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Book Publishers Network
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Isabella: Queen Without a conscience) 『Isabella: Queen Without A Conscience, By Rachel Bard This was a book we looked forward to reading every night. A well researched novel that brought to life what were previously just names in a history book. One wishes that the book could be recorded with multiple readers for each character. We thought that the different perspectives created a more interesting accounting of the times and events than is usually the case with most historical novels. Sometimes second books can be disappointing, but we loved this one as much as her first one, Queen without a Country. We are looking forward to the next story by Ms Bard 』
(Great Story Lens to View History) 『This book has been the answer to my gift-giving quandaries. I have given copies to travelers, history buffs, readers looking for a good tale, and girls and women who love a woman's story. Author Bard shows that Isabella and other royal women (even today) live three lives at once, all interacting, none independent. The intertwining lives involve Isabella's own selfhood, her family, and her country. Bard does this exploration well. No act on Isabella's part is free of these three responsibilities, and the consequences can be joyful, tragic, but most are mixed. We follow Isabella as a virgin girl, wife to English King John, mother, adulterer, again wife, and finally widow. Skillfuly helping this exploration, the story shifts first-person narration among the players while artfully keeping Isabella as our focus. As the plot progresses, story sections are told by Isabella, King John, a lady in waiting, lover, mother-in-law Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, second husband, and her son, English King Henry. What the multiple points of view allow is clarity of motivation, humor, plot complexity, reversals, foreshadowing, tension, and easily and concisely accessed historical and cultural details. The read is smooth--enabled by the layout and type face as well as by being impeccably edited and proofed. Major publishing houses could learn from Bard. 』
(Unconscience Queen Makes History!) 『Ms. Bard's latest, "Isabella: Queen Without a Conscience", was a tasty read. I loved the author's ability to combine historical fact with unhysterical fiction. It takes true talent to bring such an important figure to life. I eagerly await the third book in this trilogy (the first was "Queen Without A Country" about Berengeria, Richard the Lion Hearted's bride...)』
(A fascinating period, a bewitching heroine) 『I loved Isabella. In particular, I appreciated Bard's cuing me at the beginning of each chapter as to whose voice I would be hearing. It's a complicated book about a complicated time in medieval history when battle lines and loyalties seemed to shift with every season, but Rachel Bard has made these shifts seem inevitable.
I was recently traveling by train from Paris to Bordeaux and so passed many towns that were part of Isabella's life. It was wonderful to be able to look at them and remember what went on there all those years ago when a headstrong young princess was growing up, defending and defining herself.
I understand that there will be a third medieval queen book coming out soon and I can hardly wait to dive into it. Hurray for making stodgy European history into a vivid, lively tale!』
(Three and a half stars) 『Though not at the level of Ms. Bard's non-fiction histories or her previous novel, Isabella: Queen Without a Conscience is an enjoyable well-researched book.
The title is slightly misleading, as Isabella is portrayed as spoiled, self-centered, manipulative, and rather unintelligent, but never as cruel or evil. My primary disatifaction stemmed from the constantly rotating first person narrative, which tended to break up the continuity of the story.
I also am curious as to why Ms. Bard did not include any of John's numerous illegitamite children as characters, as at least three were part of the court during the time Isabella was Queen. 』 『In her day the beauteous Isabella of Angouleme was called a Jezebel, a sorceress, an adulteress. As the young bride of King John of England she was charged with seducing John into neglecting his kingly duties. Back in her native land she and her second husband were accused of trying to assassinate the King of France. Now meet the real Isabella, Relive the turbulent twelfth and thirteenth centuries when France and England were struggling for control of western France. You'll encounter kings and queens, popes and prelates, warriors and courtiers who were the power elite of their day. You'll become intimately acquainted with this fascinating and enigmatic woman, prey to strong passions and ambitions, aware of the power of her beauty, willing to dare all in order to be and be seen as queen.』
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Four thumbs up!) 『If you're feeling a bit down about being in your 30s and just want someone to relate to or glean some inspiration from - this is your book. Even my 29 year old friend has declared it sensational. It's my favorite book this year and I already can't wait to read it again when I find the time.』
(Title misleading. Many essays unrelated to age. Interesting, but uneven.) 『To be fair to the editor, women are doing many things in their 30s, so it's probably difficult to turn this topic into a cohesive book. Having said that, this book was disappointing. Some of the women have interesting stories to tell, no doubt about it (example: one of the authors is the granddaughter of the Rosenbergs, executed for treason) but with most of essays, it isn't clear what the heck the stories have to do with being in your 30s ... similar essays could have been written in 20s or 40s, or even other decades. I got the feeling these were interesting authors who were struggling to adapt pre-existing work or themes into the "30s" theme. There were a few standouts in this book, but overall I thought the writing was uneven. If you are interested in books regarding being single in your 30s, and children and whether to have them, etc., I strongly recommend "Maybe Baby", an anthology of essays by writers which is much better written.』
(A turning point) 『Thank you for sharing some amazing voices, Ms. Richesin really put this book together beautifully. I especially loved the quotes before each essay. Thirty something and finding my way, with so many other women, I could really relate. I am looking forward to more from her and her writers, thanks for the inspiration.』
(Mediocre at best) 『This was a pretty mediocre collection. A few of the essays are interesting (I liked the one about the woman who begins a search for a sperm donor, and the one from the former sex worker) but too many just go nowhere. I felt the contributors spent too much time talking about husbands and boyfriends and not enough on the topic of the book. And although the editor did a decent job gathering a racially and ethnically diverse group, she apparently didn't even try for any diversity in terms of sexual orientation; all of the contributors are straight (well, one apparently is bisexual but she spends zero time talking about women). Overall, not that strong of a collection.』
(Many women can relate to these women's stories) 『Turning 30 wasn't as I had hoped. Being the youngest of three by a gap, I was used to feeling young and always younger than everyone else. As I entered my thirties, I felt depressed whenever the ages of a football star, actor, or big shot manager appeared in an article. They were such big successes and not even 30. There I was, in my thirties believing I had accomplished little outside of raising a family. After all, anyone can become a parent and not anyone can become a CEO or best-selling author.
Reading each story, my reactions ranged from "I've been there!" and "I remember that!" to "Never been through that, thankfully, but I understand." And "OK, maybe being 30 had good points."
In reading books like these, a collection of true and intimate stories, you sense that you're there listening to a best friend or being a fly on the wall hearing stuff that you would otherwise never hear. Great collections do just that and The May Queen succeeds. Any gal in her thirties will feel less solitary while reading the stories.
Flor Morales shared her experience of going back and forth between El Salvador and California where her family shamed her for cheating on her husband, an alcoholic. She proceeded to tell her tale of crossing the border for good to pursue a better life with another man.
In my twenties, I wanted to climb the corporate ladder as high as I could go. But my expectations started toppling after my second child arrived when I was 29 and not a manager. Slowly, I began to change wanting instead to climb the family ladder with an occasional nudge from a career success. It turned out, from reading these stories and others about us Gen-Xers, we struggled with the "having it all" in our twenties and as we matured, we came to appreciate life more as we understood successful careers were nice to have, but not something that made life completely meaningful.
In "My Missing Biological Clock," Megham Daum pondered her lack of interest in becoming a mother in spite of society's pressures of "having it all." So every story isn't about horrific or incredible things that happen to others and not us.
Ayun Halliday's "A Random Sampling Age Thirty to Forty" resembled a list more than a story, but what an insightful list! Read a random sampling of things that happened between ages of thirty and forty and compare those to things that happened between ages of 10 and 20 and 20 and 30. This fast-read will instantly cheer up anyone struggling with having lived three decade of their lives.
With 27 stories of varying lengths in over 250 pages, busy women in their thirties can easily read a story in between feedings, during lunch break, traveling somewhere exotic or whenever they find a moment to simply take pleasure in a good story. As a mom of three with my own freelance business, it was effortless to take a break to read one story at a time and feel another ounce of appreciation for life in my thirties.』 『This intriguing collection of original essays by women in their thirties celebrates this often maligned period in a woman's life as, in fact, a productive, dynamic, and vibrant time of self-invention and personal and professional creativity.
If recent bestsellers such asThe Bitch in the HouseandMidlife Crisis at Thirtyserve as any indication of how women are experiencing their thirties, who can blame women embarking upon this decade in their life for panicking? Yet, as the contributors to this thoughtful and inspiring book attest, it doesn't have to be so scary.
InThe May Queen, a wide array of women-including bestselling author Jennifer Weiner and star of the hit independent filmKissing Jessica SteinHeather Juergensen-describe the conflicting emotions they've felt in response to the "anything is possible" message women of their generation receive. And yet, all of the women featured in this book have found their thirties to be a time of great opportunity-a period in their lives in which they're taking the time to consider what they have lost, what they have gained, and what they still need to learn. This book gives a powerful voice to a new generation of women beginning to make its mark on the world.』
Kakaku：299 saved$2.99
St. Martin's Minotaur
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A different side of Elizabeth I) 『Karen Harper's Queen Elizabeth series are a rich feast for the senses. Harper has an excellent grasp of the times and her writing is rich in period detail--everything from Elizabethean fashion to the cuisine of the day comes alive under the influence of her pen. Historical fiction doesn't get much more pleasurable than this.
The seventh book in the series finds Elizabeth attempting to hunt down a murdered whose weapon of choice is the mirror. It's an intriguing and innovative premise but that is characteristic of this series. Harper deftly weaves together history and fiction to create an antagonist who has a very interesting motive for murder. The twists and turns that the queen must take to finally determine the identity of the murderer are interesting and the final confrontation is spectacular. The very imagery of it leaps off the page.
Though Elizabeth I is a spectacular and fascinating subject in her own right, in Harper's hands she truly comes alive. Harper's queen is passionate and mercurial but also mindful of those who serve her well. It is this characterization of one of the most dynamic figures in history that is the real strength of Harper's writing. My only complaint about this book--and the only thing that kept me from giving it five stars--is that Elizabeth is a bit too prone to portentious speeches, which must end every chapter or chapter segment. This rang too falsely at times for me and took me out of the story a bit.
Along with the main mystery is an engrossing subplot about Gil Sharpe, a recurring character in the novels. His travels in Italy and his discoveries of Italian painting techniques make for a fascinating read. He is also a wonderful character, displaying yet again the aptitude that Harper has for creating believeable and interesting characters. Harper could probably get by solely by focusing on Elizabeth but she does her readers a great service by surrounding the queen with a cast of vibrant characters.』
(The Fyre Mirror) 『As usual, the book was superb. When I read one of the mysteries, I cannot put the book down until its finished. I always look forward to the next one』
(Fabulous historical mystery) 『On a whim, Queen Elizabeth I decides to leave her London residence and stay at Nonsuch Palace for a while. Beside the courtiers and the rest of the retinue who make up Elizabeth's inner circle, she takes along artists, who are painting a state picture of her and she will pick the one that is the best and send it all over Europe. Gil Sharpe, who was sent to Italy to learn with the masters goes to Nonsuch and decides to enter the competition to paint his Queen's portrait.
Since Nonsuch is small, many of the people who traveled with Elizabeth are staying in the courtyard in tents. One of the artist's tents catches fire, killing him and his assistant. It is determined that the fire was deliberately set using a mirror and the sun to start the flames. A second artist's tent is also burned in the same manner. Elizabeth convinces her Privy Plot council to help her smoke out the killer but the perpetrator is very cunning. Elizabeth finds her own life is put in danger by a person without mercy.
This is the seventh Elizabeth I mystery by fabulous historical mystery writer Karen Harper and it is a thrilling reading experience because there are so many suspects with too few motives. Readers see the intelligence of the queen as she maneuvers Mary, Queen of Scots into a marriage of her choosing and plans to use her as a public relations tool to prove she is a queen in total command of the kingdom she rules. Fans of the Ursula Blanches series by Fiona Buckley will definitely love this glimpse into a bygone era.
Harriet Klausner 』 『
Smitten with spring fever, Elizabeth Tudor escapes London for fantastical Nonsuch Palace in the sweet Surrey countryside. There she hopes to relax and pose for the official royal portrait for which she is holding a competition. But one of her artists is burned to death, and portraits of the queen are going up in flames. When she hears that her rival, the dangerous Mary, Queen of Scots, has been peering in mirrors and announcing, "I see the next queen of England!" Elizabeth summons her Privy Plot Council. Has the arsonist been sent by foreign foes or is it someone in her own court? Or is the "running boy" apparition really a ghost out to avenge a terrible past tragedy caused by the Tudors? Time is running out, because the enemy who stalks the queen means to destroy not only her portraits and artists, but her very life.
IPhone 3G used's review (Funny Funny Funny Book! Very Helpful too!) 『If you want to be a Drag Queen or just look like one, this is the book you need. Pointers on everything from shaving to primping to make-up. Very well written and funny.』
(Unusual recipes, theme meal planning tips, a fun read) 『The combination of humorous life-style tips andrecipes for truly good-tasting food give this
book something for everyone, drag queen or not.
I had a hard time deciding whether this book
belonged on my coffee table or in the kitchen.
The plentiful tasteful (no pun intended), campy
photographs are a delight.
I even enjoyed the credits at the back of the
book - unlike other authors paying dry homage,
Honey's wit and playful humor introduce the
reader to a fascinating cast of collaborators.
I strongly recommend this book as a perfect gift
for anyone who enjoys cooking or has an offbeat sense
of humor, or both.』 『Martha Stewart meets RuPaul! The Drag Queen's Cookbook is the first and only indispensible Drag Queen etiquette, lifestyle tips, fab recipes and the verities of upscale entertaining, drag style. Hilarious, but very informative, this book features dozens of gorgeous color photographs and Honey van Campe's witty and ascerbic observations on culture, high and low.』
Kakaku：699 saved$6.99
Firebird
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Bittersweet conclusion to a remarkable trilogy) 『Lloyd Alexander really is a master of his craft.
The Beggar Queen is the final installment of the Westmark trilogy. In this book, Queen Mickle/Augusta and her country face the ultimate challenge when deposed chief minister Cabbarus returns to Westmark in force to overthrow the monarchy and set up a dictatorship. Westmark, already in turmoil over the recent war with neighboring kingdom Regia, must decide what it truly wants in its government and how it wants to be ruled.
The Beggar Queen is fast-paced, non-stop action. Mickle's governmental reforms have barely taken effect before Cabbarus returns. Even the "good guys" are odds with each other, with differing political ideals and different thoughts on how to achieve those goals. Compromises are made and bargains are struck, but with any political manuevering, the true outcomes cannot be foreseen and characters have to choose between blind faith in each other or acting on what they feel is the best course of action, regardless of the promises made.
The Beggar Queen strikes a more serious note than the first two books in the trilogy. Even Count Las Bombas holds back on the offhand, witty comments we're used to reading from before. The tone of the overall book is heavy and solemn - even if the characters win the war, the future after that is very uncertain. It's very bittersweet, all the way to the end, because even if there are happy endings for our friends in Westmark, it's not a perfect ending.
This series (with the exception of the first book, Westmark) is probably a little too deep and heavy for younger readers. This would be a good series for pre-teens or teenagers, especially those with an interest in politics. Overall, an excellent read and trilogy, and highly recommended for any lover of good literature.』
(Alexander's Adventures?) 『I've enjoyed most of Lloyd Alexander's non-fantasy- what I'll call "Fredonia" (in deference to the Marx brothers) adventures. This one seemed to ring a little too close to *The Prisoner of Zenda*- a wonderful story in its own right. Go to the original』
(Confusing) 『I think that the book The Beggar Queen is a little confusing because its just that like all of a sudden a character pops up out of no where. ANd i really dont understand it! i have to take a test on it tomorrow and i really dont understand it and i am having to read a HALF of the book tonite then skimmin and scannin it ... so yeh
~~Katie』
(Confusing Swashbuckler) 『I definitely prefer Lloyd Alexander's fantasy world to his realistic fiction set in mini monarchies. Perhaps it's because I have not read the first two books in his Westmark series, but I was confused by the very complex plot--multiple schemes and counterschemes of many characters--to keep things straight. I was relatively indifferent to most of their opposing political goals, though I sympathized with the romantic threads. It was not clear which characters I was suppposed to support over others. Besides the casts of thousands, Beggar Queen presents most of them with nicknames which do not always indicate gender. Also readers must perform mental gymnastics to keep track of events which are happening concurrently to several charactrers, resulting in literary as well as political confusion.
This book includes the usual Adventure Tale traits: fast-paced action, diabolical subterfuge--fiendishly foiled--loyalty, sacrifice and military strategy. Never underestimate the role and the will of the long-trampled People to empower their own destiny! On a a serious note, the author examines the case for and against Monarchy in general. I seriously urge Alexander afficionados to read the first two books in this trilogy before tackling this one. His fans will enjoy this book the more for recognizing many old friends and enemies from the previous stories. And for ultimately determining the fate of Westmark. ???』
(An Amazing Read) 『I remember reading this book for the first time - over eight years ago as a ten-year-old. Each of the several dozen times since that I have re-read it, I discover new things to love. Alexander writes so beautifully that not a single word is wasted; he creates images that linger in the reader's head for much longer than the average writer's creations. His protagonist, Theo, is so vivid, so real, so painfully human that you agonize with him over every decision and gasp with him at every tug on his heartstrings. You also laugh with him, but the humor in this and the other Westmark trilogy members is comic relief. I've read that this series is too dark for children, but I would say that, for an thoughtful reader, the Westmark trilogy is perfect. Although the series has been targeted by publishers toward a younger age group, teenagers and adults (I convinced my mother to read the series) would appreciate it as well.』 『Mickle, once a common street urchin, is now the queen of Westmark. The kingdom is thriving-yet, at the same time, it is strangely restless. Ghosts of the past lurk everywhere. And the evil minister Cabbarus, banished from Westmark, is plotting to seize the throne. Theo remembers a time when he was the famed Kestrel, fighting battles that threatened to kill his soul. Now he once again must join in the struggle. Who will at last command the fate of Westmark?
"The chronicle begun in Westmark . . . is brought to a brilliant climax in a novel that skillfully completes this landmark award-winning trilogy." (Booklist, starred review)』
Kakaku：1088 saved$10.88
Capstone Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Excellent - Real Story of a Real Queen) 『Unlike a fairytale this book will transport you to a world of a real queen. Her Majesty Queen Rania - Her life, thoughts and ideas to make our world a better place to live in. This book will make a great gift for youngsters.』 『Fame, fortune, and glamour, whats more fascinating than the world of royalty? These biographies present the lives of popular queens and princesses. Pictures and first-hand quotations bring you closer than ever to the women behind the crown.』
Kakaku：895 saved$8.95
Oni Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Terrific blackmail/spy story with great art!) 『So far British agent Tara Chase, the heroine of the Queen&Country comic book series, has been settling cases in the Balkans and the Middle East. This one hits closer to home. The father of an old friend is being blackmailed with a sex tape starring his daughter and a Frenchman with more than just a pretty face. Whereas she's in love he's in it for the money. England and France are fighting for a multi billion business deal. France does the tape, England counters with Tara. You can guess the end of the story. Her majesty always gets it her way. But you'll be surprised at the twists and turns Greg Rucka built in. I also like that the French that is spoken is authentic and without mistakes. A thorough job. Jason Alexander's art is fabulous. He changes perspectives all the time, much like a moving camera (as in Domino, NYPD Blue etc.) which fits perfectly to tell this fast paced tale. His thin lines and edgy sketches sometimes remind me of his friend Kent Williams with whom he shares a studio, or British spy comics from the 70's. Yet Jason Alexander has made this his very own. You should definitely check out his other work f.e. Empty Zone or The Tower. As to Greg Rucka, fabulous, as always. Also highly recommended: his Queen&Country novels』
(Fun spy-thriller graphic novel) 『The fourth story in the Tara Chase spy saga finds author Greg Rucka teamed up with a fine new artist, one J. Alexander, whose gauzy, fine-line black-and-white work recalls Gray Morrow's work in the early 1970s -- very classy and compelling. The plotline is a welcome detour from the Islamic-themed stories that seem poised to dominate the series. Here, the bad guys are -- zut alors! -- the French government, a fine twist for a book devoted to the British intelligence service. A sex scandal looms and Ms. Chase is called in to handle it; the story zips along at a healthy clip and will hold your attenton from start to finish. A good, entertaining read... You won't be able to put it down, and will be eager for the next installment!』
(John Rogers says...) 『From the introduction:
"[T]he world really is won by the inch. People need to read these stories. They need to understand it's the long game that counts. Every day goes by, and the world burns, and all Tara [Chace] and her ilk can do is keep the flames away from the front door one more morning. Every time they do that, it's a victory. You can't win the War on Terror. You. Can. Not. You can just win today's battle."
That's all. The story in this volume of the ongoing series is more personal, but every bit as difficult as Tara's other missions. And the message is still the same: you can't escape evil, but you can fight it-- and that's the only way to keep from being overwhelmed by it.』 『British Intelligence operative Tara Chace is accustomed to working in the shadows cast by world governments, but when one of the Queen's most affluent subjects is blackmailed by a French conglomerate trying to nab an important business contract, Tara's espionage turns to the corporate variety. Little do the blackmailers know, the sex and lies they captured on videotape involved one of Chace's school-time friends, giving the agent extra incentive to foil the company and protect the interests of the Crown.』
Kakaku：2194 saved$21.94
Methuen Publishing Ltd
In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. 『The Royal Philatelic Collection was begun by Edward VII when Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince Alfred, later Duke of Edinburgh. The Collection was greatly enhanced by George V who, when Prince George, Duke of York and Prince of Wales, made a substantial study of philately. The book presents the history of this collection.』
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
