“Civilized beings regard the act of intercourse as the highest expression of romantic love. One need only observe the behavior of animals, however, to realize that the act is often a form of violence.”

“You should be more careful, you know.""Careful?" she managed to croak. "You're the one who knocked me over.""I couldn't resist," he said, and he actually had the nerve to wink at her. "It's not often I get the chance to put my hands on such a beautiful woman.”

“Come on," Falco said. "I'll see you safely home to your fancy sheets. I'd say you need your beauty sleep, but it looks like you've been getting plenty.”

“How can God be so cruel to grow love in such hopeless places?”

“The truth never hurts more than finding out someone you love has lied to you.”

““Madness weakens the mind anddisease weakens the body,but nothing destroys the spiritlike the loss of true love.”-THE BOOK OF THE ETERNAL ROSE”

“Signore, pietà.” Madalena recited the words along with the rest of the congregation. Cass sighed. Everyone else was apologizing to God for their sins, and here she was dreaming up some new ones.”