There are a lot of books about firefighters out there nowadays, and I read many of them. This was by far the best. One man's account of joining the FDNY in New York at the end of the sixties and his rise to battalion chief. Adventures, heartbreak, miracle rescues, heartstopping action, gallows humor... this book has it all, as seen through the eyes of one man who is truly one of "The Brave." George Pickett was friends with many of the men who died on September 11th (which occurred shortly after he retired after many years of distinguished service) which makes this story even more poignant. A great read for anyone who wants to know more about the life of NY firefighters.

A page turning account of life as a New York City firefighter. A little slow at the start, but captivating and exciting by the second chapter. George Pickett does a great job of taking you along on the big red trucks, down the burning halls and into the mindset of the men, who New Yorkers call The Brave. Not only a great story but an important history lesson for anyone who wants a better tomorrow for us all. A Great read! 5 Stars!!! Thanks George!!

During the years that George Pickett so vividly describes in The
Brave, I worked in a neighboring fire company in the "west village." On many shifts, I worked in the Great Jones Street Firehouse that was the quarters of Engine 33 and Ladder 9. I knew most of the men who are mentioned in this action packed story. George Pickett's accounts of what went on in the firehouse, the detailed description of the firehouse and the unrelenting fire activity of the "lower eastside" is so real, that I felt as if I was working another tour there as I read The Brave. Pickett's writing style is superb as he takes the reader
from a harrowing fire then back to the mundane moments in the firehouse. He skillfully weaves the lives of the residents of the east village into this fast paced story that speaks of a changing society, changing fire service and a changing America. This book is worthy of becoming a movie.

this is the 3rd book on the beatles by mark lewisohn that i have gotten, & it is sort of a combination of the 1st 2, "the beatles live", & "the beatles recording sessions"(the 2nd book paul mccartney wrote the intro to because he admired the 1st book so much).i swear, i have been reading books on the beatles since they have been being written from 1964 on, & these books by mark lewisohn are really all you need - maybe include hunter davies "the beatles",1968. "the beatles live" was my favorite, it describes so well the early days of the group in liverpool & hamburg.
if you know a lot about the beatles but you havnt read any of lewisohns books yet, you will find SO much info you didnt know. he researched these books for years, was given access to everything at abbey road, every show they ever did from 1957 on that is possible to know anything about is chronicled. Lennon would have LOVED the "live" book, it brings to life so well those early days in hamburg that he loved to remember.I dont know what else to say, i cant recommend them enough. these books are the next best thing to having a new beatle album, which we know can never happen.

Why is this the "First Beatles Book One Should Read?" Simply put, Marc Lewisohn (an EMI records reseracher) volume is a true labor of love, but not a "tell-all" or a "I was John Lennon's mailman" rip off.

This is a true, scholarly effort. It is a day-by-day account of The Beatle's professional, not personal, affairs. More than just what they did where on an particular day, it shows how hectic their early days were, how incredibly frantic was the Beatlemania in Britian and the USA and their best work (from Revolver on) evolved in the studio.

The book is intelligently writtena nd produced. Each year is a separate chapter, starting first with an introduction which puts that year in perspective to the Beatle's career. What follows is a day by day retelling of every concert, recording sesson, Radio/TV appearance, etc. It's a great companion to Anthology (CDS and video) as you get an idea as to how certain events played how, how certain songs were recorded and again, how crazy the early 60's were for the Beatles.

If anyone wants to know the who, what, where and why (especially why the Beatles broke up as professional musicians) this book, which first appaeared in 1992 and is finally reprinted, is the one book to have. I've read it once and plan to go back again and again.

Thoroughly researched and detailed, Mark Lewisohn's "Complete Beatles Chronicle" will satisfy even the most knowledgeable Beatle fan. This monster reference book provides the who, what, when, where and why of nearly every day in the life of the Beatles. Every concert, recording session, film and TV appearance is painstakingly noted and described. In many cases, Lewisohn provides exact times and lengths of recording sessions. This is great for those of us who just have to know exactly when and where our favorite Beatle songs were recorded! Only upon examining the Beatles' grueling schedule can one truly appreciate how diligently John, Paul, George and Ringo worked to attain their status as the world's premier rock band. Simply put, the Beatles' earned everything they got and Lewisohn, arguably the world's foremost Beatle authority, drives that point home in this remarkable document. In addition to the daily entries, the author also includes rare photos, notes, concert bills and recording session track sheets. The overall scope and magnitude of "Chronicle" is nothing short of staggering. No other book provides such an accurate and detailed account of the Beatles' daily routines. Hard-core fans have long respected the dedication of Mark Lewisohn and, once again, have been rewarded with a Beatle document unlike any other. Highly recommended.

Roger Von Oech has an uncommon gift: he can mix knowledge, wisdom and humour. Von Oech is a fan of Heraclitus. If you really like to think creatively you will be a fan too.

I have never believed in reading about the theory of creativity: is like believing that you are exercising by watching ESPN. If you want to achieve the reality of a way to stimulate your creative thinking this book is for you.

Any work from this author is satisfaction guaranteed.

"Expect the Unexpected or You Won't Find It" is a collection of thirty of Heraclitus' epigrams along with an examination of some of their different facets. Heraclitus was a Greek scholar who answered many of life's questions with comments that were purposely designed to be obscure. This forced the recipient to think creatively to find their answer. Many of them contain internal paradoxes and so part of the creative process is figuring out the paradox and how it applies to your situation.

As Roger von Oech goes through each of the thirty selected epigrams he includes some of the ways that they can be interpreted, ways that they have been interpreted in the past, anecdotes, jokes, and riddles that illustrate the epigram and other ways of illuminating just how deep these pieces of wisdom are. Does he give a complete explanation of how they can be interpreted? No, because that is part of the design of these epigrams, they can be applied to different circumstances and product different but still correct answers. His illustrations are there to open your mind to the creative possibilities that lie hidden within just a few wise words.

Some of these I have heard in the past such as "You can't step into the same river twice". Others are less common but just as full of wisdom such as "On a circle, an end point can also be a beginning point". If you want a book that expands your creative mind and also shows you how to break out of old patterns of thinking in any situation, then this is the book for you. Well written and sure to point the reader to new directions of thinking, it is a highly recommended read.

A number of years ago, I read Roger von Oech's A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD. It was fairly early in my career, when the mold is still unformed but the message was poignant. Recently, when I ran across EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED and saw von Oech was the author, I decided to pick it up and renew myself to von Oech's teachings. What a breath of fresh air he offers with EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

von Oech draws heavily upon the ancient wisdom of Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher. Heraclitus, like Parmenides, postulated a model of nature and the universe which created the foundation for all other speculation on physics and metaphysics. The ideas that the universe is in constant change and there is an underlying order or reason to this change-the Logos-form the essential foundation of the primary Heraclitean view. Everytime one walks into a science, economics, or political science course, at most any level, significantly all the teachings originate with Heraclitus's speculations on change and the Logos.
Despite this and the fact the ancient Greeks considered Heraclitus one of their principal philosophers, precious little remains of his writings. The passages remaining are tremendously obtuse, not because they are quoted out of context, but because Heraclitus deliberately cultivated an obscure writing style (one that makes one THINK!). However, thanks to von Oech's passion for all that is Heraclitus and his teachings, we are presented with many the ancient 'riddles' and a modern day correlation and translation of each. von Oech recalls being struck with "the Heraclitean bug" while studying in Germany many years ago. Now, he has written a book in which he brilliantly and entertainingly examines concepts such as symbol, paradox, and ambiguity in relation to creative thought.

At the beginning of EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, von Oech provides the reader with 30 creative insights to consider and explore our creative psyches. von Oech goes through each of the thirty selected epigrams, provides his interpretation along with examples, parables, and questions-the kind that make you go "Hmmm"- all the while stoking the creative being within. von Oech does not attempt to inform the reader that his interpretation is the correct one; to the contrary, he implores the reader to step outside the boundries of conventional thought to find the "correct" answer.

As he was in A WHACK ON THE SIDE OF THE HEAD, von Oech is immensely entertaining. He is an individual who has spent his career assisting others to think creatively. As a byproduct of this career, von Oech has proven himself to be a prodigous creative thinker in his own right. Those in the 'concrete' professions-attorneys, consultants, accountants-will find this book extremely insightful. Thinking in the abstract is incongruent with the 'concrete' professions (I know, I'm one of them). As such, having the fodder to stoke the creative juices, particularly when problem-solving, is a boon to any professional.

At it's small physical size and only 190-odd pages, this book is perfect to keep handy at your desk or any place one engages in thought. I plan to keep it nearby just to refer to when a problem presents itself in an ostensibly unsolvable manner.

Highly recommended.

When I was growing up in the 60"s, my father (bless his crazy heart) bought ALL of the George Hearter masterworks (I think there are five). These bizzare creations were my family's font of knowledge for quotations, recipes, and distorted history. George Herter's opinions on everything from women's breasts to Ernest Hemmingway are discussed in these masterworks. If you have a sense of humor and know actual historical fact, you'll love these books! Don't hestitate to buy! A typical "recipe" runs something like this: "Cardinal Richaleau's Mayonaise" for which George gives you the background of France in the the days of Louis XIV, all Louis' mistresses, their breasts, the Cardinal's mistresses, their breasts, some pictures of their breasts, and, finally, a recipe that could very well include something strange such as Hellman's salad dressing or deer testicles. I'm looking to replace our family's tattered heirloom set (gold and silver lame covers on the originals!), with a new edition (hopefully), typeset, rather than typed (as was the original).

This is hilarious, and I am sure it is unintentional. The author (the book lists husband and wife as joint authors, but I am sure it was the Mr. who wrote the cookbook, and the Mrs. who typed it) claims to know the only correct version of numerous recipes, as if he had talked to the creators of the recipes in person. However, the funniest part of all is near the end, in a recipe for homemade soap. The author sneers that modern women are too good to make their own soap, but a hydrogen bomb would take care of that! The text is so dense, and full of information, that reading it is like mining - and you never know when you'll come across another priceless nugget like the soap recipe.

This is simply the funniest, strangest cookbook I've ever owned. The story of St. Anthony's world famous sandwich put my boyfriend into such a state of hilarity that I thought he'd stopped breathing. Of course, it's just one among many bizzare blends of ancient history and rustic American home cookin'. Some recipes, ostensibly from original, ancient sources, use such things as ketchup and luncheon meat. I had no idea the book had been re-published in 1995, so I was shocked to find these reviews! My edition is 1969, Vol. I, gold hardcover, self-published by Herter's store. In back, it lists some other titles by the Herters, such as, "How to Live with a Bitch", "George the Housewife", and "How to Get Out of the Rat Race and Live on $10 a Month". If anybody finds these, I'd love to know how they compare to old "Bull Cook".

I stumbled upon this book in the library recently, and have since told all my friends they must read it!! I think the fact that it was written by a man made it even more special. It always surprises me when men show their feelings so openly and with total abandonment, eg: Nicholas Sparks, James Michael Pratt, to name a few... The love and devotion that these two Princeton professors had for these dogs was so intense. Their dedication to the animals was astounding and therefore reciprocated in great abundance. Anyone who owns a dog, has ever owned a dog, or needs to be convinced of the immeasurable experience of owning a dog, needs to read this book. It touched me more than any story of animal/person unconditional love and devotion that I have ever read. A must read!

Several years ago I discovered this gem in a bookstore at the St.Louis airport when a connecting flight was cancelled. I sat in the food court, crying, and finished the entire book. Since then I have given 6 copies to dog loving friends for special occasions. This is a book to cherish, but it is not just about dogs. It's a wonderful account of the relationship of the two men who rescued the dogs, and to all who were involved in their extremely long and happy lives. The author is a philosopher, and the book is extremely well written and erudite, a commentary on the values that make life worth living - love, devotion, trust - the karma is the same for humans and canines. I have shared my life with eight dachshunds, and I recently buried my beloved Dieter with George Pitcher's eulogy-poem. Thank you, George and Ed.

It's always so nice to find other people that see animals in the same heavenly light. If my husband asked me to make a choice between him and my beloved dog - I'd pick the dog. The reasoning would be, that if he couldn't understand my love and very primary NEED for animals; perhaps he never knew me at all. But you know what? My husband does "get it". His heartstrings have been pulled in the same way as mine. Pets never leave and seldom disappoint. When everything is topsy turvy in my world - precious Molly comes to the rescue. The best part of the book was for me when George decides to take the somewhat bedraggled mother, Lupa. He really IS an animal lover - a man with a soul. I'm the gal that always wants the orphans, the discarded, or the mutts. Great book. So glad this book was written.

This book is not "what you'll need to become a medical transcriptionist", as in books and equipment. Rather, it is a general "What is Medical Transcription?" along with things to think about while studying to be one.

I bought this book expecting the former but I'm not disapointed I read it. It explains the current situation in Medical Transcription as a job and answers questions like, "Is Medical Transcription right for me?" It also talks about the job itself and what one should expect - where does one work? are people paid well?

However, I am looking for a book that helps one study on their own to be a Medical Transcriptionst. Most courses seem pricey so I decided to just begin studying on my own. There are tapes of Medcial Dictation (with their transcripts) available on eBay. Unfortunatly, this book did not help too much in this regard except to ephasize the necessity of being competent with Medical Terminology and the importance of being certified by the AAMT.

If you're thinking about being a medical transcriptionst and want to read a gentle introduction to the field then this book is great but don't expect to read the exact steps to take for completing your own education.

This book answered every one of my questions about Medical Transcription. It brings you past those glowing home-training advertisements and gives the real facts about what is involved in the training and actual work of this profession. It outlines everything from what skills/traits are needed to the various workplaces. I appreciated Mr. Morton's first hand thoughts about Medical Transcription since I've never met any MTs!

This is a definite must for anyone with some level of consideration for this well-respected career!

I find this book to be very informative and well worth the money if you are considering going into medical transcription, either working for a doctor or hospital or starting your own home based business. I personally was considering starting my own business and attending a course to do transcription, but I decided to purchase this book first. I had sought out in depth information before, but could not find any until I found this book. It showed me in detail all of the steps to take to become a medical transcriptionist and what you have to do to stay on top of this profession throughout the years. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has even remotely thought about this as a profession or a home business. It's very informative and helps you step by step throughout the entire process of becoming a medical transcriptionist. The author has the years of experience in this field and he is straight to the point, honest and very helpful.

In this companion text to The Six Sigma Revolution, Eckes provides a convincing (and data-driven) argument that Six Sigma success as a management philosophy that will embed itself within an organization can be described by the simple function Q x A = E. While short-term cost savings and temporary process modifications can be achieved by the imposition of the strategic and tactical elements of Six Sigma ("Q"), these successes cannot be sustained with significant attention to the cultural acceptance ("A") of these elements within a company.

In Making Six Sigma Last, Eckes draws on his 20+ years of consulting experience to provide a handbook of tools and strategies to define, measure, analyze, and implement the changes needed to create a corporate culture that supports its Six Sigma efforts. Topics addressed include a.) how to identify and to deal with the types of resistance commonly found in organizations undergoing change; b.) how company leaders can create the vision, mold Six Sigma sustaining behaviors, and must be held accountable for the success of their efforts; c.) what it takes to create cultural acceptance of Six Sigma in terms of people, training, and attention; and d.) how to measure cultural acceptance. Eckes provides numerous anecdotes about companies, and their leaders, that exhibit both pluses and deltas in the implementation of a Six Sigma management philosophy.

Well-written, well-organized, with helpful summaries and key learnings, and enough stories and measurement tools to keep both your "people" and "technical" managers intrigued, I strongly recommend Making Six Sigma Last for any company that is considering adopting Six Sigma or that wants to sustain the short-term successes it has achieved thus far.

Eugene J. Nuccio, Ph.D. S4-Six Sigma Strategic Solutions

Think about it. Seriously think about it. What was the downfall of your quality endeavor? Your performance improvement plan? Your Six Sigma initiative? Was the wrong strategy used or was it the wrong tactical approach? Mostly likely it was neither your strategy nor your tactical approach. The failure was most likely do to people. Most likely your people hadn't really bought in. Buy-in from your people is necessary for an initiative such as Six Sigma to be successful. The people in your organization create your organizations' culture. How do you get cultural buy-in? How can you sustain that buy-in?

In the book Making Six Sigma Last, the author, George Eckes shows us how. Through heart-felt stories, humorous personal examples, and real business illustrations the author takes us through the process needed to create and sustain a culture that supports Six Sigma.

First we learn about Q x A = E. This powerful formula shows us that: "Q" Quality, the technical and strategic elements of a Six Sigma initiative, times "A" Cultural Acceptance, of the technical and strategic elements of Six Sigma, determines "E" the success of the Six Sigma process. Then, the author addresses resistance. We are reminded that it's a natural process for people to resist change. Eckes describes four types of resistance and offers specific strategies for overcoming each. The next chapters show how to sell it and then manage it. Now it's time to ask did it work? Did you get the cultural buy-in you were attempting? How do you know? In Making Six Sigma Last, Eckes offers a model that is used to measure the cultural acceptance within the organization or as Eckes says, "how well Six Sigma has been baked into the organization". Five case studies are used to illustrate these concepts. Then through profiles of leadership, the author shares real business examples of what worked, what didn't and why. Finally we learn how to sustain the culture that will support Six Sigma initiatives with the chapter on pitfalls: 10 things to avoid.

Making Six Sigma Last is an informative and easy read. It's effective and efficient, hallmarks of Six Sigma. The book leaves you inspired and hopeful that this stuff really can work. Don't start without it!

Organizations that are serious about being world-class will discover a vital component to their quality initiative in Making Six Sigma Last. George Eckes expertly and courageously tackles the difficult task of getting into the heads of those whose cooperation is essential to a successful quality effort. As he so aptly discussed in The Six Sigma Revolution, any change effort is sure to be met with resistance because of the "cultural" mind-set of those affected. In his simple but powerful formula, Q x A = E, George pinpoints the "A", or the cultural Acceptance of the tactical & strategic elements of Six Sigma as the oft neglected link between the Quality of these elements and the Excellence of the overall results.

In Making Six Sigma Last, Eckes provides tools to help create an awareness of the need for a Six Sigma culture (based on threats and opportunities), identifies the four types of resistance and specific steps that can be taken to overcome them, explains how to mold the vision of a Six Sigma culture, and provides specific tools that can be used to measure the culture of your organization. George also offers experienced guidance in how to change job structures in your organization in ways that can compound your Six Sigma success.

Your time will be well-invested reading Making Six Sigma Last. It is benchmark work. You will be challenged, informed, encouraged, entertained, and very possibly taken to the next level in your pursuit of never-ending improvement.

First of all let me say, this is from the perspective of web site design as this book is supposed to cover Video, and Web Site production. This book is a great overview book for multiple industries and is a very easy read. However, it lacks the detail I was expecting in regards to how he actually runs his company.

First of all he talks about how to get your first job, basically all common sense that you should already know if you've worked in the business world more a few weeks. Then he talks about actually starting the business and dealing with clients, a few helpful hints here that could be summorized in 5 pages instead of the 70 pages or so these two sections fill mostly with just common sense information again. Next he talks about budgetung and bidding for contracts, which could be helpful for a video studio but not much here for web site companies as he fails to go into any detail on project management and actually tracking progress and time spent.

The following chapter is about legal issues, a good read that will get you up to speed in legal matters pretty quick. Chapter 8 leads you into how to actually setup your web site studio and what equipment to buy. Very, very vague, mainly just covers audio equipment, not much information on web design at all. The final chapter is about managing your crew, subcontracting, and getting paid. A pretty good, interesting chapter to read.

In summary, this book is a pretty good overview of how to prepare to get your first client, but it is mainly common sense. It would have been better labeled "Desktop Video Studio Overview: Helpful Suggestions of How To Get Started In the Video, and DVD Industry" and leave out the web sites part as web sites are just an afterthought in the book.

'Desktop Video Studio Bible' should be re-titled 'The Complete Idiots Guide to starting out in video production and taking it to the limit!'

George Avergakis has achieved what many have previously tried, but failed. George has created a technological how-to guide that reads as if you were sitting down and shooting the breeze with a good friend over a cup of joe. Well, a couple cups anyway (after all the book is 386 pages excluding the Epilogue and Index).

I have personally been in the video production business for 15 years. As a seasoned professional, I thought I had seen it all, done it all. Well, I must admit, my copy of 'Desktop Video Studio Bible' is already dog-eared, highlighted and given a prominent home right next to my computer monitor (for quick and easy access).

One of my many responsibilities at B&H Photo-Video includes managing our booths for the many different video trade shows that we participate in every year. Many of the trade show attendees that I meet rely on my experience to help them solve some of their every day studio problems. Well, George has opened a whole new door for me to access with exciting ideas and solutions. My hat is off to you George on a job well done and for helping to make my job that much easier.

James MacFadden
Trade Show Coordinator/Technical Writer
B&H Photo-Video, Inc.

As a father of a languishing college graduate. I had a look at this book and bought it right away. Right up front the book specific directions on how to get your first job in the media production. It tells you how to make calls for an intern position, how to keep notes of your calls, even a script for you to read to prospective employers. I don't know much about business, but I do know how to get off your behind and get a job - and this book tells that much like it is. What a shame they don't teach this stuff in college. Later I read some of the technical chapters. I found them very easy to understand. The writer shows you what kind of computer to buy first - even if you don't have enough money to get a full studio setup - and how to make money with that equipment. Again, he puts the words right in your mouth and tells you where to find clients to buy your work. He doesn't recommend buying a complete studio first (thanks - as a Dad, I'm the one who'll be paying for it), but recommends getting the work contract first and then buying the gear to fit the contract. Then he shows yow exactly what gear to buy and how to set it up. Finally, there's some really good advice for making sure you don't get ripped off. When you finish your contract and go to get paid. There's sample contracts too. good legal backup, even information on what to do if you have to chase your client for unpaid bills. This is one complete guide for getting into business for yourself, even if you want to be a plumber! Mothers and Dads take note - if your child can't get to first base in the job world, this is the best holiday gift you can give.

This is not just another techie book. This is a wonderful amalgamation of marketing, technology and business wrapped in an easy-to-read "how-to" book.

Capturing Customers.com is filled with so many good ideas that I was kicking myself for the opportunities I had been missing. Now, armed with these lessons, I'm already making meaningful changes in my business. I'm so glad I picked up this book and only hope my competition doesn't.

This book has great insight into the e-business story. I have found it informative and have already recommended it to clients who are moving to e-business for more efficient marketing opportunities. Mr. Colombo's practical approach to technology and the Internet is real plus. This book is worth the time and will give you insight into the e-business movement. I also like Mr. Colombo's style and find it entertaining to read and a good book for an airplane commute.

You read the manifestos, the prophecies and the change-or-die ultimatums. Now read the postmortem. George Colombo begins his dissection of the dotcom corpse by stating the now obvious: Many Internet companies didn't offer viable business plans, the Internet stock boom was mostly hysteria, and the average Internet start-up had no clue how to acquire or serve customers. But picking through the carnage, he identifies elements of the dotcom business model that are worth salvaging. In clear, spare prose he explains how businesses can blend brick-and-mortar operations with electronic innovations like permission marketing and mass customization to capture long-term customers - the key to success in a market of hyper-informed and fickle consumers. We at getAbstract.com strongly recommend this book to any and all professionals, especially those left wondering what's to become of their vaunted Web strategies in the post-dotcom era.

THE DEVIL'S DUE rounds up Ms. Melanie George's Devil series revolving the romance of the Sinclair brothers - Damien, Nicholas and the latter featuring Gray respectively. For fans who fondly pursues the series for the energetic spunk and fun between the feisty pair of star-crossed lovers, THE DEVIL'S DUE comes out as a dramatic change from its ususl scintillating style. It is darker, more emotional and poignant.

Gray Sinclair, after being thrown off-course from his intended destination, the Azores Islands in quest of The Sacred Heart - a red diamond, in a surprising turn of events, becomes convicted of murder of Sarah - a local towngirl in the Socttish coast. Bonnie MacTavish, the fierce and proud clanswoman is determined to bring him to justice. Yet Bonnie discovers she may have wronged Gray when she sees his merits beneath his juvenile appearance. Just when her heart softens, Gray holds her hostage to get back to his ship (ironcally named Revenge) - and they embark on an adventure to find the coveted stone.

There is intrigue and drama. Clansman rivalry, betrayal and a spiteful mother who lies to her son on his bastard identity. Gray believes himself to be unworthy of his brother's affection with his shameful secret; he is scared of being a dreamer and giving love. It is up to Bonnie to convert him - yet the way is a path of thorns but the triumph of two united hearts is indeed rejoicing. The most haunting part is when Gray recognizes the extent of his love for Bonnie when she is nearly outraged by a savage warrior on the island.

Melanie George matures from the casual mood from Handsome Devil and Devil may care to pen a darker devil's due. While her hilarious tone falters, THE DEVIL's DUE is a solid piece of swashbuckling entertainment. Its romance tinged with a bittersweet tone with misgivings and forgiveness warrants an arresting read especially during Christmas. Some may fault her daredevil stunt at the third book for a change of style. Yet there is absolutely no misgivings. This absorbing read is a blast.

Courtesy of Love Romances

Gray Sinclair is a ship captain on a mission. He is on a quest for a mythological gemstone, the "Sacred Heart," a rare flawless red diamond. His brother is on the brink of losing the family estate and Gray believes finding this diamond will save them all from ruin. He never expected to find himself tried and condemned to death in a small Scottish town, for a murder he did not commit!

Bonnie MacTavish is the sole witness to the gruesome death of her friend. She found Gray crouched over the body, bloody knife in hand, concluding he is the killer. In spite of that, she wanted Gay to receive a fair trial. When he is convicted in the farce, her doubts of his guilt begin to surface, leading her to the decision to help him escape.

Gray doesn't need her help though, and makes good on his escape, taking Bonnie with him. She is furious over her kidnapping and vows to make his life miserable until she can make her bid for freedom. Things change while they are at sea, however. Bonnie begins to see a whole different side of Gray, one of compassion, and she realizes he is not capable of brutally murdering anyone.

As Gray continues on his quest for the stone, he and Bonnie grow closer, but he carries additional emotional burdens he is afraid to tell her about. He believes that if she knows the truth about him, and his family, that she would be unable to care for him. Will Gray complete his quest for his own personal Grail? Will Bonnie manage to break through Gray's personal barriers to reach his heart and the love he denies himself?

This was a novel full of adventure and passion. Ms. George gain proves her skill at penning a tale to tug at the heartstrings. Gray and Bonnie are full of personality that leaps off the pages. His demons and her fire are always evident. The colorful cast of characters, right down to a cuddly canine, and a rather ugly, but loved no less, pet vulture, entrance the reader, making the story all the more enjoyable.

The sometimes overly wordy passages takes getting used to at first, but once familiar with it, it is hardly noticeable. Also, the murder which begins the story takes a back seat to Gray's quest. This reviewer had trouble believing that Bonnie could apparently forget all about her friend's death, thought hat is what appears to happen for most of the story. Other than a few references to Gray's label as "murderer," most of the novel no one even thinks about that which started the whole adventure.

All in all, this was an exciting story full of emotion, dangers, action, and conflict which is par for the course in the genre. Ms. George puts her own signature on the romance world, drawing people in and making them eager for the next story.

This author became an auto-buy for me with her first of those charming "Devils" with Devil May Care (If you have never read a splendidly done secondary characters like Reggie from DMC, you simply must read it. Stellar!)

Ms. George has the fabulous knack of writing characters that fairly leap off the page, and THE DEVIL'S DUE is no exception. And each devil book was entirely unique. In fact, TDD took me completely by surprise because it showed a depth to this writer I hadn't expected. I knew she could write humorous stuff with a flair heretofore unsurpassed. But I never realized she could also do the deeper, more poignant emotions so well. You truly feel as if you have gone along on an adventure when you read this story. And the hero, Gray, epitomizes what a hero should be while being completely HOT and SEXY at the same time. The book has a twist at the end that totally took me by surprise (now, don't peek!) This is another keeper!