You have to read this book!!

This is the best Gerri Hill book so far.Iv read every one of Gerris books so to date and have liked them all,Gulf Breeze being a particular favourite.Then along comes Love Waits and totally takes over as number 1 on the favourite list.The story is so good you will not want to put it down until you have read it all,i know,i was late for work the next day because i did just that!!-I cant wait til the next one-Thanks Gerri.

Still think about this book

I read this one after reading Fingersmith and Affinity and I have to say its one of those books that doesn't leave me and I constantly think about what the main character is doing today *silly me*

worthwhile read

reccomended by a friend and I read over a few days . This author definitely knows what he is talking about when he delves into the psyche of gay men.The relationship issues, the obsession with the body beautiful, the baggage we bring from childhood and the closet.For me it stirred up a fair amount of sediment and that is no bad thing.

Gets you tingling in all the right places!

With a name like Best Women's Erotica 2009, my expectations were high. And with authors like D.L. King, Elizabeth Coldwell and Janine Ashbless nestling between those covers, the bar was raised further. However, I'm very pleased to report that my expectations were indeed met - and exceeded. This book is fantastic and has earned itself a permanent place in my erotica collection!<br /><br />The stories are incredibly sexy, and very imaginative. Out of the 21 stories, I'd say there was perhaps only one which didn't really float my boat, but that's more a matter of opinion than any slight on the author. Particularly clever and arousing were Elizabeth Coldwell's Live Bed Show and Janine Ashbless' Ritual Space. It was fantastic to read such a wide variety of stories - they were all very, very different and yet all very... very... sexy!<br /><br />You cannot fault the quality of this book. Best Women's Erotica 2009 is cover to cover hot stories which will get you tingling in all the right places! It certainly did the job for me. Whether you're a seasoned erotica fan, or looking for something new - grab a copy of this. You won't regret it.

Wasn't expecting this!

I was on the prowl for a gripping read and something out of my comfort zone, something different and I certainly got it with this book. <br /><br />Right from the outset I felt attached to the main character and cared about him and needed to know what happened to him, I related to quite a few of the experiences he was going through and felt comforted throughout the book. <br /><br />Lots of moments I wasn't expecting (like the sex scenes) but they were handled perfectly in a very grown up writing style. The whole book is a pleasure to read and flows so easily that you really don't want to put it down.<br /><br />I read it in a few sittings, like most of the other reviewers did too and I loved the last third. Buy this book!

A Winner

Dr Ali Torveau, trauma surgeon, deals with death and tragedy almost every day in the trauma unit. She is also nursing a personal tragedy, so the last thing she wants or needs is to fall in love.<br />Beau Cross, firefighter turns up in Ali's unit one day. She is also nursing a personal tragedy and doesn't want or need to fall in love. But sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you try not to, or fight it, the inevitable is going to happen.<br />This is definitely a brilliant start to a new first responders series. There are some much loved characters from previous books too. But the book is complete in it's self. Roll on the next one.

Serious polemic or just trolling?

I enjoyed this book, it was fun, easy to read and I tend to sypathise with Quattrocchi's political viewpoints, but I would be inclined to have given this a three and a half rating if I could have, because I'm really not sure if the argument is really no more than a print version of sticking two fingers in the air or sticking your toungue at His Holieness, just for the"heck" of it. <br /><br />The book is really an extended essay, in five parts, with large appendix.<br />It begins with an introdution to the life of Joseph Ratzinger and mentions his disinclination to talk about his early life and relationships, and describes his rise through the Church hierachy, and somewhat describes his role in the Congregation for the doctrine of faith (CDF), his relationship with John paul II and his irresistable rise to Pope.<br /><br />The second section describes the (quite scary?) rise of Georg Ganswein through some of the most reactionary sections of the church and German politics, to the CDF, where Ratinger seemed to manoeuver him to his current position as personal secretary.<br /><br />It is in the latter sections of the book that I have the issue with.Yes it is a very nice idea that this unlikeable little man, with his darkly charismatic assistant, is some kind of ultra repressed homosexual, explaining the vicious backlash againts the small refoms the Church has made since Vatican 2, but really what is the argument based on?<br /><br />1. The Pope has a penchant for dressing up in flamboyant gaudy attire, unlike the rest of the bishops and cardinals then?<br />2. He wears red Prada shoes.<br />3. His somewhat close relationship to Msgr. Ganswein.<br /><br />Most of this, though seems to just be dragging out steriotypes, the Pope likes to shop and wear pink (rose) vestments, wears nice shoes, silly hats and he likes to keep a good looking, younger man by his side, so he must be gay, not because there is evidence but because the writer thinks so and it would annoy some people. This comes across as a bit lazy, really. You could easily attribute the above characteristics to the Pope being German, but then you would get criticised for racial steriotyping.<br /><br />So is the book then just a means of insulting the Pope and certain parts of the church? Fans of the Pope will not find any convincing reason to change their minds. The release in the Uk has been to co-incide with the Papal visit for maximum annoyance potential, good some will say, but why then pay extra money for something that you knew already? If you really want to annoy the Pope you can do it for free at the planned protests or spend the money on one of the better researched articles/books about what this man has really done or said.<br /><br /><br />

an empowering read

This is a great book - 5 out of 5 from me. <br /><br />I thought that the plot was fantastic - full of extremely engaging story lines and loads of sub-plots but never so much going on that it became overwhelming. There was enough intrigue for it to be interesting (the murder, the relationship - were-they-weren't-they, Towanda etc) and lots of humour to make lighten the mood when the going got tough...and there were many moments of extreme empathy within the plot <sob><sob> to touch your soul. Simple yet engrossing. <br /><br />The characters were very well drawn, each entirely believable. I particularly loved Eva's character, Sipsey, Idgie & 'Railroad Bill' (...who isn't exactly a character but embodies an idea or a 'spirit' that is sadly a lot more rare than it should be). <br /><br />The messages within this novel were put across simply but spanned a lot of areas - we have feminism, racism, homosexuality - basically human nature in all its forms. The message came across very strongly to me that we must all think of exactly how we treat each other and what we base our opinions on. A very gentle way to give some stark messages - using the clever juxtaposition of humour & empathy to make those messages stick was genius. <br /><br />The writing was engaging - I loved the three main 'streams' of narrative (Weems Weekly, Evelyn & Ninny, & 'real-time as-it-happened') and how the author played with time and the order of events. We got to see some things in advance and had to wait for others - we also got a number of different points of view on the incidents portrayed. Flagg's techniques really helped with the pacing - which I thought was strongly linked to the 'railroad' theme - I definitely felt I was being rhythmically transported through the narrative as if on a train. Each strand of narrative felt like I was in a different carriage hearing a different point of view - very clever <br /><br />...and I read it in only a few days, I love novels that allow me to do that. I think this is going onto my shelf with all of the other books that I read over and over again! <br />

One of the great books of the 20th century

There is more good sense in this wonderful book than in most of the rest of all the writing by and about women. Marvellous.

B.R.I.L.L.I.A.N.T

this was so good, it even managed to turn me on in parts haha<br /><br />HUGELY recommended, helps you out in so many ways, so well written and not formal so it isn't holding back on any detail!<br /><br /><br />It does however use the correct terminology, which, for a first time learner I found a little confusing as I didn't know what it meant, but it does explain it all later on in the chapters so I found out soon enough!<br /><br /><br />I read this all in a day and a bit, so I was rather into it haha.

Thoughroughly enjoyable

I really loved this book!! I couldn't put it down so read it in one day.<br /><br />Gerri has yet to let me down!

Learn to seduce with cookies ...

<br />A problem in me giving a comment can / will be the writing - I'm Flemish.<br /><br />I only comment on the books I think are worthwhile.<br /><br />Reading Starting from Scratch was a delight : good writing, specially the dialogue, humour, believable characters, good story-line etc.<br /><br />I don't like cooking or baking but I read I all. Let this be THE recommendation to buy the book.<br />

simply could nt put it down

I bought pages for you as a companion on a trip to london. Once i started to read it i could nt put it down. Its a perfect balance of everything i enjoy in a story,romance,drama and true to life. Its one of the only books in a long time that i read within hours. <br />Well written with a perfect ending. Although i am already looking for another book as an old interest in reading has been re-awakend in me. Many thanks to the author this book was a true pleasure to read.

English History in delightful reading.

Having seen the Secret Diaries of Anne Lister, I could not wait to buy the book from Amazon. It was intriguing reading and account of life in the 1880's. I was mostly drawn to the book because of the excellent editing by Helena Whitbread , which held my interest thoughout.I felt as if I were actually living during that period of time and each time i closed the book, I felt lost back in this present time. I wish there could have been diaries written before 1817.

Wow!!!!!

Kip Barrett, fraud investigator, is asked by the CEO , Tamara Sterling ,of the company she works for, to carry out a clandestine investigation into an embezzler within the company. Kip has to eliminate Tamara first as one of the suspects though. She doesn't find it an easy thing to do. The feelings of both women rachet up during the course of the investigation, but have to be suppressed as dating within the company is taboo. Kip and Tamara have to be above temptation.<br />This is one of Karin's best books yet. I really enjoyed the excitement throughout.

Pure, poignant truth, then and now

Once upon a time, in Englan you could go to jail for being gay,even if you, like Alan Turing, helped save the world. you had to practiceyour"vice" in secret, in hidden places at night, Then homosexuality was decriminalized, then came the sexual revolution, a change of mores, and, AIDS and Margaret Thatcher's homophobia notwithstanding, now gays in london are free to live their life in the open, like the young protagonist of this novel, who we see move in his new apartment"helped" by a rather exploitive and egotistic friend. Parallel to the blog of the modern gay runs the secret diary of Mychael in the London of fifty years ago, till then and Now shall meet and appraise each other, both searching for love and happiness, but the old cowing in the underground, the new so often taking lightly for granted a freedom the old could only dream and had to fight hard to conquer.<br />This novel, deliciously witten, with very sympathetic and interesting characters, is one of the best gay novels i've rad. Highly recommended!

Stunning writing

The story slightly dwindles away towards the end, and I got a little impatient with the sheer privileged decadence of the main character (perhaps the author's intention?). But these are minor quibbles. This is a really well written novel. If you like literary fiction that's readable, I would recommend this book. <br /><br />If you trying to decide between this and the Line of Beauty, the Line of Beauty is on balance an even better read than The Swimming Pool Library. If you've read the Line of Beauty and are looking at reading more by the author, go for it.

Highly informative and easy to read

Having worked in the energy industry for most of my career, I found this book to be a fascinating story of the last 3 to 4 decades of the industry, told in a very candid and engaging way by one of its key protagonists. The fact that each chapter is arranged as a semi-independent story about a different geography makes the book very gripping and easy to read. Highly recommended, even for readers with no direct connection to the energy industry.

Excellent read, some very good original stories - one written by my wife

I actually read the book before I bought it here as my wife wrote one of the stories ( on nurses ), and I was determined to have a brand new signed copy. Im Very proud and it was written with feeling passion blended in with experience and imagination.<br /><br />The other stories are very good, some I think a bit short and one or two leaves a bit lost, others you are there with them. There are also some excellent and original ideas with twists as well, which is very pleasant, some lovely funny bits as well.<br /><br />The stories are short enough to pick up and read before bedtime.<br /><br />Overall, excellent and good quality for most of the stories, well worth the money.

Review for the Big penis book Taschen

I've bought this book as a present. It arrived even earlier, than was mentioned in booking detailes and that was very pleasant part.<br />But the most exciting part were that the book became just awesome, beautiful, really big, heavy - very significant. And cant tell in words the happyness it brought to my friend, she just loved it! Thanx a lot!