Enterprise Books

At His Command is the third story in Love Inspired's popular Homecoming Heroes inspirational category romance line, a limited series from Steeple Hill honoring the men and women now serving in our armed forces and the heroes at home who support them.

This book, Coulter's fourth, displays the hallmark of what we've come to expect from this award-winning author: a plucky heroine, a hero to die for; wry, witty romance and gut-wrenching emotion.

In this story, Army Lt. Maddie Bright returns to Ft. Bonnell in Prairie Springs, Texas, to recuperate from an intense year of combat nursing in a Middle East war zone. Her path crosses with Jake Hopkins, a war vet wounded several years prior who wrestles with PTSD and his memories of a split-second combat decision that resulted in the death of Maddie's brother, Noah, Jake's best friend.

Maddie and Jake's growing relationship as they care for a young refugee suffering from a life-threatening injury while awaiting news of the fate of their dear friends, a military couple MIA in the war zone, kept me up turning pages.

Coulter just keeps getting better. Highly recommended.

Madeline Bright always seems as sunny as her name, but her positive outlook isn't helping her attract the attention of ex-pilot Jake Hopkins. In fact, Jake avoids her as if he's as allergic to her as he is to peanuts.

He's the hero who can't get past the fact that he came home from a helicopter crash without his best friend Noah Bright, Maddie's brother. He's the hero who believes Noah's death was his fault. He's the hero Maddie has looked up to since she was a child.

Jake can't let Maddie know what really happened after the crash. He can't let her know how he really feels about her either. He wants to protect her at all cost - since he couldn't protect her brother.

Brenda Coulter's books are an interesting peek at the lives of heroes who have flaws, an unquenchable desire for the heroine, and enough sense to make things come together at the end. This book, Coulter's fourth, takes a look at an Army pilot turned civilian attorney and the constant problems he tries to ignore, but can't.

America's soldiers matter a lot to me. I've been a Soldier's Angel to some, and I've "adopted" three more on my own. We pray for them daily in Chapel at my cottage school. My Dad is a Korean War vet, and I am a Daughter of the American Revolution. These are a few reasons why I was eager to read Brenda Coulter's new book, AT HIS COMMAND.

This book, published by Steeple Hill, is a part of a six-author miniseries called "Homecoming Heroes," but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Please note: "category" (often called "series") romance books are mass-market paperbacks that sell like wildfire the month they're released, then quietly fade away. So you'll need to hurry to get your copy! You will want to read the romance of service man and woman, Jake and Maddie!

Jake Hopkins is allergic to two things. One of them is peanuts. The other is young army nurse, Madeline Bright. He thinks he's too old for Maddie and too jaded. Being around Maddie makes his throat close up and his brain stall. Being around Maddie also brings back the painful memories of her brother who died in his arms during war in the Middle East. Jake blames himself for her brother's death, and can't bring himself to let her love him.

Brenda Coulter fashions her characters vividly and I was ready to throttle Jake Hopkins and bonk him on the head with the cane he uses to walk on his severely injured leg. But Maddie, in love with him in spite of his flaws, was much more patient than I!

I think this book is perfectly timed. One of my favorite TV programs is ARMY WIVES. This book, too, gives us a lively picture of what it's like to be an American War vet in today's service. It's a poignant salute to the men and women in uniform. I give it five "boo-yahs!"

America's soldiers matter a lot to me. I've been a Soldier's Angel to some, and I've "adopted" three more on my own. We pray for them daily in Chapel at my cottage school. My Dad is a Korean War vet, and I am a Daughter of the American Revolution. These are a few reasons why I was eager to read Brenda Coulter's new book, AT HIS COMMAND.

This book, published by Steeple Hill, is a part of a six-author miniseries called "Homecoming Heroes," but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Please note: "category" (often called "series") romance books are mass-market paperbacks that sell like wildfire the month they're released, then quietly fade away. So you'll need to hurry to get your copy! You will want to read the romance of service man and woman, Jake and Maddie!

Jake Hopkins is allergic to two things. One of them is peanuts. The other is young army nurse, Madeline Bright. He thinks he's too old for Maddie and too jaded. Being around Maddie makes his throat close up and his brain stall. Being around Maddie also brings back the painful memories of her brother who died in his arms during war in the Middle East. Jake blames himself for her brother's death, and can't bring himself to let her love him.

Brenda Coulter fashions her characters vividly and I was ready to throttle Jake Hopkins and bonk him on the head with the cane he uses to walk on his severely injured leg. But Maddie, in love with him in spite of his flaws, was much more patient than I!

I think this book is perfectly timed. One of my favorite TV programs is ARMY WIVES. This book, too, gives us a lively picture of what it's like to be an American War vet in today's service. It's a poignant salute to the men and women in uniform. I give it five "boo-yahs!"

I have been getting the Forecaster for about 7 years. It has all the information you need to make good, informed picks during your fantasy draft. Ron's player comments are usually right on the money, and very entertaining. If you don't have the Forecaster and other members of your league do, you're starting from a serious disadvantage.

Ron Shandler's book is nothing short of exceptional - and it's indispensible for fantasy league players. His use of sabermetric tools is very sophisticated but also easily understandable. (Not many other guides discuss important concepts like Batting Eye, Base Performance Value and Speed Index.) Shandler's book is so solid and thorough you'll find yourself hoping that no one else in your league also owns a copy!

This is the first(definitely not the last) time I have ever bought this book. I have used it now after about 2 months into the year so much the ends are curling up from frequent use. I bought four other guide books for prep in our fantasy league. I NEVER USE ANY OF THE OTHER GUIDES ANYMORE!

Save yourself a lot of time and buy the only fantasy guide you need to buy. This book is not a rehash of the "same old junk" as all the others seem to be. It breaks down the reasons to grab people nobody knows about and goes "inside the numbers."

This is my new best friend that nobody will know about but me. I just hope the cover lasts all year!!

If you play fantasy baseball, Shandler's book has the best player analysis of any book on the market -- I've read a lot of them.

Shandler uses sabermetic principles to look at all players who played in the majors last season. The book is orgainzed by player alphabetically, dividing hitter and pitchers. There are some general articles on fantasy strategy in there too that are quite useful whether you're new to the game or an old vet.

If I was going to buy only one book on baseball, I'm not sure it would be this one -- the Baseball Prospectus has a greater range of players (includes more minor leaguers) and the team comments are very interesting. If I was was going to buy one fantasy baseball book... it would probably be this one.

In any case, it's worth picking up.

I just received this book in the mail and cannot wait to get started on my first batch of bagels! The author has a great variety of recipes (much more than I was expecting!), plus a great selection of normal to unique spreads for your bagels. I am particulary excited about the recipe for curing my own lox, which is next to impossible to get (especially decent lox) in the small town that I live in. With what appear to be nicely detailed instructions, including a trouble-shooting section, I think this book is going to be getting quite a bit of use!

One of my favorite books. The recipes are great .Now without a bagel store just around the corner I can bake my own homemade bagels. Donna is right, the best bagels are really made at home. Freshly baked and lukewarm eaten is one of the best things of life.

I've tried recipes in other bagel books and they were all more like Easter bread. These taste like store-bought bagels only better

One of my favorite books. The recipes are great .Now without a bagel store just around the corner I can bake my own homemade bagels. Donna is right, the best bagels are really made at home. Freshly baked and lukewarm eaten is one of the best things of life.

Many fundraising books show you the mechanics of fundraising. Ms. Sprinkel does that, but more importantly, she shows the reader how to approach fundraising with the proper mindset. Gone it the "tin cup" mentality. Instead, she advocates that we approach fundraising with an investment mindset.

Having set the stage with her philosophical approach to fundraising, Ms. Grace proceeds to walk the reader through the different stages of fundraising, including annual and capital campaigns.

I used the information in this book to assist the development team at my children's school with a capital campaign. We trained a number of people in the art of fundraising and went on to raise the money needed for a new building. While I won't give Ms. Grace all the credit, I can say with confidence that the advice she dispenses in clearly written and very effective.

This book provides non-profit executives with a very practical approach to making their organizations more successful financially and more relevant to their audiences. I have advised many non-profits on a range of issues, and I am envious of Grace's admonition to "put away the tin cup." That's one of the truest, most important things that today's non-profit leaders could hear.

Many fundraising books show you the mechanics of fundraising. Ms. Sprinkel does that, but more importantly, she shows the reader how to approach fundraising with the proper mindset. Gone is the "tin cup" mentality. Instead, she advocates that we approach fundraising with an investment mindset.

Having set the stage with her philosophical approach to fundraising, Ms. Grace proceeds to walk the reader through the different stages of fundraising, including annual and capital campaigns.

I used the information in this book to assist the development team at my children's school with a capital campaign. We trained a number of people in the art of fundraising and went on to raise the money needed for a new building. While I won't give Ms. Grace all the credit, I can say with confidence that the advice she dispenses is clearly written and very effective.

Defining the difference between fund-raising and donor development was an eye-opener. In a non-profit world that is increasingly competitive for the donor dollar, Ms. Grace offers a powerfully different approach. Of particular interest was reference to values-based mission statements. Something from which every fund-raising organization can learn

"Beyond the Market and the State is a work that in a fruitful and exciting way combines theory, empirical research and political visions...can be recommended to anyone who is interested in contemporary changes of the European welfare state...there is no doubt that the visionary character of the book will be obvious to any reader. The vision Pestoff provides is well grounded in both theory and empirical research and is certainly well worth further discussion." - Journal of Social Policy

"...addresses the need to develop social accounting procedures for organisations...considers whether the social enterprise and civil democracy can serve as a model for rejuvenating the welfare state in the new millennium" - Journal of Economic Literature

"Everyone - politicians and theoreticians alike - seems to be searching for `the third way' these days. Victor Pestoff has come as close as anyone to finding it. In this stimulating book, not only does he explore conceptually a wide range of `social enterprises', and their differing impact upon improving the work environment and empowering their citizens/consumers, but he also examines empirically how these voluntary service-providing associations came about and how they have come to complement both state and commercial providers. ... The message is clear, powerful and compelling: beyond (or between) the market and the state lie many of the solutions for reforming social welfare in an era of globalization and enhanced competitiveness." - Philippe C. Schmitter, European University Institute

"This book is must reading for anyone interested in progressive alternatives for the universal welfare state." - John D. Stephens, Professor of Political Science and Sociology, University of North Carolina, USA

I went to high school over 30 years ago with the author. I do not have a handicapped child, but she sent this book to me as I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and she thought that I would find it uplifting. I don't even know who told her I was ill or where she found my email-as I live in another state. But I loved this book. I could not put it down. It is very easy to read and I read it in two days. I am ordering it now for other friends that are teachers and nurses. It is very inspiring and funny and heartfelt. As I read it, I could hear her voice from high school saying many of the same expressions. Great Book!

In this book, Raina Futrell tells the story of her son, who has spina bifida. The successes that Cody has are inspiring. Mrs. Futrell's book is excellently written.

Wow! What an excellent book. This is a great heart warming story that will have you laughing and crying. It is full of emotion and makes you appreciate everything that you have. The author does an excellent job of telling the story. Highly recommended!!!

Raina Futrell wrote a heartfelt story of her journey with her son, Cody, who has spina bifida. As I read this story, I felt I was right there with their family, experiencing every joy and sorrow, every up and down.

This well-written story was one of those books that once you started reading it, you couldn't put it down. Since my daughter has spina bifida like Cody, I really related to the entire book.

this book has given me clarity in my purpose in building a business. Not only does this book give me biblical principles, but it does so in a way that is simple to follow. If you follow what this book says, good things will happen

it takes you an a journey to finding your business identity. I appreciate this book for that. It gives it to you straight up. The author has done a fabulous job at keeping close to the title of this book. I felt the book was a bit long for my taste, but it still is a phenomenal book that will provide Christians with a biblical base to their business ventures. I was blessed by this book.

I have to say that this book did a lot for me. It helped me really see how having a business is not as scary as I thought. If you have a plan and follow the principles in this book, it'll help you.

This book has taught me valuable business principles. As I look at this book I am amazed that the principles presented can be used for every aspect of life. This book is a great read and a hands on resource that has helped me tremendously

I have reviewed the 4th Edition of "Bicycle Rides in Los Angeles County," published June 2000, by Don and Sharron Brundidge. This guide has something for every type and level of bicyclist: family outings, sightseeing buffs, distance workouts, and elevation workouts. This edition is greatly expanded compared with the previous editions, with 21 added rides. Also several of the previous rides have been updated.

I especially like the maps and elevation contours. Starting points and parking are indicated, as well as parks, special points of interest for sightseers, restrooms, water sources, and occasional eateries along the way. At the beginning of the book there is a Master Trip Matrix that is an excellent starting point for planning a ride. The Trip Matrix has items like the general location, level of difficulty, mileage, vertical gain characteristics (hills), percentages of pure bike trail, marked bike lane, signed bike lane, or none of the above (called Class X), and other trip features and highlights. The latter include general scenery, landmarks, and special sightseeing attractions.

I have checked the distances and elevation gains with my own GPS and Avocet vertical gain watch and found the guides to be quite accurate. Options are described for shortening certain rides. Another feature I liked was the description of the connectivity between near-by rides for ambitious riders who want to do multiple rides in a day's outing. I can't think of a more complete guide for either the serious or casual cyclist.

The book provides 71 on-road trip descriptions (83 total rides) in Los Angeles County. Rides vary from those for short-length family trips on separated bike paths, many longer exploratory and workout trips for more experienced riders on various quality bike routes, and a few "gut-buster" tours for the most physically fit and motivated bikers. There are over 1100 one-way miles of biking described. Included are a coastal century (up and back) from the City of Santa Monica to Port Hueneme in Ventura County and a tour of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. Trip domains include beaches, parks, valleys, canyons, harbors, rivers and lakes.
Included is a master map to show ride locations within the county and a master matrix that identifies ride location, level of difficulty, route composition (percentage of route on bike trail, signed bike lanes or open roadway) and a general trip characterization (i.e., Is the trip scenic? Is it in a natural setting? Are there landmarks and/or sightseeing attractions along the way? Is this a mileage and/or elevation workout?).
Each trip description contains a detailed trip map and elevation-distance profile (non-flat rides) and scenic or character-interest photographs are scattered throughout the book. The route maps note the location of water sources, landmarks, sightseeing attractions and campsites among other points of interest.
Condensed Table of Contents:
Introduction
How to Use This Book
Trip Organization
Trip Description/Terminology
General Biking Considerations
Los Angeles County Trips
-- The Coast (18 trips)
-- River Trails (Rivers/Creeks) (7 trips)
-- Inland (21 trips)
-- Potpourri (City of Los Angeles and Avalon, Santa Catalina Island) (4 trips)
-- New Trips (South and East County, San Fernando Valley, Canyon Country) (21 trips)
Index

I have reviewed the 4th Edition of "Bicycle Rides in Los Angeles County," published June 2000, by Don and Sharron Brundidge. This guide has something for every type and level of bicyclist: family outings, sightseeing buffs, distance workouts, and elevation workouts. This edition is greatly expanded compared with the previous editions, with 21 added rides. Also several of the previous rides have been updated.

I especially like the maps and elevation contours. Starting points and parking are indicated, as well as parks, special points of interest for sightseers, restrooms, water sources, and occasional eateries along the way. At the beginning of the book there is a Master Trip Matrix that is an excellent starting point for planning a ride. The Trip Matrix has items like the general location, level of difficulty, mileage, vertical gain characteristics (hills), percentages of pure bike trail, marked bike lane, signed bike lane, or none of the above (called Class X), and other trip features and highlights. The latter include general scenery, landmarks, and special sightseeing attractions.

I have checked the distances and elevation gains with my own GPS and Avocet vertical gain watch and found the guides to be quite accurate. Options are described for shortening certain rides. Another feature I liked was the description of the connectivity between near-by rides for ambitious riders who want to do multiple rides in a day's outing. I can't think of a more complete guide for either the serious or casual cyclist.

I bought this edition a few years ago just when I was starting to do more than ride to & from work & the store.

This edition has over 60 routes for Los Angeles County.

The maps are detailed, the turn by turn description of each ride includes places to see, tips for preparation, & a bit of history.

The terrain covered includes Beaches, Parks, Canyons, Harbors, Lakes, & Mountains.

There are safety tips & equipment tips as well as other sources of info.

The only drawbacks are not the books fault, & with a brand spanking new 4th EDITION just released in June that includes another 20 rides & a complete update of many of the old ones, these problems have been solved.

Use this edition with a current THOMAS BROTHERS MAP as a way to check changes in route & terrain & you will be ok.

Phone numbers & addresses may be outdated in this edition as well.

All in all, well worth the price of admission.

I also recommend the ORANGE COUNTY & INLAND EMPIRE editions as well, with the same reservations on account of age.

Review by Tavares S. Carney - "the Christian Page Turner"

In The Big Payback, author, Cederick Tardy draws upon his personal life experiences and advises from his own perspective, and probably many more young males, single mothers on what it is he thinks are the methods and strategies to raise a successful young man. Having had to deal with childhood emotions he so candidly shares in this work, he gives mothers who may not have an open line of communication with their son insight into what may be going through the minds of their young man. He turns the looking glass to all mothers, making us painfully examine what it is we could actually be doing better to rear our sons and areas whereby we can use a little or a lot of improvement. He gives pointers regarding the signs and symbols mothers should look for in order that they are conscious of other forms of communication from their son's besides verbal communication. The difference in what some are calling this "parenting manual" and a typical parenting manual from a seasoned psychologist, social worker or family counselor, is that it is advised from a youth perspective. While Cederick is quite appreciative of everything his mother thought she was doing right in providing for him, this work affords readers the true essence of what a son longs for from his mother, her time and attention, her ears and her heart. He teaches us all that material things come and go, but love and understanding surpasses all. A nurturing mother, with God's assistance, is the best cultivator of a successful, well-rooted young man. Cederick is proof positive that any situation can be made positive when a firm foundation is laid and communication is honest and open. Those of us that are mothers, single or not, will close the final page of this book having gained at least one thing we can take with us and apply it to our daily lives. Plain and simple, he discusses real topics and suggests real solutions.

Book Description

Cederick Tardy shows you how to build trust, develop courage to overcome, interpret actions and body language, improve communication skills, understand your son's thought processes, plan your son's future, understand his father's significance, win arguments without ruing relationships and much more. The Big Payback will open your eyes as a single mother and give you greater insight into what you should or shouldn't be doing as a parent to garner your son's success.

The idea behind Cederick W. Tardy II's The Big Payback came while he was sitting in a court room building. He was in trouble and praying for a way out. He begin to write a letter to his mother, letting her know what he wished she'd done better when raising him. He began to realize what was wrong in his life wasn't all her fault. He flipped the paper over and started writing everything he wished he'd known back then that would have kept him out of trouble.

From those letters and notes, The Connection Series was born. "The Big Payback" is the first in this series, followed by "A Head Start". Next in this series will be "What Father's Should Be Telling Their Daughters!"

"The Big Payback" is targeting single African-American mothers, but offers sound parenting advice for all mothers. After Mr. Tardy's introduction, it's his mother who opens her heart unambiguously to readers.

Self-help buffs will find many useful points including goal setting, cultural influences, communicating and understanding your child. The book tackles issues such as juggling work and your child, priorities, how words can uplift as well as destroy, suicide, and other real life issues children face today from a Christian viewpoint.

Having read the Dr. Phil series as well as many of Dr. James Dobson's books, "The Big Payback" clearly stands out. Each of the twenty six chapters is filled with personal experience from a mother and her son.

It is my belief if you don't plan to succeed, then by not doing anything, what you've done is planned to fail. In other words, success isn't a fluke. It's a result of direct action. "The Big Payback" lays out a plan of positive action. Mr. Tardy sums this up best in book's conclusion:

"Everyone in this world has challenges. We have to decide whether to overcome those challenges or succumb to them. Aim high at all times! But aim with precision."

Originally posted on [...]

Let me start with the bottom line: Every single mother faced with the daunting task of raising a male child from boy to man should read this book. Cederick Tardy, writing from his own personal experiences as a son who brought a world of grief to his over-matched, though well intentioned mother, delivers an intimate, yet objective and authoritative, book of advice aimed at helping other women and their sons to anticipate and avoid negative outcomes in their relationships. Tardy is brutally honest about just how far out of hand he got, including self-destructive forays into substance abuse, drug dealing and violence (including a suicide attempt), even as his mother took steps after her divorce from Tardy's father aimed at improving their quality of life. Thankfully, by the grace of God, Tardy survived to tell the tale--but too many young men don't, winding up emotionally, spiritually and even physically destroyed. I, too, was raised by a divorced single mother, and while I never engaged in the delinquent behavior Tardy did, both my mother and I (and my brother) would have benefited greatly had she had access to the advice provided in "The Big Payback." If you are a single mother, buy and read this book. And if you know a single mother trying to raise a male child (or male children), you couldn't bless her (and her children) with a greater gift.

"Learn what you can from whoever is willing and capable to teach you" is a motto by which Cederick W. Tardy II lives. And though THE BIG PAYBACK is a subtitled 'guide on raising a young man as a single mother' this fine little book is as sound and valuable a tool for family counseling as any to come around in a long time! Tardy is obviously a very intelligent 23 year old lad whose life experiences and innate and learned intelligence make his an old soul despite his youth - a factor which makes this 'self improvement' resource all the more powerful in that it comes from the direct experience of a troubled youth from a broken home, a lad who 'clammed up' only to release his energies under the influence of drugs, crime, alcohol, and military misadventures.

Tardy addresses this informative, smart, very well written book to single mothers - a factor he freely emphasizes is a major problem especially in the African American community. And his ability to address symptoms and signs of character disintegration and isolation and how to intervene and correct them as a mother such as his own was able to sustain makes his story one of pertinent importance. No classroom lesson in this format, but instead Tardy warmly takes parents by the hand and from the immediacy of his own experience provides insights and danger flags and confrontational healing processes that are sound, immensely well-illustrated and analyzed, and open a window of light to parents (both single and coupled) who are attempting to cope with 'problem kids'.

This is not another 'reformed sinner confessional' but instead a manual with practical exercises that addresses real problems and offers viable solutions. If there is a recurring word in Tardy's message then that word is 'communication': the wonder of this little book is how powerful and trustworthy is the advice from this young lad's mind. This book belongs in the hands of all parents, a welcome addition to the role of achieving a successful family life. Grady Harp, November 07

This guy should be doing nothing but writing bird guides! First, the writing itself is not only clear, but also entertaining. He writes about the birds, the geography, the accomodations as if this is his hometown and these are his friends. The tips are valuable... the book's organization can not be improved... even if you don't plan a birding trip to Trinidad and Tobago, it's worth having this book, because it's fun to read. I wish he would write guides for American areas!

This book is a great find for anyone planning a trip to Trinidad and Tobago! The author gives you great information on the best birding locations, how to get to them and which birds you will see. The bird list and seasonal distribution list are very useful. Besides the birding info his book is an invaluable guide to where to stay and how to get around.

Just to update, Bill now lives in Indianapolis. I love reading Bill's guides and wish he had one for the Los Angeles CA area. His books are filled with details of the area, things apart from just the birds, that make the reader keep reading until they realize that they've read an entire birding book.

I grew up with Bill and have been intrigued with his knowledge since I followed him around as his little sister. Our current trips are still filled with interesting information and I am looking forward to the next book he releases. No one does a better job.

IMC

Murphy's "A Birder's Guide to Trinidad and Tobago" is newly released with new maps and updated commentary. These two islands have as many species of birds as the continental US. Finding even a couple hundred species during a self-guided trip requires this book. If you, a friend, or a loved one is going to the islands, don't leave home without it!