5 comments about The Therapist's Notebook for Children and Adolescents: Homework, Handouts, and Activities for Use in Psychotherapy (Haworth Practical Practice in Mental ... Practical Practice in Mental Health).

1. This great book is for the therapist working with children and adolescents, where the therapist can use the material as homework, handouts and activities in therapy. The editors, Catherine Ford Sori, professor of psychology and counseling at Governors State University, Illinois and Lorna L Hecker, professor of marriage and family therapy at Purdue University in Indiana, have together with 36 professionals compiled a very important tool for the therapist.
   It is divided into eight sections: children�s feelings, play in therapy, specific childhood problems, illenes, trauma and bereavement, adolescents, interventions, family and parent education with a total of 46 chapters.
   This is a very resourceful book with plenty of ideas, plans and suggestions for use in the encounter with children, adolescents and their families......



2. THE BOOK WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND SEVERAL RESOURCES THAT I WAS ABLE TO USE IMMEDIATELY. IT'S WORTH THE MONEY.



3. Great, user-friendly treatment planner with lots of different activities for both children/adolescents and their families. Great explanations for each topic.



4. Practical ideas to utilize in therapy make working with children and adolescents so much easier for therapists who are uncertain how to work effectively with young people. This book helps therapists understand children's needs within a variety of family circumstances and to work effectively with parents to facilitate their parenting skills. Chock full of useful ideas; a wonderful resource! Nancy Nickell



5. This is a wonderful resource for children's mental health practitioners. It includes art and play techniques on a wide variety of treatment issues. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child.

1. I would give this book 6 stars if I could. The format is laid out so that it's easy to flip to and find a specific activity. I love the "you will need" and "other activities to try" tip boxes on the side, too. I would agree that if you only had one book on Montessori activities, this would be the one to buy.



2. I am very fond of this book. It is a great guide offering almost "duh!" like activities (things that you would never even think of going out of your way to teach your kids) to do with your toddler in order to help them gain a sense of independence and accomplishment. That said, almost all the activities can be done without going out and buying a whole bunch of materials. I particularly like this book as a mom interested in the Montessori method, but not being able to afford to put my children in the pricey Montessori schools in my area. The book is easy and pleasant to read; it's in colour and has plenty of photos. Also, if there is an activity your child really likes, it has suggestions for other activities similar in nature. I like that the book shows you many of the activities they do, but leaves it up to you how you would like to present them to your kids. The book does not specifically tell you what age range the child has to be in order to present an activity, but it does state in the beginning that it presents the activities in order of being the easier concepts to grasp to the more difficult (specifically chapters 1,2, & 5). The author tells you to use your judgement on what you think your child can handle (for instance if they seem to like counting and maths, they will more likely progress faster with the maths activities. I personally would've liked a generic age range per activity, but I understand the point the author is trying to make. I just like that the author gives us the activities the Montessori schools do, but doesn't require the reader to completely apply the Montessori method. I plan on using this as a reference since I would like to educate my children myself until they reach kindergarten.



3. This is a wonderfully useful book - teach your child the simple day-to-day skills - things you take for granted that they actually have to learn! Skills include doing up buttons, pouring, sorting, putting on a coat, doing up shoe laces, etc. It is super easy to follow, and has further steps once your child has mastered the basic skill. Chapters include Life Skills, Developng the Senses, Language Development, Numeracy Skills, Science Skills. A great opportunity to quietly teach your child to become confident with every day skills.



4. I really like this book. It's very easy to implement. The book is divided into sections: Life Skills, Developing the Senses, Language Development, Numeracy Skills (math), and Science Skills. Each section is filled with easy to implement activities for your 2-5 year old. (My best guess at age appropriateness.)
   
   All of the materials are easy to find at home. She includes a few worksheets in the back (really Parent worksheets) of things to cut out such as number rods, a flower parts puzzle, words for language games, etc.)
   
   I think this book would be great for those who wanted to homeschool their kids for preschool or for those who wished perhaps that their kids could attend Montessori. Using this book plus perhaps "Peak with Books" or just reading some great picture books each day would be more than enough.
   
   Great value. Highly recommended.



5. This book presents simple activites that you can do with your preschooler to help encourage her cognitive development. The instructions are brief, clear, and well illustrated. The activites are fun, and generally don't require a lot of prep on the parents' part. Photos of each activity allow a pre-reading child to preview and choose an activity out of the book. A great addition to any family's library.

5 comments about How We Love: Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage.

1. I've probably spent hundreds of dollars on self-help books over the years looking for answers I couldn't seem to find. My husband and I have been together for over 18 years - many of which felt like banging our heads against the wall in frustration and three of which were spent separated. We were blessed to have survived the separation. I heard about this book on the radio (kkla) and knew it was the book we needed. By far, it is one of the BEST and most effective books I've ever come across. I admit, it was a bit daunting at first as the workbook made us dig pretty deep within ourselves, (I think the workbook is key!) but God really helped us to persevere! This book was a catalyst in helping us to undersand each other and ourselves in ways we never thought possible. Your book and workbook helped to promote real communication between us and helped to give us the best relationship we've ever had -- so much that my husband and I renewed our vows on December 31. We are recommending this book to all of our friends! Thank you, Milan and Kay!



2. Having problems with your marriage? Need to know why you act the way you act? This book is for you if you answered YES to any of the questions above. Buy This Book...YOU WON'T REGRET IT! How We Love is an excellent tool for learning about your life and why you are the way you are.



3. This book is very helpful along with good counseling. Anyone can benefit from this book. It's about all relationships, not just marriage. And any personality type will relate to it. It's worth the money.



4. Over the almost 12 years that we've been married, my husband and I have read many, many marriage books. Most have been Christian but there has been a smattering of secular ones as well.
   
   I think this is probably hands-down one of the very best we've ever read.
   
   It doesn't just describe your love needs or how you express love but goes deeper, getting to the root of why you love the way you do, the problems with that, and what to do about it.
   
   I keep recommending this book to others because it changed the way my husband and I saw one another and the way we related.
   
   I would go so far as to recommend this book before starting counseling. It could save you a lot of time and money in the counseling office.



5. Milan and Kay Yerkovich have put together a great book to help both good and struggling marriages. They describe five different personality types which are Avoider, Pleaser, Vacillator, Controller, and Victim, and how couples can "dance" together in their marriage when they are two different types of personalities. We all have "imprints" from childhood in our lives and they influence us and how we relate to each other. They ask the question, also, of ever being comforted by our parents. Do you remember ever being comforted in your childhood? They then proceed to explain how that affects us in adulthood. This book is not just about the problems we face but very concrete helpful answers, too. The workbook in the last quarter of the book is doable.
   
   They use real life situations of couples they have counseled and it's an interesting book with lots of illustrations from life.
   
   If you are struggling in your marriage I highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear, 2nd Edition.

1. Pam Leo has touched on a subject that is most important this day and age- connection. As you rewind, repair and replay your communication with your child, you are taking the steps to a better connection now and for the future. Pam's extensive research, presented in this book, gives you great idea's, activities and pertinent facts in working through any situation that may arise between you and your child. Connection Parenting is also a great tool in dealing with discipline in your home. Becoming aware of you and your child's communication styles and rethinking your approach can reconnect and build self esteem and worth. I wish I would have had this book when my kids were younger!!



2. Every parent should read this! Even though a lot of it is basic info, it is really thought provoking!



3. Looking at parenting throught the eyes of a child makes one stop and think of the child as a feeling human being rather than just a child. The recommendations were genuinely heartfelt.



4. I have two daughters; the elder is 3 and a half and the baby is 10 months old. After the birth of my second daughter, I started to notice more "attention-seeking" behavior from my older daughter. A friend recommended Pam's book, and actually got me enrolled in a teleseminar with Pam Leo through [...]
   
   I was amazed, as I put the principles into practice, the immediate and LASTING changes that my daughter and I both experienced. As I learned new ways to relate to what she was feeling, she learned to trust me more. And as I learned more of the reasons behind some of her behaviors, I learned to trust her more.
   
   Before reading this book, I probably spent about 75% of my time with my daughter yelling. I work 40 hours a week, so we don't get to see each other all day every day, either. The time we have together is so precious to me, but I was completely yelling it away, because of my own frustration at her lack of cooperation. I have learned new ways to respond, new ways to head off a lack of cooperation before it even starts. Now, my daughter looks for ways to help me before I even ask.
   
   I recommend this book to every parent. It should be required reading before you have kids :)



5. Pam Leo is amazing. I had the privilege of attending her teleclass through [...], based on this book, and it was wonderful. I'm a better mother and my relationship with my kids is better because of the work Pam Leo is doing.

5 comments about A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me.

1. follow up to Bedlam Farms - never would have bought any of his books if had known what he would do to border collie in last book - a real jackass - hope no one buys anymore of his books - he might have to get a real job



2. How would you feel if you were perfectly happy with your two Labrador retrievers, and a new chaotic dog comes crashing into your ideal life? This is what happened to Jon Katz. He lives in England, and this book takes place in modern times.
   
   Jon lives with his wife and his two dogs, Stanley and Julius. His standard of living revolved around taking care of his dogs, and doing what he loves: writing. He was more than happy with his way of living. When Deanne--a dog breeder--informs him of a two-year old border collie that needed help, Jon's love for dogs got the best of him and he introduced Devon to the family. Jon was struck by the difference in the breeds. Devon was hyper, had anxiety attacks, required three times the exercise that his two other dogs obtained, and didn't trust Jon at all. But this only motivated Jon more. He was determined to get Devon to trust him even if it drove him mad.
   
   When Jon achieved his goal for Devon, Deanne called him and asked if he wanted a puppy. If he adopted Homer, the new puppy, that would be adopting 2 dogs in a period of 12 months. Was that too much for the dogs to handle? But the second his eyes saw the picture of the puppy, he couldn't pass the offer. He was concerned about how Stanley and Julius would accept another dog into their already shaken life, but he was more nervous about Devon. Would Devon be threatened by this new dog that endangered his position?
   
   When Homer came, he was the exact opposite of Devon. He was cute, sweet, and had a charm on everyone--dogs and humans. Everyone but Devon. Devon took time to get used to the new life, but when Stanley and Julius passed because of old age, he had yet another adjustment to make. The rest of the biography shows how Devon and Homer form a new relationship without Stanley and Julius.
   
   The pacing of this book was moderate. I think it was written in a Christian perspective, and the title explained how Jon had gone from two to four dogs in a year. The theme is about perseverance. Jon used Devon's bad actions as a stimulation to train him, and even when he was frustrated, he never gave up. He always had a good attitude considering his circumstances. Jon Katz's writing is very natural, and flows very easily. He has advanced vocabulary and interprets his dogs' feelings well considering that they couldn't talk to him. The mood changed from time to time. He was easily frustrated by the sacrifices of comfort he had to give up for his two new dogs. In time, though, he learned to love the new lifestyle. I thought parts of this book were funny with dog humor. I would recommend this book to people who have dogs, because they definitely would understand the humor and aggravation of having a dog more easily than those who don't.



3. A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me is a must read. This book introduced me to Mr. Katz's writing. He has become my favorite author and I am now on his 3rd book that is also about dogs. His understanding and discovery of dogs are so true and pure and most dog owners would probably be able to relate and smile and cry as they read his story. I absolutely love this book.



4. I thoroughly enjoyed A Dog Year. I identified with the author, Jon Katz, a middle-aged person with grown children and his wisdom and words changed my life. I started pursuing hobbies and things that I never would have thought I could or would ever do. This tender story of the man-dog relationship touched my heart.



5. Jon Katz has a "potty mouth"! He uses swear words that add nothing to the story. It only serves to offend his readers. I will never buy another book by this author. He's actually a pretty good author. Too bad he can't keep it clean.

3 comments about Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Workbook for Women: Seven Questions to Ask Beforeand AfterYou Marry.

1. I was a little on the fence about this book because I really didnt think it would help. We are not married yet, but this book has helped a lot to see each other out in the open. It has also showed us what the other thinks about us and what we can work on as a couple.



2. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts is the pre-marital book and companion workbooks our church uses with all our couples who plan to be married. A "season" couple goes through the book with the engaged couple, meeting many times the 6 months prior to their wedding. This mentoring process has proved to be a wonderful experience for both couples, and times together carry on well past the wedding day. The newlyweds now have a couple that have invested time with them, other than their parents, which has been a blessing to them.



3. This book is trite, poorly-written, and is premised on harmful misconceptions about the role of so called "gender differences" in a healthy marriage. It was required reading for our premarital counseling sessions and, although we went into it with open minds, we actually thought relying on the advice in this book would be harmful to marriage! Finally, it seems clear that the male author doesn't respect his wife, from the dismissive way he discusses her. Worst of all, the notes page of the book reflects studies that refer not to actual studies but to unsubstantiated claims made by other self-help authors or in other self help books. Skip this one, and if your church requires it, speak up. It's garbage.

5 comments about All I Want Is Everything (Gossip Girl, 3).

1. Blair Waldorf is having the worst time of her life. She has just completely flubbed her Yale interview, even going so far as to kiss her interviewer; she must contend with a dreadlock-bearing new stepbrother named Aaron, who seems to have some ulterior motives up his sleeve; her mother is marrying a loser whom she has known for hardly no time at all; and, to top it all off, Nate has ditched her for a chesty ten-year-old - well, she looks ten. Luckily, she and Serena van der Woodsen are back on speaking terms, and living it up as BFF's once more. But who knows how long that will last.
   
   The holidays are just around the corner, and with the Upper East Side absolutely freezing, everyone who's loaded is planning on ditching their Marc Jacobs coats, and slipping into their Missoni string bikinis for a Christmas in a tropical place. With Nate Archibald having called it quits with Blair in order to take up a romance with freshman Jenny Humphrey, Blair is anything but ready to say goodbye to the city, and head off to St. Bart's with Serena, where they can sunbathe topless, and, perhaps, have a winter fling. Unfortunately, Serena is being stalked by Flow, the hottest rock star on the planet - at least at the moment - and can't seem to shake him off, and Blair, armed with her iBook plans on holing up in the hotel room writing the essay for her Yale application. Looks like this vacation won't be as sizzling as originally planned. But with Blair's new stepbrother, Aaron, and his pal Miles in tow, you never know when the sparks will fly.
   
   Back in the city, Nate and Jenny are having the time of their life. But with Blair's sudden appearances at every turn, Nate finds himself more and more drawn to the girl he has known and loved for so many years. But then there's Jenny. Sweet, innocent, voluptuous Jenny. Maybe if Nate spent less time being baked, and more time being straight, he'd be able to decide who he's truly lusting over.
   
   Then there's Jenny's older brother, Dan. Since admitting their passion for one another, Dan and Vanessa have been having a whirlwind romance - albeit a dark one - filled with foreign films, cigarettes, strong instant coffee, and lots and lots of black. But since falling in love, Dan finds himself at a standstill regarding his poetry. Suddenly, he's experiencing writer's block firsthand, and it's not a pretty picture. But when Vanessa supposedly does something that betrays both him and Jenny, he wonders if this is the push he needs to get his writing back on track - and to get even.
   
   Three books down, and still Cecily von Ziegesar is going strong; creating intoxicating storylines that leave you craving more, and dying to find out what will happen to S, B, N, and the rest of the gang. Finally Blair and Serena are back to their old tricks, partying 'till the break of dawn, and hamming it up for the cameras. While their friendship is a beautiful thing, and it's wonderful to see them back on speaking terms, the fact that they're not at each other's throats any longer kind of makes the reader miss their feuding; however, their gossip fests about their friends, and their many shopping sprees certainly make up for their catfights. Jenny is still the sweet girl we all know and love from GOSSIP GIRL and YOU KNOW YOU LOVE ME; but in AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER, she finally seems to be growing up a bit, and it's nice to see her stand up for herself for once, and not allow people to push her around. Her relationship with her brother, Dan, seems to have changed slightly. Suddenly, he's watching her every move, and not being as friend-like towards her. Instead, seeming more like a jail warden. But, no matter what, you can't help but love each and every one of them - even the slightly creepy Miles, who seems to be stalking Blair. Of course, the installment wouldn't be complete without Gossip Girl reporting straight from...wherever, giving us all the lowdown on what it takes to be a part of the In Crowd, and providing us with the status of every move all of our favorite characters take. As breathtaking as a first kiss.
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Freelance Reviewer



2. In this third installment in the GOSSIP GIRL series S & B have finally reconciled and the island of Manhattan will never be the same! Serena is being courted by a famous musician whose advances quickly become unwelcome and Blair is having trouble getting over her failed romance with Nate. Meanwhile, Dan and Vanessa are heating things up but how often does a romance between friends really work out? And Nate and Jenny have a good thing but will it survive Christmas break as thoughts of Blair and Christmases past come creeping back into Nate's head?
   
   I have really enjoyed the first two books in this series but I found this one to be a bit more filler than substance. Hopefully this is just a lead in for better things to come.



3. This novel is my first venture into the Gossip Girl series, and I found myself pleasantly surprised. While the wealthy, popular characters of Serena and Blair are supposedly the main draw, he "outsider" characters (Jenny and Aaron) are compassionately drawn and interesting to follow. The plot meanders without building up as much tension as I'd like, but I was willing to forgive the author for that thanks to her occasionally gorgeous turns of phrase and character insights. She also drops enough smart-chick references-- to artists, literary authors, and the like-- that I respected the mind behind the story. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series.



4. So... I got this book after reading the prequel, gossip girl, and then reading You Know You Love Me. I think the Gossip Girl series is so addicting, you can't help but fall in love. Basically, in this book.... everyone is just getting finished with their essays and SATs and exams and getting worried about college. If that isn't bad enough, Blair has a whole new "extended" family and is being wisked off to some island with them. I personally like this book because Blair and Serena are done being catty and have actually grown to love each other again! Serena met a rock-star named Flow and hung out for one night. Now she has a professional STALKER! Serena, Blair, Aaron, Tyler, Mr and Mrs. Rose, Miles, Flow and many others are going to St. Barts and we soon discover Aarons secret longing for Blair. Jenny and Nate are caught fooling around in Central Park and a video of them is posted on the internet! (Now, I wonder who we know has a video camera strapped to their hip?) Nate flys off with his parents to Maine hoping to be able to light a few joints and get away from stalker Jenny ( who i have now grown to hate for being such a nate-obsessed, annoying.. JERK!) who is stuck at home and being watched closely by Rufus and Dan. This book altogether is starting to form bonds between characters you NEVER expected to be bonded and altogher it has been one of my favorites. I mainly just gave it four stars because of some minor typos and how much Jenny has grown to annoy me. =] Im not always this compulsive... dont worry! ;) I would recomend this book to anyone and this is a lot more appropriate for people under 15 than the last books have been! I hope you enjoyed my review! Go ahead and read it! The worst that will happen is that you wont like the book and will put it down early... right?
   
   Hope I didn't give TOO much away,
   <3 tAyLoR =]



5. I started buying these series of books for my 18 yr old daughter. She never really liked to read but I was hopeful she might take an interest in what Gossip Girl was about. Thank goodness she did! Believe it or not for the 1st time she thoroughly enjoys each book in the series and can't wait to tell me what is happening. Im guessing she relates to alot of what is going on, and Im thrilled she has taken such a huge interest.

5 comments about The View from Saturday.

1. I have taught this in my classroom every year since 2000! I absolutely love it. I've used it in 6th grade and currently in 5th grade. The book easily lends itself to teaching about point of view and a host of other reading skills. Point of view is the skill I think the kids enjoy the most when using this book because each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character. The theme is friendship and genre is realistic fiction in a modern setting. I cannot recommend this book enough! It will always be one of my favorite teaching novels!



2. I was going to write a review, but Sara Hathaway has spared me the time it would take in her "Cloudy View" July 16, 2007 review. I am a grandmother in the process of reading through Newbery winners (a retired elementary teacher, mother of 5, + have 13 grands) and so far am finding it rather tedious and disappointing (See my review for Criss Cross). "View" seemed to promise more, but it just never delivered and so I was disappointed when I got to the end.



3. I think the book The View from Saturday was a waste of time for the writer. The theme was not so interesting and the characters had no personality. It is not a book I recommend to people.
   
   This book was confusing and did not explain the story so well. On every other page there was a new scene. In the book the author did not explain when the characters went to the academic bowls. Some of the characters did not have a personality although Juilan was my favorite because of his differences. He is different because on the first day of school he wore knee socks and shorts and to the other characters and school that was weird. Another part I thought was a little strange was the theme. If you drink tea with your friends your personality will change.
   
   The book is not worth reading.



4. I think that Konigsburg writes in an intelligent way, considering the age groups that will be reading the book and how they're going to interpret the material.
   Telling the story of a sixth grade academic team, and how they can pull together to become friends, 'The View From Saturday' is a feel good novel that everyone who loves friendship and a learning experience should read.



5. Although I'm a fan of the underdog, this story of four such students (all underdogs in their own way) is more insipid than pleasant. It covers the subjects sixth-graders worry about, especially that of how and where they fit in with their classmates and the world. Through a series of coincidences or fate, the four eventually team up and crush the scholastic competition. And there are four sub-stories, one covering events leading up to each student being chosen for the team. But the idea that because individually, for reasons that I won't share so as not to spoil the plot, is able to answer a particularly difficult question custom-tailored by the author to fit their background, qualifies them to be chosen for the team is a bit silly. The obviously contrived plot overshadows the feel good aspect of The View from Saturday. Better: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Frindle by Andrew Clements and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

5 comments about The Serpent Prince.

1. This is a book that reads like a synopsis instead of the full, actual novel. It's a quick little Harlequin when it should be a huge, lengthy, massive Kathleen Woodiwss-sized mega-novel.
   
   The hero, Simon, is a marvelous character, tortured and revenge-mad underneath a light and witty foppish exterior. How delicious! The heroine, Lucy, is grave and calm and lovely, different from the usual run of flighty heroines. The plotline is not too overused, and feels pretty fresh, overall.
   
   The problem is, the characters--all of them, but especially Simon and Lucy--feel like they're sketches instead of the finished product. They need to be further fleshed out. The book itself also feels like a sketch to me, and it really needs to be further fleshed out, more depth added, more details, more explanations, more scenes that show who the characters are and what they're doing and why.
   
   The romance between Simon and Lucy is very sudden and feels uneven, sketchily written. I was surprised when Simon proposed to Lucy--it felt like it came out of nowhere. The secondary characters, like Christian, Rosalind, and Patricia are horribly under-used, and definitely need more time spent on their sub-plotlines. They barely feel like real characters at all.
   
   This book could be so much MORE than it is. It's watered-down, thin, it needs to be much meatier.
   
   If this book took more time to delve into the characters, and even the setting and especially the motives and action and backstory, this book would be an absolute gem, a keeper for sure. There are such marvelous elements to this book! But unfortunately it's too thin and light.
   
   Simon really is an interesting and attractive character, though. I liked what I did read of him. I'd love to have been able to read more.



2. As Dorothy said to the Scarecrow- I think I'll love you most of all ... okay she said miss, but same sentiment. The Serpent Prince completes Hoyt's Prince Trilogy with Viscount Simon Iddesleigh tale of loss and heart wrenching love and it is my favorite of the three.
   
   When Lucy Craddock-Hayes comes upon Simon for the first time, he is naked and left for dead on the country road near her house. When she discovers "he ain't quite dead yet" she brings him home. He awakens later to an angel sitting beside him and in that instant Simon is found, and Lucy is lost.
   
   With his humor, easy manner, and the tale of the serpent prince he charms her, as if he is no more than the man he portrays. But Lucy sees past all the banter to a man who awakens her slumbering soul and stirs in her desires for not only erotic love but also a world she never realized she longed for.
   
   And she's right. He is more than he seems, but it's because of the man he believes himself to be that he eventually leaves her to her country life only to realize he can't live without her.
   
   It doesn't end there. Oh no, not till Simon faces his inner demons and Lucy realizes she can not give up until she's redeemed his very soul.
   
   The Serpent Prince is sexy, full of great characters, a tad maudlin at times, but always entertaining. Definitely not to be missed!
   
   Highly recommend this one!



3. THE SERPENT PRINCE may by my favorite of the Prince books. What can I say? I'm a sucker for an elegant savage. And the hero of the novel, Viscount Simon Iddesleigh, may be the best example that I have ever encountered of the type. Pale, lithe, urbane, with a too-clever tongue, he pretends to be a fop but is too obviously driven and intelligent for anyone to believe the charade.
   
   The novel begins when Iddesleigh is abducted, beaten, and left for dead in the tiny town of Maiden Hill. The heroine of the novel, Lucinda Craddock-Hayes, finds him lying by the side of the road and has him taken back to the family manse, where she can nurse him back to health. The moment that Simon wakes, something clicks between them.
   
   One thing I liked very much about THE SERPENT PRINCE is that while secondary characters frequently jump to the conclusion that if there is trouble in paradise, it's probably because Simon is running around like a tomcat sleeping with other women, Simon never questions his love for Lucy - or his ability to remain faithful - and Lucy, for her turn, doesn't doubt him either. In so many romance novels about rakes, the heroine is constantly racked with fear, convinced she can't keep (or deserve) her man's interest. In THE SERPENT PRINCE, the connection between Simon and Lucy is solid and true from the beginning, and the faith that the couple have in one another really brings that home to the reader. They love one another, it's real, and that's that.
   
   No, it would take something truly dark and terrible to separate Simon and Lucy. That something is Simon's determination to revenge his brother's death by killing all the men who conspired to cause it. As the novel opens, he's already killed two of the four men responsible - in duels - and although the killings don't sit lightly on his conscience, he's not even tempted to change course and find another way.
   
   There is something truly brutal, feverish and animal, about Simon. It comes through in his single-minded pursuit of revenge but it's present in his love for Lucy, as well - the edge of desperation and ferocity always lying just under the surface when he's with her. It's simply part of his character, and not really subject to change. This is another thing I liked about THE SERPENT PRINCE - Simon isn't declawed once he embarks on the road to marital bliss. Lucy anchors him enough to keep him from self-destructing; she gives him something to live for, and that changes some of his decisions; but Simon is never domesticated or tamed. At the end of the novel, he's still the elegant savage that I melted for at the beginning.
   
   I recommend THE SERPENT PRINCE wholeheartedly. The characters are wonderful, the romance heartwrenching, the sex sizzling. It's a tour de force.



4. I just read this, and liked it the best of all the "Prince" books. Unlike in many historicals, the dueling scenes here are as violent and disturbing as they must have been live. The characters were very different from each other, but I found their connection and the ultimate redemption convincing. This one made me cry. Good work, Elizabeth!



5. This was the last book in Elizabeth Hoyt's Prince Trilogy. This book is the fourth book I have read by her, and she is quickly become one of my very favorite authors. She can tell a darn good story that has some humor and intensity, with a hero and heroine that are believable. And she has done it again with Simon and Lucy's story. I loved Simon. He was never serious and joked about everything... until he met Lucy. **He was honest with his feelings, as was Lucy, something that's not done in all stories, since so many are based on misunderstandings and internal conflict.** Anyways, Lucy could see right through with him and he lost it when she told him that she felt like she had known him forever after knowing him for a couple of days. What I sincerely enjoyed about The Serpent Prince was that we went along a cute little journey while Simon and Lucy got to know each other. This was a superb story, and Elizabeth Hoyt can't crank books out quick enough for this reader. If you have not read any of her books, you are really missing out!

5 comments about How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You.

1. I purchased this book and the online instant view. The instant view wasnt worth the $2.00 because you cant print or save.
   
   The book is good, though i havent read much of it.
   
   I have one complaint. The book isnt an easy read. Usually you must read 4 or 5 pages to understand the authors point or seduction tip. I really would have prefered a short, to the point, version of this book. She gives 100 or 200 seduction tips, but then she talks on and on about stories or the details on why it may work etc. Some of her conclusions are speculative.



2. Ok, so I had great hopes for this book, but was worried because the title promised a lot. Actually, its a great book just to make you a better person. It teaches you how to be a better person, to improve your people skills and draw people to you. I can see how it can help you be a better and more likeable person and draw people to you and like you, then some may fall in love with you. I wish the title were different because it sorts of limits the audience with its name.



3. This book focuses on what to do / say when you're around members of the opposite sex in the hope that they will fall in love with you.
   
   The book offers insightful information and key points to helping encourage and foster a relationship with someone. Many of the things suggested actually work (from personal experience) and do help you get closer to the people you care about. Some of the techniques include finding commonalities and really listening to the person. Using the techniques offered could, I would argue, help you improve your relationship with others (family members, relatives, etc) in your life not just your love interest.
   
   Honestly, though, the only thing I found misleading is the title. You can't MAKE people fall in love with you. This book will definitely help you hold and encourage interest, but if the person's not into you, then there's not a lot you can do to change their mind (see "He's Just Not That Into You").
   
   Overall, the book is well worth the money and really does offer great perspective and insight. You won't be disappointed.



4. This book was amazing! A guy friend of mine had given me some tips from it years ago and recommended I should read it. I finally got around to buying it a couple of months ago and finally sat down to read it. It offered great tips about communication and gender differences. I often found myself reading the sections geared towards men and thinking "Yes! That's exactly how I would like a guy to act!" So I have faith that the sections that are geared towards women are accurate in their suggestions. In fact, I have toyed around with some of the ideas she gives and they honestly worked. I'm sure it isn't the ONLY reason that the guy fell for me, but it certainly helped! I 100% recommend this book for girls AND guys. Even for those of you who are skeptical or not looking for love, it still brings to the table some really interesting sociologial studies and impressive facts! Happy Reading!!



5. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It provided keen insight into the dating/mating process. The chapters are divided into relevant topics and the author has a unique writing style that draws the reader into the content. Very helpful and fun.