Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar (World of Hetar)

Book Description

Welcome, dear reader, to the world of Hetar, a realm of Forest Lords, of Shadow Princes and Coastal Kings. A land of passions, both civilized and savage. Where the social classes know their place, but where anyone can, under the right conditions, advance to the highest pinnacle. This is a place where pleasure is never censured, but encouraged, and where deception and desire may be intertwined. The orderly, elegant veneer of refined Hetar can no longer ignore the rebellion brewing in the Outlands, a dangerous place of both magic and mystery.

From the city that is the very center of Hetar, Lara, the beautiful half-faerie daughter of John Swiftsword, ventures forth on a journey that will awaken her, both body and soul, as she learns the true meaning of love that will last an eternity -- and a searing passion that will change the destiny of Hetar forever.

Creating Hetar and its many characters has been a great challenge for me, but a wonderful and creative endeavor. I hope you will enjoy Lara's tale.

Customer Reviews:

Lara.......2007-06-12

Great book. Of course it Beatrice Small, and I love everything she writes. I couldn't wait to read the next two and I'm anxiously awaiting book 4. If you've never read Beatrice Small, I recommend you start with the Skye O'Malley books. You will love everything this author writes.

Great book!.......2007-05-24

I love Bertrice Small! I've read nearly all of her books but I wasn't going to read Lara. I don't like fantasy novels. I thought this book was going to be stupid and filled with a lot of creatures and unrealistic scenes. I'm so glad I changed my mind about reading this book. There are creatures in the book and it is a fantasy novel but Bertrice is such a good writer, she managed to create wonderful characters and a storyline that isn't silly. I liked Lara. I loved reading about her adventures. I really want her and Vartan to stay together forever (I like him a lot) but I have a feeling that's not going to happen *sigh*

There are things I didn't like about his book: I got tired of seeing the word "destiny" and I hated how Bertrice felt she had to repeat Lara's background over and over. Even though those things bugged me, I will have to give this book 5 stars. I ordered the other two books in this series. I can't wait to read them! Keep writing, Bertrice!

Good world, but..........2007-03-21

I like the world concept of Hetar quite a bit, but the love stops there. The description on the back of the book does no justice to what's in there. You're lead to believe you're going to read about this uphill struggle for a girl from the poor side of town, what you really get is the story of a Mary Sue who gets almost everything handed to her throughout the book.
Some parts of the book conflict (perhaps someone forgot while they were editing the book to catch all of the changes) and some others seem like complete after thoughts (again, perhaps an edit that wasn't followed all the way through the book).
I really detest how the character grew up to be a spoiled brat who fails to realize her life is enchanted because everyone around her is doing all the work. She thinks she's independent, but is always relying on a magic being or item to fix it for her. She treats people who question her (even if they're doing so rightly) like dirt, she purposefully flaunts her body or her magic at times and typically gets annoyed if people react to it, especially if she was warned against it. She almost never has any consequences to her actions, even when she should be corrected; and Lara has the biggest sense of self-entitlement I've ever seen.
I am completely soured on this series and will not be continuing it. I regret this because the world was pretty neat and the start off of the book was great. I wish the author had stuck with that style instead of the direction she went with it.
This book is undoubtedly the worst I have read to date.

ahh...the books of bertrice small..........2007-03-08

I buy these books for my girlfriend, who is a huge bertrice small fan. she loved this one as well as all the books written by bertrice. so i guess the point is, if she is happy, i am happy, and the world is a beautiful place!

Join Lara in the magical world of Hetar, as she ventures toward her destiny with the help of her mystical friends........2007-01-27

Lara is the beautiful fifteen year old half-faerie daughter of John Swiftsword and a faerie woman, Ilona. Lara's mother had left them when Lara was only three months of age so she knows very little about her mother or her faerie abilities, if she does indeed have any. Having faerie blood however, makes her bolder and life's changes easier to accept.

Because of her rare beauty and virginity, Lara is the only valuable thing her father owns. At his wife, Susanna's, urging and with a heavy heart, John Swiftsword sells his daughter into slavery with the understanding that she would be sold as a Pleasure Woman. He sold her in order to purchase the attire he requires in order to compete in the tournament for the opportunity to join the Order of Crusader Knights. Winning a place in the Order of Crusader Knights would ensure a better life for his wife and son. Lara's new owner, Gaius Prospero, allowed her to remain with her family during the tournament so she could watch her father obtain his dream. When the time came for Lara to be sold to one of the Pleasure Houses, there were no bids. The Head Mistress of the Pleasure Mistresses Guild informed Gaius that Lara is too perfectly beautiful and therefore a danger to own, because of this, the Head Mistress has forbidden the sale of Lara to any of the Pleasure Houses. Gaius has no choice but to send Lara off with his cousin to sell in one of the provinces. And so, Laura's search for her destiny begins.

Several important men enter Lara's life. Each one is special in his own way and touch her life and heart in various ways. They each come into her life when she needs them. Og, the last of the Forest giants, is a gentle giant who befriends Lara. Kaliq is a Shadow Prince who teaches Lara the ways of love, even though he knows that it's not her destiny to stay with him. Vartan of Clan Fiarce, however, spends a great deal of time attempting to convince Lara of his love and devotion. Faerie people are rumored not to love and Lara doesn't believe in love. Will Vartan be able to change her mind? Will Lara fulfill her destiny?

As a longtime fan of Bertrice Small's historical novels, I must confess to being extremely impressed with her foray into the fantasy genre. In keeping with her normal writing style, she writes in vivid details that allow the reader to become a part of the story. The characters are wonderfully animated, evoking a wide variety of emotions. I adore the world of Hetar with all his magical beings, shape shifters, and powerful men. But most of all, I absolutely love Lara and her willingness to look life in the face and go after her destiny wherever it may be. LARA is the first book in the WORLD OF HETAR series.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies

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Lara (World of Hetar, Book one)
bertrice small
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: 0739454447

Book Description

Agatha Christie is more than the most popular mystery writer of all time. In a career that spans over half a century, her name is synonymous with brilliant deception, ingenious puzzles, and the surprise denouement. By virtually inventing the modern mystery novel she has earned her title as the Queen of Crime. Curious? Then you're invited to read....PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATESThe personal ad posed a simple question: Are you happy? If not, consult Mr. Parker Pyne. The answer is a resounding no for a jealous wife who suspects her husband of infidelity....for a lonely widow driven to assume a new identity....for a distraught mother whose son has been kidnapped....and for the fianc of a strangely reclusive bride-to-be. But what sort of detective would solicit in the personals? The sort who has a knack for investigating affairs of the heart. For therein lie the darkest motives for murder. And they are proving most lucrative for the hopelessly romantic-and highly suspicious Inspector Parker Pyne.AUTHORBIO: AGATHA CHRISTIE is the world's best known mystery writer. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and another billion in 44 foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time in any language, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her writing career spanned more than half a century, during which she wrote 80 novels and short story collections, as well as 14 plays, one of which, The Mousetrap, is the longest-running play in history. Two of the characters she created, the brilliant little Belgian Hercule Poirot and the irrepressible and relentless Miss Marple, went on to become world-famous detectives. Both have been widely dramatized in feature films and made-for-TV movies.Agatha Christie also wrote under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. As well, she wrote four non-fiction books including an autobiography and an entertaining account of the many expeditions she shared with her archaeologist husband, Sir Max Mallowan. Agatha Christie died in 1976.

Customer Reviews:

Are you happy?.......2006-02-10

Just a simple advertisement in the personals column that directs people to Parker Pyne's office. Those that answer the ad are greeted by the efficient Miss Lemon (later to become Poirot's secretary) lead into Mr. Pyne's office and then reveal their troubles - boredom, spousal infidelities, theft or just general discontent for Mr. Pyne and staff to sort out.

THE CASE OF THE MIDDLE-AGED WIFE - A woman's husband has become fascinated with a younger woman and then is made to realize what a fascinating woman his wife is.
THE CASE OF THE DISCONTENTED SOLDIER - A soldier returns to England only to long for the excitement of the frontier.
THE CASE OF THE DISTRESSED LADY - A young woman regrets an indiscretion.
THE CASE OF THE DISCONTENTED HUSBAND - A woman finds her husband boring until another woman doesn't.
THE CASE OF THE CITY CLERK - A civil servant wants out of his rut.
THE CASE OF THE RICH WOMAN - A wealthy woman finds she wants something more, but she just doesn't know what.
HAVE YOU GOT EVERYTHING YOU WANT? - A recently wedded woman has come to find her husband just a bit dull, until Parker Pyne shows her otherwise.
THE GATE OF BAGDAD - Mr. Pyne goes on vacation to the mideast and solves a murder.
THE HOUSE AT SHIRAZ - While on vacation Mr. Pyne solves a case of mistaken identity.
THE PEARL OF PRICE - A jewel disappears - who took it and why?
DEATH ON THE NILE - Awealthy woman dies under mysterious cicumstnaces, was it suicide or did her husband kill her?
THE ORACLE AT DELPHI - While vacationing in Greece Mr. Pyne stumbles upon another case of mistaken identity.

The series of stories is a bit of a departure from Christie's usual detective story. Many of the plots are more like the romances she wrote under the name of Mary Westmacont. On a whole the Parker Pyne stories are rather a forerunner of the FANTASY ISLAND tv series.

pleasant escapism.......2003-02-22

Fine, simple story telling is Parker P's only appearance in an Agatha collection, outside of the Regatta Mystery. This one has some nice little gems, including the brief, original version of Death on the Nile. Personal favorite: the Case of the Middle Aged Wife. No blood. No murder. No blunt objects. Just a sweet, old fashioned fable with sweet, old fashioned characters. Agatha always did do well writing in different genres. Quite an easy book to polish off, in a matter of hours, or to savor them all, 3 days tops...

Best short story collection ever.......2002-06-23

I am not a great fan of short stories. However, this one collection i have read many many times over. Parker Payne is a brilliant character. Clever, amusing, great to read about. the way he solves problems and crimes is excellent, and rivals even Poirot and Marple. Indeed, the concept of a detective who solves "problems" (i.e. such as being unhappy) is so astoudingly original in itself.

I absolutely adore this collection. It is not only my favourite collection of short stories ever, it is one of my all time favourite Agatha Christie novels. It ranks, in my opinion, alongside the greats such as "Towards Zero" "Murder Is Easy" and "Death Comes as the End". The stories are so interesting and so incredibly enjoyable. I loved every word of them. Anyone who likes psychology will be fascinated by this excellent collection of stories.

I think my very favourite story is "The Case of the Discontended Husband" which, as well as being my favourite in this collection, is also my favourite short story ever.

These are hugely interesting and wonderfully entertaining. If you are looking for a diverting read and are interesting in human nature, this is definitely the book for you. (Also, watch out for the stories set in foreign parts. Christie excells when she sets her stories abroad.)

It is very unusual that i will give any short story collection any more than a three star rating (at best) as i am not a fan of their form or style, but this is possibly the only exception. It is nothing short of first class.

Not a detective, but a 'heart specialist'.......2002-02-18

Parker Pyne isn't an investigator; he's a retired bureaucrat, who has gleaned much insight into human character from working with statistics. His agency advertises "Are you happy? If not, consult me." As he says to one client, "I am a specialist in every kind of human trouble...Human troubles can be classified under a few main heads. There is ill health. There is boredom. There are wives who are in trouble over their husbands. There are husbands who are in trouble over their wives."

And sometimes, he uses the old principle that if you have enough problems, you can make them start solving each other. :) If you like these, particularly the earlier stories, I recommend that you try Chesterton's collection, _The Club of Queer Trades_.

"The Case of the Middle-Aged Wife" - Maria Packington is suffering through what would now be called her husband's mid-life crisis: he's taken up with a pretty young typist at work. (Not an actual affair, but he takes her out to restaurants, gives up golf to take her on the river). Remember, Parker works to cure unhappiness, not to investigate people, so his treatment starts in a novel way: a beauty specialist, a dressmaker, and handsome young Claude Luttrell to introduce Mrs. Packington to London night-life.

"The Case of the Discontented Soldier" - "I can assure you, Major Wilbraham, that 96% of retired empire builders are unhappy. They exchange an active life, a life full of responsibility, a life of possible danger - for what?" After lunching with Madeleine de Sara, the major is pretty well taped by Pyne's staff, and they find a problem suited to his skills.

"The Case of the Distressed Lady" - Daphne St. John, having run up gambling debts, gave in to temptation: she had a paste replica made of an expensive ring, belonging to a friend, and exchanged it with the original. Now she just wants someone to replace the original before Mrs. Dortheimer sends the ring to the jeweler for resetting.

"The Case of the Discontented Husband" - Reginald Wade's wife wants to divorce him and marry a long-haired artistic type (he himself diffidently disclaims any knowledge of that sort of thing; golf and tennis are his line). Parker Pyne rebukes him for taking an overly humble attitude, and sends in the glamorous Madeleine de Sara to help turn the tables.

"The Case of the City Clerk" - Mr. Roberts' life has been a ceaseless struggle to survive; all he asks for is one adventure, to give him something to remember in his daily round afterwards. An old friend of Parker's who's still in government service needs to have some papers carried secretly to Geneva, and the logical choice in his own department is highly suspect. Voila...

"The Case of the Rich Woman" - Mrs. Rymer's late husband was a working man in a factory, until his inventions began making money. Being rich was fun at first - but her new 'friends' look down on her, her old friends avoid her, and she's tried everything she can think of to get some fun out of her money. Pyne comes up with something more than his usual treatments for boredom this time.

"Have You Got Everything You Want?" - Elsie Jeffries, a rich young woman on the train to Istanbul, will meet her husband there - a straitlaced, good looking young man, almost dull. But she comes to Pyne, a fellow passenger on holiday, because she found part of a note in his handwriting - something about 'my wife' and 'before Venice would be the best time.'

"The Gate of Baghdad" - The opening poem later appears in the novel _Postern of Fate_. Pyne signs on for the 36-hour road trip from Damascus to Baghdad, but murder interrupts his journey across the desert.

"The House at Shiraz" - Pyne has left Baghdad for Persia; the German pilot who brought him helps him explain to customs about the bug powder he carries. Having struck up an acquaintance, the pilot reminisces about two Englishwomen he carried out there: Lady Esther Carr and her maid. The flowerlike beauty of Muriel King was what touched his heart, but she died in a tragic fall from a balcony. Pyne begins poking into Lady Esther's history, remembering a rumour of insanity in her father's family...

"The Pearl of Price" - Pyne is part of a tourist party at Petra, along with an American magnate, accompanied by his daughter Carol and his secretary, an archaeologist, a French colonel on leave, and a worn-out M.P. All respectable people, above suspicion - until Carol's pearls disappear.

"Death on the Nile" - No, not *that* case. Pyne is still trying to get on with his holiday, when yet another woman calls him in for consultation. Lady Grayle has enjoyed poor health for years - but now she's not enjoying it at all. In fact, she suspects that her husband is poisoning her. But does she want him proved innocent - or guilty?

"The Oracle at Delphi" - Mrs. Peters has accompanied her artistic 18-year-old son to Delphi (even though she'd rather be at a luxurious hotel in Paris or the Riviera). Then he disappears - and she receives a ransom note. Enter Mr. Parker Pyne...

Not so much Poirot - more of an equaliser........2000-08-04

Parker Pynes agency, although investigative, is more in the business of solving your problems than finding out what they are. Kind of a full service agency - you know the thing - find out if my wife is cheating on me and if she is find me a new wife and kill her. The stories are tongue in cheek and quite sardonically amusing, more appealing to me than Christies usual whodunnit.

Agatha Christie Crime Collection: NEMESIS; PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATES; POIROT INVESTIGATES

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Agatha Christie Crime Collection: NEMESIS; PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATES; POIROT INVESTIGATES
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Lansdowne Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0701814675

Nemesis + Parker Pyne Investigates + Poirot Investigates. Hamlyn Crime Collection

Average customer rating:

Nemesis + Parker Pyne Investigates + Poirot Investigates. Hamlyn Crime Collection
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Paul Hamlyn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IYUC9W

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PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATES
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000K5PXN4

Average customer rating:

PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATES
AGATHA CHRISTIE
Manufacturer: PENGUIN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SEQN2C

Average customer rating:

Parker Pyne Investigates
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: PAN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VB55HQ

Average customer rating:

Parker Pyne Investigates
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J1HZLW

Average customer rating:

Parker Pyne Investigates
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Fontana / Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QRFE08

Average customer rating:

PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATES
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000K5NYS0

Average customer rating:

Parker Pyne Investigates
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Pan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0330020951

Customer Reviews:

Part Three of a Great Series.......2006-11-27

This third in the Tristaine series by Cate Culpepper is an enjoyable wrap up to the storyline. When the series was first published, there were only three books. I assume there will only be three in this second publishing, but hope I'm wrong.

In Book #3, the Amazon sisters of Tristaine are looking for a new home because their previous home had been destroyed in the battle with Caster's troops. They discover an uninhabited village that obviously once belonged to Amazons. It comes complete with the reawakened spirit of an old, evil Amazon queen. Jesstin, Brenna, and their sisters find themselves fighting the old queen and her mystic army and the invisible tensions that arise between them internally.

If you like futuristic fantasy and don't mind a PG romance, I highly recommend the Tristaine series. It's an all-around good story that can be enjoyed by all.

You'll Want to Read it Again.......2006-09-28

This is a book every woman who loves bright imagination and ripping adventure should own. You won't find the heroine skittish or numb as in so many novels where she must be saved by the hero. This is a novel about women whose lives are compelling and smart. Tristaine is peopled by women from everywhere; many ran away from the sterile, restrictive environments that often became too dangerous for them to survive. The clan of Tristaine has finally found a settling place in the mountains. There are already cabins there built by former Amazons perhaps centuries past. Shann is the queen. She is regal in her bearing and wise as she must be in order to lead her clan through the fear presented by a lingering unseen menace in this new home that is otherwise exactly where they need to be to see out the coming winter.

Ms Culpepper weaves her tale in a pattern both stark and lyrical. Every page is satisfying; colored with richness of relationships between characters and then carries us into the unexpected with pulse-racing action or Culpepper's unique humor. Don't miss this book. It is a must read.

Excellent Read.......2006-09-08

The third title in the Tristaine series is as exciting a read as the previous two. It is the continuing story of the Amazon women as they head into the wilderness to escape the oppression of the City. Their flight leads them to an abandoned village where the Clan faces their toughest challenge yet. They are being stalked by an evil that will pit them against each other and their sisters from the past.

The author has a deft touch with characterization and populates her novel with the authentic voices of many diverse women. I like how she employees Brenna as an outsider and seer to help narrate the plot. I also enjoyed the deepening relationship between Jess and Brenna. The book is fast paced and gives the readers plenty of twists and turns before the final page. It also begs for another title in the series (hint, hint).

The first two titles in the series (The Clinic and Battle for Tristaine) are available in new editions put out by Bold Stroke Books. They have the benefit of tighter editing and additional back-story to several of the characters. I would recommend them as well.

Book Description

Deepak Chopra, M.D., eminent physician and best-selling author of Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, explains how to fall asleep easily without trying, identify and eliminate the imbalances that cause your insomnia, and achieve a healthy balance of rest and activity in your life.

Customer Reviews:

Lot of useful information!.......2006-09-25

I sometimes have trouble sleeping . . . not so much getting to sleep, but
staying asleep . . . so when I saw RESTFUL SLEEP by Deepak Chopra,
I jumped at the opportunity to listen to the program.

Subtitled THE COMPLETE MIND/BODY PROGRAM FOR OVERCOMING
INSOMNIA, it delivered a great deal of information . . . but this was not
surprising because Chopra tends to do that with every book and/or tape
he comes out with . . . in my opinion, this was one of his best.

I particularly liked how he backed up his ideas with insights from
Ayurevda, the ancient Indian science of life.

There were many tidbits I gained from listening; among them:
* You can't force yourself to sleep.

* Trying to sleep will not help; it will actually aggravate the
insomnia.

* Turn your clock to the wall. Don't be concerned with the time.

* The solution to all sleep problems is making the period of being
awake totally dynamic and satisfying.

* Lunch should be your heaviest meal of the day.

* Supper should be light and eaten early.

* Take a short stroll after dinner.

* Avoid watching TV at night. If you must, stop by 9 p.m.

* Best to go asleep before 10 p.m., according to the rhythms of
nature.

* Rising earlier will lead to an earlier time for going to bed.

* Wake up at a regular time every day.

* Do reading in a room other than the bedroom.

* Making your bed each day creates an orderly and harmonious
impression when you go to sleep.

* Extract of lavender is considered helpful for sleep.

* Ask yourself: Do you love your job? Are you really happy?
If "yes" to both those questions, then it is likely to will avoid
most heart and other health problems.

Very helpful resource.......2000-07-15

I bought this book several years ago when I first became aware that I was having chronic problems with sleeping. I finally pulled it off my shelf about a month ago and read it. I have found it to be extremely helpful.

Chopra begins by encouraging the reader to consider the connection between waking life and sleeping life, and also the connection between our own biorythms and the rythms of nature.

He then writes about sleep and how to make it restful again rather than stressful. His style is very relaxed and easy to understand. He takes an ayurvedic (the ancient tradition of Indian medicine) approach to helping solve sleep disorders. I was not familiar with the ayurveda prior to reading this book, and really enjoyed learning a little bit about it. As a reader I did not feel that Chopra was trying to convert me, just help me. And - I feel that he did.

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