Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure

Book Description

Bestselling authors Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught shine with love's magic in this wonderful collection. Here are their most dazzling Christmas tales -- the perfect treat for every romantic at heart....

SIMPLE GIFTS

In the snow-covered hills of Virginia, a young widow finds that miracles really do come in the least expected packages, in "Just Curious." "Change of Heart," set in modern-day Colorado, is the touching story of a clever twelve-year-old who plays matchmaker for his bighearted, impractical mother.

Regency London comes to life in "Miracles," the enchanting tale of a world-weary lord -- and an outrageous proposal. In "Double Exposure," a determined young woman photographs a magnificent wedding at a reclusive tycoon's Newport estate, and manages to unlock the secrets of a man's heart.

Customer Reviews:

Simply Enjoyable!.......2007-08-15

SIMPLE GIFTS is a delightful collection of short stories by beloved authors! Very Enjoyable!

Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure.......2007-01-10

Great book - couldn't put it down.

Nicki's heart.......2006-09-28

I only bought this book because of Judith's McNaught short on Nicholas Duville's love story, All I ever did through the piece was sigh and cuddle the book to my heart, and continued reading page after page, I cried I smiled, I felt my heart bloom with every kiss or embrace the characters had...and this is only a FICTIONAL story!! GOD! I miss Mcnaught!!! I miss her so much! So much that I want to wringe her neck for discarding the gift she had in making BEAUTIFUL historicals! she was a legend! and still is! does anybody know's what happened to her?! Honestly!
I adored her story with Nicki, Julliana was the classic Mcnaught Herione...perfection! But what I liked most about her was that she wasted no time in making things interesting, I related with Nicki so much through out the story he was always the "Friend" to the women he was interested in, interesting women on the whole seemed to back away from him and run into the arms of other men...and that was TWO books straight! good thing it didn't end there and had him star here as a hero for once! I loved him since Whitney, my love...I adore him now! the bit with Julianna excusing herself from Nicki saying "Goodafternoon,Mr....er....Deveraux." I laughed so much it was so clever to put Jude Deveraux's name in there...hehehe...

I recommend anything by Judith Mcnaught although for me I have no interest in her contemporary novels...its her historicals you should be looking out for and their the following:
-Almost Heaven
-Something Wonderful
-Once and Always
-A Kingdom Of Dreams
-Whitney, My Love
-Until you
-And lastly this book Simple Gifts (Nicki's story -Miracles-)

I'm sure your going to enjoy all of them! :)

A moment of evasion.......2005-10-09

I have bought this book to read two little novels written by J.McNaught which are not translated into french (I am French).
Despite of my very poor english, it was a very good moment of evasion and the great sense of humour of J.McNaught was still there. The stories were good but definitively too short...

Quick reads by the divas of romance!.......2005-08-12

Four quick reads that are perfect for your wait at the doctor's office or waiting at your child's sports practice.

"Just Curious" is a touching tale about a woman who is a widow and stuggling to move on with her life alone. Her boss makes her a business proposition that she can not refuse, not realizing that it will lead to true love.

Some reviewers were disappointed with "Miracles", the story of Nicki and Juliana. Nicki was such an intriguing secondary character in Whitney My Love and Until You (two of Judith McNaught's best sellers), that I can see why fans wanted him to have a longer story.

Those of you who follow the Montgomery/Taggart series written by Jude Deveraux will be interested in "Change of Heart", a story about Frank Taggart. This is a story of mature love between a struggling single mom and a wealthy businessman. Unbelievably, a young boy orchestrates the meeting of these two unlikely characters and it really is a heart-warming story.

"Double Exposure" is a prequel to Remember When written by Judith McNaught. It is Corey and Spence's story. I liked it because I was familiar with the characters. It is an interesting, if not bizarre, wedding.

These short stories may be a good way to become acquainted with these fabulous authors if you have not read any of their longer romance novels. Avid McNaught/Deveraux fans will feel right at home with them!

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Identical twins with blue green eyes
Ahhh, Sweet Valley...
Good start to the SVH series
I was obsessed!
Typical good sister-bad sister book

Double Love (Sweet Valley High #1)
Francine Pascal
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553275674
Release Date: 1984-09-01

Book Description

Will Jessica steal Todd from Elizabeth?

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are identical twins at Sweet Valley High. They`re both popular, smart, and gorgeous, but that's where the similarity ends. Elizabeth is friendly, outgoing, and sincere -- nothing like her snobbish and conniving twin. Jessica gets what she wants -- at school, with friends, and especially with boys.

This time, Jessica has set her sights on Todd Wilkins, the handsome star of the basketball team -- the one boy that Elizabeth really likes. Elizabeth doesn't want to lose him, but what Jessica wants, Jessica usually gets... even if it ends up hurting her sister.

Meet the Wakefield twins, their guys, and the rest of the gang at Sweet Valley High....

Customer Reviews:

Identical twins with blue green eyes .......2007-04-05

When i read books its more like Nicholas Sparks, Robin Jones Gunn, Lurlene Mcdaniel, and even some R.L Stine. But i would have never guessed i would be interested in sweet valley high. When i first read it i was in about [....] and my dad got it for me. I was bored so i thought I'd give it a chance. Its pretty pointless, but still interesting. Now i own about 40. Including the collage years and the senior years. Its not as sad as Nicholas sparks or as intriguing as Robin Jones Gunns work but if your just looking for a none trashy teen book without wanting deeper meaning i would recommend this book.

Ahhh, Sweet Valley..........2006-12-11

I'm thirteen years old living in a world where the new teen books at Barnes and Noble is all about the trashy, rich Paris Hilton wanna-bes. Most teen books today are all about how much sex you can have and how fast you can get it. Every new book series out is about cliques and how speical and great the girls in them are. I am terribly offended when I read those books. Books like Gossip Girl and A-List should not be in the hands of young girls. Sweet Valley touches on these subjects in a classy, subtle way. It takes you back to what used to be the simplicity of life. They may be dull to girl today, and that's a shame because they teach wonderful morals at the end of each story. Yes, they may cow-tow to some obvious stereotypes, and use some crazy plots, but they are so much more age appopriate!

Good start to the SVH series.......2005-07-27

Even though I've outgrown the reasonable age for reading any of the Sweet Valley books, having not read any of the series, I took out to read this first book out of curiosity. I am surprised to say that I enjoyed reading the book, and am planning to read another as well!

This book introduces the Wakefield Twins of Sweet Valley, Jessica and Elizabeth. Jessica is the popular, snobbish and immature who feels like the World revolves around her. Elizabeth is the calm, understanding Wakefield sister who forgives her better half no matter what she does. In this book, Jessica steals Todd Wilkins away from Liz, even though she knows Liz likes him. Of course it also talks about Jessica's meetings with Rick Andover, the courtroom trial between the Patmans and the Fowlers, who goes with whom to the school dance, Ned's `affair' with Marianna, and Steve's relationship with Betsy, etc.

How can people not like this book? Ok, if you are a Sweet Valley fan and have read a lot of books in the series, then you can find some reason why you might not like this book. But for someone like me who is reading it for the first time, its great! It has so many twists and turns, good introduction to the characters, love, jealousy, etc everything rolled into one. Jessica stealing Todd from Liz, Liz mocked for something she didn't do, twins suspecting their parents marriage being destroyed, feel that their brother is dating a drug addict, how much more adventure do you need in a book?

I felt that this was a great start to the series, and I definitely don't mind continuing to read the next one to see how it goes.

I was obsessed!.......2005-05-10

I loved the Sweet Valley High books when I was in junior high! I remember going to the bookstore about once a month and buying the latest book about Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and their friends' adventures. I would often read each book in one day. These books bring back a lot of fun memories of my early teen years. I still have a large collection of Sweet Valley High books. I don't know if these stories would appeal to young girls of today, but I do know that many other girls loved these books as much as I did in the '90s!

Typical good sister-bad sister book.......2005-04-10

This book was okay. I kind of wanted to stop reading it after a while, but I had to press on because I had to read it for my book report. Basically Liz Wakefield is the good twin that always does what she is told and always tries to help people and Jessica is the wild twin that doesn't stop her wild escapades until she gets what she wants. When she lands a date with Rick Andover, a drop-out, she thinks she's scored. She ends up getting in trouble and when Caroline Pearce, the school gossip, finds out she spreads it around school, only she believed the twin that got in trouble was Liz Wakefield. Liz has to find a way to get herself out of the mess and also becomes attracted to Todd Wilkins in the process.

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Eroticism: In Its Finest Form
Insights from one of Latin America's greatest poet-essayists
a wonderful mystery
a wonderful mystery
Double Flame: Love is still all that matters

The Double Flame: Love and Eroticism
Octavio Paz
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0151001030

Book Description

In this series of essays Paz explores the intimate connection between sex, eroticism, and love in literature throughout the ages. Rich in scope, The Double Flame examines everything from taboo to repression, Carnival to Lent, Sade to Freud, original sin to artificial intelligence. “Brimming with insight, thoughtfulness, and sincerity” (Kirkus Reviews). Translated by Helen Lane.

Customer Reviews:

Eroticism: In Its Finest Form.......2001-11-29

The big bang of my holiday reading began with ever-enigmatic Octavio Paz's another master piece, "The Double Flame". A three hundred sixty degree recount of history and genre of Love & Eroticism. During his diplomatic job at India, being inspired by the Buddhist erotic statues of Karli (alas the other Mecca of history & culture that I never had a chance to visit), Octavio wanted to write a 100 page polemic on this subject. He waited almost 15 years. Finally in 1993, wrote this 276 page authoritative, eclectic, mesmerizing and fascinating book. I found Paz always dwells on this interesting issue. In his poems about India such as Mathura and Vridabaan, Octavio brings the erotic images of ancient India as living objects. But through this book only I discovered the depth and breath of his reading on this occult issue. Beginning with Plato's Symposium, Paz gives us a short history of love and eroticism in literature throughout the ages. From Greeko-Alexandria to Roman-Europe to Tantrik Bengal, Octavio swims us through every current and under current of human sexuality. To him, eroticism to sexuality is same as poetry to language. The courtly love in Heian Japan to twelfth century amorous lit of France, Paz is everywhere. It helped me understand Baudelaire better. It explains the erotic nuances of Madame Bovary and Ulysses. The Double Flame is translated to English by Helen Lane and published by Harcourt Brace & Company.

Insights from one of Latin America's greatest poet-essayists.......2001-08-13

"The Double Flame: Love and Eroticism," by Octavio Paz, is an impressive prose exploration of the title subject. The book has been translated from Spanish into English by Helen Lane.

In this extended multi-part essay, Paz considers the presence of love, eroticism, and related phenomena in literary works that span many cultures and centuries: the biblical Song of Songs, the writings of the Marquis de Sade, Joyce's "Ulysses," Murasaki Shikubu's "Tale of Genji," Mohammed Ibn Dawud's "Book of the Flower," the poems of Sappho, and much more. Paz also considers a wide range of other social and scientific phenomena that are relevant to his project: the "Big Bang" theory, the AIDS crisis, artificial intelligence, the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, the "Luciferian" movement in art, and more.

Occasionally, Paz seems to be a little too full of himself; he sometimes issues pronouncements on highly debatable points as if they were undebatable facts. But his overall passion and intelligence make these occasional lapses forgivable.

"The Double Flame" is also rich in what I call "Pazisms": characteristically witty, wise, and highly quotable statements. Here's one of my favorite Pazisms: "Love has been and is still the great act of subversion in the West" (from the 5th chapter, "A Solar System"). If you are interested in love and eroticism, in the art of nonfiction prose, or in Latin American literature, check out this book.

a wonderful mystery.......2000-07-10

Reviewer: luismendez@codetel.net.do from DOMINICAN REPUBLIC love is a wonderful mystery and this book takes a good love at all sides, from chinese and budhism, to western society and courtly love. this collection of essays is spellbounding and magnificent. it is reallly the work of a master at his best. this is the first time i read a book by him , but it certainly won't be the last. the scope of this book is enormous and it makes us feel that we are not alone in feeling a sensation we cannot fully account for. i recommend it for everybody, specially for the people who want to learn something in the art of living. --

LUIS MENDEZ crazzyteacher@hotmail.com

a wonderful mystery.......1999-05-16

love is a wonderful mystery and this book takes a good love at all sides, from chinese and budhism, to western society and courtly love. this collection of essays is spellbounding and magnificent. it is reallly the work of a master at his best. this is the first time i read a book by him , but it certainly won't be the last. the scope of this book is enormous and it makes us feel that we are not alone in feeling a sensation we cannot fully account for. i recommend it for everybody, specially for the people who want to learn something in the art of living.

Double Flame: Love is still all that matters.......1999-03-25

Spellbinding in its scope, the Double Flame strips humanity of every tradition and circumstance and presents it at its most ritual level, which is the act of love itself. In a nutshell, sex is the root, eroticism is the stem, and love is the flower that blooms as a result of the two. Octavio Paz simply gives it a soul, injecting new life into an entity that seems to grow more trivial as nature succumbs to change. Its a definite shot in the arm for an increasingly technocratic society.

Double Deception (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense)

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Double Deception (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense)
Terri Reed
Manufacturer: Steeple Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0373442319

Book Description

Her faith had always been strong enough to see her through tragedy--until Kate Wheeler's world turned deadly. Her husband had been murdered, and the discovery of his double life sent her on the run… into the protective custody of Sheriff Brody McClain. Brody vowed to help Kate uncover the truth about her husband's death. As Kate and Brody tried to outwit her enemies on a cross-country chase, the couple found themselves drawn to each other by more than mere circumstance. But the unmasking of the criminal mastermind might just be the thing that destroys Kate's trust--and faith--forever.

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Witty, insightful, irreverent and kind

A Double Affair: A Novel
Angela Mackail Thirkell
Manufacturer: Moyer Bell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Close Quarters: A Novel (Thirkell, Angela Mackail, Angela Thirkell Barsetshire Series.)

Happy Returns: A Novel (Thirkell, Angela Mackail, Angela Thirkell Barsetshire Series.)

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Jutland Cottage (Thirkell, Angela Mackail, Angela Thirkell Barsetshire Series.)

ASIN: 1559212497

Book Description

Older and wiser than the usual betrothed, Herbert Choyce and Miss Merriman are in no hurry to get married. But, in this 27th of Thirkell's Barsetshire novels, the enthusiasm of friends and neighbors sweeps them up in a rush to the altar, with unexpected results. Praise for Angela Thirkell: "There's just no stopping after one novel." - Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews:

Witty, insightful, irreverent and kind.......2005-04-08

I have to admit that I had never heard of Angela Thirkell, even though I enjoy English authors so very much. Someone suggested that I give her a whirl, knowing how much I enjoy Jane Austen and Miss Read, Elizabeth Cadell and DE Stevenson. I landed on this book, A Double Affair, and found myself completely absorbed in the characters from the very first. This book is almost the last in a long series, The Barsetshire series, so even though I was meeting everyone for the first time and there was gads and gads of past history I was unfamiliar with, I was not lost for context.

This woman is witty! If you are a fan of Jane Austen at all, you have just got to try this author. I found myself chuckling with her interspersed observations about her characters, as if she were sitting in a cafe watching their lives unfold before her and recording it for our enjoyment. The books are kind, there is friendship and courtesy, but there's nothing "high faluting" about them.

Now I have to go figure out which book is the first and start there. There are many many books in this series, so I should have plenty to enjoy for a good while.

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Fun !!!
...what? ::spoilers::
Double Trouble....
Undiscovered Treasure
Both Funny and Serious - Good Read!

Double Trouble
Claire Cross
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425201791
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Book Description

When a good twin's picture-perfect life implodes, it's her bad twin sister who is left behind to pick up the pieces.

There's no love lost between Maralys and her sister's husband. But his transformation in the shadow of divorce from suit-guy to sexy jeans guy-and from workaholic father to doting dad-catches Maralys off guard...

Customer Reviews:

Fun !!!.......2005-05-14

I loved this book!! The heroine was one sarcastic puppy (kinda like me), opinionated (like me) and had an answer for everything (me again). I enjoyed reading this book and laughed out many times. The book was very witty AND did not take itself too seriously. Just like a good, fun book should be. Good work Mrs. Cross!!!

...what? ::spoilers::.......2005-02-24

Okay, I got this book after my heart was broken this past valentine's day as a theraputic tool to get rid of the blues.

I loved this book when I first started to read it and I got most of the way through it until...it turns out the two main characters KNEW EACH OTHER BEFORE HAND. As in, they were lovers and there was a case of mistaken identity. After that, frankly...the book just plain sucked. I couldnt' take it seriously anymore, and after a while, Maralys, the main chracter would not develop, it was just like, "all right already, we've heard this soliloquy before hand...will you develop already?!".

Also, all of the computer stuff...it was just too unbelievable that the main character was a highly-trained computer programmer. It didn't fit, and the author overly described a LOT of things.

It got tedious to read and I skipped pages upon pages of reading and I didn't miss out on any plot. The low points of conflict were too drawn out, I'd say.

However, you'll just love the main male character and wish you had one of your own.

~ Rebecca A. Paisley

Double Trouble...........2005-02-11

Double Trouble by Claire Cross
February 10, 2005

Courtesy of WWW.Loveromances.com

DOUBLE TROUBLE by Claire Cross opens with what looks to be an advice column. "Hot_Chic" needs advice on going to a funeral versus meeting Mr. Right. "Aunt Mary's" reply is to wear "something sleek and black" in case the heir of the deceased needs solace, and thus begins the story of Marylys O'Reilly, the protagonist of this novel, a spin-off to Cross's 2001 book THIRD TIME LUCKY.

In DOUBLE TROUBLE, Marylys is a computer geek who among other things writes an advice column through the Internet. Her twin sister has just left her husband, James Coxwell, a very handsome and successful lawyer, and two pre-adolescent sons. So, how does Marylys fit in with this story? At first it wasn't apparent what she had to do with James and Marcia Coxwell, and that made the first half of the book very frustrating for this reviewer. Marylys reacts to her brother-in-law James (and vice versa) with such chemistry and near-passion that this reader questioned why one would like or even admire Marylys, who as the main character of this contemporary romance, spent a lot of her time flirting with her own brother-in-law. It didn't make any sense at all, since it seemed that the author started out by painting Marylys as a likeable person, yet Marylys was doing something so heinous as to go after her sister's husband when Marcia had just left him. It didn't matter that Marylys and her twin Marcia had a very strained relationship. The fact that Marylys was the main character almost dictates that going after one's sister's husband was not something she should have been doing, at least in the eyes of the romance reader.

After halfway through the story, the reasons for this character's aberration becomes clear to the reader. Marylys' personality and behavior was based on an event in her life that happened years ago, before James had even met her sister. With this one event, everything changes Marylys in the eyes of the reader. This reviewer was able to breathe a little better, knowing that the protagonist was not as shady as she was starting to appear, but despite the explanation, it may have been better if the reader wasn't left in such suspense for so long. The problem with the main character in a romance seeming to have such an attraction toward her sister's husband may anger and turn off some readers, as it did this reviewer. If this secret was revealed sooner, instead of taking up half the book, this reviewer feels the book would have been much better.

Another problem with this book was the dialogue. A lot of the dialogue just did not read right, in that when the reader goes from one person to the next in a conversation, it felt as if the same person was speaking the entire time, with the author just changing the names in between quotes. The conversations were often boring, or irrelevant to the story.

The same can be said about the whole section about the "Ariadnes", a group of women that Marylys met with once a month. Although it is understood that these women were a somewhat important element in Marylys' life, and they also helped to explain some of her character traits, the group for the most part was really an unnecessary addition to the plot line. If they had been left out of the book, the novel would not have lost anything. There were many parts of the book that felt extraneous, and better editing may have made a better book.

On the other hand, there were some fun characters in DOUBLE TROUBLE. The relationship between the two sisters, although most of it was "off camera", was a great idea, albeit not original. This reviewer would have enjoyed seeing more of this relationship. The two sons of James and Marcia were also a welcome addition to the cast of characters, and should have been utilized more. The same goes for Connor O'Reiley, Marylys and Marcia's widowed father, who was cantankerous and yet lovable at the same time. And Meg, Marylys' best friend, was a hoot!

With that said, this reviewer is giving DOUBLE TROUBLE a three-star rating, despite the negative aspects of the novel. There were enough positive things that made up for it, mainly interesting and fun characters that are often what makes a romance work. A little bit of editing would have made this a four-star book and a much enjoyable read.

Undiscovered Treasure.......2005-01-08

This book is wonderful, funny and touching. Yeah, I know people throw these terms around but this really is an unfairly neglected favorite. Maralys' voice is a joy to read. The revelation of the events that have shaped her unique character is particularly effective.
Claire Cross/Delacroix does a great job with the first person; I've been searching for a new title for years, in vain, alas. Grab it - get one for your best friend while you're at it.

Both Funny and Serious - Good Read!.......2004-11-18

When Maralys O'Reilly received the phone call from her 10 year old nephew telling her he and his younger brother were stranded because their mother, her twin sister Marcia hadn't picked them up, she raced across Boston to get them. Bringing them home she was surprised to find a note - from her sister not addressed to her, but hey, under the circumstances she read it - telling the boys father, James that she was leaving - and good luck with the boys! Maralys and James had been at each other's throats for a long time, but she'd never imagined there was so much trouble in paradise. Besides Marcia leaving for parts unknown, James was deep in debt, losing his job and his inheritance.

Surviving a bad marriage and climbing out of debt herself, Maralys wasn't sympathetic for James, even though Marcia seemed to be in the wrong to just abandon them. As a web-designer running her own business, Maralys was emerging into her own writing code and running an advice column on the web. She now found herself offering advice to James on downsizing and living more modestly. Surprised when he took her advice, started downsizing and moved into a middle-class neighborhood, Maralys, who'd used anger as a safeguard to her heart, was now looking at James in a new way. When James started putting moves on her, Maralys began to wonder if he was looking for a substitute wife or, was he looking for more. More importantly, was she ready to take a chance on love again.

I found this contemporary to be both humorous and serious. It demonstrates how innocent comparisons made by parents can have an effect on shaping a child's psyche. In such a way, the author characterized Maralys as this wise cracking cynic who at thirty something was still a rebel - using cynicism as a shield to mask barbs still being inflicted by an aging father and caused her to retreat into the safety of her cyber world rather than living in the real world. James was also drawn as a bit more complex then just the abandoned husband, whose live had been given a major shake-up and now was learning how to be a real father. The kids were sweet, even as they too were given a `wake-up' call from living high to a more modest way of life.

While not your ordinary romance, especially with the ex-brother-in-law getting involved with his ex-wife's sister, it is still a romance, but with a surprising twist that readers will enjoy. The often-irreverent musings of advice on the internet will have you all thinking of Dear Abby, and there are truly some gems of sage advice to the lovelorn here! - BOTTOM LINE - Although not your typical boy meets girl romance - it is amusing and provides some food for thought on how innocent remarks made in the hearing of little ears can have life-changing repercussions. --- Marilyn, for www.contemporaryromancewriters.com ---

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What secret is Jeremy hiding?
Jeremy/Jessica/Sue
suprising

DOUBLE CROSSED (Sweet Valley High)
Francine Pascal
Manufacturer: Sweet Valley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0553562312
Release Date: 1994-09-01

Customer Reviews:

What secret is Jeremy hiding?.......2006-05-25

Jessica's plan to break-up Jeremy and Sue worked perfectly, or so it seems.
Right after Jeremy leaves Sue at the altar and runs off with Jessica, he asks her to marry him, and promply leaves Jessica alone for two months while he goes on a business trip to South America. As the days pass, Elizabeth, Jessica's sister begins to think that Jeremy and Sue aren't as honest as they seem. Sue has already confessed to Elizabeth that she lied about her having a rare blood disease and it seems that Jeremy is lying to Jessica as well. Is Jeremy really in South America? He never seems to answer the phone when Jessica calls? And his excuses are getting stranger and stranger.
Finally, after two months apart, Jeremy returns to Sweet Valley and decides to reunite with Jessica at a party on the lake. But when Jessica finds Jeremy in a passionate kiss with Sue in the woods, she rushes out of the party in tears.
Later on that night, Jeremy appears at Jessica's door with some bad news, it seems that Sue has strangely vanished after Jessica saw her and Jeremy kissing. To Elizabeth it all sounds fishy, but to Jessica it seems that Jeremy is telling the truth.
Just what is Jeremy hiding? Did he really run off to South America, or did he stay in Sweet Valley the whole time? Are Sue and Jeremy back together?
Those are just some of the unanswered questions that the book ends with.

Jeremy/Jessica/Sue.......2005-05-09

Jessica becomes engaged to Jeremy,when Jeremy is still engaged to Sue. He takes her to expensive restaurants,I don't know how he pays for it. Winston becomes bald,or something happens to his hair,but something about Roberto's,the Barber's. Todd grows a mustache,Elizabeth doesn't like it. Mr. and Mrs.Wakefield don't like that Jessica is engaged to Jeremy,so they plan to enroll Jessica in a girls' military school. Sue tries to commit suicide,and Elizabeth and others are in the Go Math program. Todd and Elizabeth break up,but get back together at the Halloween Party at Project Nature. Jeremy says that Sue's "Disappeared" after the twins have gone home.

suprising.......1998-01-01

Confusing I can't wait to read the next one

Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure

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Deveraux Sparkles While McNaught Turns Out Rather Dull
wonderful stories that should have been novels
Longer please
romance at it's best.
"Just Curious" is simply the most remarkable story ever!!!!

Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure
Judith McNaught , and Jude Deveraux
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 067102180X

Book Description

New York Times bestselling authors Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught shine with love's magic in this wonderful collection. Chosen from the acclaimed anthologies A Gift of Love and A Holiday Of Love, these are dazzling tales to treasure time and again, stories for all seasons and for every romantic at heart....

Jude Deveraux

In the snow-covered hills of Virginia, a young widow finds that miracles really do come in the least expected packages, in "Just Curious," praised as "one of Deveraux's best" (Philadelphia Inquirer). "Change of Heart," set in modern-day Colorado, is the touching story of a clever twelve-year-old who plays matchmaker for his bighearted, impractical mother.

Judith McNaught

This celebrated author magically portrays Regency London in "Miracles," the enchanting tale of a world-weary lord -- and an outrageous proposal. In "Double Exposure," a determined young woman arrives to photograph a magnificent wedding at a reclusive tycoon's Newport estate, and manages to unlock the secrets of a man's heart.

Customer Reviews:

Deveraux Sparkles While McNaught Turns Out Rather Dull.......2002-09-11

My mother had this book on her shelf and I was a big McNaught fan for awhile so I decided to check it out, not having read Jude Deveraux before. "Miracles" was good for a short story, but I agree that Nicki Duville deserved his own full length story as long as it ISN'T a combination of recycled story-lines she's used before. "Miracles" reminded me a lot of "Something Wonderful" and I'm SO sick of her characters lack of mis-communication and how the men seem all the same. Gorgeous, brooding, slightly dangerous *yawn* She needs a book where her female character is a match for the hero not just brain wise. It is the age of girl power, Ms. McNaught! "Double Exposure" was boring for me and I enjoyed Jude Deveraux's contributions much better! "Just Curious" made me laugh out loud, especially at Karen's clever come-backs to Mac. I'd rather have one of the Taggert brothers any day than a Westmoreland; kudos to Jude Deveraux for making men who aren't all carbon copies of each-other and are truly dreamy. "Change of Heart" was also delightful. Randy was the most believable heroine I've ever read and I loved her romance with Frank. I haven't read any Deveraux books before, but I think I'm definitely going to have to start. Sorry, Ms. McNaught, you used to be my favorite, but unless you start coming up with something more original I think you've been bumped...

wonderful stories that should have been novels.......2002-06-04

As mentioned in the title of my review, each of the short stories should have been made into full length novels, especially Nicki DuVille's story "Miracles." Nicki was such a wonderful hero in Whitney and Until You, but "Miracles" was over before it even got started. Ms. McNaught could have easily made Nicki's story into another one of her amazing historicals. On the other hand, "Double Exposure" with Corey Foster was a great little prequel to Remember When. Spence was a wonderful counterpart to Corey, and I enjoyed reading their story immensely. My favorite over all was "Just Curious." I loved Mac, and Karen was a great foil to him. Their story was completely adorable and sweet and ended way too soon for my liking.

Longer please.......2001-04-14

I loved Corey, but found that the short story didn't allow the author to really develop the male character.

romance at it's best........2000-03-23

Judith MCnaught and Jude Deveraux are the best romance authors ever.When i read their books,i am transported in a different place far away from all my worries.Although Matt Farrel does not appear in this book,i would be willing to give up everything for him.

"Just Curious" is simply the most remarkable story ever!!!!.......1999-07-12

"Just Curious" captured my heart completely!!! I have read the story a thousand times and still can't get enough of it!! The most fantastic part of it is that you can read it in less in an hour and it stills captures you the same way a 300 page book does. Although, I do wish the story can be extended!!! I recommend this short story a must read!!!! Deveraux definitely outshines McNaught in this book!!!

A Gift of Love : Double Exposure / Just Curious / Gabriel's Angel / Yuletide Treasure / Five Golden Rings

Average customer rating:

Delightful!
AN EXCELLENT BOOK
Enjoyed it a lot!!
OK, but could have been better
The perfect Christmas anthology

A Gift of Love : Double Exposure / Just Curious / Gabriel's Angel / Yuletide Treasure / Five Golden Rings
Judith McNaught , Jude Deveraux , Andrea Kane , Judith O'Brien , and Kimberly Cates
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0671536613

Book Description

A Gift Of Love captures holiday magic as it transports us...to New York City, where a schoolteacher slips an antique gold ring on her finger and travels back in time to a man who desperately needs her love...to a village in Victorian England, where an embittered earl seeks a governess for a lovely, defiant little girl named Noelle...to a starry London night, on which a Christmas pony heralds a gift greater than any king's ransom...to the snow-covered hills of Virginia, where a young widow learns during a holiday trip that miracles really do come in the least expected packages...and to a reclusive tycoon's Newport estate, where a determined young woman sets out to unlock the secrets of a man's heart.

Let A Gift Of Love open the door to worlds of passion and adventure, where love -- and miracles -- are always in the air!

Customer Reviews:

Delightful!.......2007-09-03

A GIFT OF LOVE is absolutely delightful!! The stories by Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Kimberly Cates, Andrea Kane and Judith O'Brien are wonderful holiday delights!

Very enjoyable!

AN EXCELLENT BOOK.......2007-02-10

Perfect for a long winter's night...My favorite was Judith McNaught naturally:):):). It was a continuation of her series Whitney My Love and Until You. They are all on my KEEPER shelf. Have already read them a few times. Books to die for.

Enjoyed it a lot!!.......2005-08-21

I really enjoyed Judith McNaught's story the most. But they were all entertaining. There's a nice mix of historical and contemporary romance.

OK, but could have been better.......2001-04-14

I am a big Judith McNaught fan and I was looking forward to reading Nicky's story. I had hoped that the author would have written a full-length novel for this fascinating character, originally introduced in Whitney My Love and recurring in Until You. I would have loved to see more details on the characters' developing relationship; it would have made it more believable.

The perfect Christmas anthology.......2001-01-03

I normally don't care for anthologies, for two principal reasons. First, many stories in these anthologies suffer from being over-short; the usual 70 - 100 pages is simply not sufficient to develop the storyline in a sufficiently satisfying manner. Second, there is always at least one story in each collection which is disappointing and lets the others down.

However, I saw this book in, of all places, a bookshop in Manchester (yes, in the UK). An import, at a very reasonable price, so I decided to give it a try. And I'm delighted I did, having had several days of very satisfying reading from five authors, none of whose work I had read before.

These stories all have a strong Christmas theme, which is done properly, in sharp contract to many Christmas-themed books these days in which the festive season gets perhaps a couple of lines at the end with no other mentions anywhere in the book. Each story in this anthology *feels* Christmassy, in different ways. And yet each story is very different. There are two contemporary romances in US settings, two British historical romances (in the Victorian period, though again each very different), and one time-travel, again set in the US.

We have a modern career woman reunited with the childhood hero who devastated her years ago by a careless act; a still-grieving widow who discovers that the boss of whom she thoroughly disapproves has an incredibly romantic heart; a poverty-stricken young woman finds out how it feels to play the role of angel to a lonely widower and his son; a young Victorian choolmistress enters into an arranged marriage with a reclusive Earl so that his orphaned niece will have a governess, and quickly finds a way to melt his frozen heart; and a 1990s woman is transported back to Pioneer country, finding herself married to the man of her dreams.

I loved each and every one of these short stories. None - well, except perhaps the last, which ended a little abruptly - seemed over-short or insufficiently well developed. And each had its share of humour, angst, romance and heartwarming seasonal cheer.

Book Description

From sensational New York Times bestselling author Judith McNaught comes the perfect romance for the holidays. Double Exposure, her enchanting novella from the bestselling collection A Gift of Love, is now available on audio at a special holiday price!

Stepsisters Corey and Diana Foster run Foster's Beautiful Living magazine -- Diana handles the business side of things, and Corey organizes the gorgeous photo layouts that the magazine is known for. When Diana arranges a photo shoot for the "perfect wedding," Corey is reunited with an old flame -- and a chance for romance to spark again.

An enchanting tale of romance from the incomparable Judith McNaught, Double Exposure shows us yet again that love is the greatest gift of all.

Customer Reviews:

Audio version.......2000-09-18

Nicely done in audio form. The reader, Melissa Errico, did a nice job. I recommend this story with confidence. Sometimes the past is shoved in your face again, and it's nice to have the option of changing the outcome, albeit reluctantly. It's nice when two people can push and pull, yet still find equal ground.

From one of the best romantic writers.......1997-12-23

I reccommend this to all romantic readers.

Keep it!.......1997-09-02

This is a book well-worth both time and money

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