Love's Legacy (Leisure Super Special January 1996)
Eleven different authors, eleven different stories of love, and eleven different families of characters to cherish.  And they are all under one cover!  This anthology, historical for the most part, begins during the reign of Edward III with the story of Genevieve and Robert, the Earl of Betancourt.  Here we learn of a book that Genevieve, a poetess and balladeer, comes to cherish as she shares the story of two lovers destined to be together, with Robert.  Genevieve and Robert's own story of love and happiness rivals the books, and Robert, who has never learned to read well before - knights have no time for reading - must study the book looking for the very answers he needs to win the lady of his heart.  From there, the remaining stories, each as outstanding, are the stories of Genevieve and Robert's descendants.  Genevieve had made beautiful copies to give each of her children who in turn always leave the legacy to their own child.  For over 400 years the book remains with the descendant of those who came before as we travel with them to the high seas, out west, and even to a commune in the 1960's!  Each story has one other all important link.  Usually, one of the main characters either cannot read, or perhaps uses their precious book to help teach others.  In one story, the book's owner is a son, who gives the book to the lady he loves to prove to the grandfather that she is his daughter's child in order to make a better life for her.  For as the book says, Through sacrifice, love reaches its noblest expression.  The book brings not only a memorable love story and inspiration to it's owners, but also the gift of reading.  The book holds many inscriptions, such as With honor, comes glory, which come to mean a lot to the generations of holders.  The book is quite a legacy, containing personal messages from each of the women (and men) who held it before.  Each generation becomes enchanted with the story of Damon and Angeline, as will every reader fortunate enough to travel through the years, from battles to ballrooms, from love story to love story, with Love's Legacy.All profits from Love's Legacy will benefit The Literacy Partnership, a national organization promoting reading among adults.  Satisfaction guaranteed! Never before has such an outstanding compilation of romance been offered to readers! Generations of love that you'll treasure for a lifetime! Another winning tribute to the genre!Diane Potwin  --Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times