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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Gordie Howe, Bob Backlund, Thomas Welles, Laura Ingraham, Gideon Welles, Amy Brenneman, Kevin Ollie, John Levitow, Candace Bushnell, Mike O'meara, Kimberly Mansion, Michelle Lombardo. Excerpt:Amy Brenneman Amy Frederica Brenneman (born June 22, 1964) is a Golden Globe - and Emmy -nominated American actress , perhaps best known for her roles in the television series NYPD Blue , Judging Amy and Private Practice . Early life Brenneman was born in New London, Connecticut , the daughter of Frederica S., a judge of the Connecticut State Superior Court , and Russell L. Brenneman, an environmental lawyer. Brenneman was raised in Glastonbury, Connecticut , where she participated in theatre as a teenager, both in school and with a local theater group. She graduated from Harvard University , where she majored in comparative religion , in 1987. While at Harvard, she co-founded Cornerstone Theatre Company , which she traveled with for several years after graduation. Career In her first major television role, Brenneman played mob -connected uniform officer Janice Licalsi on the police drama NYPD Blue . Her story arc , which included a romantic relationship with David Caruso's character, ran through the show's first season (1993 1994) and the first few episodes of the second season. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1994 and for Outstanding Guest Actress the following year. After leaving NYPD Blue , Brenneman appeared in a number of films, including Casper (1995), Heat (1995), Fear (1996), Daylight (1996) and Nevada (1997). She had a brief recurring role on Frasier in its 1998 1999 season. In 1999, Brenneman became creator and executive producer of the television series Judging Amy , in which she played the title character. Brenneman portray... ... Read more

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Chapters: Mary C. Seward, Cassie, Frank Wuterich, Elizabeth Kostova, Amy Brenneman, John Mcdonald, Ida Mae Martinez, Magic Dick, Thomas Congdon, Andrew M. Maynard, Bryan F. Mahan, Daniel Jorgensen, Benjamin Babock Thurston, Jan Merrill, Ron Lamb, Ken Kelly, John Law, Billy Gardner, Jr., Lyman Law, Samuel Seabury. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 74. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Mary Holden Coggeshall Seward (July 9, 1839 circa September 1, 1919), commonly known as Mary C. Seward, was an American poet, composer, and prominent parliamentarian serving humanitarian and woman's club movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A number of her works were published under the pseudonym "Agnes Burney" , including several developed in collaboration with her spouse, Theodore F. Seward, an internationally known composer and music educator in his day. She became a groundbreaking advocate for the care and education of blind babies and young children during her later years, serving as president of the department for the blind of the International Sunshine Society. Seward was born Mary Holden Coggeshall in New London, Connecticut. Her father, William Holden Coggeshall, was a veteran of the War of 1812 and a descendent of John Coggeshall, first president of the colony of Rhode Island. She was educated at the New London Female Academy where she studied under Hiram W. Farnsworth. In 1860 she married Theodore F. Seward, a composer and music teacher who had previously worked as organist of a New London church. They lived in Rochester and Brooklyn in New York before relocating to East Orange, New Jersey in 1868. Words and music dedicated to singer Emma C. Thursby (1879)Though not prolific, her poems and tunes appeared in numerous periodicals and music books. They were published ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=23086683 ... Read more

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FeaturesWho Are You?Amid the myriad personality types at work, find out how you fit in so you can go with the workflow. By Mary Elizabeth WilliamsWhere the Jobs AreLooking for work? Learn about growing sectors and how to leverage your existing assets.By Sara EckelMe Time How workplaces are offering wellness perks and programs to lighten the load of stressed staffers.By Katherine BowersSuccess RedefinedWomen see achievement in a whole new way, and firms are tailoring careers to retain them.By Lisa Armstrong100 Best CompaniesRead all about the winners as we celebrate this silver anniversary and 25 years of progress.By Melinda DoddKeeping Kids in LineEver wonder how teachers get kids to behave? Star educators share strategies that will ease your efforts. By Ilisa CohenYouHealthBreast cancer awareness at work; chocolate for heart health; beat belly fat to reduce stroke risk; brain-boosting brown-bag lunch.NutritionSuper-fit /> Super-fit TV star Mario Lopez shares how to live a leaner life.Sticky SituationsPlaydate problems and pressures-resolved.WorkWhy I WorkPurses become big business.Money TalksEasy ways to stash extra cash.Cover StoryPrivate thoughts from Private Practice star Amy Brenneman.The Best vs. the RestHow benefits at the 100 Best compare to other companies.Lessons from the Top 10CEOs on investing in employees.Smart StatsOur winners rack up points.25 and Counting!A quarter century of progress and the future of work-life.FamilyChild HealthSmarter snacks for little munchers; Michele Borba on sharing and caring.WM RecommendsLanguage-learning DVDs; best book picks.PlaytimeOutdoor pumpkin pleasures; restaurant rescue game.DIYAdorable Halloween costumes you can create-fast!Step by StepBabies on the move; secrets to raising a fit preschooler; brat-busting strategies.Make it FunCreepy-cute crafts to make with your kids.Cover Photography by Jack Guy ... Read more

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Eugene O'Neill's tale of Ephraim Cabot, greedy and hard like the stone walls that surround his farm, the family patriarch brings home his new young bride, Abbie. His grown sons dissaprove; one leaves but the other stays to fight for the family fortune. What follows is a tragedy of epic proportions.

A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Paul Adelstein, Orson Bean, Amy Brenneman, Dwier Brown, Maurice Chasse and Charlie Kimball. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Desire Enjoyment
The first time I saw the movie of this title was more than a decade ago. The book and the movie are outstanding, nothing like human nature to make agreat story. ... Read more

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Yearning to escape her stifling, authoritarian upbringing, ladylike New Englander Clementine Kennicutt elopes with cowboy Gus McQueen to Montana, where she comes face to face with the harsh realities of frontier life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Grand affairs of the heart
If you are looking for a light, frivolous beach read, this isn't it.This is a sweeping epic along the lines of The Thorn Birds or Lonesome Dove.If anyone has suffered an unrequited love for another, this novel will have you remembering, crying, cheering - feeling all the emotions of that love and then the absolute joy if you are loved back.Sometimes when love is unrequited, the other person just does not feel the same way or have the same depth of feeling.But sometimes, as in this journey through so many lives, the love can't be returned - because of fear, honor, timing...I think Williamson draws very clear heart pictures all the way through "Heart of the West" just how devastating the feelings of unrequited love can be.

She also did a grand job of researching the time period, the people, Montana.I could see all of her book vividly as I read and contemplated her prose.Some reviewers commented they did not like all the characters (too many they said).I enjoyed each and every one and thought each one added something positive to the development of the storyline.The characterization was especially well drawn and developed; I feel like I would recognize ANY of the characters if there happened to be a time warp and I saw them walking down the street.There were gorgeous descriptions of Montana (and some not so gorgeous but true-to-life).I felt along with the characters - passionately; cried, laughed; felt like slapping or shooting a man or three.

I hated to have the book end.I do agree with a couple of other reviewers.My only criticism of a book that turned out to be one of my favorites is that another chapter or two at the end, or an epilogue letting us know what happened in the main characters future life together would have been nice.There is closure to the book but by the end of the book you want to know MORE.

Slightly Disappointing
I started out loving this novel and not being able to put it down. Part I of this book is amazing. The love between Clementine and Rafferty is heart-wrenching. However, as the novel progressed, I found myself growing more and more disinterested because the story wasn't solely concentrated on the love between these two dynamic characters. Even when Clem and Rafferty were the focus, I felt like their story was watered down somehow. It wasn't that I didn't like Hannah and Drew, and Erlan and Jere, but their stories didn't grab me like Clementine and Rafferty. Still, I gave this novel 4 stars because the writing is excellent and the main characters are well-rounded and three-dimensional.

Excellent!
I've had this book in my collection for a long time, but only recently read it, and I cannot imagine what took me so long!Man, what a great story and the angst between Clementine and Zach was devastating.This isn't a bodice-ripper type story, it is the story of two people who are in love and yet know they cannot be together.But, the heart doesn't care about propriety and they cannot help but be drawn to each other and no matter how hard they work to keep apart, whether by self-control or self-imposed miles, they always come back together.

Excellent ending, too!

Wow, what can I say......
This was a beautifully written story about love, loss, acceptance and so much more. Clementine is young and naive(at times) about life and love. She runs off and marries Gus, a certified Cowboy, thinking that it will be a grand adventure straight out of her dreams. But what she finds is the harsh reality of living life in the unforgiving territory of a Montana ranch. Her dreams are further shattered by a slow realization that her heart was meant for someone else....Gus's dark, fierce, cold-eyed younger brother Zach. Throughout the book Clementine comes to understand that she will never love Gus or any other man the way she loves Zach, but she denies herself and Zach the love they feel for each other and stays true to Gus. In turn, she grows into a fierce, loyal, headstrong woman with the help of good friends and the love of two very different men. The chemistry and sexual tension between Zach and Clementine set the pages on fire. In contrast, the loyalty she shows to her husband is worthy and heartbreaking and it tears her heart and soul into jagged pieces. There are so many heart-wrenching moments in this book and so much loss. Not just for Clementine, Gus and Zach, but for many of the well-written minor characters also. But in the end, the message is clear.....Love has the power to heal, even the most damned soul.

Live in the moment is Ms. Williamson's gift.
I've read three of Penelope Williamson's books and I've discovered I love her ability to make me live in the moment of the novel's "setting". Each book I've read I walk away understanding more about a culture or time period.

"Heart of the West" reminded me of the book, "Lonesome Dove", not in story but time period. I am so glad I am a woman living in the 21st century, because prior to that women endured too much of every kind of horror. In"Heart of the West", the author portrayed two horrible characters who spoke of Christian values but went beyond the hypocritical. I would rather have lived in America with those two disgusting men in my life than in a Muslim country or within the Chinese culture. Even today in other parts of the world, muslim men force their women to cover themselves from head to toe (so not to be a temptation!) and the Chinese kill their girl babies.

See what happens when I read Ms. Williamson's books: She makes me think and feel deeply about life, cultures and the history of man!

I know "my spewing" has nothing to do with the book's plot but as a side note, Ms. Williamson awakens my need for justice and compassion. I am thankful I did not live during the years of Ms. Williamson's books. I know it will sound shallow but I cannot imagine a life without toilet paper. It will sound less shallow when I say it's hard imagining living without a doctor who can cure a bladder infection. Ms. Williamson makes these thoughts come to mind and I love her for it.

If there is one complaint I have for "Heart of the West", I would have preferred to spend more time with Clementine and Zach at the end. The plot twist were twist I did not expect but the story buttoned up without time for me to be a "fly on the wall" and watch life unfold for Clementine and Zach. ... Read more

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An erotic rendition of the traditional folktale integrates elements of sexual desire, as the Prince awakens Beauty with sexual initiation, rather than with a simple kiss. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (302)

Absolutely Wonderful
Anne Rice, though she may find practices of BDSM morally repulsive, seems to have a true understanding of the dom/sub relationship. Great look into the minds and practices of those involved in this lifestyle.

spanking and more spanking
If you enjoy heavy s&m themed works this will suit you. I found the book repetitive and quite boring. Constant beatings of all sorts were common throughout the story with little let up for more tender fare.

Crazy
I thought over all this book was good. It is the first book I've read by Anne Rice. It was very erotic but also very harsh. I was horrified by the torture. I know if I were a character in this book it would have killed someone to save my life. But, I could not put the book down only because I wanted to see what on earth Beauty would do. I am a big fan of romance novels and there is no romance at all. Just pure sex and torture. I don't think there is even a real plot to this story. But, like I said, I simply couldn't put the book down.

You could do SO much better with your time and money
Beauty is a re-imagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, except with a lot of spanking, dubiously consensual sex (cast in the best light; in the worst, it's serial rape), and hardcore D/s total power exchange.

I'm very apathetic about this series. On the one hand, it certainly has its share of titillation for those who enjoy BDSM fantasies, and there's both a fair amount of creativity and a fair amount of truth in Rice's exploration of it. I'd go so far as to venture that Rice had firsthand experience in the scene before she wrote this . . . though not very much.

On the other (much larger) hand, the two egregious issues with this book are a total lack of believable setup and a near-total lack of believable character development/motivation.

The setup issue comes down to how flimsy the excuse was for getting the princes and princesses into their servitude. I won't spoil it for you, but trust me, it's ridiculous.

The development/motivation issue is a significant problem that consistently pulled me from the narrative, most especially at the end of the book. There were some moments that really hit the nail on the head, such as the breaking point of Beauty's secondary love interest (an enslaved prince). But most of it felt artificial, railroaded, as if Rice was familiar with the motions of BDSM but not the *e*motions or thought processes of a submissive. This led to a lot of eye-rolling on my part, because I felt like she was writing a self-indulgent fantasy rather than a realistic one that I could buy into and enjoy along with her.

Conclusion? Read them if you're bored. Borrow or swap for them; don't buy them. They're moderately entertaining, despite the flaws, but I suspect much of the enjoyment comes out of the way she twists a beloved childhood story into something naughty.

If you want to read a really great BDSM story, hit up any one of a number of independent presses who specialize in erotica, rather than wasting your money on this.

(For more reviews and recommendations in this genre, check out my Goodreads profile at [...]

Disgusting
I am now a worse off person for reading this book.I also know why Anne Rice used a fake name when she released this, the fear of what others would think of her twisted mind.But alas I guess there there many other unfortunate people out there who are just as twisted.I kept reading in hopes that Beauty would find a way to kill that horrible price and his mother.Plus it made no sense that only her kingdom would behave in such a manner.If every other flipping kingdom had to go through that horrible ordeal, why on earth wasn't it spread across the lands?If Beauty was so bored, then why didn't she just tell her parents to adapt such horrilbe rituals as well?Maybe that's in the next books in which I will never waste my precious time on this earth reading.If you are looking for erotica, don't bother with this book, it will only make you sick. ... Read more