GA

Suzette Francis' Rules for a Pretty Woman was a well told, intricate story. It was a pleasure to get to know Lenny and befriend her. Yet, I was not so familar with the character as not to be surprised by her actions or thoughts. There was intrigue as the author unraveled a tale of self love and other love born out of understanding and appreciation of one's self.

This is a page turner by an author who obviously researched her setting and her characters. High marks for realism and intrigue. It rekindled my love of fiction. A fabulous read!

Kudos to writer Suzette Francis. Rules for a Pretty Woman is the best book I've read in a long time. The heroine, Dr. Lenny Faulkner, could be any woman, yet there is such gentle wisdom in the way she learns from her mistakes and we can all benefit from the rules she makes for herself to live by. I found myself regretting the day I finished it. I wanted it to go on and on. I can't wait for a sequel.

A close friend gave me the book for Christmas (even got the author to sign it for me!). I absolutely love the book, the storyline, the writing. I am both entertained and inspired. You will love it, too. Lenny's story isn't everybody's story, but there are things in this novel every one of us can relate to. If you want to help out a good cause and meet the author...
CHATTANOOGA, TN - The Chattanooga Chapter of Jack and Jill, Incorporated of America is planning a fundraiser featuring fellow member Suzette Francis' book Rules For a Pretty Woman. Tickets for $25 are being sold and include a copy of the book as well as an invitation to attend a book signing and book club discussion event. The event is scheduled to take place on Jan. 10, 2004 at the Hunter Museum. All proceeds will be distributed to the nonprofit agencies Girls Incorporated and The Children's Advocacy Center.

Good Read. One that after you start you do not want to put down. Takes the horse racing scene, the prison scene, mixes them together and comes up with a good story. Nice education of horses and horse semen and makes it interesting.

If you like a good story and a good read this is one to take with you on a trip. Light reading, however after you finish it you have enjoyed it.

I have met Mr. Ramus in real life. He's a friend of my father's, so when I saw the book on my father's shelf, I had to pick it up. I had been slightly unaware of Mr. Ramus' writing until that point. I usually can tell if I'm going to like a book within a few chapters. Needless to say I couldn't put this book down. I've now re-read it enough times to actually put cracks in the binding. It's a very wonderful piece of work, keeps you on edge. I happen to be a very big horse lover and this book's topic just hit me hard. I LOVE IT!... I've given the book to a few friends of mine to read, and so far they've all liked it. I say give it a try, you'll be surprised at Ramus' writing talent!!

I can not put the book down , its wonderfullly written from what I read so far. I am not even barely aware that i am in my room when reading this ,it keeps my attention and it does not stay on one thing for to long. I like the way Mr. Ramus describes the characters. Its got everything I like , the horses , the fights , suspense , and a little bit of romance. I would give it 16 stars if not more. It is worth your money and time.

I met Reds in Savannah, and after talking o him for about 30 minutes, I had to buy the book. It was an interesting look at how a young man came of age, then got involved in a plot much bigger than he could have ever imagined. The writing was easy to read and humerous. Reds is one of the last true adventurers, and I am glad to have met him.

An interesting and true story that keeps you turning the pages - I really enjoyed the book. His story is one of self-discovery told with with earthiness and humor. Helmey is funny and I love the southern witicisms! Its also a story of conflict, tragedy, resolution, and ultimately triumph - I think a lot of us will identify with it.

I have not completely read a book in 25 years, though I used to be an avid reader. After meeting Reds in Savannah, I had to buy and I couldn't put it down. He is a fascinating man who has written a fascinating book. Can't wait for a movie!

I felt like Mel and Builder Burke were very believable characters. Their trials and tribulations parallel real life situations. As in life, fairy-tale endings are just that - fairy tales. The dialogue is realistic as well as the development of all of the characters. Under conditions of financial distress, any American family can relate to the strains of the Burkes' family relationships. This book would be a real winner for Oprah's Book Club

All I have to say is this is a must read for everyone. The world in which we live in is no longer steady employment -- no matter how loyal an employee you are. Downsizing and corporate restructuring is happening everyday and when it happens to you it can be devastating. Ms. McDonald Smith brings this story together with laughter, tears and hope. It holds your interest from start to finish. I wish more people would pick it up and read it. This book also knows no color -- because as I stated earlier downsizing and coporate restructuring effects us all in everyway - family, finances and emotionally.

This can't be a first novel. Smith did an excellent job & she left no stone unturned. Pick it up - you'll finish it in one day - I did. Detailed, interesting & thought-provoking - I really enjoyed this book.

Contrary to one reviewer's comment that techniques to beat a lie detector were revealed in this book, they weren't. Which is a shame because then it might have been worth reading. I managed to drag myself to page 185 where my interest finally died. It wasn't an unexpected death, however; it had been bed-ridden for some time.

It's rare to come across such two-dimensional characters in a multiple-star book. I had to keep reminding myself what good old Ken's name was and "Ken" is just not that hard.

I tend to read in cycles and I've been in my mystery period for a few months now. If you must read "The Answer Man" (which provides no answer to the question of why so many reviewers found it interesting), I would suggest you do so after you've exhausted Robert Crais (all of the Elvis Cole books in order), Dennis Lehane (all five Patrick Kenzie books in order), Michael Connelly's "Void Moon" (and perhaps his others, which I haven't read yet), Robert Ferrigno's "Heartbreaker" and perhaps all of the Janet Evanovich and Lee Child books.

"The Answer Man" was written by a screenwriter and this is a straight-to-video effort.

I've been reading all of this year's Anthony and Shamus Award nominees, and "The Answer Man" is one of my most pleasant discoveries in the bunch. There's suspense, humor and clever plot twists, plus some very involving moments concerning a man's efforts to beat a polygraph. The characters were people I enjoyed spending time with, which is one of my main requirements for a good novel. Highly recommended!

I suppose that a cool, rational look at the plot "The Answer Man" would show that it all very, very unlikely -- but who reads suspense thrillers for cool, rational analysis? This is definitely a book that keeps you turning the pages and which provides plenty of surprises. Almost nobody does what you expect him or her to do, and a lesson quickly learned is to trust no one. In fact, any character in this book must live by the rule that a little paranoia is a good thing, and a lot of paranoia is even better.

When I think of Kay Hooper, I always think of how she takes a idea that could seem completely unbelievable and crafts it into an interesting, believable story. That's the case in this book when a woman, who almost dies twice in the same day, ends up packing up and heading off for a distant town to find answers to her strange dreams. Somehow, Hooper weaves a tale of mystery and romance and ends up with a twist at the end that maybe you should have seen coming. Sheriff Griffin is a great character and I would recommend this book to a friend.

Talented Author Kay Hooper so effortlessly manages to weave a tale of mystery and romance in this must read book-- her unique style and talent for turning an unbelievable situtation into an interesting, enjoyable, don't wanna put the book down kind've read is only a few of the many reasons why she is considered one of the top female authors in the industry. 'After Caroline' is a very compelling read with its many entertaining characters like Sheriff Griffin a fictional character that is so true-to-life it is easy to get swept away in the story plot forgetting everything else that is going on around you--

This was an entertaining read and I found it hard to put down. I loved reading Kay Hooper's stories when I first read "Haunting Rachel". Was not disappointed reading this story. It had just the right mystique and romance to keep me reading till I was finished. I liked this story better than the Shadow series, which had less romantic interest but still good suspense. I recommend highly "After Caroline" to all Kay Hooper fans! A MUST read. If you like this story, I recommend reading: "Finding Laura", "Amanda", and "Haunting Rachel".

I found this story to be full of a very complex, and intricate relationship. It was not the typical Interracial story. If you are looking for more than the typical, this book is definitely for you.

The story line was great, I could almost feel the energy and passionate interactions between all the characters as I read. It was a good read.

In FORBIDDEN QUEST, Carolyna "Callie" Sinclair, a traditional Southern White woman, is expected to get over her divorce from a physically appealing golf pro, and to get on with a proper Southern marriage to up-and-coming architect, Hugh Masters.
Callie's controlling mother, bored with the lackluster in her own marriage, has determined that Callie will marry Hugh, have a huge wedding, and become one-half of a proper Southern power couple. Her mother is so bent on having her way, she's even threating to withhold Callie's inherited trust fund just to make sure Callie complies.
Of course, Callie wants to do the right thing, but she never measures up to Hugh"s expectations, a fact he apparently enjoys ceaselessy voicing.
Then handsome Paul Michael Quest shows up, but he's the opposite of everything that Callie has been raised to believe she needs. He's Black, poor, and foreign. To make matters even worse, he doesn't se the differences between them as being insurmountable. But there's something about him that's precious to Callie, a something that always admires and never criticizes, an ability to enjoy life, one day at a time.
FORBIDDEN QUEST is an extremely well-written book, with traditions, prejudice and doubts at the forefront. In addition to the main characters, the secondary cast is interesting. All of the locations, people and situations are believable. I highly recommend this book.

The first Lelia Kelly book I read was Officer Of The Court. If I had started with Presumption of Guilt I may not have continued with the Laura Chastain series. The character Laura Chastain, in my opinion, just isn't a likable person. I liked her even less in False Witness. She improves a lot in Officer of the Court.

In Presumption of Guilt and False Witness I got tired of Chastain deciding her scenario is always the correct one and trying to force everyone to prove she's right. Come on, Tom would still be alive if it wasn't for Laura. It's as though Lelia Kelly can't decide if she wants Laura to be a wimp or a great heroine.

If you're bored and need something to read, the Laura Chastain series is OK. If you've just gotten back from the book store with several good books, put Lelia Kelly's book on the bottom of the stack.

Lelia Kelly's "Presumption of Guilt" is a fine legal thriller/police prodecural. Her protagonist is Laura Chastain, a corporate lawyer with a talent for criminal defense work. After getting a high-profile client off the hook, Laura takes on the case of a cop who is accused of killing a suspect. Laura gradually finds out that she has taken on a case that is extremely complex and potentially dangerous. She also becomes romantically involved with an older man with whom she falls deeply in love. Kelly writes dialogue that is funny and sharp. Her plot is fairly tight and engrossing until the end, which is a little too complicated and has one too many coincidences. Having read this book, and the next in the series, "False Witness," I recommend Lelia Kelly's novels to fans of this genre.

The two things that make Presumption of Guilt fun to read are its setting-contemporary Atlanta-and the wonderful skill with which Lelia Kelly describes both the city, his history, and its residents. The plot is solid, a classic lawyer-crime drama, but Kelly's rich narrative asides make this book more than it might be otherwise. The protagonist is Laura Chastain, a lawyer with an old-line Atlanta corporate firm. A senior associate, she is on a fast track to become a partner. The only problem is that she has developed a taste for criminal law, and the partners of her firm tend to think that is too vulgar. That opinion, however, does not stop the partners from calling on her when one of the firm's corporate clients needs a criminal lawyer. The story starts with the end of the trial where she successfully defended the neer-do-well son of one of the firm's biggest clients against an assault charge. She is soon approached by a vice squad cop who expects to be charged in the death of a prisoner. He insists he is innocent, but if he is, then there is some skulduggery going on down at police headquarters. As Laura investigates she becomes more and more convinced that something strange is going on. She also becomes more and more involved with the dashing young bachelor partner who is her supervisor in the firm. There are interesting twists and turns before Kelly leads us to an interesting and suspenseful conclusion. Maybe it's having spent twenty-five years in Atlanta that makes me think that Kelly's descriptions of the city are so rich. Example: "...it's growth had occurred late enough to allow planners to benefit from the lessors on older cities, but they hadn't. Atlanta, Laura believed, actually aspired to be Los Angeles." And:" Atlanta...had become the embodiment of the Old South for much of the world-all because it had been burned, first by Sherman, then by Hollywood. It was the second, fictional burning that had done the most damage." Whether you lived in Atlanta or not, you should enjoy Presumption of Guilt.

I found this book to be very enjoyable reading. The book goes into depth about the battle that occured at Chickamauga and Chattanooga, but does not require the reader to be familiar with Civil War history. I found this book to be easy to read as well as enjoyable. Unfortunately, Bowers writes with a sympathetic viewpoint towards the CSA and goes into detail about Chickamauga (which was a confederate victory) but barely gleems over the battle of Chattanooga. good book for the lay reader, but you historians and civil war buffs may be disappointed.

No one will ever accuse John Bowers of letting historical facts get in the way of telling a good story. Hyperbole? Lively? This is a good overview of the campaign, especially for beginners, but Bowers is really interested in telling dramatic stories about the major figures. But he needs to check his facts. For example, on page 101 he introduces Ambrose Bierce, a lieutenant in the 9th Indiana Infantry, and uses an excerpt from Bierce's post-war short story "Chickamauga" to illustrate the fighting. But on page 146 Bowers calls him Captain Bierce, an officer in an Ohio battery and chronicler of the battle. Although a serious student of the battle will do much better to read Steven Woodworth and Peter Cozzens, many will find Bowers very entertaining. Bowers is from East Tennessee and is the grandson of a Confederate cavalryman who fought in the battle. Bowers' best story in this book is in the Acknowledgements and concerns a Virginia patrician historian at the New York City Civil War Round Table. This alone is worth the cover price!

This book is one of the best history books I've read in ages. The story is presented in a gripping style and the characterizations and revelations are done majestically. Take for example this description of Leonidas Polk: "A handsome man with a full head of wavy graying hair and strong Roman features, he always seemed on the verge of giving a benediction or asking that the fried chicken be passed."

Mr. Bower's descriptions are entertaining and enlightening. Chicamauga isn't about strategy, it was a soldiers fight. What mattered was the character of the men involved. This book goes into the details. I cannot recommend this more highly.

I found this to be a somewhat interesting book, but I kept thinking she was writing it to be a mini-series, not a novel. It feels as if it is an outline for a more interesting story, not the actual story. It did not suspend disbelief and I found myself thinking,"that was a good set-up for the sequel" instead of "I hope there will be a sequel."

I have read 3 of the Florida Trilogy books, and fell in love with the characters and novel. I also have read Beloved Invader (St Simons trilogy) and cannot say enough in praise for this novel. Ms.Prices' novels should be up there with the very best. I was never an advid reader until I began her Florida Trilogy collection given to me by my sister. Now I am unable to put them down after I start reading. Unfortunately, I have been unable to get or find the continuation of the St.Simon trilogy. Her novels should not be so hard to find. I understand the publisher, for some reason, keeps putting off production.

Excellent reading material that takes you away and makes you feel as though you actually know the characters within the book. Based around the 1800's in a small town called Savannah, Eugenia's writting style swept me away with character interaction and attention to history details. I felt I was actually there, along with the characters. The attention to detail only proves the author did alot of research, or has a fantastic imagination for detail. I tested portions of this book with a history buff, and found the accounts accurate to the era. I didn't find the book comfortable to read aloud to a disabled person, as some sentences were extraordinarily long, making me wonder just when to take a breath. Overall, I rank this book as exceptional, as I was caught up with the characters. All of the necessary ingrediants are there for a great novel: love, infatuation, honor, mysterious dark family secrets and outcast lovers. I occasionally found myself sneaking a peak at the following chapters just to see what was going to happen next.