Julie Beard's THE DUCHESS' LOVER, is a multi-faceted, sparkling gem of a book! She deftly weaves the subplots while keeping the readers' emotions focused on the sensual, yet poignant, unfolding lovestory between a lonely duchess and her forbidden lover. Several secondary characters enliven the story with their authenticity and humor. Beard always manages to delve deeply into the dark complexities of human nature to mine out shining shards of humanity and compassion and love and hope.

Lady Chatterly isn't the only woman who loves her gardener--but Julie Beard tells a much more compelling, satisfying tale than the classic by giving us a heroine and hero who develop their own dreams while making each other's come true, societal pressures be damned! And she leads us down a delightful primrose path with plenty of misleading clues as we discover who dunnit to the Duke.
It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a cast of such well-developed, interesting characters, and I literally couldn't put this one down.

Olivia "Livie" had been very young when she married Quinton Thorpe and became the Duchess of Brandhurst. For almost twenty-five years she lived with her husband's cruelty by shutting off all emotions. As the book opened, I learned Quinton had been murdered, stabbed in the back with a letter opener by an unknown person (while trying to kill Olivia), and Livie was still in shock.

Few knew the Duke had been murdered. Those few, which included Olivia, felt the Duke had gotten what he deserved. So the murder was covered up and kept quiet. The title fell to Andrew Thorpe, an American. Until he could settle his affairs and get to England, Livia was to be in charge.

Neville Thorpe, second in line for the title, was jealous. He stayed by his Aunt Olivia's side and took charge of everything in her for her. He used his time to plot and scheme ways of obtaining the title he so coveted. He was aided by Quinton's wicked valet, Antonio. Neville found Olivia to be easily controlled until ...

Clara Peabody was an advocate with the Ladies' National Association. She approached Olivia, a year after the Duke's death, about helping fight to help the suffering of the match factory ladies. Olivia's eyes opened to possibilities and she developed a backbone.

Willoughby Barnes was an unknown artist. Since his deceased father had worked in the Duke's garden, Will had grown up learning the trade. He was asked to design the garden around the Duke's burial plot. Out of money for paints, he agreed. There, Olivia and Will met and fell in love. Olivia felt true love for the first time. However, Livie was forty and a duchess while Will was in his twenties and a gardner. It could never work.

***** The author, Julie Beard, keeps the reader guessing as to who really murdered the Duke. At the same time, she succeeds in keeping romance, betrayal, compassion, and several wonderful sub-plots going in the story. Normally this would not work. However, Julie Beard MADE it work! It all blends smoothly together and becomes as beautiful as Will's painting of Olivia! An enlightening and graceful story that I highly recommend to one and all! *****

First Steps has just been named a Best Book for 2001, for babies and toddlers, by the Bank Street College/Children's Book Council. -Lee Wardlaw, author

This charmning book will encourage little ones as they learn to take those first important steps. They will recognize themselves and the "work" they are doing. Parents and children will enjoy "lap time" together -- sharing a hug and a story.

As a first-time grandparent I was thrilled to discover FIRST STEPS, a delightful "giggle wiggle waggle" of a story. Together my grandson and I chuckle over the lively and engaging text -- perfectly blended with child-friendly art. FIRST STEPS is the perfect gift for a baby shower or a new grandparent.

Author and illustrator Julie Grist's Flying: Just Plane Fun is a delightful picture book about how planes stay up in the air, the basics of flying, and what it's like to be a pilot or co-pilot. An adventurous read which is most especially recommended for young people with a budding interest in aircraft, aviation, and the mechanics and physics thereof, Flying: Just Plane Fun is an original and enthusiastically recommended addition for family, school, and community library collections.

This is a great book. Wheather you are intrested in flying or not you will love it. It takes you through an amazing adventure with a boy and his grandfather. It is great fun. you can read it over and over again and never get sick of it. It is very educational for both the parent and the child. The pictures and photographs are beautiful. If you have a child, boy or girl you should buy this book.

I loved reading this book. It was very intresting and educational. It took me through an amazing adventure. The pictures and photography are really amazing and beautiful. I highly recommend reading buying this book. It will entertain you whatever the age. Whether you are intrested in flying or not you will injoy this book!!!!

Leto is one of the fastest rising stars in Harlequin's Temptations, and maybe the brightest. I look for her to make to jump to big books anytime. She has that droll Southern Charm and she imbues every book with it, and she know how to make the attraction between her leads sizzle. I especially appreciate how her females are not stereotype, but are women with minds of their own. With this book, she once more proves why I ordered her by name only and cannot wait until her next ones comes along.
Is there anyone who can get you into trouble more than a sister? That is the premise of Good Girls Do. At the University in Southern Florida (sorry, Julie did not use New Orleans again for she give such a texture to her works with that as a background!) Dr. Miranda Carpenter's sister pushed the CISS - Campus Institute for Safe Sex and Dr. Noah Yeager into nominating Miranda as woman of the year role model. Teri makes sure the papers pick up on it, and next thing Miranda is label "practically a virgin" - and as the late Robert Mitchum would tell you, there's nothing worse than a semi-virgin!!

Miranda is humiliated by this all, and Noah understands this, and had no idea Teri would shout it everywhere. Added to Miranda's humiliation is an attraction to Noah, but she has started away from the Party Animal that was known for his one night stands and love them and leave them attitude. Noah has been attracted to her for some time, but stayed his distance because he has had two bad relationships, one which ended in divorce.

However, Miranda is just ticked enough to take out her anger and frustration on Noah by winding up his clock and then teaching him a lesson as she decided to go after and win the CISS virtuous award.

As with all Leto's work, the banter is rapier sharp, warm and light, yet this story still manages to get the safe sex message worked in there.

Now, WE NEED Teri's Tale, Julie!!!

Can Miranda Carpenter resist the charms of Noah Yeager? It's not easy, but Miranda is determined to give it her best shot. Her sexy colleague doesn't help matters when he insists on 'helping' her win The Most Virtuous Woman on Campus award. Along the way, Miranda sets out to teach confront-your-conflict Noah a thing or two about commitment.

I LOVED this book! I'd never read one of Ms. Leto's stories, but I intend to correct that oversight. She has drawn very likeable, sympathetic characters to whom I was drawn immediately. Her dialogue is true and snappy. And the 'thunderstorm' love scene is guaranteed to leave your pulse pounding. [It was my favorite in the whole book].

This is a great book to tuck into your beach tote this summer. If you think it's steamy at the beach, just wait until you read Good Girls Do!

After a handsome psychologist and a meddlesome sister nominate her for the "Most Virtuous Woman On Campus Award," an attractive scientist is forced to go on a date with her colleague accompanied by a college newspaper reporter. GOOD GIRLS DO! by Julie Elizabeth Leto gets off to a sensuous start with a provacative premise...

Now in a revised and expanded second edition, Grandloving: Making Memories With Your Grandchildren is more effective than ever as a compendium of tips, ideas and suggestions for grandparents to bond with their grandchildren. More than two hundred fun and easy activities drawn from 350 families are presented along with sound advice, helpful suggestions, and inexpensive do-together projects. Whether it something special for family holidays and celebrations, or just a rainy-day or weekend visit pastime, Grandloving will have everything you need to plan and implement a truly memory making event. Enthusiastically recommended for grandparents of any age or circumstance, Grandloving's engaging, "reader friendly" text is enhanced with reminders about child development, an extensive list of resources, helpful logos, and an easy-to-use index.

This book has great information for anyone who works with children ! Of course grandmothers are always looking for ideas and new things to do with grandchildren. Offering specific activities, as well as helpful information, this book is a MUST HAVE for any grandmother. It's also a PERFECT gift for any adult who has grandchildren.

This book covers the gamut when it comes to finding fun things to do with children. Because my new grandson is 800 miles away, I especially liked all of the long-distance grandparenting ideas. I would recommend it to anyone, mothers and fathers as well as grandparents.

I read this book in one sitting, and when I was done I found myself going back through it again in order to digest it more completely. I really wish it had been available when I was just starting my family, but even though my kids are now older I don't feel it's too late. A wonderful resource for any two-parent household, full of practical advice and suggestions on how to improve the whole family's quality of life. Julie Shields cuts through to the heart of many emotional, complicated parenting issues and presents solutions from a fresh, logical perspective. This is not just another book telling women how to reduce stress in their lives by making time for relaxing baths. I highly recommend it to any parent, or anyone thinking of becoming one.

This book is one of a kind. Whether you are parents already or just thinking about it, How to Avoid the Mommy Trap will help men and women alike think about parenting as a partnership as never done before. This book has been a lifesaving eye-opener for me and my marriage and I am sure I am not the only one out there for whom this is true.

Shields is an innovator. She has changed the paternity leave policies in the State Department. In the book, she gets readers to think about the importance of where your ideal partner stands on work and family issues before meeting him/her or where your current partner stands on such issues before making the making the final commitment.

I am a full-time stay at home mom and I love my job. It is the hardest yet most rewarding job I have ever had and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But I had begun to lose my identity in my mommyness and this book is a guide on how mothers can "let go" without guilt. Julie Shields is helping me get my sense of self back and she doesn't even know me!

Just read the Table of Contents and you'll be hooked too!

Amy Beal

What a fantastic book-the author explains that there are hundreds of books on what color flowers go with what color wedding dress but almost none on how to pick a mate and discuss questions of child rearing long before the baby is born. She also explains how to help your mate change his (her) point of view about division of labor.
The book is well written and interesting; the research very detailed. The author presents many couples who have designed manners of living that avoid the pitfalls of being wife, mother, career woman and doing it all badly.
There is a long section on the frightening results of studies on substitute care and an enlightening one on how other countries have far mnore advanced solutions to the working parent.
This is a must for all women who are planning to get married and have children or have children and are unhappy with their lives. Men either love it or hate it but I haven't met a women yet who doesn't find more in this book that is very helpful.
A must read!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and could barely put it down. It was intriguing to explore the English world through Ida's eyes and the stark realities and harshness of the Amish life as she lived it, even down to the most basic female needs. The book left me wanting more and I am looking forward the the sequel "Shadows of the Past"

What an absolute delight. This book is refreshing and a great read. I would recommend this book to everyone. Julie has a wonderful way of showing the simplicity of Ida's life.

Wonderful book. I didn't want to put it down when I started reading. I had an opportunity to meet Julie and received an autographed copy of the book which made it very special to me.

So, Slobodan Milosevic has been toppled.. Guess that means all will now be peaceful in Kosovo!

Well, no, actually..and this book will tell you why.

Written just before NATO's 1999 air campaign over Kosovo, Julie Mertus illuminates the process by which trust between Serbs and Kosovars became impossible. It hints at Phillip Gourevitch's reflection that "power comes when you convince your enemy to inhabit YOUR version of HIS story".

That struggle, each wanting the "correct" version of history to stand, lies at the heart of all Balkan conflicts of the last ten years.

Through innumerable interviews with the ordinary people of Kosovo, Serbian and Albanian, Julie Mertus reveals how competing myths came to be, and how they then contributed to an environment where terrorism and atrocity became - ultimately - a logical choice.

She does not go back to the mythology surrounding the 1389 defeat of the Serbian Prince Lazar at Kosovo Polje - the rallying point for Milosevic. (Covered already in Noel Malcolm's "Kosovo: A Short History). Mertus shows how events within our generation created defining national stories.

Two quick examples.

In 1990, thousands of schoolchildren fell ill. The ethnic Albanian understanding: they were deliberately poisoned, probably with Sarin gas, by Serbian authorities. It was proof of the evil Serbs would be willing to do to Albanians. The UCK (Kosovo Liberation Army) recruited youths with the argument that without resistance, they would all be poisoned again.

The Serb response to the same event was that it was mass hysteria at best, or at worst a deliberate plot by ethnic Albanians to generate international sympathy against them, the Serbs. It proved the extent of the Kosovars' untrustworthiness, their deviousness.

There could be no common ground between those views. Which story you believed, defined you.

Similarly, there is the case of Djordje Martinovic, a Serbian peasant who turned up at hospital with a bottle in his rectum and a story about being assaulted in his field by "masked men". Although later apparently recanting his story, and confessing his "assault" had been a botched act of self-gratification, for Serbs it became a rallying point. Dismissing the recantation as an Albanian plot, Serbs were only too happy to believe that this, the violation of an honest peasant in an act with echoes of the old Turkish practice of impaling, was the extent to which ethnic Albanians would not hesitate to stoop. Martinovic quickly returned to his original story. He remains on the list of Serb martyrs to this day.

Today, Kosovo remains in an effective state of partition, nearly all its former Serb population living above the divided city of Mitrovica. Without the presence of KFOR troops, armed conflict would be inevitable. It is not their religion, or even their language, that divides Serb from Kosovar. It is the incompatability of the stories they tell. Since this book was written, both sides have volumes of fresh grievances, accentuating their enemy's inhumanity and highlighting their own victimhood. These stories, nearly all with some grain of truth, are now being woven themselves into the complex fabric of national myth.

Brilliantly, painstakingly and without taking sides, Prof. Mertus has given us a vivid account of how events become remembered. She gives us the template to understand better all the intractable conflicts of our times.

Mertus has found a new way to analyze how the elite can transform a conflict. Her theme of the "Truths" resonates strongly throughout the book. Her unbiased view and in-depth discussion left me wanting more. My interest in the subject of Balkan history grew from reading this title.

Julie Mertus has done a fine job of writing from her on the spot investigations of what she found during her interviews.

Originally published in 1982 when Conran was 50 years old, this book is as great today as it was when first written.

The story chronicles the lives of five women, four of whom meet up at a Swiss Finishing School. It follows the their growth to maturity as each one carves a successful future for themselves. However, their lives are laced together by a shared secret!

Lavishly descriptive, you will be seduced by the glamour as well as the hard realities that the five women have to endure. Ultimately, it is a book about friendship and what it means to be a woman. Conran writes with heartfelt understanding and accuracy. She is first rate!

I believe a wealth of Conran's life experience (and cultural awareness) is evident in the development of the characters. And, I can honestly say as a man, that my understanding and empathy for women has changed for the better.

Shirley is a real woman and she writes from a real womans perspective. The intimacy, pain and passions of the characters are viewed from an intimately feminine standpoint. I feel I have shared something of what was in the authors mind and the minds of the characters in this magical book. Thankyou Shirley.

I am only 14 and this is so far the best book I have ever read. I thought it was very interesting and the end (I won't give it away) was great I have read it twice already and I will probably read it again if you like romance and plot twists read this book. You won't be sorry you did.

I think this is one of the most well-written books I have ever had the pleasure to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to read a good book with an enthralling plot!

This is one of those books that once you start you can't stop. A Highly enjoyable reading experience.

I could have not started my own mystery shopping company without this manual. My sister purchased this book for me as a gift because she thought I would be the perfect mystery shopper. I don't think she knew at the time that I would actually do it and I did!

I have read this book and am excited about starting my own business. The book is easy to understand and full of helpful ideas and forms to begin a business.

I am a retiree and looking to earn some extra money. This book proved to be an EXCELLENT source of information in order to start my own Mystery Shopping Business. After reading this book ,I immediately went to work and got my first account at a restaurant my very first try. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to visit restaurants, retail stores and hotels while EARNING MONEY!! Thank you for writing this book.