In Case We're Separated: Connected Stories

Book Description

Spanning the length and breadth of the twentieth century, Alice Mattison's masterful In Case We're Separated looks at a family of Jewish immigrants in the 1920s and 1930s and follows the urban, emotionally turbulent lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren against a backdrop of political assassination, the Vietnam War, and the AIDS epidemic. Beginning with the title story, which introduces Bobbie Kaplowitz—a single mother in 1954 Brooklyn whose lover is married and whose understanding of life is changed by a broken kitchen appliance—Mattison displays her unparalleled gift for storytelling and for creating rich, multidimensional characters, a gift that has led the Los Angeles Times to praise her as "a writer's writer."

Customer Reviews:

Alice Mattison Comes out with another Treasure!.......2007-01-11

If she were here, I would cheer, "Thanks Again, Ms. Mattison!" I have loved all of her wrk. (except for the weird-o Marriage of the Two Headed Woman which was a pain to get through). Alice writes like I think, like a dream world that could come true if you had a bit more luck. It is (and I realize I may be the only person around who thinks this), that these intense, well-written characters, their descriptions, and their relationships to eachother resemble a light magic realism. Reading Mattison is like witnessing: Good stuff on a gray day, Ray Charles in the background,a butterfly flying through an awful urban tenement. Or, maybe an old, but minutley faithful car in your driveway that does not work for a year and then runs like a charm, getting your writer son to and from four years of college. And then you name the car Dickens. I especially love Alice Mattison, not just for this book, but for so many others. And as one of her dedications is authentically to her friend, the late Jane Kenyon (the world's best, best poet). Alice, I am sorry about your friend. The two of you have made my world a better place. Thank you. I definitely, whole-hearted recommend this book to NYC addicts, short story lovers, and all who love the contemporary American writing movement of this very moment. As a post script, I will note that the sibling relationships are what make this book work. The interlocking short stories keep you waiting with baited breath in that same way that you feel when you realize, hey, this friend, this neighbor, this relative, we're all connedcted in this way or that. And thank goodness, this world is not as big and awful as we once thought.

Cover art threw me.......2006-02-23

This is not so much about the book as it is about its cover. The photo is the exact same one used for the cover of Barbara Trapido's "Travelling Hornplayer" so it was a bit confusing. Hopefully they'll change it for the paperback edition.

Great Short Stories..........2006-02-19

Though I'm not a fan of short stories, I really enjoyed this book because all the tales are connected. These stories are about different individuals of the Kaplowitz family. A very large Jewish family who's spread out all over the place.

My only issue with the book was just how large the family was. Between kids, and grand kids, husbands, wives...some chapters I had to go back to earlier stories to figure out who I was reading about, and what branch of the family they came from.

Other than that, it was a really good book. These stories are of everyday trials that we go through throughout the span of our lives. I absolutely recommend this, and would definitely pick up another of Ms. Mattison's novels.

Don't miss these wonderful stories!.......2005-11-22

Anyone who cares about good fiction--or basically, anyone who wants that marvelous feeling that you can only get from reading great stories, where you connect with fundamental human emotions and become involved with people you never met but, by the time you're finished, you know better than most of your friends and family--should pick up a copy of this book. I promise, you won't want to put it down!

In Case We're Separated.......2005-11-02

Mattison has a marvelous way of cutting through the messiness of messy lives to find the defining moment and take the reader there with full appreciation for all of the surrounding mess. These stories are honest, the writing musical. Alice Mattison is a writer's writer.

In Case We're Separated: Connected Stories

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In Case We're Separated: Connected Stories
Alice Mattison
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF24KU

Customer Reviews:

Second in the "Rogues" series.......2007-04-07

This is the second book that I've read by Jo Beverley and it's the second in her series "the Company Of Rogues"; the first book, "An Arranged Marriage", didn't really work for me but this second book was much better.

Lucien de Vaux, Marquess of Arden and heir to a dukedom, is about to offer marriage to a young lady when his father stops him. His father orders him to marry an unknown schoolmistress, Beth Armitage, for reasons that are a surprise and a shock to him. When Beth is visited by the Duke of Belcraven and forced to agree to the marriage she believes that her life is almost at an end - a woman who agrees with Mary Wollstonecraft's views on the rights of women can hardly fit well into an aristocratic household. She is afraid of the Marquess, that he could be violent towards her as well as having power over her as her husband.

Lucien and Beth have several weeks together as an engaged couple before the wedding and these are detailed in the story - their conversations, arguments, misunderstandings and fears about the future. And yet as time goes on Beth learns to understand a little more about the responsibilities of the Marquess and to appreciate his intelligence, learning and wit. But even after the wedding all isn't necessarily well, particularly when Beth finds herself helping one of her old school pupils and throwing herself into danger in the meantime.

Although the second book in the series it wasn't really necessary to have read the first - this book works well as a standalone story. Set at the time of the battle of Waterloo and with some really interesting historical insights (particularly with regard to the running of a ducal household and the family's interaction with their servants), the story of an arrangemed marriage turning into a love match is one that works in any era. I wasn't entirely sure when the love arrived between them - it wasn't entirely clear - and the Marquess wasn't always a sympathetic character (violence towards his wife, even in extenuating circumstances, isn't very heroic). However it was well paced and interesting and the characters grew and changed through the book, and some of the side characters (like the Duke and Duchess) also having some resolution. It's a good read but not brilliant but one that lovers of regency romances will probably appreciate.

ZZZZZZ.......2006-10-14

Ok I love Jo Beverly books! And I give this one 3 stars for the story writing/plot in general, but I love a hard core romance and this one well I just had to take long breaks in betwwen chapters because it got so slow!!! Now if your someone who dosn't mind waiting for the 21st chapter just to FINALLY read about the couple making love then you might like this but the fact that I had to get thru like 400 out of 462 pages or whatever just to see this happen was distressing. And then when I FINALLY made it there nuthing! he holds her then its over you get no detail about it at all. AHHHHH....Anyway at least it had a story to it. It just draged on and on and on well you get the point. It just felt like more of a Hmmm..regular book than a historical romance or any romance!

...again once bitten twice shy...........2006-08-24

Oh boy...where do I start...I have read the reviews (unfortunately after I read the book) and I'm leaning heavily towards the unpopular zero star option for this book. Since I'm not on Amazon for a majority contest, I can care less if this review provides me with more "not helpful" votes.

The feeling of anticipation I normally get when reading a good book of growing attraction between the protagonists was close to nil in this book. There was of course plenty between the Hero and his mistress, as beautiful and kind and graceful with "honor" <-----Yeah JB gave her plenty of honor) as she was, I found myself wishing She and Lucien got together.

Again I was thoroughly angered by the fact that the book was mostly from the Heroine's prospective for pages and chapters at a time and specks of the Hero's for paragraphs within the chapter.

I found it very difficult to like this Heroine. Like someone else pointed out, BOTH parties were forced into the unfortunate circumstance, what was the point of her behavior and refusal to be cordial towards the Hero after he asked her time and time again.
What really was the point of her cutting off her nose to spite her face??????

The physical violence was another aspect of the entire book I felt was very poorly dealt with. The first time violence is displayed is NEVER the last, and for Ms Beverly to give the misconception that all turns out well is very disheartening. I cannot even fathom my mind around how "romance" can be amalgamated into the life of two people when one is the abuser and the other the victim?????

Now the historical inaccuracies, as other reviewers so accurately put it, on what planet would someone in the Regency Era have had more than a bath a day????? More often than not, people merely washed up as opposed to taking full baths.
This is major issue I had a problem with, the introducing the Wife to the mistress...****gasp***** not only that, they become the best of friends.... is this not complete madness!!!!!

This is the second book I have read in the series and I'm not going any further, in the first book there was incest/rape, now this where two step siblings get married/domestic violence???? I guess in this case Ms Beverly tries to carry out her fantasy and make a better justification for it....No more Beverly for me.

putting the alpha male on trial.......2005-10-28

I think this is one of Jo Beverley's best books - maybe her best. It's a very daring book, for the genre, but not because Lucien is an alpha male with a potential for violence - that description would cover most romance heroes pretty well; certainly it's nothing unique.

No, the reason why An Unwilling Bride is daring is because instead of just picking up the old cliche (alpha male, potential for violence) Beverley decides to put it on trial: what happens when the dreamy alpha male crosses the thin line that most romance authors so delicately avoid? What happens when the heroine is someone like Beth, who has strong feelings about her own independence and rights? Beth is very well contextualized, but she gives the readers the opportunity to ask the one big question that almost every book in this genre ought to pose us: how can you reconcile the desire to be free and respected with the desire for an alpha male?

This is essentially what the book is about. Everybody - every mother, girlfriend, and companion - offers to protect Beth and punish Lucien for his transgressions. There is no 'tolerance' for violence and the sheer number of words devoted to the topic of Lucien's potential & actual violence should show that this is not a question of a 'wife beater' - although I think that it should be obvious that the alpha male hero and wife beating jerk are not totally apples and oranges.

I think Beverley ends up arguing that the difference between the hero and the jerk isn't that one has the potential for violence and the other doesn't; rather, it's a matter of self-discipline, nobility of spirit, understanding of right and wrong. Lucien isn't perfect, but he understands those things, and that's why he's ultimately a hero.

I don't think Beverley really dealt sufficiently with Beth and Lucien's feelings; this is probably the consequence of dealing so thoroughly with their beliefs. There's almost no steam, but the way that Beverley describes Beth and Lucien when they dance, or engage in a battle of the wits, is amazingly done and incredibly erotic.

And, of course, the book is a lot of fun - plenty of other Rogues make apperances, it's excellently structured (I think Beverley sets up the quotation from the Rape of the Lock as the premise of the novel and its inclusion is really cleverly done), very smart, and Beth is a wonderful heroine - really smart and sweet.

Beth Was A Great Woman!.......2005-03-04

Beth had deep reservations about marrying the Marquess of Arden, she wasn't sure she even liked the guy. And of course, she couldn't ignore the fact that he was extraordinarily good-looking, and there was no getting around the fact that she was considered a "Plain Jane."
In spite of this, these two managed to make a successful marriage, after getting past a few serious hurdles, mainly due to Lucien's insecurity. This was a great, great book.

Average customer rating:

A Nice Scottish Romance!!!
a wonderfully absorbing and enjoyable read
not just passion, but a struggle to identity
entertaining medieval romance

The Unwilling Bride
Margaret Moore
Manufacturer: HQN Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373770650

Book Description

Betrothed at birth . . .

Promised to Merrick of Tregellas when she was but a child, Lady Constance was unwilling to wed a man she remembered only as a spoiled boy. Sure he had grown into an arrogant knight, she sought to make herself so unappealing that Merrick would refuse to honor their betrothal. Yet no sooner had this enigmatic, darkly handsome man ridden through the castle gates than she realized he was nothing like the boy she recalled. And very much a man she could love . . .

Bound by desire . . .

Haunted by secrets from his past, Merrick was unwilling to return to Tregallas -- until he caught sight of his bride-to-be. Beautiful and spirited, Lady Constance was everything he wanted in a wife. She stirred his passion -- and his heart -- as no woman ever had before. But what would happen when she discovered the truth?

When enemies begin plotting their downfall, only trust can save a match never meant to end in true love.

Customer Reviews:

A Nice Scottish Romance!!!.......2005-12-09

Ms. Moore has created another entertaining historical with larger than life characters that will pull you into their make believe world.

Lady Constance is getting ready for the arrival of her betrothal she doesn't want. Betrothed since birth to Merrick of Tregellas Constance will do whatever she must to see and end to the potential nightmare of being married to her childhood tormentor. But what Constance wants...is not what Constance gets. For one thing the dark handsome knight that arrives to marry her is nothing like the young boy he once was. No Merrick is different but he seems to hold something back and she's not sure what his secret is but she wants him to share with her as a husband should.

Merrick has a dark secret and he's afraid that once Constance finds out the part he's played in her past, the seductive, witty, and beautiful Constance will no longer embrace a marriage between them...that is until the enemy who wants Merrick's downfall at any costs starts plotting to achieve his goals. Will Constance and Merrick be able to keep a united front and find a happy ending or will their enemies have the final word.

Merrick and Constance are interesting characters and their romance was well written and although the conflict was not a new Ms. Moore managed to still make this a fresh story through her characterization.

a wonderfully absorbing and enjoyable read.......2005-11-02

The Unwilling Bride possesses everything for a good, satisfying read. This book is sharp and fast-moving. Filled with Lovable characters, exciting and action-mystery twists. There are interesting plot twists and we get to know several secondary characters well. The secondary characters are not boring. If you long to be swept into the lives of two enchanting people, I highly recommend this one. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. The relationship between Merrick and Constance sizzles. The Unwilling Bride is witty, romantic and has good strong characters. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. Wonderful love story, great characters with an emotionally scarred hero and strong but vulnerable heroine, unique setting, intriguing plot, heart-tugging emotion, excellent writing, intense sensual love scenes, and a superb ending. The plot was interesting and it kept you interested in what was going to happen next. It has intrigue, passion, revenge, and "wow" sensual tension. The Unwilling Brideis witty, romantic, with good strong characters and an unexpected ending.

All I can say in conclusion is if you like a good, emotional, heart-tugging historical, with characters that leap off the pages, buy The Unwilling Bride.

not just passion, but a struggle to identity .......2005-10-20

Merrick fell in love with Constance since the first moment he saw her sitting in a hay stack twelve years go. They were betrothed when he was 10 and she 5; but being the lord's son, he was sent away to foster home to train, and she to endure the wrath of Wicked William. Now he's dead, and Merrick is coming back to claim his rightful place as the Lord of Tregalles and her as his wife. But would Constance be able to love him for who he is or just see him as a product of his father?

Merrick has being carrying a terrible secret since he was a boy of ten. Because of the consequences he might face is the secret got out, he was never able to open up to his childhood friends or trust anyone fully. He knew he had to carry the burden alone or risk losing everything he held dear, especially Constance.

Constance has endured the wrath of Wicked William and seen his cruel ways since she was a child. She also remembered Merrick as a cruel boy who always teased and tortured her and believed that he will be the mirror image of his late father. She cares deeply for the people of Tregalles and has vowed to never grovel, least to a man.

Margaret Moore does a wonderful job of telling the story about two strong-willed people who loves each other deeply but circumstances from their past prevents them from truly expressing their feeling for each other. Merrick dreads that if there's a slip of tongue or he acts incorrectly, the dreaded secret will be out and he will loose the one thing he holds dear to his heart. Constance is hesitant that Merrick will turn out to be like his father, doesn't matter to what he says or does. The book is not only about the struggle between Merrick proving that he's not cruel like his father, and Constance and the people the Tregalles' weariness against him; but also the treachery against King Henry and his brother the Earl of Cornwall and the plan to takeover Tregalles. Moore captures our attention from the first page, holds it through the wedding and keeps us on the edge as to what the secret can be that Merrick has been carrying for twelve years. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances for not only the passion, but also the struggle the characters goe through of someone else's sins.

entertaining medieval romance .......2005-09-28

After fifteen years on the road as a knight, following the death of his odious estranged father, Merrick returns home to Tregellas as its lord and expecting to marry Constance, his intended since he was ten and she five. Upon arrival at his manor, he finds the people do not trust him as they assume he is a chip off the old evil block, his fiancée is scared of him, and Uncle Algernon and Constance's Uncle Carrell seem to be plotting something.

Merrick knows he has his work cut out to overcome his nasty father reputation and demonstrate he is not a chip off the old block who raped women and begat at least one child out of wedlock. He begins courting Constance, but refuses to tell her he has loved her since he was a little boy and dreamed that she loved him back. Expecting Merrick to behave like his sire, Constance tries to hide how she feels about him, but knows she wants him. Though he behaves exemplary towards his people and her, she still has doubts. Soon their respective uncles begin the plot to kill Merrick and Constance so that Algernon becomes the lord married to Carrell's daughter.

THE UNWILLING BRIDE is an entertaining medieval romance starring a wonderful male protagonist who keeps learning first hand how the child inherits the sins of the father. The story line is at its vivid best as Merrick tries to persuade his villagers he is nothing like his father and his beloved should not expect abuses from him. Though the treacherous subplot seems unneeded as Merrick has a full plate and more to deal with, fans will enjoy this mid thirteenth century tale that has a fantastic final twist that will surprise everyone though the clues are there.

Harriet Klausner

Unwilling Bride (The Stanford Sisters, Celebration 1000) (Silhouette Desire, No 998)

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The Unwilling Bride

Unwilling Bride (The Stanford Sisters, Celebration 1000) (Silhouette Desire, No 998)
Greene
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Silhouette Desire | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

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200% Wife (That Special Woman!/Stanford Sisters) (Silhouette Special Edition)

ASIN: 0373759983

Customer Reviews:

The Unwilling Bride.......2003-12-05

Paige, a sculptor and designer, was ready to spend the rest of her life in a sleepy New England town doing what she did best - making cameos for a living. She didn't need to be bothered, didn't need companionship (except for phone calls from her sisters), and most certainly didn't need a man! Stefan, a boisterous Russian immigrant and her new next-door neighbor, didn't seem to respect Paige's desire for peace! He finds numerous reasons to spend time at Paige's house, and Paige takes pity on him because his English needs work and he has virtually no friends in the States. Stefan wants to be more than friends, though!

I really liked the character of Stefan, because he was intelligent, funny, and cheerful. He had me laughing numerous times, from his actions to draw Paige out of her shell, to his attempts to use American slang. I also liked Paige, and I could certainly relate to her attempt to shut away her heart and to just live the rest of her life alone out of fear of hurting someone else, or being hurt herself. The reason for her self-imposed isolation, however, was a let down and I had to wonder why in the world she had allowed this tragedy to prevent her from getting into adult relationships. It seemed like just an excuse (and not a very good one at that), and I was wondering if there shouldn't be some deeper reason for self-imposed exile!

A warning - the book is a bit dated. Stefan (a physicist) was still dealing with the fallout from the Soviet collapse in the USSR, and although Russians are still dealing with the collapse, it's not like what was described in the book anymore. Still, this book is a good one, and I'm keeping it! :)

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First 8 Titles in the Company of Rogues Series: (1) Christmas Angel; (2) An Unwilling Bride; (3) Dangerous Joy; (4) Forbidden; (5) An Arranged Marriage; (6) Hazard; (7) St. Raven; (8) Skylark (Set of 8)
Jo Beverley
Manufacturer: Various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WNTM0E

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An Unwilling Bride
Bertha Clay
Manufacturer: Donohue
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NGQSSE

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Unwilling Bride

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0440197430

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the unwilling bride

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0373150121

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Unwilling Bride (Candlelight Regency Special, #579)
Marnie Ellingson
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000E7FTT6

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The Unwilling Bride (HP #21)

Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000BRQDEO

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7 Titles From Company of Rogues Series - An Unwilling Bride - Dangerous Joy - Forbidden - An Arranged Marriage - Hazard - St. Raven - Skylark
Jo Beverley
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000M12CRQ

Product Description

7 massmarket Titles From Company of Rogues Series - An Unwilling Bride - Dangerous Joy - Forbidden - An Arranged Marriage - Hazard - St. Raven - Skylark

Customer Reviews:

Superb work of art and literature.......2007-06-08

This book was fantastic. I have never really been into "picture books" but this one tells a fantastic story and the artwork is superb.

Outstanding!.......2007-05-11

Heretic.Witch. Daemon-wench. Child of Chaos.
Ephrael Stern of the Adepta Sororitas. She is a Battle Sister. She is a Daughter of the Emperor. In fact, Ephrael was all these things even before she had been born human. She did her duty and she did it well...until she died. When she is resurrected, things change.

Renegade. Outcast. Thrice-Born.
While in a lost convent of the Adepta Sororitas on the edge of nowhere, Ephrael is chosen to be the "Keeper of Secrets" by the "Screaming Cage" on Parnis. Inquisitor Silas Hand gave everything, including his life, to keep Ephrael alive so she could do her duty by delivering the secrets to the Black Library.

Saint. Weapon of Light. Scourge of Chaos. Daemonifuge!
Ephrael is changing within. The knowledge within her is transforming her. She is slowly learning what she has become and what she can do. Until the transformation is completed, she must simply survive and wait for "The Pariah" to find her. The Pariah is to guide her through the secret paths between worlds. Surviving is not easy. She must live through captivity by aliens and their battle arenas, The Ordo Mallous (Daemon Hunters), an inquisitor out to slay Silas's killer (thinking it to be her), and the Dark Ones who make their lairs in the secret paths between worlds.

***** Excellent graphic novel set in the W40K universe! Be sure to have plenty of light as you read. When the text is in italics, it is very hard to make out some of the words due to the font chosen. This is another graphic novel that would make an outstanding full length novel series, such as the Malus Darkblade series has done (and is still doing). Dark Fantasy, battles aplenty, faith, betrayal, pain and blood...it's all in here. Out-freaking-standing! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Go for the hardcover edition, its worth it!.......2007-01-27

This review refers to the hardcover table top edition of this book.

If your bookshelf can hold it, go for this book in the hardcover format. Large glossy pages enhance the story by bringing all of the art into clearer focus simply making everything easier to see. The manga style graphic novels from Warhammer are cramped and printed on cheap paper bound too tightly. The hardcover version is really nice and brings the story to life.

Daemonifuge tells the story of Ephrael Stern, a member of the Adeptus Soroitas who has forgotten her past and must seek out the answers to powerful and dangerous questions. As she and Inquisitor Hand seek to solve the mysteries of Stern's existence and powers, chaotic forces hound them and unknown mystical powers protect them. The story is dark and fast-paced (as are most Warhammer tales), and reads almost like a mystery.

The art work is amazing in this graphic novel, better than any I've found in the other Warhammer books. Detailed gore and beauty combine to make an exciting read that you'll be tempted to finish in a single setting.

It's the only game in town..........2006-03-15

This comic contains several vignettes about one Sister of Battle named Ephrael Stern. The first few stories flow together nicely, but as the book continues the stories leave longer and longer gaps between the tales, leaving a rather disjointed affect.

As a narrative whole, the book is stitched together haphazardly. But the individual tales are well done and the art is strong as well. The overall tale of Ephrael Stern is outlined here, but not detailed.

This book is likely going to only interest 40k trivia or Sister of Battle fans. However, given the lack of competion for Sisters of Battle fluff; it is the only game in town.

Book Description

These are practices designed to strengthen one's energy body. This program guides the listener through the Alchemies of Horus resulting in the use of sound to create altered states of awareness whereby the creative aspects of the brain/mind can be accessed. Previously released as The Alchemies of Horus, © 2003, Tom Kenyon

Customer Reviews:

Transforming!.......2007-05-29

Powerful meditations for those who are competent meditators! I found myself experiencing meditations that are very different. Can highly recommend this product.

Powerful!.......2007-01-05

Highly recommend to those who are wanting to work on opening to the experience of greater life force energy. When I am able to concentrate on Tom's guidance and my breathing, I get very powerful results from this technique. I am sometimes challenged with concentration, this is my own issue, but Tom is good at guiding you back, keeping you focused if your thoughts wander.

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