On-the-tape

Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott Series is a delight and this book certainly does not disappoint. In this latest installment, Judge Knott presides at a case where four young men have vandalized a game owned by Tallahassee Ames, who is part owner of a carnival which is playing in town. Very shortly thereafter,Tallahassee's son is killed while Deborah is at the carnival. As she does some investigating, Deborah discovers that she is related to Tally and to her son, Braz. She pursues the investigation while trying to develop a relationship with Tally, a sometimes tricky balancing act. Deborah's large extended family, consisting of 11 older brothers and their families, provides background and several interesting characters for this book. Braz and his step-father had bought up the contents of several storage areas which had been auctioned off, so there were several angry people trying to get their property back who had a motive for killing Braz. The book contains a lot of information about living in and running a carnival, and even contains a glossary of carnival terms. It is nicely paced and even contains a little romance, which should combine to be very pleasing to both old and new Maron fans.

Judge Deborah Knott of Colleton County, North Carolina first meets Tally Ames in the courtroom when the carnival owner presses charges against three local men who damaged one of her rides. The judge finds in favor of Tally and orders the men to make restitution. The next time the two women meet is at the harvest festival carnival where Deborah is taking in the sights with friends and family.

The evening ends abruptly when Tally's son is found murdered, his face stomped on and his mouth stuffed with quarters. As the police investigate the carny workers, the judge learns that Tally is her long lost niece, even though Deborah's brother refuses to acknowledge her as his own. When another carnival worker is killed, the carny people close ranks against outsiders but none of that fastened tight community ever dealt with the likes of an obstinate individual like the judge.

The latest installment in the Deborah Knott's here comes the judge amateur sleuth investigation mystery series is a well written novel starring a secondary cast that is colorfully eccentric. The judge agrees to marry a local man who has loved her secretly for a very long time and it will be interesting to see if she, in future books, chickens out before she gets to the altar. SLOW DOLLAR is as much a family saga as it is a clever regional mystery.

Harriet Klausner

This is one of the few mystery series going today that, even with this, the 9th entry, just keeps getting better. There has been only one book (Killer Market) in this series that I found to be even a bit lacking and that is quite unusual in a series that has gone on this long. In this episode, Judge Deborah Knott goes to the local carnival with her friends and discovers a dead body. As she works to solve the murder with her friend Dwight, we are exposed to more of her large family, but it really never gets confusing. Maron manages to make it clear who belongs to whom, even with the added relatives that this tale brings into the picture. The mystery is interesting and hard to solve and, just as importantly, there is progress in Deborah's personal life that is very satisfying to read. I know that Maron's next book is a stand-alone (neither a Knott nor a Harald book...will she ever write more Sigrid Harald books?) but I will definitely buy it. I just hope she returns to North Carolina soon.

This is a captivating novel that follows the life of Elizabeth I from her innocent girlhood to her eventual death as a never-married queen. The story is solidly based on actual events and people, from the book's narrator, Lettice, to the Queen's suitors, Robert Dudley and Robert Devereaux. The story is told from the point of view of Lettice, a cousin of the Queen's on the Boleyn side who is a rival for Robert Dudley's (Earl of Leicester) affections and who eventually becomes his wife. Lettice's son from her first marriage, Robert Devereaux (Earl of Essex), grows up to become himself a favorite of the Queen's, a situation not without complications. With some poetic license, the engaging stories of these characters/historial figures are set against the compelling backdrop of Elizabethean England; a wonderful read.

This is an intricately woven tale of a love triangle between Lettice Knollys, Robert Dudley, and Queen Elizabeth I. Not only does it include romance and betrayal, but it provides a different perspective of Tudor England and the inner circle of Queen Elizabeth's court. Mixing the talent of Holt and the interesting aspect of this particular time period makes this a wonderful book that you can't put down. I would recommend this to anybody who is looking for a quality read and is intrigued by shrewd Elizabeth and her elaborate court.

Victoria Holt weaves an exquisite tale of suspense and romance culled from various journals and historical accounts about Queen Elizabeth I, the Earl of Leicester, Lettice Devereux and the Earl of Essex. This book is swift and entertaining reading, and while I found the Queen to be a vain and deceitful woman, the players at Court are dazzling and unforgettable. A real treat for Holt fans. You won't be able to put this down!

Virginia is so anxious to be married to Jonathan that she does not fully count the cost. When reality hits her, she is angry and disallusioned. Her home is finally built and just as life looks promising, an old friend drops in and with her a little waif daughter who ends up being Virginia and Jonathan's. Raising horses is risky and not without long hours - again leaving Virginia to fret. With a baby on the way and an wounded child to heal, horses take priority and Virginia loses her perspective on what is really important. The last straw is when Grandmother breaks her leg and must come live with them. Virginia is ready to throw in the towel when she allows God to speak to her heart and she finally listens. She is able to sort between fact and fantasy, romance and committment and wakes to the real reason for being a family. She is changed forever. Another Janette Oke thriller. Off to book 4!

I read the first two stories in this series and loved both of them. The plight of young Virginia in the first, and the older Virginia in the second gave us a glimpes into the life of a girl in that time period, I'd say, around the turn of the century. This third book introduces us to an adult Virginia, a married woman, caring for an elderly grandmother and an abused child as well as her husband, her own child, and household chores. Life for her was not easy, but she had God by her side, and He is the only one who can give you the stregnth and endurance to make it through the tough times. This book was really inspiring, and I hope Ms. Oke takes pity on us and writes the next one soon.

I loved the first two books, but this one is the best yet! Virgina has now grown up. At first I was sad that her teen-years adventures were over, but reading about her as an adult has been thrilling. So many things, including an abused child, her own children, a husband, struggles, and her grandmother, happen to her. Through the whole thing she realizes that her relationship with Christ is not what it should be. I think that this book has a great value to it!

This is the absolutely best book on parenting the "difficult" child. It made me realize that the combination of persistence, intensity, sensitivity, and high energy can be actually advantageous if well-channeled. I wish that she would write a sequel on raising spirited teenagers.

If you have a "spirited" child, this book is a MUST! It not only affirms that you're not crazy, it helps you to understand and deal with your child! DEFINITELY worth the money!

If your child is tedious, stubborn, persistent, full of chatter and ideas, and seems years beyond her actual age, then this book is for you! It is an excellent resource for understanding how to interact and bring out the best in your spirited child. It's a guide to treating your child like an intelligent person rather than crushing their spirit as some other parenting/"strong-willed" child books subtly imply. I also recommend Dr. Gary Chapman's "The Five Love Languages of Children".

The machine gunner is an enjoyable book to read. It gave you a sense of what it was like to be a child in World War 2. It's interesting and fun to read, when Chas McGill finds a working machine gun with 2000 live rounds. He tries to keep this secret safe he builds a fortress with friends to fight the Germans in Garmouth Chas's hometown. I recommend this book to anyone because its full of action but historically it gives you information about what it would be like to live in world war 2 times

as previous reviews have mentioned, this is a first rate novel from one of britain top childrens authors, now sadly deceased. It highlights some of Westall's own experiences in war torn tyne and wear - an idea born from his own son (who many of Westall's books are based on - in memorium), when asked by him to stop a leaking roof on the den/base his son and friends had built. Westall states that he felt extremely priveliged to have been invited into their secret world.(hence the den in the book). a very detailed account for those interested in ww2 britain - right down to shrapnel collections found under hedges, to chrysanthemums for christmas. an excellent read, and a book adopted by many schools for english tutoring. This is his best and first book, but try secret lovers, a collection of short stories, and in particular Blind Bill.

The Machine Gunners is a wonderfully written story. The descriptions of WWII life are amazing. All the characters are carefully built up and grow a lot throughout the story. The one drawback to the "majesty", is the abrupt ending. In one chapter they cut off each story line in somewhat of a cheezy way. No invasion ever happens, and the kids are split up, never to meet again. Overall, the book is action-packed, quick reading and totally unpredictable.

This is an exceptional Self Growth tool. Mr Tracy approaches achievement in concise, clear steps. I listen to the tapes every chance I get. I have heard this tape no less than 8 times and each time I find another application to my life. I strongly recommend this eye opening material for anyone who wants to better his or her life !

Brian Tracy is a master motivator & sales and persoal development trainer. I repeat the top line, NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THAN BRIAN TRACY. This program and "Pyschology of Selling" were my first Brian Tracy programs. My confidence soared and my sales flew. This program will help you in every area of your life. You'll make lasting changes.

This abridged tape set is good enough to give you powerful information. You will learn many of Brian Tracy's powerful strategies for success. Play it in your car. I recommend the book Maximum Achievement on which this tape program is based and the unabridged 6 audio tape set by Nightingale-Conant which is more complete.

I just finished Meg O'Brien's new novel SACRED TRUST last night around midnight. Great Read! I'd like to recommend it. I didn't put the book down all day! Although it is not a true "romantic novel" per se (it's more in the Thriller/Suspense Genre)I loved the action and main character - Abby Northrup. She's comes across as smart, strong and can take care of herself. Also, the twist and turns in the plot kept me going and made me crazy! (in a good way, of course).

I have read other works by Meg O'Brien, with most recently, CRASHING DOWN and loved how she was able to keep me guessing till the very end at "Whodunit?" and "Why?" SACRED TRUST, did not let me down with this either. I had a bunch of people in my mind who I thought might be the killer and many reason why they would do it. It drove me nuts. I had to finish the book to see if I was right!

So, sit back, have a cup of Jasmine Tea and enjoy the suspense Ms. O'Brien has for us :-) But, make sure you don't have any plans for the day that you'll have to cancel because you can't put the book down! :-)And Oh, and if you have a dog...keep him close by :-)

As a relatively new reader of suspense novels, Meg O'Brien's Sacred Trust has me hooked on the genre in general and on her style of writing, in particular. This book has so many twists and turns I simply could not out guess the characters and figure out the ending ahead of time. I highly recommend Sacred Trust to anyone looking for a good read, whether mystery lover or not.

After reading "Crashing Down," I knew I had to read Meg O'Brien's other novels, so I ran out and bought them. It's always like that when you read a good book by a new author. "Sacred Trust" was quite different then "Crashing Down." It takes place in the gorgeous, picturesque, town of Carmel, California! (I personally love that town!) Abby Northrup is startled to wake up one morning and hear the news that her old best friend Marti Bright has been murdered. Her body was placed on a wooden cross with nails stuck through her hands and she was severly beaten to death. Next to the body was the word "Abby." The Carmel PD believe that Abby might have killed her. Abby is shocked and decides to investigate the death of her old friend on her own. As she tries to narrow down the suspects with the FBI and police on her tail, she uncovers many new revelations like her husband's blackmailing scheme in order to obtain land and Marti's son's foster parents have disappeared. The novel leaves the reader confused at points but the ending is extremely shocking and sums the book up well. I'm already in the middle of reading "Gathering Lies," her newest novel!

America's "Dream Coach" suggests that in order to make your dreams reality, you take action in the direction of your dreams. After identifying one's passions, followup should be made in the form of acting on those discoveries. A dreamer must start the journey where they are. Waiting for ideal conditions is futile.
"Start by thinking about your dream as real," she writes.

Visualization is an essential component of the process. "Picture yourself already living your dream," she encourages. In other words, the dream starts in one's mind's eye. Seeing (internally) is believing. Be cautious with whom you share your dream, but to trustworthy friends and fellow dreamers, communicate your vision. "The more you speak and write about your dream, the sooner you'll live it," she advises.

This is a inspiring book on focusing on the things that will enable you to determine your target and hit it. There is much practical advice in this highly recommended book.

I have read many types of books on self-improvement which have helped to improved my life, but this book has moved me beyond explanation. In just two hours, I have already read over half of the book while completing Marcia Wieder's valuable exercises. I am extremely excited because through these exercises I am discovering my true life's purpose and actually envisioning specific, tangible ways to accomplish my dreams.

By the way, I am a very practical minded woman with a secure, well-paying job in a Fortune 500 company. I also have three great children, a happy marriage, own a large home, am in excellent health with terrific friends, and I'm earning straight A's in college (among many other blessings). Still, I have not been content with how my life has developed and I couldn't quite pinpoint the problem. This book has left me with a renewed hope for a bright and exciting future. If something is missing in your life and you want to live it with passion, I highly recommend you get this book.

Marcia Wieder's latest book is upbeat,user friendly and wraps it's arms around you as you read it.I know Marcia and have seen her in action many times. It is wonderful to see her creative and heartfelt energy that has helped thousands achieve their dreams, captured so brilliantly in this book. I believed I could create my dreams more and more as I read each page. I was especially impressed with the ease and flow I found as I went through the exercises. The stories of how other people created their dreams by using the many tools this book offers, was very inspiring and so believable that I was moved to say to anyone that has a dream,large or small,this book is a must.

I think by this point in time it might be more appropriate to call Anne Perry's stunning Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Victorian mysteries a saga rather than a series. Her masterful exploration of the minutiae of 19th century manners and mores not only reminds me of Galsworthy or Trollope, but her overall vision of Pitt's world has evolved into something almost epic in scope. "Seven Dials" is an especially fascinating extension of her steadily intensifying image (most recently "Whitechapel Conspiracy and "Southhampton Row") of Thomas Pitt as Hero, struggling desperately and essentially alone to defend Queen and Empire against sinister political forces which seek to destroy them. This latest, enormously complex novel begins shortly after Pitt's recent forced reassignment to the Special Branch when he is dragged from his bed at dawn and ordered to report to Victor Narraway, head of Her Majesty's Secret Service, for briefing. Edwin Lovat, a junior diplomat, has been shot to death late at night in the garden at luxurious Eden Lodge; the owner of the weapon, its Egyptian tenant...beautiful, enigmatic Ayesha Zakhari...has been caught in the act of trying to dispose of the body, and her current paramour, senior cabinet minister Saville Ryerson, has inexplicably arrived on the scene within minutes of her apprehension. Pitt's charge is to investigate the matter but protect Ryerson if at all possible since even a whiff of scandal could jeopardize on-going negotiations in a potentially explosive labor situation in Ryerson's Manchester district (dependent on Eqyptian cotton for its weaving industry) and might be disasterous to already fragile Anglo-Egyptian relationships. Ryerson swears his lady is innocent; the lady refuses to say anything, and Pitt's search for the truth eventually leads him to Egypt where he uncovers horrifying evidence of a terrible atrocity linking past and present in a deadly conspiracy that, if revealed, could shake the British Empire. Meanwhile, Charlotte and her faithful servant, Gracie, undertake an investigation of their own: an apparently small matter of Gracie's friend Tilda's missing brother. Only Anne Perry...echoing Charles Dickens...could manipulate such diverse events so adroitly that a relatively minor subplot leads surely but inevitably to its utterly logical interconnection with the main thread of the story thereby solving both mysteries and providing a shattering conclusion to this gripping adventure.

As always, Anne Perry's superb plotting and vivid characterizations kept me glued to my seat until I was able to satisfy myself that, once again, the Pitts and their friends had emerged triumphant against danger and misfortune and justice had effectively been served. I was especially pleased by Ms. Perry's delightful resolution of one plotting element...something that has been hanging fire for several books now...that brought a smile to my face as I watched it unfold.

When a diplomat is found murdered, it is obvious who killed him--the foreign woman whose gun lies smoking next to his body. The British Special Service is called in not to find the killer, but to protect her lover, M.P. Ryerson. The government's relationship with its Egyptian 'protectorate' has been uneasy and Ryerson is the one man in a position to balance the Empire's interests. Detective Thomas Pitt might not like his job, but he's got to do it. Except that nothing about this case is exactly what it appears to be.

While Pitt is looking for the truth behind the obvious, his servant Gracie and wife Charlotte are investigating a completely different, but equally baffling problem. The brother of one of Gracie's friends has disappeared, forgetting his sister's birthday and his other obligations. With no clear case for the police, Charlotte turns to her aristocratic relatives to dig beneath society's veneer to learn the nasty secrets that are known but never spoken of.

Author Anne Perry has created a rich view of Victorian England and Empire. The brief view of Alexandria, Egypt depicts the exotic wonder of this ancient land while Perry also shows a sympathetic eye to the caste-ridden society of England itself. The coincidence that Charlotte's investigation merges with Pitt's is a bit far-fetched, but does not really marr the power of this story.

Pitt, his boss Narraway, and Pitt's aunt Vespasia are especially complex and interesting characters while Gracie provides a comic touch. SEVEN DIALS is entertaining and, for all its century-old setting, raises issues that remain current.

Find yourself stepping carefully through the sultry, baked-mud streets of Victorian Alexandria, the heady smells of spices and camels and wool rugs swirling around you, as you follow Pitt through a completely unexpected adventure in Egypt. The British have control of the country and the precious Suez Canal, but only just. The undercurrents of hatred, violence, and revolution boil to the surface, enveloping Pitt and landing him in an Egyptian jail with unlikely cellmates. The roiling flames chase Pitt back to London where he, Charlotte, and Narraway try to piece together who killed a former soldier and, more importantly, why. Was it to undermine the cotton industry, stolen from Egypt to flourish in Britain? Was it to bring down an important government official? Was it to pay back debts long owed? Or was it because of a secret so insidious that it could bring a bloody end to both the British rule of Egypt and the irreplaceable British trade routes through the Suez? As international intrigue threatens the government, an intrigue of a different sort envelops Gracie and Tellman. From the beginning through the last breathless page, the heart-stopping action and heart-rending emotion doesn't stop. The plot twists come unexpectedly, skillfully crafted by an author who never ceases to please. You'll not want to put this one down!

This book is excelent. Reading this, I really got a feeling as to what it was like on a submarine in World War II. It includes action sequences that really make it feel like you were there, on the sub. Calvert is a genius. I highly suggest this book for ANYONE who is interested in submarines, WWII history, or Naval History. I really think you will love this book as much as I did.

I'm an avid reader of WWII naval history, and have read dozens of first-hand accounts of battles and other wartime experiences. This book stands out as perhaps the best I've ever read of this genre, mostly because of in reading this book you get to meet a man who is somebody that you can truly admire, Jim Calvert. As you read this book, you come to realize just how extrodinary this man truly is, and his narrative of his very distinguished wartime exploits are taken to a new level by the very personal revelations that he makes in his book about his falling in love in Australia (at the time he was a married man) and how his strength of character led him to make some important decisions about this situation. At the finish of Calvert's book, my overwhelming response was that our nation was lucky to have produced such a man - I only wish that in some small way that I could "measure up" in life as young Jim Calvert did when presented with the challanges of the Armageddon at Sea that was WWII and the challanges he faced in his personal life. This book truly transpires the traditional war story and is an insight into the life of a great American

Silent Service was a true page turner for me and I found it difficult to put down in the two days I spent with it. Admiral Calvert does an excellent job in conveying the realities of life aboard a WWII attack submarine; the boring day-to-day routines, various navigational methods, the extraordinarily complex relationship between the submarine and it's crew, the adrenaline charged excitement of an attack, the terrors of a depth charging and the courage of the men who went into this exhausting, claustrophobic, unforgiving world with it's ever present threat of a ghastly death (twenty-five percent of American WWII submariners never returned from their last mission). Calvert's prose is engaging, informative and lucid; The book is divided chronologically into fourteen chapters of roughly twenty pages per, each addressing an aspect of his wartime experiences; from the USS Jack's commissioning in January of 1943 to his (mis)adventure in Tokyo immediately following the surrender. A brief afterword follows up these retrospections. I highly recommend this book to those interested in submarines and/or WWII.