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Love is in the air, which means that Valentine's Day is fast approaching. To celebrate this most romantic of all holidays, Bookreporter.com has assembled a generous helping of fiction and nonfiction titles that focus on love, sex and intimacy. These books address themes that take on special significance during this time of year --- longing for that one person who you can love and cherish forever, maintaining and strengthening existing relationships, and coping with the loss of a loved one --- and will make wonderful gifts for the Valentine in your life.
FICTION:
AIN'T SHE SWEET?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Avon
Romance
ISBN: 0061032085
As the rich, spoiled princess of Parrish, Mississippi, Sugar Beth Carey had broken hearts, ruined friendships, and destroyed reputations. But fifteen years have passed, and life has taught Sugar Beth its toughest lessons. The people of Parrish don't forgive and forget, and when they have the opportunity to turn the tables on her, they take full advantage of it. And then there's Colin Byrne. Fifteen years earlier, Sugar Beth had tried to ruin his career. Now rich, powerful, and the owner of her old home, this modern-day dark prince is planning the kind of revenge best designed to bring a beautiful princess to her knees.
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2004 Romance Author Roundtable
THE BRIDE STRIPPED BARE
Nikki Gemmell
Perennial
Fiction
ISBN: 0060591889
A woman disappears, leaving behind an incendiary diary chronicling a journey of sexual awakening. To all who knew her, she was the good wife: happy, devoted, content. But the diary reveals a secret self, one who has learned that her new marriage contains mysteries of its own. She has discovered a forgotten Elizabethan manuscript that speaks of what women truly desire, and inspired by its revelations, she tastes for the first time the intoxicating power of knowing what she wants and how to get it. The question is: How long can she sustain a perilous double life?
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THE BRIDE'S NECKLACE
Kat Martin
Mira
Historical Romance
ISBN: 0778321258
Knowing that she alone can protect her sister from the Baron Harwood, their lecherous stepfather, Victoria Temple Whiting snatches the family's heirloom necklace to pay for their escape to London. Terrified that the baron will find them, Victoria poses as Tory Temple and finds employment as a servant in the household of handsome Cordell Devlin, the scandalous Earl of Brant. But when the baron discovers the girls' whereabouts, Cord learns about Tory's noble birth. Furious that he has compromised the daughter of a peer, Cord must make a decision --- marry Tory and keep her safe, or allow his stubborn pride to deny his heart.
2002 Romance Author Roundtable
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GARRETT IN WEDLOCK: A Novel-in-Stories
Paul Mandelbaum
Berkley
ISBN: 0425196372
Garrett Hughes acquires an instant family when he marries May-Annlouise Holmes, who has two children. Married life isn't quite what Garrett expected, especially when ex-husbands come into the picture. Before long, one of May-Annlouise's exes, an explorer who is terminally ill, arrives at their doorstep to bond with his son before dying --- and ends up living with them. Later, Garrett takes his stepdaughter to India to find her natural father, a bigamist. As various circumstances test and try their domestic bliss, Garrett and May-Annlouise must reinvent their marriage.
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HATING VALENTINE'S DAY
Allison Rushby
Red Dress Ink
Fiction
ISBN: 0373895119
Liv Hetherington, one of the top wedding photographers in town and steadfastly single, hates Valentine's Day. This year she has vowed that there will be no dinner party set-ups, speed-dating frenzies, or any other form of accidental dating organized by her father, flatmate or best friend. What she hasn't counted on is that this year they've given up on her. Liv is thrilled, to say the least.
Valentine's Day ... bah, humbug. Or is all that about to change?
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HONEYMOON
James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Little, Brown and Company
Thriller
ISBN: 0316710628
Release Date: February 14th
When a young investment banker dies of baffling causes, FBI agent John O'Hara immediately suspects the only witness, the banker's alluring and mysterious fiance. Nora Sinclair is a beautiful decorator who expects the best, and will do anything to get it. Agent O'Hara keeps closing in, but the stronger his case, the less he knows whether he's pursuing justice or his own fatal obsession.
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LOVE OVERBOARD
Janet Evanovich
HarperTorch
Romance
ISBN: 0060598840
Before her Stephanie Plum mysteries, Janet Evanovich wrote twelve short romance novels, "red-hot screwball comedies" as she calls them. Nine of them were originally published by the Loveswept line between 1988 and 1992, but all went out-of-print immediately.
Fortunately, these nine stories are now being re-released by HarperCollins. LOVE OVERBOARD (whose original title was "Ivan Takes a Wife") is one of these stories. It's a romantic tale about a handsome ship's captain; a wary wench from Jersey City; a one-hundred-year-old, two-masted schooner; and an entire town of shoemakers.
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MIKE, MIKE & ME
Wendy Markham
Red Dress Ink
Fiction
ISBN: 0373895070
On a hot night in the summer of 1989 Beau waits for the arrival of her boyfriend, Mike. While waiting, she meets a beautiful stranger whose name just happens to be Mike. As the summer unfolds, Beau falls for Mike #2 while trying to work things out with Mike #1. Fifteen years later, we learn that Beau has married one of the Mikes. Living a content life in the suburbs, Beau starts to reminisce about the Mike she didn't choose --- and then he sends her an email out of the blue. As the strains of her marriage continue, Beau once again finds herself torn between two Mikes --- only this time there is a lot more at stake.
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THE POSITION
Meg Wolitzer
Scribner
Fiction
ISBN: 074326178X
Release Date: March 8th
In 1975, suburban parents Paul and Roz Mellow write a JOY OF SEX-type book called PLEASURING: ONE COUPLE'S JOURNEY TO FULFILLMENT, which becomes a surprise runaway bestseller. THE POSITION opens with the four Mellow children, ages six to fifteen, at the moment when they see the book (and the graphic, pastel illustrations of their parents' lovemaking) for the very first time.
Thirty years later, the family members are arguing about whether or not to reissue this infamous book. We follow the complicated lives of each of the grown children and learn how the sexual exhibitionism of their parents has affected each of them.
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Read a review of THE WIFE by Meg Wolitzer
PS I LOVE YOU
Cecelia Ahern
Hyperion
Fiction
ISBN: 0786890754
Holly couldn't live without her husband Gerry --- until the day she had to. When Gerry succumbs to a terminal illness and passes away, 30-year-old Holly is seemingly lost, unable to pick up the pieces. But a series of letters her husband left her before he died, along with the support she receives from family and friends, may prove to be Holly's saving grace.
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Reading Group Guide
ROSIE DUNNE
Cecelia Ahern
Hyperion
Fiction
ISBN: 140130091X
Rosie and Alex are destined for one another, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, their relationship gets closer by the day, until Alex learns that his family is leaving Dublin and moving to Boston. At 17, Rosie and Alex have just started to see each other in a more romantic light. Devastated, the two make plans for Rosie to apply to colleges in the U.S. Rosie gets into Boston University, Alex is accepted to Harvard, and everything seems to be falling into place --- until Rosie gets news that will change their lives forever.
Reading Group Guide & Excerpt
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THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION
Lauren Willig
Dutton
Fiction
ISBN: 0525948600
Eloise Kelly is a smart but slightly fumbling Harvard scholar who travels to London to finish her dissertation on the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian (and to escape her cheating ex-boyfriend). What she discovers is something that the finest historians have missed: the secret history of the Pink Carnation --- the most elusive spy of all time, who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.
Eloise sets out to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity. Her search for the truth leads her to the doorsteps of the direct descendants of the Purple Gentian, where access to confidential letters reveals a love story unrivaled and a secret history that almost changed world events.
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THE TROUBLE WITH VALENTINE'S DAY
Rachel Gibson
Avon
Romance
ISBN: 0060009268
Dumped by her boyfriend and stressed out by her job, Kate Hamilton returns to Gospel, Idaho for some rest and small-town fun. But when her first attempted seduction of a hunky stranger is completely rejected, she wonders what else could go wrong. Well, plenty. She meets Rob Sutter, the owner of a sporting goods store, who's been burned by love one too many times. When he and Kate find themselves in an ultra-compromising position in a grocery store after hours, you can be sure that the rumor mill will be spinning out of control in the small town of Gospel.
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2003 Romance Author Roundtable
UPSTATE
Kalisha Buckhanon
St. Martin's Press
Fiction
ISBN: 0312332688
Set in New York in the 1980s and 1990s, this debut novel from Kalisha Buckhanon tells the story of two young lovers, Antonio and Natasha. When a horrific tragedy sends Antonio to jail, their worlds turn upside down. Antonio struggles to stay alive behind bars, while Natasha battles society on the outside. Over the course of 10 years, they share an intimate correspondence as their lives change dramatically and they often have only each other to turn to. Will fate bring them back together, or will they remain apart forever?
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A VALENTINE WEDDING
Jane Feather
Bantam
Historical Romance
ISBN: 0553578936
Lady Emma Beaumont and Lord Alasdair Chase were once inseparable childhood friends, then betrothed lovers. But something went dreadfully awry, and Emma left Alasdair practically at the altar. Now, two years later, Emma has inherited a substantial fortune --- but there's one small string attached: until the day she weds, Emma cannot spend a farthing without Alasdair's consent.
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2004 Romance Author Roundtable
NONFICTION:
ARE YOU THE ONE FOR ME? Knowing Who's Right and Avoiding Who's Wrong
Barbara De Angelis
Dell
Self-Help
ISBN: 0440215757
Bestselling author and renowned relationship expert Barbara De Angelis reveals everything you need to know about compatibility and shows you how to create the fulfilling relationship you deserve. With powerful advice and groundbreaking techniques that have helped thousands of people transform their lives, Dr. De Angelis will show you the formula for creating love that lasts, and help you to understand yourself and the one you love as you never have before.
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COMMITTED: Men Tell Stories of Love, Commitment, and Marriage
edited by Chris Knutsen and David Kuhn
Bloomsbury USA
Anthology
ISBN: 158234499X
In this collection of original narratives and essays, seventeen contemporary male writers speak intimately about the struggles --- and joys --- of finding and staying in a committed relationship. Whether it's Rick Moody on the surprising love lessons taught by his girlfriend's cats, David Sedaris on how not to let your partner grow overly familiar, or Geoff Dyer, John Seabrook, James McManus, and many others on what defines (and tests) the journey to lasting love, COMMITTED provides essential wisdom for both men and women on the ritual of mating, and rare insight into the hearts and minds of men who commit.
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FLIRTING 101: How to Charm Your Way to Love, Friendship, and Success
Michelle Lia Lewis and Andrew Bryant
St. Martin's Griffin
Self-Help
ISBN: 0312334125
If you've ever seen a guy or girl waltz into a room and attract everyone's attention almost effortlessly (even if they're not the best-looking or smartest person in the world), then you must be wondering what their secret is.
Michelle Lia Lewis and Andrew Bryant believe it's all about flirting, and flirting well. Good flirts know how to make everyone around them feel good, and that's a powerful skill. So what exactly is flirting? Why is it fun? Why do we do it? How do we do it well? And who should we do it --- and not do it --- with? Lewis and Bryant have all the answers right here.
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GET SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING MARRIED: 365 Proven Ways to Find Love in Less Than a Year
Janis Spindel
Regan Books
Self-Help
ISBN: 0060578734
If you're looking for the right man to spend the rest of your life with, then Janis Spindel has all the advice you need to help you make the perfect match. A self-described "serious matchmaker" who has more than 715 marriages to her credit, Spindel brings over a decade of experience to GET SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING MARRIED, which lays out a clear road map for women who are single but no longer want to be. This book will teach you how to set your priorities, update your style and appearance, use your life as a dating venue, and enter into a lasting and satisfying commitment.
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HONEYMOON WITH MY BROTHER: A Memoir
Franz Wisner
St. Martin's Press
Memoir
ISBN: 0312320906
This is the true story of Franz Wisner, a man who thought he had it all --- a high-profile career and the fiancé of his dreams --- when suddenly his life turned upside down. Just days before they were to be married, the love of his life called off the wedding. Franz's family and friends decided that he should have a wedding and a honeymoon anyway --- there just wouldn't be a bride at the ceremony, and Franz's travel companion would be his brother, Kurt. During the "honeymoon," Franz reconnects with Kurt and begins to look at his life in an entirely new way.
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HOT SEX: How to Do It
Tracey Cox
Bantam
Self-Help
ISBN: 055338032X
Australian sex writer Tracey Cox has produced a practical, down-to-earth, explicit, fun, and easy-to-follow handbook that delivers candid advice with a healthy dose of humor. Packed with tips and techniques for this most intimate activity, HOT SEX is the ultimate bedside companion for every man and woman.
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HOW TO SURVIVE DATING BY HUNDREDS OF HAPPY SINGLES WHO DID (*and some things to avoid, from a few broken hearts who didn't)
edited by Mark Bernstein and Yadin Kaufmann
Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.
Relationships
ISBN: 0974629219
Ladies, what do you do when Sir Lancelot, Joe Millionaire or the Average Joe walks onto your dating scene? "Just know that you are a goddess and if he can't see that, then he is a waste of your time" says Allison B. from Boulder, Colorado in HOW TO SURVIVE DATING BY HUNDREDS OF HAPPY SINGLES WHO DID (*and some things to avoid, from a few broken hearts who didn't). Allison is one of hundreds of women and men of all ages nationwide who were interviewed by Hundreds of Heads Books' "headhunters" in search of the latest advice and inside scoop on romance and relationships and the biggest dating do's and don'ts.
If you're taking the dating plunge for the first time or contemplating one of "The Big Cs: Commitment and Cohabitation," this book is like having a big circle of friends (hundreds!) in one room offering you their hard-earned advice about your toughest dating dilemmas. This quick, easy read offers real-world advice on what kisses can tell, how to identify a loser, three signs of a psycho, creative gift giving, intimacy and sex, Internet dating, and some creative and romantic ideas for dates to remember.
--- Reviewed by Hillary Wagy
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HOW TO MARRY THE MAN OF YOUR CHOICE (Updated and Revised)
Margaret Kent
Warner Books
Self-Help
ISBN: 0446692794
Completely updated and revised to lead a new generation down the aisle, this timeless yet thoroughly modern guide --- originally released in 1987 --- shares the successful tactics used by other singles (including the author, who took her own advice and, at the age of 42, married the man of her choice), and reveals:
- The top 20 places to meet more than a few good men
- The keys to male behavior and how to use them to your advantage
- The 50 crucial questions every woman should be asking her man --- and herself
- The best ways to dress for your body type and age
- How to recognize love when it happens
- How to enhance and maintain your relationship with the man of your choice
This strategy-packed guide also includes special sections on Internet dating, second marriages, stepchildren, and advice on living together.
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I HATE VALENTINE'S DAY
Bennett Madison
illustrated by James Dignan
Simon Spotlight Entertainment
Humor/Essays
ISBN: 0689873727
Whether we're single, dating, married or divorced, the dreaded February 14th arrives each year to wreak havoc on our self-esteem. But now comes protection from the ritual onslaught of candy, cards, flowers, and suffocating expectations. I HATE VALENTINE'S DAY will help you get through the Big Day painlessly, and includes tips on: people and places best to avoid, how to take your mind off being single, and alternative ways to celebrate the holiday.
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THE LOVE SPELL: An Erotic Memoir of Spiritual Awakening
Phyllis Curott
Gotham Books
Memoir
ISBN: 1592400973
Ivy League lawyer and Wiccan priestess Phyllis Curott has a supercharged career in law and filmmaking, but one thing is missing: love. Determined to correct this problem immediately, she creates a powerful spell and her dream lover soon arrives. As she discovers that her new love isn't what he appears to be, Curott must confront her own demons and seek the aid of a mysterious ghostly suitor to discover how modern relationships and their problems are paths to the greatest magic of all --- true love.
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MATCHBOOK: The Diary of a Modern-Day Matchmaker
Samantha Daniels
Simon & Schuster
Biography & Autobiography/Self-Help
ISBN: 0743269535
Samantha Daniels, a widely recognized and much sought-after dating and relationship expert, runs the hugely successful matchmaking service, Samantha's Table. In MATCHBOOK --- which Simon & Schuster touts as "part 'Sex and the City,' part Bridget Jones's Diary, and part 'The Bachelor'" --- Daniels weaves a tale of urban romance as she offers an intimate look at her unpredictable, emotion-driven reality --- both on and off the job. Without revealing all the details or naming names, she chronicles a year in her challenging career and chaotic love life. While relating these strange and hilarious adventures, Daniels also offers practical advice for singles who long for that special someone.
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MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK
Donna Hanover
Hudson Street Press
Relationships
ISBN: 1594630100
This poignant and heartwarming book captures the love story of former high school sweethearts Ed Oster and Donna Hanover --- journalist, actress, and First Lady of the City of New York from 1994 to 2001. More than thirty years after their breakup at Stanford, Oster and Hanover reconnected, rekindled their love, and married. Exploring the many ways that rekindled love is different from new love and why so many couples are reuniting now, Hanover also details the role of the Internet in this trend, and offers some recommendations --- and some warnings --- for aspiring "reunitees."
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SEXTASY: Master the Timeless Techniques of Tantra, Tao, and the Kama Sutra to Take Lovemaking to New Heights
Caroline Aldred
Delta
Self-Help
ISBN: 0385338821
Caroline Aldred, the bestselling author of DIVINE SEX and an esteemed yoga master and Tantric-sex coach, reveals how to transform intimate relationships into mutually rewarding unions in which both partners achieve true ecstasy. Combining the time-honored positions, techniques, and philosophy of the ancient Tantric erotic arts with Western knowledge of anatomy and physiology, Aldred shows how to expand your sexual, emotional and spiritual consciousness, and bring love into every area of your life.
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SEXTROLOGY: The Astrology of Sex and the Sexes
Starsky and Cox
HarperResource
Astrology
ISBN: 0060586311
In sophisticated, uninhibited language, SEXTROLOGY candidly explores each sign of the zodiac through a unique, wholly original astrological philosophy. In this highly entertaining and illuminating treatise, Starsky and Cox uncover the naked truth behind each of the zodiac's twenty-four gender signs, examining the sexual makeup of each sign in eye-opening detail.
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WHY WE LOVE: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love
Helen Fisher
Henry Holt and Co.
Psychology/Self-Help
ISBN: 0805069135
Renowned anthropologist Helen Fisher offers a new map of the phenomenon of love --- from its origins in the brain to the thrilling havoc it creates in our bodies and behavior. Working with a team of scientists to scan the brains of people who had just fallen madly in love, Fisher proved what psychologists had until recently only suspected: when you fall in love, specific areas of the brain "light up" with increased blood flow. WHY WE LOVE uses this data to argue that romantic passion is hardwired into our brains by millions of years of evolution. It is not an emotion, but a drive that is as powerful as hunger.
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YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY: Love Poems for Real Life
edited by Mary D. Esselman and Elizabeth Ash Vélez
Warner Books
Self-Help
ISBN: 0446692727
Even the most passionate relationships can cool down at some point. Editors Mary D. Esselman and Elizabeth Ash Vélez are well aware of this unfortunate fact of life, hence the release of this exciting, new collection of poems that will help readers keep love alive. From William Shakespeare to Pablo Neruda to Louise Glück, YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY will take you through the different stages of love --- such as ecstasy, stability, monotony, uncertainty, misery and clarity --- and will have you believing again in the power of love.
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