General Books

Water for Elephants (Thorndike Paperback Bestsellers)

Sara Gruen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1507 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.
Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Surprising, poignant, and funny, Water for Elephants is that rare novel with a story so engrossing, one is reluctant to put it down; with characters so engaging, they continue to live long after the last page has been turned; with a world built of wonder, a world so real, one starts to breathe its air.

The Notebook

Nicholas Sparks

List Price: $16.21 By: Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $5.74

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1490 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The Notebook 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

What a compelling love story. Anyone in love would want to endure this kind of everlasting relationship with someone.

Noah and Allie, two teens unbidden to love one another, do so heart and soul. A summer fling leaves these two devoted to one another, deep within the heart. Allie's parents take her back to her hometown, leaving Noah behind. Noah writes to her for fourteen years, and Allie never returned a single letter. When Allie finally finds her mate, something brings her back to New Bern. Instantly, when she looks at Noah, the feeling are brought into reality. They both realize how much they love one another and cannot be without one another. However, Allie still loves her fiance and does not want to disappoint her parents because they do not approve of Noah.

Then, we are taken to a nursing home where Noah resides. Down the hall is a very special woman that he reads to daily. We then, find out the story about Allie and Noah, how their relationship started and how much they truly love one another. This story is so special and unique, that it will stay with you for a lifetime.

Editorial Review:

In a testimony to the lasting power of love, a man tells an elderly woman a story from a faded old notebook, his voice relating the heartbreaking tale of two lovers and their fifty-year journey to happiness. 200,000 first printing. Tour.

A Wallflower Christmas

Lisa Kleypas

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 62 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Wallflowers are four young ladies in London who banded together in their wild and wickedly wonderful searches for true love. Now happily married, they join together once again to help one of the world’s most notorious rogues realize that happiness might be right under the mistletoe.…

It’s Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts. 

A Wallflower Christmas takes a trip to Victorian London, under the mistletoe, and on a journey of the heart. With her trademark charm, sensuality, and unforgettable characters, there’s no one like Lisa Kleypas to make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

Outlander

Diana Gabaldon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1366 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"All good things come to he who waits" 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

It has been three years since I bought this book and two years since I started reading it. Truth be told, I only made it to the first hundred pages back then before deciding to put it back on the shelf to be forgotten for another year. It was only during a dreaded long flight overseas that I remembered about this book. When I finally took the time to read it again, I decided to start from the beginning. Oddly enough, it didn't feel like such an arduous task this time around. While it wasn't instantaneous, I eventually found myself captivated by this fascinating tale. Diana Gabaldon takes us on a marvellous journey through the Scottish Highlands as seen through the eyes of a twentieth century English nurse who, while honeymooning with her husband, inadvertently gets drawn to a group of Druid stones on the hill of Craig na Dun. Hurled through a vortex in time to find herself in the middle of a brewing war, Claire becomes a Sassenach - an outlander. She survives with the help of the Mackenzie Clan and there she meets a young, brave warrior by the name of Jamie Fraser. While initially linked by circumstance, they develop a friendship that ultimately ends in a passion so profound that the mere thought of returning to her own time tears Claire apart.

While the story centers on Claire and Jamie, OUTLANDER is undeniably more than your average run-of-the-mill historical romance. It is about the mystery of time travel and the complications associated with it as shown by Claire's fears of possibly changing the course of history. It's about overcoming all the trials and tribulations and emerging victorious, if not necessarily unscathed. It's about cultivating friendship amidst the myriad uncertainties of life, a life so alien from what you are used to. We are also indulged with the fascinating, albeit perilous, aspects of living in ancient Scotland. The author's detailing of the characters lives is simply exquisite. Her vivid description of the surrounding is superb, even the simplest thing such as reading about Claire sitting on the grass watching everyone around her felt so real. Every vignette is enthralling that I almost wanted to be her and experience what it was truly like to live in that time (and find a love so complete).

Gabaldon is an incredible writer whose dazzling talent for storytelling made the Scottish Highlands come to life. She has created such multi-dimensional characters that practically leap off the pages. I'm glad that I persisted the second time around for reading OUTLANDER was like opening a treasure trove of history and great narrative. Brimming with rich historical detail, this is a beautifully written, intensely passionate and absorbing tale. It may take a few chapters before you appreciate it, but have the patience for one thing's for sure: it is a journey worth taking.

Editorial Review:

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon--when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2)

Lisa Kleypas

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 51 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Kev & Win's story is one of the best from Kleypas! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I am a big fan of Lisa Kleypas and have enjoyed her books. But this one stands out as one of her best becauwe it is about love, not just romance and not just physical attraction. That depth of emotion filled the book and made it so much better.

If you read "Mine Till Midnight," you know that Merripen (a gypsy taken in by the Hathaways when he was a boy) and Win have deep feelings for each other. In that book those feelings were smoldering under the surface but not expressed or acted upon. Win is frail and sickly after a bout with scarlet fever and Merripen is her protector. During that book, Merripen's first name is never disclosed.

This book begins two months after Cam and Amelia are married and Win is going to France to be treated by a doctor. Win tries to get Merripen (whose first name we now know is Kev) to admit his feelings for her and declares her love for him. They have a sizzling kiss but Kev pushes her away and denies his feelings so Win leaves for France.

Then the book goes back 12 years to when Kev was brought to the Hathaways after being left for dead by his tribe and we see the beginning of the love that binds Kev and Win. This section adds much to the book because it explains why Merripen acts the way he does and why he loves Win so much. Back at the present, Cam gives Kev the responsibility to oversee the rebuilding of the estate Leo inherited in the first book.

Win returns healthy after two years and Leo, who has been in France with her is also much improved emotionally from the first book. Win's new suitor also comes with them but Win still wants Kev and he still refuses to admit his love despite several more steamy kisses. He doesn't think he is worthy of her. The yearning between them is palpable.

The end of the book has several surprises that I won't give away. However, I think we know who will help Leo recover from mourning his fiance who died. It was a 2 hanky finale. I am really looking forward to the next books in this series!!

Editorial Review:

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

To Seduce A Sinner (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)

Elizabeth Hoyt

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Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, has a problem: he needs to marry and produce an heir to the title. All Jasper wants is to find a lady who will put up with him long enough to wed so he can retreat to his life of debauchery--a life that keeps the haunting memories of his past at bay. Knowing that Jasper is under pressure to marry, Melisande Flemming grasps her fate with both hands and volunteers to wed him. Although Jasper is initially only interested in producing an heir, he soon becomes entranced by his wife--prim and proper by day, wanton by night-- and vows to learn her secrets.

Melissande, however, is determined to keep her husband at a distance. She has loved, and lost, before, and will do anything to keep him from learning her terrible weakness: she's secretly been in love with him for years. But to her chagrin, her husband pursues her, wooing her as if she were a paramour, not his lady wife. As Melissande and Jasper embark on a passionate game of cat and mouse, secrets from the past begin to resurface.... threatening to tear them asunder.

A Mckettrick Christmas

Linda Lael Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A little christmas cheer 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

It was a great story for the upcoming season. I love that linda lael miller wrote a story about the earlier McKettrick Women. It was a fast and easy read. Well written. I hope she does one for Kate in the future.

Editorial Review:

Lizzie McKettrick is coming home for Christmas. And Indian Rock's new schoolteacher has a surprise in store for her family—a special young man, Whitley Carson. He might seem a little too interested in the McKettrick money, but Lizzie's certain Whitley cares for her deep down.

Yet fate has a surprise of its own for Lizzie: Dr. Morgan Shane. When their homebound train is halted by a massive avalanche, injuring and stranding its passengers, the handsome doctor takes charge—with Lizzie by his side.

Despite their growing bond, Lizzie and Morgan know time is running out. With another avalanche looming and the train's food supply dwindling, it's going to be a bleak Christmas Eve. But with faith, hard work and a little extra help from a most unexpected source, they just might find their way home to celebrate a McKettrick family Christmas after all.…

The Other Boleyn Girl (Movie Tie-In) (Boleyn)

Philippa Gregory

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Total reviews: 827 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Other Boleyn Girl 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Having Studied History in College and recently watched the film of "The Other Boleyn Girl", i was very impressed with the book and found it hard to put it down, it had very vivid images and one could almost imagine themselves in each scene looking on as the story unfolded. Very enjoyable read and gave a great insight into the the Boleyn's as a family.

Editorial Review:

Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king.

A rich and compelling novel of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her heart.When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king and take her fate into her own hands.

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

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Total reviews: 904 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Worth paying for on the Kindle 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Kindle owners hopefully are aware of the wealth of free editions of the classics which are available through Feedbooks and other sources.

I obtained a copy of P&P from feedbooks originally and while it was easy to get and the price was right, the overall quality of the text is not great. I've found several typos, presumably the result of OCR errors and it's somewhat distracting.

Since P&P is one of my wife's favorite books, I was delighted to see
Penguin had released an electronic edition for $0.50 complete with the usual footnotes, essays and maps that one's used to
finding in textbook editions of the classics.

The table of contents is pretty minimal. The headings include the editor's material, and the three volume headings.

Editorial Review:

It's time to rediscover the wonderful books we all cherish.

Originally published anonymously in 1813, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the most widely read and most popular novels in the English language. The courtship between the independent Elisabeth Bennett and the handsome yet arrogant Mr. Darcy illuminates the page in this wonderful novel of comedy and manners.

Redeeming Love

Francine Rivers

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Total reviews: 565 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Can God’s Love Save Anyone?

Bestselling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a tale set against the exciting backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel’s life to draw her into the Savior’s redeeming love. This remarkable novel has sold over a million copies and is among the top twenty on the ECPA fiction bestsellers list for four years running. A six-part study guide, suitable for individual use or group discussion, is included in this bestselling novel.

ALSO AVAILABLE: Now own this beloved classic in the keepsake hardcover edition!

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea.

A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.

A powerful retelling of the book of Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.


Story Behind the Book

“Writing Redeeming Love was a form of worship for me. Through it, I was able to thank God for loving me even when I was defiant, rebellious, contemptuous of what I thought being a Christian meant, and afraid to give my heart away. I had wanted to be my own god and have control of my life the way Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Now I know to be loved by Christ is the ultimate joy and fulfillment. Everything in Redeeming Love was a gift from the Lord: plot, characters, theme. None of it is mine to claim.”