Series Books

This is another beautiful by tricia. I read this immediately after Dust and Ashes. They both were great stories. This one has several different story lines that all end up in one great ending. The characters are real and interesting. I highly recommend this book along with Tricias 1st book, Dust and Ashes

The first half of this book wasn't so riveting, but the last part held me captive, with tears and smiles abundant.

Evie is an Austrian living in America. Her boyfriend, Nick, is a medical student. Before she can accept his proposal of marriage, she is ordered back to Vienna.

Otto is seeking power...and valuable violins.

Jakub is a Jewish boy, living in the shadow of his extremely talented younger brother. Things go from bad to worse as first he and his family are put in a ghetto, then a concentration camp, and for Jakub, a hard labor camp called Mauthausen. Can Jakub overcome his fear of playing the violin in front of crowds? His life might depend on it.

Evie helps in the resistance movement, disguising herself and putting herself in danger.

Nick thinks Evie has died, but he is not able to forget her or stop loving her. Or is he?

This is an inspiring story based on truth--there was actually an orchestra in the Mauthausen camp.

I found Night Song by Tricia Goyer to be captivating. I am not much of a History buff, but found this book easy to get into and lose myself into. It is a wonderful story well put about WWII and Mauthausen camp. The characters all seem to pop out of the book as you are reading it. The ending is perfect for the book. I recommend this book in every book lovers library.

I just finished reading "Night Song." I think that is the first Christian fiction book that I have read and really didn't expect to like it so much. The touching individual storylines just drew me in.... Before I knew it I was caught up in the days of the past and the lives of the intriguing characters. It is so well written ~ the stories are woven easily together as the reader is introduced to each side of the conflict. I have recommended "Night Song" to others and look forward to starting on my next Tricia Goyer book, "From Dust to Ashes."

I hate to appear curmudgeonly, given the overwhelmingly favorable reviews of this book, but I've just read it and can't quite join in the enthusiasm.

As a Christian I am on the side of this genre of writing; as a society we need less of the sleazy and crude offerings that we are presented with in the print and visual media. So I started this book sympathetically. It didn't quite succeed in engaging me.

I have no complaint about the storyline in general, but thought the plot lacked some needed tension at critical points and was altogether too self-conscious in its invocation of Scriptures and Christian principles, as much as I appreciate their value.

The story culminates with a Dickensian feel, when main and subordinate characters are brought together through coincidental (or Providential) events. But here again the scheme is contrived -- the assembling of the bare bones predicts the outcome; we needed a bit more of the accidental unfolding to enhance the surprises at the end.

A niggle: as a non-American I was put off by current Americanisms appearing in the mouths of 1940s characters. The idiomatic use of American English has changed considerably since the Second World War and an authentic feel can only be achieved by reflecting the voices of that earlier period. Also, the author's attempt to fuse coded American "values" (freedom) and icons (the statutette of Lady Liberty) with the Christian ethos is an unfortunate device and might limit the appeal of this book to non-American readers.

I found the closing third of the book to be closer to my expectations, more tightly written and approaching dramatic tension. The memorial to those victims of the camps was substantial and worthy, and provided details I have not encountered elsewhere.

Piers Anthony certainly has a way with words, and uses many of them in this "triology ran wild".

I would recommend this series to anyone from age 12 to 112. These books are wonderfully entertaining and amusing. Real page turners. When I was younger, I would read one in a sitting. I have recently introduced my 14 yr old step daughter to them, and she loves them.

This book is great! It is the first book I've read by Piers Anthony, and I plan to read many more. The first book,"Centure Aisle", introduces you to Dor the "young" magician, Smash the young Ogre, Princess Irene, who can grow plants imedietly on her command, Grundy the golem, he can talk to anything living. Their adventures take them all over Xanth and beyond. I was so into this book that I could not put it down for weekend,I have a tendency to read slow. Thanks to this book I look forward to reading instead of dreading it. The Charcters are colorful and well portrayed, I've recomended it to many and they love it and are hurrying to the book store to get more of the Xanth novels. Enjoy reading this as it will take you far into the reaches of Xanth and you will not want to come back to the real world.

I only enjoyed this book becaiuse my earlier copies of these three books were torn to sherds, and these had been more or less, some of my favorites in the series. The first half of the series is excellent,it droops after that. The first book(which isn't included in this collection)is by far the best. Although the stories and details make the books fun, most readers will find the stories dragged down by the literally hundreds of puns piled in them. If not for this, these books would be even more popular. If you're looking for good fantasy and can stomach the horrible puns, this is a great book series.

From the first time my best friend handed me Piers Anthony's "A Spell for Chameleon," I've been stuck in the land of Xanth quite happily. The characters are just so interesting, and reading through these is never more of a burden than eating candy or popcorn. They are completly delightful, and the stories don't wane, each is uniguely magnificent in it's own respect. I'm on book seven now, and haven't felt any mileage yet. Oh and by the way,...I'm not a baby! -I turn 21 this month!- It's not just for children; just those who like to like to randomly smile in solitude.

The Xanth series is a collection of Tongue-in-Cheek adventurous wanderings through a world where word-play is reality and reality is like a Dream World, from-which you cannot awake--yet, the stories are fantasy episodes comparable to the other great works of the genre, by your favorite Fantasy Writers...only, with a comedic twist and a perfectly placed punch-line (which, in his world, would probably be a running of the gauntlet, with burly men throwing wild swings at your head) now and then! Piers Anthony is a master of word usage and placement--just look at his other titles, even the book names he comes up with make you curious to see what's inside the artistic covers of his stories. "A Spell for Chameleon" is the place to embark upon the tour through Anthony's strange and exciting universe-- but, when the tour of Xanth is over, go visit the world of "The Blue Adept." Piers Anthony is a wonderful writer and one of the men who helped me survive High School. After reading some intense Terry Brooks, I'd kick-back with some Xanth novels and relax a little. I very-much recommend the "THE APPRENTICE ADEPT" series, which is unlike anything you have probably read, before.... You will thoroughly enjoy Stile's adventures and his attempts to live in Two Worlds, simultaneously.

I think this is an excellent refresher for people who know Pilates. I'm living in No.Carolina (from NYC) and needed something to keep me going as I can't find a Pialtes studio here.What a perfect exercise companion, with easy, clear examples, plus a couple of great exercises to do while sitting at my desk, etc.

This is such a great book for fitness! The descriptions and pictures make it easy enough for me to do. I have been enjoying my pilates work out ever since I read the book. I highly recommend it for wimps and non-wimps!

I loved the pictures and the very simple style of this book. It is so easy to follow. For so long I was so intimidated by the Pilates method out of my own ignorance. But this book makes it all so accessible, there is nothing to be afraid of!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever even thought of starting Pilates!!!

I borrowed this book from my local library. I love it so much I have signed on to Amazon to order it for myself. Regardless of what the last reviewer thinks (how bored is that person anyway?)I have honestly read this book and found it simple, straight forward, and easy to follow. I tried several other books and videos and this was the clearest and least intimidating. People looking for an introduction to Pilates, this is definately the right book for you!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! As a physical therapist I try and incorporate Pilates in my treatment sessions to strengthen and stretch my patients. This is an easy to follow book that I can recommend to my patients so they can exercise at home in a safe an effective way. A great book for any level of fitness!!

I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it, and would give it more stars if I could. It is a story of romance and adventure. It's great Christian fiction.

I'm always searching for Christian authors that write novels with depth, yet be entertaining. This is the first book by Chaikin I have read, and I truly enjoyed it. The book premise based in the 1600's in Jamaica is refreshing as well. I admit I was skeptical about this book because the cover looked so ridiculous, however, I have to say that the Buccaneers Series books are among my favorites.

A great start to a series! Intrigue, danger, and adventure are woven into an well-developed plot. Emerald Harwick is quite an inspiring woman who faces hard times in the tropical island of Jamaica; being rejected by her aristocratic family. Baret Buckington, a viscount turned buccaneer, is on a quest to find his imprisoned father though declared dead. Emerald is desperately trying to escape Port Royal with her fiance and cousin Minette. Emerald's father has other ideas regarding Emerald's future and Baret has a part in that plan. What I really hope for in these series that Baret will find his father and Emerald find someone to love and help her deal with the family's obvious rejection and defend her mother's reputation and her own. It leaves you hanging at the end and desperate to get the 2nd book in the series!

I believed this book to be one of the most outstanding books I have ever read! It is amazing how this author captivates you in the way she writes. She makes the world of buccaneering come to life. I reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure and romance!!!

This is a wonderful series--one of Linda Chaikin's best, though she could have wrapped things up in the third novel much better. The first book, however, is almost perfect, and I couldn't put it down. The story is complex enough without being confusing, and it's much less complicated than Chaikin's "Heart of India" series. The story is compelling and exciting, and as usual, Chaikin inserts many historical facts about the time period that kept me interested and made me want to learn for myself about the Caribbean in the early 17th century.

The characters are written so well that you can almost see them, and each character is developed and given plenty of backstory. The romance is amazing; each interaction between Emerald and Baret left me holding my breath, and their conversations and sarcastic banter often made me laugh out loud! The best part about the romance, however, is how gradual it is. Too often in Christian romance, it's "love at first sight"; the characters seem to love each other from the first page! Baret's love for Emerald, however, is extremely refreshing, as there's another woman in the picture, and he's often very unsure of how he feels about everything. You hardly ever see that kind of scenario in Christian romance these days, so I was pleasantly surprised with the relationship between Baret and Emerald and how it progressed.

This is definitely the best book of the three...it goes a little downhill from here, but overall, this is a great series, and one that should not be missed!

No obtiene la quinta estrella por no hacer referencia alguna al manejo de los archivos BVH. Por lo demás, genial!

This book has become one of my references for Poser 6. It's clearly written and covers topics from basic to advanced. I recommend this book for anyone learning or using Poser 6!

It was very easy to follow and made it easy to learn Poser 6.

I avoid buying software books because many of my past purchases were a complete waste of money. The authors rehash the software's free manuals and provide explanations and tutorials so basic that it seems their target reader is somebody who bought their first PC just last week.

Based on strong reviews, I took a chance and bought Practical Poser 6. I'm not going to cover the content, which is already described very thoroughly in other reviews here. I'll just say that if you have tried to use Poser without any tutorial or learning aids, this book is for you. I had a copy of Poser 5 and had just bought Poser 6 a few weeks before getting this book. My measure of a good instructional book is how much it taught me that I didn't know already. I estimate 50-60% of this book contains info that I'd only have learned by painful trial-and-error, and was really useful to me. And this is not to say that it's for experienced users only -- whether you're just starting out with Poser or already have a few years of experience, there's some explanations, tips and general good reading in this book for you. Highly recommended!

I found Practical Poser 6 a valuable training tutorial into the world of 3D graphics. Not only did it explain the functions and usages of Poser 6 in understandable terms, it illustrated examples in easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. This book is a recommended must-have for individuals who are thinking about entering the realm of 3D graphics or serious artists who want to refine their technique and squeeze a little more 'mileage' from their programs. A first-rate, well written book in it's field.

I love books like this, which take a different approach to teaching. They begin not by going through, chapter-by-chapter, each individual building block of a network, but by showing you just how horribly wrong you may have been in your thinking all along. Then, they basically say, "Do we have your attention now? Good. Now we'll show you how to mitigate these risks." In my opinion, that's the ONLY way to teach a computer geek, since many are quite set in their ways.

In my opinion, this is THE best book I have ever read (and I have read a few) on security in a Windows network. It is very well written; unlike a standard security book that simply has configuration guides and checklists. These guys are not only security gurus, they are very good authors who know how to write. They not only offer explanations on various security best practices, but they also dispel many myths about Windows security "recommendations" by so-called experts. The book has a definite Microsoft bias (as it's title would suggest), but I found very little that I would disagree with. As a long time Windows Administrator (MCP NT4, MCSA 2000/2003 and CompTIA Security+ certified) and also being a security minded individual (though not a security specialist)I highly recommend this book.

Great people these two authors and very charismatic. If you happened to visit one of the IT forums or speeches you'll know what I mean.

Really a great book with a logical processing of different topics. One of the great things is that they create awareness by giving everyday examples of hacking attempts and how to take the right precautions. Things you'll recognize in your daily work. It's easy to read and while the book is a couple of years old, the practical site of it hasn't changed a lot. I hope they update this with Vista and Server 2008 in mind. So certainly worth buying!

Rob Faber [CISSP, CEH, MCSE]
The Netherlands

The simple truth is that if you're directly responsible for the health of a Windows network, you need to read this book. It contains a wide enough breadth to be applicable to all Windows administrators running a variety OS and application levels, while still managing the depth required to be truly informative and serve as a good everyday reference. It provides an incredible amount of detailed theory and hands-on practical advice that will give you the background information, tools and motivation to improve your defenses and keep hackers away from your data.

Those directly responsible for securing the network should read this book through and then read it again, perhaps discussing it with a peer. There's a lot of information to unpack, so a critical study of how to contextualize the recommendations to your environment would benefit from a team of individuals dedicated to understanding and carrying-out the guidelines that are given. In contrast, high-level managers and decision makers who have a more hands-off role would be well served by taking a half an hour to read the first two chapters, giving them a sobering first-hand account of the ease with which a knowledgeable attacker can subvert an entire domain. It will be 30 minutes well spent! A final group, the technically-savvy supervisors who don't actually implement (but monitor those who do), should quickly read the entire volume and hold their employees accountable for upholding at least the principles, if not the specific practices, mentioned throughout. All three groups should read it with the goal of acquiring a security mindset, filtering all their projects and goals through the "lens" created as a result of the truths learned from this pair of gurus. It is the unique combination of sufficient depth with comprehensive breadth that gives this book the edge over most recent Windows security titles from other authors. If you have to pick just one printed manual to take with you into battle, this should be your weapon of choice. I heartily recommend it as a great read for now, and as an investment for your go-to shelf later on.

Jesper and Steve begin the journey with the same eye-opening SQL injection attack you may have seen in one of the talks they present around the globe in their roles as security experts for Microsoft (Jesper has since changed employers). They exploit a poorly-written web application by feeding SQL code directly through the web form, eventually compromising the entire network, even though it's fully-patched and even somewhat hardened. They describe the intricacies of the attack from beginning to end, laying the groundwork for the defense techniques described in the remaining chapters. After taking over their victim network, they round out the section on fundamentals with a chapter on patch management. This was the low point of the book and, in my opinion, it glosses over the realities of just how time-consuming and complex change management and regression testing can be in a heterogeneous environment. Don't get discouraged by this chapter; slog through it and enjoy the informative--yet surprisingly fun--chapters that follow.

Having established the basics, more groundwork is laid with above average, but not spectacular, sections on administrative policies and physical security. These are the most "CISSP-ish" pages of the whole book and should look very familiar to members of the (ISC)^2. While the advice in these early chapters will stand the test of time, there's not much in here that won't already be a part of your daily arsenal. If you haven't figured out such basics as having a written security policy and that users will always choose convenience over security, then study this section hard. For the rest of us, you will find yourself saying "Amen" a lot as you review these four well-written and comprehensive middle chapters. The real epiphany comes at the end of Chapter 7 when they declare that the days of having a notion of a "perimeter" are over. If you haven't realized by now how incredibly porous your network is, this book should help bring you back to reality.

With the first half of the book used as an appetizer, the authors start serving the main course of practical, detailed advice about how to protect every aspect of your clients, servers and network infrastructure. Their incredible insight into password theory and how exactly a real password attack would work is so refreshing--these guys are experts, and it's demonstrated most profoundly in their chapter-long advice on the subject. Here and throughout the book they constantly bring you back to reality by refuting myths common in "security theater" and give you the best advice, with enough background to understand why it works. One particularly sobering moment was the sweeping dismissal of biometric authentication because of the myriad (often foolishly simple) flaws that can defeat even über-expensive fingerprint readers, retina scanners, etc. In the next two hundred or so pages the give you just enough instruction about IPSec, 802.1X, two-factor authentication and server/client hardening to help you understand the critical pieces of theory and find the detailed implementation instructions for yourself. You'll feel like you finally know the reasons to do all these things instead of just getting a litany of the individual steps to implement a particular setting or policy. Microsoft has published a lot of dry technical guides on every registry setting and tweak imaginable; these guys tell you the background information of why any of this stuff matters and they do it in a winsome, often satirical way that makes you want to keep reading.

The key concepts I took from reading this book were: a healthy skepticism about merely doing tweaks or checklists that have an air of sophistication but don't actually improve security; a sense of empowerment about how to untangle my network from a web of dependencies caused by shared service accounts (they even provide a handy utility to make their advice doable); and renewed sense of encouragement that least-privilege is actually obtainable. They end each chapter with an immediate call-to-action that addresses the most important steps you can take to do the most good quickly. If you can force yourself to do these challenging tasks for every area they address, you'll be well on the road to a more secure installation.

The problem with some computer security books is that they are nothing more than pages of checklists with myriad dos and don'ts. But after all the checklists have been dutifully completed, readers still don't understand the underlying concept of how to secure a computer. Within a short time, their computers and networks are insecure, and they are back where they began, as fodder for hackers.

The distinctive nature of Protect Your Windows Network : From Perimeter to Data is that it suggests ways to secure your Windows workstation and network, but it also takes a much broader approach to security and shows you how to address the issue of securing systems as a whole. This panoptic approach to securing systems is quite refreshing, and it makes the book a fascinating read.

The theme of the book is that there are three elements of a successful security program: people, processes, and technology. In 17 chapters covering the gamut of security from server hardening to password protection, the book details how to use these people, processes, and technology to ensure that Windows networks stay secure.

Early chapters deal with the basics of how attacks work and show the reader how they progress from low-level social engineering to the code manipulation that leads to the exploitation of software and vulnerabilities.

The book is filled with easy-to-understand practical and tactical solutions that can be implemented by everyone from nontechnical end users to system administrators, helping them to ensure that their Windows-based network is as secure as possible. Even at 550 densely packed pages, the book is quite readable.

Becky's back and better than ever in this second book about superhero wanna-be Becky Miller. Becky takes on more than she can handle, thinking that her optimism and enthusiasm will solve it all. Becky has the best of intentions, wanting to be a person able to do it all, but she unexpectedly finds that her set-backs help her to move forward again in a more reasonable fashion.

Injured in a car accident at the end of the first book, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, Becky is forced to slow down her own agenda and override her persistent need to be everything for everyone. She exudes good cheer and an overly helpful nature throughout the second book as well, apparently not realizing that she does have limitations on what (and whom) she is actually able to fix. But when the flood from her own rising problems threatens to drown her, Becky still doesn't have the common sense to get out of the water. She finds herself continuing to do laps in water that is way, way over her head.

Becky exemplifies the scripture from 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me,`My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (NIV) This novel reminds us that despite our best efforts, we still need to rely on God for our true strength. Becky ultimately learns this lesson - again - that when her strength is insufficient, then God is able to work it out in his perfect way and in his perfect timing.

Renovating Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck is wildly funny, poignant in many ways, and touching throughout. This is truly a fantastic novel by a fantastic author. And if you missed the first book, don't wait... get out there or get online and buy both of these little gems for your collection. You'll be glad you did.

Becky Miller's daydreams provide her with momentary escape from the situations in which she finds herself as she becomes the heroine of each exciting movie-vision. Then she bumps back to earth when she suddenly finds herself immersed in a real-life adventure similar to what she imagines. Becky's car accident left her with a permanent limp, but her busy lifestyle convinces her she doesn't have time for her daily therapy. In fact, Becky doesn't have time for much of anything except dealing with one crisis after another. When her best-laid plans fall through, Becky realizes she must bring her life under control, but she never imagines how God will help her accomplish her goal.

With Renovating Becky Miller, Sharon Hinck delivers a second great mom lit book, because Becky is every woman who questions what God wants her to do and how best to fulfill God's plan for her life. Hinck writes interesting characters who struggle with the real-life problems of busy women. She portrays Minnesota's Twin City area with accuracy and detail, including the huge Halloween snowstorm that occurred a few years ago. By the end of the book, you'll want to invite Becky over for tea, because she you'll feel as though she's a good friend.

I didn't read the first of these two books and sometimes that is a great problem. But in this case, the author brought me up-to-date and created the new story in a seamless fashion. I plunged into Becky's story, wondering what in the world she would do with all these problems and thoroughly identifying with her humor and determination. The book was a satisfying read.

Becky Miller is a full time wife, mom, and church worker. And then her mother-in-law moves in. She says it's only temporary, but it's obvious she can't live alone. Becky and her husband, Kevin, dream of a house in the country and they find one that needs a lot of fixing, but it's in their price range, and they plan to do the work themselves as much as possible. Becky has a lot on her plate. Kevin seems to have something on his mind, but refuses to talk about it, and her mother-in-law, Rose, is an expert at snide put-downs. The church wants her to work full time, and there's the hassle of moving. Don't these people realize she can't do it all? But then again, she's Becky Miller, Superwoman. She can handle it--maybe.

Sharon Hinck has a great sense of humor, and Renovating Becky Miller is laugh-out-loud funny. Like most of us, Becky Miller discovers she can't do it all. Perfection isn't something we can attain, no matter how hard we try. As Becky points out, sometimes renovation is an "inside job" Another good story in the Becky Miller series.

Reading books written in first person is not usually my first choice, but I found Renovating Becky Miller so enticing that I forgot it was in first person.

Sharon Hinck drew me into the book by opening each chapter with a daydream Becky Miller was indulging herself in. In each chapter, Becky loses herself in a movie she and her husband have seen on their weekly date nights.

Becky Miller's life is not easy. She's a mother, a wife, has a part-time job at her church working with the women's ministries, and is disabled, just to add a little icing to her cake of a life.

Already harrying, Becky's life is complicated by the purchase of a new home for her family. What looked like the perfect solution to a cramped home life turns into a renovation nightmare for Becky and husband Kevin.

Will their marriage survive? Will the family survive? Will Becky remain sane, or will she lose herself in one of her daydreams and never come home?

I kept turning pages of Renovating Becky Miller partly because I had to know what Sharon would use as her next chapter opening, but mostly because I became engrossed in Becky's life. I laughed and I cried and now I have to go back and find the first book in Sharon's series about Becky Miller, The Secret Life of Becky Miller.

By the way, I guessed most of the titles of the movies Sharon uses as chapter opening scenarios, but in case you don't recognize them, there is a list of them at the end of the book.

I loved the book could not put it down. I was pleased that the author decided to take this family forward.

I have read many Janette Oke books over the last 4 years. I find that though they have interesting plots and characters the writing doesn't seem to bring the full potential out of the story. My own personal taste leans towards very real to life stories. I don't always find that in Janet Oke's books. I find that they are too warm and fuzzy for me. If you like those kind of stories or just want a book you don't really have to concentrate on I would recommend Janet Oke. If not I would suggest someone like Torey Hayden or Francine Rivers.

I was so glad to find that in the end of this book. Virgina finds love. I always think of this book when it rains.

I highly recommend this book. It is really wonderful!

This second book in Prairie Legacy is a continuation of the life of Virginia, granddaughter of Clark and Marty and daughter of Belinda and Drew.... of the Love Comes Softly series. Virginia is becoming an adult and her plans for college, marriage and friendship with Jenny are all challenged in this book, another great one by Janette Oke. The end leaves one reaching for book 3 of this series.

#9 of the Deborah Knott series- The "carny" comes to town and with it a murder. Deborah is the one to find the victim. A long lost relative appears in this one as well. This book is a turning point for Deborah and the series. A surprise to the reader! I am starting to really enjoy this series. It took several of them to get there but I am glad I did not give up. The most notable aspect of this series is the author's way of highlighting something distinct about North Carolina in every book and weaving a mystery along with it.

I really liked this one. It was clear that Maron had fun writing it.

i really like this book! it's great to discover a new mystery author.

this is a great book! i'm glad that i discovered margaret maron.

Cozy mysteries are really of two types: Novels in the traditional cozy style whose main emphasis is a mystery and its resolution (e.g., Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers) and novels in the more modern cozy format, whose main emphasis is on social interactions (primarily between family, friends, and coworkers) with the mystery being a smaller component of the exposition. This is definitely a cozy in the latter form. Remove the additional social interactions, and this mystery could be presented in a novella or even a short story, although not as interestingly.

If you find modern cozies appealing, you will certainly find this an interesting book. Here, self-assured Judge Deborah Knott finds a dead worker while visiting the annual Harvest Festival Carnival. The reason for this death and the identity of the killer is the primary mystery. The preface provides a family tree of the Knott family, which is absolutely needed, as the Knotts are a large family, many of whom are presented in this novel. Readers will find themselves frequently referencing this chart to keep track of Knott family members. Fortunately, the number of carnival workers and additional characters is relatively small, but it may still pay to keep some brief notes of who they are as you read. There is also an informative addendum with a glossary of carnival terms, e.g., "cutting up jackpots", "plush", "rake `em and scrape `em" that are used in the novel.

I felt the story started somewhat slowly, but it quickly caught my interest, and as events unfolded it became harder to put down. Although the story is told in the first person, in terms that will probably appeal mostly to female readers, and there are probably more descriptions of Judge Knott's clothing choices than would interest male readers, this novel should none-the-less appeal to both sexes.

The novel reads quickly and easily, and provides a very enjoyable way to relax.

I don't buy any of it, not for a minute. But, this is a much more enjoyable read than several of the so-called "thrillers" I've read recently. Just suspend your disbelief, dive right in, and be swept away!

Aline, Countess of Romanos has written a spectacular book. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading an autobiography and not a work of fiction. Aline is an agent for the OSS during World War II. She blends into Spanish high society and manages to complete her mission and introduce the reader to the thrills and chills of being an undercover agent. She also gives us a glimpse of Spanish Aristocracy, bull fighting and the inner workings of a nineteen year olds dilemma of befriending people who may be targets of her investigation. I have read all of her books but like this one the best. It is full of action, drama, and even a touch of romance. I have recommended it to all of my friends.

I have purchased 4 books by Aline Romanos. I absolutely love them. The fact that there is truth behind the story and that she really was an upper-class lady as well as a spy excites me. I find myself wishing I lived an adventurous life. She has a talent when it comes to recreating her life and exploits. I could not put it down!

Written like a fiction novel, this factual, first-person account of a young woman spy during World War II is absolutely enthralling. You'll get a first-hand look into what it's like to be recruited and trained as a spy, then go on your first assignment, mingling with the highest Spanish society while secretly risking your life to uncover essential Axis secrets. The characters in the novel are rich and compelling, and you never know what's going to happen next to the protagonist/ingenue Aline.

I read this book in the '80s and have remembered it ever since. I finally found it again and reread it. It's just as fascinating now as it was then.

The only drawback: If you read at night, you won't get much sleep because this book is nearly impossible to put down.

The most respected historian in the field of espionage, Nigel West, studied all of Aline's spy books marketed as nonfiction and concluded "...all four of Aline's books should be regarded as fiction, and nothing more..." Read "Counterfeit Spies, Chapter 3, by Nigel West, 1998.