Product Description

Aphrodite explores the many myths and meanings of the Greek goddess of love, sex and beauty. One of the most widely worshipped and popular deities in Greek antiquity, Aphrodite emerges from the imaginations of the ancient Greek writers and artists as a multifaceted, powerful and charismatic figure. This volume explores the importance of Aphrodite for the ancient Greeks, as well as her enduring influence as a symbol of beauty, adornment, love and sexuality in contemporary culture. In a wide-ranging investigation of the universality of Aphrodite’s power and significance, this volume illuminates the numerous intricate levels of divinity embodied by the alluring figure of Aphrodite.

Aphrodite offers new insights into the ancient texts and artistic representations of the goddess, as well as a comprehensive survey of the current scholarship about the origins and interpretations of Aphrodite, whilst also highlighting her eternal popular appeal across cultures and generations. A goddess of love who is not afraid to enter the battlefield; a goddess of bodily adornment who is the first to appear totally nude; a goddess born of the sea who emerges into the open sky: Aphrodite is a polyvalent deity, plural in nature, function and significance.

Product Description
Using extensive excerpts from the writings of St. Augustine, notably from his Confessions, Giovanni Falbo sheds new light on Monica s patience, sweetness, and unwavering determination. This mother never yielded in her efforts to see her beloved son find comfort and peace in God, and she endured countless sacrifices and health risks in her quest to help Augustine embrace the faith. Monica s quiet wisdom and courage, coupled with her earnest tears and prayers to God, bore fruit she could only have dreamed of. Author: Giovanni FalboFormat: 142 pages, Paperback Publisher: Pauline Books Media (March 2007) ISBN: 978-0819870995 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Patron Saint of Christian Mothers
I was delighted to find this book about St. Monica.What little I know about St. Monica I have learned by reading about St. Augustine, her son.Their lives were so closely united that you cannot read about one without the other being mentioned.

St. Monica's life was not easy but her patience and her persistence is an example for all us.Her arranged marriage to Patricius,a pagan was certainly not ideal.He had a violent temper and was a womanizer.Yet through her patience and prayers, he was converted.

The woman of her town often sought her out for advice because they respected her.Monica never repeated anything she may have heard one of her friends say against another, aware that when the spirit is disturbed because of injured pride, anger, or evny, one often gives vent to exxagerated and rash words.She shared with the person in question only what might encourage reconciliation.

Her son, Augustine had accepted the Manichean heresy and was living a very immoral life and yet Monica never ceased praying for him for many years.He, of course, was converted and became a great saint and church leader.

A great many of our women saints are virgins and/or nuns.One thing I love about St. Monica is that she was married and had children, and I believe (after 38 years of marriage) that this is the more challenging of lives. I recommend this book to all mothers as an inspiration.God could not resist Monica's prayers and tears, and He will not resist ours.Never cease praying for your spouse,children, and grandchildren.

St. Monica: The Power of a Mother's Love
This is a well written "life of a Saint".It gives an historical background that is not "weird".Saint Monica is portrayed as a women who truly lived a life that anyone from a "dysfunctional" marriage can relate to.She worked and prayed for her husband in a manner that is difficult but not impossible with God's grace.She suffered for the souls of her children, not by whining or nagging but by truly working with God for their salvation.This book gives great hope.
As the mother of five adult children, I will now pray to St. Monica for the grace to followher example of prayer and sacrifice and hope so that they may seek God's will in their lives. ... Read more

Product Description
This common-sense guide will tell you how to make the most of water used in your home landscape. You'll have a greener, more productive yard, fewer failures, and overall much less water use. Organic gardening principles are described and recommended to protect ground water quality. An important, must-have guide for every gardener and homeowner in this thirsty state!Revised plant charts feature more native trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good book
Good for a new perspective on your yard.Guides you in planning how to make your yard sustainable by more natural means.

xeriscaping for florida homes
This book is an absolute must for all florida gardeners. The year 2000 has brought a 100 year drought and water rationing. The resulting plant mortality will necessitate replanting in many yards. Ms Brandies' readablebook provides all the motivation and information one needs. Her areaspecific information on plant choices is absent from many books, but heroverall information is pertinent for all water sensitive areas. It's asuprisingly good and useful read. ... Read more

Product Description
Nixon and I met for the first time on October 2, 1989, and he was exceedingly generous with the commodity that was the most precious to him: time.... And, surprisingly for a man who had been so often damaged by those he trusted, Nixon trusted me immediately. I became a member of his small circle of advisers. I listened as he confided his views on international affairs and world leaders, American politics and policy, Watergate, and his own personal career, and human nature.
--Monica Crowley

Nixon off the Record is the unique story of Richard Nixon's intense political life after he left the presidency--told by Monica Crowley, Nixon's foreign-policy assistant and political confidante during the last years of his life.

With fully reconstructed conversations based on extensive notes made at the time, Nixon off the Record puts the reader in the room with the thirty-seventh president, listening to his views on leadership, his opinions of White House predecessors and successors, his activities and thoughts during the 1992 presidential campaign and election, and his assessment of Bill Clinton's first year in office and his potential challengers in 1996. Nixon's views give voters uncommon criteria by which to measure presidential candidates--including Bob Dole--and their ability to exercise effective leadership.

Richard Nixon was one of the most controversial and indestructible presidents of the twentieth century. With her privileged perspective and unlimited access to Nixon, Crowley has written a perceptive and spirited memoir that shows not just what Nixon thought in the last years of his life but who he was. She offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes view of Nixon's activities and opinions, giving the reader a front-row view of recent American political history.

Nixon's unparalleled experience placed him in a unique position to judge leaders who had come before and after. His assessments are candid, astonishing, and sometimes explosive. This book places those judgments in context and brings them alive for the last American presidential election of the twentieth century.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
A final, purifying apologia by Richard Nixon, astold to Monica Crowley, his young, just-out-of-college assistant, shortlybefore his death in 1994. Crowley divulges Nixon's disappointment with the Bush re-electioncampaign, his later efforts to ingratiate himself with the Clinton administration,and his desperate schemes to once again become a key political player. Oncethe most compelling and infuriating political figure in the last half of the20th century, Nixon Off The Record reveals that his 20-year exile fromthe political arena was more painful and humiliating than anyone everimagined. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

The insights of a brilliant poltical figure
This is a terrific book about the last four years of one of the giants of the last half of the 20th Century. Richard Nixon won big, lost big, won and lost and won again.His best tools were an unbelievably resilient character,a truly brilliant intellect,and hard work.

A fine book,primarily addressing leadership, 91-'94, the election of '92,and the early years of the Clinton Presidency. Wonderfully insightful. He accurately predicted Clinton's impeachment and why. Just fascinating highly informed political talk from one of the best minds of any generation.

I'm ordering Nixon in Winter next.

suffers from spin
As a lover of all things to do with U.S. Presidents, and with Nixon being one of my favorite subjects, I purchased this book with great excitement.

Positively it is a wonderful look into this very intelligent man, and a joy to read his thoughts about the politics and politicians of the day.However, this is where the book suffers as well...

The author puts her own political agenda spin on this to the degree that it makes her subject suffer.There is a section where she (surprise) bashes Bill Clinton, but if one takes her arguments seriously, it would be difficult not to apply many of those to the subject of her book.

In short, the reader is left with a book that contains some wonderful nuggets, that are almost obliterated by the author's strong opinions which are basically (republicans = good, democrats = bad).

The best works on Nixon are able to show that he was not a night in shining armour, but was human, with faults like any of us.Unfortunately Crowley white washes her subject where he does not need to be.

Should Have Been On The Couch
If you ever wondered what an ex President might talk about with his friends then you need to buy this book, a real fly on the wall type book.I have to admit up front that I really liked this book. It was not that I have a deep interest in Nixon or that Nixon spelled out some overly insightful view of the political landscape.It was just that this author did such a good job of detailing out (quoting) so many of Nixon's musings about the political landscape from 90 to 94.I was most surprised at how petty he came off.He was whining and complaining about the press in about every three sentences.Regardless of the situation, he somehow related it back to how the press and Democrats unfairly went after him during the Watergate scandal.At this point in his life he must have focused on it so much that he saw the whole world through this hate filled prism.

I guess it was not such a surprise about Nixon disliking the press, but what did surprise me is that it seamed that he disliked any President that came after him.In his mind, they all fell short of his accomplishments and were far from a close second.He of course would then work in a diatribe about the press and how they will never give him the credit he deserves. It was interesting that he had such a low opinion of Bush Sr., he went after Bush on the poor reelection campaign, which was fair enough, but he also let him have it about every aspect of his Presidency.Yet his opinion would change the minute anyone in the Bush administration called him.Once he was shown some attention his opinion would suddenly change and all was right again with Bush, at least for a few weeks.I was surprised by this very apparent selfish and almost immature behavior.

I was again surprised by his roller coaster ride with President Clinton, during the campaign he down right hated the man. Once Clinton became the President and started calling Nixon, he is thought of by Nixon as FDR reincarnated.Well it was very predictable that when Clinton started to distance himself from Nixon that the ugly side of tricky Dick came back into the picture.Overall Nixon came off as a man with a very bruised ego and a bit bitter.I thought he some good views on the political situation of the time, but it was basically common sense.I kept thinking that if you follow politics you would have many of the same observations. I guess I just thought given his long career that he would somehow have insight that really would have surprised me. Overall the book was very interesting and a fast read. I had trouble putting it down.If you are interested in American politics then this a great book.

Enjoyable reading. Useful.
Monica Crowley's book is very good in describing her daily work with one of the best american politician, it is a true portrait of a man with a great understanding of politics, foreing policy in particular. The outstanding fact is Nixon share with Ms.Crowley of his most personal political convictions and projects, so in the end the impression you have is that of a sincere, true, skillful man, that only one of the worst name-calling political and media campaign could render as false and paranoid ; that is why I say that this book is useful.
Strangely, the last months of Nixon's life are covered very quickly, compared with the other ones, maybe because you'll find them examined in Ms.Crowley other book " Nixon In Winter ", that I'm curious to read. so, Monica Crowley has done a very good job.

Perhaps the most accurate view of Nixon as a personality
Monica Crowley focuses on the three qualities Nixon has said each political personality absolutely requires for survival and thriving: head; heart; and guts. Crowley's readable work exemplifies the political mind that Nixon used to gain election as a U.S. Senator, the political savvy that kept him on the Republican ticket in 1952, and the mastery that saw his elections change for the better from 1960 to 1968. Crowley doesn't shape anything that Nixon says, other than to put it into proper context, because she knows Nixon's words and ideas speak for themselves. He doesn't need a mouthpiece and not every thing he says is controversial or outlandish and deserving of reprisal from political foes, as any careful reader of Nixon's own books will come to understand. This work further exonerates Nixon from the political graveyard much more so that his own books following his resignation. Crowley's articulate, readable format is sure to rekindle reader's interest in Nixon as a person and as a personality. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (15)

be happy
I thought this book was amazing.
Read it, Savor it, Share it.
Great gift idea (the holidays are coming)
Bravo "M"

I think of the illustrations
I remember the illustrations as much, if not more than, the advice. I love books that combine messages with illustrations of the messages. A picture is definitely worth a thousand words, though for this book the picture only needs to convey about five or six wise words. The first and last messages are the best.

Thanks author!

worthwhile
A sweet and quick read. Perfect gift for graduation or young adult who wants inspiration.

save your money
there are better books with 3 words per page for you money...try life's little instruction book instead better than this one

be happy.
I love this book, but was disappointed in the condition of the books received.I ordered 10 to give away and only 5 were in good condition.The rest look like old used library books. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Sally the pizza maker makes pizza. She grows tomatoes in the communitygarden for the sauce. She gets cheese in the shop down the street. Shebuys flour from the mill for the dough. Festive artwork shows all her tasksas Sally prepares, mixes, and bakes delicious pizzas. The perfect tie-in toelementary school lessons about where food comes from, this book willbe embraced by teachers. It’s a delightful addition to Monica Wellington’snonfiction for the youngest readers, and it comes complete with a recipeso kids can make pizza with Sally. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great Book!
Great book, with all the things you want to keep your child wanting to read!

Monica Wellington
Monica Wellington is an outstanding children's author who comes up with creative, educational books that are a delight to read and view.

A Pizza Book That Delivers!
Some writer/illustrators can take a good idea and turn it into something a little special. "Pizza at Sally's" might have been a rather formulaic, linear account of pizza making, but Monica Wellington treats us to a superior pizza book. The winning ingredients include a unique artistic style, a clear, engaging story, and a tasty concluding payoff for either the rapacious or the reluctant reader.

The illustrations, "colored copies of photos, labels, and other ephemera" pasted on gouache-prepared paper have a toy-like quality, as if your Lego decals leapt from signs and trains onto the pages.. Coupled the informal font, the look is a relaxed photo realism. The combination is much warmer than most of the computer-generated images I've seen. Photos of Sally's (she's the pizza maker) tomatoes complement shiny drawings of patterned green leaves, and tall background buildings with luminescent colored windowpanes hint at the urban setting. "Sally the pizza maker grows tomatoes in her community garden in the city." This is an exciting setting for non-city kids who have never seen a rooftop garden.

Wellington also skillfully mixes farm scenes with their destination:The neighborhood stores where Sally buys her pizza ingredients. There's a beautiful, atmospheric picture of the cheese shop with giant company labels hanging from the wall, and there's an unexpected lower panel that shows us the cows grazing many miles from the cheese shop interior. It's a bold montage that works extremely well.

At 11:00 AM, Sally--with her ubiquitous cat smiling up at her--begins making pizza! It's homemade of course, "Cut, chop, stir, and simmer. There are good smells in the air. Sally makes her tomato sauce." Yeast, oil, salt, and flour start the pizza dough, and we see a mixture of foods and measuring devices on one 2-page spread. At this point, I began to ponder a very serious question: Does Sally belong to the "through the dough" school of pizza-making, or whether she disdains such dramatics? (These two methods are hotly debated wherever pizza is taken seriously.) Culinary merits aside, I was thrilled to see that Sally twirls the dough--"Whoosh"--up in the air.

Finally, "everything is ready to put together." As she layers the ingredients (the cat with its paws on the counter), Wellington uses some artistic license to bend health code regulations), hungry kids wait with great anticipation. And the verdict? The pizza certainly looks delicious, and you can almost smell it as Sally slides it into the fiery oven. However, Sally's customers are the best judges, and the youngsters grab slices and close their eyes in pizza ecstasy. When the shop closes at 9pm, the chalkboard says "Arrivederci," and Sally and her little feline helper relax and enjoy a slice together. A truly kid-pleasing book might include Sally's pizza recipe as an après-story treat, and, as with the entire book, Ms. Wellington does not disappoint. There's much to savor in this sensational book!

My Godson Loves This Book
He was only 5 when his mom started reading this book to him.He loves it so much that they keep renewing it from the bookstore.I thought that for his 6th birthday I would surprise him with his own copy!He is going to be so happy.I just told his mom and she says he going to "die!"

Another Great Book
We LOVE the Monica Wellington books.She uses an incredible range of colors, and writes such charming text.We have almost everything she has written for children.This book is fun, especially for people who love pizza.She talks about all the ingredients and gives simple but whimsical illustrations to show how Sally makes her pizza.The cat and dog who figure in most books are also present.The text is simple for younger children (our daughter is a preschooler), and, as always, there are recipes at the back.A nice, simple, colorful read. ... Read more

Product Description
Philip Larkin met Monica Jones at University College Leicester in autumn 1946, when they were both twenty-four; he was the newly-appointed assistant librarian and she was an English lecturer. In 1950 Larkin moved to Belfast, and thence to Hull, while Monica remained in Leicester, becoming by turns his correspondent, lover and closest confidante, in a relationship which lasted over forty years until the poet's death in 1985. This remarkable unpublished correspondence only came to light after Monica Jones' death in 2001, and consists of nearly two thousand letters, postcards and telegrams, which chronicle - day by day, sometimes hour by hour - every aspect of Larkin's life and the convolutions of their relationship. ... Read more

Product Description
“Sparkling . . . it’s all systems go for a wonderful romance . . . a charming story told with large doses of love and humour.”
–The Australian Women’s Weekly

Eva Kennedy is in a rut. After seven years of working at her uncle’s Dublin delicatessen, her artistic aspirations have slipped by the wayside and her latest relationship has fizzled. Whatever happened to the Eva who was going to be someone? Hoping to shake things up and find inspiration, Eva takes a break and ventures to Melbourne, Australia, to visit her old friend Lainey, who, for fun, gives her an exciting new identity. Eva is now exotic and adventurous and . . . not herself.

Joseph Wheeler is a successful London designer. Unfortunately his firm is thriving at such a high level that he doesn’t have time to actually design anymore. And his love life is nonexistent.

In Australia on business, Joseph meets Eva, and the sparks fly–even as Eva is stuck pretending to be someone she’s not. Little does she know that Joseph has some secrets of his own. . . .

When what starts as a holiday fling quickly blossoms into something more, Joseph and Eva discover that romance can turn life upside down and inside out at the bottom of the world.

“The perfect holiday romp . . . A fresh and fun read that will win the attention of its readers for its warm and bubbly tone.”
–Irish Tattler

“There is a huge ‘aaahh’ factor in [Upside Down Inside Out].”
–Irish Examiner

“Refreshing . . . tongue-in-cheek fun.”
–The Sun-Herald (Australia) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Too predictable
This novel was irritatingly contrived. From Joe's just happening to leave the address at home and attending the wrong party, to Lainey's injured ankle which keeps her away from her telephone when Joe is desperately trying to find Eva, you could see the complications coming all along the way. A very annoying read.

Need a vacation but can't get away?
If you've not recently had the chance to travel, I offer you this excursion to the heart of Dublin, Ireland, brief glimpses of London, England, and an extended holiday in Australia, courtesy of the brilliant mind and detailed pen of Monica McInerney in Upside Down, Inside Out.
McInerney's heroine, Eva Kennedy, finishes the window display of the Dublin delicatessen where they work while her young cousin Meg gushes over Eva's creation of "purple aubergines, bright red chilies, and plump heads of garlic surrounded by long, elegant bottles of olive oil."Meg remarks that she is always amazed by Eva's artistic talents, whereupon Eva reminds her of her three years in art school. "Oh, that's right, I forgot about those. I only ever think of you as a shop assistant," Meg replies, thoughtlessly.
Within hours of Meg's witless statement, Eva is offered sole ownership of the deli -- and dumped by her boring boyfriend just before their planned holiday to New York. Dismayed at the thought of staying in Dublin, frustrated with artistic failures, yet intrigued at owning her own place - the thoroughly overwrought Eva takes refuge in the company of her childhood friend, Lainey, now living it up on the beaches of Melbourne, Australia. She creates an alter-ego for herself and begins her adventure in the "land down under" as Niamh (pronounced Neve) claiming to be a back up singer for Enya, of all people.
Arriving in Melbourne at the same time, Joseph Wheeler (of London design fame), plans on traveling incognito, keeping his international fame and vast fortune under wraps in order to address some ghosts from his own past. "Joe" simply appears to be a hostel traveler, complete with backpack, for all intents and purposes.
McInerney pairs the two hidden-identities with each other in some hilarious situations - at a dinner party with some of Lainey's fast friends, and with Eva/Niamh as the guest hostess of a posh eatery and Joseph filling in as a dishwasher. Their unlikely romance flourishes during a "picnic" in a hotel and on a wine-tasting trip, which holds deeper meaning for Joe.
Settle into a comfy chair or occupy the couch for a day with this marvelous story: following the winding roads, cuddling up on the train, and walking along the beach with the pair; all the while reveling in the neat and tidy way McInerney sorts the whole thing out.


Julia Brantley, A Score of Intervals

A Score of Intervals: Sharps & Flats on Brusca

Need a vacation? Read this!
Oh, another charming book by her. I read this book in one sitting this evening with everyone was out. Her books are quintessential chick lit, but are very entertaining, not boring or too terribly trite, despite the genre naturally tending to head that way. All in all, they are a joy to read. The different settings of Ireland, London & Australia make these books just feel like a vacation.

I am, however, in quite a bit of a pickle as to what to read next!

A Fun Piece of Chick Lit
This was a cute and fun chick lit novel. Set mostly in Australia, it's the story of Eva and Joseph, who meet while on holiday, but both of whom aren't being completely honest with each other. I was frustrated with how long it took Eva to get around to telling the truth - several times I felt like shaking her and saying "Just tell him already!!". However, the romantic build-up between the two of them was great (for once, a set of characters that didn't jump into bed with each other right away), and made for a fun story. A quick read, and quite enjoyable!

warm, lovely and fun
Ms. McInerney has a gift of writing lovely stories about imperfect people. Her voice is warm, humorous and gentle, never passing judgment on bad choices or even characters meant to irritate the hero and heroine. Her gift of description is so finely tuned that I could just about smell the bread in the Dublin shop and feel the Australian sun beating on my head. A lovely little vacation of a book, not to be missed. ... Read more

Product Description
For the first time the lay public can benefit from the anti-aging secrets discovered by the Life Extension Foundation, the world’s largest, most respected organization dedicated to anti-aging research. Working with the Life Extension Foundation, renownedanti-aging physician Philip Lee Miller shows you how to retain your physical health and vigor, mental clarity, and youthful appearance–for life.

This groundbreaking book translates cutting-edge anti-aging advances into a practical, easy-to-use program that will maximize your chances of living not only a long life–but a healthy, vibrant life. Drawing on his own clinical experience as well as the latest research from the Life Extension Foundation, Dr. Miller demystifies the aging process and provides you with:

•Detailed strategies integrating the most advanced mainstream therapies with nutrients, hormones, and holistic approaches from around the world
•A comprehensive plan to protect yourself fromcancer, heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease at the cellular level by controlling inflammation and oxidation–two degenerative processes that cause us to age prematurely
•A guide to individualizing this lifesaving program, including the Longevity Diet for maximum vitality and effortless weight loss and a unique supplement regimen–plus how to use medical tests to monitor your progress
•An inspiring vision of the future of life extension science and what your future will be like without disease, premature death and aging–with novel strategies to help you get there

This far-reaching anti-aging program will change your life forever. Like many of Dr. Miller’s patients, your physical and mental health will actually soar as you age chronologically. Your new longer, healthier life begins now as you embark on The Life Extension Revolution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Best Anti-Aging Book I've Read
I've read a number of books about the new medicine and the anti-aging approach to health.Our current medical paradigm is about trying to fix what is broken by trying to cure disease. It makes amazingly good sense to me that we should instead be doing the things that will keep us vital and healthy, thus avoiding the major diseases of old age.I have not seen this information presented in a clearer fashion anywhere else. I imagine I now understand more than most doctors on the subject. That is good because ultimately we are responsible for our own health and Dr. Miller has given here the tools to live a vibrant life into old age. As I said, I've read many books on this subject - this one is by far the best.

Best of Breed
My interest in information about enhancing and preserving my health and quality of life stems from watching family members and loved ones depart this life in the most heart-breaking ways .... long, degrading, and wasting decline.None of us are getting out of here alive, that doesn't bother me.The manner in which I go matters a lot -- maybe I will suffer on my way out -- but it won't be due to common ignorance.And that is the reason I highly recommend this book.If you are looking to educate yourself in applying a broad arsenal of tools, from simple to more complex medicinal approaches (e.g. BHRT is discussed thoroughly and clearly), to enhance your health then you will likely find this book an excellent investment.I did.The pages of my book are growing ragged due to the number of times I go back to review certain topics.I'm an educated person, but I still appreciated the author keeping hardcore scientific and chemical explanations to a minimum -- although the author presents plenty of evidence in a comprehensible manner.I didn't get 'lost in the weeds' trying to find the core facts and understanding.

I've read more than 20 top-rated same-topic books from a variety of authors (medical doctors, nutritionists, research scientists, etc.) and this book is the best of breed, covering all approaches toward enhancing and protecting your health.And it's well written and organized.I also appreciated better understanding the science and research evidence behind many of the recommendations, which as I said, is presented in a comprehensible manner.I don't trust anybody telling me what to do -- I want the evidence presented, pros and cons, and I will make up my own mind.This book does just that -- better than any of the other same-topic books I've read.

Very Informative
This is a great book - easy to understand and follow.It really makes supplementing with vitamins/minerals easy...

Life Extension Revolution
Anyone concerned with the future of their help should read this. You can grow old without aging. It makes sense.

Disappointed by Kindle version
Amazon and/or the publishers of books with diagrams need to do something about the problem of diagrams showing up fuzzy and not enlarge-able on Kindle (you can only enlarge text). I bought this book on Kindle and was unable to study the important diagrams so bought the paper version also. There is no way to return the Kindle book so basically one feels cheated. Content of book so far looks good - but don't buy the Kindle edition, until they upgrade the technology. Or there should be some discount for people buying both, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
After her friend Godwin is arrested for the murder of his boyfriend, Betsy sets out to prove him innocent. She finds that the victim had some dishonest dealings that made him a lot of money-and a lot of enemies. Now, Betsy has to untangle a cat's-cradle of lies if she's going to save Godwin before the murderer decides to cut off the loose ends for good. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Just Finished
I love the whole series and there were quite a few twists and turns in this one that I didn't see coming.It's a another good one to add to the list.

so many loose threads
What was the murder victim involved in that led to his death and why exactly was he killed?By the end of the story we are only given guesses, not facts.Did he kick his lover to the curb because he wanted to protect him or because he had fallen out of love?We are never given any insight into what made the murder victim "tick."

good read
I liked the book and Goddy is my fav character.He is different and to tell the truth he isn't boring like Jill- I mean really lets face it she is a square.I would like to see Betsy get a love life though I mean really she is only in her 50's- I don't like to do needle craft and don't understand it but I sure like these books!

Not my favorite in the series
I enjoy the series, the characters, and the setting in Excelsior, MN, but this book disappointed me.

My first issue was that the parts of the book that involved John's position as a senior associate up for partnership were inconsistent with actual Minneapolis law firm life. I found those inconsistencies very distracting.

And I thought the ending/reveal of the real killer too abrupt and incomplete. I didn't feel the author connected the dots between the killer's other crimes and John's murder enough for the murder charges against Goddy to be dropped.

Finally, I missed the interaction of the regular customers and wishes there were more times when they met together.

Even though I was not especially fond of this book, I do enjoy the series and will continue reading it.

Got to Have!!!!
I absolutely love this entire mystery series.This installment of Betsy Devonshire is as exquisite as its forerunners!!A mystery lover's got to have series.You don't have to be a knitter to love these! ... Read more

Product Description
Set in very early Christian times, Colman is a spellbinding fantasy of a faraway age, when the mystical and the commonplace walked hand in hand. The healer, Juniper, and her apprentice, Wise Child, are accused of witchcraft and forced to flee their small town. Wise Child’s devoted cousin, Colman, escapes with them. This is his story of their arrival to the land of Juniper’s birth, where she is, in fact, a princess.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

"Who wrote this book?!!"

I as well, have a hard time believing Monica Furlong wrote this book. The characters are not the same... Euny didn't have moments of cheerfulness and affection before this book. She's suppose to be tough and ornery which is what made her such a great character. Juniper didn't act helpless and confused and feel sorry for herself about things. In the last pages of Wise Child, it says that's the first time Wise Child truly knew she'd become a doran, but in "Colman" she doubts herself all over again. It's like no one even read the first two books before writing this.

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

And they way the fixed Cormac's face within the last paragraph of the book was just a joke. If it was that easy, why didn't they help him years before. I really felt it was a rushed "Everyone lives happily ever after" ending.


It just doesn't have the same feel as the first two books and doesn't keep true to the story. I hate to say it, but I wish they would've just left Juniper and Wise Child to stand on their own and not have tried to complete the series with this book.

Weak, not as good as Wise Child and Juniper
I did enjoy this book a bit, simply because it was the sequel to Wise Child. I've been hunting for this book for so long, and am so pleased i was able to find it.

That said, the magic of the previous two books seem to be missing from Colman. I don't know if it's because the narrator is a boy this time, or what.

Colman is Wise Child's cousin and best friend. After they flee the village where Juniper was on trial as a witch, Juniper and the children sail to Juniper's home, Castle Dore. But sadly, all is not well. Juniper's parents are dead, and her brother Brangwyn(heir to the kingdom) spirited away by Meroot and The Gray Knight. Meroot is Juniper's Aunt, and has coveted the throne for years.

Now they must find a way to save Brangwyn and restore him to Castle Dore.

I just didn't enjoy this one as much. I missed reading it from wise child's view. Dont get me wrong, the book was good for the most part. But after reading Juniper and Wise Child, it falls short. But i would recommend it to those who have been waiting for the sequel. It does end very well, and towards the end, starts to sound like a Monica Furlong book!

Lacks the interest mystique of the previous books, but provides a solid conclusion to the plot. Only recommended as a sequel
The sequel to Wise Child and Juniper, Colman follows the lives of these three characters as they flee from Wise Child's childhood home to Juniper's childhood home of Cornwall, only to find Juniper's aunt has murdered her parents, the king and queen, and taken her brother, the prince, as a prisoner. Wise Child and Colman, with the help of the leper Cormac, must infiltrate the enemy stronghold, discover the prince's affiliation, and find a way to rescue the prince and the kingdom by defeating Meroot and the Gray Knight once and for all. As a sequel, Colman draws together and completes the overarching plot set up in the first two books, but it focuses on action and lacks the sense of magic and the strong female protagonist that makes the other two books so memorable. As this book does draw the story arc to a close, I recommend this book to fans of the series, but it is not a strong or outstanding book in it's own right.

Colman is a decided change of pace in this series of books: the male protagonist and the action-centered plot move it away from the wise woman stories of the other two books. Colman is a young boy but, concurrent with the strong woman theme in the other books, he uses the strength of his gender to protect the female Wise Child and to further her in her goals. Magic likewise still plays a role, fulfilling essential plot points, but it is not directly connected to character growth: in fact, Colman does not want to use magic, but he is willing to use it for Wise Child and Juniper's sakes. As such, this book exists within the wise woman philosophy of the others in the series, but with a male narrator it is less character-driven and lacks the fundamental draw and mystique of the previous books.

This final text was also a posthumous release, and the lack of editing shows: the text feels longer and has a slower, somewhat chunkier pace than the other novels. It is not, however, poorly written. It may not be as good as the other books, but it is surprisingly complete and well-edited for a posthumous work. While not outstanding, it is still an accessible, readable book that builds up to a fine conclusion.

I recommend this book to fans of the series that have read and loved Wise Child and Juniper. Although not as satisfying and in many ways very different, this final text draws together the plot line into a solid conclusion, bringing a sense of satisfied finality to the text. I doubt that the book will be so fulfilling to those that have no read the other books, and I recommend that they pick up Wise Child and Juniper (in that order) first.

Don't trust the beautiful cover
The cover is gorgeous, but the book was bland and boring.the characters were all the same; the dialogue was so wooden it drove me up the wall. the characters talked like a textbook. the kids used the same exact voice as the adults. the entire book is so over-simplified and over-explained that i felt like i was reading a paticularly boring school book for first-graders. here's a quotation (colman narrates): "I could not get away from the feeling that Wise Child was angry with me.This made me sad because i loved Wise Child and felt that she was not happy." (p. 20) if you find the above sentence brilliant and insightful, then you're welcome to Colman. I, 20 pages into the book, was already sick of the bland and boring writing style (or lack of style), so much so that i marked that quote. i struggled through the rest of the book, which was full of blah sentences like the one above.

the entire book is quite boring as far as plot goes. There are Bad Guys who have taken over Juniper's home, so the Good Guys have to save it in as unexciting a way as possible. while there are various parts where colman and wise child "clutch each other in terror," i did not feel any suspense, or much care about whether evil meroot catches them. one of those books you want to kill yourself over just to stop the awful plodding writing.

Such a dramatic difference in style from previous work.
This book did not nearly rise to the quality of 'Juniper' and 'Wisechild'. It seems to lack knowledge of the context, which is very unlike the prior books. It almost seems to have been written in a different voice. Ahem. In my opinion. ... Read more

Product Description
The book includes: * Plants organized within family groups * 214 color photographs and 51 original botanical drawings accompanying text * Details on 260 species 63 families * Simple explanations of botanical terms * Early California botanical history as it relates to specific plants * The cultural history of specific plants * Maps of the Santa Monica Mountains and suggested wildflower trips * Flowers indexed by color, name, and family * Also includes facts on Indian uses of plants, ancient medicinal practices, cultivation requirements for home gardening, and some recipes. --- from book's back cover ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Southern California Flora
I have found this to be the most useful wildflower book for coastal southern California.It serves me well from Ensenada, in Baja Californiato Nojoqui Falls, in Santa Barbara county.

This book has been my fieldguide, and notebook/palimpsest since 1995.

Other books I have, but don'trate 5 stars:Peterson's Pacific States Wildflowers; Coffeen's CentralCoast Wildflowers; Audubon's Field Guide to North American Wildflowers --Western Region. ... Read more

Product Description
Lainey Byrne is a master at controlled chaos, juggling her hectic, demanding job, her chef boyfriend with his crazy hours, and her roiling family with all its daily dramas. But her life truly threatens to spin out of control when her aunt May, who owns a B&B in Ireland, passes away. In order for the Byrnes to collect their inheritance, someone from the family must take over Aunt May’s business for a year. And apparently that someone is Lainey.

Between running a run-down, virtually guest-free B&B (without the slightest ability to cook or clean), worrying about her family from afar, adjusting to country life, and dealing with the complications of long-distance love, Lainey is in way over her head. But when a reunion with a (gorgeous) childhood friend sparks unexpected complications, Lainey realizes that fate may have another path for her–a direction she never imagined. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"Gra, Dilseacht, Cairdeas." Love, loyalty, friendship.
Ever dreamed of owning an Irish bed and breakfast, just down the road from the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of Irish royalty? Lainey Byrne never did - but fate chose otherwise, and she ended up sending Greetings From Somewhere Else.Monica McInerney joyfully revisits characters gloriously chronicled in Upside Down, Inside Out in a heartfelt, hilarious tale.
Lainey assumes the mantle of family duty when she fulfills a codicil in her late aunt's will. On order for the family to collect her bequest, the Green Gables bed-and-breakfast, one member of the family must occupy it for one year.
A successful event planner in Melbourne, Australia, perfectly content with an adorable chef for a boyfriend, Lainey accepts the request on behalf of her disabled father to claim the inheritance. Ever the planner, she chooses to cut off her romance with Adam-the-adorable-one in order "to square things away" on the very day of her departure. As a result, her best friend Eva, operating a charming café in Dublin, is Lainey's only friend and confidante during her long sojourn "home".
Grappling with unanticipated longing for Adam, unwilling to yield to her sensitive side, and completely unprepared for the state of disrepair into which Aunt May let Green Gables lapse, Lainey faces a long year ahead.
Forging ahead, she redecorates, learns how to cook, feeds chickens and gathers eggs, and wards off mice - all while worrying about one of her old friends making moves on the man she'd left behind.
After a dismal first set of houseguests, she pulls herself together. Steeping herself in the history of the Hill of Tara, she plans a series of social events to launch the "new" venture. As Eva and her husband pitch in with their own brand of creative loyalty, Lainey receives support and practical advice from an unexpected source.
Amidst her renovations and innovations, she experiences an epiphany, realizing that "she had to stop charging in; trying to fix things, trying to make people do what she wanted them to do. She had to learn to take a step back, let things unfold, let people live their own lives, and see things as they really were, not how she wanted them to be."
Greetings from Somewhere Else gathers insight, humor, true love, and family
honor, arranging them like a fragrant bouquet in the perfect vase, awaiting you on your arrival at Lainey's B & B for a little literary getaway.
"Gra, Dilseacht, Cairdeas." Love, loyalty, friendship.

Julia Brantley, author of A Score Of Intervals
A Score of Intervals: Sharps & Flats on Brusca

Excellent read
I enjoyed this novel.Would recommend it highly.The author developed rich characters.

Disappointing
I was very excited to receive this book and then completely let down when I read it.It is definitely not the author's best.I thought the characters were very flat and undeveloped and there was no chemistry between any of them.I usually enjoy seeing characters from previous books pop up in later ones, but this book just didn't do it for me.I've read all of Ms. McInerney's books and think that Farraday Girls is by far her best.Save your money and get this from the library.

Greetings from Somewhere Else
Lainey is an event planner--highly organized, energetic, ambitious, a bit bossy.Her father is bedridden after an industrial accident and her mother is getting a bit fed up with the situation.Her three brothers are all a bit eccentric in their own way. And she and her boyfriend seem to be more or less ships passing in the night--he's a chef with his own restaurant, and with their schedules, it seems they hardly see each other at all.

Into this chaos comes a new wrinkle -- an elderly aunt in Ireland has died, leaving a bed & breakfast to her brother, Lainey's father.That's wonderful news, since the family is struggling to pay medical bills, and waiting to get an insurance settlement.They plan to sell the B&B immediately, but there's a stipulation--one member of the family must come to Ireland and live for one year and manage the B&B, or they will lose the inheritance.

Lainey seems to be the logical--or only possible--choice, so she gives up her job, breaks up with her boyfriend, and heads to Ireland to run a B&B, despite never having spent much time either cooking or cleaning in her life.

I read this book in one long Sunday, and enjoyed it immensely.It reminded me a bit of a Cecelia Ahern novel, but that may just have been because of the Irish characters.The book was very well written, and by the end of the book I felt I knew the characters.Lainey grows up in the process of the book, and learns a lot, both about the B&B business, and about herself.

I highly recommend this book, and will search out more of Ms. McInerney's novels.

engaging complex chick lit tale
In Melbourne, Complete Events Management Lainey Byrne is used to wacky chaos when she sponsors an event, but always brings it together to the satisfaction of the client.Her personal life is also somewhat out of control as her boyfriend Adam the chef seems never around and her parents and three brothers leap from one end of the world crisis to another always expecting her to fix it, which she does quite nicely.Handling people chaos is her expertise.

Her agitated mom informs Lainey they need her help (what else is new).In Ireland, her paternal Aunt May left her B&B to her brother with the stipulation that the family must take over running the place for a year; if they fail to meet her condition, her cats become the owner.The family selects Lainey to run the place over her objection that she is busy, can't cook and never cleans; important aspects of running a B&B.Instead Lainey loses the argument and heads to Ireland worried about leaving her loved ones to fend for themselves while struggling with an adjustment to life in the country and running the B&B.She feels fortunate to connect with her childhood friend Evie and begins to learn to pick and choose her charge up the hill moments while mostly let it be.

This is an engaging complex chick lit tale of an alpha female who has by default and overall personality trait become the prime caretaker of her extended family until she leaves them behind.While Lainey learns that she cannot care for everyone and handle everything; her parents and three brothers also learn responsibly to take care of their so called end of the world crisis.Read will enjoy GREETINGS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE as life lessons comes to the Byrne brood.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Product Description
When writers make their descriptions fresh, they move their stories forward and imbue their work with atmosphere. Monica Wood helps squeeze the greatest flavour from language and provides insight into how detail, editing, style, point of view and original word depictions can be used to create unforgettable images that will stick with readers for a lifetime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Troubleshooting kit for a writer.
Consider this book an owner's manual and troubleshooting kit on the use of description, point of view and dialogue. Seriously. There are a handful of books that I have read and feel that I am better equipped to write, and this book is on that list. I particularly found the sections on forward motion and point of view enlightening, and I find myself referencing this book quite a bit now. Wood will help you become a better writer.

Not the usual
Monica Wood takes on some of the classic proverbs of fiction-writing--like "show don't tell" and "never use adverbs"--and makes a convincing case for moderation.

She covers a range of styles from the minimalist to descriptions that run for a couple of paragraphs, all the way up to the "set piece" scene which gets its own discussion in chapter 3. You'll have to pick and choose based on your personal style--I myself can't imagine *ever* intentionally writing a set piece--but the information is there.

She also makes a point of showing how description combines and contrasts with the other parts of narrative, and offering her opinions (which seem pretty reasonable to me) as to when to show and when to tell.

Special topic: It seems like every book on writing goes on about Point of View, and unless you're a total beginner you probably know all of that stuff. But Chapter 5 goes into PoV in a depth that I've never seen before, with explicit recommendations for what types of stories work and don't work in various PoVs. She discusses not just the strengths and weaknesses of each possible choice of PoV but also gives specific suggestions on how to work with the weaknesses. She even has about two pages discussing second-person PoV, a topic that is usually dismissed with a "nobody does it".

Wood's book isn't entirely anti-establishment, but there is enough unorthodoxy in there to make this an interesting addition to my collection of writing books.

Great tips and ideas
I've read several of the writer's digest books and this was one of the better written ones.I use a highlighter to underline useful points and in Description I found at least 30 ideas/suggestions for future consideration. Some of the material I have seen elsewhere but that's to be expected.I found her style to be very readable, sometimes funny, informative, and easy to comprehend.If you're interested in writing novels or short stories, I would recommend you make this book part of your library.

Description
I highly recommend this book if you are writing your first novel.Contains valuable, insightful information.

Not Terrible, Not Great
This it one of those books that I can neither thing of a real good reason to recommend it, nor can I think of a good reason to tell people to avoid it, so it gets three stars. Monica Wood covers the topic fairly well and has some good suggestions, but there isn't much unique matterial in the book. As I read, I found myself skipping sections of the book and I don't feel that I miss anything by doing so. She has some different views about some things than other authors, most notably the "show, don't tell" rule. But few authors agree on that rule. She seems to have more of a character driven approach to writing, so if you do also then you may find her book more helpful than one written by someone with a plot based approach. The occassional jewels that are scattered throughout the book make it worth buying for many people, but others may find it difficult to read. ... Read more

Product Description
FREE KNITTING PATTERN INCLUDED!

When adoptee Lucille Jones comes to town researching her roots, Betsy notices that she bears a remarkable resemblance to local Jan Henderson. Betsy introduces the look-alikes, and they quickly hit it off. But then Jan's wealthy great-aunt is found dead in her bed, and Jan is the prime suspect. Lucille begs Betsy to help clear her new friend's name.

And while going through her aunt's effects, Jan finds an old embroidered pillow featuring a flag with 49 stars-an odd error for a woman so sharp at figures. Stranger still, the lining is stitched with a map of Lake Minnetonka. Betsy intends to follow the threads. Who knows-it could just possibly lead to buried treasure. Or, perhaps, to a secret that someone would kill to conceal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Disappointed
I was very disappointed with this book.It was such a letdown especially since the book before was so good.This book rambles on about things that don't have anything to do with the plot.I missed the main characters.We have missed the birth of Jill's baby who is now 6 months old!Jill who all along was going to be a desk sargent; now has quit her job without warning. Where is Betsy's love interest? He just isn't mentioned again.While I am disappointed in this book, I will read the next one in hopes that Ms. Ferris will resume the blending of the plots and characters in a way that I have come to admire and enjoy.

Crewel words
This book was truly bad.The characters were flat and uniteresting, the plot was convoluted and ridiculous.The big moment of discovery for the criminal was more of an are-you-kidding-me than a surprise.

The conversations are tedious, repetative, and just plain dull.There is a LONG scene in the shop to suffer through involving step-by-step instructions of purling and knitting a sock.I can't imagine even a knitter wouldn't skip past that mess.If the writer wants to include how-tos then put it at the end of a chapter or the book as does Diane Mott Davidson with her Goldie recipes.

The wrap-up conversation with the police covers very little and only shows the police are unable to do their jobs.It was insulting to law enforcement.

**SPOILERS**

There are a few Big Clues that are later explained away with a sentence or two.Oh, the knitting needle was part of a science project?Really?And what pediatric nurse isn't going to know the difference between an infant and a doll when she's standing over it?!The murder attempt in the hospital is just embarassing and never addressed again.And, how does a woman get shot in a rental cabin (in a group of rental cabins) and the on-site owner doesn't know about it?

I enjoyed the mystery, but
The descriptions of the valuable treasures to be found in the murder victim's home were entirely too long and often times unneeded.Instead of writing to fill a quota of pages, the author should of stuck to simply writing a story.

Sins and Needles
I have enjoyed all of the Needlecraft mysteries. They are an easy and fun read.

Oh, please.
A long-lost relative, a hidden treasure map, a murdered matriach leaving behind a quirky will... this story had all the potential to be a page turner. But while this was a well-written book in the language sense, I found the plot extremely difficult to follow.

There were too many new characters, too many threads for the mystery to follow, and too many unnecessary passages (like spending PAGES on the family's visit through Aunt Edyth's house) and strange "mistakes" (like Katie calling Jan "aunt" when she's really her cousin).

I appreciate the author's vivid imagination, but she needed a good editor to reign her in a bit and have her focus more on a few storylines, rather than introducing so much at once.

And though I'm always willing to suspend disbelief, I'm starting to raise my eyebrows at Betsy's involvement in situations where she has absolutely no business being. And her leaps of intellect (following "clues" to bizarre conclusions) left me in the dust.

If I could give it 2.5 stars, I would. I'm rounding up because Ferris is such a talented writer.

PS What happened to Betsy's boyfriend? And I miss Jill! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (24)

Ethnicity and Family Therapy, Third Edition
An excellent resource for relating the influence of ethnic background to individual problems. The discussions are insightful and provide another facet to individual therapy.

A must have
I highly recommend this book to anyone in the MFT field.It's a great source to have.

A book every therapist would benefit from.
This is a great informative book. It does not generalize all Asian, Latin or Middle Eastern cultures.It breaks it down into individual countries. It also gives a cultural history of the target group and their assimilation into American society. It is the only one I know of that discusses European Americans as part of diversity. My only disappointment is that there is no discussion of South America. Overall this is an excellent book recommended to me by one of my Psychology professors.

wonderful!
Although I initially bought this book for one of my school classes, I find myself frequently referencing it if I need a refresher. This book provides great overviews of many different cultures. As with any book attempting to discuss groups of individuals, one must read this book with an understanding that everything within it will not apply to everybody from that specific group. This book does a great job of discussing many of the similarities within members of each group.

Ethnicity & Family Therapy
McGoldrick promises to provide helpful tips for working with families of different ethnicities/origins, but falls short on delivering. The histories and backgrounds in each chapter are brief and general at best. There is no concrete info provided on counseling families...my advice is to find another textbook because this one doesn't give anything more than the very, very basics. ... Read more

Product Description

He is one of the world's most accomplished figures of modern finance. As chairman and chief executive officer of Citigroup, Sanford "Sandy" Weill has become an American legend, a banking visionary whose innovativeness, opportunism, and even fear drove him from the lowliest jobs on Wall Street to its most commanding heights. In this unprecedented biography, acclaimed Wall Street Journal reporter Monica Langley provides a compelling account of Weill's rise to power. What emerges is a portrait of a man who is as vital and as volatile as the market itself.

Tearing Down the Walls tells the riveting inside story of how a Jewish boy from Brooklyn's back alleys overcame incredible odds and deep-seated prejudices to transform the financial-services industry as we know it today.

Using nearly five hundred firsthand interviews with key players in Weill's life and career -- including Weill himself -- Langley brilliantly chronicles not only his success and scandals but also the shadows of his hidden self: his father's abandonment and his loving marriage; his tyrannical rages as well as his tearful regrets; his fierce sense of loyalty and his ruthless elimination of potential rivals. By highlighting in new and startling detail one man's life in a narrative as richly textured and compelling as a novel, Tearing Down the Walls provides the historical context of the dramatic changes not only in business but also in American society in the last half century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Spell Binder
Monica Langley's 'Tearing Down the Walls' is one the best books about Wall Street bankers. Sandy Weil's life and his rise epitomizesthe life on Wall Street before the crisis. Ms.Langley's racy style keeps the reader completely engrossed. Provides great insight into the minds and egos of Wall Street CEOs. Afterreadingthe book, onehasa better understanding why Wall Street firms are confronting the worst crisis on a scale never seen before. The relentless push by Sandy Weil to repeal the Glass Steagall Act, so as to make Citi Group as a financial powerhouse is one of the underlying causes for the crisis on Wall Street. It shows how driven Wall Street CEOs are to achieve goals that matter to them and their firms, unmindful of larger consequences. The grooming of Jamie Dimon as Sandy's protege at Citi and Dimon's sudden departure from Citi makes for fascinating reading.

A Great Bio
Finally, a great biography of a person who isn't in the news anymore. Extremely detailed about the person who used to be, and may be still is, Sandy Weill. His chutzpah hid his flaws balance each other, but not all the time. He grew a small company with people around him falling to the background, somewhere along the way, he fell and then he came back strong.
Frankly, the book is not at all technical on financials but is more about the manager, the specialist and the fire inside him. Reading the book is just like watching a movie about Weill. Great read. Buy it.

Great book
This was a great book. It was a very fast read and I had a hard time putting it down, since I was always wanting to know what happened next.

Excellent Book
Anyone who wishes to know hwat happened on Wall Street and why it happened will find this book extremely interesting.Greed is the key word and a complete lack of loyalty to their fellow Wall Street gang or even their own families.Very good book.

Honest, Provacative and Very Well Written
I read this book to get some insight into Sandy's right hand man Jammie Diamond who was about to become the CEO of Chase, the company I worked for.I must say that it was so interesting that I could not put the book down. It's a biography that reads like a novel. The world of finance and Sandy's role in it's history is spell binding. Monica Langley did an excellent job writing this book and look forward to reading anything else she's done.
If this subject is of any interest to you then you will be glad you took the time to read this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Indigo Summer and her best friend, Jade, are at the top of their game. They're the most popular girls at school, the best dancers on the high-school squad, and now one of them is going to be team captain. Indigo just never expected it to be Jade. For the first time in forever, Indigo is jealous of her best friend, and they're not the only ones on the squad dealing with major drama. Tameka rocked her SATs and is destined for a top college, but one lapse in judgment with her boyfriend, Vance, will change everything.

Friendships, the team, their futures…this time, it's all on the line. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

LOVE INDIGO!
I am SOOOOO in love with Indigo, Marcus & their friends. Monica McKayhan has captured my heart with these characters. Indigo is REAL, with real problems, friends, and feelings. Its nice to read a teen novel without vulgar sex scenes and constant profanity. I have recommended this series to several of my friends and they are hooked as well! I cant WAIT until the next installment in this series!!!

An Entertaining, Thought Provoking Read
The Carver High School junior varsity dance team no longer has a captain, so a new one must be chosen. Indigo just knows she's the very best dancer and believes Miss Martin could not possibly choose anyone other than her. But Indigo's ego is seriously deflated when her best friend, Jade, becomes the new captain. All of a sudden, Jade isn't her best friend anymore. Looks like Indigo needs to do a little self-examination and learn what it means to be a true friend. What will it take for Indigo to let go of the jealousy and treat her girl right?
Tameka wants to go to college mostly because her mother didn't have a chance to. Tameka's boyfriend, Vance, is expected to attended college, expected to follow in his father's footsteps. These two young people have their plans for the future, but then one choice is made that changes everything. Will Vance stand by Tameka in her time of need? Or will he abandon her?
I really liked Tameka and the close relationship she had with her mother. Her dad was a workaholic and that was unfortunate, but he did care about his family. Now, I didn't agree with the choice he and his wife made in Chapter 14. And the family secret that was revealed - Tameka's mom made a good decision but the victim should have been taken straight to the police station so she could press charges because there was somebody who definitely needed to be dragged away in handcuffs.
I liked Vance sometimes and sometimes I didn't. Well, I didn't like some of his choices. I loved the conversation he had with his mother in Chapter 35 and I'm glad he learned from what she had to say to him.
This was an entertaining, thought provoking read. The author shows how two people dealing with the same situation can see things so differently, can be affected so differently. I learned from Tameka and Vance's points of view. Most teenagers seem to think they're more mature than they truly are. It's not until they're forced to deal with certain issues that they realize just how much more growing up they have to do. The whole teen sex/teen pregnancy aspect in the story rings true - good job, Miss McKayhan.I also appreciate how the author deals with the issue of abortion.
This is the first book in the Indigo Summer series I've read. Not often, but at times characters didn't speak naturally and how they were dressed was described quite a bit (young women with a love for fashion would probably appreciate this); tiny flaws in my opinion. I can't say I really know the characters and I certainly don't know all they've been through since Book One. In this book the author does mention things that happenedbefore this story - which helped me to "get" certain things - so a person doesn't really need to read the first four to enjoy this one. Still, I plan to read Indigo Summer, Trouble Follows, The Pact and Jaded. Why? Mostly to find out about this Jeff Donaldson Tameka mentioned, to better understand Indigo (This girl seemed pretty conceited to me, but maybe I'm wrong), and to learn about Jades relationship with Terrence (I'm curious). The ending to this book was very touching and I look forward to reading the other books.




... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Delightful, charming, and thoroughly enjoyable
"Library Journal" reported that this was one of the best current mystery series, so I picked up the first volume just to satisfy my curiosity. I was completely charmed. Cozies are usually light on characterization or real mystery, but Monica Ferris wonderfully combines the American small town cozy with diverse, interesting, fully-formed characters. She also crafted an actual mystery that was hard to put down.

The needlecraft angle was also surprisingly enjoyable. I knew nothing about needlecrafts and was curious about how an author could anchor a story around something like that, but it was so interesting, and I learned so much that I'd never even thought about before, that I'm tempted to pick up a pair of knitting needles myself.

With well-developed characters and a strong story, Ferris proves that cozies can be more than fluff. "Crewel World" was absolutely delightful and I can hardly wait to read the next one.

Mystery Lite. Fun, Easy Series
I am on my fifth book in the series.I gave this a 4 star rating not for its brilliance or as a must read, but for its fun character development and easy, pleasant read.

If you are looking for a series with a likeable, honest, straightforward main character with friends & co-workers that are relatable and a peek into small town life with a who-done-it as the mechanism for spending time with them, this is for you.

It's a lot of fun spending time in Betsy's needle craft shop and "watching" Godwin interact with the customers.And it's fun following Betsy and Jill as Betsy sniffs out perpetrators through basic character studies of them instead of traditional detective work.

Start this first book - meet some new friends at the shop and enjoy!

Just collecting the series - then reading!
I love theme mystery series, and I love needlework.This seemed like a perfect match for me, so I'm collecting the entire series before starting.Just from reading the ticklers, tho, I'm sure I won't be disappointed!

a delightful new series
I love how you learn about needlecraft along with the heroine.The heroine, Betsy, is a very believable character and I found that I could feel her pain when she thought about the loss of her sister.I look forward to reading more about Betsy and her needlecraft shop.

A pleasant surprise
I was a little skeptical about this series. I'm a knitter, not a needleworker, so I wasn't sure I'd be interested in the inner workings of an embroidery shop, even with a mystery thrown in. But the cast of characters was intriguing, and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep any mystery lover enthralled. Not the deepest book I've ever read, but interesting enough to make me want to read more of the series -- and maybe even try a needlepoint project some time! ... Read more