used price: $52.12
Collectible price: $375.00
Buy one from zShops for: $51.47
Yet the 23" by 29 ½" outsize folio which weighed 46 pounds was beyond the reach and shelf space of many. Thus, it was printed as a limited edition. Now, for the first time, this unparalleled volume is available to a mass audience at an affordable price and manageable size while retaining the original 50 color plates as well as 28 remarques. Retaining the integrity of the original folio, this is truly a work of estimable quality and a collector's item.
In addition, the recent edition offers a new essay by Stuart Gentling, "Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us," in which he relates how the brothers' profound respect for the famed ornithologist/artist paved the way for them to create this book, which is inspired by Audubon's work.
The Gentlings are twin brothers, artists, authors, and lecturers based in Fort Worth. Having discovered at an early age the print edition of John James Audubon's Birds of America, they now share a passion for art, world culture and wildlife.
His keen interest in wildlife, particularly birds, led Stuart to learn taxidermy. Both brothers began a serious study of art when they were 14. Their awards are numerous; their paintings may be found in museums and libraries throughout Texas and the United States. This year Scott received a commission to paint a portrait of President George Bush for the Texas State Capitol dome.
Artwork in Of Birds and Texas is created collaboratively by the Gentlings. In the original folio are reproductions of watercolor paintings with the color, blend and atmosphere attributed to Stuart, while the line and small strokes were contributed by Scott.
Getting the first volume published proved to be a formidable task. Plans reached a standstill when it was discovered that the actual production of the folio would cost more than double the estimates. What rescued the project was a lucky find by Stuart in the Philadelphia Print Shop catalog: a listing of Audubon's "The Great Crow Blackbird." The brothers were able to purchase the Audubon for $18,000. After its authentication as an original Audubon, it was sold at Sotheby's for $253,000. Thus, the completion of the original Of Birds and Texas was made possible.
Our loss would be great had this not been so. More than just a work of incredible visual beauty Of Birds and Texas is a joy to read as each color plate is partnered with a bird tale by the Gentlings.
A treasure in itself, the essay by beloved Texas author John Graves is as gracefully written as the classic works for which he is known, From A Limestone Ledge: Some Essays and Other Ruminations About Country Life In Texas, and Goodbye To A River. Once again, Mr. Graves writes with trenchant luminosity.
This landmark volume is dedicated to John James Audubon. It is now recreated for all to enjoy.
- Gail Cooke
Used price: $31.75
Buy one from zShops for: $37.11