Average customer rating:
- Whirlpool
- Not awful, not great
- Nice reprint of an Ann Maxwell title....
- re-print of The Ruby by Ann Maxwell
- 3 stars because it's a sneak reprint
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Whirlpool
Elizabeth Lowell
Manufacturer: Avon
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 Lowell, Elizabeth
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Gambler's Woman
ASIN: 0060511133
Release Date: 2006-10-31 |
Book Description
When an exquisitely crafted, authentic imperial Fabergé egg mysteriously shows up at Laurel Swann's home studio, she knows it can only be from one person – her father, who has drifted in and out of her life for as long as she can remember. But this time Jamie Swann leaves her something too many people will kill for.
Out of her league and desperate, Laurel is forced to accept help from the very man who is trying to ensnare her father in his own web of double crosses. Cruz Rowan can help her stay alive, but will he do the same for her father?
Customer Reviews:
Whirlpool.......2007-02-16
An exciting read with fast moving action. It has an alpha male as the hero and a strong female for the heroine. The action keeps going with a wide range of characters whose motives are never pure or obvious until the end. It all ends very romantically. However I was disappointed that it was not the new novel that I had anticipated. I had read the book some years ago under its previous title of 'Ruby'. The fact it was a rewrite was not made clear when I saw the book advertised.
Not awful, not great.......2007-02-08
I knew from reading the back cover of this book that it was a "reworking" of an earlier release, so I was expecting it to be a little out-of-date, and it was. What I didn't expect was that half the novel would center on a great romance, and the other half would be a crude, vulgar exploration of the "bad guys" in the story. The book spends as much time telling the stories of three different sets of villains as it does telling the story of the two supposedly main characters. Frankly, I don't pick up an Elizabeth Lowell novel to read page after page of how much the female villain wants to have sex, how much the male villains want to have sex with the female villain, and how pretty much every male in the world (except the hero) is sexually controlled by the female villain. I don't have a whole lot of interest in her sadomasochistic tendencies, either.
After I finished the book, I checked the publication info page to see when it originally was published - I thought maybe it was one of her earliest works and she just hadn't gotten into her fantastic Lowell style yet. Turns out this is a reworking of a book originally published under her "Ann Maxwell" pseudonym, which I remember hearing was the name she used when writing with her husband. That goes a long way towards explaining the teenage-boy-fantasy villainess and the frequent appearance of charming words like "cocksman" to describe someone's skills in bed.
The book does have a great hero and heroine, and their story is almost worth reading. It also has kind of a prequel feel with her Donovan series - precious gems, international intrigue, etc. Suggestion to fans - skip this one and go for Jade Island. Suggestion to Ms. Lowell - leave your husband out of the mix next time.
Nice reprint of an Ann Maxwell title...........2007-01-24
When Laurel Swann receives a package containing a rare Faberge egg, she knows her father, Jamie Swann, must have sent it. Jamie didn't mean for Laurel to get involved in his latest escapade. Unfortunately, Laurel's life is now at stake and the only man who can save her is Cruz Rowan, a former FBI agent, who also wants the egg. Laurel is trapped between her love for her father and her love for Cruz. How will she resolve her WHIRLPOOL of emotions?
Readers should be aware that WHIRLPOOL is not a new Elizabeth Lowell book, but is a reprint of THE RUBY originally published under the name of Ann Maxwell. Time has not erased the power of this story, however, as Elizabeth Lowell always delivers a compelling tale of intrigue. The story is not dated, despite being set in 1995, as international intrigue, particularly in the area of gemstones, is always a current and hot topic.
WHIRLPOOL has a plethora of characters and initially it was a bit difficult to see the importance of each one. However, the pace picks up as the story progresses and all of the pieces begin to neatly tie together. Laurel's love for both her father and Cruz provides some poignant moments, and the similarity between the two men provides for some tense moments.
WHIRLPOOL is a reliable tale of romantic suspense. Readers new to Elizabeth Lowell or fans unfamiliar with her Ann Maxwell books will relish this reprint of an old favorite. WHIRLPOOL is definitely worth reading.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
re-print of The Ruby by Ann Maxwell.......2006-12-14
As others have stated. This is a re-print of a book published in 1995 and 1999. This is a trend that is starting to really make me mad. This isn't the first time I've bought a book in the last 2 years only to find it's one that I've read under a different title and/or author. In some cases I now have 2 copies of the same book. If I'm lucky when I get one of these, the author has updated the book to reflect current events. But this is something that is becoming really frustrating. The last year, in particular, seems to be bad with publishers re-printing under different titles/names. This book is an excellent read that I would normally give 5 stars but won't since the publisher has misrepresented the book.....which is sneaky on their part.
3 stars because it's a sneak reprint.......2006-11-28
I originally purchased this book as "The Ruby" and thought it was a good one. Of course, 10+ years have gone by and I forgot the original purchase. I told myself it was "familiar" but took the chance that it was a new book.
Publishers: Please do not reprint a book under a different title and author's name (originally Ann Maxwell). You are cheating us. Chances are we would buy the reprint anyway, but give us the option.
Book Description
Hosmer’s fourth edition of The Ethics of Management provides business students (future managers) with a very specific analytical process for understanding and resolving moral problems in management. A manager needs insight and understanding in a global economy to convince everyone involved, given his or her varied religious, cultural, economic and social backgrounds, to accept a proposed moral solution. Acceptance of managerial moral solutions, over time, brings trust, commitment and effort, and those three, also over time, are essential for organizational success.
Customer Reviews:
Poorly Edited.......2007-08-20
I think this book has a decent variety of cases, but of the three I was required to read for my course, (9/11, Martha Stewart, and Enron), there are many errors in the text. Date misprints, factual misstatements, and a total confusion of names (in the Enron case) make analyzing the cases rather difficult. The text also feels very biased, presenting evidence in a way to sway the reader in a certain way, rather than a simple presentation of the facts. The cases also seem to lack some important facts or background information, sometimes making it more challenging to properly analyze the situation.
Excellent framework where few exist.......2007-02-20
This text is one of several that are required reading for full time MBA students. It is one of the only texts I have found that logically spells out a coherent model for ethics decision making in the field of business. Case studies are simple, but illustrative of key points.
Selling this book is unethical.......2006-09-15
Badly organized book. Repetitive text and graphs. Stretching theories. Bad analogies. Hardly provide any useful framework can be used in real life. Like the auther is sitting in a small dark room and murmuring to himself.
MBA Program Required Reading.......1998-07-29
The book is required reading for the Anderson University MBA program in Anderson, IN. The book is used as an introduction to the MBA program (first course in the sequence).
Book Description
How Starbucks became Starbucks and other secrets of branding success. Aimed at managers, nt just marketers, a famed consultant presents a powerful prescription for understanding, building, and sustaining brand equity. Duane Knapp demonstrates, from a management perspective, why "a company's brand is the most valuable asset it can have." he shows how the very best practitioners - contemporary household names like Starbucks, Citicorp, Whirlpool, Lexus, Hallmark, and others - shrewdly develop and maintain their brands even in the face of ferocious competition.
Readers can assess and improve their own efforts by adopting Knapp's five proven components of the Brand Mindset that is for brand success: Make a promise to the consumer; make all decisions with the brand in mind; make sure the entire company supports the brand's message; make the brand bigger than the business, and build one specific image for the brand and stick with it always.
Download Description
Aimed at managers, not just marketers, a famed consultant presents a powerful prescription for understanding, building, and sustaining brand equity. Duane Knapp demonstrates, from a management perspective, why "a company's brand is the most valuable asset it can have." He shows how the very best practitioners -- contemporary household names like Starbucks, Citicorp, Whirlpool, Lexus, Hallmark, and others -shrewdly develop and maintain their brands even in the face of ferocious competition.
Readers can assess and improve their own efforts by adopting Knapp's five proven components of the Brand Mindset that is for brand success: make a promise to the consumer: make all decisions with the brand in mind: make sure the entire company supports the brand's message: make the brand bigger than the business, and build one specific image for the brand and stick with it always.
Customer Reviews:
The Brand Mindset.......2003-10-23
Although I am owner and operator of a quaint establishment in a small suburban town, I wanted the community and the world to know about the image I was creating for my product. The Brand Mindset was the vehicle I used to transport my thinking and my product to developing the brand recognition I wanted. It was very informative and clearly instructive. Chapter four, "The Brand Promise" was particularly beneficial. The format , compared to other brand strategy books was superior in conveying the steps to establishing product recognition. An absolute for the serious entrepreneur.
The bible of bulding a genuine brand.......2002-12-09
The Brand Mindset is a must read for any company trying to build a genuine brand. Duane Knapp clearly and concisely guides his readers through the process of developing a blue print for success that will take them well into the future. His knowledge and expertise are invaluable, and his book has become required reading for everyone in our company. An excellent tool for any business!
The BrandStrategy Doctrine: Make It a "Way of Life".......2002-10-10
This book clearly, concisely, and thoroughly explains why a genuine brand is a "way of life" understood and lived by everyone in an organization--not just a superficial marketing or advertising ploy. One must "think like a Brand", make a BrandPromise, communicate, live, and leverage the Brand. A strategic planning mindset is emphasized. Numerous detailed examples and graphics are provided to illustrate key concepts underlying the thought process involved in a BrandStrategy Doctrine. This book is a blueprint for understanding and applying the concept of branding to an organization. Each chapter ends with a one-page action guide. The final two chapters cover topics not found in any other book on branding: branding on the Internet, with evaluation criteria for one's website, and specific tools to aid brand developers in staying connected with customers and stakeholders. These tools include quizzes, questionnaires, and checklists. No stone is left unturned to stress the importance of the brand in achieving excellent customer service, as each employee represents the brand. For example, how to answer the phone and how to most effectively communicate nonverbally are discussed, in order to "live the BrandPromise". This goes well beyond what I would have expected from a book on this subject. If you wish to buy only one book on branding from what is available, buy this one. It is comprehensive yet easy and fun to read, and makes not just the planning, but the execution and continual evaluation of a BrandStrategy seem quite "doable". After reading The Brand MindSet, I believed that any company could follow in the footsteps of other successfully branded companies.
The BrandMindset is a Must Read.......2002-06-02
I purchased The BrandMindset to use as a reference for a marketing project I was working on for my MBA program. However, I wish that I had this book when I was working as a marketing communications manager. The BrandMindset clearly illustrates why brand strategy must be incorporated into every business function. The book demonstrates why in today's competitive environment, a company's brand is crucial in providing product distinction. A brand's promise must be delivered in all aspects of the business, not just promoted in advertisements or logos. As a student, I especially liked the real-world examples and brand-profiles included in each chapter. They helped to present a clear picture of how this process is applied and proof of its success.
The treasure lies in the last chapter in which the author has provided several tools and sample documents for a company to use when mapping out their own BrandStrategy. Everyone from the executive to the receptionist should read this book, and I would strongly recommend it as a current resource to anyone studying marketing or management.
The Brand Mindset.......2001-11-21
The Brand Mindset by Duane E. Knapp is a very helpful tool in building a brand for a company. Mr. Knapp lays out the method to succesful branding in an easy to follow and easily referenced manner. The examples were very helpful and relevant.If you are considering examining your brand and what you are promising your customers, you should consult this book. I know that I have come away with a whole new view as to how my company's brand should be built.
Product Description
Technical service manual including information on understanding and repairing direct and belt drive models of Kenmore, Whirlpool, Roper, and Kitchen-Aid. Full color on-the-job repair photographs and easy to follow flow charts included. This book is part of a self-study program designed to help you start your own appliance repair business. See www.appliance-repair.org.
Book Description
IS YOUR WASHER:
Leaking water or oil?
Overflowing?
Not filling, or filling too slowly?
Not agitating, or agitating weakly?
Not spinning?
Not draining?
Not doing anything?
Leaving your clothes too wet at the end of the cycle?
Vibrating uncontrollably?
Spinning and agitating at the same time?
Screeching, squeaking, clattering, knocking, buzzing, or making grinding or other strange noises?
Do you smell smoke?
Our washer repair manual can help!
Your Whirlpool washer is leaking; what things do you check first? The same things tend to fail in the same designs. Why not save yourself some time, hassle and money, and just go there first? Diagnosis and repair procedures are included for the most common symptoms, such as leaks, no fill or slow fill, clothes too wet after cycle ends, no agitate, no spin, no drain, timer, drive motor and other electrical troubles.
Customer Reviews:
Great Manual.......2001-09-24
The book did well to walk me through repairing my washer. It does a good job on the moving parts and a great job on the electronic parts, especially for the novice.
It could be better by going into some preventitive maintenance topics. I felt there were probably some additional things I could have done while I had the machine opened up and taken apart.
I saved between $100.00-$150.00 by fixing it myself.
Terrific Repair Manual!.......2000-11-21
This is a terrific step-by-step manual that anyone can follow. I have used it on two different washers. It is accurate and has saved me a lot of money on repair bills.
Average customer rating:
- The Garcia Marquez of "caucho".
- Destructivo y esperanzador (Destructive and redeeming)
- Adventure in an Exotic Environment
- Tedious
- deep adventure in amazon river during the 30s
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La Voragine / the Whirlpool
Jose Eustasio Rivera
Manufacturer: Panamericana Editorial
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ASIN: 958300670X |
Book Description
Book in Spanish
Customer Reviews:
The Garcia Marquez of "caucho"........2003-10-30
Together with Garcia Márquez, Jorge Isaacs and Tomás Carasquilla, Jose Eustasio Rivera is one of the great colombian and latinamerican writers.
Garcia Maquez has written to the world about the "bananero" crisis and Colombia, while Rivera does the same but for the "caucho" plantations situation.
This book is written with probably the same passion that Vincent van Gogh painted. Once you start reading it you will be inmersed in a world that is probably new to you, that of the inclemencies of the south american "selvas" (jungles) and the way they devour those who defy them.
This book is definitely worth reading and is written in a fast paced elegant Spanish.
Destructivo y esperanzador (Destructive and redeeming).......2002-11-03
(for English scroll down)
RESUMEN EN ESPAÑOL: Tuve este libro por mas de una década y no lo leí. Fue una pena que no lo hiciera antes. Es una de las mejores novelas que he leido en cualquier idioma. Es lamentable que no circule más debido a la época en que se escribió y su aparente falta de valor comercial. ¡Pero qué libro! Después de leerlo usted nunca mirará un bosque de la misma manera otra vez. Usted nunca mirará el caucho de la misma manera otra vez. ¡Usted nunca seguirá sus pasiones ciegamente otra vez! Este libro tiene un poder destructivo que también es renovador.
FULL ENGLISH REVIEW:
For more than a decade I had this book and didn't read it. I am glad I finally did. It's one of the greatest novels I have read in any language. It's a shame that because of the time when it was written and the lack of marketing value it presents to an uninformed public it has not circulated more in the world. What a book! By God, after you read it you will never look at a forest in the same way again. You will never look at rubber the same way again! You will never follow your passions blindly again! This book has a destructive power that is also renewing. Yes, it is written in elegant Spanish, one that is not spoken in the same way any more, so it is only for the native speaker or someone who has very good knowledge of the language and culture and willing to take the challenge. But by no means will you find it boring, if you can follow it and know what a good narrative is. I just finished reading it yesterday and feel like I would read it all over again. It's powerful fiction of a writer who probably gave his life in the process of bringing this story --his only novel-- to us (He died mysteriously --no known cause-- in New York City, on his birthday, after the book's publication. Hmmm.). It's also an outcry, a denunciation of the savagery of commerce, of the brutality of the forest, of the corruption of human beings when there is a fortune to be made or dreamed of. Oh, what else can I say. It's a story I will never forget because it has become engrained in my heart. I wish I had written it. One other thing you may notice stylistically: Rivera's writing was not formulaic, like it seems to be nowadays. It feels like poetry as well as fiction.
Adventure in an Exotic Environment.......2000-11-18
The style and the content of this novel are unique. The language is beautiful and the story engrossing, but don't pick it up to learn elementary or intermediate spanish-- it's too difficult. On the other hand, if you want to experience natural, silky Latin American spanish prose at it's finest this book is for you. It provides a unique glimpse into life on the rubber plantations that vanished with the advent of new technology. it's a great adventure story, and it's written in exemplary and, at times, poetic, idiomatic spanish.
Jose Eustacio Rivera was in New York working on a North American edition when he died of pneumonia on his 39th birthday.
Tedious.......2000-06-23
How can I describe the effort it took for me to read this book? It took me almost a month to complete this novel! Not only does the author enjoy writing long, involved sentences, but he makes the narrator, Arturo Cova, drag out his interpretation of every event. I understand that this novel is considered "great" because of its contextual importance (the rubber trees in Colombia and Brazil), but I much preferred the "great" land books Don Segundo Sombra and Dona Barbara. Don't read this book unless you are required to do so.
deep adventure in amazon river during the 30s.......1998-10-25
This book brings the tragic life of the "caucho" explotation in the amazon basin during the 30s. The colombian writer describes the transition from the llanos to the heart of the "caucho" land. An adventure in which the jungle decides the pace and the fate. One of the first descritpions of the condition of slavery that workers had in that wild land. Recomended for anyone interested in South American history
Book Description
As reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries: "Step-by-step instructions on how to build a home in an economical and artistically unique way. Owning a home doesn't have to be a trying ordeal, says Madison, who reports that he built his own house with little more than his own muscle power and ingenuity. Though he claims not to be particularly handy, he managed to create a fully functional cabin complete with electricity, running water and Internet access as part of a journey that was both fulfilling and therapeutic. He takes readers through the process, from cutting down trees and laying the foundation for the floor to installing piping and electricity to detailing plans to build additional modules. Pictures and diagrams complement the text, and the author even discusses his future plans to fully automate the cabin. In addition to the down-and-dirty details, he uses quotes from a number of philosophers-Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau and others-to help explain his motivation. It was as much about testing his own abilities as it was about creating a physical shelter. One one level, this is a practical guide that contains pertinent information for people who actually want to build their own cabin. On another, it's a fascinating look inside the mind of a man who chose to go against the grain and who writes with such folksy charm and comical practicality that you can't help but applaud him for bucking the system. Those not interested in building their own homes will be bored senseless by the technical details and some of the long-winded endnotes, but entertaining anecdotes-such as how the author munches on blackberries while simultaneously trimming his beard in his yard to lay down a barrier of human scent that deters snakes-keep the pages turning. In definite need of editorial direction but makes a case for the author-whatever his name is-getting his own home-improvement show." As reviewed by New York Times best selling author Ellen Tanner Marsh: "When Henry David Thoreau tired of the city in 1845, he retreated to the country, living on the shores of Walden Pond and chronicling his experiences in the timeless work Walden or Life in the Woods. Now, in an enchanting new book, A Small Cabin that One Person can Build, readers are presented with a sort of modern-day version of Thoreau's classic. Like Thoreau, author Aristotle Locke Rousseau Hume Madison (a.k.a. Al Madison) decided to retreat from his hectic life, and although he didn't have a place to live, he had some time and money and, more importantly, some land and trees. In this amazing little book, Madison (each of the illustrations names he uses provides a famous quote at the end of it) sets out to build a log cabin-and educate readers on how to do it themselves. In a friendly, approachable style, Madison shows readers exactly how he built his cabin using easy to follow step-by-step instructions, from insulation to wiring to putting on a porch. He lists exactly what tools you need and where to get them. Lest the thought of roughing it doesn't appeal to you, be assured that this cabin is no rustic refuge. Madison added all the modern comforts, including Internet service and a flush toilet. 'There are two characteristics to my building,' he writes 'It was built efficiently and it is a deliberate work of art.' Filled with wonderful photographs and a fine, wry wit, Madison's book is not just a how-to, it's a why-to. Because Madison didn't just build a cabin; he rebuilt himself. As he takes the time to point out, his labors made him healthier, stronger, and emotionally tougher, too. Readers can live vicariously through Madison in this wise and funny book, but truthfully, after reading it you'll want to build a cabin of your own. Luckily Madison is here to show you how."
Average customer rating:
- A hair-raising roller coaster ride
- Good, but a reprint
- Romantic suspense as it should be done
- well researched, but emotionally flat
- Perfect setup, unsatisfying conclusion
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Shadow And Silk (Zebra Romantic Suspense)
Ann Maxwell
Manufacturer: Zebra
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0821773119 |
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The ever talented Ann Maxwell (who also writes as Elizabeth Lowell and A. E. Maxwell--the E is for her husband, Evan, a co-author) always provides satisfying romance. In this thrilling contemporary, Dani Warren is a textile expert who is such a dilettante she will chase a rare and mythical piece of antique silk to the most remote corners of the world. In Lhasa, Tibet, Dani is almost killed for a fragment of cloth and finds herself smuggled out of the country to safety by Shane Crowe, an ex-mercenary employed by a mysterious private enterprise. Forced to work together to catch a ring of international criminals, the two reluctantly share their expertise despite their growing attraction to one another.
Customer Reviews:
A hair-raising roller coaster ride.......2006-11-18
Danielle Warren, a professor of Archaeology, is in pursuit of a rare piece of silk for sale on the black market. She agrees to meet with the seller in a secluded place, but before their transaction is completed, all hell breaks loose when the Chinese army moves in to arrest her and an assassin murders the seller before her eyes. But before she is captured, Shane Crowe, an ex-mercenary and current member of Risk Limited, swoops in and rescues her.
Shane's mission was to recover the silk for the rightful owners, but given the choice between the silk and Danielle's life, he chose to save her instead. Shane and Danielle flee for their lives with the Chinese army on their heels and successfully make it out of Tibet. What follows is a hair-raising, nail-biting adventure that pits Shane's skills against a ruthless enemy.
Shadow and Silk is a thoroughly entertaining story. The pace is a bit slow in the beginning because the author takes time to sketch out each character and set up the storyline. However, this really pays off when the pace picks up because what you have is an intricate storyline with complex and enigmatic characters. You also get a good glimpse of, for example, the twisted relationship between Katya and Kasatonin and how they came to be that way, or the dynamics in Shane's life that leads him to abandon his mission and rescue Danielle.
The strength and weakness of Shadow and Silk are the larger-than-life characters. The protagonists are almost too perfect, too good but with dark shadows in their past that they struggle to overcome. The antagonists are just as perfect but on the other end of the spectrum. They are thoroughly evil, pursuing their selfish and deadly ambitions, and whatever good they may have had in their lives has long been stamped out by the traumatic events in their past.
Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Good, but a reprint.......2006-10-12
For new Maxwell readers, this will be a treat. For other Maxwell readers, be aware that this is a reprint of an earlier publication date.
Romantic suspense as it should be done.......2006-09-19
I quite liked Shadow and Silk. In fact, it reminded me a bit of my favourite Lowell, Tell Me No Lies. It had interesting characters, an intriguing suspense element and a nice (if a bit underdeveloped) romance.
In S&S Lowell introduces Risk Limited, a seeming precursor to that other organization, Rarities Unlimited, which she wrote about in Moving Target, Running Scared and Die in Plain Sight. While Rarities had Dana and Niall, Risk Limited has a similarly intriguing and well-rounded couple at its helm: former high-ranking diplomat Cassandra Redpath and her lover, Gillie, a British former military man.
But while these two are a strong presence in the book, they are not the hero and heroine. That place belongs to two characters that were just as intriguing, the textiles scholar Danielle Warren and Shane Crowe, a man whose history includes a stint with the CIA, a period as a hermit, in which he considered becoming a Buddhist monk, and work for a UN charity digging up and disarming live land mines. It's interesting: S&S's from 1997, so it's not very old, but it's a whole other world. I don't think any author today would have a hero having spent years working with the muhajedeen in Afghanistan, against the Soviets. How things change!
Anyway, Dani and Shane meet in Tibet, when she's approached by a Chinese dealer trying to sell her a priceless old textile. Shane, whose mission for Risk Limited is to recover this same fabric, the Buddah's robe, stolen from the monastery of the Azure sect, saves Dani's life when it becomes clear that it was all a setup. Forced to make a split-second decision between saving Dani and recovering the fabric, Shane chooses the former, and then helps her get out of the country.
Back in Washington DC, Dani's approached by Risk Limited for help in recovering the fabric. Seems it was stolen by the Harmony, a shadowy secret organization grouping some of the most dangerous criminal associations in the world, and they mean to use it as a gift to draw in a reluctant Japanese yakuza boss and make themselves even more powerful.
Shane would prefer to keep Dani out of danger, but his bosses overrule him and insist on allowing Dani to choose whether she wants to risk it or not. Dani, feeling she owes both Shane and his organization for her rescue (and feeling she owes it to the world to keep a treasure such as the fabric from disappearing), decides she wants to, so she and Shane thus begin a mission that will take them to Aruba, Seattle and the islands off Vancouver.
On the whole, I really enjoyed the story, even though every element I enjoyed had its flaws. For instance, I really, really liked Shane and Dani and their relationship. Each were interesting in their own right, and Lowell created a wonderfully steamy sexual tension between them. However, I would have liked this even better if I'd had more of it. They just didn't have enough time together, and though I liked the idea of Shane's chastity vow (seeing him wish it was over already was fun), it did mean that the payoff for all that lovely sexual tension took a bit too long.
Same thing with the suspense subplot. I liked it, but... I enjoyed all the stuff about the ancient textiles, but I just don't think Lowell really succeeded in impressing in me why it was so necessary to recover the robe, why it would be so disastrous if they failed to do so. And this created a distinct lack of urgency. It seemed to me it was more important to destroy the Harmony, but they seemed to regard this as more of a secondary aim.
Katya Pilenkova and Ilya Kostanin were more interesting villains that I'm used to from Lowell. I did think we spent a bit too much time with the Harmony (especially considering I was wishing for more time with Shane and Dani), but unlike in her newer books (like Running Scared, for instance, where it was the main thing I disliked), these villains are at least interesting people.
The writing style was one I mostly liked, though there were certain things there (too) that I wasn't too crazy about. I do like how Lowell writes banter between her protagonists, but she makes the mistake of having them constantly congratulate each other on how witty, quick and brilliant their comments are, rather than let them stand alone and allow us readers to judge whether they are, in fact, so witty and brilliant.
On the whole, though, the positives much exceeded the negatives, and I really enjoyed myself reading this.
well researched, but emotionally flat.......2006-04-26
The best thing about this book is the research involved. Maxwell did a great job adding lots of little details that give the book a fine edge.
The plot was fair. Some plot holes and some other nice twists so it was overall a mixed bag.
However, the romance was just blah to me. I've dated an ex-military man with the scars to prove it and Shane Crowe was a pale imitation of the real thing. Throughout the whole book, I kept thinking of people I have known in real life and how flat these fictional characters seemed.
Although there are well written short erotic scenes, I just couldn't get into this book at an emotional level because I didn't believe in the characters.
As a fan of Maxwell's unfinished pulp science-fiction/fantasy series "Fire Dancer", I hope I can find more of her books that resonate with me. This one wasn't it.
Perfect setup, unsatisfying conclusion.......2005-06-11
Ok, I loved the vast majority of this book. The sexual tension sizzled, the characters were fascinating (and unusual--how often do you read about a monk/mercenary and an academic?), and the plot twists were exciting and fresh. I don't know when I've been more excited by popular fiction.
I tore through the book eager for the ending that would satisfy such an extreme amount of tension. And I was left hanging!
The mini sex scenes peppered throughout the book (during Shane's Celibacy) are scorchingly hot, despite (or perhaps in part because of) the lack of total fulfillment. As I neared the end I was more and more desperate to read the, ahem, climax. I knew it would be epic But as twenty remaining pages dwindled to ten, then five, I began to realize that I might not get it. And I didn't!
I read the book in less than a day, a wicked grin on my face the entire time. When I read the last words, I threw the book against the wall and screamed. This would have been the ideal romance, but the ending just did not deliver.
Book Description
How YOU can fix the most common problems with a Whirlpool or Kenmore washing machine, including belt drive and direct drive models. Written ESPECIALLY for Do-It-Yourselfers, trade schools, and other "green" technicians!
Customer Reviews:
Washing Machine was making a loud noise........2007-01-10
Very basic information. But it told me how to remove components
of the machine so that I could get to the items that needed replacing.
Also gives some information on what might be causing the problems.
Well worth the money!!.......2007-01-09
We have repaired our washer a couple of times, then took this book to New Mexico, used it to trouble shoot my mother's washer. We ordered the part on the internet and fixed her washer before we left at the end of the week.
This book has paid for itself many times over. The instructions are straight forward, easy to understand. Highly recommended.
Easy Washer Repair.......2006-10-15
Our washer had started pouring half the water on the floor instead of into the tub. We had the Whirlpool exploded parts picture, but it didn't help understand the problem. After spending two weeks trying to figure it out on our own and unhelpful trips to the parts store, this book lead us to the answer. The repair took a few minutes and no new parts. This is a wonderful book and a wonderful series.
Book Description
How YOU can fix the most common problems with your Whirlpool or Kenmore Dryer, including both gas and electric models. Written ESPECIALLY for Do-It-Yourselfers, trade schools, and other "green" technicians!
Customer Reviews:
Whirlpool dryer repair cheap and easy.......2006-08-10
Good book for the beginner do-it-yourselfer. The book can be a little confusing, especially if you have an older machine. But, I never fixed a dryer before in my life (my drive belt was broken), and after reading through the book a bit, I figured out what I had to do. I would recommend it if your dryer breaks down on you. It's a lot cheaper than calling the repairman.
Worked for us........2005-08-22
It costs about $65 just for someone to come look at our dryer,not to mention what it would have cost to fix it. I bought my husband this book and now our dryer works great. I was expecting a thicker, more detailed book, but we can't complain. It paid for itself with just the one fix. The igniter and a fuse were broken and had to be replaced.
Horrible product.......2001-02-02
Why buy a book for an appliance that is of poor quality and even worse customer service.
Just buy a Maytag and have peace of mind
Still damp........2000-03-24
Poorly organized and incomplete. While there are There are some helpful and well-intentioned tips, but this is by no means an adequate 'do-it-yourselfer' troubleshooting guide. It is an addendum to the user's manual at best. I would pay a couple of bucks to view the information on a web page but $17 (cost and shipping) is outrageous.
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