Harry Potter Puotes

Lex Populi: The Jurisprudence of Popular Culture (The Cultural Lives of Law) (Hardcover) Review

2010-12-09T17:24:00.000-05:00

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in legal matters or popular culture. Professor MacNeil's collection moves us forward in understanding the caresses of justice with our everyday social lives. This book provides insightful, novel and highly intellectual analyses of recent events and popular cultural artefacts. It is tantalising and exquisite research which will invigorate and stimulate readers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lex Populi: The Jurisprudence of Popular Culture (The Cultural Lives of Law) (Hardcover)

Product Description:
"MacNeil's work is essential to understanding the relationship between jurisprudence and popular culture. Lex Populi offers a rich web of allusions to cultural theory and legal scholarshi, and witty readings of works of popular culture."
--Desmond Manderson, McGill University
"With wit and charm, William MacNeil has fashioned a compelling, insightful, and subtle account of law's relationship to popular culture. This scholarly and stylish work challenges the conventional separation of law from its popular representations, and traces their complex interconnection as we move from the age of law in the books to the era of law in and as the image."
--Alison Young, University of Melbourne
This is a book about jurisprudence--or legal philosophy.The legal philosophical texts under consideration are--to say the least--unorthodox.Tolkien, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Potter, Million Dollar Baby, and other cultural products are all referenced as exemplary instances of what the author calls lex populi--"people's" or "pop law."There, more than anywhere else, will one find the leading issues of legal philosophy.These issues, however, are heavily coded, for few of these pop cultural texts announce themselves as expressly legal.Nonetheless, Lex Populi reads these texts "jurisprudentially,"that is, with an eye to their hidden legal philosophical meanings, enabling connections such as: Tolkien's Ring as Kelsen's grundnorm; vampire slaying as legal language's semiosis; Hogwarts as substantively unjust; and a seriously injured young woman as termination's rights-bearer.In so doing, Lex Populi attempts not only a jurisprudential reading of popular culture, but a popular rereading of jurisprudence, removing it from the legal experts in order to restore it to the public at large: a lex populi by and for the people.

Buy cheap Lex Populi: The Jurisprudence of Popular Culture (The Cultural Lives of Law) (Hardcover) now

Official Robert Pattinson 2010 Calendar (Calendar 2010) [Calendar] Review

2010-12-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

Excellent pictures.I love the fact that even though most calendars are equal part picture to equal part calendar, this is not.It is closer to 3/4 picture which is fine by me.This is a must have for any Rob Pattinson fan.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Official Robert Pattinson 2010 Calendar (Calendar 2010) [Calendar]

Buy cheap Official Robert Pattinson 2010 Calendar (Calendar 2010) [Calendar] now

Nabokov's Butterfly: And Other Stories of Great Authors and Rare Books (Hardcover) Review

2010-12-08T08:23:00.000-05:00

Nabokov's Butterfly is a short but delightful book about some of Rick Gekoski's most memorable moments as a rare book dealer and collector.I particularly enjoyed the segments where Gekoski describes his personal friendships and contacts with some of the authors.I was amazed at some of the prices he has received for some books, and interested to see how authors go in and out of fashion, so that someone no one bothered to collect twenty years ago can suddenly become highly collectable and extremely expensive. (And enormously profitable to those far sighted enough to collect them ahead of time!)

This book is about both the love of book collecting and the art of selling them.While personally I doubt I could ever bear to sell some of the volumes Gekoski deals with if I were lucky enough to have them in my possession, I enjoyed this glimpse into what has obviously been a fascinating career.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nabokov's Butterfly: And Other Stories of Great Authors and Rare Books (Hardcover)

Product Description:
A first edition of Ulysses sold for $460,000 in auction at Christie's in 2002. The price might have upset the union chief, convicted gangster, and major-league James Joyce book collector Dennis Silverman, who had sold his copy, signed and inscribed by the author, for a mere $135,000 ten years earlier. Great books attract all kinds and come to fascinating destinies of their own, as Nabokov's Butterfly amply demonstrates. In it, author and rare book dealer Rick Gekoski profiles twenty editions of major books that have passed through his hands and made publishing history, as they have become the legends of rare book collectors. Plied with alcohol by Graham Greene, sued by J. D. Salinger, harassed by Harold Pinter, berated by Ted Hughes who unloaded his personal and passionately inscribed copy of Sylvia Plath's The Colossus, Gekoski is a convivial participant in these histories, including his tale, and sale, of Mr. Tolkien's college gown. Not entirely unabashedly he recalls purchasing from Graham Greene his first edition of Lolita, with Nabokov's signature drawing of a butterfly inside, one day, and on the next selling it to Elton John's lyricist at a $10,000 profit. 25 color photographs are featured in this remarkable book.

Buy cheap Nabokov's Butterfly: And Other Stories of Great Authors and Rare Books (Hardcover) now

The Importance of Being Earnest - A Trivial Comedy for Serious People (Original Version) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-07T20:07:00.000-05:00

One thing happens when you read Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest"; you are amazed to remember that this play was authored over 100 years ago. For most plays of that era, the average reader tends to lose references and it tends to be stodgy and irrelevant. Not so Earnest, due to the brilliance and imagination of it's playwright.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a tour de force of comedy, misidentifications, and farce. Algernon and Jack are friends, and each has invented an imaginary person as an excuse of getting out of engagements. Jack's person is Ernest, a brother with a wild past. The two conspire to woo the ladies that they love, and through a series of happenstances, must gently deceive to get want they want. The end result is a play of uncomperable quality, chock full of witticisms that are highly quotable out of context. In fact, I dare suggest the entire play is quotable, such its brilliance.

Wilde pulled no punches when writing Earnest. Often, when a play is filled with memorable quotes, it takes away from the realism of the scenes because the characters then become merely conduits for the writer's intellect. Not so in Earnest. Wilde manages to make the characters say exactly what they would say in each situation, true to their persona. That alone is quite an accomplishment, one not often seen.

Misidentities, witty banter, love, all conspire to one of English's most brilliant comedies ever to have seen the stage. We should be so lucky the world had Oscar Wilde in it, and even more so, that he wrote at all.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Importance of Being Earnest - A Trivial Comedy for Serious People (Original Version) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
A trivial comedy for serious people.

Buy cheap The Importance of Being Earnest - A Trivial Comedy for Serious People (Original Version) (Kindle Edition) now

Compelling Evidence (A Paul Madriani Novel) (Paperback) Review

2010-12-07T13:07:00.000-05:00

My introduction to Steve Martini came with his next novel, 'Prime Witness'.But after reading that in record time (for ME anyway) and getting bitten by the legal/thriller bug, I went in search of more by Mr. Martini and came across Paul Madriani's first case in print.The opening chapter is set in the gas chamber viewing a convicted murderer's last moments...a sobering way to start off a murder/mystery to be sure.The description was SO vivid I felt as though I had actually witnessed an execution myself.From there we get to know attorney Paul Madriani, a fantastic character not because of his strengths, but mostly due to his faults and shortcomings.FINALLY!A lead character I can identify with (except for the affair part).
Paul Madriani has problems--a LOT of problems.He has been fired from his previous job mostly due to an affair with one of the partner's wives (I guess that is a naughty thing to do) and in his private practice, he ends up being encouraged to represent the woman he had an affair WITH as she is charged with murdering her husband who also just happened to be up for a Spot on the California Supreme Court.It's just one twist after another, and aside from the almost campy bedroom scenes, the courtroom drama is fresh--even if some of the investigative techniques ARE dated (read and you'll figure out) Steve Martini is a natural storyteller with flare and if you like this story, you will be happy to know he just gets BETTER--but I'd recommend reading the Madriani novels IN order (the next is 'Prime Witness' followed by 'Undue Influence', 'The Judge' and finally 'The Attorney').Fans of this genre NEED to get to know Steve Martini, definitely one of the brighter stars in the field of Legal/Thrillers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Compelling Evidence (A Paul Madriani Novel) (Paperback)

Buy cheap Compelling Evidence (A Paul Madriani Novel) (Paperback) now

Fantastic Flowers of Clarice Cliff [Hardcover] Review

2010-12-06T12:09:00.000-05:00

If you are a collector of Clarice Cliff or 20th century ceramics, this resource can serve you well.Leonard Griffin, a Cliff expert, reviews Ms. Cliff's life and the flower theme in her work.This book is for collectors, one who finds interest in this remarkable artist who became the developer of the Bizarre line.Mr. Griffin's writings would also appeal to those who study the art deco periods.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fantastic Flowers of Clarice Cliff [Hardcover]

Product Description:
By 1930 Clarice Cliff had become the Potteries first woman designer, famous for her "Bizarre" ware, her amazing Art Deco ceramics and, in the 1930s, her floral designs, which formed the bulk of her sales - such as her much-loved "Crocus" design. Reproducing original colour transparencies, and drawing on Clarice's observations on her garden from letters written to a lifelong friend, this book explores her lifelong love of flowers and its impact on her work, showing how many of her designs - her stylized "Applique" and "Latona" florals, her "Marguerite" ware of 1931 or her 1934 "My Garden" - were inspired by that love and were later to be echoed in the flowers in her garden. It includes an A-Z directory of her floral designs, and valuations on a variety of Clarice Cliff shapes based on Christie's prices.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Buy cheap Fantastic Flowers of Clarice Cliff [Hardcover] now

The World's Worst Book: Over 1,000 of the most hilarious, bizarre, and disgusting things never thought of . . . (Paperback) Review

2010-12-06T07:23:00.000-05:00

I couldn't agree less with the reviewer below. Heimberg is one of today's foremost comedy writers, as evidenced by his screenwriting and his previous work with erstwhile funnyman David Gomberg.
Tell me this isn't a funny blurb from the worst-seller list: "Tracks in the Snow," by Mitchell Pluntfarb, PhD. A caribou with enormous, pendulous testicles roams the tundra in search of food and acceptance.
Or the notion of "a leprechaun with problem flatulence."
Or the porno "Schindler's Balls."
Or the Indian sobriquet "Not at His Playing Weight."
This book is funny. And it is funny in ways that our current comedy is sorely lacking.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The World's Worst Book: Over 1,000 of the most hilarious, bizarre, and disgusting things never thought of . . . (Paperback)

Product Description:
In a world that has produced New Coke, the Flowbee, and Yentl, it's hard to imagine that there are any ideas worse than the ones that have actually made it to market. But there are.

The World's Worst . . . Book is the ultimate catalog of the most inane, insane, outrageous, and just plain out-there ideas never to have hit the market-at least not yet.

Only here will you find:

* The World's Worst . . . Harry Potter Books (including Harry Potter and the Hired Prom Date)
* The World's Worst . . . Blues Songs (including "My Kid Didn't Get into Harvard, but He Did Get into Brown, His Safety School")
* The World's Worst . . . Stores (featuring Soiled Linens 'n' Things)

Not to mention online haircuts, Charlotte's Web of Anti-Semitism, Salmon Chunk Ice Cream, and lots more godawful stuff.

Buy cheap The World's Worst Book: Over 1,000 of the most hilarious, bizarre, and disgusting things never thought of . . . (Paperback) now

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-05T14:36:00.000-05:00

This "enriched classics"is a bowdlerized version of Mary Shelley's original text.It eliminates passages, changes the diction, abridges the chapters, and changes the entire structure of the novel.Our school bought this edition thinking that the additional notes would be helpful to students studying the text, but there was no indication at all on Amazon's website that this version had been substantially altered by the editors.The book is so bowdlerized that our school bought an entire new set of texts for the students at a considerable finanacial loss for the school.WHATEVER YOU DO, BUY SOME OTHER VERSION OF FRANKENSTEIN.THIS ONE IS A MONSTER CREATED BY SOMEONE WHO HAS NO RESPECT FOR THE AUTHOR.BANTAM, PUFFIN, OXFORD -- THEY ARE ALL FINE.Irene Nicastro, English teacher, The American School of The Hague.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition)

Buy cheap Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition) now

Secrets Behind the Veil: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You... [Paperback] Review

2010-12-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

What can I adequately say about this very exciting book!!!!?

This book is extremely interesting and a most fascinating (lets say eye-opening) read. Not only is it extremely well researched and cleverly written, the illustrations held my interest from the very first page till the end.

I would say that people really need to look at the issues being discussed--Age/spiritism is very relevant to current developments.

I call this book "the Da Vinci Code of New Age/Alternative Medicine". Apart from the significance of recent political and economic developments, Secrets Behind the Veil looks at the coded symbols and meanings behind many alternative Healing therapies, such as Meditation and Yoga, Tantra, Reiki, the Chi force in Martial Arts, Pilates, Chakras healing, Channelling, Hypnotism, Scientology, Feng shui, Theosophy, Therapeutic Touch, affirmations, Kabbalah and goes into the Hindu and Buddhist origins of these therapies.

What a book! A must read for anyone seriously interested in or thinking about using alternative medicine/yoga etc., etc...

But for the fact that there are a couple of typographical errors in a few chapters I would have given this book a 5-star. So 4 will have to do. Hey, I'm a perfectionist!

J Stewart

Click Here to see more reviews about: Secrets Behind the Veil: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You... [Paperback]

Product Description:
What do you do when a loved one is terminally ill or dies? Where do you go? For many people their world simply falls apart. Whether it is in the scientific or spiritual realm, there are only a few things we can rely on as certain and, even these are decreasing in number. Naturally, many are turning from orthodoxy to the alternative and the esoteric, as they fail to find answers to their questions in conventional medicine and organised religions. The massive interest in reiki healing, shiatsu, feng shui, yoga, life and fulfilment coaching, and other 'energy' and New Age methods testify to the hunger of millions for meaning and self-discovery. Our Western science-based education has left us ill equipped to deal with this sort of thing. It has conditioned us to think that the universe is merely physical - one-dimensional. That what we cannot see in the laboratory or prove by reductive observation, does not exist. But things are changing and changing fast. Science is no longer sceptical about the supernatural. As new scientific discoveries turned old ones on their heads, even Steven Hawkins had to admit, "The theories we have so far are both inconsistent and incomplete."Hawkins admits, "We may never know the mind of God." (New Scientist, 5 April 2003). A paranormal survey carried out by Living TV in the United Kingdom showed that 7 out of every 10 people in the UK have had some kind of psychic or paranormal experience (that's 70 percent compared to only 37 percent who believe in God). As a result of this search for personal fulfilment and self-realisation that more and more people are looking to the supernatural in one form or other. Millions all over the world, from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds are now coming to accept that the supernatural world is real; that there is another parallel world. Even quantum physics, and 'String or Membrane theory' the 'new sciences', are being employed to support such esoteric beliefs. Equally, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of studies and investigations into the paranormal (in the form of Para-psychology, psycho-kinetic research, ESP, Poltergeist inquiries, and SETI (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence). And that's not all.Even governments, law enforcement and national intelligence agencies are increasingly recruiting psychics to help solve problems, and crimes or to predict future terrorist attacks. The increase in the interest in astrology, tarot readings, psychic fairs and exhibitions, the growth in the scientific study of the so-called spirit world is nothing short of phenomenal. Today, mediums are consulted routinely by millions seeking answers to life's questions, fame, wealth, and power or simply as a way of dealing with the loss of a loved one or in an effort to know what the future holds. Even more surprising is how many of our world leaders consult mediums in conducting affairs of state. Another New Age forte is healing. According to an article in the "Daily Telegraph" (1989, page 15), by Sarah Stacey there are: "20,000 hands on faith and spiritual healers" in Britain. ITN News reported on 19 May 1995 that some 6 million British people go to alternative and conventional health centres each week. "You can find a therapist to massage your feet, realign your spine, hypnotise you out of your problems or relieve pain by sticking needles into you." - "The Lady", 14 to 20 May 2002, page 46.In Canada, the figures are just as astounding. 1,200 Canadians were polled by telephone on 8/22/97 by the Angus Reid Group regarding their use of "alternative medicine". Forty-two percent reported using alternative medicine (up from 23 per cent in 1992). Highest use (59 per cent) involved chiropractic (extrapolated to 25 per cent of all Canadians). Those more likely to report using alternative medicine were: residents of British Columbia (56 per cent), females (55 per cent), 35-54 age group (49 per cent); annual household income of $60,000+ (52 per cent). 55 per cent of those using alternative medicine had been doing so for over 5 years. The overall use of alternative medicine had grown dramatically by 81 per cent over the past five years. 146 per cent of growth was among Canadians 18-34 years of age; 76 per cent growth among 35-54 yrs; 49 per cent growth among 55+ years of age. Of the 42 per cent who use alternative medicine, 48 per cent reported being "very satisfied", and 42 per cent "somewhat satisfied".Leading this consumption of New Age healing and Eastern spiritualism are celebrities and "stars" like Richard Gere, Tom Cruise (a member of the Church of Scientology), Cybil Sheppard of "Moonlighting" fame, and Dionne Warwick, aunt of Whitney Houston. Many of them swear by it, claiming that it gives them peace, purpose and success in their lives and careers. Today it is estimated that at least 25 percent of America is involved, in some way with Esoteric or New Age religions. That's more than 50 million people in the US alone. Many of these are not what you might call religious - but they are certainly seekers of knowledge, self-empowerment and enlightenment. If you are such a person, then this book is for you. And if you are not, you will still be amazed and challenged by what you will discover about things you may have previously regarded as common place and insignificant. Your reality is about to be changed. This book takes us behind the scenes to uncover compelling evidence of the reality of a parallel world and the great political, economic and spiritual crisis that is stealing upon our world."Secrets Behind the Veil" gives us candid and many true-life accounts of the nature and power of the phenomena of Modern Spirituality and the New Age Movement. Have you ever wondered what the 'New Age' is all about, why it has such a mass following, and the source of its irresistible power and success? All of these are dealt with in depth, along with the sensational Harry Potter, and the increasingly popular alternative therapies. You will be taken on an incredible journey behind the veil that separates the visible and invisible world. What you discover may be shocking, but it will prepare you for what lies ahead. The suggestions, questions and conclusions posed may be controversial and bold, but the assertions and views are supported with credible authority and reliable sources. If your quest is for greater insight and self-awareness you will find this book an indispensable source of information for now and for future reference; and of course to share with your friends and colleagues. Anyone interested in uncovering the secrets behind much of today's merging spirituality will find this book thought provoking and inspirational - indispensable. Prepare for an adventure.

Buy cheap Secrets Behind the Veil: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You... [Paperback] now

Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Rip Van Winkle (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

Have you ever heard of the Headless Horseman? Have you ever heard the stories about him and how he attacks people in the woods?Have you ever wondered whether or not the story is real?
Find out for yourself by reading Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.I enjoyed reading this book and i think anyone who has a liking for mysterious legends and superstitions should read this book beacause of the interesting legend the town believes in.There are few characters to keep track of and the story is not hard to follow.The book is long but the reading goes quickly.
The story is set in the late 18th century in a town in New York called Sleepy Hollow.The town believes in a legend of a headless horseman who rides through the woods at night anf attacks people.The main character is a man named Ichabod Crane who is a schoolteacher from Connecticut.He moves to Sleepy Hollow in search of work and ends up going from home to home working as a tutor.One of his students is 18 year old Katrina Van Tassel who comes from a wealthy family.Ichabod gets the idea that he will try to marry Katrina in order to obtain the family's wealth.However, Katrina's boyrfriend Abraham "Brom Bones" Brut has other plans for Ichabod.As the tension rises, Ichabod continues trying to win Katrina until a breathtaking surprise appearance by the town's legend creates as mysterious an ending as they come.
The book has many strengths and few weaknesses.The author manages to create a mood in the book that keeps you always on th edge of your seat waiting for the legend of the Headless Horseman to come into play.The story is simple and easy to follow but is still very interesting.The characters are developed well and have personalities that you can understand and relate to.One such character is Brom Bones who is easily seen as an arrogant egotist.The only weakness of the book was one based on my personal opinion.The end of the story leaves too much to be concluded for my liking.
All in all, this book was a great story.The author wrote the characters in such a way that you had definite feelings towards each one of them.Also, the story line was definitely not without surprise.But if you want to discover what surprises I am talking about then I suggest you read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Rip Van Winkle (Kindle Edition)

Buy cheap Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Rip Van Winkle (Kindle Edition) now

The Sorcerer's Song and the Cat's Meow (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-04T11:50:00.000-05:00

The Sorcerer's Song and The Cat's Meow is an author's triumph and a reader's delight. Filled with creative energy, intelligence and imagination, A.A. Roberts' novel grabs the reader's attention with its brightly coloured, intriguingly designed cover and holds it throughout with its cheeky humour, vivid imagery, one-of-a-kind characters and a fascinating string of stories that form the chapters and structure of the book.

The Sorcerer of the narrative is Aikeem Abdul Jamal Yossafa and his companion is Pendella Purrfect, one of the feline Council of Thirteen. He is immortal, able to cast spells and charms and converse with his cat. She walks through walls, calls up her protective beast and dispatches rats with the flick of a well-honed claw. Together they travel through time and space, defeat a sand demon at the lost city of Qar in the Sahara, hold a horde of giant insects, rats and sloths at bay outside of Avalon and defeat the armies of Darkness with Darkness--in this case, an evil wizard who messed with their lives earlier. Along the way they engage in love affairs with representatives from their own species: Aikeem with Celise, whom his attempts to save send her soul soaring to only the One God and the Celestial Administration knows where. Pendella's great love is Thomas Wondermore who becomes a rogue cat called Legacy, who later redeems himself as a warrior in the battle for Avalon.

As the book progresses, stories pile upon stories, all cleverly and often surprisingly interwoven between reality and fantasy. There are murder mysteries, romances, corporate intrigues, tales of "the greatest non-governmental arms deal in history." There are references to NATO, Kosovo, Albanians and Serbs; intimations of Alice in Wonderland, Bugs Bunny and Merlin; and journeys through Dreamscape, Dark Seer's realm, Darkling Space, Neverwhere and Everalways. There's even a trip to Sid's Desolation Bar and Grill where "they serve a very nice rat burger" and "a lone ferret in a beret strummed on a beat up old guitar." There are characters galore too: Pleep the custodian who rides in Aikeem's magic backpack that holds everything from cats to full-course meals to guns, swords and rocket launchers; 250,000 dwarves with only one deck of cards to while away the millennia they've been doing "dwarfs do what dwarfs do best. They mine." Rats and sloths and Chitins and evil wizards also do what they do best in Roberts' kaleidoscopic fantasy--they take on the personas of those we love to hate while we rally around cats like Pendella, Grizzle-Whiskers and Sharpclaw O'Bannon and dwarfs like Jackenstein, Cragstein, and Diddle Buddlebut.

In the end, of course, Aikeem rescues Celise, and defeats the armies of Darkness and Dark Seer to the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Pendella continues on as her purrfect self. What a wonderful, free-falling storytelling ride to get to the end of a fantasy that's about as close to purrfect as you can get.

ForeWord CLARION Reviews

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Sorcerer's Song and the Cat's Meow (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
A cat and her sorcerer, a beautiful dream weaver, an evil voodoo priest, a bunch of man-sized rats, an army of really big bugs, a crazed randy rabbit, some dwarves, dragons and angry three-toed sloths, New York City, the woods of Maine, the sands of Arabia and the mythic lands of Avalon all come together for the wildest most epic adventure you¿ve ever read!!!!

Buy cheap The Sorcerer's Song and the Cat's Meow (Kindle Edition) now

Magic University: The Siren and the Sword (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-03T15:38:00.000-05:00

I'm a massive fan of the paranormal and anything involvingfantasy and couldn't wait to get my hands on this book!

I spent the weekend reading The Siren and the Sword, Magic University Book One, the latest by award-winning erotic romance author Cecilia Tan.I wasn't disappointed,swept in by the delightful dedication Ms. Tan penned into this marvelous book... for all the grown-ups out there who believe in magic.

Proudly, I will count myself among that select group!

The Siren and the Sword is Cecilia Tan's delightful follow-up to the critically-acclaimed novels, MIND GAMES and THE HOT STREAK, combining magic with the erotic in the theme of a "wizard's school."THE SIREN AND THE SWORD is the first of a planned five-book series entitled Magic University, all to debut in ebook form from Ravenous Romance.Having once stood of the grounds of such historical colleges as William and Mary and Harvard, for anyone with imagination, there are those question that tempt the mind.Blame it on the Potter novels, but images of a possible world, more adult and profound, begin to unwind.

Is it possible that there a world that can only be visible to the select few?Are there chosen ones in the world that can see what others overlook?Do the non-gifted walk past portals to the other side, without realizing their existence?

Ms. Tan has written a deliciously wicked and erotic tale that answers those questions.I enjoyed every word Ms. Tan had penned to the page, the magical touches of her story dropping me into the midst of a delightful fantasy world filled with mystery and intrigue.

When Ms. Tan's character of Kyle first enters the hallowed grounds of Harvard, nervous and as anxious as only a first time student could ever be, he stumbles upon such a world.The secret and magical university of Veritas is revealed to him, puzzling the administrators and himself.Immediately, he becomes immersed in an intriguing world filled with magic and beauty, especially at the sensually delightful hands of Jess Torralva.

The Siren and the Sword tale leaps from the page in erotic, steam filled drama that is guaranteed to singe your fingertips!A wonderful group of friends, magic that flies from page to page, the novel is a delightful sexual romp into a magical world that will not disappoint.

...Harry could only wish he had classes this entertaining...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magic University: The Siren and the Sword (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Kyle Wadsworth arrives at Harvard eager to start his new life as a college student away from the cold and distant great-aunt who has raised him. But he walks into a building that only magical people can see, confusing both himself and the administrators of Veritas, the secret magical university hidden inside Harvard. There he first sees a beautiful girl who seems magical to him in every way.

Soon Jess Torralva is tutoring Kyle in the ways of magic, sex, and love. But trouble is afoot at Veritas. Rumors abound that a siren is haunting the library, and when Kyle's best friend is attacked, Kyle is determined to use his newly learned skills in erotic magic to catch the culprit. But which is more important, his quest for justice or his search for true love?

Buy cheap Magic University: The Siren and the Sword (Kindle Edition) now

Paraworld Zero (Parallel Worlds) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-03T14:49:00.000-05:00

I liked the overall story style and the main characters, but overall I think that this book really needed another editor. There where just so many cliche line and characters. It got to the point that I would feel like grinding my teeth when some secondary characters would speak.
Though in the end it was worth reading and an enjoyable main storyline. I probably wont reread this book unless it is reedited, but I will read the next book in the series when he comes out with it. I expect the author to become a stronger and with a better publisher and editor this could be the start of a pretty good series.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Paraworld Zero (Parallel Worlds) (Kindle Edition)

Buy cheap Paraworld Zero (Parallel Worlds) (Kindle Edition) now

Alex Detail's Revolution (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-02T21:24:00.000-05:00

I was really impressed with this book. Darren Campo manages to write an exciting adventure story that also gets at larger themes, like creation and destiny.

Alex Detail as a character is unique - a teenager who is brilliant, but who already knows his best days are past. Both cocky and self-doubting, he gets us identifying with him - and rooting for him to save the world (again).

I was really impressed with Campo's world building -Alex Details's future Earth is alive with details that makes you feel as if everything surrounding this story could be real. Someday.

I look forward to see what comes next for both Mr. Campo and Mr. Detail.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alex Detail's Revolution (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
17 year old Alex Detail has been kidnapped and sent off to fight in a hopeless war against The Harvesters, an alien force that is trying to extinguish Earth's Sun.

Unfortunately for Alex's kidnappers (and the world) he has lost the mega IQ that allowed him to win the last war with The Harvesters ten years ago when he was just 7 years old.

But now the House of Nations is out of options. The end of life is imminent.

Alex must save his ship, fight his evil clone and survive the war long enough to make it to Pluto, where, underneath the planets frozen surface lies the only force in the solar system that can stop The Harvesters.

"With Alex Detail, Darren Campo has created the rare hero that stands alongside Luke Skywalker and Spiderman as a timeless everyman hero that crosses all generations. So buy this book and hold on."

- Tom DeSanto, Writer/Producer X-Men, Transformers"Alex Detail's Revolution is an outstanding book - compelling, thought-provoking, and fun all at the same time. In some ways Darren Campo has created a mythical, fanciful alternate-reality counterpart of Beyond Cosmic Dice."

- Jeff Schweitzer, former White House Science Advisor, Author of Beyond Cosmic Dice and Vote to Save the Planet."Alex Detail's Revolution starts out as if Douglas Adams had decided to write Ender's Game. But what develops isn't cosmic lark as much as a riveting thriller that delves into examinations of time, space and, interestingly, the human capacity for faith - or the lack thereof."

- Ken Wheaton, Advertising Age, author or First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival

Buy cheap Alex Detail's Revolution (Kindle Edition) now

Rise of the Dark Queen (The Frontmire Histories) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-02T16:05:00.000-05:00

I loved the first book in this series and now the second volume is every bit as good. Now to wait as patiently as I can for the next one. Reading this story was just plain fun. Drama, action and lots of humor, it was hard to put down. I like to read books a chapter or two every evening and then mull the story over until the next night.That was very hard to do with this book.Just wanted to read it right through. I very much recommend this book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Rise of the Dark Queen (The Frontmire Histories) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
An Epic Fantasy Adventure - sequel to "Prince of the Elves".
When Daektoch, mage of the Dark Arts, cast his evil curse upon the Human girl, Andreanna, he had no idea of the misery he was about to cause himself; he should have just killed her and saved himself from a horrific plight!
Unbeknownst to him, his hex coupled with her latent Elven magic and produced the most powerful magical force on the planet.Transformed by the magic, she retains her 'attitude', and she now wields the might to enforce her threats - the Dark Queen!
She's about to become his chief nemesis!
Meanwhile in Mildra, Jerhad and the Elves hurriedly assemble a makeshift army, and under Stanton's leadership, march out to meet the mage's minions, tens of thousands of Cave Trolls who have been sent to eradicate the Elves.
Daektoch revels in his evil.The Trolls threaten to overrun Mildra.
Once more, the Elven nation's future lies in Fate's hand.

Web page: darkqueen.synthasite.com
Note Map and Glossary are available on pages on my blog for ease of use:
davethedc.wordpress.com
Book III - Kravorctiva - Mistress of Chaos - is now available on Kindle

Buy cheap Rise of the Dark Queen (The Frontmire Histories) (Kindle Edition) now

So You Want to Be a Wizard [Hardcover] Review

2010-12-01T17:16:00.000-05:00

Diane Duane, a great science-fiction writer and author of many Star Trekbooks, writes an original and special tale of magic and wizardry, whichseems less like magic than like magical science. Because of the eeriescenery, this may not appeal to some Harry Potter-type readers.
Nita is avery ordinary kid who is constantly kicked around by the snobby localbullies. To escape them, she heads for the library, and finds a book called"So You Want To Be a Wizard." Thinking it's a joke, Nita checksout the book and goes home to read it. Within days, she's and her newfriend Kit are both wizards, and off on a genuinely frightening adventure,to where trees tell stories and cars rove like packs of wolves.
Perhapsthe best character is a tiny white hole nicknamed Fred.The funniest scenein the book is when he gets the hiccups...
Manhatten never seemed to beappealing until I read this book, where it hides an alternate world thatcannot be described in one of these reviews. Also hidden away is a demonicvillain whose evil is not evident when you first see him. Fred'sdescription of him--"starsnuffer"--sounds a bit silly, but it'saccurate.
Perhaps the best aspect of this book is that the wizards in itare not simply wizards because they can and because they want to be. Thewizards have an integral part in keeping the universe ticking,responsibilities, and pressure to keep doing so. They don't do it forpower--they do it because they are good people. This different view is anintegral part of the book, that makes it stand apart from much of the kid'sfantasy out there.
This book cannot be fully absorbed in onesitting--take the time to savor it, and be sure to reread it. It's thatgood!

Click Here to see more reviews about: So You Want to Be a Wizard [Hardcover]

Buy cheap So You Want to Be a Wizard [Hardcover] now

The Worm Ouroboros (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-12-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

The Worm Ouroboros
by E.R.Eddison
Introduction and notes by Paul Edmund Thomas
Foreward by Douglas E. Winter
Dell Books / 1991
This is one of those classics which will never generate popular appeal because it is simply too difficult to read, and it has almost nothing in common with the majority of books in the fantasy genre it helped to spawn beyond the broadest of themes (good heroes battling evil villains in a fantastic world).It is also one of the most original books to be written in English in the 20th century, and has inspired and been admired by a pantheon of popular writers: this edition boasts superlative testaments from Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, H.Rider Haggard, Piers Anthony, and Ursula K. Le Guin, among others.
For readers with a serious interest in the origins and possibilities of the modern fantasy genre, this book is simply not to be missed.
E.R.Eddison (1882-1945) was an English civil servant, Icelandic scholar, and mountaineer.The Worm Ouroboros was his first novel, published shortly before his 40th birthday.It is a story of grand conflict on an imagined world, and is told in a language that is Eddison's own: a rich, heady prose that draws on written English over the last 500 years for its grammar, vocabulary, and expression, and most heavily on that of the Elizabethan dramatists for its dialogue and description.Eddison's prose, above his other powers of invention, is what makes this book (and those that followed in his Zimiamvia trilogy) so unique, and qualify it as a classic.Some of the speeches that come out of the mouths of Eddison's characters are beyond belief!
The book also boasts honorable and courageous heroes as well as the most dastardly villains, and the high adventure, outrageous exploits, battles, and sorcery that ensue from their interaction.Marked differences from contemporary novels are its lack of introspection (the narrator does not judge, and we see only the actions of the characters) and its lack of character development (the characters are archetypal, and so while human, they are also something more and something less than human).
The Dell edition has an introduction by Eddison scholar Paul Edmund Thomas, who cites Homer and the Icelandic sagas as Eddison's primary sources.Thomas has also annotated the text, which is very helpful as Eddison's prose is riddled with archaic vocabulary and literary references not familiar to this reader.
Highly recommended, but not for everyone!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Worm Ouroboros (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The Worm Ouroborosis a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rucker Eddison. The book tells the story of the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland in an imaginary world that appears mainly medieval and partly reminiscent of Norse sagas.

"The greatest and most convincing writer of 'invented worlds' that I have read" -- J.R.R. Tolkien

Buy cheap The Worm Ouroboros (Kindle Edition) now

Booktalks Plus: Motivating Teens to Read [Paperback] Review

2010-11-30T16:34:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have the time and the resources to read hundreds of new books to help their children make reading choices? Schall has separated the wheat from the chaff, then provided one-minute summaries that will allow parents to select books rapidly and efficiently that they may then read with their children. What teacher has the time and expertise to develop lesson plans without consulting a similarly concerned professional? For teachers and for home-schoolers as well, Schall has provided discussion points, suggested educational activities, and research bibliographies. * Schall, a recently retired high-school educator, has done parents, teachers and librarians a great service with this book. From a critical study of recent American and Canadian books for young adults from twelve to eighteen, Schall has selected over 100 of the best for Booktalks Plus: Motivating Teens to Read. Her topics are remarkably diverse and reflect concerns that youth will find compelling and adults will find worthwhile. Poetry, piracy, pi, body image, Native America, war and religions are a few of five hundred well-indexed themes. Biographical studies are also notably broad in scope, including, for examples, John Brown, Michelle Kwan, C. S. Lewis, Martha Graham and Thomas Jefferson. Schall's collection is thoughtfully grouped into related themes that are thoroughly cross-referenced and supplemented by a topical index.* For each book, Schall has provided a 200 word summary that facilitates the selection of young adult literature. She has also presented "Booktalk" talking points to motivate discussion of each work, a list of a half-dozen related exploratory writing and research activities for students, and a bibliography of related works in books and video for further research. This is a wonderful resource.
Eric Palmer, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Allegheny College

Click Here to see more reviews about: Booktalks Plus: Motivating Teens to Read [Paperback]

Buy cheap Booktalks Plus: Motivating Teens to Read [Paperback] now

Three Sisters, One Summer [Paperback] Review

2010-11-30T15:37:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful and creative book.So fun and interesting to read the honest and sometimes contradictory thoguhts of what are obviously verysmart, well-adjusted, normal, fortunate and LOVED girls!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Three Sisters, One Summer [Paperback]

Product Description:
Three teenaged sisters recall their childhood memories, their hopes and their dreams by making a diary entry each day throughout their 2007 summer break. They describe relationships, parents, friends, and random thoughts as only teenaged girls would do.

Buy cheap Three Sisters, One Summer [Paperback] now

The Edge of the Unknown (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-29T14:24:00.000-05:00

This is the last published work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, much better known for his creation of Sherlock Holmes---"without question the most famous character in English literature."
Conan Doyle was a long-standing member of the Society for Psychical Research, and became more interested in the paranormal after the untimely death of his son. However, "The Edge of the Unknown" does not present rational arguments for and against the existence of life after death, as this reader might have expected from the creator of the world's greatest fictional detective:
"I believe that all of these varied [psychic or paranormal] experiences have been sent to us not to amuse us by tales to be told and then forgotten but as the essential warp and woof of a new spiritual garment which is to be woven for the modern world. We live in an age which has long demanded a sign, yet when the sign was sent it was blind to it."
The author does not fashion a logical case so much as he harangues and pleads, and indulges in embarrassing name-calling. One of his primary targets is Harry Houdini, the great magician, escape artist, and debunker of psychic charlatans. Conan Doyle claims to be Houdini's friend, then waits until the magician is safely dead and argues that Houdini used paranormal powers to perform his escape routines---otherwise they would have been impossible!
According to this book's dust cover, "...Conan Doyle was a tough, not-to-be-bamboozled skeptic. The reader will find, then, his testimony especially persuasive---encompassing mediums whose bodies produce ectoplasm; weird prophetic dreams; séances with 'ghosts' of Lenin, Oscar Wilde, Dickens and other famous people."
This reader was persuaded of just the opposite. She was especially disturbed by the author's claim that the Great Houdini was a fraud because he 'used' paranormal powers in his escape routines, then turned around and debunked other 'legitimate' psychics.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Edge of the Unknown (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Conan Doyle was friends for a time with the American magician Harry Houdini, who himself became a prominent opponent of the Spiritualist movement in the 1920s following the death of his beloved mother. Although Houdini insisted that Spiritualist mediums employed trickery (and consistently attempted to expose them as frauds), Conan Doyle became convinced that Houdini himself possessed supernatural powers, a view expressed in Conan Doyle's The Edge of the Unknown. Houdini was apparently unable to convince Conan Doyle that his feats were simply illusions, leading to a bitter public falling out between the two.

Buy cheap The Edge of the Unknown (Kindle Edition) now

Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide (Hardcover) Review

2010-11-29T12:21:00.000-05:00

I can't say enough good things about this book. Jekins critiques "traditional" convergence theory about converging media and argues that the instigator of convergence is the need for new patterns of consumption, not production. Each chapter addresses how fans of a particular program reorganize their media experiences to better participate in the discussion, analysis and, at times, production of future episodes or events.

Because he demonstrates through example, the text is approachable to the scholar and the layman alike. The subjects themselves make the read interesting, but Jenkins also brings his wisdom to bear at opportune moments. Highly reocmmmended for those who study media, culture or technology adoption.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide (Hardcover)

Buy cheap Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide (Hardcover) now Get 15% OFF

Cecile and The Spider Queen (Mystic Heroine Adventures) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-28T07:49:00.000-05:00

Every girl dreams of being a princess.This enchanting story addresses that yearning.It is truly a mystic adventure of a young lady learning to make decisions and discovering who she really is in the process.The decisions that Cecile makes are wonderful examples for girls to follow.And it's not just for girls.My mother and brother enjoyed it as much as I did!Marilyn Churchill writes a story that keeps the reader enthralled until the last page, and her beautiful illustrations bring the story to life.It is clear that this is truly a labor of love and destined to become a children's classic.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cecile and The Spider Queen (Mystic Heroine Adventures) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
When young Cecile wakes up in the hollow of a large tree, she can't remember who she is and how she got there. She bravely journeys through the thick and unfamiliar forest searching for clues to her identity. Lost and alone, Cecile stumbles upon Emma, a woman in the woods who not only feeds her and keeps her safe, but tells her an amazing story. Cecile discovers that she is, indeed, a princess, who has been bewitched by Queen Griselda, the Spider Queen. Not only is her beautiful kingdom of Belamor in danger, but the evil Spider Queen is searching for her. Cecile is the only one who can unlock the doorway to the treasury by appearing before the Mirror of Truth. Cecile must hurry to save her kingdom and its people from the Spider Queen's web. With its cast of colorful characters and its classic illustrations, Cecile and the Spider Queen tells a spellbinding tale of beauty, enchantment, and deception. Cecile proves that it takes more than beauty to be the princess of Belamor.

Buy cheap Cecile and The Spider Queen (Mystic Heroine Adventures) (Kindle Edition) now

The Were-Wolf (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-27T13:05:00.000-05:00

I stumbled across this short story for free on Kindle, and I am very glad that I downloaded and read it.With its period settling and rich language, this story involved me very deeply. It is the story of two brothers: one tall, muscular and handsome; and the other, not handsome at all, slight of build and blessed with the incredible ability to run swiftly over long distances.Sweyn is the beautiful, well-admired brother, and Christian is more than happy to walk meekly in his shadow.But when a beautiful, young, white-haired stranger arrives, she drives a wedge between the brothers. For Christian soon suspects that she is the werewolf he has been tracking, and Sweyn quickly falls in love with this mysterious female who calls herself White Fell, and believes that Christian's ravings are induced by jealous madness.

This story inspired a mix of emotions of me, from dread, to anxiety, to deep sadness.It was one of those stories where you are thinking, "This can't end well," when you get to a certain point in reading it.Indeed, the ending is hardly upbeat.But for a story that starts out as one of thrilling suspense and horror, it has a verymeaningful message.It's a story about the power of love and sacrifice, and it was very well-done.A great free find on Amazon Kindle.Recommended to fans of classic genre fiction with a deeper, even spiritual message.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Were-Wolf (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The great farm hall was ablaze with the fire-light, and noisy with laughter and talk and many-sounding work. None could be idle but the very young and the very old: little Rol, who was hugging a puppy, and old Trella, whose palsied hand fumbled over her knitting. The early evening had closed in, and the farm-servants, come from their outdoor work, had assembled in the ample hall, which gave space for a score or more of workers. Several of the men were engaged in carving, and to these were yielded the best place and light; others made or repaired fishing-tackle and harness, and a great seine net occupied three pairs of hands. Of the women most were sorting and mixing eider feather and chopping straw to add to it. Looms were there, though not in present use, but three wheels whirred emulously, and the finest and swiftest thread of the three ran between the fingers of the house-mistress. Near her were some children, busy too, plaiting wicks for candles and lamps. Each group of workers had a lamp in its centre, and those farthest from the fire had live heat from two braziers filled with glowing wood embers, replenished now and again from the generous hearth. But the flicker of the great fire was manifest to remotest corners, and prevailed beyond the limits of the weaker lights.
Little Rol grew tired of his puppy, dropped it incontinently, and made an onslaught on Tyr, the old wolf-hound, who basked dozing, whimpering and twitching in his hunting dreams. Prone went Rol beside Tyr, his young arms round the shaggy neck, his curls against the black jowl. Tyr gave a perfunctory lick, and stretched with a sleepy sigh. Rol growled and rolled and shoved invitingly, but could only gain from the old dog placid toleration and a half-observant blink. "Take that then!" said Rol, indignant at this ignoring of his advances, and sent the puppy sprawling against the dignity that disdained him as playmate. The dog took no notice, and the child wandered off to find amusement elsewhere.
The baskets of white eider feathers caught his eye far off in a distant corner. He slipped under the table, and crept along on all-fours, the ordinary common-place custom of walking down a room upright not being to his fancy. When close to the women he lay still for a moment watching, with his elbows on the floor and his chin in his palms. One of the women seeing him nodded and smiled, and presently he crept out behind her skirts and passed, hardly noticed, from one to another, till he found opportunity to possess himself of a large handful of feathers. With these he traversed the length of the room, under the table again, and emerged near the spinners. At the feet of the youngest he curled himself round, sheltered by her knees from the observation of the others, and disarmed her of interference by secretly displaying his handful with a confiding smile. A dubious nod satisfied him, and presently he started on the play he had devised. He took a tuft of the white down, and gently shook it free of his fingers close to the whirl of the wheel. The wind of the swift motion took it, spun it round and round in widening circles, till it floated above like a slow white moth. Little Rol's eyes danced, and the row of his small teeth shone in a silent laugh of delight. Another and another of the white tufts was sent whirling round like a winged thing in a spider's web, and floating clear at last. Presently the handful failed.

Buy cheap The Were-Wolf (Kindle Edition) now

The Frontier in American History (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-27T12:41:00.000-05:00

Current US international policy shows just how brilliant and enduring Frederick Turner's Frontier Thesis really is.
The basic idea is that after the initial explorations by Spain, England, etc., the real colonisation of America was a flight from conditions in Europe (including Ireland and Britain) which led to a European-style culture and settlement of the East Coast.
This led to a second flight from European-like influences into the interior - which simply pulled European-style culture further west.And so it continued until Europe finally reached the West Coast.
There are numerous ramifications of the thesis, including the "force majeur" (might=right) attitude of the settlers towards the Native Americans - with its ominous overtones on the eve of war in the Middle-East.
As far as I understand it, for all the "warts", Turner was looking to UNDERSTAND the American mentality/culture, as shaped by by historical experience, and the Frontier Thesis is a critique, NOT a criticism.
Read this book and gain a whole new, or at least greatly expanded, view of what it means to be an "American".

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Frontier in American History (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
One of the most influential and important books written about the impact of frontier life on a transplanted civilization. Present volume, reprinted from original 1920 edition, lucidly reflects Jackson's thoughts on the frontier's role in promoting self-reliance, independence, democracy, immigration and westward expansion. A classic for students and teachers of American history and general readers interested in the many fascinating aspects of American expansion.

Buy cheap The Frontier in American History (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition) now

Prince of the Elves (The Frontmire Histories) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-26T19:10:00.000-05:00

I'm an avid fan of fantasy (Eddings, Jordan, Goodkind; it's a large and varied list), and decided to try this on a whim (while I wait for #4 of the WOT series to come out on Kindle).It's one of about 3 books EVER that I've quit reading in disgust.

The prose reads like a third-rate fantasy satire.The characters are complete stereotypes (well, the 2 or 3 I met before I quit).The descriptions are overly flowery and read like something a Dilbert fantasy generator would have spit out.The 'action' was jittery and jumped from point to point with little to no relation between each point.

Color me highly disappointed, and wishing I had my $7 back.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Prince of the Elves (The Frontmire Histories) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Daektoch, mage of the Black Arts, suffers no competition. What he can't posses, he destroys. He views the Elves' dormant magic as a threat. Using hordes of Trolls, he?ll annihilate them!
When Jerhad the Elf agrees to run an errand for a Druid posing as an old man, he has no idea of how Destiny is about to change his life. He?s barely underway when Gnomes make an attempt on the parcel he carries. Suddenly, his magic awakens, and he escapes. However, he finds himself off course. Along with Stanton, a soldier, he flees trappers that attempt to rob and kill them.
Survivor of a Troll raid, Andreanna falls in love with the "Elf Boy". She entertains herself by making her ?Elf Prince? blush and by teasing "Squad Leader Stanton". Dark wraiths kidnap Andreanna, Jerhad is lost in a dream world, and the Druid battles Daektoch. Accompanied by Giants, the Dwarf Army mobilizes. The races lie in peril, but the Captain of the ghost ship has a plan! Perhaps Fate will intervene.
Web Page (Chapters 1-4 available) princeoftheelves.synthasite.com
440 page Fantasy Adventure novel.
Web page: princeoftheelves.synthasite.com
Note: Map and Glossary are available on my blog to make your life easier:
davethedc.wordpress.com - also, watch for the Release of Book IV.
Book II _ Rise of the Dark Queen, and Book III_Kravorctiva - Mistress of Chaos
are now available on Kindle.
Also, see web page with first 4 chapters available: princeoftheelves.synthasite.com

Buy cheap Prince of the Elves (The Frontmire Histories) (Kindle Edition) now

Braveheart and Broomsticks: Essays on Movies, Myths, and Magic [Paperback] Review

2010-11-26T10:40:00.000-05:00

Absolutely amazing! I never knew Braveheart was based on a poem and I was captivated by the description of all the different versions of the legend. I totally disagree with the other review, the Labyrinth chapter was fantastic! Who knew there was this weird internet culture obsessing over a kid flick?The Harry Potter debate gave a really good overview of the controversy surrounding the books and I really liked the quotes from people around the world debating it.The chapter on Wicca was phenomenal and I have a whole new view of witches.Even the chapter on Willa Cather fit in really nicely. Never a big fan of Cather, but I think that the author's approach to the novels was really radical and I think English teachers around the world should take note. I learned so much reading this book! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Braveheart and Broomsticks: Essays on Movies, Myths, and Magic [Paperback]

Product Description:
Braveheart and Broomsticks is a collection of scholarly essays on movies, myths, and magic. It covers a wide variety of topics including: movie ad campaigns, the evolution of the Braveheart legend, Scottish poetry, Jim Henson's movie Labyrinth, internet fan sites, Wicca and the witchcraft movement, the great Harry Potter debate, fairy tales, and the novels of Willa Cather.

Buy cheap Braveheart and Broomsticks: Essays on Movies, Myths, and Magic [Paperback] now Get 15% OFF

Free Gift Inside!!: Forget the Customer. Develop Marketease [Paperback] Review

2010-11-25T21:50:00.000-05:00

As a bookseller, I am exposed to a near endless stream of books. On any given day, about 500 different titles pass through my hands. Let's face it: most book covers, especially business titles, are REALLY boring. When this title came through, it caught my attention.

As a merchant, I often wonder where all of the free shipping, free 2nd day delivery, and free next day delivery will end. So I was ready to read: Free Gift Inside!

Stephen Brown does a great job of illustrating that there is another way. I recommend this book to anyone that is involved with selling anything. (unless you are in healthcare - in which case you probably have already mastered disservice).

Overall, it's an fun read and makes you re-think whether being a suck-up to customers is the most profitable approach.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Free Gift Inside: Forget the Customer. Develop Marketease [Paperback]

Product Description:
Heretical" - Harvard Business Review
"The finest writer in our field today" - Journal of Marketing
"Amusing and brilliant" - Philip Kotler in HBR
Found it yet? Still looking, flicking, shaking? Wondering whether someone snaffled the free gift before you got here? Annoying, isn't it? Unsettling almost. Irritating to the point of infuriation, when you come to think about it.
You know, just because a book's called Free Gift Inside!! doesn't mean that it contains one. Whatever gave you that idea? What are you expecting to find, in any event? In addition to the free gift, that is. Another book about customer centricity? Yawn. A hymn to corporate social responsibility? Ho-hum. Lots of flow charts, bullet points, no-nonsense chapter summaries, and you-must-do-this-right-now-or-else recommendations? B-o-r-i-n-g. If that's what you want, then the copy-cat publications of the customer-led crew are right down the aisle. You're welcome to them.
However, if you really want to know the secret of marketing success. If you're sick and tired of management by boxes and arrows. If you're happy to grapple with polysyllables, can live without one word sentences, and have had it up to here with excess exclamation points, then this is the book for you. Really!!!
Free Gift Inside!! won't transform your company or make you rich. But then none of the others will either, despite their extravagant claims to the contrary. With Free Gift Inside!!, however, you're absolutely, categorically, unconditionally guaranteed one thing for certain. An absolute, categorical, unconditional guarantee.

Buy cheap Free Gift Inside: Forget the Customer. Develop Marketease [Paperback] now Get 19% OFF

The Lippolik Conundrum (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-25T19:18:00.000-05:00

Evy hides under a table at her mother's wedding.Her
mother is making a huge mistake.The man she had fallen
in love with was evil and controlling.Evy had tried to
tell her.Her mother was very superstitious.After the
wedding, just like Evy had predicted, John was very
disrespectful and self-centered.Evy's mother gets
pregnant with twins and Evy becomes very angry. When fall
comes around, strange things start happening to Evy.She
meets her Aunt Myra for the first time.Aunt Myra becomes
very annoyed and turns Evy into a duck!Luckily, Evy has
a gift or "trigger".It is shapshifting and
invisibility.She is able to turn herself back human
again.She learns she is a descendent of the Lippoliks.
When Lippolikes turn thirteen they receive special
thirteenth birthday jewlery.Evy gets a bracelet. When
Evy is trying to save Clerance, a purple-butted skunk, she
somehow travels many years from her time.Kallon, Evy's
twin brother she had never met has taken over the world.
There are no plants and the water has been poisoned.Evy
goes on a frightening journey, accompanied by her Aunt
Myra, Clerance, and Dr. Bagboy, a purple butted donkey,
and tries to save America.

This book was good, but not one of the best books I've ever read.
I think a younger reader would have enjoyed this book a little more
than I did.It is filled with action, love, and sadness.Kami
Helm has an amazing imagination.She painted a very good
picture in my head.

Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
Flamingnet Book Reviews
Teen books reviewed by teen reviewers

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Lippolik Conundrum (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The Lippolik Conundrum: Book One in The Conundrum Series by Kami Helm (270 Page - Young Adult / Sci Fi - Fantasy / Magic) On the night of Evy Henley's thirteenth birthday, her life is forever changed. She becomes cursed with strange powers solely because she is a descendant of the Lippoliks. For four generations, the superstitious Lippoliks have lived isolated and hidden, afflicted with odd powers from an untold source. Evy does not think that her life could get any more complicated, and then, she discovers a kangaroo in the woods with a purple butt. After that, her life spirals into an adventure of unimaginable proportions as her strange encounters get even stranger. When one of the Lippolik's own bloodline destroys the country and crowns himself King, Evy will have to unite a family that has isolated themselves for over a century. Together, they will have to battle a great evil who has gathered an army of Snake Pirates looking for trouble and enraged animal spies bent on revenge. www.ConundrumSeries.com

Buy cheap The Lippolik Conundrum (Kindle Edition) now

Daniel Radcliffe (Blue Banner Biographies) [Library Binding] Review

2010-11-24T14:11:00.000-05:00

This book is neither accurate nor informative. Anyone could have written this from press clippings and while that is possible, it would also be wrong. That is not a picture of his mother. As I have no idea what his father looks like, I can't say. Also, Daniel's name is wrong and I highly discourage anyone from spending money for this rubbish!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Daniel Radcliffe (Blue Banner Biographies) [Library Binding]

Product Description:
All Harry Potter knew was a miserable life with theDursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their hateful son,Dudley. His room was a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs. Hehadn't had a birthday party in eleven years. All that changed inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Daniel Radcliffe, on the other hand, the young actor who was chosen toplay Harry Potter, led a comfortable life in London, England. Hisbiggest obstacle was convincing his parents that he was up to thechallenge of playing the role of Harry Potter. Here is the story ofthe young teen and his role of a lifetime.

Buy cheap Daniel Radcliffe (Blue Banner Biographies) [Library Binding] now

The Alchemyst (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-24T12:10:00.000-05:00

They say that out of the mouths of babes...etc. In this case, I borrowed a book from a grandson.He was right. This is a terrific story and a great family adventure.I see that some of these reviews, in fact, most were not necessarily written by young adults. It's always clear. And though I kept in mind as I was reading that this was not specifically addressed to my generation, still I fell under the considerable spell of a really good story which transcended age.When I see a review getting very very literal and probing,even"erudite" I must say, I have my doubts as to the reviewers intentions.I was up for a good read, plain and simple and I got it.The ability for young readers to Google every single character except the twins is unparalleled in fiction. My grandson showed me how and what could be more engaging. It lends a life beyond the story. Great!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Alchemyst (Kindle Edition)

Buy cheap The Alchemyst (Kindle Edition) now

Billy and the Birdfrogs (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-23T15:19:00.000-05:00

It's silly and it's funny
And it's crazy and it's wild
It's Roald Dahl and Burton
And some Snicket for your child

[You see]

Billy's lost his mother down
A long dark scary shaft
He's living with his Granny
Whom folks think is rather daft

She's welded shut the basement
And no visitors make calls
They dump their trash by slingshot
And make sauce with tennis balls

[Because]

The shaft is in their basement
And is lined with ancient bones
You cannot hear the bottom
If you drop a hundred stones

And in the depths lurk creatures
And they leave three-footed tracks
They eat humans for breakfast
Or at least for juicy snacks

[And worse]

There is a nasty plot afoot
To take away their house
His Granny gets into a jam
Planned by an evil louse

There's only one thing to be done
By Billy on his own
Down the shaft the young boy goes
And faces the unknown

[in closing]

Like Dahl and Burton - Snicket too
Some parts are very dark
So if a child is sensitive
Do not let them embark

The plot wraps up a tad too fast
But nobody will care
Half the fun's not how it ends
It's how it gets you there

[PS]

I like the style of B.B. Wurge
I think I'd even buy more
And even though he's older now
I'd still cast Freddie HighmoreRecommended for ages 9 and up
Amanda Richards, September 16, 2008

Click Here to see more reviews about: Billy and the Birdfrogs (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Reviews

From School Library Journal
Recently in a particularly deep cranny I found Billy and the Birdfrogs, a book that survives by the sheer weight of its own insane internal logic. "When I was about four years old, my grandmother used a welding torch to seal off the basement door in the kitchen." So begins Billy's tale of his grandmother versus the birdfrogs. …the story sports a rather light-handed tone…that could come off as needlessly flippant if it weren't for the fact that Wurge manages to give his lines an underlying seriousness. And somehow through this tone and the content of grandma's character, the book not only holds together but works. Astonishing. …There's definitely an element of Dahl's fondness for weirdness in this pup. For those funny-book junkies out there, Billy fulfills a need. Downright weird, and that's a-okay with me, it's worth a gander.

From Midwest Book Review
"Wurge's creative imagination triggers a chain reaction as the plot develops. [He] uses mystery, suspense, conflict, to build a plot of nonstop adventure. His character development is superb. Billy and the Birdfrogs is filled with clever illustrations, delightful humor, and a marvelous story. The book is designed to be enjoyed by children ages 9-12, but with an appeal for all ages. An ideal book for reading aloud to young children.
Entertaining, downright funny, and highly imaginative. A great read."

Go on a comic adventure! Allow yourself to embrace this wacky tale of an eccentric but loving grandmother and her courageous grandson by traveling down the endless tunnel of B.B. Wurge's wild imagination!
-- T.M. Murphy, author of The Belltown Mystery Series

Product Description

"Exciting-edge of your seat-nail-biting-page turning . . . one of the funniest books ever written. Ignoring, perhaps redefining, logic, B.B. Wurge has fashioned an unbelievable story that ultimately makes perfect sense. Wurge has a voice that is unique and fresh among writers of children's literature."-Catherine Safer, author of Bishop's Road and What If Your Mom Made Raisin Buns?

In this vivid and complex child's-eye view of the world, we meet nine-year-old Billy, who lives in a row house in New York City with his very odd grandmother. When their house is invaded by mysterious "birdfrogs" who leave three-footed prints but are never seen, Billy's grandmother takes drastic action. Their adventures lead them deep under the streets of New York, past woolly mammoth fossils to a shaft where the birdfrogs-and other creatures-lie in wait. Offbeat humor, crazy villains, and the final triumph of family loyalty combine to delight anyone with an imagination.

B.B. Wurge lives in an elevator in Manhattan. He turned to writing after leaving his first career as an entertainer in a primate house. He says, "I've been told the world is crazy, more now than ever. That may be true, but children should know they can navigate successfully through our crazy world if they stick to fundamental principles: loyalty to family and friends, compassion, and an open imagination."

Buy cheap Billy and the Birdfrogs (Kindle Edition) now

Lucifer Ascending: The Occult in Folklore and Popular Culture [Hardcover] Review

2010-11-23T12:34:00.000-05:00

The worldwide popularity of the Harry Potter books has been seen as a boon not just for publishers, but for children who are getting excited about reading and are looking forward to reading the next one.But a large segment of American society does not see this as good news.The books are seen by some Christian fundamentalists as spiritually dangerous to children, since they introduce concepts of the occult in attractive ways.Certainly not all Christians feel this way, recognizing the books as belonging to the type of fantasies written by Christians like C. S. Lewis and others.If fundamentalists feel that the Harry Potter books are the works of the devil, however, they are in good historical company.In _Lucifer Ascending: The Occult in Folklore and Popular Culture_ (University Press of Kentucky), Bill Ellis has continued an academic query which he described in his previous _Raising the Devil_.While his current book is not an analysis of Harry Potter books and the movement against them, J. K. Rowling's works are shown to be just a contemporary part of folklore beliefs that have gone back for centuries.
Witchcraft was (and is) practiced in opposition to an increasingly rationalistic theology.The practices allow marginalized groups to use traditions to give themselves a sense of degree of control over their lives, but can also be employed by those who have no particular conflict with society.Ellis examines such hardware of the occult as the "grimoire" or magic book, chain letters (!), and even the rabbit's foot.He shows how young people are especially prone to old-time occult activity.Since medieval times, people have made special trips to, say, Neolithic monuments.Folklorists call this "legend-tripping," and teenagers have kept up the tradition.The trip, often to a forbidden house or a graveyard, is made in a cultivated atmosphere of fear; stories of previous trippers who suffered the penalty for violating the taboo get passed along and keep the tripping alive rather than restraining it.Ellis shows that teens calling upon spirits by means of the Ouija board is quite similar to calling spirits out during exorcisms, an illustration of how belief in the occult actually compliments and supports orthodox belief.Frightened fundamentalists may be taking the Ouija threat too seriously; one student user says, "You really don't get any answers that mean anything.We just get drunk and have a good time."
Ellis, himself an active Lutheran, makes clear that he is not advocating for the folklore practices described here, or even apologizing for them.He admits that while many of the practices might be harmless, spooky fun for teens, there may be bad consequences as well.He gives such concrete examples as vandalism resulting from a graveyard visit, rather than the possibility that Satan might take over the souls doing the trip.His is an academic work, but even so, with its unusual themes, it is an entertaining one.He is especially amused by the famous spoof article in the satirical paper _The Onion_, telling about how satanic groups were being overwhelmed by Harry Potter readers trying to join up.The article was ridiculous, but was sent as a chain letter by many Christian youth counselors as a bona fide warning about the danger Harry poses.Their more Internet-savvy students were embarrassed that their elders could not tell reality from a joke._The Onion_ just gave the elders an opportunity to overreact, but Ellis's book shows that the pattern of overreaction, giving definition to both orthodoxy and the occult, has been going on for centuries.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lucifer Ascending: The Occult in Folklore and Popular Culture [Hardcover]

Product Description:
Despite their centuries-old history and traditions, witchcraft and magic are still very much a part of modern Anglo-American culture. In Lucifer Ascending, Bill Ellis looks at modern practices that are universally defined as "occult," from such commonplace habits as carrying a rabbit's foot for good luck or using a Ouija board, to more esoteric traditions, such as the use of spell books. In particular, Ellis shows how the occult has been a common element in youth culture for hundreds of years. Using materials from little known publications and archives, Lucifer Ascending details the true social function of individuals' dabbling with the occult.
In his survey of what Ellis terms "vernacular occultism," the author is poised on a middle ground between a skeptical point of view that defines belief in witchcraft and Satan as irrational and an interpretation of witchcraft as an underground religion opposing Christianity. Lucifer Ascending examines the occult not as an alternative to religion but rather as a means for ordinary people to participate directly in the mythic realm.

Buy cheap Lucifer Ascending: The Occult in Folklore and Popular Culture [Hardcover] now

Brood of the Witch-Queen (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Sax Rohmer is one of my guilty pleasures.He may not be politically correct, but he really knew how to pack atmosphere and suspense into what were essentially written movie serials.The Fu Manchu stories are great fun, but his absolute best is 'Witch Queen'.A friend told me years ago that this was the scariest book he had ever read and I have to agree with him.This is easily the eeriest book I have ever read.And when the characters start crawling around in the pyramid of Meydum...well!The claustrophgobia goes up by a factor of ten.If you want a great scary read (and want to know where the inspiration for Indiana Jones probably came from) please, don't be put off by what may sound like a silly title - buy the book, put your feet up and scare yourself senseless!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brood of the Witch-Queen (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Sax Rohmer is one of my guilty pleasures. He may not be politically correct, but he really knew how to pack atmosphere and suspense into what were essentially written movie serials. The Fu Manchu stories are great fun, but his absolute best is Witch Queen. A friend told me years ago that this was the scariest book he had ever read and I have to agree with him. This is easily the eeriest book I have ever read. And when the characters start crawling around in the pyramid of Meydum...well! The claustrophgobia goes up by a factor of ten. If you want a great scary read (and want to know where the inspiration for Indiana Jones probably came from) please, don't be put off by what may sound like a silly title - buy the book, put your feet up and scare yourself senseless!

Buy cheap Brood of the Witch-Queen (Kindle Edition) now

Faerie Wars (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-22T07:07:00.000-05:00

Henry Atherton is a fairly ordinary English boy, whose youthful optimism is shaken by a parent's infidelity and impending separation. Pyrgus Malvae seems to be a fairly typical disaffected fairy prince, impulsively making up the rules as he goes along -- until his fondness for kittens and, it seems, all creatures great and small forces the reader to reconsider his motivations.
These two characters collide when a portal from Pyrgus's world lands him in the backyard garden of Mr. Fogarty, Henry's elderly, somewhat paranoid employer with a genius for invention and a surprisingly shady past.
There are plots worth pursuing in both worlds, but those from mundane England are given short shrift here. Instead, Irish author Herbie Brennan focuses on Pyrgus's plight in both worlds and the various dark and demonic forces that threaten the peace of his fairyland home and his family's safety. In fact, it is sometimes hard to be sure who the real protagonist here is -- Henry, Pyrgus or Pyrgus's sister, Blue.
There will be plenty of time to sort all that out in the inevitable sequel. Meantime, Faerie Wars is a fine introduction to Brennan's dual world and opens many intriguing possibilities for future stories. Targeted for young adult fans of fantasy and contemporary fantasy, it will appeal equally to adult readers.
My only complaints are a too-neat resolution to one aspect of the story -- too much hinges on a convenient stumble at just the right moment -- and the feeling that we still know too little about Pyrgus's world by book's end. That, too, I imagine will be addressed in the sequel, and I urge fantasy buffs to pick up this series from the start.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Faerie Wars (Kindle Edition)

Buy cheap Faerie Wars (Kindle Edition) now

Barry Trotter and the Unnecessary Sequel: The Book Nobody Has Been Waiting For (GollanczF.) [Hardcover] Review

2010-11-21T14:05:00.000-05:00

This parody is much more than a parody.At one point near the middle of the story the plot (if one can discern one) noticeably changes from simple random comedic parody to an independent commentary on prejudice and society which is more hard hitting than either the original of which this a parody or the first installment of which this is a sequel.

Also, it includes a very disturbing, yet pervasive explanation of conjuring as magical stealing of things already manufactured and owned by "Muddles."I remember such an explanation being proferred during an episode of the TV show "Bewitched" when Darin received a new space-age automobile prototype conjured up by a witch relative - which in actuality disappeared from its "mortal" testing facility the very same day initiating a nationwide search.Likewise in Hogwash, everything conjured is, in effect, instantaneously stolen from "Muddles."

It seems that the "Magickals" and the "Muddles" never were able to reconcile their mutual historical hatred for each other and this story comes very close to recounting a "final solution" whose end is the complete extermination of ....Well, you must really read the book.Not just an other sequel.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Barry Trotter and the Unnecessary Sequel: The Book Nobody Has Been Waiting For (GollanczF.) [Hardcover]

Product Description:
Here it is, just what the 100,000 fans who bought Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody have been waiting for: the inevitable and thoroughly hilarious sequel to the bestselling spoof of the Potter phenomenon.
Not wild about Harry? Or just had enough of the hype? Try Barry, who, having saved the Hogwash School of Wizards from the unwelcome attention of Hollywood, is now ready to move on. He has married Ermine Cringer and they now have two relatively delightful children. The eldest is a skilled magician, but the youngest just seems to lack that conjurer's touch. Have Barry and Ermine given birth to...a MUDDLE?
Michael Gerber, a writer whose work has appeared in the New Yorker, Playboy, The Wall Street Journal, and on Saturday Night Live, once again produces a parody that will have readers--regardless of their views on Harry Potter--laughing uproariously.

Buy cheap Barry Trotter and the Unnecessary Sequel: The Book Nobody Has Been Waiting For (GollanczF.) [Hardcover] now

The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature: From Dragons Lair to Hero Quest [Paperback] Review

2010-11-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

I was expecting much more of a nuts and bolts book on writing fantasy, but a lot of the material in the book seemed targeted toward having a better appreciation of fantasy or what's required to write it, rather than the actual mechanics of writing. I enjoyed reading the book anyway, but it was not entirely what I had expected. The first part of the book introduced the concept of fantasy literature. I found Chapter 1, which analyzed the popularity of the Harry Potter series, to be very interesting. Chapter 2 introduced the general concept of fantasy literature and Chapter 3 categorized fantasy literature into five types with an accompanying essay or interview for each type. Although interesting, Chapter 3 was probably the weakest section of the book. The interviews, often about a single book the author wrote, were not the most effective means for conveying information. The second part of the book addressed the story itself. Chapter 4 discussed character development and was fairly informative, although like most of the book about a third to a half of the material are passage quotations from fantasy books. The two contributed portions of this chapter were not as informative as the material written by the author. Chapter 5 was similar in content and quality, but addressed places rather than characters. Chapter 6 discussed common themes often found in fantasy-such as magic, riddles, and prophecies-and also included two author interviews. Chapter 7 addressed plot and common story lines in fantasy literature and also included an interview and contributed article. The third part of the book addressed many of the mechanics of the writing process. Chapter 8 discussed generated ideas; Chapter 9 discussed the mechanics of the layout and order of which chapters to write first; Chapter 10 discussed how to set goals and remain motivated in the writing process; Chapter 11 discussed revising material; and Chapter 12 discussed submitting your work for publication. This last chapter was the only one in this part that included contributed material. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Terry Pratchett and the article by Ray Bradbury. The fourth part of the book included some reference material: publisher addresses and web/print references. Overall, as a 'How To' book for writers I give this book four stars. While all of the material was interesting, the usefulness of it was uneven. Betters books are "Worlds of Wonder" by David Gerrold or "How To Write Science Fiction & Fantasy" by Orson Scott Card. However, if you love fantasy and just want a better appreciation of what goes into writing it, then this book is definitely five stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature: From Dragons Lair to Hero Quest [Paperback]

Buy cheap The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature: From Dragons Lair to Hero Quest [Paperback] now

Witch on the Water (Rowan of the Wood) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-20T18:44:00.000-05:00

Witch on the Water is the sequel to the novel, Rowan of the Woods. The novel follows the continuing adventures of Cullen, Maddy, and April. All in all, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this novel and its predecessor. Witch on the Water is action packed and filled with some very suspenseful moments. This is a book that I think readers of all ages could enjoy.

One aspect that I really enjoyed was that the characters came into their own in this book. While they did grow a lot in the first novel, I was able to see a lot more of their potential. Sadly, the plot still leaves me wondering a few details, but I am hopeful that these will be addressed in the third novel. Take a rainy afternoon and try out this series, I do not think you will be disappointed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Witch on the Water (Rowan of the Wood) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Witch on the Water, book two in the Rowan of the Wood series, chronicles the continuing adventures of twelve-year-old Cullen and his friends, Maddy and April. Cullen thought he had enough trouble surviving school, dealing with his miserable home life, and being possessed by Rowan, a 1400-year-old wizard. But when Rowan's wife, the sadistic vampire Fiana, comes back seeking revenge, Cullen and his band of misfits must do what they can to stop her. This time Cullen's favorite teacher is Fiana's first target. Imaginative and poignant, the adventure of Rowan and Cullen thoroughly enchants the reader and is a great series for readers of fantasy, young and old.

Buy cheap Witch on the Water (Rowan of the Wood) (Kindle Edition) now

The Book of Halloween (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-20T16:05:00.000-05:00

I was so thrilled to discover that this book is back in print!My grandmother owned a copy, and I read it over and over again at Halloween when I was a little girl. It is the ultimate history of the Halloween holiday, from ancient times to the early Twentieth Century. The author, Ruth Edna Kelley, was herself just 25 or so when the book was originally published in 1919. I'm not a very good review writer, but I wanted to let anyone who is considering buying this book know that this is a very nice edition, and the cover is just adorable. Everything I remember from childhood is there, except for a few blurry black and white pictures that were never very exciting to begin with.What makes this book great are the words, the accounts of how Halloween was celebrated in various countries, especially the Victorian Era games people played at parties, including about a dozen "tests" for discovering the name or seeing the face of your true love in a vision. I am crazy for anything having to do with this era, and re-reading The Book of Hallowe'en after all these years was like stepping backward in time and really being there.The accounts are so vivid, it really makes you want to just live now the way they did then.With this book, you could accomplish it. Everything you would need to have an authentic Victorian Halloween party today is right here. Best of all, it's just $13.95.I've seen used copies selling on Amazon for over a thousand dollars! I'm just tickled, really!This is a great book!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Book of Halloween (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
This book is intended to give the reader an account of the origin and history of Halloween, how it absorbed some customs belonging to other days in the year, such as May Day, Midsummer, and Christmas. The book contains a selection of ancient and modern poetry and prose, related to Halloween ideas.

Buy cheap The Book of Halloween (Kindle Edition) now

Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands [Paperback] Review

2010-11-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

Few discussions will provoke opinions among believers as heated as whether or not Christians ought to enjoy works of popular fantasy.

On the one hand, some claim believers should avoid these realms of the imagination.On the other, there are those Christians so desperate to justify their interest with a veneer of spirituality that they try to establish one to one correlations between these entertaining stories and Holy Scripture.

"Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands: A Christian Dialogue With Harry Potter, Star Wars & Lord Of The Rings" by Russell Dalton endeavors to provide a balance between these competing outlooks.

While highlighting the parts of these works that appeal to enduring values, Dalton also admits that neither are these stories themselves Scripture.Rather, he writes, "This book takes an approach that goes beyond a `thumbs up' or `thumbs down' evaluation of fiction and film.It gives the reader a chance to reflect whether or not the behaviors and beliefs of the characters in today's fantasy stories are consistent with the Christian faith, but it also looks at the questions these stories demand of our faith by entering into a dialogue between these fantasy stories and the Christians story (7)."

Rather than condemn The Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars, or even Harry Potter,"Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands" prudently counsels that the problemsthat arise in reference to these stories often lie not so much in the stories themselves but in those that read them.For example, most that read Harry Potter are not going to end up sacrificing goats or taking oaths of unending allegiance to Satan.Thus, Dalton suggests, parents must decide for themselves how much exposure to Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lord Of The Rings their children should receive.

Though for the most part balanced in his approach, the reader will no doubt detect a hint of political correctness seeping into Dalton's exposition.For example, he does not use the phrase "Kingdom of God" but rather "The Reign Of God."Likewise, Dalton does not refer to Jesus as "the Son of Man" but rather as "the Son of Humanity".

Dalton also gets all maudlin that the characters in these stories are primarily White.But since Middle Earth is said to correspond to some kind of pre-historic Europe and Hogwarts is a British alchemical school, what does he expect?

If Aragorn had had such vacillating attitudes, Sauron would have still been ruling over Middle Earth by the end of the third film.

Even if one disagrees with the conclusions drawn by "Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands", one has to admit Dalton approaches the issue in an overall even handed manner carefully respecting the opinions on each side.

by Frederick Meekins

Click Here to see more reviews about: Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands [Paperback]

Product Description:
Christians have always engaged the world around them and reflected upon the connections between faith and culture. Faith Journey through Fantasy Lands engages popular culture in the hugely successful stories of Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings. Author Dalton guides the reader through these contemporary fantasy stories, illuminating them with light from the Christian faith journey. The book opens doors to faith-sharing, particularly with young people, while also taking on the issues within the stories that have led some Christians to reject them.

Buy cheap Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands [Paperback] now Get 10% OFF

Painting Souls (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

On page 300 of PAINTING SOULS there is a map of the imaginary planet Celestia. Elsewhere we learn that this world is inexplicably young. It has been around for only 200,000 years. Celestia is the fourth planet of one of its two suns (perhaps of both), as we learn during a lecture to young multi-species students of the Ibiza Peacekeeping Academy. Inhabitants of the planet are distributed across eight continents. They include (selecting a few of them in the alphabetical order of "The Races of Celestia" (pps. 295 - 299):

Afina ... tiny, mostly female, fairies,

Ancients ... they witnessed the birth of Celestia,

Celians ... plant-like beings that can meld with organic matter; they are the most populous race on the planet,

Dragons ... there are millions of them in more than a thousand species,

Gantis ... "large rock creatures,"

Humans ... one group is fascinated by technology, others "rarely concern themselves with outside negativity,"

Lucrene ... machines that coexist intermingled with Humans; cooperation in producing goods is what they find most exhilarating; their capital city, Providence, houses Celestia's greatest school,

Magi ... a hidden race, with bodies seeming like something between solid and gas,

Orcs ... once titanic battlers, now shrunken in numbers, inclined to be peaceful.

These races seem capable of and interested in inter-species matings which produce creatures of all colors of the rainbow, including full-vampires, half-vampires and other lovingly described permutations. The book is very visual with memorable descriptions of vividly imagined fictitious plants suffused in magic and often living in symbiotic relationship with the various intelligent races of Celestia.

At yarn's beginning, a great war has just ended in which an Alliance of good freedom-loving entities has apparently definitively defeated evil hordes led by the Wraith or the Shadow. But all is not as it seems. Two human male heroes, a 35-year old career warrior named Adrian and a 16-year old student named Gai, separately advance the plot. They do not know each other personally, but both have had great family tragedies during the late war. Both are self-centered and obsessed with figuring out if there is any reason why unnamed higher powers have placed them on Celestia at this juncture. They are separately sent for suspicious reasons on parallel quests designed to assure permanent peace to their planet. In the process they fight, they philosophize, they learn, they are tempted, they are misled, they play into the hands of the remaining powers of darkness.

PAINTING SOULS has a striking cover reminiscent of Salvador Dali. In his Prelude, author Benjamin Dudley urges the reader to ponder his vivid imaginings with care and to grasp the difference, inter alia, "between the cover picture and the title." I remain uninitiated, alas, in that difference, which is no doubt rooted in omni-present but never explained "magic." I do not recall the phrase "painting souls" appearing anywhere in the narrative. But the following passage is evocative, perhaps, of what the author is hinting at in the Prelude:

"The Lucerne are not as other races; they aren't composed of biological cells churning around a soul, but machinery. ... They ... yearn to produce, upgrade, and build" (Ch. XVII, p. 269).

I hope this sketch of PAINTING SOULS gives adult readers enough of a sense of what the author is trying to do to decide whether or not to give the book as a birthday or holiday present to any of their sons, grandaughters or nieces who are endowed with highly developed imaginations.-OOO

Click Here to see more reviews about: Painting Souls (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Painting Souls is the first novel in a revolutionary fantasy series. The first two chapters have purposely been left out in order to correspond with the future movie opening due to come out at the same time as the third novel in the series.
Painting Souls introduces live, detailed action sequences into the genre, while maintaining an intricate, and also very meaningful tale. Bleeding the pens of classic fantasy fiction and anime together, great heroes unravel cryptic philosophies and romances while exploring new depths of spirituality and magic.

Buy cheap Painting Souls (Kindle Edition) now

Christian Obscenity: Essays, Stories, and Other Potentially Damning Ramblings [Paperback] Review

2010-11-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

I was very pleased with Scott Douglas' other work, Quiet, Please! In reading that book I was very pleased to discover that he is a conservative Christian.I was interested in more of his "library" blogs, but when I went to his website, I discovered that he had published this little gem also.Christian Obscenity is a collection of essays, stories, and other writings.I really liked the "Christian" porn-star interview, which is laugh out loud funny.Douglas proves that you can have a sense of humor, and even be a little sarcastic, and still be a Christian! I look forward to reading more of his work - I also subscribe to the blog Disturbed Christians . com which Scott is a regular contributor.The site is not to be missed!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Christian Obscenity: Essays, Stories, and Other Potentially Damning Ramblings [Paperback]

Product Description:
Self proclaimed "Christian Humorist," Scott Douglas, compiles up the best of several years of original Christian humor into one hilarious collection. Included in this collection are classic faux interviews with a Christian porn star, Rick Warren, and Dan Brown, among others.

Buy cheap Christian Obscenity: Essays, Stories, and Other Potentially Damning Ramblings [Paperback] now

Hollow Fields Vol. 3 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-18T10:13:00.000-05:00

I have enjoyed both the story and the wonderful drawings of Hollow Fields.The story is brought to a conclusion, but maybe not the one that everyone was expecting.This story shows the main character growing and finding herself.She discovers that some of the people that she has previously encountered are not all bad.Some are.I would recommend it to all budding mad scientists.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hollow Fields Vol. 3 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
"This is the best book I've read all year." -ComicSnob.com

As Miss Weaver finally reveals the true purpose of her gruesome "personal experiment," Lucy and Claude find themselves trapped int he windmill, facing a fate worse than death!

Even with the help of unexpected allies, can they turn the tide against the Engineers, or will the students of Hollow Fields be sacrificed in the name of forbidden science? The solution may lie in the secret link between Miss Weaver and Doctor Bleak, shrouded in the mists of time. It's up to Lucy to muster every ounce of courage in order to confront Miss Weaver one last time--and save the children of Hollow Fields!

Buy cheap Hollow Fields Vol. 3 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) now

Generation Hex: Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca (Paperback) Review

2010-11-17T15:52:00.000-05:00

I have been interacting quite a bit with the Pagan community over the Internet in promotion of Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue (Lion Hudson, 2008), and as a result, one of my Pagan contacts asked me if I was aware of a new book by Dillon Burroughs and Marla Alupoaicei titled Generation Hex: Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca (Harvest House, 2008). I had not heard of the book previously, and after contacting Marla and the publisher they graciously sent a review copy.

Generation Hex is a volume addressed to an evangelical Christian audience, and it is divided into two main sections, the first addresses "What is Wicca?", and the second moves to a response with "What Should I Do About Wicca?". The first section of the book involves nine chapters that address why evangelicals should be concerned about Wicca, its popularity, its origins, teachings and practices, its concept of the divine, female involvement in Wicca, the story of a former Wiccan turned Christian, and its concern for the environment. The second part of the book includes six chapters and a frequently asked questions section.

This book incorporates several positive features, including the authors' interviews with Wiccans as part of the research process for the preparation of the book, a recognition that many Wiccans and other Pagans have had negative experiences with Christians and churches to which Christians should be sensitive and self-critical, and a desire to move beyond and correct stereotypes of Wicca perpetuated by Christians. Yet despite these commendable aspects I found several elements in the book problematic.

Sensationalistic marketing
The marketing for the book, as reflected on the back cover, presents the volume as "an eye-opening expose of Wicca," a sensationalistic way to describe a treatment of a spiritual pathway that is open to examination by anyone interested in talking to its practitioners, reading their books, or consulting the growing body of academic literature on the topic. Since an expose is unnecessary, this sensationalistic tone used by the publisher fuels the tabloid-nature of evangelical treatment of new religious movements and detracts from the credibility of the volume.

Problematic use of demographic data
As Generation Hex sets forth its initial case as to why Christians should care about Wicca it does so by pointing to Wicca's increasing popularity. The book states that, "Studies confirm that Wicca is the fastest-growing religion in America. By some estimates, it will become America's third-largest religion by 2012 (after Christianity and Judaism)." In order to substantiate this claim the authors cite Wiccan author Phyillis Curott to the effect that there were "between three and five million Wiccans [living] in the United States by the end of 1999." The authors' use of demographic data is is fraught with difficulties in that the claim that Wicca is the fastest-growing religion, poised to be the third largest in the U.S. by 2012, can be traced to a press release by evangelical writer Steve Wohlberg. I have addressed this topic previously, but Wohlberg's press release makes the case for Wiccan growth by mere assertion, with no demographic studies cited to support the claim. In addition, Burroughs and Alupoaiccei include an endnote reference to this sidebar that points readers to the 2001 American Religious Identification Survey which estimates the Wiccan population at 307,000. Even if this statistic is on the conservative side, it comes nowhere near the number need to justify Wohlberg or Curott's claims as to the numbers of Wiccans in the United States. Unfortunately, Burroughs and Alupoaicei have engaged in a poor use of demographic data and whether it is intended or not, it will paint an inaccurate and alarming picture for evangelical readers.

Misinterpretation of popular culture
As the authors continue their discussion of Wicca's popularity, like many evangelical writers touching on the topic, they devote an entire chapter to the alleged role of the Harry Potter novels and films in the rising interest in Wicca. (Elsewhere in the book they share similar concerns over television programs like Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and even the Disney film Hocus Pocus.) One of the chief concerns for these authors is the "disturbing witchcraft-related spiritual themes". Unfortunately, Burroughs and Alupoaicei repeat the hermeneutical error of many evangelicals writing on Potter which results in a misinterpretation of Rowling's works. As C. S. Lewis noted, a writer draws upon diverse sources in the non-fictional world in order to create a fantasy world. These sources may include folklore, myth, legend, and even religious elements. However, these elements take their meaning from within the story in the context of the fantasy world as defined by the author, not with reference to their external sources. With this interpretive principle in mind, turning to the Potter stories it is clear that Rowling has created a contemporary fantasy story involving a myth of witchcraft similar to the fairytale depictions of the witch from times past, an archetypal figure with no connection to real Wiccans in our neighborhoods. If evangelicals want to be taken seriously beyond their subculture they will have to exercise more caution in their engagement with fantasy media, and they will have to exercise even greater caution in their attempts at connecting the dots to new religious movements.

Wiccan Ritual and Belief
As the authors consider Wiccan teachings, much like their concern over Potter-mania, they also mention their concern over Halloween and its allegedly dangerous influences on American society. More careful reflection on the historical and cultural development of Halloween, and its present expressions in American culture, would have revealed the secular nature of this increasingly popular holiday, and its lack of connection in any serious way to the teachings and practice of Wicca. This misinterpretation of Halloween represents another hermeneutical error in properly interpreting an aspect of popular culture.

Also in this section of the book the authors present a "quick-reference guide" on Wicca's "core beliefs," which are then presented in summary form in relation to the categories of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, sin, salvation, angels, and the afterlife. Burroughs and Alupoaicei would have assisted their evangelical readers in this section by noting that Wicca is more properly construed as a spirituality involving ritual rather than belief at its core, and this is not mentioned in relation to the quick-reference guide, or in the later chapter on Wiccan belief. In addition, when discussing some of the beliefs found among Wiccans, in order to understand Wicca from an empathetic perspective of a Wiccan practitioner, it would have been helpful for the authors to discuss Wiccan beliefs using their terminology and priorities for belief rather than those of the evangelical. Granted, this book is written for evangelicals, however, it must find a way to accurately communicate the essence of Wicca in ways recognizable by Wiccans for evangelical outsiders.

Completely overcoming stereotypes
One final concern I had about this volume was its hesitancy to move completely beyond stereotypes of Wicca. As noted above, the authors do point out many of the stereotypes associated with Wicca and they seek to provide a corrective, but they don't accomplish this completely. For example, in a chapter where the authors discuss the surprises they encountered in their research for the book, one of the authors (Burroughs) addresses one of the surprises he encountered in terms of alleged links between Wicca, Satanism, sexual promiscuity, and child abuse: "I've found these assertions to be unfounded (at least in mainstream Wicca)." I italicized the last portion of the quote to draw attention to the issue I'm raising here. While Burroughs was pleased to discover that Wicca does not engage in the worst of its stereotypical associations, nevertheless, for Burroughs this appears to be the case with "mainstream Wicca," which appears to leave room for non-mainstream or underground Wicca, whatever those may be. A similar hesitancy to move beyond stereotypes occurs earlier in the book when the authors dispel the myth that Wiccans worship Satan. The authors correctly assure us this is not the case, and yet they include the additional notation that "Most Wiccans don't believe in the existence of Satan." My emphasis, again, but most? I have yet to encounter a Wiccan who does, and to leave this door open a crack represents yet another example of a hesitancy to completely dismiss the stereotypes about Wicca that evangelicals all-too-frequently frequently perpetuate, apparently even in books designed in part to do just that.

I really wanted to find this book more helpful for evangelical readers in its presentation of Wicca, especially with Ron Rhodes describing it as "a true jewel of a book" in the Foreword. In my view, while this book represents an improvement over many evangelical treatments of Wicca, Paganism, and other new religions, its shortcomings overshadow any positive elements, and for these reasons I encourage evangelicals to consider other materials for their understanding of Wicca and interactions with its adherents.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Generation Hex: Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca (Paperback)

Product Description:

Wicca is America's fastest growing religion. By the year 2012, it's projected to be the third largest religion in the United States.In Generation Hex, Marla Alupoaicei and Dillon Burroughs explore the history, culture, and practices of Wicca. Aspart of their research, they interviewed travelers to historic Salem, Massachusetts, consulted practitioners of leading neopagan conferences in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and dialogued with several current and former adherents of Wicca and other forms of witchcraft to evaluatethe past and present of this growing spiritual tradition.The result is a compelling account that will inform and equip Christians (especially parents) to understand Wiccan and New Ageteachings. Readers will have confidence to explain this belief system to others and to communicate the gospel to those caught up in this practice.Generation Hex identifies with the spiritual hunger of a generation seeking truth, authenticity,and hope in a fragmented world. It's perfect for personal study or as a gift for anyone interested or involved in Wicca.

Buy cheap Generation Hex: Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca (Paperback) now

The Book of Were-Wolves (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-17T08:27:00.000-05:00

This was a strange and fascinating book. In collecting varied myths and stories pertaining to werewolves, the author created a very interesting and absorbing read. There were some editing errors in this version, but they were not terribly serious. The different anecdotes ranged a spectrum from the horrific to the almost comical. It was unlike anything I have ever read before and I think it is a great starting point in looking at the history of the werewolf myth.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Book of Were-Wolves (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Sabine Baring-Gould was walking through a French countryside when he was warned about the local Were-wolf that lived in the area. Baring-Gould not believing the story decided to search for the truth. The result is this book which gives the complete history of the were-wolf myth as well as examining the different types of personalities that may lead men to have double lives. This book is written 100 years before the words profiling or serial killer were coined yet it reads like a modern book on crime such asMindhunter.

Buy cheap The Book of Were-Wolves (Kindle Edition) now

Sky Island (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-16T12:43:00.000-05:00

Much as I love the Oz books (and I have all 14), THIS is my favorite Baum book.Sky Island is the continued adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill (meet them in "The Sea Fairies", also fun) and Button Bright as they face the mighty Boolooroo of the Blues and the beautiful Queen Tourmaline of the Pinkies, Sky Island's two countries and two races.A wonderful tale, which in the process shows us how to get along with those who are different from ourselves.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sky Island (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
(Thebooks I publish are always proof read and corrected before publishing on Kindle! David Snode)

After visiting the sea fairies in the first book, Trot and Cap'n Bill set off on a new adventure to an island in the sky by means of a magical umbrella belonging to their new friend, Button Bright. They are captured and escape in a series of adventures, that is some of the best writing of L. Frank Baum. Adults and children alike will be able to relate to, and enjoy this story.

Buy cheap Sky Island (Kindle Edition) now

The Aelf Club - Unity (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-16T07:33:00.000-05:00

I originally purchased this book, The Aelf Club-Unity, for my daughter who is a huge fantasy book fan. Because she is under 13, I read the book first to determine if it was suitable for her to read. I initially glanced through portions of the book, but decided to read it from the beginning because I am a pretty fast reader. From the beginning to the end of The Aelf Club, the author, Mr. Richardson does a superb job of tying in archeological and intriguing relevant history to the story line. I also loved the realism of Sara juggling the challenges of life as a teenager. It is a fast paced book, but also has substance that most traditional juvenile books don't include. I was kept guessing until the final pages. Sara DeVere is our new future heroine. I would not be surprised to see this being entertained as a future movie. Although it does have some of the same underlying mystery and fantasy as books such as Harry Potter; The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe; and the Twilight Series, I find that The Aelf Club-Unity is refreshing in that it is also unique in context and in story line; differing from the above stories but within the same genre. Mr. Stuart Brooke Richardson, we are impatiently awaiting the next adventure. My daughter would also love a Sara DeVere t-shirt if available.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Aelf Club - Unity (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Sara DeVere is special - but until her thirteenth birthday she had no earthly idea why. As she enters the eighth grade, Sara begins a mind-bending journey into the unknown - a journey that will eventually lead her to her destiny with a group of extraordinary friends, and with two unique teachers who come to share a deep secret with Sara.
As the storyline progresses, our heroine is faced with some of the greatest tests one could possibly endure - not the least of which includes falling victim to the evil of a rapidly growing global threat. But in the company of good friends her will is strengthened, along with her growing knowledge of ancient Secrets - and the wisdom to use such knowledge in the fight for justice.
"Unity" - the first volume in "The Aelf Club" series - contains many facets, combined in such a way as to create a tantalizing 'rabbit hole' for the hungry reader; it is at once a coming of age story, a historical saga, an immense spiritual journey, a manual of higher learning, and an epic adventure full of international intrigue and nail-biting suspense! For those diehard fans of Harry Potter and other such mystical adventures, "Unity" is sure to please - offering an alluring combination of elements that will entice the imagination and stimulate the mind. This is a tale of immense proportions…

Buy cheap The Aelf Club - Unity (Kindle Edition) now

Sidhe (One Wizard Place) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-15T19:09:00.000-05:00

I absolutely loved this book. After my son read the first one and requested all three, I thought I would give this one a read through. The book is written for Middle Grade kids, but it's really fun to read even for an adult. D.M. Paul's style has really improved from the first book (which I liked as well) and I would say is now on par with any of the other big time kid novelists.

It's a must get if your child loves fantasy/sci-fi

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sidhe (One Wizard Place) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
On a dig where the Sídhe, or faerie race, were thought to have originated, an elderly archeologist has discovered one of their two great staves of power. The artifact has been taken for authentication to a museum in the multi-layered city of Cloudview, but before it can be examined fully, thieves steal the ancient staff and disappear into the wilds of the vast Park that comprises the 13th level of the metropolis.

While on a routine reconnaissance mission in the Park's immense forest region, sylvan-elf scout Kestrel Greenleaf encounters a curious enchantment drifting on the wind. She follows the trail of magic back to the realm of the Faerie Queen, where she witnesses a powerful surge of energy that can only have come from one source.

With the help of a brave young Sentinel and a High Wizard from Greylok, as well as two physically mismatched agents from the Incantation Enforcement Agency, Kestrel embarks on an adventure that takes them all deep into the wilderness on a quest to stop the Faerie Queen before her destructive magic grows beyond their control.

Buy cheap Sidhe (One Wizard Place) (Kindle Edition) now

Riddles In Time (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-15T11:09:00.000-05:00

I thoroughly enjoyed "Riddles in Time" by Tom McCloud. It was a fun read and very imaginative. I liked the character development and the moral lessons to be learned from the way the characters handled their situations. I've always been fascinated with the concept of time travel and the conundrums involved. The action kept me involved and entertained and the twists and turns of the plot kept surprising me.I recommend this book to adults as well as teen-agers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Riddles In Time (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
When students enter an archeology competition at a museum, they have no idea what strange and wonderful things are about to happen! Following a trail of mysterious clues left by a professor who's gone missing, they discover an ancient secret more powerful than time itself.

But with each new clue, the ancient mystery deepens as someone or something threatens to ruin the contest. Why do dangerous and ghostly visitors suddenly appear…only to mysteriously vanish after causing havoc and mayhem? Who else, besides the missing professor, knows about the ancient secret? Where does the mysterious trail lead?

On this amazing journey through time and self-discovery, four new friends must believe in themselves, travel into the past to solve history's biggest riddles, and save the world as we know it!

Buy cheap Riddles In Time (Kindle Edition) now

Skywalker The Tablet of Ninurta (1) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-14T19:16:00.000-05:00

After reading Skywalker - The Tablet of Ninurta I have to say I am definetly a new Heath Fox fan.It's about time someone wrote an action hero that wasn't a carbon copy of all the other action hero's.Jack Skywalker's character is funny and amuzing and definetly entertaining.I couldn't put this book down till it was done.The website is cool to.www.skywalkeradventures.com

Click Here to see more reviews about: Skywalker The Tablet of Ninurta (1) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Jack Skywalker never believed what he was taught by his grandfather and father growing up on the reservation. Until the day he came home from college and began his journey into the unknown and a race against time to stop a madman from obtaining the ultimate power. It's up to Jack to find and stop Paul Winslow and return the tablet of Ninurta to it's resting place before darkness consumes all and the universe is brought back to the beginning of time.

Buy cheap Skywalker The Tablet of Ninurta (1) (Kindle Edition) now

Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta (The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-14T15:51:00.000-05:00

Ever since J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books took the publishing world by storm in the late 1990's, the literary market has been flooded with an endless parade of Harry Potter knock offs. A whole generation of authors have been inspired to create their own books featuring teenage wizards and witches all striving to save the world from the usual forces of evil. Though most of these books have been largely unsuccessful, there have been a few that have shined.

Enter Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta by Lady Ellen. Unlike Harry Potter who is a wizard, Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta features a teenage witch as its protagonist and thankfully steers clear of Harry Potterisms that would otherwise contaminate and dilute what is a quite original and engaging story. A chief element of this book is its peculiar use of time-travel, called Time-Linxing. Through Time-Linxing, Persephane is able to confront her enemies at various points throughout history making for a thrilling and utterly breathtaking tale.

Upon discovering that she is the chosen one destined to stop the evil "All Powerful One" from plunging the world into eternal darkness, Persephane Pendrake is thrust into the center of the timeless conflict between good and evil. When Persephane turns thirteen, the age in which her incredible magical powers start to mature, her evil aunt Melanthios, who seeks to become the prophesied All Powerful One, decides to destroy her. Through the aid of her loving family and friends, including her loyal sidekick a witty, but overenthusiastically snark dragonfly named Benson, Persephane takes up the challenge of facing Melanthios in a series of life and death battles in which to thwart her wicked plans.

But Melanthios has other ideas for Persephane. If she can steal the powerful amulet called the Cimaruta from Persephane, she will have the first of 9 powerful magical items which must be collected to bequeath her with the powers of the All Powerful One. It is a desperate race throughout the world and history itself as Melanthios and Persephane vie over the lost 9 magical objects. Will Melanthios claim the Cimaruta from Persephane and begin her transformation into the All Powerful One? Or will Persephane find the strength and wisdom she needs to prevent the approaching apocalypse? You'll have to read this book to find out.

As I said before, readers will be glad to know that Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta is not some cheap imitation of Harry Potter. Rather it occupies its own unique space in a genre that clearly needs originality. What truly distinguishes this book from Harry Potter is its milieu which seems to be steeped in Wicca and folklore as opposed to Rowling's more romanticized version of witchcraft and wizardry. Unlike Harry who is an orphan, Persephane is surrounded by a coterie of loving and supportive folk, all who are necessary to prepare her for the trials she is going to endure over the course of this series as she takes on the challenge of saving the world from her malevolent aunt Melanthios and her minions.

I highly recommend this book to older children and young adults who are looking for the next great fantasy story. Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta is an excellent book that offers more magic within its pages than any reader can imagine. Without a doubt, this book is a success. I, for one, plan to read the entire series until the very end.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta (The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles...the new magical series to read after Harry Potter, has arrived with the first in the planned nine magic book series...Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta.

The leading cast includes: Persy (as she prefers to be called), her cheeky dragonfly familiar?Benson, Thaddeus, a thirteen-year-old wizard and his sidekick?P-C, a full-sized, but far from brave, dragon.Together, they embark on a myriad of escapades to check and counter-check Melanthios.

Also, on top of the spell-binding story, meet ?The Truth Testers? in the Forest of Depravation, who pose brain teasers for our heroes to solve .Figure out the answers before they do!

Benson speaks in the fun and enigmatic ?Cockney Rhyming Slang? or CRS.The reader is challenged to puzzle them out once they learn the rules.It?s a cool way to start your own secret language..kids love it! Contribute your own at Persy?s web site: lady-ellen.com

Buy cheap Persephane Pendrake and the Cimaruta (The Persephane Pendrake Chronicles) (Kindle Edition) now

How to Adapt Anything into a Screenplay [Paperback] Review

2010-11-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

After writing one screenplay and one teleplay, I still didn't "get it." I'd read a half dozen books on scriptwriting but was still a bit muddled. The light bulb finally went off with this book. Krevolin starts with short but useful information on structure. This includes a nice breakout of 'where your script should be' by certain pages. He explains it so that you don't just get the formula: you understand the dramatic and narrative reasons for the page delineations.
And he includes the Scene-O-Gram (borrowed from fellow instructor Hal Ackerman). This is a marvelous visual tool. It shows your script from back story to climax as clearly as possible. Combined with his explanation of page 'marks', I finally realized how a script should truly flow together.
Then he takes several films, including The Patriot, X-Men and The Shawshank Redemption, and looks at key elements while placing them into the Scene-O-Gram format. This is not simply formulaic plug and place. It is a look at key components and structure for adapting an existing piece of writing.
Krevolin's book will help you select the most important elements to keep from the work you're adapting, and how to put them together. A must-have if you plan on adapting something into a screenplay.

Click Here to see more reviews about: How to Adapt Anything into a Screenplay [Paperback]

Product Description:
From concept to finished draft-a nuts-and-bolts approach to adaptations
Aspiring and established screenwriters everywhere, take note!This down-to-earth guide is the first to clearly articulate the craft of adaptation.Drawing on his own experience and on fourteen years of teaching, screenwriter Richard Krevolin presents his proven five-step process for adapting anything-from novels and short stories to newspaper articles and poems-into a screenplay.Used by thousands of novelists, playwrights, poets, and journalists around the country, this can't-miss process features practical advice on how to break down a story into its essential components, as well as utilizes case studies of successful adaptations.Krevolin also provides an insider's view of working and surviving within the Hollywood system-covering the legal issues, interviewing studio insiders on what they are looking for, and offering tips from established screenwriters who specialize in adaptations.

Buy cheap How to Adapt Anything into a Screenplay [Paperback] now Get 22% OFF

A Hungarian Nabob (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-13T10:25:00.000-05:00

I am new to Jokai, and to Hungarian literature in general, so I read this book with no expectations.It was a pleasant surprise: funny in parts, tragic in parts, well-written throughout.It starts with many disparate little stories, which are gradually woven together to form the main narrative.Jokai is very deft at picturing the time and place, i.e., the culture and norms of early 19th century Hungary; it's like a little window into another world (and a strange world it is).Further, he does it with a jaundiced and observant eye, accurately and vividly depicting characters from all walks of life, while skewering their mores and customs.His description of two ladies going over a prospective guest list, with the more experienced woman giving vignettes of each guest to the younger, was hilarious, almost Jane Austen-esque in its sly social commentary.

Unlike Austen, Jokai was unabashedly romantic.There are affronts to honor, duels, dashing officers, thundering steeds, and pathos a-plenty.LOTS of pathos - if you like a good cry, this book will do it for you.I would have knocked off a half star for it but didn't have the heart.

I have since read several other Jokai books (whatever I could find online), and this seems to be one of his best.Well worth the purchase price, a true classic.

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Hungarian Nabob (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Translated by R. Nisbet Bain; Hungarian Edition

Buy cheap A Hungarian Nabob (Kindle Edition) now

Once Upon a Time in Great Britain: A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of Your Favorite Children's Stories (Paperback) Review

2010-11-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

The woods where C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien used to walk together, the coffee shop where J. K. Rowling began her work on the Harry Potter series, the house that inspired the Borrowers, the locations of The 101 Dalmatians...
It is apparent from reading this book that the author spent a great deal of time researching the topics covered. The byline indicates that she spent a year with her family exploring England and Scotland.
Fans of the books covered will enjoy the brief (1-2 page) biographies and the descriptions of the locations. This is what some call an "armchair travel" book: you can enjoy it without ever traveling to the locations.
I can't comment on the accuracy, because I have not visited any of the locations described. This is not a slick travel book brimming with pictures; it's a soft-cover printed on relatively inexpensive paper. I enjoyed the biographies and site descriptions and I'm sure there are many others out there who will as well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Once Upon a Time in Great Britain: A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of Your Favorite Children's Stories (Paperback)

Buy cheap Once Upon a Time in Great Britain: A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of Your Favorite Children's Stories (Paperback) now

Alchemy Rediscovered and Restored (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-12T07:45:00.000-05:00

This excellent book represents the first modern rediscovery of the deep wisdom contained in the work of Alchemy. Prior to Cockren, alchemical work was generally ignored or dismissed as unreadable and meaningless, nonsense and quackery. Cockren saw the meaning, the Divine Plan, in the writings of the great alchemists. He saw that alchemy was primarily a spiritual work. He translated and explained the hidden truths of the Sacred Science into language that modern seekers could begin to understand. If I am not mistaken his rediscovery of these truths actually preceeded Jung's.
Here in this book, you will find the explanation of the terminology, processes, and principles that you will need to understand the alchemical source works of Paracelsus, Flamel, Valentine, St. Germain, Cremer, Lully, Albertus Magnus, Villanova, Geber, Rhasis, Hermes, etc. Here are the Stages of the Alchemical Opus: melanosis, leukosis, xanthosis, and iosis or rubedo. Here is the Process of Operations: calcination, solution, separatio, conjunctio, putrifaction, ablutio, and rebedo. You will understand the difference between aqua fortis, aqua regia, and aqua vitae. You will have the keys to unlock hidden meanings.
Cockren wasn't merely an interpreter of the classic texts- he was a metalurgist and chemist who actually duplicated the work where ever possible. He actually observed these processes and learned their lessons. He understood the spiritual analogies and lessons that these experiments taught. He understood the meaning behind mere material things....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alchemy Rediscovered and Restored (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Albert Einstein, before going to bed at night, read ancient books on alchemy. This is a fact. And why did he do so? Alchemy is the root of modern science and many of its formulas, tenants, and magic are still valid today.

In this book [Cockren] tells of the sensational work which he has accomplished in once more bringing to light, and to the service of humanity, secrets which baffled the majority of scientists of all ages, and which, for several centuries, have been buried in a grave of doubt and skeptical tradition. That this grave should at last have been opened, and that the real, albeit hidden secrets which it contained should now stand revealed and proclaimed, must undoubtedly be regarded as an epoch-making event.

I do not myself claim to have any scientific knowledge whatever, but seeing is believing, and I have been privileged to keep in close touch with the author's experiments from the very beginning. Not only have I seen the results achieved, but I, among many others, have been able to test and pay grateful tribute to the efficacy of the Elixirs produced by the alchemical process. These, one may venture to assert, cannot fail as they become better known to prove a very valuable addition to the remedies at present available to mankind.

There is no question of the claims which are put forward in this book being taken on trust. On the contrary they are open to the fullest examination. The proofs are there and they can safely be left to speak for themselves, in the light of the outcome of any investigations to which they may be subjected.

Seeing the far-reaching importance of the author's researches and discoveries it is necessary that some account should be given of his career, and of those qualifications in the wide field of physiology which entitle him to consideration in questions of the treatment of human ailments. --From the forward by SIR DUDLEY BORRON MYERS, O.B.E.

Buy cheap Alchemy Rediscovered and Restored (Kindle Edition) now

Frodo & Harry: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives [Paperback] Review

2010-11-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

The world has really become acquainted with the names Harry and Frodo. With the upcoming release of the third Harry Potter movie to the much-anticipated release of the final movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, we have been inundated with these two characters. Both overcoming evil for the triumph of good, it's easy to understand the attraction to both. But how are we to discern whether these characters, books and movies are moral and present a worldview that is proper for our children?
FRODO & HARRY, co-authored by media experts Ted Baehr and Tom Snyder, compares the fantasy worlds of Frodo and Harry Potter, contrasting the fictional "real world" in The Lord of the Rings with the occult world of Harry Potter. Baehr and Snyder are obviously movie buffs, but they are also Christians who observe culture and are concerned with the way visual media is affecting our world. "Our purpose is to help people of faith and values see and understand the difference between the two movies that have been adapted from the popular literary works," the authors state.
Part one is an analysis comparing and contrasting both movies and their worldviews. They briefly outline each film and discuss the message that each is giving. Although they point out a couple of positive aspects, the authors are extremely critical of Harry Potter, saying that it "attacks Biblical Christianity," and that the stories reflect a "pagan, gnostic, and nominalistic worldview." However, they praise The Lord of the Rings, calling it an "epic story" that "points us toward God and Jesus Christ and toward truth, honor, virtue, and beauty." Discussion questions at the end of each beginning chapter help readers evaluate the books and movies, and their effect on their lives personally.
The second part of the book touches on the spiritual approach we are to take when evaluating entertainment media in order to protect our lives from negative influences. Because the entertainment industry has such an influence over our children, Baehr and Snyder say parents should be concerned. They provide shocking statistics, ways we can pass on our moral and spiritual values to our children and go into detail about how children develop mentally and exactly how they react to certain types of media --- horror films, violence, etc. This section also touches on the history of the Church and its relationship with media and culture. Finally, there are suggestions for discerning readers and parents on how to ask the right questions about Frodo and Harry.
FRODO & HARRY is strongly recommended for those who are interested in pop-culture and how it relates to our spiritual lives, as well as for thoughtful parents who want to learn about the nature of the fantasy genre and the various critical tools necessary to develop an informed judgment about art and entertainment.
--- Reviewed by Karen Campbell

Click Here to see more reviews about: Frodo & Harry: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives [Paperback]

Product Description:
There is a war afoot between two fantasy worlds. The feature films based on The Lord of the Rings trilogy has reawakened popular interest in J.R.R. Tolkien's fantastical creatures. Meanwhile, Harry Potter fans devour every installment of J.K. Rowling's best-selling series. While both series have ardent fans and some similarities, is there actually an important difference between the two? How are readers and moviegoers to think about Frodo and Harry?This book contrasts the fantasy worlds of The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, showing their very different worldviews. Using Harry and Frodo as a lens to examine media entertainment as a whole, the authors show us how to make wise choices, because there's more at stake than just a book or a movie - it's a way of looking at the world. Discerning readers and thoughtful parents will find this book an eye-opener about what they're being taught through the entertainment they choose.Ted Baehr, an award-winning producer, writer and director, is chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a division of Good News Communications, Inc., and serves as the publisher of MOVIEGUIDE: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment. He writes a nationally syndicated column and is the author of numerous books, including What Shall We Watch Tonight? and The Media-Wise Family.Tom Snyder is vice president of Good News Communications, Inc., and an editor for MOVIEGUIDE. He is an experienced journalist and film scholar, having taught in the Radio-TV-Film Department at Northwestern University, where he completed a Ph.D. in film studies. He is also the author of Myth Conceptions: Joseph Campbell and the New Age.--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Buy cheap Frodo & Harry: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives [Paperback] now

John Dough and the Cherub (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-11T07:10:00.000-05:00

John Dough and the Cherub is sweet reading. Aimed for younger readers, this book is set in a fanciful world much like Baum's Oz books.This story tells of a gingerbread man come to life much like the fairy tale. It tells of his adventures with his companion, the Cherub, as he dodges his enemy, a sinister man who wishes to eat him to and gain immortality. Recommend reading for nostalgic sentimentality.It hooked me when I was a child and my mother as an adult. (I still like it!)

Click Here to see more reviews about: John Dough and the Cherub (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
(Thebooks I publish are always proof read and corrected before publishing on Kindle! David Snode)

L Frank Baum, author of "The Wizard of Oz", has another hit with this book about a ginger bread man brought to life. In an Oz-like land, he and his friend, Chick the Cherub, dodge an evil man intent on catching and eating him to gain immortality They have many wonderful adventures along the way, meeting many fascinating characters.

Buy cheap John Dough and the Cherub (Kindle Edition) now

The Iliad (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-10T19:47:00.000-05:00

The two classic verse (English) translations of Homer's Iliad & Odyssey are by George Chapman (1611) and Alexander Pope (1725).A classic prose translation of both works is the one by Lang, Leaf, and Myers (Iliad), and Butcher, Lang (Odyssey).A good, literal prose translation from the 1890's of the Odyssey is the George Herbert Palmer.Good literal, modern prose translations of both works are the ones by A. T. Murray.The better prose and verse translations of the latter half of the 20th century (E. V. Rieu, Fagles, Lattimore, Fitzgerald, Lombardo, Mandelbaum, etc.) are all, though they obviously have different approaches, pretty much at the same level of inspiration.To get most of Homer in English you have to first learn the poems from ANY translation that speaks to you (even starting with a paraphrased prose version for 'children' is a good idea), then you have to read the Chapman and Pope along with a good, literal prose version.This Penquin Classics edition of Pope's translation of the Iliad includes all of Pope's notes for each book as-well-as his Preface, Essays on the nature of Homer's battle scenes and on the Shield of Achilles, and the three remarkable indexes (Index of Persons and Things, Poetical Index, and Index of Arts and Sciences).The notes contain, along with Pope's original notes, numerous extracts from ancient and modern commentators of the poem including the allegorizing of the various scenes and events and so on.Pope's verse itself makes Homer a startling new experience for anyone only familiar with 20th century translations.Because the verse is in heroic, rhymed couplets each detail of the poem stands more clearly on its own.Details that get blended in and painted over in modern translations stand out in Pope's verse.The verticalness of the poem (hierarchy of levels of being from beneath human to human to semi-divine to divine...) is made more visible.Architecture and natural description is more vivid.Pope also brings out the higher psychological play between the characters and gods and goddesses.This edition is definitely worth its price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Iliad (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
This is Alexander Pope's translation of "The Iliad" (1715-20) into heroic couplets. Homer's tale of the Trojan war is a compassionate view of human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death in the face of an overwhelming and often uncaring divinity.

Buy cheap The Iliad (Complete Version) (Kindle Edition) now

Hollow Fields Vol. 1 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-10T18:52:00.000-05:00

I think that Hollow Fields has a good story.As soon as I saw this book at my school book fair, I knew this was going to mean something to me.I read the back. It sounded interesting. I read the first few pages, I bought the book!I read it with TOTAL interest.It turned out to be better than I had expected with the way I could see the characters moving and hear the rain fall.I was so involved in that book, that if someone disturbed me, I wasn't happy.When I first saw it, I also knew it was a whole new adventure, just waiting to be discovered.You may think I'm just saying that, just because I'm a middle school girl, but the book really grabbed my attention!When I finished reading Hollow Fields, I wanted my mom to read it too and was disappointed that the second volume wasn't ready for me to read.I hope the next volume comes out soon!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hollow Fields Vol. 1 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Forgetting your homework was never this dangerous!

Little Lucy Snow was meant to be enjoying her first day at the nice elementary school in town; however a macabre twist of fate sees her enrolled instead at Miss Weaver's Academy for the Scientifically Gifted and Ethically Unfettered--also known as Hollow Fields.

Located on the outskirts of Nullsville and run by the insidious Engineers, the grim boarding school dedicates itself to raising the next generation of mad scientists and evil geniuses! Classes include Live Taxidermy, Cross-Species Body-Part Transplantation and Killer Robot Construction, and for her own survival Lucy has to master them quickly...the student with the lowest grades at the end of each school week is sent to the windmill for detention--and so far, no child has ever returned!Japanese Foreign Ministry's "International Manga Award" Runner-Up Winner!

Buy cheap Hollow Fields Vol. 1 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) now

Hollow Fields Vol. 2 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-09T19:12:00.000-05:00

This continuation of the first manga takes place two months later. We learn more about each character and how they are developing. It moves at a nice pace and raises the stakes considerably with even more charm than the first.

Although Lucy is working hard at her studies, she still ignored by her classmates and she is lonely. Some projects are going her way, but some still blow up in her face. Will she be able to stay out of the windmill after tough midterm exams?

There are also flashbacks to the beginning of Hollow Fields and we get to see some of the engineers before they became stitched up and steam driven. Many more secrets of the school are revealed, some held by teachers and some held by students.

Oveall, I loved both the art and the story and I can't wait for the next installment!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hollow Fields Vol. 2 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
As the dark secrets of Ms. Weaver's past become clear, it's up to Lucy to rally her fellow students into action against the Engineers' evil machinations. But how can she possibly turn the most influential girl in school, Summer, into an ally when she is actually Lucy's greatest enemy? And who is the mysterious apparition from the windmill that comes to Lucy with an ominous warning?Picked "Best New Original English Language Manga of 2007" by About.com!

Buy cheap Hollow Fields Vol. 2 (Kindle Edition) (Kindle Edition) now

Sentinel (One Wizard Place) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-09T17:53:00.000-05:00

Fox Strongbox was considered special from birth. From a very early age he has been in training to become one of the Elf King's elite guardians known as Sentinels. His final test of his training takes him and his mentor Eldin out of the elf kingdom to a remote island to test his skill. On the return journey, an unplanned attack by an elder black dragon leaves fox and the sentinel's bird mounts wounded, and Eldin possessed by the spirit of the dying dragon's spirit.

Draco (as Eldin has now become), learns of the location of the key to unlock an ancient and powerful artifact through the elder sentinel's memories. Draco becomes obsessed with obtaining the artifact and the power that it will grant him.

Along with the king's high wizard, Fox sets off to Cloudville to stop Draco, and rescue his mentor from Draco's evil control. Their quest is joined by the two agents from the Incantation Enforcement Agency as they search for the location of the artifact's hiding spot (long forgotten where it was by almost everyone) and keep the hidden artifact as it was meant to be: buried away forever.

Sentinel is the second installation in the One Wizard Place series. Author D. M. Paul masterfully weaves together Fox's story with events that took place during the first book (One Wizard Place). As a contrast to One Wizard Place, the reader is treated to a more in-depth exploration of the elf kingdom and the massive city of Cloudview. At the same time, though, plot and character development do not suffer. This book has cemented in my opinion that this is one of the best new young adult fantasy series that I have read this year.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sentinel (One Wizard Place) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
DRAGONS AND OGRES AND WOLVES, OH MY!
Fox Strongbow is in training to become an elite guardian known as a Sentinel. Riding on the feathery backs of giant predatory birds, his final test takes him and his mentor Eldin to a remote island to test the young boy's skills. On their return from the island, the unthinkable happens… a ruthless black dragon attacks the two riders. Eldin is possessed by the dark soul of the beast and becomes a creature known as Drago. Through Eldin's memories, Drago learns the location of a key that unlocks an ancient artifact said to be more powerful than anything in the world. Drago will stop at nothing to obtain this artifact and the power it could bestow upon him.
Fox, along with an elven wizard named Enob and two agents from the Incantation Enforcement Agency, take on a quest to stop Drago before he can recover the object that was never meant to be found.

Buy cheap Sentinel (One Wizard Place) (Kindle Edition) now

Daniel Radcliffe: No Ordinary Wizard (Paperback) Review

2010-11-08T10:08:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter, the books and the movies, and I had a lot of fun reading this bio. It tells all about Dan - how he got cast as Harry, how he, Emma, and Rupert spend their time on the set, and tons of personal information about Daniel. The author also talked a lot about the filming of the first 3 movies, special effects, and what it was like for Dan to grow up in front of a camera. The book also has a bunch of full-color photos of Dan with his co-stars and J.K. All in all, a really entertaining read about one of my favorite people!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Daniel Radcliffe: No Ordinary Wizard (Paperback)

Product Description:
By now, most fans have learned the fate of J.K. Rowling's beloved character, Harry, with her recent completion of the Harry Potter saga. But what has Hollywood's most famous teen wizard, Daniel Radcliffe, been up to lately? Though undoubtedly one of the hottest teens in Hollywood, there's little down time for this actor; in addition to two more Harry Potter flicks currently in the works, Dan has been keeping busy by staying focused on his acting. Stepping out of his Hogwarts robes, Dan has branched out from his image as Harry by taking on eclectic and daring new roles, both in film and on stage. Find out how he got started and get the latest scoop on the actor and his pals, including a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Potter films! This newly updated biography also contains 8 pages of brand-new, full-color photos!--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Buy cheap Daniel Radcliffe: No Ordinary Wizard (Paperback) now

The Hidden Adult: Defining Children's Literature (Paperback) Review

2010-11-08T07:23:00.000-05:00

THE HIDDEN ADULT: DEFINING CHILDREN'S LITERATURE surveys the plots, themes, approaches and structures of six major works in his efforts to define the shared characteristics of children's literature. From ALICE IN WONDERLAND to DR. DOOLITTLE and HENRY HUGGINS, these classics are analyzed with attention to the 'markers' that point out this is children's literature - and then uses a rang of critical and culture viewpoints to define a theory of children's literature. A 'must' for any collection catering to librarians or any studying children's literature, especially at the college level.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Hidden Adult: Defining Children's Literature (Paperback)

Buy cheap The Hidden Adult: Defining Children's Literature (Paperback) now Get 18% OFF

American Empire: The Center Cannot Hold (Hardcover) Review

2010-11-07T15:33:00.000-05:00

This is the second book in the American Empire series.It is also a much better one than the first.It does, however, have many of the previous book's faults.
The improvement between this book and the first in the series is very noticeable. However, it is difficult to quantify.One of my main complaints against the first book was that the "alternate" part of this history was too reminiscent of real history:the Freedom Party was a poor man's Nazi Party, the massive inflation that hit the Confederacy was exactly the way it happened in real-world Germany after the First World War.The Center Cannot Hold does a much better job of making things different and interesting.There is a rebellion in Canada, tensions start flaring up between the Japanese and the United States.A civil war erupts in Mexico.All of this is wonderful news to the alternate history fan.This is what we like.Sure, some events are still the same (the Freedom Party is still the Nazi party, the Depression happens just like it did in reality), but there are enough differences this time to make it harder to guess what's going to happen.
With all that being said, there are still numerous faults in this book, which makes it so that I have to qualify my recommendation.The writing is still very bland and boring at times.Turtledove still has an annoying habit of emphasizing things by repeating them.Every time we see Nellie Jacobs, there is some reference to her having killed the father or her oldest daughter in the previous series.There is always a reference to how she really distrusts men, with the occasional reference to how this isn't quite always the case with her current husband, but still is most of the time.It gets really old, really fast.It gets even older if you've been reading the series since the beginning and getting this every time Nellie appears in the book.The constant re-introduction of Turtledove's characters is his main writing fault, I believe.I know that there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but either he should trust the reader to be able to keep track or lessen the number of characters in the book.
Secondly, some of the characters are still beyond useless and very uninteresting in the bargain.I'll go back to Nellie again.I have no idea where her storyline is going, but her entire family has to be the most annoying and boring characters around.Their story doesn't seem to have anything to do with the ongoing story in the book.This wouldn't be so bad if they were intriguing in some way, but they aren't.They're just there, and they bring the book to a screeching halt every time they appear.There is some sign at the end of the book that they may finally play some small part in the next book.I hope that's true, as maybe they might finally get interesting.
Thankfully, most of the other characters have developed some sort of interesting story.The intention seems to be to illustrate various aspects of life during this time period, and a reaction to the national events that happen.Chester Martin, for example, is the everyman who has to deal with the Depression on the ground.There are a couple of black characters who seem to be in the book mainly to give a black perspective to the rise of the Freedom Party.At least they are interesting characters as well.Turtledove is not afraid to kill some of his characters off, so you're never sure exactly what's going to happen to them.One of the deaths, in fact, is so out of the blue that I initially wondered if Turtledove just couldn't find anything to do with him.I then realized that it illustrated something about what was going on, and I admired Turtledove a lot more for it.While he kills some of his characters off, he also introduces some new ones.So far, these seem better then some of his original characters.
The final problem, and I have a feeling it's going to be a problem in the next book as well (it was a big one in the previous book) is that it covers such a long period of time that it seems very disjointed.This book covers events from 1924 to 1933.A lot of events happen offstage and we only see a reaction to them in hindsight.Thus, there is no real flow to the book.A clear indication of this is the last few chapters.These chapters all take place in 1932-33 and talk about the coming election in the Confederacy, and the United States' reaction to it.These chapters are gripping, even as you know what's going to happen.There's a pace to them, a tension that makes you want to finish them.This is missing from the earlier chapters, and definitely indicates the problem.
Thus, I must qualify my recommendation for this book.It's much better than the first.However, if you don't have an interest in alternate history (or even history in general, as I think this series would be of interest to the historian), then the writing of this book will really turn you off.As it is, you have to almost ignore it because you want to know what's going to happen next.This series seems to be doing almost nothing but setting up the coming Second World War.Thus, you go through it feeling almost like you're running in place, waiting for something to happen.I feel that I like this series a lot more than I should just because I like where the destination is.Unfortunately, the journey is kind of a long, dry one, almost an endurance test.Keep that in mind if you pick up this series.

Click Here to see more reviews about: American Empire: The Center Cannot Hold (Hardcover)

Buy cheap American Empire: The Center Cannot Hold (Hardcover) now

Grammar for Middle School: A Sentence-Composing Approach--A Student Worktext [Paperback] Review

2010-11-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

Grammar for Middle School has worked quite well for my high school students.I work in an urban school district where students' skills are generally several years below grade-level, so this book is definitely appropriate for them.It has nice scaffolding, and corresponds better with their high school sentence composing book (the small, purple one).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Grammar for Middle School: A Sentence-Composing Approach--A Student Worktext [Paperback]

Product Description:

Don and Jenny Killgallon's sentence-composing approach has transformed how writing is taught in thousands of language arts classes, helping students all across America become more proficient, sophisticated writers. Now the Killgallons use their highly effective method for a unique, powerful textbook that links good writing to that perennially difficult-to-teach subject - grammar.

Grammar for Middle School: A Sentence-Composing Approach gives your students the chance to absorb and replicate the grammatical structures used by some of the best writers of our times. Included among the over 150 authors, 200 titles, and 400 model sentences in Grammar for Middle School are award-winning young-adult literature such as Cynthia Voigt's Homecoming, popular favorites like J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter, and curricular staples such as John Steinbeck's The Red Pony and The Pearl.

Fourteen grammatical structures are developed in the same predictable, understandable manner, using the sentence-composing approach. When students first encounter a tool, it is clearly defined and characterized. Then it's practiced through five activities: matching, unscrambling, combining, imitating, and expanding. Finally, a creative writing activity immerses students in the composition or revision of a paragraph through independent use of the sentence - composing tools they have already learned. Best of all, after each section, review activities - which can be easily graded as unit or final tests - offer opportunities for students to bring it all together and build better sentences.

An online teacher's guide accompanies Grammar for Middle School and includes advice, tips, resources, answer keys, and even curricular plans for teachers who are either new to the Killgallon approach or sentence-composing veterans.

No one can forge the link between grammar and writing like Don and Jenny Killgallon. Discover for yourself or rediscover how powerful the sentence - composing approach can be, and watch as your students get grammar like never before - and write better sentences too.

Buy cheap Grammar for Middle School: A Sentence-Composing Approach--A Student Worktext [Paperback] now Get 20% OFF

Clive Barker's Books of Blood (Hardcover) Review

2010-11-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

Clive Barker did not want his Books of Blood broken up into individual volumes when they were published, yet that is what happened.Now, the first three volumes are available in one book, serving as the perfect introduction to Barker's unique style of horror.There are some really groundbreaking stories included here, alongside of a dud or two from Volume Two, but each and every story exhibits the genius and originality of its author's dark vision.
The initial offering, The Book of Blood, stands out as a unique ghost story, but it also serves as a provocative abstract for everything Barker sought to accomplish with these stories.After this enticing introductory tale, we head below the streets of New York to sneak a ride on The Midnight Meat Train.This story is vintage Clive Barker, full of blood and gore.Barker isn't trying to drown the reader in blood as a means to hide any lack of skill on his part, though, because the skill is undeniably there for all to see.In The Yattering and Jack, a dark comedy farce, a poor demon does everything he can think of to make the unshakeable Jack miserable, driving himself almost mad in the process.I think of The Yattering and Jack as an amusing sort of Barker bedtime story.Pig Blood Blues forces the casual reader to once again don hip hugger boots for a trek into gore and depravity.At a certain school for wayward boys, the other white meat is not pork.Sex, Death and Starshine is a good story, touching upon the needs of the dead to be entertained every once in a while, but it lacks a certain oomph.
Dread is a somewhat sadistic tale of one man's obsession with death.His is a hands-on endeavor, as he seeks to look the beast directly in the eye by studying the effects of dread and the realization of imminent death in the eyes of his fellow man.Dread is a psychologically disturbing read, one which succeeds quite well indeed in spite of a rather pat ending.Hell's Event tells the story of a charity race, only this particular contest pits a minion of the underworld against human runners, with the control of the very government hinging upon the outcome.Next up is Jacqueline Ess: Her Last Will and Testament, a disappointing story in which the main character's special abilities to control the things and people around her wind up wasted.The Skins of the Fathers is not a bad story, but it is quite weird.A sometimes almost comical group of inhuman, bizarre creatures comes to a small desert town to reclaim one of their own, born five years earlier to a human mother.A puffed up sheriff and belligerent posse of townsfolk lend comic relief as much as tension to the story's plot of borderline absurdity.
I love the unusual premise and the surreal quality of Son of Celluloid.The back wall behind the screen of an old movie theatre has seen so many famous lives projected upon it that the essence of those screen legends has germinated within it.The only thing needed to bring the screen personalities to life is a catalyst, which comes in the form of a dying criminal.The man himself is of no consequence, but he has within him a force possessing a single-minded drive to grow and thrive.Next up is Rawhead Rex, one of Barker's more violent stories.There are creatures that thrived on earth long before man helped force them to the brink of extinction, and things get pretty gruesome when one fellow unknowingly unseals the prison in which such a monster has been sealed for eons.Murder of a more human kind rests at the heart of Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud.This tale doesn't succeed completely in my estimation, and some might even find it oddly laughable, as the main character is an amorphous blob of a dead man's essence who reconstitutes the form of his human body in a death shroud.Scape-Goats is a little island of death story, the most interesting aspect of which is its viewpoint; it is not often that Barker tells a tale from the first-person perspective of a woman.The final story, Human Remains, offers Barker's typically unusual slant on the old doppelganger motif.
I have saved the worst and best of the collected stories for special mention.New Murders in the Rue Morgue is by far the worst short story Barker has ever written.We are led to believe Poe's classic story The Murders in the Rue Morgue was based on fact, and now the modern representative of the Dupin blood finds himself mired in an extraordinary, eerily similar, and exceedingly ludicrous case of his own.On the flip side, the most impressive story told in these pages is In the Hills, the Cities.Two male lovers touring the hidden sights of Yugoslavia become the reluctant witnesses to a sight few men could ever even conceive of when a unique traditional battle between the citizens of two adjacent towns takes an unexpected and ever-so-destructive turn.If you want to know what the big deal about Clive Barker is, this is the story you need to read.Books of Blood immediately established Barker as a giant in the genre and should be required reading for all fans of extreme and intellectually challenging horror.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clive Barker's Books of Blood (Hardcover)

Buy cheap Clive Barker's Books of Blood (Hardcover) now

A Wizard Abroad (Young Wizards) (Hardcover) Review

2010-11-06T07:55:00.000-04:00

I've read all of the Wizard series by Diane Duane, and this is definitely the best yet. According to Nita(Juanita)'s parents, she and and her wizardry partner, Kit (Christopher), have been spending way too much time together. Her parents just can't understand that there's NOTHING going on between them, just magic. Nonetheless, Juanita is packed up and sent to live with her aunt in Ireland for six weeks until school starts. Grudgingly, Nita settles in with her aunt, and even starts enjoying a little break from magic, but it's not too long until she realizes how much trouble Ireland is really in, and how one little shift of power in the wrong direction could destroy it. It's up to Nita, Kit, and a few new characters to gather the tools they need and re-enact an ancient battle, or accept their fates.The story is set with Duane's typical magic, melded together with Irish lore to make one of the most creative and thrilling fantasy books of today.

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Wizard Abroad (Young Wizards) (Hardcover)

Buy cheap A Wizard Abroad (Young Wizards) (Hardcover) now

One Wizard Place (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-05T19:43:00.000-04:00

This is a great book. I found a Podcast of the audio book and really liked what I heard. So I decided to purchase the paper copy. This was even better than I expected. It's fast paced with action and fantastic visual effects almost like you were watching a movie. I read the book over the weekend and hardly put it down. I have to say that I'm impressed with this new author. I hope to see more in the future.

Click Here to see more reviews about: One Wizard Place (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
IT'S TIME TO RIGHT MAGIC THAT HAS GONE WRONG!

Young Justin Kasey Hobskin (known as Kase) and his faithful partner Murdox (who just happens to be a talking wolf-dog) are agents for the Incantation Enforcement Agency, Counter-Curse Division. In a world where magic and technology are intertwined; they have the unpleasant job of righting magic that has gone wrong.
Following the completion of the difficult task of rousting some pesky nixies (wily little blue vermin), they learn that their next assignment involves saving an elf king who is slowly turning to stone after drinking a mystical afternoon tea. What begins as a typical quirky assignment turns out to be a quest that takes them to forbidden lands where they encounter magical beasts and unique challenges destined to test all their skills and intelligence.

Buy cheap One Wizard Place (Kindle Edition) now

Wizards at War (The Young Wizards, Book 8) [Hardcover] Review

2010-11-05T14:49:00.000-04:00

I've been waiting for someone to review this book for a while now, but I broke down and bought it so maybe I'm going to have to start the ball rolling.

First of all, this is a series book so I'd better give a little background.

Nita Callahan hid in a library once when she was thirteen and found a special book there...a manual of wizardry. For the Powers that created life, the Powers that Be, sometimes need a little help in preserving and defending life against the Lone Power that brought entropy and death into the universe. And that is why there are wizards. Together, Nita and her fellow-wizard Kit Rodriguez passed the ordeal that made them wizards. Somehow, they've survived underwater adventures, the cataclysmic Ordeal of Nita's sister, Dairine, wizardry on assignment in Ireland, losing the fight for Nita's mother's life, the depths of grief, and dealing with the Power that almost destroyed the paradise Nita and Kit went on a vacation in.

No sooner do they get back to earth, though, then the local Seniors, Tom and Carl, stop by to drop the biggest bomb ever: something is splitting the universe apart at the seams, wizardry itself is failing, and Nita, Kit, and a few selected others are (for the time-being) in charge of keeping the Earth running! Now even the youngest and most powerful wizards have only a few weeks to find a fix for the problem. It's up to Nita, Kit, Dairine, and the new friends visiting the Callahans' house on exchange to scour the ends of the universe for the answers. They will follow any clue, risk any danger, and pay any price to beat the odds against them, because all of existence as they know it depends on it...

If there's another book in the series this reminds me most of, it's High Wizardry. And this book has all of what makes this series worth reading. A few highlights:

-Irish wizard Ronan Nolan reappears
-Carmela's mail-order package comes in very handy :)
-Dairine meets the parents
-Nita talks to wizardry itself and creates a new spell
-Ponch talks to a big, big bug
-Chocolate (Read it. You'll understand!)
-The Crossings invaded and taken
-Enchanted cell-phones and Wiz-pods
-Kit at a loss for words at least three or four different times, all for different reasons
and...
-The secret of the strange wizardry leakage at Kit's home is revealed...but only at a haunting price.

I laughed, I cried, and I loved it. Maybe you will too!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wizards at War (The Young Wizards, Book 8) [Hardcover]

Buy cheap Wizards at War (The Young Wizards, Book 8) [Hardcover] now Get 22% OFF

Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms (Hardcover) Review

2010-11-04T18:20:00.000-04:00

Being a "closet gamer/fantasy geek" myself I completely related to Ethan's book. His story is my own and I'm sure a large number of other guys out there. Trying to balance the desire to immerse yourself in fantasy, (be it Tolkien, D&D, or online gaming) and living in "reality" with its expectations of what is considered "normal" is a recurring theme in the book and in my own life.
I felt the angst that Ethan dealt with as he slipped back into gaming and fantasy after years of self-denial. Anyone who has felt that twinge of embarassment over being a gamer or fantasy fan will enjoy Ethan's journey and obeservations.
I certainly did.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms (Hardcover)

Product Description:

What could one man find if he embarked on a journey through fantasy world after fantasy world? In an enthralling blend of travelogue, pop culture analysis, and memoir, forty-year-old former D&D addict Ethan Gilsdorf crisscrosses America, the world, and other worlds-from Boston to New Zealand, and Planet Earth to the realm of Aggramar.

Buy cheap Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms (Hardcover) now Get 34% OFF

Translation Of Children's Literature (Topics in Translation) (Paperback) Review

2010-11-04T17:43:00.000-04:00

This is a wonderful collection of articles on the subject of the translation of children's literature, and I found it extremely helpful in doing my own research on the subject.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Translation Of Children's Literature (Topics in Translation) (Paperback)

Product Description:
Research across a number of disciplines has in recent years contributed to a rapidly developing knowledge and understanding of the cross-cultural transformation and reception of children's literature. It is the purpose of this Reader to gather together, for the first time, essays published during the last thirty years on the history, challenges and difference of translating for the young reader.

Buy cheap Translation Of Children's Literature (Topics in Translation) (Paperback) now

High Wizardry (Hardcover) Review

2010-11-03T21:22:00.000-04:00

I *LOVE* this series!Here in High Wizardry, we spend some time with Dairine's Ordeal, and the deeper nature of Macchu Picchu (Peach to her...friends) is at last revealed.Where the "So You Want To Be A Wizard" was largely about action, and "Deep Wizardry" was more interpersonal development and self-realisation for Kit and Nita, this one switches to bring Dairine in, and is much more about Kit and Nita's emotional relationship.I especially love the scene on the Moon, before they set off.Gigo is one of the best new characters (until Neet's aunt), Peach gets a great scene, but don't think this is the end of the line for our favourite wizards!

Click Here to see more reviews about: High Wizardry (Hardcover)

Buy cheap High Wizardry (Hardcover) now

The Robert Pattinson Album [Paperback] Review

2010-11-03T08:09:00.000-04:00

I pre-ordered this book a while ago and was told by a friend that it probably wouldnt be that good. But I decided to take a chance! And was I ever surprised!
The book is beautifully put together with nice big pictures, quotations and stories about him (growing up, modeling & acting). Something else I really liked about it is that it has (almost) every magazine cover/article pictures on a few pages which is nice because I dont own all the magazines. Its also not full of Twilight but has a few chapters about it and has some really beautiful pictures from the movie.
I will be telling all my friends to order this book its definatly worth the price :)

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Robert Pattinson Album [Paperback]

Product Description:
Beautifully illustrated with 75 photographs in full color, The Robert Pattinson Album by Paul Stenning is a breathtaking visual biography of one of the world's most talked-about young actors. The hugely successful vampire romance Twilight was a box-office phenomenon, and Robert is that smash-hit film's breakout star.

In the space of a few short years, the twenty-two-year-old Londoner has gone from amateur stage performer to full-blown Hollywood idol, and his staggering ascent is already the stuff of legend. The public first took notice when Robert appeared in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire but the role that would change his life forever was that of charismatic teenage vampire Edward Cullen in Twilight, the film adapted from author Stephenie Meyer's best-selling book series.

Twilight's success has made Pattinson an icon to millions, swelling his obsessive fan base to overwhelming global proportions. Illustrated with a wealth of photographs; candid shots, film stills, and rarities, this book explores Robert's childhood in Barnes, his first forays into theatre, and his early television roles. It details his thoughts on the making of Twilight, his passion for art and music, his feelings about sudden fame, and his plans for the future.

Buy cheap The Robert Pattinson Album [Paperback] now Get 32% OFF

Nandi: Nandi & The Renewal Of Serenity (Volume 1) [Paperback] Review

2010-11-02T13:48:00.000-04:00

This story has a lot of Egyptian influence, which I think is wonderful.It has some good elements that I think young readers would enjoy.The story itself is good.

However, there were plenty of words that were used incorrectly. I found it to be distracting. After the first 100 pages you could see the writing mature, but the misuse of words still persisted.If the author corrects this, she will have a very good story.

The cover art is extrordinary.It is a very attractive book and I loved the font choice.It is written in a papyrus font, which keeps it in line with the Egyptian influence. Some readers may find the font difficult to read, but it really does add to the look and feel of the book.There is a glossary of terms in the front along with a table of contents, to help the reader navigate more easily through unusual terms.

All in all, not a bad first outing for this Author.She definitely has potential.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Nandi: Nandi & The Renewal Of Serenity (Volume 1) [Paperback]

Product Description:
All was aligned perfectly before Nandi's birth... three gongs of the Sandglass, Five Hierarchies plus a cipher with the coin... that was until the Key wasn't turned, possibly changing the path of Egypt for the next one-thousand years. Now everything depends on each footstep NANDI takes in a game of Bao, through the Door of Obscurity, and most important, after she passes the Gate of Serpents. As if this is not enough turmoil there is still a young tyrant Prince, along with his mother, and a fallen Lector.On the other hand, there are others who believe all in NANDI - two prodigious apprentices, a Twarf, a Priestess and two of the most incredible best friends anyone could ask for.Still, will this be enough for NANDI to reach Serenity; especially none of these are her greatest fear?

Buy cheap Nandi: Nandi & The Renewal Of Serenity (Volume 1) [Paperback] now

The ORDER of SHADDAI (The Realm Shift Trilogy) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-02T08:23:00.000-04:00

I love this book! It was well written and a true page turner. I cannot wait for the next book! Reading doesn't get any better than this. It made me think about who I really want to serve and the trials and tribulations we struggle with every day, seen and unseen. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The ORDER of SHADDAI (The Realm Shift Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The 2nd installment in The Realm Shift Trilogy, finds Ethan, Gideon and Captain Bonifast journeying toward the Temple training grounds of The Order of Shaddai deep within the Thornhill Mountains. Mordred pillages villages and towns that had helped in the failed invasion by King Stephen of Wayland while the demon mastermind, Jericho, baits his own trap for the Deliverer of prophecy.

"The Realm Shift's intrigue is second only to its action!" -- Wayne Thomas Batson, author, The Berinfell Prophecies and The Door Within Trilogy.

"The Realm Shift doesn't just draw you in, it sucks you in! The story is full of mystery, adventure, danger and inspiration. I highly recommend it!" -- Brian Tubbs, Pastor, Sligo Baptist Church.

"The Realm Shift is written in a grand mythic type of storytelling reminiscent of Tolkien's Lord of the Ring Trilogy. It grabs the reader from the get-go and takes you on an intense ride through its thrilling, unstoppable trajectory!" -- Rai Aren, author, The Secret Sands.

"The Realm Shift is spiritual warfare as you've never read it before. An awesome book!" -- Betty Dravis, author, Toonies Invade Silicon Valley and 1106 Grand Boulevard.

"James Somers is one of my favorite authors. His pacing, creativity and the unique spiritual perspective he brings to his stories never disappoints." - Jeremy Robinson, author of PULSE and INSTINCT.

Buy cheap The ORDER of SHADDAI (The Realm Shift Trilogy) (Kindle Edition) now

Finnish Legends - that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-11-01T15:49:00.000-04:00

I am a pretty big Tolkien fan, and was quite curious about some of they mythology which went into creating such famous works as Lord of the Rings.Really, I have a hard time digesting this 'Finnish Legends,' which contains the Finnish Kalevala.When considering the Kalevala as a whole, the work which is a quoted source of inspiration for Tolkien's writings, you find a bizarre mish mash of largely pointless stories.While there are quite a few hidden gems that remind me of Tolkien's work, the overall story is enormously different, bizarre and obtuse.

While the setting would no doubt leave Tom Bombadil quite at home, the plot is primarily about a handful of incredibly powerful wizards who did all sorts of incredibly powerful things. What makes it unappealing to me is the fact that almost all of the characters were mean, nasty and deceitful; in other words, most were unapologetically flawed.Their omnipotence was able to affect everything except other people, which led to infinite plot possibilites and no predictability. A bit different from Frodo in Lord of the Rings...

However, when you take a snippet here and there, and try to reproduce some of the awe and wonder that you get when reading this book, and then spread it out over several chapters, then maybe, I can understand how this could inspire.Just maybe.

This particular version appears to be the later collection of the Kalevala which has been around since somewhere around the mid 19th century in the current form.Of course, the poems themselves are sort of the oral tradition of Finland which dates back much much earlier.Interspersed between the ancient legends themselves is the tale of a family visited by a priest in a winter storm, who tells them the Finnish poems known as the Kalevala, while lamenting the broken promises of the Russian Tsars, and the feeling that their native Finland may indeed fall under the shadow of Russia, instead of some dude named Sauron.

Such interesting locales as Starvation-Land, and Deadland are indeed included for your 99 cent donation.Instructions on how to build a boat by magic, making moss socks for those cold feet, the origins of snakes as well as beer, and how to make a harp out of bones is also included.Of course, it might be nice to mention the simple prerequisite of having a little magic before you get started.

The themes that definitely reflect upon the Lord of the Rings and other works of Tolkien would be the focus on gold and silver (and precious gems), the focus on the sun and the moon, the focus on magic, the construction of magic weapons and wondrous devices, the presence of the 'old wizard', a good bit of general inspiration for Tom Bombadil (feels obvious here), characters with more than one name, talking trees and other talking wonders, eagles you can fly on, the focus on song and the magic inherent in song, and perhaps the multiple multiple multiple quests many of which involve fair maidens who stubbornly refuse to behave as expected.Most of them just flat out lie, and while that isn't a LoTR parallel, it must be noted.

Even some of the pronunciation of the Kalevala have made their way into Tolkien's books, including LoTR.Who can forget the german -ch (pronounced like the ch in Bach) of LoTR so beautifully illustrated by the Stone of Erech.Finnish pronunciation of the -ch is the same.'Finnish Legends' includes a helpful pronunciation key at the first of the book which has a few more similarities to the pronunciation guide found at the end of LoTR.The roots of Middle Earth indeed delve far and deep to ancient Finland.

Really, this story is quite a trip, literally, as the action never ceases.Things are made to happen that you never could predict since, quite frankly, everyone in the stories can pretty much do anything they wanted to, so making squirrels to distract your dog and then hawks to kill your squirrels are fights that two wizards might engage in at any time.You just keep reading (if you can handle it) because in a couple of sentences, something totally unpredictable will happen and the whole story will have changed.Sure, this mythology has the old standard of trying to accomplish a goal 1, 2, 3 times or more, upping the stakes each round, with sometimes predictable or sometimes unpredictable results.

The work is quite short, and kind of difficult to read for those of us who like a non-infinite plot.For those craving something enormously different, and a challenge to read, 99 cents might not be a bad price to pay for something that will undoubtedly be the weirdest thing you read this week.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Finnish Legends - that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The following stories cover almost all of the songs of the Kalevala, the epic of the Finnish people. They will lead the reader into a new region in the fairy world, yet one where he or she will recognize many an old friend in a new form. The very fact that they do open up a new portion of the world of the marvelous, will, it is hoped, render them all the more acceptable, and perhaps will inspire the reader into an actual interest in the race that has composed them.

The Kalevala is the Finnish epic that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings.'

Buy cheap Finnish Legends - that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien (Kindle Edition) now

J. K. Rowling (Biography (a & E)) (Paperback) Review

2010-11-01T12:38:00.000-04:00

I got this book for my daughter and read it myself, since I wanted to learn more about JKR. Even though I knew some of the facts, that's the first time that I had a chance to read the "whole story".
This book is written in a very simple language and presents all the major events in the life of J.K. Rowling in a way that is readable and interesting for kids.
My daughter enjoyed it very much and even recommended it to her friends, who are also HP fans. In her reading response for school, she wondered what is the best way to organize your writing ideas... Well, this is certainly encouraging. And the sign of good book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: J. K. Rowling (Biography (a & E)) (Paperback)

Buy cheap J. K. Rowling (Biography (a & E)) (Paperback) now

The Castle of Otranto - the first Gothic Novel (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-31T19:38:00.000-04:00

Considering how long ago this was written, it's great.I love gothic, and this was interesting to read.It's not "deep" or complex, but as a precursor to gothic horror, it's a must for your kindle.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Castle of Otranto - the first Gothic Novel (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The Castle of Otranto is a 1764 novel by Horace Walpole. It is generally regarded as the first gothic novel, and it was indeed the first novel to describe itself by that term. Castle is thus generally credited with initiating the Gothic literary genre,

Gothic fiction (sometimes referred to as Gothic horror) is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance.

Buy cheap The Castle of Otranto - the first Gothic Novel (Kindle Edition) now

A WORLD WITHIN (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-31T18:19:00.000-04:00

In James Somers entertaining book "a world within" a young man named Daniel suddenly finds himself in another world after he is attacked by some bullies from his school and hits his head.In this entertaining easy to read story Daniel meets up with a group of unusual friends as he is being attacked By Spider elves.The story follows Daniel's progress through a sword and sorcery type of story with a strong religious undertone.

I would advise this book to young adults, fans of fantasy, sword and sorcery buffs, and there are some dragons in there too.The language is appropriate for young people as there is no cursing or sexuality.It does of course contain a fair amount or the usual sword and sorcery type of violence.I found the story a bit short.This may be because it is directed at a young adult reading level, or because it is the first of a series.As an adult I still enjoyed reading the story although at times events were a bit to easy to guess at.

The story reads like a Terry Brooks novel, which I mean in a good way.I will be getting the next book when available....Did I mention it has Dragons...

Click Here to see more reviews about: A WORLD WITHIN (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Fourteen year-old Daniel Harwick's powerless days bullied at Ekhart Academy are about to end. Traumatically catapulted into a world within his own mind, Daniel finds himself on the run from Pirates, Dragons, Shapeshifters, Spider-Elves, Griffins, Krakens, Cyborgs and even "Death" himself. Daniel joins with ragtag band of warriors questing for the legendary Wielder who alone can defeat the spread of the Necrom Void across the Living Land. But when they find him, he may be the last person anyone ever expected! What can you do when you're fourteen and the fate of a world rests upon your shoulders?

"James Somers is one of my favorite authors. His pacing, creativity and the unique spiritual perspective he brings to his stories never disappoints." - Jeremy Robinson, author of PULSE and INSTINCT.

PRAISE FOR: THE REALM SHIFT TRILOGY

"The Realm Shift's intrigue is second only to its action!" -- Wayne Thomas Batson, author, The Berinfell Prophecies and The Door Within Trilogy.

"The Realm Shift doesn't just draw you in, it sucks you in! The story is full of mystery, adventure, danger and inspiration. I highly recommend it!" -- Brian Tubbs, Pastor, Sligo Baptist Church.

"The Realm Shift is written in a grand mythic type of storytelling reminiscent of Tolkien's Lord of the Ring Trilogy. It grabs the reader from the get-go and takes you on an intense ride through its thrilling, unstoppable trajectory!" -- Rai Aren, author, The Secret Sands.

"The Realm Shift is spiritual warfare as you've never read it before. An awesome book!" -- Betty Dravis, author, Toonies Invade Silicon Valley and 1106 Grand Boulevard.

PRAISE FOR: THE CHRONICLES OF SOONE"...an intense, action packed sci-fi story with a heart. A gripping story, not to be missed!"—Jeremy Robinson, Bestselling Author of: PULSE, INSTINCT & BENEATH

"Sparks of Creative Genius: Somers' strength is plotting. No bog down scenes here. It just keeps amping. Wait until you meet the cyborg assasin Vale. He alone adds a rogue suspense mechanism worth the price of admission. The Vorn, the Barudii, the transdimensional rift--all very cool elements. A Story Worth Hearing!"—Wayne Thomas Batson, Bestselling Author of: The Door Within Trilogy, Isle of Fire & The Berinfell Prophecies

"Everything an action sci-fi fan could ask for: Full of battle. From the opening scene I was captivated. Woven into the action are moral dilemmas and tragedy, coupled with a unique perspective on the battle between good and evil. An excellent read."—Craig Alexander, Author of: The Nineveh Project & The Assassi

Buy cheap A WORLD WITHIN (Kindle Edition) now

Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-30T21:06:00.000-04:00

In this book, Cheyenne and Celeste have a parting of the ways all because of the one known as Dominic. Celeste and Dominic steal from Cheyenne. More happens to darken the mood at the farm. Cheyenne must come up with money to pay the farm's mortgage payments. She could lose the farm. Also in Dragon Domain are some old friends from Awakening the Dragon like Rachael Franklin, Kevin, Carmen, and others. There are also some new characters in Dragon Domain.

The new characters come to the aid of Cheyenne and those from the dark side. The House of Christ and its supporters are back again with their bigotry and narrow-mindedness. There are some truths that will come out, that are not been spoken of, and a few twists that no one might expect. While Dragon Domain is the continuing saga in the trilogy, it also has some new information and characters that add to the depth of the Dragon Clan Trilogy. Waiting for the third book isn't easy. A recommendation is to find all three and read them in sequence.

What happens in the forest when the new characters end up not showing up when expected? Will things turn out as Cheyenne hopes, or will the dark one prevail? This is a story of light and dark, good and evil from a nonreligious point of view. It is from a belief system within the participants involved in the struggle and their determination and inner strengths.

The House of Christ is of little use, and is more of a hindrance, by not allowing things to run their course. There are more things that we are unaware of than things that we do understand in the world around us. Dragon Domain explores some of them. It is up to the reader to believe or not. The book is fiction, but is it really?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Cheyenne and Celeste came to Coyote Springs to save a child; instead, Cheyenne found a home.With the help of their new friend, Jane, they created a spiritual sanctuary.But when Celeste stopped running, her past caught up with her.Dominic arrived with promises of love and passion.Instead of love, he reawakened Celeste's dark side, turning her against those she loved the most.With the aid of the dragons, Cheyenne was barely able to ward off their first attack.With each soul they bound to them, Celeste and Dominic's greed and hatred grew until they would not settle for less than totally destroying Cheyenne and all she loves.How do you protect yourself from someone who knows how to steal your soul?

Buy cheap Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (Kindle Edition) now

Rite Of The Revolution [Paperback] Review

2010-10-30T12:34:00.000-04:00

I loved this book! Incredibly cool, interesting, erotic, psychedelic, kind of reminded me of Robert Anton Wilson, but more straight forward narrative that I really enjoyed. A great book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Rite Of The Revolution [Paperback]

Product Description:
Ewige Blumenkraft! Adam Weishaupt, Jesuit scholar turned sorcerer, founds the Bavarian Illuminati and implements his lofty plan to perfect mankind through psychedelic drugs and sex magic.Across the ocean, the leaders of the American Revolution seek divine assistance in the form of funding for their war, putting them dead on course with Weishaupt and the most diabolical occultists in Europe.Brilliantly conjured to life are the cryptic enigmas alluded to in R.A. Wilson's ILLUMINATUS in this fantastic and seductive tale where the strangest and most powerful occult forces clash and conspire in the American War for Independence.THIS is the American History you've been waiting for! A must-read for all conspiracy buffs.

Buy cheap Rite Of The Revolution [Paperback] now

The King of the Trees (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-29T17:08:00.000-04:00

This is wonderful book that you and your children will absolutely love. We read this every night together before going to bed and every night I was begged if we could read just one more chapter. This imaginative book will draw you and your children in and you will love the characters you come to know and the places you will go. I highly recommend this book and we are anxiously awaiting another to follow.
"May your sythan-ar ever flourish!"
..... and may you never run into a "yeg" upon your travels in the forest.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The King of the Trees (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
What do an old wooden box, a jeweled pendant and some mysterious, green-garbed strangers share in common? When Rolin son of Gannon sets out to solve this riddle, his adventures take him worlds beyond the walls of his little log cabin. With the help of some grumpy griffins and a long-lost prophecy, Rolin and his newfound friends battle a sorcerer and his underworld army; deadly snake-trees; batwolves, dragons and other mythical creatures. On their perilous quest for the blessed Isle of Luralin, they must trust the King with their very lives. In the end, they learn that "The greatest help oft comes in harm's disguise to those with trusting hearts and open eyes."

This is the first book in a fantasy series of 6 titles (to date). Book 7 will be available in 2010. All titles feature a glossary and pronunciation guide at the back to make for easier reading and/or reading aloud. This series is ideal for both pre-teens and teens (ages 8 and up, male or female), including young adults and adults. These books do not contain objectionable language or scenes, and appeal to those who enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Borrowers, The Wind in the Willows, and other classics.

Overall content: Adventure, mystery, riddles, family-oriented relationships. 233 pages. Illustrated.

Buy cheap The King of the Trees (Kindle Edition) now

Dylan Murphy And The Magic Touch (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-29T11:43:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a fun read! The author really has a winner here.If you're looking for a fun romp through a magical world, then look no further.In this book, the author has put an original spin on the essence of magical powers, giving the story a fresh new twist. He also manages to blend the real and magical worlds in a unique way which helps you identify more closely with the main characters: they truly are as real as you and me (no need for a prized lineage or a high midi-chlorian blood count!).If you have kids who don't like to read, hand them this book. They will more than likely change their minds!Is this the next Harry Potter? Who knows, it certainly could be. Although it is a fun book for young and old alike, and full of magic, one thing it is NOT is "another" Harry Potter. This is a truly original story and a lot of fun to read. Once you start, and your internal movie projector gets going, you will quickly get attached to the characters and won't want to put the book (or should I say kindle?) down. There is one down side however: it appears we'll have to wait over a year for the next book!In the meantime, grab a copy, enjoy it, and spread the word!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dylan Murphy And The Magic Touch (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The story begins in the mystical city of Colabra.Two powerful wizards battle for the greatest magical force ever to exist.The power escapes, but is severely injured.In order to survive the mystical force enlists the help of Dylan Murphy, a sixteen year old boy from Colorado.

Strange things happen throughout the State as Dylan helps the magical force survive, restoring it back to health. Unknown to Dylan wicked foes will stop at nothing to seize control of this supreme power.

The King and Queen of Colabra dispatch friendly forces to align with Dylan as the great chase begins. He is pursued from Colorado all the way across the universe through magical and mystical places.Battle after battle ensues with the wicked wizard and his followers as Dylan attempts to protect this great force from evil.

Buy cheap Dylan Murphy And The Magic Touch (Kindle Edition) now

Shark Beast (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-28T14:30:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I like these monstery creature feature stories, but I do. "Jaws," "Congo," "The Ruins," "The Raft," if you could see it at the drive-in or the old midnight show on the old "Sci-fi" channel, count me in.

"Shark Beast" (love that title!) takes place over the course of one night, with alternating chapters on the beach (where most of the attacks happen) and in a boardwalk bookstore, where a group of young bookclerks spend the evening playing paranormal pranks and making out up in the attic.If Roger Corman was a writer instead of a filmmaker... "Shark Beast" would be the result.

My favorite bit was the young teenage nerd who was trying to trick a girl into sleeping with him out on the beach by scaring her with a monster story he had written--it reminded me of early Steve King. (It's like getting a bonus short story for free!) There's also a bit with a guy with a metal detector who loves "The Phantom Menace" that was fun, too.

The book concludes with a bit of a controversial "Sopranos" style ending that I myself enjoyed that others may or may not like--sort of like Stephen King's ending to "The Mist" (or "The Raft") or "Scott Smith's "The Ruins." I don't want to give too much away by saying much more, but let's just say the book leaves open the possibility for a sequel. (Which I for one hope happens!)

Lots of fun if you're into these kinds of books. Keep 'em coming.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Shark Beast (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
A strange shark-like creature that can attack above and below ground as well as in the water causes havoc one Halloween night at Parrot's Cove boardwalk.

Buy cheap Shark Beast (Kindle Edition) now

Zero Tolerance (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-28T10:27:00.000-04:00

When a kid commits a crime in Pittsburgh, the trouble is just beginning. That's because the teen-age criminals end up doing time in the River County Reform Camp for Boys. Rehabilitation isn't what the manipulative colonel running the military-style boot camp has in mind for some. He sees his chance to control one of the most lethal and fearless forces there is -- teen criminals.

Col. Henry Hogan has spent his life working in the juvenile justice system. After all this time, he knows he can do one thing well - manipulate kids. At the isolated camp that he controls, Hogan will test just how far he can push his boys and how much power he can grab. He recruits muscular Butch "Butcher" Brimmer to lead his Special Privileges Unit and dispatches the elite team on increasingly daring and dangerous assignments to settle personal scores and political vendettas all over Pittsburgh.

As the "teen terrorist" attacks mount and the death toll rises, Hogan furnishes his boys with the perfect alibi -- residency at the reform camp. But one cadet may be onto Hogan's diabolical plans.

Joshua Champaign is physically weak but gifted on a computer. Can Josh lead a newspaper reporter to the evidence exposing Hogan as the misguided mastermind of the perplexing plague of teen violence in time? Or will the cunning colonel squelch the truth and silence the teens for good - all in the name of juvenile justice?

From the author of FATAL DEAD LINES, KILL THE STORY and SECRETS OF THE DEAD comes a wholly original thriller in which nothing is as it seems.
It's a nonstop race against the clock that will test your tolerance for action, thrills and suspense. Because the task of reforming our youngest citizens has just become one man's excuse for violent retribution... And a young mind is a terrible thing to corrupt
Death Notice
Kill The Story
Secrets of the Dead

Click Here to see more reviews about: Zero Tolerance (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
When a kid commits a crime in Pittsburgh, the trouble is just beginning. That's because the teen-age criminals end up doing time in the River County Reform Camp for Boys. Rehabilitation isn't what the manipulative colonel running the military-style boot camp has in mind for some. He sees his chance to control one of the most lethal and fearless forces there is -- teen criminals.
Col. Henry Hogan has spent his life working in the juvenile justice system. After all this time, he knows he can do one thing well - manipulate kids. At the isolated camp that he controls, Hogan will test just how far he can push his boys and how much power he can grab. He recruits muscular Butch "Butcher" Brimmer to lead his Special Privileges Unit. Hogan dispatches this elite team on increasingly daring and dangerous assignments to settle personal scores and political vendettas all over Pittsburgh.
As the "teen terrorist" attacks mount and the death toll rises, Hogan furnishes his boys with the perfect alibi -- residency at the reform camp. But one cadet may be onto Hogan's plans.
Joshua Champaign is physically weak but gifted on a computer. Can Josh lead a newspaper reporter to the evidence exposing Hogan as the misguided mastermind of the perplexing plague of teen violence in time? Or will the cunning colonel squelch the truth and silence the teens for good - all in the name of juvenile justice?

From the author of FATAL DEAD LINES, KILL THE STORY and SECRETS OF THE DEAD comes a wholly original thriller in which nothing is as it seems.
It's a nonstop race against the clock that will test your tolerance for action, thrills and suspense. Because the task of reforming our youngest citizens has just become one man's excuse for violent retribution...

ZERO TOLERANCE is a term often applied to community efforts to stop the scourge of juvenile crime and rehabilitate the offenders. In our country's quest to meet out justice to its youngest citizens, some communities have turned to the trappings of military-style discipline and protocol. These juvenile reform centers are run as boot camps, designed to tear down the offender's psyche and rebuild it with the proper impulse controls befitting a polite society. But what if someone saw these young criminals as a lethal force that could be manipulated for his own ends? What if this person was in charge of a military-style boot camp designed to turn the kids' lives around?
This person would have unlimited power, the perfect alibi and total control over his young charges. This person would have ZERO TOLERANCE for life, liberty, justice and the truth. This person must be stopped…

A young mind is a terrible thing to corrupt.

*This Kindle book is a full-length novel containing 105,113 words and 389 pages.

Buy cheap Zero Tolerance (Kindle Edition) now

Feather: Book One (Second Edition: Edited and Extended) (Feather Book Series) (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-27T12:27:00.000-04:00

I liked the storyline and how it is developed but there were several phrases in there that DROVE me crazy.One was "furling of the brow" and the other was "blood like lava".I cannot say that they were cliched because I hadn't heard them until this book but, Good God, it's like every other page Estelle was "furling her brow" maybe if she furled it enough she could set sail on a sea of lava hot blood!!!Despite my frustration with incorrect word usage (to the author: you really do need to pay a human being to read your work before you release it because spell check just isn't cutting it!) and terrible spelling mistakes; I enjoyed the story.I do hope that she comes out with a third one that hopefully an editor has corrected for her.I also don't like that you can't really see a synopsis of what a book is about on the Kindle section.Elsewhere in Amazon they let you cruise the book before deciding to buy it.So here's my synopsis:Estelle is from a race of immortals that threatened to become more powerful than the Gods.This made the Gods unhappy and insecure so they moved to complicate things for them.There is kind of a twist about Estelle and ???'s relationship but I think you should read the book to get it. =)Estelle has forgotten her immortality and her soul mate helps her remember it.Don't worry you meet him soon enough!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Feather: Book One (Second Edition: Edited and Extended) (Feather Book Series) (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Estella's secretly talented life as an orphan has finally come to an end. At eighteen she can finally be free to run her own life and embrace her magical talents. Ever since she can remember, she has never been happy, has never smiled, and has never felt like she'd even had a soul. As she heads off to a secluded college in the North Cascades of Washington, she is hopeful that getting away from Seattle will be escape enough for her to finally find herself.As she settles in, her life suddenly takes an unexpected turn when the solitude and seclusion she was hoping for unfolds into a past life she never knew she'd lived. In the forests of the ancient past, she finds exactly what it was that she'd always been missing, not just her soul, but also the most important piece of herself. Her magical world expands into a place that finally feels like home, and takes her inner creativity, and love, to a higher and deeper level.

We at Crimson Oak Publishing apologize to anyone that ordered and read the book while an older and incorrect version was up on Amazon.A pre-edited version was uploaded instead of the edited version.If you would like to contact us you can go to www.crimsonoakpublishing and we would be more than happy to work something out.Once again we apologize and have fixed the situation.

Buy cheap Feather: Book One (Second Edition: Edited and Extended) (Feather Book Series) (Kindle Edition) now

Triumph of the Imagination: The Story of Writer J. K. Rowling (Overcoming Adversity) [Library Binding] Review

2010-10-27T07:42:00.000-04:00

I feel as though this book could have given more information about JK Rowling. Only about two of the chapters were about her life in general, the rest of the book was basically about the Harry Potter series and the fame the books are reciving. These other chapters really are of no use to people who want to learn about Rowling's life, it's basically about her writing. Maybe someone who hasn't read the Harry Potter books would find the entire book interesting. If you're a devoted fan, just skip it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Triumph of the Imagination: The Story of Writer J. K. Rowling (Overcoming Adversity) [Library Binding]

Buy cheap Triumph of the Imagination: The Story of Writer J. K. Rowling (Overcoming Adversity) [Library Binding] now Get 5% OFF

The Witching Hour: A Magical Compendium (Paperback) Review

2010-10-26T16:19:00.000-04:00

The essays in this text range in quality and depth - but overall the authors demonstrate how Rowling's saga elucidates ordinary human psychology, teaching/learning, and everyday experience. Harry isn't just for kids - his world is applicable to society. He's Huck Finn for the 21st century & the authors of this text explain how and whyhe is relevant to us all.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Witching Hour: A Magical Compendium (Paperback)

Product Description:
On October 6, 2005, The Witching Hour, a Harry Potter symposium, commenced in Salem, Massachusetts. For five days, attendees had a chance to don their cloaks, grasp their wands, tote their magical texts and Apparate to the Historic District of Salem for magic and merry-making, text and context, craft and criticism.

In the lead-up to the release of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, reconnect with the amazing analysis, discussions, commentaries and examinations of the Potterverse and all its attributes and aspects through this magical compendium from The Witching Hour.

From the event′s website:Come delve into the world of Harry Potter under Salem′s hoary gaze. Explore in academic presentations and round tables. Learn in art and writing workshops. Play at the Hallowe′en Ball and Fall Festival.

Buy cheap The Witching Hour: A Magical Compendium (Paperback) now

THE REALM SHIFT (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-26T11:45:00.000-04:00

This book is about a spiritual battle between good and the evil trying to take over, prophesies to be fulfilled and learning to have true faith.There are angels, demons, warrior priests, fallen angels and a young boy born with special powers to save the world.Ethan's confusion as he learns about himself and his unique abilities make you care for him. His alternating youthful over-confidence and insecurity as he is thrown into a world far beyond anything he is prepared for forces him to look beyond himself for help. As he grows spiritually, he learns that his strengths come from faith in a higher power.

From the moment you pick up the book, the author draws you right in with good character development, a great storyline, lots of sub-plots.Still, it flows quickly and smoothly, without getting bogged down in the details.There was no need for overly-graphic scenes, making the book appropriate for all readers!The ending was perfect to leave you wanting to read more, leading you into the next book in the trilogy!The worst thing I can say about the book was that it wasn't at LEAST 300 pages longer!

Great work, as are all of the books I have read by Mr. Somers!

Click Here to see more reviews about: THE REALM SHIFT (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
The strangest thing about Ethan's first encounter with a demon was not that he could see it, but that the demon could not see him....Hunted by these malevolent spirits and the Warlord allied to them, Ethan struggles to stay alive in the midst of a growing rebellion within his homeland. As war erupts, he must flee to the white walled city of Emmanuel in order to fulfill the long held prophecy of Shaddai's Deliverer or die in the attempt. At Every turn, enemies, both seen and unseen, conspire to kill Ethan before he realizes and unleashes the awesome power of the Realm Shift.

"The Realm Shift's intrigue is second only to its action!" -- Wayne Thomas Batson, author, The Berinfell Prophecies and The Door Within Trilogy.

"The Realm Shift doesn't just draw you in, it sucks you in! The story is full of mystery, adventure, danger and inspiration. I highly recommend it!" -- Brian Tubbs, Pastor, Sligo Baptist Church.

"The Realm Shift is written in a grand mythic type of storytelling reminiscent of Tolkien's Lord of the Ring Trilogy. It grabs the reader from the get-go and takes you on an intense ride through its thrilling, unstoppable trajectory!" -- Rai Aren, author, The Secret Sands.

"The Realm Shift is spiritual warfare as you've never read it before. An awesome book!" -- Betty Dravis, author, Toonies Invade Silicon Valley and 1106 Grand Boulevard.

"James Somers is one of my favorite authors. His pacing, creativity and the unique spiritual perspective he brings to his stories never disappoints." - Jeremy Robinson, author of PULSE and INSTINCT.

Buy cheap THE REALM SHIFT (Kindle Edition) now

Telling Lies About the Wolves [Paperback] Review

2010-10-25T14:05:00.000-04:00

Telling Lies about the Wolves, the new book of Mason Powell's "literary tales," is a great treat and a pleasure to read.These fourteen stories, written between 1978 and 1984, represent a startling variety of styles, and each one is an understated gem by the renowned Berkeley writer.

Many of the stories concern homosexuality, directly or peripherally, and Powell paints magnificent pictures of the LA. theater scene, San Francisco's South of Market hustling world, high school jock culture, and more,in colorful studies of intimate relationships undergoing powerful change

The first two stories in the book, one funny and one almost painfully tender, touch on the author's high school experiences with girls, the movies, male friendship under fire, and teenage sexual identity."Bruce Hagarty: All-American" also explores the fine line between roles that gay men must play.In this case, a professional sports hero's personal fantasy life is revealed to a perfectly--drawn stereotypical gay couple, with unexpected and humorous results.

"At a Party in Pasadena", one of the two "supernatural" stories in this collection, plays with spirit possession or channeling, as it meets knee-jerk Kinsey-scale self-definition.The main character falls in love with a sexual spirit briefly inhabiting the body of his male heartthrob, but, as it happens, the next time the spirit appears it is in another body....a woman's!

The other story dealing with the supernatural is "Chisolm Legacy", a hard-core western ghost story. Powell creates a frightening, atypical haunted--goldmine--inherited--from--crazy--uncle yarn of terror, torture, and the salvation of love

"Coming Out" is a charming and very funny coming--out--to--parents story with a twist. "Trash Body" could be subtitled, "Three drag queens exchange marvelous, weird, and bizarre pickup stories while looting a dumpster".

And the title story, "Telling Lies about the Wolves", describes the unlikely events leading to the author's journeying to Alaska with a crew filming a B--movie sequel about wolves.The deliciously detailed, eventful movie-making process is disastrously interrupted by a theatrical accident, when a "controlled" explosion starts an avalanche, and a war of personalities becomes a battle for survival.

Powell's published novels range from the excellent cop mystery "For the Love of a Green-eyed Piano player" to the heavily erotic S&M classic "The Brig."His short stories have been published all over, and are fairly hard to find, so this collection will please Powell's longtime fans and engender new ones.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Telling Lies About the Wolves [Paperback]

Buy cheap Telling Lies About the Wolves [Paperback] now

Robert Pattinson: Eternally Yours (Paperback) Review

2010-10-25T09:19:00.000-04:00

I knew most on what was in this book already.I thought the author would get details that were unknown.I was disappointed that the author went off on the twilight saga and other celebrities rather that focusing on what the book was labeled at.ROBERT PATTINSON.I bought this book wanting to know more about this man who is playing the most sought after vampire in the world.
It was nice reading book, but it was "check-out" library material.I would have not bought it.
Potential buyers: Keep your money and just check it out at the library.Let's wait for the official bio.
Of course, this book does not effect my feelings towards Robert. WE STILL LOVE YOU ROBERT!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Robert Pattinson: Eternally Yours (Paperback)

Product Description:

All the facts about Robert Pattinson-where he grew up, what he was like at school, things he loves (and hates!), his first girlfriend, his most secret dreams. It′s all here, along with quotes from Robert himself about filming Twilight!

Ages 9-12 years

Buy cheap Robert Pattinson: Eternally Yours (Paperback) now

The Partial Adventures of Tillie McGwinn (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-24T13:38:00.000-04:00

I loved this book!It is full of creativity and exciting adventures that will keep adults and children alike, intrigued.A must-read!My only complaint is that it isn't yet available in hardcover.I will be on the lookout for additional titles by Dalton C. Dalton.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Partial Adventures of Tillie McGwinn (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
At ten and two-sevenths years of age, Tillie McGwinn has already had numerous adventures with her Uncle Quentin, a famed pirate-hunter.So, when a hysterical ladybug whose black spots have turned green comes to Tillie for help, she barely registers the problem.As other black objects begin turning green, however, Tillie resolves to uncover the secret of the displaced colors.Her quest takes her through The Stranger Forest, into the depths of Lake Loch, across the Plains of Wompusmeeste, and into an abandoned amusement park.Along the way she makes new allies - Grayden, the underwater boy warrior; the ancient and wise Keeper of the Flame; and the mythical creeping house - as well as new enemies - the parliament of daylight owls, Lord Mareel, and the dreaded Wompus Wulf.Then there's the witch Eve, whose allegiance seems to change with the wind.Which side is she on?Why does she have a pet golem?And where did she get that fabulous red leather cat suit?

Buy cheap The Partial Adventures of Tillie McGwinn (Kindle Edition) now

J.K. Rowling A Biography [Paperback] Review

2010-10-24T12:47:00.000-04:00

I've read all the HP books and am a big fan so I was pleased to find a good biography of JK Rowling as Marc Shapiro's from last year was too thin and not very enlightening. This one is much more interesting and follows JK's life through from when she was little girl all through her education and the subsequent creation of Harry Potter on a train up to the present day. It's a pleasure to read a good rags to riches story - and in case you've read all those articles about her writing in cafes you can find out here that there is a lot more to JK Rowling than that! I recommend this book if you're a Harry Potter fan, especially if you like the game of spotting where all the inventive names in the books come from - you might not agree with Sean Smith but it's fun to play!

Click Here to see more reviews about: J.K. Rowling A Biography [Paperback]

Product Description:
Based on exhaustive research, interviews with those who know her and a penetrating evaluation of the novels, this is the first full-length biography of one of the most important writers in the world today.She is the creator of probably the best-known and certainly the best-loved character in contemporary fiction; she is also the author of her own escape from an existance on the brink of poverty, with no job and few prospects.On the one hand there is J.K. Rowling, who wrote and continues to write, the Harry Potter novels, a literary phenomenon of both the last millenium, and the new one.On the other, there is Joanne Rowling, a quiet, dreamy, rather shy woman whose brilliance in translating her dreams into prose transformed her own life.The author examines the experiences that not only helped to shape J.K. Rowling, but that led in the end, as in all the best fairy tales, to fame and fortune.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Buy cheap J.K. Rowling A Biography [Paperback] now

Indiana Maddock: The Adventures Of [Paperback] Review

2010-10-23T20:30:00.000-04:00

1.How could a book with Harry Potter characters be published in 1987?

2.How did this person get away with publishing her fanfic as a book?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Indiana Maddock: The Adventures Of [Paperback]

Product Description:
One troublemaker. One really bad setting. One thousand pages. One hell of a fun time!

Buy cheap Indiana Maddock: The Adventures Of [Paperback] now

Universe Of The Mind: The Awakening (Paperback) Review

2010-10-23T07:55:00.000-04:00

Lilian
I must say your book was uplifting and very interesting on your thoughts of the other side. I enjoyed it to the end.
Hector Arzia

Click Here to see more reviews about: Universe Of The Mind: The Awakening (Paperback)

Product Description:
Through the writing of this book our Creator has revealed to me the purpose of my life, that is, to help humanity understand that each of us has a spark of the Divine within us.And with that spark we can do great things.We are all capable of doing everything Jesus Christ or any other ascended master has done, if we just learn how to tap into the unused 90% of our brain.This book is about spirituality (not religion) and some of the changes that are coming to our world.It has predictions about what is coming to our world and how we can learn to prepare for those changes.The knowledge within these pages will invite you to join me in the journey to higher consciousness.

Buy cheap Universe Of The Mind: The Awakening (Paperback) now

Monkey - Journey to the West (Kindle Edition) Review

2010-10-22T17:12:00.000-04:00

I really loved this book, it passed the time really fast and I liked the book so much I finished it in only 10 hours.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Monkey - Journey to the West (Kindle Edition)

Product Description:
Journey to the West is one of the Greatest Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, by Wu Cheng'en.

The novel is a mythical story of the legends around a Chinese Buddhist monk's quest to India to obtain Buddhist religious text. The monk and has four animal protectors- disciples — namely the Monkey King, Pigsy the Pig, a River Demon and a Dragon prince who acts as the monk's horse. These four characters have agreed to help the monk as an atonement for past sins.

Part of the novel's enduring popularity comes from the fact that it works on multiple levels: it is an adventure story, a dispenser of spiritual insight, and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeying toward India stands for the individual journeying toward enlightenment.

Buy cheap Monkey - Journey to the West (Kindle Edition) now

Conversations with J.K. Rowling (Paperback) Review

2010-10-22T10:33:00.000-04:00

The first impression I got of this book is how thin it is. That wasn't the biggest one though. Let's just say when I opened it up I found the print to be HUGE. Another thing that disappointed me was from pg. 58 and on it was just an overview of the first 4 Harry Potter books. As a teen fan of Harry Potter and having read them many times I found it quite boring to have about 30 pages of just overview of things I already know. For a new fan of Harry Potter who hasn't read all the books it includes plenty of spoiler so I recommend you read the books first before you actrully read this interview book.
This book was split into three parts. The first part was called "An interview with J.K. Rowling. As enphasized on the cover this the first and only Authorized Biography of J.K. Rowling and I have found the little tidbids of information J.K. reveals to be disappointing. However that is the nature of J.K.'s character has she never reveals much about her story plotlines either. This first section of the book goes from pg. 11 to 57. It is split into four parts:
1)My family and my childhood
2)My school days
3)My career
4)My career as a writer
These few pages were mostly all that was worth reading for me.
Part Two of this book was called "J.K. Rowling books" It was split into two parts:
1)An overview
2)The fourth book
I recommend again not to read this part if you haven't read all the books yet because it does give out a lot of important storylines and spoiler. Of course it was boring for me because I've read the books many times
Part three of the book was just a bibiography and had a page of summery of the first 4 books. All and all this book only had 50 pages of HUGE print worth reading and I finished it in 40 minutes. As an teen fan of J.K. Rowling's I hope she writes a biography that tells more about her life than this after she finishes her seven Harry Potter books.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Conversations with J.K. Rowling (Paperback)

Buy cheap Conversations with J.K. Rowling (Paperback) now

The Dark Elf Trilogy - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] Review

2010-10-21T14:31:00.000-04:00

This was where I started in the Salvatore world.It was written after Icewind Dale but the events happen before.It basically chronicles the origin of Drizzt Do'urden.The 3 books that are combined here are:Homeland, Exile, and Sojourn.Homeland is mostly about Drizzt's upbringing in Menzoberaranzan, the home of the drow elf.It chronicles his notorious rise to fame amongst the drow houses and sets in motion Drizzt's need to find a "better place".Drizzt and possibly Zak (his father) are the only drow characters with an ounce of humanity and that shakes Drizzt to his very core.The next book, Exile, chronicles his various adventures in the Underdark after he flees his home.He partners with a svirnebli (some sort of dwarf-gnome critter with an affinity towards mining) and an enchanted Hook Horror (used to be a Pech I believe) as he continues to avoid his would be assassins.This book was also very good.Sojourn chronicles his initial adventures outside of the Underdark and while enjoyable, it was not as compelling as the first two in my opinion.All in all, an enjoying read.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Dark Elf Trilogy - Collector's Edition [Hardcover]

Product Description:
Contains Homeland, Exile and Sojourn.

Buy cheap The Dark Elf Trilogy - Collector's Edition [Hardcover] now

Cold Target (Mass Market Paperback) Review

2010-10-21T11:21:00.000-04:00

This is, without a doubt, one of the the best romantic suspense novels I've read in a long time.The story grabs you at the beginning and takes you along for a wonderful page turning ride.I simply couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end.It's suspenseful, romantic, and heartwarming with a good dose of retribution.I loved it.

This is the first time I've read a Patricia Potter novel and definitely won't be my last.She gets added to my favorite authors list.

Once again...a lovely story that will keep you turning the pages.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cold Target (Mass Market Paperback)

Product Description:
In the dead of night, Holly Matthews-the wife of a New Orleans Senator-takes her son and flees for her life.

At her mother's deathbed, lawyer Meredith Rawson learns that she has a sister-and promises to find her.

Two women linked in a conspiracy of lies that could shatter their lives-- and their dreams of love.

Buy cheap Cold Target (Mass Market Paperback) now