IPhone 3G used's review (Good historical read) 『This is the story of the wife of Richard III of England. Although he is often cast as a villain in history, in this book he is more tragic, misguided, but well intentioned than anything else. Anne and Richard fell in love as children, and due to a series of strange circumstances, are able to marry. However, when Richard unexpectedly comes into power, the happy life the couple built for themselves is thrown into disarray and they find that positions of power are perhaps not all they are cracked up to be.
Quote: "My thoughts were all for Richard and soem time later I was to hear the truth of all this from his lips. Then I learned how near he had come to failure; and had thigns gone against him at this time our lives might have turned otu to be entirely different."
This is a pretty good historical novel - even though the princes in the tower are only vaguely referenced toward the end of the work, enough evidence is presented throughout the narrative that the reader is presented with a large number of people who could be responsible for the deaths of the heirs to the English throne. Richard III is the last monarch from the house of York, and the events before and after his death lead to the famous Tudors coming into power, and many were working for this possibility. Overall I found it to be very balanced - Richard is neither a monster, nor a saint, just a basically decent guy who is altered by power.』
(Princes and towers) 『The Reluctant Queen is my intro to Jean Plaidy, whom I've been meaning to check out for a long time. Though a bit overlong, this novel is unique to my experience in presenting the life of Richard III in positive light, for a change. His story is told in the first person by the character of his wife, Anne Neville, who is a victim of the plots and machinations of Warwick The Kingmaker, her father, and then of various other nefarious relatives, male and female. This is a colorful story, well told, and a fun, painless way to learn something more about those complicated Wars of the Roses. Recommended for lovers of English history and semi-fictionalized adventure. I'll certainly be trying out more of Plaidy's epics.』
(FROM LADY TO QUEEN...) 『This eighth book in the "Queens of England" series by the author, a master storyteller also known to her legion of fans as Victoria Holt, focuses on the life of Lady Anne of York, daughter of the Earl of Warwick, who went on to become Queen of England as the wife of King Richard III. Her story, told in a first person narrative, is an absorbing work of historical fiction.
The War of Roses has ended and the great Earl of Warwick, the richest and most powerful lord in England, is known as the kingmaker for having ensured that the former Duke of York be crowned King Edward IV, after having deposed mad King Henry VI of the house of Lancaster. The Earl of Warwick's family, the Nevilles, are in positions of power. Then, the King marries Elizabeth Woodville, and it is the Woodvilles that are on the ascent and the Nevilles in decline. The Earl of Warwick, who had thought himself to be the power behind the throne, suddenly finds that he has supported a King who has every intention of being his own man. This is a notion that is anathema to Warwick, and he uses his two daughters, Isabel and Anne, as pawns in a dangerous game of political intrigue.
After her father's death in battle during a political falling out with King Edward IV, Anne goes on to marry the love of her life, the King's younger brother, Richard. Through her eyes the reader sees all the political intrigues of the day and the rise and fall of various personages, as the political winds shift. Despite all of the turbulence around her, Anne and Richard live many happy years in Northern England, far from the Court of King Edward IV.
When the King dies, her world radically changes. Richard, who was chosen to be Lord Protector of the Realm by his brother, chooses, instead, to declare his nephew, Edward V, illegitimate, and himself the King. What happens to his nephew, Edward V, as well as Edward's younger brother, remains a mystery to this day. Through Anne's eyes, we see her view her changing world with dismay and trepidation, as her husband changes into someone she barely recognizes, and she is thrust into a role for which she had no desire, that of Queen of England.
This is a wonderfully told work of historical fiction by a superlative storyteller. The reader need not have read the prior volumes in the series before reading this one. Each book in the series stands on its own. The entire series, however, is a must read for all those who enjoy well written, historical fiction.』
『In 1470, a reluctant Lady Anne Neville is betrothed by her father, the politically ambitious Earl of Warwick, to Edward, Prince of Wales. A gentle yet fiercely intelligent woman, Anne has already given her heart to the prince’s younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Unable to oppose her father’s will, she finds herself in line for the throne of England—an obligation that she does not want. Yet fate intervenes when Edward is killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Anne suddenly finds herself free to marry the man she loves—and who loves her in return. The ceremony is held at Westminster Abbey, and the duke and duchess make a happy home at Middleham Castle, where both spent much of their childhood. Their life is idyllic, until the reigning king dies and a whirlwind of dynastic maneuvering leads to his children being declared illegitimate. Richard inherits the throne as King Richard III, and Anne is crowned queen consort, a destiny she thought she had successfully avoided. Her husband’s reign lasts two years, two months, and two days—and in that short time Anne witnesses the true toll that wearing the crown takes on Richard, the last king from the House of York.
Kakaku：1295 saved$12.95
St. Martin's Griffin
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Interesting, isn't it?) 『I have to point out that having read all seven of the reviews for this book, it seems as though the ones who rated this book so low have written reviews that border on the dramatic anyway! Who's being the drama queen now, guys? ;)
Seriously, for many of us, Price's book doesn't really apply. However, there are a couple of places where there are grains of good advice and even -- gasp! -- truth. Read it for the fun of it. Certainly I don't think even Patrick Price would say it should be a gay man's guide to life. Have fun with it!』
(Save your opinions for someone who cares, Mr Price) 『I bought this book in the hope that it would be light-hearted humor, in the vein of Kevin Dilallo's "The Unofficial Gay Manual". It's not. It's Patrick Price's heavy-handed lecture on "How All Gay Men Need to Fix Their Lives". The only drama queen in this book is the author.』
(the unbearable lightness of being......) 『this book is one of the most lightweighted, unintelligent and meaningless books targeted toward gay readers I have ever come across. The writers hopeless attempt to be a sort of funny, but still real advisor in nearly embarrising to witness. Its so full of cliches and useless nonsense that anyone, in or out of the closet, rich or poor, better save their time -AND MONEY.』
(Life, is a drama...) 『Well, for anyone who has read, "The Boyfriend Within", this adds a fun and sassy twist on that book. It is good for those who are looking for some direction in their life, and not looking to be the next flaming queen at the clubs who can never seem to keep his latest beau. If you are growing out of the 'scene' and looking for a new direction in your life, this is a GREAT find! Funny, sassy, and helpful...』
() 『Do we really need another book on how to live our lives? As gay men, we scream out for diversity and tolerance. Unfortunately, Mr. Price seems to want to "pigeon-hole" us into nice little categories. The book may be okay IF you 1)never leave NYC, 2)are financially secure, 3)are white, and 4)have a 30" waist. Those of use who are "sociodemographically challenged" should find this book quite hegemonic. My advice: pass.』 『
For many gay men, drama is an essential spice of life. They'll spend the rent money on shoes, spread more gossip than E!, and let every minor incident be cause for a major scene. While often mistaken for harmless fun, in reality it scares off friends, irritates family and coworkers, and sends strangers running for cover.
But finally there is hope.Drama Queenis the essential guide for recognizing, acknowledging, and turning down the volume for every drama-loving man. From drama's roll call (the Gym Addict, the Big Ho, the gossipy Public Address System) to the laws of friendship ("Return calls-in this lifetime") to quizzes to help identify your own DQ (Drama Quotient) ("Is Aveda's twenty-four-hour hair emergency hotline on speed dial?"),Drama Queenexplores the unique and often misunderstood dynamics of our lives. From compulsive spending ("What would Tom Ford wear to mow grass?") to building careers ("There will always be 'school nights'") to the puzzling ritual of courtship ("Fax me sometime"),Drama Queenis fast, funny, and delivers a healthier option than accepting the worst and expecting the world.
』 『As all gay men know, there's drama and then there'sdrama. Being genuinely torn between two lovers, for example, versus having slept your way through your entire zip code. Minor spats with your best friends versus a web of allegiances, grudges, and hearsay approaching Versailles in the era of Marie Antoinette. Or being a few days late with the rent versus your landlord asking Gucci and Prada to shut down your credit.
For those queens who can't tell the one from the other--you know, the ones who live their lives like some high-volume hybrid ofValley of the Dolls,Absolutely FabulousandTitanic(the sinking ship part, not the love story)--dramatologist Patrick Price (Husband Hunting Made Easy) has written a rehab guide to every aspect of a gay man's life susceptible to a high DQ (that's drama quotient). That is, friendships and family, dating and relationships, money and career, self-image and attitude, and aging (which the drama queen obsesses over so much (s)he doesn't know it's possible to do it gracefully). The book's not quite as funny as you'd like--it's full of anemic "gay twist" jokes ("there are times you'd swear your life is a rerun ofDynastyand everyone thinks they're Alexis or Sammy Jo"--yawn) that make you hunger for a little more bitchy pointedness. The advice is so general and thin it could apply to anyone, straight or gay. And its overall PG-13 content--disappointingly free of even veiled references to wild sex, rampant drug use or anything else that makes gay life truly, interestingly tragic--leaves even the tamest ofWill and Graceepisodes looking racy by comparison. But it's that essential wholesomeness and common sense--not to mention a plethora of irresistibleCosmopolitan-like "Test Your Own Drama Quotient" quizzes--that makes Price's book one that even mothers could safely give their drama queen sons...or, perhaps more fittingly, the other way around.--Timothy Murphy』
Kakaku：799 saved$7.99
Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Usually ships in 2 to 3 weeks IPhone 3G used's review (Quick Reference Guide) 『This particular reference of the Kings and Queens of Britain provides 2-3 page autobiographies of each monarch from a complete chapter dedicated to the Saxon Kings, and from William the Conqueror to George VI. It provides a breakdown of the eight dynasties that has been seated on the throne from 1066 to 1952 along with detailed family trees for each dynasty. The book also provides detailed maps so the reader can get a visual idea of how Britain was created from the Norman Conquest 1067-72, The Dominions of Henry II Plantagenet 1154-89, to the Hundred Years' War, the War of the Roses, and the Civil War. This reference also has a chapter on Irish kings and a chapter on Scotish kings as well. This reference is good for people who just want a little overview of each king or queen of Britain. For anything deeper, I suggest an individual autobiography for each monarch.』 『Dr G.S.P. Freeman-Grenville was the consultant for Burke's Royal Families of the World, and his major work was the Chronology of World History. This specially commissioned Book of the Kings&Queens of Britain, a magisterial and entertainingly written overview of British monarchs from Cerdic, First King of Wessex, to George VI, is an invaluable guide to the regal chronology of Britain, and contains many insights into the foibles of one of the world's most interesting and resilient constitutional monarchies - through the vagaries of war, pestilence, regicide, civil wars and marriage.』 fetish『 Queen of Babble CD 』
『 Remember Me? 』
『 Hissy Fit: A Novel 』
『 Size 14 Is Not Fat Either (Heather Wells Mysteries) 』
『 Pants on Fire 』
『 The Undomestic Goddess 』
Meg Cabot
Kakaku：719 saved$7.19
HarperAudio
Usually ships in 10 to 12 days IPhone 3G used's review (Initially slow, but excellent from middle to end) 『When I first started to listen to book, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to take it for the whole duration. However, after the first two cds I was completely hooked, and fell in love with the lead character, who had initially grated on my nerves to say the least. I highly recommend this audiobook, and encourage listeners to stick out the beginning, and they will be pleasantly surprised.』
(I Loved It Unabrided and Hated It Abridged) 『Why I hate abridged audiobooks" When I get a chance to buy audiobooks, I always buy them unabridged. Many good things were left out of the Queen of Babble in the abridged copy. The abridged was a disappointed I just loved the unabridged. 』
(Chick lit fun) 『Lizzie Nichols has just (almost) graduated from college, and is now traveling to England to be with the man she is sure is her sole mate. Sure, they only spent one evening together at the end of the semester, but it was enough to make her very confident that this man is the absolute one for her (and the accent doesn't hurt, either). It may shock you, as it did her, to learn that this man was not quite who she expected him to be. And she is not what he expected either, since he was previously unaware of the fact that she has a complete inability to keep her mouth shut. Which gets her into trouble. A lot.
Quote: "You're just not the person I though you were. And you know what? It turns out I'm not the person I thought I was, either."
Although it took me a while to get into it, I ultimately enjoyed this book very much. Light and fluffy, of course, but lots of fun. I disliked the beginning mostly because I very much wanted to throw the boyfriend (and sometimes Lizzie) through a window. After the first hundred pages or so, however, the characters get less annoying and more likeable, which makes the novel much more enjoyable.』 『
What's an American girl with a big mouth, but an equally big heart, to do?
Lizzie Nichols has a problem, and it isn't that she doesn't have the slightest idea what she's going to do with her life, or that she's blowing what should be her down payment on a cute little Manhattan apartment on a trip to London to visit her long-distance boyfriend, Andrew. What's the point of planning for the future when she's done it again? See, Lizzie can't keep her mouth shut. And it's not just that she can't keep her own secrets, she can't keep anything to herself.
This time when she opens her big mouth, her good intentions get Andrew in major hot water. Now Lizzie's stuck in London with no boyfriend and no place to stay until the departure date written on her non-changeable airline ticket.
Fortunately, Lizzie's best friend and college roommate is spending her summer in the south of France, catering weddings in a chateau. One call and Lizzie's on a train to Paris. Who cares if she speaks only rudimentary French? One glimpse of gorgeous Chateau Mirac -- not to mention gorgeous Luke, Chateau Mirac's owner -- and she's smitten.
But while most caterers can be trusted to keep a secret, Lizzie's the exception. And no sooner has the first cork been popped than Luke hates her, the bride is in tears, and it looks like Chateau Mirac is in danger of becoming a lipo-recovery spa. As if things aren't bad enough, ex-boyfriend Andy shows up looking for "closure" (or at least a loan), threatening to ruin everything, especially Lizzie's chance at ever finding real love -- unless she can figure out a way to use that big mouth of hers to save the day.
『Do you think you are just not photogenic or that you don't have the right body type to look good in pictures? Do you cringe every time someone pulls out a camera at an event? Bombshell Betty has good news for you...
Anyone can learn to be more photogenic! It's all in learning the secrets to visually sculpting your body through posing techniques and learning how to express your personality vibrantly in front of the camera. Believe it or not, these skills CAN be taught! This book is your key to finally having the flattering pictures that you want. No previous modeling skill or experience is required.Whether you are looking to get started as a professional pinup model or you simply want to dazzle your loved ones and shock your enemies with your fabulous new self, this one-of-a-kind book will transform you into the living, breathing pinup queen youve always wanted to be!
With this book, you will learn everything you need to know to get gorgeous pinup photos, demonstrated step by step with stunning photographs:* Why the camera adds 10 pounds and how to avoid this effect
* Tricks fashion and pinup models use to "sculpt" their bodies
* Traditional pinup poses for an authentic, retro look
* Photo movement and effective prop use
* Personality projection and how to "make love to the camera"
* Photo styling
* Step by step styling instruction for 1920's-1950's hair and makeup* Practical modeling basics like finding and working with photographers and how to pack and prepare for a photo shoot
* Plus much more!』 fetish『 Queen&Country Declassified # 1, 2 and 3. (The Complete Three Part Limited Series., Volume 2) 』
Greg Rucka
IPhone 3G used's review (A Liner Lover Must Have!) 『This epic tale of seafaring is a must have for the liner lover, or even the basic ship enthusiast. It was published after the death of Captain John Treasure Jones (by his son-in-law) the last Captain of the most loved ocean liner of all time the Queen Mary. He also was the one who took her around the Horn to Long Beach on the last voyage. One gets an facinating look at the development of ships during the 20th century first hand and what life was like on the two greatest passenger ships of the Atlantic run the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. A MUST HAVE for those of you out there who know who you are, and you know who you are!』 『
John Treasure Jones first went to sea when he was 15. For the first four years at sea, he was indentured as an apprentice, surviving the oceans in a small tramp steamer. Slowly however, he worked his way up to become Captain of the most famous ocean liner afloat, Cunard's RMSQueen Mary. During World War II, as a commander in the Royal Navy Reserve, he was torpedoed in the Atlantic and mentioned twice in despatches. In the post-war years, he mixed with film stars and royalty, commanding several of the famous Cunard liners, such as theSaxonia,Mauretania, andQueen Elizabeth. In 1967, he took his final commandQueen Maryon her last voyage—a 12,000 mile trip from Southampton to her retirement home in Long Beach, California. Captain Treasure Jones died in 1993, but his manuscript was recently found and has been edited by his son-in-law to be reproduced here for the first time.
IPhone 3G used's review (Love to read it again and again!) 『I found this book by accident one day, and I have treasured having it ever since. I love the encouragement, and the fun ideas/activities to share with my family. Not every mom/wife is Dona Reed, and it is a nice reminder that it's OK not to be. The daily devotionals and prayers were also helpful and enjoyable to read. Soon, I would like to begin a woman's study around this book for my church family. I know that other women would appreciate it as much as I have!』
(Modern-day Bombeck Lightens the Load) 『Lynn Bowen Walker, like Erma Bombeck, takes the mundane challenges of raising kids and puts such a spin on it that you can't help but smile...but be happy where you are. A fun--and funny--read. 』
(Fabulous!!!) 『This is such a great book!! Funny, encouraging, insightful...just down right awesome! I look forward each Sunday to reading the chapter of the week. This book will make an excellent gift for my fellow mom-friends. The author is so real and SO easy to relate to. Love it!』
(My Kind of Mom Book) 『Though admittedly not a contender for the homemaker of the year award, Lynn is my kind of mom. Someone who is not afraid to admit she may not have the cleanest house, but through her personal stories it's easy to see her heart is in everything she does.
Lynn's down-to-earth, writing style made me feel like I was sitting down with a good friend, sharing stories over coffee. She's a real mom with practical tips easy enough to implement. She made me feel good about not being Martha Stewart or June Cleaver.
Though the chapters are planned to be read once per week for the entire year, the table or contents makes it easy to find just what I'm looking for like the chapter on "Trippity Doo-Dah: The Family Vacation." Whether I need a quick and fun holiday craft or recipe, tips for getting more organized, encouragement for the stress and busyness of family life, or a fun quote or word of the day, Queen of the Castle has just what I need to make it through the week.
It might be just what you need too!』
(Queen for the Castle) 『This book is a light look at motherhood, yet has good inspirational and motivational parts regarding our spiritual walk. It helped release a lot of guilt for me regarding a "clean house" and had ideas on how to spend more time with the Lord. Not only that it even has good craft ideas as well as some good receipes I used.』 『Being a keeper at home demands that women possess a wide range of skills. Now the training, skills and tips every woman needs are all here in one delightful-to-read volume. Five minutes a day, 52 weeks a year is all a woman needs to get the most of this inspiring, helpful read.』
Kakaku：240 saved$2.40
English Heritage
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Queen Victoria: 50 Golden Years) 『I thought this book was going to be bigger, and less stylized. I came to appreciate it better, though, because of that reason. Its produced very much like it was released in 1887, with that high-Victorian feel, and its size makes it easy to store on a shelf or on a coffee table.
If you admire the Victorian age, or better still, Queen Victoria herself, this is a book that is fun to own and display!』 『Originally published as part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1888, this book is now being re-issued using much of the original text and exquisite hand-painted colour plates. From young girl to grieving widow, each picture of the milestones in the Queen's long life is framed with delicate flower painting in typical Victorian style. As well as the delightful images, this book also provides a unique contemporary account of the reign of one of Britain's most celebrated monarchs who ruled over an Empire stretching to all corners of the globe.』
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
